Ray Magazine issue 8 lowres by Fast Web SEO

“Luxury getaway options available on The Blue Train” SPECIAL PACKAGE OFFERING PILANESBERG FOR 2010 THE BLUE TRAIN/ IVORY TREE GAME LODGE PACKAGE INCLUDES: * One overnight forward & one return day trip’s accommodation on The Blue Train (inclusive of all meals, drinks (alcoholic & non-alcoholic), and Blue Train gifts. French Champagne, caviar, purchases from the Boutique Shop and external telephone calls are NOT included. Please note that there are no parking facilities available at Pretoria Station. Kindly make transfer arrangements. * Two nights accommodation at Ivory Tree Game Lodge, inclusive of all meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner (All drinks -alcoholic and nonalcoholic not included at Ivory Tree Game Lodge). * 4 X game drives for whilst guests booked at Ivory Tree Game Lodge (children under 6 years not allowed on the game drive). * R400 Spa voucher per person for Amani Spa. * Transfer from / to Sun City Station * Tourism levy Package dates: 16 September 2010 – 19 September 2010 30 December 2010 – 02 January 2011 Itinerary Day 1 At 17:00 guests arrive at The Blue Train Lounge at Pretoria Station for check-in formalities. The Blue Train departs at 18:00. Guests enjoy dinner on board the train.

Day 2 Guests enjoy breakfast on the train. The Blue Train arrives at Sun City Halt at 10:00. Guests are transferred to Ivory Tree Game Lodge for an unforgettable twoday stay. Guests enjoy lunch, dinner, game drives as well as other optional activities offered by Ivory Tree Game Lodge. Day 3 Guests enjoy breakfast, lunch and 2 X game drives and dinner at the Lodge. Day 4 Guests enjoy breakfast at the Lodge and prepare for checkout at 10:00. Guests are transferred to board The Blue Train at Sun City Halt. Guests enjoy lunch on the train. The train arrives at Pretoria station at 17:00.

THE BLUE TRAIN ZIMBALI GOLFERS BREAKAWAY 2010 The package includes: * Two nights’ return journey on The Blue Train (inclusive of all meals and drinks; alcoholic & non-alcoholic) and a gift. Excluding French champagne, caviar, purchases from the Boutique Shop and external telephone calls. Please note that there are no parking facilities available at Pretoria Station. Kindly make transfer arrangements. * Two nights’ accommodation at Fairmont Zimbali Lodge including bed and breakfast and meal vouchers of R510-00 per person to use at the Fairmont Zimbali Restaurants. Transfers from the station to the lodge (and vice versa). * Two rounds of golf at Zimbali Golf Estate (including green fees and cart hire) or R700-00 voucher to use at Camelot Spa at Zimbali (for non-golfers). Package dates: 09 – 13 September 2010 18 – 22 November 2010

FOR MORE INFO, RESERVATIONS AND SPECIAL PACKAGE RATES PLEASE CONTACT THE BLUE TRAIN: PRETORIA: TEL; +27 (0) 12 334-8459/60, FAX; +27 (0) 12 334-8464/8081 CAPE TOWN TEL; +27 (0) 21 449-2672, FAX; +27 (0) 21 449-3338/2067 E-MAIL: INFO@BLUETRAIN.CO.ZA “Relax and rejuvenate…on The Blue Train’s opulent and affordable packages”

CONTENTS

Lifestyle, Arts & Culture: Photography: 132

Miracle Within

Joe Niemand - Scenes from Song of Songs

Melanie - Different

Errol Boyley

Mr. Africa 2010

Fragile Earth

The Original Hennie Niemann Snr

Sean Else - Living in the Moment

Gaabo Motho Tenors

Willie and the Cool Dudes

A Sense of Nostalgia

Motoring: 140 143

Renault Twingo Gordini RS Mazda BT 50

08 Inspirational: 84 86 89 91 94 97

140

Loving the Unlovely The Greatest thing called Love To Worship God Life’s Best Gifts Our Tour to South Asia Sinner’s Prayer

Fashion & Beauty: 99 115

R ay M

a ga zine Is

Romantic Glamour

Mrs. Modern Women 2010

8 sue

Culinary Delights: 32

Cupcake Couture

Hunter’s Country House

Enjoy Dining Alfresco Style

Gigi’s Brasserie

Health:

Reflections of Womanhood Beauty and the Breast God’s Pharmacy - Part 5

Gardening 26

The Romance of Orchids

A Mediterranean Haven

60 132

Travel:

Marataba Safari Company Camp Jabulani Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre

Décor & Design: 148

Welcome To Our Bio-Climatic Home

Regulars: 4 156 158 159

Editor’s Letter The Day of Grace Subscriptions Stockists List

e8 ssu

agazine I

The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa

08 13 16 19

R ay

78 80 81

from the Editor’s Pen Images below: Rina Smit

Welcome to this issue of Ray Magazine. Again we offer you, our valued readers, interesting content inside the pages of this issue. We are surrounded by so many talent and beauty. What a joy to discover that there’s lots of it – often in the most unexpected places and faces. Creativity must be an expression of our humanity. We can learn so much from one another. “A wise man learns by the mistakes of others, a fool by his own.” (Latin Proverb). After winter, fallen leaves form a carpet of coloured patterns on the ground, similarly our lives have their own patterns. As we see patterns of our own growth, may we learn from them. Vincent Van Gogh said: “I dream my paintings and then paint my dream.”And Eleanor Roosevelt said: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said: “Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of being.” We live in such an amazing country. South Africa is rich in extraordinary fauna and flora, and we hope to always highlight these aspects of society. This summer we can look forward to some long, hot days, enjoying al fresco style dining with our loved ones and for those fortunate to go on holiday, there are always the promises of sunsoaked days filled with the sea, sand and many more treats… I hope you‘re reflecting on the year 2010 with wonderful memories, that you‘ve gained more strength and wisdom, with the desire to become the person you‘re supposed to be. Do not be like a tea bag, only to realise how strong you are, until you find yourself in hot water. Now is the moment, know your strengths and live freely by giving of yourself to others… Be blessed!

Rina Smit R ay M

a ga zine Is

8 sue

Text: Rina Smit Image: Oystercatcher Trail

Travel

Travelling to different destinations provides new and exciting opportunities. To go boldly to places for the first time, meet new people and to experience their cultures, can be FUN! Leave your worries behind and go on vacation. Enjoy a splendid journey!

T he

t a a r a b M a r S a t a S fari C e v i F Text: The PR Team Images: Marataba Safari Company

ompany

Marataba is part of Hunter Hotels Group and proud a member of the R elais & Châteaux Association

THERE IS A MYSTICAL PLACE at the

R ay M

a ga zine Is

foot of the Waterberg Mountains on the ancient trade route through Southern Africa, from the mighty tower of “Great Zimbabwe,” over the raging Limpopo River and across vast plains teeming with game. Dense bushveld, winding rivers, deep gorges and majestic mountains completes this tranquil picture. Marataba is an exclusive 23,000 hectare private concession in the heart of Limpopo’s Marakele National Park, a ‘place of sanctuary’ for Africa’s Big Five and a multitude of other animal species including rare antelope such as roan, sable and mountain reedbuck. This malaria-free wilderness is also home to the world’s largest breeding

colony of the endangered Cape Vulture. Birdlife within the park is prolific with more than 400 species having been recorded, a veritable birder’s Eden. In this hidden place, discover Marataba, epitomising all that is Africa. This luxurious game lodge reflects Africa’s ancient wisdom and culture, the glorious forms and colour presenting a vibrant haven at the epicentre of modern design. Enter a sanctuary of mystery in harmony with the energy of nature and the environment, built of indigenous stone, timber, sand and soil, enhanced by murmuring waters and vast vistas liberated by glass walls.

8 sue

s n i A Mystical place at the foot of the Waterberg Mounta

agazine I

e8 ssu

R ay

Enjoy an afternoon siesta in your luxurious suite, lazing around the pool, or simply absorbing the tranquil atmosphere of the African bush. Afternoon High Tea, served at 16h00, is a blissful experience. Fall asleep listening to the faraway sounds of the African night - the distant roar of a lion, the trumpet of an elephant, the grunt of a hippo… Guests receive a discreet wake-up call in time for coffee and tea and the morning game drive, and so a new day’s adventure begins. A sumptuous breakfast is

Gourmet cuisine with fresh African flavours is served either in the elegantly appointed dining room or outdoors on the dining veranda or, alternatively, under a glorious African sky. And, as temperatures rise in Limpopo, cool off in the crystal clear pool. The Main Lodge also boasts a Guest Business Centre for those guests who cannot totally escape the outside world. Mobile phone reception is erratic. Marataba is an ideal wedding and incentive destination with tailormade options and activities available on request.

served after the game drive at the lodge.

Saturated with the sights, sounds and smells of the African wilderness, indulge in the supreme luxury of our exotic tented suites, an intriguing mix of canvas, timber and stone, exquisitely furnished and decorated.

“I was born and raised on a farm near Nylstroom, in the Limpopo Province, and spent my childhood years exploring the valleys, plains, gorges and mountain streams of the region on foot with my brother and our

Marataba welcomes new General Manager Sjani Cuyler Sjani Cuyler has recently been appointed as the new General Manager at Marataba Safari Company. Ray asks this dynamic lady to tell us more about her career in this fascinating industry…

agazine I

e8 ssu

Stone-masonry characterises the main lodge with huge expanses of glass taking full advantage of the spectacular panoramic scenery. Admire the view while enjoying a cocktail in the Ladies Bar or simply relax in The Wallow with a book from the library, housed within the stone tower with a birds-eye view of the breathtaking surroundings.

En-suite stone bathrooms, with shower and bath, as well as his and hers basins and dressing room are the epitome of bushveld opulence. The 15 luxury suites each have their own private deck overlooking the sweeping plains and meandering river below. Other facilities include an outside shower, ceiling fan, air conditioning and in-house communication.

R ay

Inspired by the discovery of primeval ruins, Marataba embraces both the contemporary and the ancient in an exciting union of innovative architecture, design and technology, paying tribute to, and confirming, the concept of the African Renaissance. Lulled by the heartbeat of the bushveld, awed by towering mountains, enthralled by the abundance of wildlife, secure and sensually nurtured in the indulgent atmosphere, live your dreams of safari at Marataba, the place where the plains touch the mountains…

dogs in tow. My real love for the African bush was cultivated between long school holidays on our family farm in the Sabi Sands reserve and winter safaris to the Okavango Delta, Chobe and Savuti regions of Northern Botswana. I moved to Pretoria to complete my high school years and a Diploma in Travel and Tourism followed, but the flooded waterways of the Okavango was beckoning and I started my career in the safari and lodge industry based on the edge of the Moremi Game Reserve. When an opportunity arose to move to the mountainous deserts of Damaraland in Namibia, I was eager to experience something completely out of my comfort zone. Over the years, I also worked in lodges on the edge of the Etosha pan, the desolate Skeleton Coast and on the remote banks of the Cunene River and the Hartman’s Valley. My love for Botswana soon took me back there where I worked in several camps and lodges throughout northern Botswana.“ Sjani took a break from bush life in her mid twenties and returned to the city where she completed a Diploma in journalism, but crowded city life soon had Sjani longing for the open spaces and the raw, natural beauty of Africa. She spent several months living in the Bazaruto Archipelago region of Mozambique, but returned to the bush to manage several remote camps on the wild and unspoilt Busanga Plains of the northern Kafue National Park in Zambia. Sjani also made the banks of the mighty Zambezi River in Livingstone her base for some time. Sjani’s love and passion for the African fauna and flora and her utter love for the tranquillity of nature certainly runs deep in her veins. After travelling and exploring the Southern African continent for the better part of the last 10 years, Sjani has finally returned to her place of birth in the picturesque Waterberg Mountains to settle down just a little and to watch the setting sun splash the cliffs of the mountains a staggering magenta. Over the next two years Hunter Hotels Group will be opening two more lodges in the Marataba Private Concession - each uniquely individual, each created in the service excellence tradition of Hunter Hotels Group. RM

R ay M

a ga

Contact Hunter Hotels Group Central Reservations Natalie Byrnes, Group Reservations Tel: +27 44 501 1111 Fax: +27 44 501 1100 Email: res@huntershotels.com Website: www.hunterhotels.com Marataba Gate GPS coordinates: S24° 20’ 44.1 E027° 29’ 42.0”

zine Is

8 sue

CAMP JABULANI AWARDED COVETED CONDE NAST TRAVELER WORLD SAVERS AWARD

THE 5-STAR CAMP JABULANI,

Text: The PR Team Images: Camp Jabulani

Hoedspruit, a proud member of the Relais & Châteaux Association, has been awarded the highly coveted ‘Conde Nast Traveler World Savers Award’ due to the luxury elephant safari-camp’s exceptional commitment to the environment through its impressive sustainable energy and recycling policies, extensive educational programmes for staff, as well as local communities and implementation of its multiple pioneering conservation programmes. The award was officially presented at Conde Nast Traveler’s 4th annual World Savers Congress on October 19 at the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre in Singapore.

agazine I

e8 ssu

addressing the congress in previous years have included Bill Clinton, Queen Rania of Jordan, economist Jeffrey Sachs and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nicholas Kristof. Celebrities with a social conscience that have also participated include Matt Damon, Ashley Judd, Marcia Gay Harden, Wyclef Jean, Ed Norton, and Mandy Moore.

R ay

The Conde Nast Traveler World Savers Congress attracts some 200 leaders in the travel industry, whose revenue was valued at USD7 trillion this year alone, under one roof. They are encouraged, via keynote speaker and discussion forums, to ways in which to address the issues of global poverty, health education and environmental depredation. Some notable figures

Managing Director of Camp Jabulani, Adine Roode, comments: ’We are genuinely thrilled that efforts to look after our environment and the community by Camp Jabulani have been recognised by such a prestigious award. However, I must honour my Mother, Lente Roode, whose mission has always been about the conservation of rare, vulnerable or endangered animals. Without her incredible commitment to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre and her firm belief that ‘The Power of One is Boundless’ - or simply, one person can make a difference - Camp Jabulani and the positive ripple effects created as a result, would not exist.’ Camp Jabulani is situated in South Africa’s northernmost Limpopo Province within a privately owned Big 5 game reserve near to the Kruger National Park. In addition to the Big 5, a wide variety of indigenous and endangered species, such as the rare black-footed cat, ground hornbill, blue crane and sable thrive in the well-preserved natural habitat. No trees were felled during the creation of the Camp, which is ecologically sound in every aspect, from waste disposal to the utilisation of natural elements

in the construction. Everything that can be recycled are: animal skins make furniture coverings; marula pips from the elephants’ favourite fruit make an unusual decorative wall feature; and elephant dung is

R ay M

a ga

an endless resource with many uses from making the paper used for the Camp’s promotional information to filling erosion trenches that assist in the prevention of rain damage. Of the Camp’s 140 staff, 80% are from the local community (several in management

zine Is

8 sue

aga

e8 ssu

zine Is

agazine I

R ay M

Camp Jabulani works hand in hand with the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC), managed by founder, Lente Roode, who set up Camp Jabulani to sustain a herd of trained elephants rescued from Zimbabwe by HESC when their owner’s farm was requisitioned. The herd adopted Jabulani (meaning ‘rejoice’), an orphan elephant formerly

rescued by HESC, who refused to be reintroduced to the wild. Watching and interacting with the elephants between safaris is a rare experience for visitors: the herd roams around the camp in complete freedom and enjoys a regular group swim in the waterhole at midday. RM

R ay

positions). Also of the 42-strong team taking care of the elephants, most originate from Zimbabwe – as did the elephants, with the exception of Jabulani and the 6 babies, a sure sign of a happy herd.

8 sue

Text: Adele Minnaar & Images: Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre

HOEDSPRUIT ENDANGERED SPECIES CENTRE

LAUNCHES NEW CHEETAH CONSERVATION TRAINING PROGRAMME

THE HOEDSPRUIT ENDANGERED SPECIES CENTRE (HESC), established

as one of the leading private research and breeding facilities for endangered species in South Africa, is proud to announce the launch of its new Cheetah Conservation Training Programme. Participants aged between 18 and 35 years old are invited to get involved in this practical approach to conservation and wildlife, which runs for three weeks from 13, October 2010 – 28, December 2010. This Programme is designed to equip students with the aptitude to actively participate in conserving the wildlife of Southern Africa, to create awareness of conservation on a global scale and to experience the beauty and rich diversity of South Africa. Costs are R14,400.00 for RSA residents and for non-RSA residents R18,000.00.

R ay M

a ga

zine Is

As the programme is based at the (HESC) home to cheetah, wild dog, black-foot cat, lion, African wild cat, ground horn bill, sable antelope and more, participating students will form part of the ‘handson’ team, which mediates the well-being of all animals at the Centre.

States Adine Roode, Managing Director at Camp Jabulani: “If we can in some way ignite in others the ardent fire that comes from working with animals and within the environment, then we are fulfilled. So many visitors who have participated in the programme have walked away from it fundamentally changed and committed to the prospect of doing something to make a difference for our natural environment and its inhabitants - wherever they

8 sue

The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC) focuses on the conservation of rare, vulnerable and endangered animals with cheetah conservation being one of its core focuses.  The Centre has established

itself as one of the leaders in the breeding and research of endangered species. The Centre also provides a safe haven for orphaned and sick animals as well as an education centre where the public and South Africa’s younger generations can learn about endangered species by observing them at close range. HESC works closely with advisory committees from the Pretoria Zoo and the University of Pretoria. Our mission and vision is ensuring our tomorrow by fostering and communicating the belief that the ‘Power of One is Boundless’. Our core objectives are to promote scientific research and development in the wildlife field, to generate funds to assist in the operational costs of the Centre, which makes no profit from its operation, to ensure the treatment and rehabilitation of wild animals that are brought to the Centre and to guarantee the provision of a safe alternative for damage-causing animals on commercial farms with a view to ultimately introduce them into conservation areas that can accommodate such animals into their management policies.   How did you get involved in this industry?  The Centre’s story began 21 years ago with a dream; my mother realised a passion for the cheetah as a young child when she became the care-giver of a young abandoned cub on her parents’ farm. After marrying my father and acquiring a private game reserve, she had the opportunity to see this passion materialise. Her dream was to have two cheetahs

What is the most satisfying part of your job?  The bond you share with an animal is uplifting and soul enriching but most importantly, it’s making a difference to ensure the survival of our planet and our natural heritage. The centre also specializes in the education http://www.hesc.co.za/SEP.htm of students and the general public in conservation and ecotourism http://www.hesc.co.za/day_drives.htm.  What can we as the public do in our own way to promote conservation or raise awareness for this cause?  I would like to use the following section from my recent speech in Singapore at the Conde Nast World Savers Award: ‘More than the animals, the environment and conservation at large, it’s necessary for people to put systems in place that will ensure the survival of our planet and our natural heritage. I’m continuously surrounded by people with such good intentions and very big hearts, but I’m amazed at how few of them actually believe that they can make a difference, so they end up doing nothing at all. This is one of the most important lessons I have personally taken from the work that we have done as a family and as a community over the last twenty years. If each good heart in the world could realise this, the capacity

e8 ssu

agazine I

Tell us a bit more about your work at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre.

Ray talks to Managing Director of Camp Jabulani, Adine Roode, and discovers a deep commitment and passion for the conservation success that is Camp Jabulani & The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre…

on the reserve, but she ended up with 35 due to the hand of fate. A breeder she knew was no longer able to take care of the cheetahs in his custody. As the voice of reason, my father sat her down – I can almost see in my mind the two of them sitting on the front step at the end of a long day, sharing a whiskey together. He told her that this cheetah centre would have to be operated like a business and as an institute of science. She would have to learn about balancing books, comparing expenses versus income and paying attention to the uninteresting world of maintenance, staff, and general management. This was not just about loving the cheetah – their survival depended on much more. As you can imagine, this was not particularly well received by my mom as she had thought that her husband would take care of the detail – leaving her to do what she did best with her most favourite cats! Well, here we are, 21 years later and I’m so proud to say that my mother clearly learnt her lesson well. She has transformed into an astute business woman, much of it on her own and has seen this passion of hers grow into a worthy concern, highly regarded in both local and international arenas. She has never lost her love for the cheetah but the Centre has expanded into one which houses numerous animal species. If there is an animal which is vulnerable, injured or orphaned, it somehow finds its way to the HESC. It’s not hard to love what we do when we watch these animals heal. I worked at the Centre since I was 16 years’ old during holidays and after graduating from varsity. I got involved in the financial side of the Centre. In 2000, we moved to Hoedspruit where I assisted in the daily running of the Centre.

R ay

may find themselves in the world. One person can ultimately make a profound difference. And if we can help people realise this, and to act on it - our objectives have been reached.”

for change and for rehabilitation of this planet at large would not only be possible, but a reality for our children. It is time for mankind to realise the amount of power we have and our responsibility to use it for the greater good. The time is now or as they say in Africa - KE NAKO!’ RM

Contact Details: Address:

Kapama Private Game Reserve,

Hoedspruit, Limpopo Province, South Africa, 1380 Postal Address: PO Box 25745, Monument Park, 0105, Pretoria, South Africa Phone:

+ 27 12 460 5605 (reservations)

+27 12 460 7348 ;

+ 27 15 793 1265 (Camp)

Fax:

+ 27 12 460 7573 (reservations) ;

+ 27 15 793 1261 (Camp)

Email:

reservations@campjabulani.com

Website:

www.campjabulani.com

www.hesc.co.za Key Contacts: Managing Director - Adine Roode

Reservations – Adele Welgemoed / Michelle Badenhorst

General Manager – Carl & Elsie Olen Sales – Anke Paterson Representative in the United Kingdom: Sue Ricketts E-mail: sue@targetafrica.co.uk Representative in the United States: Philippa Kort E-mail: philippakort@me.com

R ay M

a ga

zine Is

8 sue

Text: The PR Team & Images: The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa

The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa AN OASIS OF TRANQUILITY

THIS FIVE STAR CAPE TOWN HOTEL is poised above the Atlantic Ocean, flanked by the majestic Table Mountain and The Twelve Apostles mountain range. The hotel’s interior design is inspired by its namesake, creating a fresh, calming environment that artfully combines sophistication with simplicity, comfort and elegance.

The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa is a part of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection and a member of Leading Hotels of the World. SUPERB SPA, WILDERNESS TRAILS, AWARDWINNING RESORT

agazine I

e8 ssu

The Twelve Apostles is the luxurious get-away-fromit-all location that was recently named Leading Spa Resort in Africa. Here, you can be as active as you like – hiking through the mountain trails, working out in the

R ay

Guests are five minutes from the most beautiful beaches and Camps Bay and fifteen minutes from the City Centre and V&A Waterfront with many vineyards within easy reach. Guests are spoilt by spectacular views of the ocean and mountain views with each of their 70 bedrooms and suites including the Presidential Suite, each superbly designed to provide the utmost comfort and style. The hotel boasts two pools perched above the ocean, award-winning health & beauty spa; Azure restaurant, a 24 hour cafe and the Leopard Room Bar & Lounge; meeting, events & weddings facilities for up to 90 guests; and 16-seater private cinema. Guests also receive complimentary transfer service to & from the V&A Waterfront or can choose to arrive by helicopter to the hotel’s Helistop.

fitness room, learning to dive, or finding serene peace in The Sanctuary Spa. There’s not much you can’t do at The Twelve Apostles to increase your fitness, raise your spirits, or soothe away your stress. For those who like the outdoor life, there’s a heated infinity pool overlooking the ocean and a smaller secluded rock pool with mountain views. You can jog through park trails, settle into one of the many idyllic garden hammocks, swim or relax on nearby golden beaches, play golf, go fishing, or explore ancient shipwrecks. If you prefer something a little quieter, The Sanctuary Spa is an oasis of tranquility cut into the surrounding rocks. Inside you’ll find hot and cold plunge pools, Cape Town’s only Rasul chamber, a sauna and a hydrotherapy bath. In the seven treatment rooms, they can pamper you with a range of treatments including many based on the indigenous fynbos flora. Or you can opt for a secluded open-air treatment in a shady gazebo.

beds, under floor heating and light therapy. - Sauna – a Laconium Sauna both dry and moist. -

Two secluded mountain gazebos – a treatment with an unrivalled view of the Twelve Apostles Mountain range and the magnificent Atlantic Ocean. Unique sunrise and sunset treatments are offered in this magnificent setting.

Tranquility Lounge - The post treatment room to continue your journey of relaxation and not be rushed into the real world.

Grooming Lounge Adding the final touches to a well-groomed appearance. Turn an ordinary manicure or pedicure into a special treat. Treatments can be enjoyed together in

Energise and revitalise your body at The Sanctuary Spa while captivating your senses with: -

Rasul Chamber – purification, rejuvenation

and healing - The Rasul purifies and decongests with mud face, body and hair masks applied in an environment of steam to activate and end with a soothing rain shower to cleanse.

R ay M

a ga

zine Is

Hydrotherapy Capsule bath - a luxurious hydrotherapy capsule that also provides back, foot and side massage jets, radiant heat, Vichy shower and light therapy.

Brine pool and Warm Hydrotherapy and Cold Water plunge pools incorporating a variety of body water jets at the optimal temperatures – hot and cold - for the body to prepare for therapies, improve blood circulation and enhance your treatment benefits and enjoyment. We recommend a process of cold, hot, cold, hot, cold combination for optimum benefit.

5 dry and 2 wet superbly equipped treatment rooms, featuring electronic heated

8 sue

this dual room or privacy drapes will ensure undisturbed seclusion. - Health Buffet – delicious fresh snack complimentary buffet and a Health Menu on order.

Elemis – Designed exclusively by Elemis for The Sanctuary Spa at The Twelve Apostles in South Africa “The Sanctuary Signature Escape” from Elemis was designed to achieve deep relaxation, harnessing the power of facial and body massage by employing stones along with Hawaiian Lomi Lomi moves to bring you a world first. Gentle body brushing and the traditional Elemis Welcome touch precede the full body massage and facial.

The successful combination of powerful natural ingredients, cutting-

edge formulation technology and proven clinical trials has enabled Elemis to bring to market some of the most influential anti-ageing homecare products and professional spa-therapies the beauty industry has ever seen. -

Dermalogica - the “quiet revolution” in skin care driven by research and education, with a cult following ranging from professional skin care therapists to Hollywood makeup artists.

Moya - Moya means soul, wind and spirit… in many African languages, and our range of Spa, bath and beauty products are synonymous with everything African – her life, beauty, riches, power, energy and hidden treasures. Distilled from the finest plant extracts and essential oils, Moya unlocks the secret Medicinal properties of Fynbos and other indigenous botanicals.

Dual treatments and specially tailored packages. Two dual treatment rooms. Enjoy a spa journey with special people – father and son, mother and daughter, partners and friends.

Spa Gift Vouchers – a perfect gift.

Complimentary Health snack buffet, mineral water, slippers and use of the Brine pool, warm Hydrotherapy and Cold Water plunge pools and Sauna with all treatment reservations. Make use of these heat therapies to further enhance body treatments.

- In room treatments available for hotel residents. Winter operating hours: 09:00am to 19:00pm, including public holidays. Summer operating hours: 08:00am to 20:00pm, including public holidays. About The Red carnation Hotel Collection:  Red Carnation is an award-winning collection of thirteen five and four star family-run boutique hotels. Each distinguished by an absolute commitment to attentive service and the comfort of every guest, located in some of the world’s most popular destinations. Red Carnation Hotels are regarded as some of the world’s finest with accolades including “Best Hotel in the British Isles” in the Condé Nast Traveler Magazine’s 23rd Annual Readers’ Choice Awards 2010 and “Best Hotel in the World” in the 2009 US Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. RM e8 ssu

agazine I

Separate Male and Female Changing rooms. Private change areas, secure lockers, fresh towels, slippers, a choice of gowns and all the small grooming items reinforce our commitment to attention to detail and comfort, addressing every need.

R ay

ContactÂ To make a reservation contact: Tel: +27 21 437 9000 Email: bookta@12apostles.co.za Website: www.12apostleshotel.com Become a fan of The Twelve Apostles Hotel on Facebook Follow The Twelve Apostles Hotel on Twitter.

agazine I

e8 ssu

R ay

MAJESTIC

Gardening

Well-designed gardens usually reserve some surprises or contain an element of allure. Flowers have a universal language and essence of their own. They are a constant presence around a home, transforming gardens with their beauty, their heady fragrance and butterfly blooms herald a new season. The beauty and diversity of orchids have fascinated people through the ages. We take a closer look at these exotic flowers... Text & Image: Rina Smit

agazine I

e8 ssu

R ay

vanilla plant was introduced to English gardens in 1739, and is credited with the increasing popularity of orchids in horticulture. In the 19th century, orchids were in such demand that auctions in Liverpool and London attracted much publicity. Prices soared, with buyers often paying 500 pounds for a single plant. Top prices were much higher. The companies who sold at these auctions paid plant hunters to go to exotic places in order to collect orchids for them to sell. Facing the dangers of the wild animals and poisonous snakes, hostile natives and in many cases the dangers of the landscape i.e. sheer cliff faces and treacherous swamp lands to earn their salary. Plants were shipped back to England where most were found to have died en-route, some of the snakes and spiders which made their way into the large crates survived the trip, causing some excitement when discovered.

Text: Tinus Oberholzer, Plantae Orchids Images: Vicki Ndlovu

The Romance of Orchids

A Touch of exotic, the shape, colour, fragrance...

The beauty and diversity of orchids

R ay M

a ga

have fascinated people for ages. As long as 5 centuries before Christ, Confucius compared the pleasure of seeing good friends to entering a room full of “lan” or fragrant orchids. Vanilla, the only widely used commercial product of the orchid family, was first discovered by the ancient Aztecs in Mexico. The

Most people’s perception of an orchid is still the Cattleya, the corsage orchid or Trestchikoff’s lost orchid. In South Africa Cymbidium is a close contender for the best known orchid as it is a plant which is easy to grow and will handle adverse conditions and still flower. It has been recommended as the best orchid for beginners and many people have these plants in their gardens. There is however literally thousands of different species, ranging from the huge and exotic down to micro-miniatures where you need a magnifying glass to appreciate their beauty.

The orchid family is not only the biggest plant family, but also one of the most diverse in growth, flower shape and colour. New species and varieties of species gets discovered on a yearly basis and the number of registered hybrids just keeps growing by the day. This is all because our fascination with orchids lies in various elements and it differs from person to person.

zine Is

8 sue

Plantae is a nursery dedicated to the growing of orchids and rare and unusual plants which will grow in the same conditions as orchids. The nursery started about six years ago and we are pleased to say that it has grown significantly in the past few years. We supply both wholesale not only to the Gauteng area, but regularly send plants to nurseries and florists in Nelspruit, Durban, East London, George and Cape Town. Plants are also sold to the public at the various shows put up by the orchid societies in JHB, Edenvale, Pretoria, Rustenburg and Nelspruit.

Orchid growing is such a rewarding hobby and a passion we want to share with everyone. For more information please send us an e-mail or for information on your nearest orchid society you can visit the website of the South African Orchid Council: www.saoc.co.za RM Contact us Plantae Orchids Email: info@plantae.co.za Website: www.plantae.co.za Tel: +27 84 752 6823 (Nollie) / +27 84 458 1199 (Tinus) READER OFFER 3 RAY READERS CAN WIN ONE OF THE EXOTIC ORCHIDS AT PLANTAE ORCHIDS To stand a chance to win this outstanding gift, simply send an email with all your contact details to: marketing@ray-magazine.com, Subject: Plantae Orchids. Winners will be notified in person.

e8 ssu

agazine I

Many orchids can be grown successfully in the house or in the garden whether you stay in Johannesburg, Nelspruit, Cape Town or Durban. Moth Orchids (Phalaenopsis) and Slipper Orchids (Paphiopedilum) normally do well indoors. Cymbidiums and Oncidium-types will grow outside in most climates where they are protected from frost. The warmer subtropical areas of the country are suitable for a wide range of orchids.

Orchids had a reputation of being an elitist hobby and finicky growers. Luckily with modern technology and improved propagation methods, orchids have become affordable and a wide variety of species and hybrids which are easy to grow and flower are available at reasonable prices. Chain stores such as Woolworths, Pick â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;n Pay and Spar have in recent years stocked Phalaenopsis with their elegant long lasting flowers. Some people even choose to buy these instead of a bunch of flowers as it will last much longer, while costing about the same.

Plants are also supplied to function coordinators and brides to be to add that special edge to the event. The nursery is open by appointment only or on the various open days advertised on the website. On these open days people have the opportunity to walk through the growing area to gain firsthand experience on how each of the plants are grown and are able to ask question related to the various needs of the plants they would like to purchase. In June we started with a monthly newsletter, which has been a huge success. We get requests for the newsletter on a daily basis through our website. The newsletter contains topical information on orchid culture, a plant of the month feature with in depth descriptions, photoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and cultural information on a specific orchid and we also offer a special on a plant with every newsletter. Our website features an orchid care page where detailed information on growing orchids in the home or garden and orchid care instructions for specific groups can be found.

R ay

It could be the touch of the exotic, the shape, colour or even the fragrance. Some people even confess to enjoying the challenge of growing the very difficult species while others love how easy some orchids are to keep. One of the most sought after and most beautiful is still our indigenous Disa uniflora or Pride of Table Mountain.

A Mediterranean Haven Text: Cornelius Botha

The moment we arrived at Eco Landscapes we were instantly swept away

to another world. Landscape designer Reneé Wright has the unique talent to transform any garden into a tranquil abode, a place where you can relax and get in touch with your European roots. The house is a sandstone colour, displaying the weathered look of the Mediterranean architectural style perfectly. One wall is covered in a magnificent mural, scenes from a Mediterranean courtyard. Trees and plants have been carefully chosen to enhance this tranquil picture. Leading from the entrance gate to the back garden is a long elegant Italian water feature, home to some of the most beautiful koi fish I’ve seen in a while. The sound of the water is refreshing and restful as it spills from the mouths of carved maidens and slips in a clear sheet from a spillway. A well-designed garden normally contains surprising elements of wonder and in Reneé’s case the private back garden takes one’s breath away as you wander through the rustic gate. R ay M

a ga

zine Is

Step into a haven, where two separate shady corners

Images: Michael Maherry & Eco Landscapes

8 sue

beckons you to relax onto cushioned recliners, while a bubbling stream and birdsong provides music to sooth away the days’ worries… The path is set with simple paving stones and mulched with gravel through which an abundance of joyous flowers dance in the sunlight. Many arid plants, such as aroids, succulents, and cacti thrive in this hot climate, perfect for an exotic Mediterranean style garden. Even if your space is limited, you can still easily create a Mediterranean garden with the use of unglazed terracotta pots. From doorsteps to patios and rooftops galore, the use of pots can provide the opportunity to include many types of plants. In this Mediterranean garden, you’ll find warm, dry air filled with many fragrant delights, like lavender. Numerous heat-loving and drought-tolerant plants can be found here, as well as large architectural plantings, such as palms, bay topiary, and tree ferns. Pots of bamboo make excellent additions to the Mediterranean garden too. Gaps are filled with grasses and a mix of exotic flowers and fruits, such as lemon.                                                      Mosaic tiles are commonly used in this Mediterranean

garden, seen decorating walls, tables, and pots, regardless of size. Substitutes for mosaic tiles can come from broken dishes or stained glass. Simply use mosaic adhesive and sanded grout found in craft and tile stores. Climbing crops (grapevine) and fragrant flowering vines (honeysuckle) on rustic-looking vertical supports were used for further ambiance, as well as privacy. You too can create a Mediterranean garden, wherever you live, with bright colours and hot hues from flowers like coreopsis, blanket flower, sedum, and sunflower. Set these off with contrasting plants in shades of blue along with silvery-grey foliage plants. Artemisia, Catmint, blue Festuca, Mexican-bush sage, and lamb’s ear are good choices. Include a variety of fragrant herbs like lavender, rosemary, and thyme. Olive and citrus trees also provide a Mediterranean touch. Lightly coloured boulders placed within the garden will also help mimic the Mediterranean landscape and don’t forget the water features. RM PRINCIPAL DESIGNER: RENÉE WRIGHT SOUTH AFRICA: ITALY: MOBILE: (0027) 83 271 0880 (0039) 340 253 1822 TELEPHONE: (0027)12 361 9644 renee@ecolandscapes.co.za www. ecolandscapes.co.za

R ay M

a ga

(0039) 0187 460 087

lesedi@gmail.com www. ecolandscapes.co.za

zine Is

8 sue

Culinary Delights

Text & Image: Rina Smit

agazine I

e8 ssu

R ay

Sharing food is sharing love, belonging, nourishment, experiences and values. Food nourishes the body, and laughter feeds the soul.

Cupcake Couture Text: Cynthia Du Pont Images: Michael Maherry Décor: H & H Linen

At Butterfly Cupcakes Elmarie Erasmus creates

cupcake couture for every occasion and event, from birthday parties, weddings, corporate functions or just an everyday special treat. Her hope is that the cupcakes bring smiles to the ones you care about and create cherished memories with your friends and family. “We want our customers to enjoy the simple pleasures and savour the sweet life.” Her she shares some of her cupcake secrets with our readers…

What is the most satisfying part for you in this business? Living my dream and doing something I’m passionate about and seeing the people enjoying the cupcakes.

Please tell us more about the decorating techniques you can use to decorate your cupcakes. Decorating cupcakes can be fun. Especially when you're creative and you know the right techniques, the cupcakes can be decorated with limitless designs and colours.

R ay M

a ga

Working With Icing: The seasons influence everything in baking. Too hot, too cold, the rain it all influence the outcome of your product. I have a winter and a summer icing and it is more difficult to work with icing in the summer. I start baking at 2 o’clock in the mornings to get the baking done by 6 o’clock, so I can start with the icing of the cupcakes. There are a variety of icings; you can mix a lot of different ingredients with the icing to make it beautiful and tasteful. There is also a variety of piping techniques you can use to make the cupcakes beautiful, like swirls, stars, pearls etc.

zine Is

8 sue

Working With Fondant: Working with fondant is a lot of fun and can be used for making the sugarcraft, like flowers and figurines, the coating of cakes and can be coloured in any colour you like and it is best to use gel colouring. It is also known as Sugarpaste, Gelatin Icing and Plastic Icing. I have a lot of different cutters that I use to make my sugarcraft. Working With Marzipan: Marzipan is made from ground almonds and caster sugar plus egg white and sometimes liquid glucose. Because of the high percentage of oil in the almonds, working with the paste under certain conditions means it becomes rather oily. It is best not to make figures in damp humid weather if it can be avoided. Personally I don’t use marzipan because of allergies. Working With Gum paste: Gum paste is versatile and is stronger than fondant. It can be rolled very thin, used for making delicate shapes or moulded into figurines, trees, and animals. Pieces can be "glued" together to make large standing ones. Gum paste dries very quickly if thin, but takes a long time to dry if thick, sometimes 24 hours or more. Decorations can be made weeks in advance and temporarily stored in airtight containers, in a cool, dark place or kept there indefinitely away from heat or moisture, which can soften them.

Please provide us with a list of things you could use to decorate your cupcakes. The List Of Cupcake Decorations Is Endless! There are many things you could use for cupcake decorations. Some are edible and some are not. Cupcake Toppers; Cupcake Rings; Cupcake Picks; Sprinkles; Quins; Dragees; Desiccated Coconut; Smarties; Chocolate Chips; Crystal Sugar; Nonpareils.

Please put down the common tools used for producing amazing cupcakes. Having the right cupcake utensils can save you a lot of time in preparing your dream cupcakes. Tools for baking…the first essential is mixing bowls in different sizes. The type e.g. Glass, stainless steel or ceramic depending on personal preference. Measuring cups and spoons, spatulas, sieve, a good mixer, baking tins, kitchen scale, baking cups and a kitchen timer. Once you have the proper equipment, you will be well on your way to achieving you cupcake-baking goals.

agazine I

e8 ssu

R ay

Tools for decorating...The main tool needed for decorating cupcakes is the piping bag with an assortment of nozzles and all the decorations I’ve mentioned that help you make the most beautiful cupcake.

Tools for serving...Beautiful cupcake stands, glass domes, patisserie stands and cupcake wrappers. At the end it is up to your imagination on how you want to display your cupcakes. I always try to match the theme of my cupcakes to compliment them.

Please give us some of your favourite cupcake recipes…

Lemon-Scented Blueberry Cupcakes Ingredients

Pistachio Cupcakes with Raspberries Ingredients (Makes 15) • 1 cup whole unsalted pistachios, plus 1/4 cup slivered or chopped • 1 1/2 cups sugar • 1 teaspoon salt • 4 ounces (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract • 4 large eggs • 1 cup all-purpose flour • 2 cups fresh raspberries

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line standard muffin tins with paper liners. Process whole pistachios sugar and salt in a food processor until finely ground. Add butter, vanilla and eggs and process until smooth. Add flour and pulse until just combined. Divide batter among muffin cups, filling each halfway. Sprinkle with raspberries and slivered or chopped pistachios. Bake until firm and pulling away from liners, about 28 minutes. Let cool in tins on wire racks. Cupcakes will keep, covered, for up to 2 days. R ay M

a ga

CUPCAKES: • 1 1/2 cups (about 6 3/4 ounces) plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided • 10 tablespoon granulated sugar • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 1/8 teaspoon baking soda • 1/4 cup butter, melted • l large egg • 1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk • 1/2 cup 2% reduced-fat milk • 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind • 3/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed FROSTING: • 1/4 cup (2 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened • 2 tablespoons butter, softened • 1teaspoon grated lemon rind • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract • 1/8 teaspoon salt • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice • Fresh blueberries (optional)

Preparation 1. 2.

Preheat oven to 350°. Place 12 decorative paper muffin cup liners into muffin cups.

zine Is

8 sue

3. To prepare cupcakes, lightly spoon 1 1/2 cups flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Measure 1 tablespoon flour; level with a knife. Sift together 11/2 cups flour plus 1 tablespoon flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and baking soda in a large bowl. Combine melted butter and egg in another large bowl; stir with a whisk. Add buttermilk, milk, and 1 teaspoon rind to butter mixture; stir with a whisk. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Toss blueberries with remaining 1 tablespoon flour. Fold blueberries into batter. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 5 minutes on a wire rack; remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack. 4. To prepare frosting, place cream cheese, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon rind, vanilla, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed just until blended. Gradually add powdered sugar (do not overbeat). Stir in juice. Spread frosting evenly over cupcakes; garnish with blueberries, if desired. Store, covered, in refrigerator.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/3 cup crushed pineapple 1/3 cup shredded coconut

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and line the cupcake pans with liners. • At medium speed, beat together the melted butter, pineapple juice, rum, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. • In a separate bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. • Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture 1/2 cup at a time until combined. Mixer should be on low speed. Fold in the pineapple and coconut. • Fill the cupcake liners three-quarters full and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cupcake comes out clean. Vanilla Frosting: 3 cups confectioners’ sugar 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 tablespoons milk • Slowly add sugar to the softened butter and cream together with an electric mixer. • Stir in the vanilla and milk and beat until a smooth spreading consistency. If you need more milk or sugar, add gradually. RM Your contact details for enquiries and orders please. Elmarie Erasmus Tel: +27 82 415 7878 elmarie@butterflycupcakes.co.za www.butterflycupcakes.co.za

agazine I

e8 ssu

R ay

Pina Colada Cupcake Recipe Ingredients 1 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled 1/3 cup pineapple juice 1 tablespoon rum 2 teaspoon vanilla 3 large eggs

Text: David Shibanda Images: Hunter’s Country House

Hunter’s Country House represents South Africa in Culinary World Cup Tanja Kruger, Head Chef at the five-star Hunter’s

Country House, Plettenberg Bay, part of the prestigious Hunter Hotels Group, has been selected as one of only eight Chefs in South Africa to participate in the Culinary Team SA’s Culinary World Cup, recognised as one of biggest culinary competitions in the world, taking place in November in Luxembourg. The participating team will compete in a hot kitchen competition as well as a cold table, which includes tapas, a festive platter, individual starters, main courses and dessert. For the hot kitchen, participants will be graded on practices, knife skills, ingredients, balance in the menu, presentation, taste and a whole lot more. The judging for the cold table consists of presentation and taste. The Chefs will be given one hour to set up the hot kitchen and thereafter embark on their cooking journey where they are required to prepare 105 three-course meals. States Head Chef, Tanja Kruger: “It’s an incredible honour to be selected to represent your own country and I know all of the team will fly the South African flag with pride.”

R ay M

a ga

zine Is

Other participating team members include Henrico Grobbelaar as Captain, Kevin Miller (Pastry), HD Fraser, Peter Gyorgyicsek (Show Piece/Pastry), Roberto de Carvalho, Nadin PospechDemmler and Charl Gyzen.

8 sue

25 National Teams, 10 National Military Teams, 10 National Junior Teams, 10 Collective Catering Teams and many individual Chefs and Confectioners will compete in this culinary cook off. An international jury composed of professional Chefs from all over the world will judge the various works, which may be awarded a bronze, silver or gold medal. The best teams will be awarded with the Culinary World Cup.

Ray asks her the secrets of her trade… How did you get involved in this industry?

When I did the regional cook off for the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs (or jeunne commis) competition, I had one minute left on the clock to finish my dessert. Everything up until that point went perfect and half of the dessert was already on the plate. The last thing that I had to do was to put the main components on the plate, which was deep fried custard, and when I turned around to put it on, two of the four custards fell out of my hand and onto the floor! I had no choice but to think on my feet, throw the two custards on the floor away and cut the remaining two in half. Even

My set of knives as they are as valuable to me as my hands! 90% of what a chef do is buying the best possible ingredients. How do you choose your suppliers? I choose to go local as far as I possibly can. I also believe that it’s my duty to know exactly where everything on my menu comes from, so suppliers must also be knowledgeable about their products. The best quality produce is the most important thing in cooking. If you start off with a good quality product you will end up with the best possible result. These are all very important factors when choosing suppliers. What’s your favourite newly discovered ingredient? Samphire! It tastes like salty asparagus and goes brilliantly with fish. It is very popular in Europe but I have never seen it in South Africa at a supplier or a shop. It’s in fact very abundant in South Africa and grows all over the shoreline. I pick it myself in the Garden Route area, but I would not recommend this to anyone if they do not know what they are doing! Ray is wishing Tanja and all the other participating team members all the best in the Culinary World Cup. Make South Africa proud guys! RM Contact www.hunterhotels.com

e8 ssu

agazine I

Curry - the hotter the better! My previous Head Chef always used to make Thai Curry if we felt sick or tired and it kind of stuck. Now I just pop around to my favourite Thai restaurant when I need a ‘pick me up’! Kitchen disaster stories are always interesting. Do you have a specific one to tell?

It would have to be bacon, eggs, butter, sour dough bread and coffee. I would never survive without a good breakfast and a cup of coffee! What is the most essential item in your kitchen?

What’s your regular comfort meal?

though it seemed like a disaster at that time, it worked out really well because I won the competition. But people will never let me live that moment down and they still tease me about it to this day! You’re stranded on a desert island. What five foods would you want with you? What would you make?

R ay

I just decided sometime during my matric year that I wanted to become a Chef and then started looking at various Chef Schools that I could possibly attend. I always loved cooking, but never considered it as a career before then. My mother was in the catering industry, so I knew a little bit about all the hard work that it involved. I fell in love with the industry on the first day that I attended the Institute of Culinary Arts (ICA) the following year and the rest as they would say is history.

1/2 cup sweet peas 1/2 cup cashew nuts 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt 1/4 teaspoon celery salt 1 tablespoon prepared mustard ground black pepper to taste 1/4 cup mayonnaise

Directions Rinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Grape, Avo and Feta Salad Ingredients

1 head leaf lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces 1 cup red grapes 1 avocado - peeled, pitted, and diced 1/2 cup sliced pineapple 1/4 cup white sugar 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes 1 cup feta cheese, diced 1/3 cup olive oil 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt fresh ground black pepper to taste

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, cool, peel and chop. Cook the macaroni on the side, until al dente, drain excess water. Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil; cover, remove from heat, and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, eggs, dates, onion, peas, macaroni, cashew nuts, garlic salt, celery salt, mustard, pepper and mayonnaise. Mix together well and refrigerate until chilled.

Directions For the dressing, blend oil, vinegar, 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar, salt, and pepper. In a large serving bowl, layer lettuce, avocado, feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, grapes and pineapple. Pour dressing over salad and serve.

Classic Roast Beef Ingredients

Classic Potato Salad Ingredients R ay M

a ga

zine Is

5 potatoes 3 eggs 1 cup macaroni 1/2 cup whole dates 1/2 cup chopped onion

5 pounds beef round roast salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup water 1/2 teaspoon dried sage 1/2 teaspoon dried mint 1 medium onion, sliced (optional) 1 clove garlic, minced (optional) 1/8 teaspoon seasoning salt (optional) 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) 1 tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 1/2 cup cold water 1/4 teaspoon dried sage 1/4 teaspoon dried mint

8 sue

Directions

Method

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Season the roast with salt and pepper to taste. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a Dutch oven over mediumhigh heat. Brown the outside of the roast on all sides in the butter. After the roast is browned, add 1/2 cup water to the pan, and sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of sage, and 1/2 teaspoon of mint onto the roast. Place onion and garlic into the pan if desired, and season with seasoning salt and red pepper flakes, if using.

1. For the choux pastry, pour the water into a medium saucepan and add the butter. Place the pan over a medium heat, and as soon as the butter melts, turn up the heat and bring to a boil. Shoot in all the flour in one go and take the pan off the heat.

Cover the pot, and place the roast in the oven for 3 hours for well done. Removed finished roast to a pan to keep warm. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a medium skillet. Whisk flour into melted butter until smooth. Remove from heat, and stir in 1/2 cup cold water. Mix until a smooth paste is formed. Return to medium heat, and season with remaining sage and mint. Stir in the liquid from the roasting pan, and boil, stirring constantly until the gravy is thickened. Remove from heat. Slice the roast and serve with gravy poured over the meat.

2. Stir briskly until the flour has blended in with the liquid and the mixture leaves the sides of the pan and makes a soft ball. It's best not to overbeat at this stage otherwise you'll end up with heavy pastry. Preheat the oven to 200°C. 3. Leave the mixture to cool slightly, and when it's warm to the touch, start beating in the eggs, a tablespoon at a time. Beat well between each addition - the more air you can incorporate, the lighter the pastry. It's a good idea to use an electric mixer. When you've added both eggs, the pastry should take on a glossy sheen and have a soft, almost dropping consistency. 4. Spoon the paste into a piping bag fitted with a 1cm plain nozzle and pipe finger lengths, about 5cm long onto a lightly oiled and floured baking tray. Leave about 3cm space between each éclair, as they need space to puff up in the oven. Just before baking, sprinkle over a few drops of cold water (this helps ensure a good rise in the oven). 5. Bake the éclairs for about 20 minutes before turning down the heat to 190°C for another 10 minutes. They should be golden brown and well risen. Remove from the oven and pierce each éclair with a trussing needle or the point of a sharp knife, so that the steam can escape without making the pastry soggy. Leave to cool on a wire rack.

125 ml water 50 g butter 60 g plain flour 2 eggs, beaten For the filling: 300 ml double cream 3 drops vanilla extract 2 tsp caster sugar For the icing: 50 g dark chocolate, chopped 1 tsp butter 2 tbsp water 85 g icing sugar

7. Tip the chocolate into a heatproof bowl and add the butter and water. Place over a saucepan of simmering water and stir until melted. Add the sieved icing sugar, a little at a time. With a palette knife, smooth the icing over the top of each éclair and leave on one side until set. RM

Enjoy Dining Alfresco

e8 ssu

agazine I

Ingredients (for 20 Éclairs)

R ay

Nita’s Chocolate Éclairs

6. Whip the cream with the vanilla and sugar, and spoon into a clean piping bag fitted with a plain nozzle. Widen the hole made by the trussing needle and insert the piping nozzle. Pipe the cream into the éclairs and place in the fridge to firm up while you make the icing.

Text: Ruth Steward Images: Gigi’s Brasserie

Gigi’s Brasserie Opens @ Hotel Izulu a crystal chandelier that lights a feature wall, beautifully covered in ‘Oscar Wilde’ wallpaper with inspirational, embossed wording. Gigi’s Brasserie looks out onto the lush, manicured gardens and full length windows allow the light to enter and therefore minimise the amount of electricity required to light the area – another aspect of this 5-star Hotel’s eco awareness. Comments Managing Director of Hotel Izulu, Grant

agazine I

e8 ssu

from the new King Shaka International Airport, has celebrated its 6th birthday, with its owners Jackie and Owen Williams proudly opening the new 40-seater Gigi’s Brasserie, which replaces the original restaurant. A palette of sophisticated black, white and silver is punctuated with hints of pink to bring in a fun, relaxed element. The focal point of the room is

R ay

Hotel Izulu, Ballito, just 15 minutes

Pringle, “It was time for a change and to take the Hotel into a new culinary era, with new organic food styles and of course to offer guests and local residents in Ballito a new dining option that showcases the talents of our Executive Chef, Guy Gorrie. Through speaking with guests and local residents, we found that the need was not for fine dining any longer but rather less formal, bistro type cuisine while retaining the high standards that has made Gigi’s a favourite in KZN.” Some of the menu options include Rocket, Walnut & Gorgonzola Salad, Garlic Prawns, Seared Scallops, Mushroom & Parma Ham Ravioli, Assiette of Fish, Best of Oxtail, Chicken & Prawn Natal Curry, Hotel Izulu Gourmet Burger, Confit Duck, Norwegian Salmon, Parpadelle Vegetable Pasta and a Seafood Platter from the new signature dishes created by Guy Gorrie. Vegetarians have not been neglected due to an ever-changing menu choice that is far from the norm. Gigi’s Brasserie now joins the other dining options available at Hotel Izulu, those being the highly successful Chef’s Table in the heart of the kitchen where guests can watch and learn secrets and techniques from the Executive Chef and finally the romantic Wine Cellar, which is a favourite for romantic evenings.

R ay M

a ga

Gorrie has also catered for the true jet set while working for one of the world’s wealthiest men, as his private Chef on his super yacht for a Trans Atlantic crossing from Mallorca, Spain to the US Virgin Islands. Ray asks Guy about his passion for the gastronomic world… How did you get involved in this industry? Well, from a young age my parents made all of the kids cook dinner once a week, and because I was the naughty child I had to cook twice a week. Also, I always wanted to get into hospitality and eventually have my own hotel. I love good food, wine and great company. Cooking is all about passion, and I believe I have a lot of that. Kitchen disaster stories are always interesting. Do you have a specific one to tell? I once burnt 13 quiches for a function for 90 people, after all the prep, making sure my pastry was perfect, rolling the bases out, cooking the filling, making the liaison, etc. I finally put them in the oven to cook at 150 degrees for 30 minutes, my Sous Chef walked past the oven and raised the temperature to 180 degrees, I should have checked on it, but was swamped with other prep, once the timer went off I could just smell there was something wrong, all 13 quiches were burnt. After all the effort I put into the quiches, I was devastated that they were burnt and my Sous Chef saw it, luckily I didn’t get shouted at, but everyone in the kitchen had to stop what they were doing to help me get more done, so I wasn’t in anybody’s good books which was worse than being shouted at.

zine Is

8 sue

You’re stranded on a desert island. What five foods would you want with you? What would you make? Hmm, fresh sea bass, olives, capers, anchovy and olive oil. I would make my favourite; pan-fried sea bass served with a warm olive, caper, anchovy and olive oil sauce. What is the most essential item in your kitchen? Passion! Cooking is mostly learned in a kitchen from masters. With whom did you learn the tools of the trade?

the ravioli we serve on the menu in the new Gigi’s Brasserie, “mushroom and Parma ham ravioli served with a soft egg yolk centre served on wilted spinach & rocket finished with a truffled cherry tomato salsa and parmesan shavings”. What’s your favourite kitchen tool? It’s got to be my offset spatula; I’ve had it since I started my career. I use it for turning fish in the pan, icing cakes, buttering parfaits, flipping burgers; in fact I think I use it more than my chef’s knife.

Well, I’ve worked in some pretty impressive hotels and restaurants, while in London I did ‘starges’ with some Michelin star restaurants and learnt a lot, but I think I owe my success to my Sous Chef Neil Taylor from ‘The High Road House’, part of the Soho House Group. Chef Taylor cooked for the Queen and Lady Diana, he was amazing at what he did. Since leaving London, he now works in Vancouver, Canada. I would love the opportunity to work for him again. What do you consider to be your best creations, and what are the classics that you like to feature on your menu?

agazine I

e8 ssu

R ay

I have recently started making my own cold meats such as Parma ham, pancetta, etc. I’m very proud of what we have done. We are now using Parma ham in

Please give us a complete menu & the recipes when guests are dining Alfresco style

Alfresco style menu at Hotel Izulu by Guy Gorrie – Executive Chef Roast Chicken and Avocado Salad

Served with freshly picked lettuce, slow roasted cherry tomatoes, soft boiled egg and crispy pancetta finished with a Parmesan dressing

Caprese Salad Rosa plum tomato filled with buffalo mozzarella and basil pesto

Gourmet Burger Served with homemade pickled cucumber, onion marmalade, roasted jam tomato and mozzarella cheese finished with chips

Rare Roast Beef Sandwich Served on homemade ciabatta, with roasted peppers, onion rings, rocket and blue cheese dressing

Acciette of Frozen Yogurt Passion fruit, berry and vanilla frozen yogurt served with a vanilla tuille

Baked Apple and Cranberry Crumble Served with cognac Anglaise and vanilla ice cream

Recipes Roast chicken and avocado salad Roasted chicken breast – sliced into strips Cherry tomatoes – slowly roasted on a low heat with thyme and garlic Avocado – thinly sliced Fresh lettuce Soft boiled egg Parmesan dressing – 1 tbs Dijon, 3 tbs white wine vinegar, 1 ½ cups veg oil, 60 g finely grated parmesan cheese, 30 ml cream

Caprese Salad 1 Jam tomato – peeled and hollowed out 1 buffalo mozzarella ball 1 tbs basil pesto R ay M

a ga

Basil for garnish

Thinly slice the mozzarella and season with salt, pepper and basil pesto. Carefully layer the mozzarella inside the tomato and place 1 sprig of basil on top of the tomato to get an apple effect

Rare Roast beef Sandwich 1 ciabatta roll 250 g beef fillet Some onion rings Batter – equal quantities flour, corn flour and sparkling water with a touch of vodka Thinly sliced peppers 20 g Gorgonzola 5 ml red wine vinegar 10 ml cream 30 ml olive oil Lightly toast the ciabatta and set aside. In a hot pan roast off your peppers and place on the ciabatta. In the same pan on a high heat cook your fillet to rare (4 to 5 mins) and set aside to rest. While the fillet is resting deep fry your onion rings till crispy. Very gently break up the Gorgonzola with your finger, fold in the cream and vinegar and lastly the cream. Thinly slice the fillet and layer on to the sandwich putting the onion ring on top, and then spoon the blue cheese dressing over generously.

Acciette of frozen Yogurt 450 ml plain yogurt divided equally 60 ml passion fruit 60 ml mixed berries 1 vanilla pod Fold through the different filling into the separated yogurts and set inside the freezer to set Scoop and garnish with the tuile. RM

Contact Hotel Izulu Ballito, Durban Tel: + 27 32 946 3444 Website: www.hotelizulu.com

zine Is

8 sue

Lifestyle, Arts & Culture

Text & Image: Rina Smit

Drawing and painting is foremost about seeing. Merely look at something and you will see it very superficially, but draw or paint it and the natural world will be revealed to you, You will really begin to see it in your own personal way, and maybe share your vision with others.

Text: Tracy Tredea Images: Dalene Cornelius

Miracle Within MIRACLE WITHIN is written from a Christian perspective and is aimed at all the excited ‘mommies-to-be’ out there. It was written by an experienced, loving mother and wife who has a passion to inspire woman to embrace the joys and privileges of motherhood.

The author takes the expectant mother through the various stages of baby’s development and brings to light the miracle of life within the womb. She also elaborates on the assurance of God’s divine purpose and destiny for each and every unborn child. R ay M

a ga

zine Is

8 sue

Each weekly devotion is composed of a pertinent bible extract, an inspiring message, an update on baby’s development, information on what is happening to your body at the various stages of pregnancy, as well as encouraging tips from many other devoted and supportive mothers. About the author: Tracy lives in Pretoria, is married, and has two children. When she was pregnant with her first child, the dream of this book was divinely birthed. Tracy is a gifted speaker, delivering inspiring messages to women, wives and mothers. Excerpt From Miracle Within – Week 7 – Beat, Beat Jeremiah 24:6b “And I will build them and not pull them down. I will plant them and not pluck them up. Then I will give them a heart to know me, that I am Lord, and they shall be my people, and I will be their God…” Something beautiful beyond words takes place in your baby’s life this week. Towards the end of last week, your baby’s heart and circulation system were beginning to function. Tiny as your baby is, at about 1.3cm in length, the most astounding phenomenon takes place now. Your baby’s heart begins to beat. For the rest of your child’s life in your womb and outside of the womb, your child will need his or her heart to

continue beating in order to live. Your baby’s heart is new, fresh, and ready to face its many years ahead of beating multiple times per minute. My question to you though is, what is the state of your heart – not physically, but spiritually? Proverbs 4:23 says, “Protect your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life.” Life has a way of throwing many curveballs at us and often out hearts become entangled in “issues”which cause us too much pain to bear. The sad thing is that many of us carry these entangled hurts around with us throughout our childhood, into our adulthood, bulldozing through our marriages and ultimately affecting us in parenthood. Without confronting these hurts and taking them to Jesus, they will consume you, ruining your destiny and destroying the ultimate plan God has for your life. Do you know that when Jesus was crucified, the final act of punishment they inflicted on Him was spearing His side. The bible records that at that point blood and water flowed. (John 19:34) This is a powerful symbolic aspect of the crucification. Experts say that when blood and water mix together in the body, it is a sign that tremendous pressure was placed on the chambers of the heart causing it to burst!

agazine I

e8 ssu

R ay

Do you realise the significance of this? Jesus’ heart literally burst so that you and I can receive healing from our broken hearts! He wants you to live a full

life with a heart which is restored and free from past hurts and issues. I encourage you, just as your babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heart started to beat this week, to allow the Lord to restore your heart. Take your pressures and pains to Him and allow the Holy Spirit to heal you. Then you can enjoy your motherhood without the nightmares of your past and function in the beauty of parenthood! RM Contact details: Tracy Tredrea Tel: +27 12 997 0911 Cell: +27 845 930 902 tracyda@gmail.com

READER OFFER To stand a chance to win 1 of 3 Nu Skin Galvanic Spa Systems, simply send an email with all your contact details to: marketing@ray-magazine.com. Subject: Galvanic. Winners will be notified in person.

Joe Niemand Scenes from g n Song of So

Text: Sonja da Silva

JOE NIEMAND has been quietly moving behind-

the-scenes of the South African music industry, becoming an in-demand songwriter and performer for those in the know - credited for his intuitive gift for a melody and knack of crafting lyrics that speak of universal themes of love, struggle and redemption.

R ay M

a ga

zine Is

Put this to Joe, however, and this humble singer and songwriter is reluctant to make too big a fuss out

of his unparalleled reputation in the South African music business, professing to hardly remembering his impressive slate of work. Joe comments on his new album: LOVE â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had an instruction to go to Israel, I knew I had to write an album and the Lord showed me that it is going to be

8 sue

the world slightly askance, Joe headed for Pretoria after school to study music. “I thought it was going to be about the music that I was into which was rock but it was very much focused on light music and jazz,” Joe says of his course and so, faced with an armful of real work in his last year, he left before finishing his studies. “What I did benefit from was the people I engaged with – it was incredible. Music is about connecting with people and finding individuals as passionate about it as you are.” Name three compositions you can’t live without and why. I used to think I couldn’t live without music but I learnt through a season of leaving the music industry that I keep breathing without it. So to answer the question, I can live without all of them. Describe your music style. That is a difficult one for me; I’ll describe the style of the last four albums. Reborn -Adult Contemporary/ Rock, This is War- Rock, Glory To The KingSymphonic, Love- Cinematic. I think that it’s very easy to fall into the style of whatever had success before. My approach is to allow every album to be what it is supposed to be.

The strength of Joe’s songwriting is a real feature of LOVE – and the artist has been honing his craft since he was a teenager growing up in the Eastern Cape. “I wrote my first decent song at 17,” Joe reveals, “and have been writing ever since”. For someone who is acknowledged as one of South Africa’s leading composers, it took a while for Joe to welcome this side of his creative being into his life: “In the beginning, I felt strange about writing music. Armed with an intelligence that had him looking at

What is your most treasured possession? I guess some of my guitars, but I find that I stress about them less these days. They are instruments that were made to make music and where the avoidance of a scratch or some other damage used to be a big concern, I now consider not using them often as misuse. I would rather have guitars with music scars than perfect lifeless relics. What makes you happy? Feeling that what I spend my time on will not die with me. What projects will you be busy with in 2011? I’m working on 2 albums set for release in 2011. The one is my first Afrikaans album on Psalms and the second is called Revival: The Anthems of Joy. The latter is an African album and one I look forward to start work on. e8 ssu

agazine I

Much of this artist’s low profile has to do with Joe’s belief in letting the music speak for itself.

Name one thing that you think would improve the industry. A solution to piracy

“The way we as men relate to this is actually firsthand experience. When we look to the women we love, if we are in the right place, we are willing to fight for them, no matter what. Then we actually have a very clear idea about how Jesus feels about us. God loves us, more than we can imagine, more than we can love Him back…God is love!”

R ay

from His perspective. I didn’t understand that it was actually the Song of Songs, only when I got there, the picture got clearer. The whole book of Song of Songs, God says to each one of us over and over, “You are beautiful to me.”

How has the music industry in South Africa changed over the last five years? People downloading pirated music have devastated it. The industry has consistently lost ground to the point where record companies and retailers are struggling to survive. Soon music retailers will disappear and one can only hope that music lovers will realize, that they kill the music they love by stealing it. The “everyone does it” excuse will only serve to kill decent music quicker.

Name one goal you would like to achieve in 2011. I would like to spend more time working and more time with loved ones. My goal is to cut out more of the noise in between. Who is your role model / models? Angus Buchan is my spiritual dad and I learn a lot from him. Sometimes more by watching his example of living what he preaches, than the words he says. Who in this industries’ work do you admire and why? Retief Burger, I appreciate his simplicity of theology and how unaffected he is. Tell us a bit more about your musical education? I studied music at the then Pretoria Technikon and started writing songs for commercial artists during my studies. I consider the friends I made that I still work

Do you have any other hobbies, besides music? I come from a family of hunters, so I really enjoy being outdoors and being in nature. The silence there is good for me in a way nothing else is. Tell us about your family. Are you the only one with musical talent in your family? My one brother was in the Drakensberg Boys Choir, my mom sang and my Grandad played the violin. Music was always just there. My mom is the one who cheered me on to follow my dream. Tell a secret about yourself that no one knows about… I am very suspicious of the Tele Tubbies… Favourites: • Film: • Programme: • Food: • Colour: • Song: • Actors:

The Matrix Grassroots Steak Brown Happy Birthday Jeff Bridges; Dakota Fanning

Quotes that you live by? Humility is like silence, the moment you talk about it, it’s gone. Do you do this full time or do you have another career? I am in music full time and I have a record label. Do you have any advice for aspirant musicians? Make sure you were meant to be a musician. Then: Work hard, dream big and never stop believing. RM

Image: R eint Dykeman

with, the biggest blessing of my studies. What is your fondest memory of 2010? Mighty Men Conference where the biggest crowd of people I have ever seen came together to seek God. R ay M

a ga

zine Is

r f o m s e n e c S

8 sue

BLOSSOMS SONG OF SONGS CHAPTER 4 VERSE 12 – CHAPTER 5 VERSE 1 THERE IS A GARDEN IN MY CITY WHERE NO ONE ELSE CAN GO A LABOUR OF LOVE A TREASURE HIDDEN WITH SECRETS ONLY I KNOW MY GARDEN IS PLEASURE UNDEFILED A SWEET HAVEN OF LIFE SECURE FROM WITHIN PROTECTED FROM WITHOUT MY GARDEN IS A HOLY DELIGHT CHORUS YOUR BODY IS MY ORCHARD MY PRIVATE PARADISE YOUR COLOURS FLOW LIKE FRAGRANCE YOU’RE EVERY RAREST SPICE I COME TO CELEBRATE YOUR BOUNTY FEAST ON YOUR MILK AND HONEY AND BLOSSOMS FILL THIS CITY RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS CITY BUT SEPARATE, PEACEFUL, PRETTY YOUR WELL RUNS DEEP THROUGH EVERY SEASON LIKE GRACE YOUR SPRINGS FLOW FREE CHORUS BRIDGE WITH WALLS TOO HIGH FOR THIEVES TO SCALE MY GARDEN IS A DELICATE PARADISE BEHIND A GRANITE VEIL CHORUS

READER OFFER

5 RAY READERS CAN WIN JOE NIEMAND PHENOMENAL NEW CD: “LOVE, SCENES FROM SONG OF SONGS” To stand a chance to win this outstanding CD, simply send an email with all your contact details to: marketing@ray-magazine.com, Subject: Joe Niemand. Winners will be notified in person.

e8 ssu

agazine I

s g n o S f o Song

Cell: +27 79 902 4495 Email:info@niemand.co.za Web: www.niemand.co.za

R ay

Contact:

Melanie

Text: Ally Mesnard & Images: Maranatha R ecord Company.

Meeting the

twenty-something year-old for the first time, at Maranatha Record Company, one discovers something of an anomaly: an almost preternatural combination of innocence and wisdom, a bubbling personality that belies a deep-rooted stillness of being, a heart for the abandoned and the poor… Since her fourteenth year, Melanie has been involved with outreaches to countries, like Cambodia, Bali, and the Philippines. Through her music she brings a message of hope to the masses, reaching her heart’s desire to be a difference in today’s world. She recently performed at The Edinburgh International Festival, one of the most prestigious, innovative and accessible festivals of the performing arts in the world…

R ay M

a ga

An honour bestowed on a South African artist. She is more than a gorgeous face, she is steadfast in the teachings of Christ, and a true inspiration to many of the world’s youth. Ray asks Melanie to share her thoughts with our readers.

zine Is

8 sue

How did your career in music begin? As a 5-year-old girl, I started singing at old age homes and shopping centre’s, soon there were people asking for a tape (at that time it was still tapes) and we decided to record my 1st album at the age of 11. That was half secular and half Christian. I got signed with a major secular label in South Africa, and then moved to the Christian Label Maranatha when I was 13. They immediately recorded an album and released it that year. Since then I’ve released 9 albums to date. Name three compositions you can’t live without and why. (At the moment) - Imogen Heap – it’s the most creative and stylistically innovative music. It inspires me to think out of the box when it comes to writing songs. - Secret Garden – I was introduced to this Irish/ Norwegian band by a great mentor of mine, and this is the music I like to listen to before I do concerts. It creates an awesome mood. - Rascal Flatts – This can put you in a good mood in less then 3 seconds. It’s modern country, but it certainly puts a smile on my face.

album, but I would say its Punk Rock combined with Pop and even a flavour of dance. Then we have one song with a modern country flavour & for the first time ever on an album, I decided to do a classical track. I’ve worked with a beyond brilliant vocal coach the last 4 years, and she introduced me to classical training. I’ve dedicated one classical song to my mom on the new album and it’s received more attention then any of the other songs so far. So who knows, maybe in the future I’ll be fortunate enough to do a full classical album. You are very involved in charity work. Please can you tell us about the countries you have visited and what kind of projects do you do there… I’ve been to Cambodia, Bali, Nigeria, Singapore, Indonesia, The Philippines, London, Scotland and the USA. I’m so grateful for the opportunities I receive, since the charity work has become my number one passion. I get to go to Cambodia once a year, and I’ve seen over the years how this country have changed and grown. Besides the fact that I have my own non-profit organization, I partner with other non-profit organizations called KFCI and Musicianaries. We have a mission to give food to the local villages, any necessities that’s needed, school supplies and toys for the kids. Then we host massive concerts for up to 50 000 to 60 000 people at a time, and do TV interviews and concerts on all major TV stations in these 3rd world countries. How has the music industry in South Africa changed over the last five years? In my opinion, I’m proud to see that the music industry in South Africa are no longer competing with the international market the way it used to. We have gifted songwriters, producers and musicians here at home, and finally the public not only taking note of it, but are also proud to associate with this movement. There are world-class artists in South Africa who deserves people’s attention, not only here, but also across the world. And my hope is that these artists will get the opportunity to showcase their talent and stage presence in places like the Edinburgh Arts festival in Scotland where I’ve recently been. People need to see that we can offer just as much, if not more to the rest of the world.

agazine I

e8 ssu

Describe your music style. I’ve created my own name for the style I do: Funky Punky. There’s quite a mixture of music on the latest

R ay

Name one composer, conductor or musician you would love to meet. - Love to meet - David Foster - Love to see in Concert - Janis Ellis

Name one thing that you think would improve the industry. I would love to see South African music become more available online. I know that it is such a huge market in the US, but here we are still unfamiliar to the concept of buying an album or song online. There’s obviously a good and bad side to it, the bad: People will maybe only buy one song that they really like and not the full album, but the good side: you can be in the comfort of your home and buy the music you love. You also discover new music this way.

What is your most treasured possession? A little brown cowboy handbag I received as a gift from extremely special friends of mine in the States. What is it that makes you happy? Life makes me happy!! I am the happiest person I know! For REAL! I guess one of the things that brings most joy to me is my life experiences – I get to do so many crazy things that I never thought I’d EVER do – like playing Golf with the prime minister of Cambodia or driving a John Deer tractor in Washington… now, don’t get me wrong, it’s never been a dream of mine to drive a tractor. That’s why I say, I get to do things I can only dream about. My travels bring me join! People in my life, who understands me, bring me joy. New opportunities bring me joy. Giving people presents makes me smile like crazy. Every time I’m on stage with people in the crowd interacting, it brings me JOY! Kids bring me JOY! When my PR calls and says we’ve got

R ay M

a ga

zine Is

8 sue

an interview with RAY Magazine, it brings me JOY! What projects will you be busy with in 2011? - I’m doing my usual trip to Cambodia in April 2011. - A possible trip to Pakistan, where I’ve not been yet. - Another passion of mine is working with young girls and girl issues. I do girl camps and day sessions where we discuss Self-image, Purpose and Relationships. It’s not lectures, it’s all practical, and we do scrapbooking, T-shirt designing and professional photo shoots with the girls. It’s one of the pleasures of looking like a 16 year old right now, I get to relate to the girls and what they go through in life. - I’m looking forward to do much more community work at home. I want to start a project next year where I take groups of kids out of their comfort and show them how much fun it is to do charity and relief work. I know, just like I was hooked right away, they will be. They just need an opportunity to do something in their community. The best feeling in Life is giving…NOTHING BETTER! - I’m interested in getting even more involved in the schools in South Africa. That is definitely one of my platforms. - Building a school in Cambodia.

with musical talent in your family? I have two brothers, one’s 27, the other’s 20. I’m the middle child. My parents have their own businesses, my mom owns nursery schools and my dad has his own Luxury Bus Company. In my family I’m the first to sing, my granny on my mom’s side plays piano and is quite good at playing pretty much any song by ear. Tell a secret about yourself that no one knows about…

Oh, there’s so much more…but if I continue, I might have to add the following to my plans for 2011.. Writing a book called “Melanie’s plans for 2011”. Name one goal you would like to achieve in 2011. BE A DIFFERENCE!

Do you have any other hobbies, besides music? Absolutely! Sleeping, shopping, theatre, hiking, angling, travelling, narrating stories, movies, technology, spending time with my little brother. Tell us about your family. Are you the only one

Quotes that you live by? I would rather live in a world where my life is surrounded by mystery than live in a world so small that my mind could comprehend it. - Harry Emerson Fosdick. I’m the happiest person I know. – Melanie

e8 ssu

agazine I

Who would you still like to perform with? Janis Ellis. He’s a really good songwriter/pianist/ vocalist/musical genius. I’ve got the world’s respect for his musical abilities.

Favourites: Film: Blades of Glory Programme: House Food: Chocolates Colour: Purple Song: You’re my favourite – Joy Williams Smell: My doctor’s waiting room Record: Imogen Heap Instrument: Piano Actor and Actress: Can’t decide between Hugh Larry & Will Ferrell. And female - Sandra Bullock Destination in the world: Can’t answer, it’s too difficult to choose

Tell us a bit more about your musical education? I play guitar, do classical voice training for the last 4 years and one of my answers to an earlier question is that I’d love to learn to play piano in 2011, if I could give you two goals for 2011, that would be the other.

Wow, that’s serious!! I don’t have many secrets, and if I do, they’re other people’s secrets. Not sure they want me to share it with the world, but I do have an extremely weird little toenail. It kind of looks like a chicken toenail. Please don’t imagine it. It’s not as bad as you think.

R ay

Who is your role model / models? It’s actually the people closest to me. I learn from my closest friends, since they know me best. I’m also grateful to my parents for the example they are in my life. And when I really need some good answers, I call on Charlotte Kronk. She’s such a remarkable person, and she’s been there for me through thick and thin. I’m fortunate to know wise people, they make my life easy.

Unfortunately the hardest decision is usually the right one. – Melanie If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. - Maya Angelou Do you do this full time or do you have another career? I do this full time, I have many other projects, but this is where I point my main focus too. Do you have any advice for aspirant musicians? Absolutely, I never thought I’d say this, BUT, It’s important to get the right training. Vocal or musical training is extremely important, not only for a little while, but for a lifetime. When I decided to invest in training, getting the best coach in the world, I invested in myself to get to where I need and want to be. I will never be comfortable enough with my voice to stop training, it’s learning and strengthening process, and has changed my life for the better. And then to grab any opportunity to sing live and get use to the feeling of being on stage and interacting with the people. That’s the best part of my job, I get to interact with a different crowd every time. It’s NEVER the same. Please tell us about your latest album: “Different.” Different is definitely different, but we’ve chosen this title because not only is the album different in style, but also that is where my heart and message is right now. If we try to be like someone else who’s made a difference, we’ll never be seen as the one to have made the difference. Therefore, we need to get out our little bubbles – the ones where we are so consumed with being connected to a certain group of people in our lives, that they dictate every move we make, and the very person we are – to get to a place where we discover who we are as an individual, and start walking on a journey from that place. It will be so much more interesting that way, trust me, who wants to do what someone else did? It’s already DONE!! I want to make a difference. The album on the other hand; the songs we wrote have a deep connection to situations that I’ve seen or been through myself. People’s comments on the album are that from beginning to end, nothing sounds the same!!

R ay M

a ga

You have performed all over the world. What has been your favourite venue to play in so far? When I was 18, great mentors of mine believed that I was called to build a church on the border of Thailand. The people from this little village church have been praying for church premises for 3 years, and these mentors of mine started convincing me to make this a project and goal of mine.

zine Is

8 sue

It was extremely scary, people have been waiting and praying so long, and now the pressure was all on me to do this. Anyway, after I accepted, I finally start raising funds wherever I’d sing or perform, and it took months. I got discouraged many times. Eventually I was touring the US, and within only 2 weeks, I had raised all the funds to build this building. So the best place for me to perform at, was 6 years ago in this finished church on the border of Thailand. I will NEVER forget the smiles! You have recently returned from the States. What was it like? It was incredible. Wait, it was super incredible. I tour to the states twice a year, and the people in the States are so acceptant of my music and ministry. This time I had 16 bookings in 11 days, so when I got back to South Africa, it felt like I wanted to sleep for a year. But the fact was that we’ve once again built great relationships (extremely important to me) and we’ve reached a lot of the youth in their schools.

Just like the song my good friend Nicholis Louw and I recorded, called the Change. I love mystery, and I know anything I say I want in 10 years from now for myself, would probably undermine what God has in store for me. So I’m excited to stay on the journey I’m on right now… I’m having the time of my life. Excerpt from: The Change featuring Nicholis Louw: ‘Be the difference; make the choice inside your heart / For it is bigger than you and I and everyone / Leave a trail that our children can follow / Be the difference, be the change. We are the ones that live today / We’re the ones, we’re alive, / Trouble has come to lead us away / But we can make a difference today.’ RM Your contact details for bookings etc. Agent: Lorna: +27 82 494 5338 Website: www.melanie24.com Email: management@melanie24.com Get me on facebook: *Melanie*

You also performed at the Edinburgh Art Festival this year. What was it like? It was interesting... Ha-ha... I love Scotland, what a beautiful place. But I was surprised to walk down the street of the biggest arts festival in the world, and see people singing classical music. That would never happen here at our art festivals. People love classical music there, and that was thrilling to me, because I have such a great respect for classical music. Singing there was fun as always, it was not about my music style at all, but I have found that one thing is universal, people love being involved with the performance you’re doing. And again, people loved interacting with me as I was singing. Do the audiences differ in the various countries you visit and perform in? Please explain. Well, off course. Every country I visit, I get to see people react different to the songs. In Europe, people are fonder of ballads and I almost want to say ‘classy’ music. In Asia, they just love my music style and will always go crazy when I’m singing there.

READER OFFER 10 RAY READERS CAN WIN MELANIE'S NEW CD: “DIFFERENT”

They wave their hands and do pretty much any movement I do on stage. Then in the US, people are excited to be a part of the show… they love getting up on stage with me. In South Africa, it’s MY people, To stand a chance to win this I know the culture, know the way we like our music, and it’s so easy to relate to the South Africans and just outstanding CD, simply send an email with all your contact details have a blast every time. Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? I honestly don’t want to know that. That does not mean I don’t have goals, but I just really want to look back in 10 years from now and know that I’ve made a difference and left a trail.

to: marketing@ray-magazine.com, Subject: Melanie. Winners will be notified in person. See live interview at: www.ray-magazine.com/melanie.html

Errol Boyley

Text: Jacques Durandt Images: Errol Boyley

An artist who has the ability to see beyond the scene and capture the light. His skies are legendary and his light outshines others. An artist who paints his feelings into the painting, who captures the motion of a flying duck and grazing horses in a tranquil setting.

This very talented man was born in 1918 in Pietermaritzburg. He had a turbulent childhood and lost his mother at an early age, but his passion for drawing lifted him out of his circumstances and turned him into a very successful and well known artist.

Since early childhood he had a love for drawing and at the age of eight he won a scholarship, but at such an early age he found the tech classes rudimentary and skipped them in favour of fishing, another passion he has pursued throughout life.

R ay M

a ga

He had an interesting life and at the outbreak of the Second World War at the age of 21 he enrolled in the army. In the army het won some money in a card game and the loser, a fellow soldier, who was

a musician and guitar teacher, repaid his debt by teaching Errol to play the guitar. Errol was later discharged from the army due to an erratic heartbeat. He began playing guitar for a dance band and by day he attended drawing classes. That was his only formal art training ever. After a few years Errol gave up everything and moved to Knysna to focus on his painting career. There he met his mentor, another well-known artist WG Wiles. From there his painting career grew fast and in the late sixties he went to live in Ramsgate in KwazuluNatal and in 1978 opened the Errol Boyley Gallery. Throughout his life he held several exhibitions and his wife Jocelyn Boyley composed a book of his life called: â&#x20AC;&#x153;A Celebration of Life.â&#x20AC;? He passed away on 3 April 2007.

zine Is

8 sue

Contact: If anyone is interested in collecting from this artist or for sound expert advice, Jacques Durandt can be contacted on: Tel: +27 82 454 2001

He is known for his paintings of landscapes, still lives, seascapes figures and wildlife, but his talents were far beyond. His work achieves certain tranquillity and a convincing feel of light. His work has found a place in many private homes and public companies in South Africa and throughout the world. RM

Quintin van der Merwe

Text & Images: Quintin Van der Merwe

On the 29th of September 2010,

Quintin van der Merwe from Pretoria was announced as the new Mr. Africa 2010. After 3 days of tough judging rounds, he finally made some of his biggest dreams come true; to win a national competition, to be a representative for his country, but most of all, to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate than himself. He also won 3 awards for “Best Personality”, “Best Dressed” and “Best Interview”. This 24 year old gentleman has always had the love of helping others in need of love, hope, faith and just a smile. He enjoys putting smiles on the faces of those who lost hope, putting hope in the hearts of those who lost faith, and putting faith into the lives of those who lost it all. He says that winning Mr. Africa 2010 is a real privilege and honour, and that he now has an even bigger opportunity to go make a difference. His goals for his year of reign are to get involved with - and host as many charity events as possible, and to make a difference that will last a lifetime.

R ay M

a ga

Quintin is not new to the modelling industry at all, as he’s been modelling for nearly 10 years, starting in Middelburg, the small town he grew up in. This young man has won over 40 titles to date, from

zine Is

8 sue

small local competitions to big national level titles, including a 3rd place at Mr. Africa 2004, and 2nd place again at Mr. Africa in 2005. He was a top 5 finalist for the Mr. Junior South Africa in the past as well. He also has a teaching diploma in modelling, and has done several judges courses. He will be given the opportunity to enter the King and Queen of the Universe 2011 pageant, which will be hosted in South Africa. Quintin might also be given the opportunity to compete overseas next year in a modelling competition. Not only is he a model, but he also had roles in many local television advertisements and movies, of which the biggest is the Clint Eastwood film, Invictus, where he had the privilege to work with world famous actors Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. He wishes to go further in the industry, or to become a television presenter like his role model, Michael Mol. Quintin is a very positive person who always tries to create a positive vibe around him. He believes that opportunities are like sunrises, if you wait too long you will miss it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This will be the biggest year of my life, I need to make a lasting impression and leave my footprint on the face and in the heart of Africa forever,â&#x20AC;? said the very excited young man. Quintin would like to thank Andy Le Monnier, who has always been there as a modelling agent and teacher, guiding him on his road to success. Carolyn Baldwin, from Pageants SA, for hosting such a lovely competition and giving him the opportunity to become a role model to the youth of South Africa. And exceptional thanks to his Mom, and all his friends close to him for all the support, guidance and encouragement. RM Should there be any one who needs to contact Quintin in connection with charity events, or want to invite him to an event, or would like to assist him with sponsorships for charity, he can be emailed at: mrafrica.quintin@hotmail.com or contacted on: +27 72 101 3520. He also has a facebook group under his name.

Fragile Earth

Glass Exhibition Showcases @ The Gallery at Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate

Text: The PR Team & Images: Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate

Award-winning artist, Jeannette Unite

showcases a unique collection of transmogrified glass artwork aptly called ‘Fragile Earth’ in ‘The Project Room’ at ‘The Gallery’ at Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate, Franschhoek, which runs until Wednesday 1, December 2010. Jeannette began experimenting with glass making in 1999 and since then her works in glass have become an important addition to her deep and insightful exploration of the legacy of industrial and especially mining, as well as activities on the South African landscape. Glass, with its fragility and strength and ability to reflect and refract colour in exquisite and unique ways, clearly makes for fascinating viewing. A collection of soils, terra and terroir is incorporated into this exclusive art concept. Inspiration and visual exploration are derived from her journey to the Rift Valley, Kenya, and Simon van der Stel’s copper mine in Namaqualand, among others. In the glass, she uses volcanic molten temperature to catalyses colour.

R ay M

a ga

Jeannette Unite was awarded a Multi Panelled Public Art Project award for integration of the African Landscape into glass artworks about landscape at the Department of Science and Technology, CSIR buildings, Pretoria. She is also one of four South African artists who participated at the Beijing Biennale in September 2010 and has been invited to the Czech Republic later this year, which is well known for its magnificent cut lead crystal wine

zine Is

8 sue

glasses. She has also been awarded the opportunity to present a paper in Ghana West Africa – ‘TERRA: Eco-Alchemy and the African Industrial landscape’ conference which focuses on Africa’s cultural development in the 50 years of 17 African countries receiving independence. For more details visit: www.artunite.com Also on exhibition in ‘The Gallery’ at Grande Provence, until Wednesday 1, December 2010, is the ‘Painters Who Print – Art on Paper’ exhibition, including the following artists - Kim Berman and Karin Daymond, focusing on landscapes. Johann Louw and Robert Hodgins study the human form and frailties in the work. Penny Siopis and Judith Mason examine social issues. Deborah Bell and Colbert Mashile wonder into the world of archetypes and occasionally mythical and with Pat Mautloa and Andre Naude analysing the female form. Renowned sculptors Lourens Joubert, Karin Lijnes and Wilma Cruise will also be exhibiting. RM Contact Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate For further information on The Gallery at Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate, please contact: Email: gallery@grandeprovence.co.za. For a preview, please call The Gallery on: Tel: +27 21 876 8630 to make an appointment. The Gallery is open from Monday to Sunday, from 10h00 till 18h00. Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate. Tel: +27 21 876 8600 or Email: reservations@grandeprovence.co.za Website: www.grandeprovence.co.za

agazine I

e8 ssu

R ay

subjects. He captures the warmth of the African sunlight and the buzz of activity in his environment. This self-taught painter derives his inspiration from the people around him. He loves watching people in their working environment. Fishermen proudly returning with their catch; ladies slowly moving up on a hill in harmony, busy picking colourful flowers and fynbos. He observes their fluent movements, when conducting an everyday working activity, with the eye of a master and incorporates it into his works. To him the movements of the harvesters and flower pickers can be compared with the rhythm and flow of a ballet dancer.

The Original Hennie Niemann An artist with a passion for paint, movement and colour...

Nestled between the mountains and the

Atlantic Ocean in the Overberg, there is an idyllic seaside village called Onrus River. There, in this relaxed and tranquil town you will find the well known artist Hennie Niemann senior.

R ay M

a ga

His paintings are sought after because of his use of glorious, rich colours and his exceptional ability to capture the character, mood and movement of his

Some of his sought after works depict farm labourers harvesting wheat or picking fruit; fynbos pickers collecting bouquets of indigenous flowers and fisher men sorting and selling their catch. He also painted beautiful works portraying his wife and daughter and another of his favourite subjects are harlequins. A Harlequin is a nobody, a nameless person, but according to Niemann, when you look into his eyes, the nobody suddenly turns into a somebody and then the viewer is confronted with the real emotions of a complete stranger.

Hendrik Christiaan Niemann was born in 1941 in Bloemfontein where he attended school and university and qualified as a teacher in Afrikaans and Physical Education. His painting talent was reserved for after hours, but after seventeen years in 1983 he moved to Onrus River to pursue a career as a professional artist. This was a new beginning and an exciting period in his life.

zine Is

8 sue

He works mainly in oil on canvas, but also uses watercolour, ink, charcoal and mixed media on paper. His art is very sought after and his works are highly prized in galleries and Auction Houses. An oil on board painting of the artist titled the Three Harvesters in a sunlit field with trees and mountains in the distance (Signed and dated 2003; Size 49.5cm x 59.5cm) sold for R99Â 000 at an Auction House in Pretoria in September 2009. Niemann is currently painting still lives and abstracts for his own collection. We salute this artist for his rich contribution to our countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s art heritage. RM

Contact: If anyone is interested in collecting from this artist or for sound expert advice, Jacques Durandt can be contacted on: Tel: +27 82 454 2001

agazine I

e8 ssu

R ay

one discovers a remarkably down to earth person, living in the moment. Jenny Stroebel for RAY finds out more about the man and his work, which is a true calling. Name three compositions you can’t live without and why. The World where I live – Band; Collective Soul. They are one of my favourite bands and the lyrics and the melody touches my soul. Holes to heaven – Band; Jack Johnson He is one of my favourite singer/songwriters. This song says of how overcomplicated the world has become and how the beauty has been replaced by money and technology. Nobody lives for the moment anymore. Pride – Band; U2 I grew up with this incredible band and this song made me realise that there is more to music. You can send a very strong message in a song. Describe your personal music style as well as all the artist’s different styles currently on your books.

Text: Jenny Stroebel Images: Michael Maherry & Mozi

Sean Else

Living in the Moment

Behind every successful artist

R ay M

a ga

lingers a genius equipped with an astute knack for discovering raw talent…Sean Else is such an individual, a multi-talented musician, artist, songwriter, actor…the list goes on…The South African music scene is littered with tales of success stories of artists like Bok van Blerk and Lianie May. Despite all his accomplishments in a few short years,

My own style with my new band, 34 GRADE SUID and singing partner is sophisticated country pop. Bok van Blerk is a folk rock singer. Lianie May is a country pop singer. Vaughan Gardiner is pop/semi classic. How has the music industry in South Africa changed over the last five years? A lot. The industry has become flooded with new singers and bands. The technology has also allowed individuals to record in their garages and with sites like YouTube and iTunes; the old conventional ways of having to sign with a major record is a thing of the past. But, with the new technology comes piracy... Everyone thinks music is for free. That thought will kill music.

zine Is

8 sue

A pencil. With it I can write anytime and anywhere. As a writer that is important.

What is your fondest memory of 2010? Meeting my girlfriend. Do you have any other hobbies, besides music?

What makes you happy?

Horse riding. I love it!

Living in the moment and enjoying every moment as it comes. Not living in the past or the future has become my prime focus.

Tell us about your family. Are you the only one with musical talent in your family?

What projects will you be busy with in 2011? I am shooting my first feature film called PLATTELAND, which I wrote with Deon Opperman. Johan Vorster is handling the production of the music and it is our first film for Mozi films. It will be released in June/July. I am also touring with my band, 34 GRADE SUID in May. We will do a nation wide tour so look out for us or jump onto our facebook group for all the dates. We will also be releasing Lianie May’s new album as well as Vaughan Gardiner’s album. For all these albums I also have to shoot music videos. Throughout this I will also be developing and writing new scripts. Who in this industries’ work do you admire and why? Anybody who can survive living their dreams and feeding their families. Tell us a bit more about your musical education? I studied drama at the Pretoria Technikon. We studied all the disciplines including singing and dance.

My family is very artistic and closely knit. My sister, Inge, is my art director on all my videos and will be on the film as well. My mother does all my accounting and bookkeeping and my father is sales and technical consultant but can hit a mean opera note in the shower! Tell a secret about yourself that no one knows about… Ha, ha...I watch Extreme Makeover with my girlfriend and always get a little bit emotional... Quotes that you live by? Live life now. Now is the only reality we have. Do you have any advice for aspirant musicians? The harder you work, the luckier you get. And luck only comes if you create your own chances. Is it difficult to establish a successful record label? What is the process like? I had to sell my house to finance Bok’s first CD. It is very risky and like any other business needs full time commitment and control. We are actually in the retail industry...Selling CD’s in shops. Tell us more about your partners in the business. Johan Vorster is a genius. No other words can describe the best songwriter this country has ever seen. Describe the feeling when the artists you “discovered” are doing so well, winning accolades etc. It’s like watching your children do well. It makes us very proud and grateful to be part of their success. How easy is it to spot talent in this industry? You have to know what you are looking for. It’s not about talent; it’s about the timing of the right talent. You have written or co-write some incredible songs in this industry. What is the songwriting process like?

e8 ssu

agazine I

What is your most treasured possession?

John Mayer (ha, ha...I wish!)

Control over free content on the web.

Who would you still like to perform with?

R ay

Name one thing that you think would improve the industry.

You have to have a very good understanding of the other person, as you need to share the same idea of where you are going.

Deur die jare het die wêreld gedraai,

Johan and myself understand each other so well that I will think a line and he will write it, the same the other way around.

Waar is jy nou,

What is your favourite song that you have written or co-wrote and please provide us with the lyrics?

Jy was nooit vereer en niemand gaan nou,

DIE KAPLYN – (A SONG ABOUT THE ANGOLA WAR) Tussen bosse en bome, Tussen grense wag ons almal vir more, Maar op agtien was ons almal verlore, Hoe kon ons verstaan, En wie weeg nou ons lewe, Want net God alleen weet waaroor ons bewe, Want op agtien wou ons almal net lewe, Net een slag toe was jou lewe verby, KOOR Roep jy na my, Roep jy my terug na die Kaplyn my vriend, Deur die jare het die wêreld gedraai, Toe ons jonk was hoe sou ons dit kon raai, Soek jy na my, Soek jy my nou in die stof en jou bloed, Jy’t gesê jy hoor hoe God na jou roep, Toe’s dit als verby... Na al hierdie jare, Ver verlore dryf ons rond in ons dade, Net soldate leef met grense se skade, Hoe kan hul verstaan, Want daai bos vreet ons spore, In die donker bos was broeders gebôre, In die donker saam gebid vir die môre, Maar met net een slag jou lewe verby, KOOR Roep jy na my, R ay M

a ga

zine Is

Roep jy my terug na die Kaplyn my vriend,

Toe ons jonk was hoe sou ons dit kon raai,

Is jou naam dan op ons mure behou,

Oor jou lewe skryf en wat jy nog wou... BRUG En by daai mure, Staan ek vir ure, Maar waar’s jou naam nou my vriend, Kan hul nie verstaan... Jong soldate vergaan... Sonder rede dra hulle die blaam... You and your team have produced amazing DVD footage for your various artists. What was your absolute favourite to produce? Very difficult to say...We played around in different genres. But the first one we did will always be special... DE LA REY. RM READER OFFER 3 RAY READERS CAN WIN BOK VAN BLERK NEW CD: “MY KREET” 3 RAY READERS CAN WIN SEAN & AMPIE’S NEW CD: “STAAN VAS” 3 RAY READERS CAN WIN KARLIEN VAN JAARSVELD’S NEW CD: “AS DIE GORDYN VAL” To stand a chance to win this outstanding CD’S, simply send an email with all your contact details to: marketing@ray-magazine.com, Subject: MOZI RECORDS, and the artist’s name. Winners will be notified in person. Your contact details for bookings etc. MOZI ARTIST MANAGEMENT, Lindé Roome Tel: +27 12 653 7290 or 0861 11 mozi / 0861 11 6694 Cell: + 27 83 299 2858 Fax: 086 562 6465 Email: lindi@mozi.co.za Website: www.mozi.co.za

8 sue

Text: Julia Stark

Images: The Gaabo Motho Tenors

Backstage with The Gaabo Motho Tenors

Mmusi Morekhure approached actress Elzette Maarschalk in 2007, and asked her to be the Gaabo Motho Tenors’ manager, and to help them find their feet in the performance industry in South Africa. Elzette, who was already managing singer Joseph Clark, declined at first due to her own acting, producing and directing schedule, but after attending the tenors’ Valentine’s concert in 2007 and being impressed by Mmusi’s persistence, she gladly accepted. “Besides their musical talent, they have the charisma of top performers, connecting with an audience and winning them over with their innocent charm, charisma and stage presence.” She started incorporating them into Joseph Clark’s performances to introduce them to audiences in the corporate, as well as the commercial market. All audiences immediately embraced the tenors. In the last few years the Gaabo Motho Tenors have performed at a variety of commercial, charity and corporate concerts in South Africa, Uganda and Germany… e8 ssu

agazine I

Ray Magazine’s Julia Stark was blown away by the tenors’ performance at the recent REACH FOR A

been working together since 2006. Gaabo Motho means: “where one belongs”. The group consists of Tebogo Makgwe, Mmusi Morekhure, Thabiso Masemene and Phenye Modiane. Their objective is to provide quality entertainment that appeals to a wider audience and they are certainly succeeding. Their repertoire is diverse and holistic, ranging from opera arias and traditional South African tunes to timeless R&B and pop songs. All four tenors are graduates from the Vocal Arts Department at the Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria, and enjoy a wealth of classical experience. Their different voices blend excellently to create powerful harmonies and beautiful melodies, resulting in a rapture of classical music that is unmistakably and proudly South African. In September 2009 The Gaabo Motho Tenors entertained guests at a function in Düsseldorf as an introduction to the 2010 Soccer World Cup. They also had the honour to sing the South African National Anthem in the stadium in Leverkusen on 5 September before the friendly match between Germany and South Africa.

R ay

The Gaabo Motho Tenors have

DREAM - GALA DINNER, held at the Protea Hotel (Midrand). She talks to this proudly South African performers and takes a look at the achievements and future goals of these tenors.

Song: Successful by Drake

Thabiso Masemene

Mmusi Morekhure

Name three compositions you can’t live without and why?

How has the music industry in South Africa changed over the last five years?

You raise me up – it always touches my heart. Samba Meu by Maria Rita – I love how she articulates. Ah! Mes Amis by Donizetti - The aria demands the tenor to hit nine high C’s in a row, a supremely difficult feat.”

I would say it has improved a bit, improving each year as a matter of fact. In our theatres a good attendance record is crucial to the well being of the arts.

Name one composer, conductor or musician you would love to meet.

R ay M

a ga

Actor and Actress: Seputla Sebogodi and Michelle Botes

Name one thing that you think would improve the industry.

zine Is

Musician Juan Diego Florez. Antonio Pappano – currently Music Director of the Royal Opera House, Convent Garden.

If people would make a conscious effort to make theatre a part of their lives and culture, like we’ve seen in the various countries we performed in overseas, especially in Europe.

Describe your music style.

What is your most treasured possession?

Our style covers a bit of Traditional, African, Opera, R&B, Afrikaans, Pop and Jazz. We sing all the famous songs by other artists from various genres, then we perform the music in our operative tenor voices, making it appealing to a wider audience.

My voice.

Favourites:

Programme: Top Gear & Top Billing

Film: Inglorious Bastards

Food: Pasta

Programme: Oprah

Colour: Blue

Food: Spaghetti & Mince

Song: Too many, can’t choose

Colour: Brown

Actor and Actress: Sello Maake ka Ncube and Julia Roberts

Favourites: Film: The Music Teacher

8 sue

Phenye Modiane

Tebogo Makgwe

What makes you happy?

Who is your role model / models?

Performing on stage and to see how our music touches people’s lives. Nothing else equals that feeling.

My grandmother, she made something out of nothing. She was only a domestic worker, but paid for my tertiary education at the Tshwane University of Technology.

What projects will you be busy with in 2011?

Who in this industries’ work do you admire and why?

We’ll be working in Netherland with Joseph Clark doing “The Queen Show” - accompanied by an orchestra. Theatre productions like Carmen by Bizet with Opera Africa at the State Theatre. Corporate functions with various companies and concerts all over South Africa.

My friend, Vuyami Mlimde. He made me realised that through hard work and perseverance in this industry, everything is possible, it all depends on how much you really want to see your dreams turn into a reality.

Name one goal you would like to achieve in 2011.

I have a B-Tech in Vocal Art: Performance. I would love to further my studies in London or Germany.

I would like to see our group growing as artists and targeting a wider audience, performing around the globe. Favourites: Film: Why did I get married too by Tyler Perry Programme: Isidingo Food: Samp and Lamb Stew Colour: Blue Song: O Sole Mio by Luciano Pavarotti Actor and Actress: Denzel Washington

Tell us a bit more about your musical education?

Favourites: Film: Law Abiding Citizen Programme: Pop Idols Food: Any food cooked by my uncle Colour: Brown and Green Song: Home by Michael Bublé Actor and Actress: Vusi Kunene and Michelle Botes RM Contact For bookings please contact  Elzette Maarschalk on Tel: +27 12 332 0744 Email:elzettem@lantic.net; info@gaabomothotenors.co.za Website:www.gaabomothotenors.co.za

Willie Pretorius from “Willie en die

Wenspan” chats to Ray at Maranatha Records Company about his latest DVD: “Rockstar Live” and we discover an individual with a heart for revival for our children, aiming to bring a message of hope and make them understand the love that God has for his children, each one is unique and a winner in His eyes. Numerous children crossing his path are indeed fatherless and he enjoys fulfilling that role in the children’s lives. How did your career in music begin? As an 8-year-old boy I started playing guitar, learning from my older brother, and never stopped. Name three compositions you can’t live without and why. • Don’t worry be happy • Jesus loves me this I know • I don’t want to be a rockstar but a star for Jesus

Willie and the Cool Dudes

Name one composer, conductor or musician you would love to meet. Carmen Describe your music style. Up beat, up-tempo and music to suit our modern 2010 children. You develop a heart for the children and most consider you a father figure. Does this concept appeal to you?

R ay M

a ga

I consider it an honour to be seen as a father figure. There are lots of children without fathers and I want to love them with the love of our loving FATHER.

zine Is

You are very involved in charity work. Please can

Text: Ally Mesnard & Images: Maranatha Record Company

8 sue

you tell us about the places you have visited and what kind of projects did you do there? Yes, I am involved with a project in a very poor community, where we love them and visit them on a regular basis. At the end of the year we have a bash and give out presents and lots of love. How has the music industry in South Africa changed over the last five years? The local music changed drastically. Kids are very music wise and we need to capture them with lively beats. What is your most treasured possession? I have to say my guitar, without it I can’t sing and worship God.

Programme: Survivor Food: Steak and veggies Colour: Blue Song: Our God is an Awesome God Smell: Rain Record: Michael W. Smith Instrument: Guitar and Saxophone Actor and Actress: Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson Destination in the world: Home, everybody, everything I love is here. Quotes that you live by?

What makes you happy?

Never, ever, ever give up!

My children’s laughter.

Do you do this full-time or do you have another career?

If you could change one thing in this world, what would it be? Child abuse. What projects will you be busy with in 2011? Saving lives for Jesus and teach them about our loving Father.

By God’s grace I am almost 10 years full-time in the children’s’ ministry. Please tell us about your latest DVD: “Rockstar Live!”

To do scuba diving.

What a wonderful privilege to minister to kids. Maranatha Record Company helped me with this huge project and I know the children in churches, schools and at home are singing and praising God by singing along. RM

Who is your role model / models?

Your contact details for bookings etc.

Jesus – No 1.

Tel: +27 82 578 1224

Who would you still like to perform with?

Email: willie@willieendiewenspan.co.za

The Smurfs, I think they are cute and very cool.

Website: www.willieendiewenspan.co.za

Name one goal you would like to achieve in 2011.

What is your fondest memory of 2010? Our 21st wedding anniversary with my beloved, priceless, lovely wife, Heidi in Mozambique. Do you have any other hobbies, besides music? Yes, I am a keen golfer and I love playing cricket with the boys on my camps. Tell us about your family. Are you the only one with musical talent in your family? No, everyone sings and they are all singing on our latest DVD “ Rockstar Live.” Jessie, our eldest daughter is singing in the Gospel group “Unashamed.” My wife sings like an angel. Favourites:

agazine I

e8 ssu

R ay

Film: Spongebob

Health

Being well taken care of means a lot more than purely material gain, it means food for the heart and soul as well as for the body. Eventually those who do not get emotional and spiritual nourishment through meaningful endeavours can starve no matter how prosperous their bank accounts are. Joy is a function of the spirit, the soul and the body. There is a specific set of cells in the brain that are devoted to receiving input that convert to the emotion of joy. BE JOYFUL.

Text & Image: Rina Smit

managing sugar cravings, painful periods, uninvited cellulite, mood swings and unstable emotions.

Text: Joan van Rensburg Images: Michael Maherry

R eflections of Womanhood DEDICATED TO MY MOM, GERSHA BECKER, WHO AT 81 YEARS OF AGE IS STILL MY MENTOR AND MY BEST FRIEND.

Nowhere have I ever read a more beautiful description of a woman than in Proverbs 31. That whole chapter so aptly describes my own mother. Proverbs 31 says: ‘A wife of noble character, who can find? She is worth far more than rubies…she works with eager hands…she gets up while it is still dark, she provides food for her family…she sets about her work vigorously…her lamp does not go out at night… she extends her hand to the needy…she is clothed with strength and dignity…she speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue…she watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness…charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.’ A woman is the heart of the home. She also has so many other diverse roles in our society, which she fulfills today. She asserts herself as a woman in a man’s world, often having to be the financial provider or single mom, plays the role of nurse, mother, wife, lover, taxi, teacher, encourager, motivator, friend, counselor and so much more!

R ay M

a ga

In childhood she dresses up, tries on mom’s highheeled shoes and lipstick, plays with her dolls and is introduced to her femininity. Then puberty arrives and she embraces the first taste of young womanhood. She makes acquaintance with her newly developing breasts, which will in the future store one of her important hormones, namely estrogen. Her teens are a time of becoming comfortable with herself,

The hormone ESTROGEN, which forms part of a group of steroid compounds and functions as the primary female sex hormone now surges through her body, and women everywhere are told that it promises them eternal youth and beauty, it is the elixir of youth and forestalls ageing.

It was only in the early 1900’s that doctors came to realise that the ovaries produce two hormones, which later came to be named estrogen and progesterone. In 1960 the FDA approved the use of the first oral contraceptive pill, and young women became exposed to ‘the pill’, now even commonly prescribed for ‘skin problems’ in teenagers. She marries, gives birth to life, her children, the most precious gift of all, cradles them at her breast and watches them grow up so quickly…too quickly. Then she hits a season in her life, which she dreads, a MIDLIFE CRISIS. 1942 - ‘Premarin prescribes a HRT derived from pregnant mare’s urine for menopausal symptoms. Marilyn Monroe uses it, and all of a sudden it is touted as THE HORMONE that is prescribed for everything. It soon became one of the top drugs dispensed in the USA. What most postmenopausal women are never told is that secondary sources of estrogen are produced after menopause by the liver, adrenal glands, fat cells and breast tissue! So did God make a mistake when a woman goes through menopause and her estrogen levels taper off ? -NO -, is menopause a disease? -NO -, why then does it need to be ‘treated’ with HRT (hormone replacement therapy) when there are so many risks involved to a woman’s health, especially breast cancer? The prescription might soothe your symptoms for a time, but there is often a price to pay with side effects. By 1968 numerous side effects were being reported,

zine Is

8 sue

On reflecting on the past, one can do so without any regrets, seeing everything as working together for good, lessons learnt on your journey, bringing you to where you are today, with more wisdom and the self-confidence to make better, wiser and informed choices. Because life is all about choices! For the first time now in many years, she can once again cherish and embrace her womanhood, she can reach out to others, touching the lives of those around her and making a difference. She can look forward to many more precious experiences and continue to fulfill the destiny to which she has been called. So choose life, become well versed in your two important hormones, estrogen and progesterone, so that you can make your own decisions based on education and information. True health is enjoyed when there is harmony between these two hormones. Nevertheless imbalances occur frequently amongst women today. Estrogen dominance has become common. This means that the woman is exposed to the hormone estrogen in so many different ways and it suppresses the function of her other important hormone, namely progesterone. This causes ‘endocrine disruption’, and the woman may experience gall stones, weight gain, thyroid and blood sugar problems, disrupted sleep patterns, anxiety, headaches, depression, irritability, loss of libido, infertility, fluid retention, thrombosis, ovarian and breast cysts and still much more. Bear in mind that the livestock industry vastly uses estrogens to fatten their animals; hence we take it in our animal and dairy products. Many chemicals, which we ingest and inhale, are also ‘endocrine disruptors’ and our delicate balance

It protects against breast cancer and fibrocystic breast disease, it has blood thinning properties, it acts as a natural anti-depressant, it helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels, protects against heart disease and thrombosis, supports thyroid function, hot flushes and weight gain and is especially helpful with infertility! As a young child the seed was planted in my own life to take an interest in nutrition and health. I saw my mom suffer through many illnesses and operations; despite medical expertise and prayer she was never well. Today we can trace back many of her problems to the HRT she used for so many years. Yet she suffered in silence and never complained. She continued to play an active role in nursing others, holding prayer meetings and bible studies, and was always serving others. Today I honour her will to endure, I treasure the moments we have shared, I see in her the love of God, I celebrate the years God has spared her, for she is worthy of praise, always leading the way by exercising the fruit of the Spirit in all she does, guiding us spiritually, radiating an inner peace, beauty and strength that comes from her close walk with the Lord. She surely is the Proverbs 31 woman! She still continues to illuminate the world of those around her and has been my source of inspiration to continue to reach out and make a difference in others’ lives. In closing I’d like to quote from something I found years ago by George Napheys: ‘The physical life of a woman; advice to the maiden, wife and mother.’ “The evening of her day approaches, and if she has observed the precepts of wisdom, she may look forward to a long and placid period of rest, blessed with health, honoured and loved with a purer flame than any which she has inspired in the bloom of youth and beauty.” RM Contact Joan van Rensburg is a nutritional and lifestyle coach with a practice at the Eastleigh Medical Centre in Pretoria. Drawing from a wealth of experience she has assisted numerous individuals and families on the road to better health. She may be contacted at: joan.partner@gmail.com or Tel: +27 12 998 0025 or +27 72267 8160 e8 ssu

agazine I

Menopause impacts much more than just the physical; it also affects the psychological and emotional aspects of a woman’s life. If she has cared for herself well, addressing good nutrition and correct supplementation she will be able to journey through this season in her life with very little discomfort. This midlife journey can symbolize NEW BEGINNINGS, a new season in a women’s life. We can savour it.

Consider my mother, whom I weaned off Premarin at 70 years of age, after she had been on it for 30 years! She supplements with whole food supplements and uses natural progesterone and it has made a remarkable difference to her health. Some of the benefits of natural progesterone are:

Menopause can occur anytime between the age of 45 and 55. This is often the time when until now ‘alone time’ has been non-existent, she has nurtured and cared for everyone, often at the expense of neglecting herself. Now the kids grow up, leave home, the nest is empty, and for a while depression and anxiety can set in.

is thrown out. For this reason we should make wiser choices, choosing hormone free dairy and animal products, filter our water and avoid chemical exposure as much as possible. We can consume more fresh natural whole foods, lots of essential fatty acids (especially Omega 3) and consider supplementing with natural progesterone.

R ay

including heart disease and strokes and in the 1980’s breast cancer surfaced. Today, many women still ignorantly continue to use HRT for many years, not considering the risks involved. Is it because we have never learned to trust our bodies’ own intuitive wisdom, educate ourselves, grow in knowledge and discernment, so that we may take accountability and responsibility for our own health?

life in the art of Medicine. After consulting thousands of women regarding breast and general health issues, he is convinced that women find it difficult to make the right decisions due to a lack of information. Part of his mission is therefore, to educate and inform women about health issues and the right choices to be made. He does this by giving presentations, talks and writing articles whenever the opportunity arises. This booklet also intends to do exactly that, especially for the 20,000 patients on his records.

Text: Dr. Alwyn Carstens Images: Michael Maherry

Beauty and The Breast Dr Alwyn Carstens is a physician

Contact Eastleigh Breast Care Centre to order your copy of the book today, or feel free to purchase this wonderful book as an ebook online at, www.beauty-and-the-breast.co.za RM

He started his career as Family Practitioner (GP) in 1975. While in GP practice, he obtained his Masters in Family Medicine (M.Prax.Med) at the University of Pretoria Medical School and the equivalent ( M.F.G.P.) from the College of Medicine of S.A.

Contact:

with special interest in Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health and specifically Breast Health. He practices as a diagnostic Radiologist at The Eastleigh Breast Care Centre in Pretoria. Over 1000 women with breast cancer attend the centre for treatment or follow up.

From 1986, after qualifying as Diagnostic Radiologist, M.Med.Rad(D) (Pret) he practiced as a General diagnostic Radiologist for the next 10 years.

R ay M

a ga

Dr. Alwyn Carstenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amazing new publication on breast care health is now available to the public and a must-have for every woman.

His interest in Breast Radiology and breast disease was ignited while working in New Zealand in a Breast Care Centre. Upon return, he started his own Breast Care Centre in Pretoria, The Eastleigh Breast Care Centre. Together with a specialist team his mission is to provide First World breast cancer treatment and to empower women to take part in decision making. He has now spent 35 years of his

Tel: +27 12 993 0512 Fax: +27 12 993 5188 Email: info@breastcare.co.za Accounts: accounts@breastcare.co.za Dr Alwyn Carstens: drcarstens@breastcare.co.za Beauty and the Breast book: book@breastcare.co.za

zine Is

8 sue

Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Text:Herman Uys Images: Morguefile.com

Pharmacy

All people are capable of handling a certain amount of stress, although it seems as if some can just carry on and on. Others collapse without warning. You get environmental stress, caused by air pollution, high noise levels, household problems, area temperatures, etc.

Mental stress is caused by relationship problems, problems at work, and these circumstances physically effect your body. Stress caused certain hormones to be released into the bloodstream, and this accelerates your heart rate. Your lungs absorb more oxygen to give your muscles more strength, your digestion slows down and you sweat more. Treatment: Get to a counsellor as quickly as possible, open up your heart, and get rid of those problems. Get your life clean with God, and deal with injustices being done.

e8 ssu

agazine I

STRESS

Physical stress can be caused by illness, injury and a wrong diet.

that there is no sickness, disease or condition we experience on earth, that is allowed to exist on our planet, without our Creator already having provided an effective antidote and/or medicine for, in the form of plants, fruit or veggies, created for us earth dwellers, to be healthy and well - we simply might not know about it.

R ay

I am personally convinced

Part 5

Physical aids: a handful of pumpkin seed, which are rich in zinc, iron and calcium. Herbs that nourish and stabilize your central nervous system are: basil, lavender, chamomile and raw oats. Ginseng root lifts your spirit when you’re down or tired, and relaxes you when you are stressed. It also boosts your immune system. Make sure you’re getting sufficient veggies, such as cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, onions, beetroot, celery and carrots. FENNEL This seed is an antiseptic. Chewing it keeps the breath fresh. Add 2 teaspoons of crushed seed to a cup of boiling water and allow to stand for 10 minutes and then swallow to de-poison the body after a dog bite, snake bite or insect bite. Fennel tincture in juice, aids weight loss. Fennel tea is good for babies with cramps and diarrhoea. Fennel has been used over ages for suppressing of appetite during fasting. GERANIUM A good cure for diarrhoea. Geranium oil relieves PMS. It treats water retention, eczema, dermatitis and dry skin. It releases tension, helps you sleep, and relax, and also aid digestion. Camphor leaf geranium can be used to clear up coughs, fight chest and other chest ailments. Steam with the tincture. LAVENDER Drip lavender oil onto a little cushion, and put this in your bed. You’ll sleep like a baby. Lavender tea relieves exhaustion and anxiety. If coupled with grape vinegar, lavender leaves bring relief to aching legs. Add lavender oil to your bathwater and apply to your sore feet. Lavender leaves make an excellent marinade for meat tenderiser. Wrap up the meat in the leaves and leave in the fridge over night. LEMON VERBENA Lemon Verbena herbal tea has a calming effect on the entire nervous system, and heals bronchial and nasal congestion. It also relieves stomach cramps and nausea. Drink the tincture after meals. Boil 4-8 leaves in a cup of boiling water and add a drop of honey. MINT

R ay M

a ga

Centuries ago, mint was used to treat dog and snake bites, stab wounds, mouth and gum infections, digestive problems and skin ailments. Relieve indigestion by chewing on a mint leaf or two. It’s a good alkaline or anti-acid. Steam with mint tincture to relieve colds and flu. Peppermint tea relieves colds and flu. Drink the same tea, cold, for flatulence and hiccups. Rub fresh mint leaves into the skin, to keep mosquitoes at bay.

MUSTARD Mustard treats flatulence, loss of appetite, colds and flu, mucus membrane infection, and chest and bladder ailments. Make a paste of mustard seeds, and leaves to treat rheumatism, sprained limbs, and chilblained hands and feet. Add mustard to hot water, and have a foot bath to aid blood circulation, and relieve tiredness. Mustard will stop vomiting. Mustard lifts the resistance levels. Chewing on mustard leaves, cures a sore throat, and stops a runny nose. Mustard is a natural anti-depressant. Add a tablespoon of mustard seed to half a cub of warm water, allow to brew for fifteen minutes and drink 3 x per day. Herman Uys Rev. Herman Uys is the founder of Koinonia Ministries, and moves nationally, as well as abroad, as public and conference speaker. He is the author of the book: God’s Pharmacy RM

zine Is

8 sue

Inspirational There is one thing stronger than all the armies of the world, and that is, an idea whose time has come.(Victor Hugo). Look to this day! Yesterday is but a dream, and tomorrow is only a vision. But today makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope!

Text & Image: Rina Smit

Loving the Unlovely Michelle tried to find somewhere to wipe

Text: Tracy Tredea Images: Runaire & one.org, morguefile.com

the dirt off her hands but everywhere she looked it was covered in mud and grime. After working all day in the muddy fields and feeding the farm animals, it was only inevitable that she would be covered in filth from head to toe. Her feet ached and longed to soak in a warm bath but she knew the possibility of getting anything more than a bucket with lukewarm water and an excuse for soap would be highly improbable. As she pushed the farm cat off the haystack to sit down, it felt like every muscle in her body was screaming at her. Her nails were cracked deep into the skin.

R ay M

a ga

zine Is

Her hair resembled a jar of grease. And her clothes had become tattered and torn with no chance of a needle and thread to mend it. Everything was dirty. Every part of her body smelt like the waste products from animals. She wanted to run away. Run away from herself. But where would she go? Surely she could not go back home. How would her family ever accept her again after everything she has put them

through? Life had not turned out the way she had hoped. Her big dream to move away from home and stand on her own two feet definitely backfired. It all started so well. The money she insisted her father give her, gave her the freedom to pretty much do anything she wanted. She travelled. She partied. She spent and bought

8 sue

It didn’t stop her though. She wanted to get home. Her walk turned into a slow run and before she knew it her feet were bleeding from the old sores being opened up by the rough terrain. She was not deterred. She continued through the night and into the next day. Finally exhaustion overtook her and she collapsed. What was she thinking? Did she really think her father would take her back? She decided right there and then that even if her father allowed her to be one of his servants that would be good enough for her. So she stood up, and mustered every bit of strength in her to continue the journey home. Meanwhile, her father was tending to his usual tasks of the day. He missed Michelle more than words could say. He had prayed for her every day and often stood on his patio watching into the distance for any sign of her. Day in and day out. Month after month. Until the rest of the family had given up. But he never did. On this particular evening, the moon was shining bright. The path leading up to the house was brightly lit. Suddenly in the distance, he saw a figure walking, almost staggering towards his house. He starred at the figure examining the posture. Could it be her? Tears instantly filled his eyes as he recognized his daughter. “My daughter, my daughter!” He started to run towards her and as he got closer, he saw her ragged clothing. He smelt the stench of dirt and sin covered all over her. He saw her pain-stricken

Just as He creates an environment of acceptance and love. So should we as the church do with those who are undeserving and unlovely in every way! If you were at church and a prostitute arrived in the service what would you do? Show her the way out or invite her to sit with you throughout the service? If a bus load of homeless people walked in with their smelly clothes and dirty hands – would you greet them with a hug like anyone else or shy away from their smell? If a known drug addict sat down next to you, would you find somewhere else to sit, or would you show them the love and acceptance of Jesus? If a street child wanted to join your kid’s church, would you allow it? If the church cannot love the unlovely and welcome the dirty, who will? Jesus was known to mix with the sinners. So why can’t we handle the concept of having a busload of them in our pews on a Sunday? Why do we only cater for the prim and proper and clean-smelling suits? Before you start feeling like I am attacking you, I want to remind you of this: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and love your neighbour as you love yourself.” “If I speak in tongues of humans and angels but have no love, I have become a reverberating gong or a clashing cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can understand all secrets and every form of knowledge, and if I have absolute faith as to move mountains but have no love, I am nothing!” Being a Christian is not just about saying the right thing or wearing the right clothing. It is about loving. Loving the lovely and the unlovely. Accepting the sinner – but not the sin. Giving others just as much grace and mercy as we have received from Jesus Himself. If we cannot do that, we cannot call ourselves followers of Christ because Christ lives out the story of the prodigal son every day! So be challenged! And as beautifully put by GK Chesterton: “To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless!” So love! Love the way Jesus loves and love the unlovely! RM

e8 ssu

agazine I

Michelle buried her head into her dirty hands. Her tears formed streaks down her dirty cheeks making way for her soft skin. Why had she not listened to her dad’s warnings? Why had she been so stubborn? She suddenly longed for the comfort of her home. For the first time in a very long time, she yearned for the rules of her father’s household and the security and safety it had given her. She imagined her mom’s famous Sunday roast and the abundance of the family celebration meals. She wanted so badly to go back. No. She needed to go back. With a sudden glimpse of hope, she jumped up. Ignoring her aching muscles, she started to walk. Faster and faster she went until her feet felt like needles were being pushed through her soles.

My daughter was lost but now she is found!” (Luke 15:11-24) The story of the prodigal son always humbles me as I once again understand the undeserving grace and mercy that Father God offers us. But recently God showed me another angle to this story. Just as He accepts us as we are, filled with dirt and grime and sin. Just as He embraces us and offers forgiveness without us explaining ourselves.

Life was good. No one to answer to. No rules to follow. It was everything she wanted. Until… she lost it all. The money did not last long and strangely so, as soon as the money ran out, the friends ran away. Her new found love also quickly exited her life and before she knew it, she found herself begging for a job to work on a farm tending to the pigs!

face. And without question, or prejudice, he threw his arms around her, kissing her dirty cheeks, embracing her dirty body and everything it symbolized. His wails of joy drew the rest of the family outside. He shouted, “Bring me some clean clothes and shoes. Bring me my signet ring. Prepare a banquet.

R ay

anything her heart wanted to dive into. Her friends were plenty and everyone wanted to be around her. Even though she was unfamiliar with the land, she quickly found her feet when meeting a dashing young man, who helped her flaunt her new found wealth. He also convinced her to do things she knew was not right but it had just felt so good!

THE GREATEST THING CALLED: LOVE Text Rina Smit & Images: Morguefile.com

LOVE

can be so illogical. Of course, the love of a mother for her child is logical. We can all understand maternal love. But sometimes there is simply no human reason why we love someone. Love is its own justification. When we say that two people are in love, their ‘chemistry’ sparks, even when the pair seems to be mismatched. One of the partners may be highly cultivated, handsome or beautiful, while the other may be the opposite - plain, awkward or uneducated. There is simply no accounting for love. We don’t understand why God loves us, but thank God He does! When mankind stumbled into sin and was contaminated by it, God would have been justified in stomping us, like a brood of vicious vipers. He could have started over with another creation. But the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. Right there in the Garden of Eden, God announced that the Saviour would come from the seed of the woman and bruise the serpent’s head Genesis 3:15. God’s love is always redemptive. He never abolishes anyone. The need for intimacy, to be one with another person, sharing our lives, our secrets, our pleasures and pain, is undoubtedly one of the great motivating forces for humanity. The desire for marriage and family suggests that we consider ourselves incomplete without someone else. Art, music, and literature are often expressions of reaching out to unite with others in a more than superficial way. Communication is an impetus in the recent explosion of technology. We group ourselves into gangs, communities, churches, and governments to eradicate loneliness. Yet, the pain persists. We feel like aliens on our own planet and search for ways to ‘join’. In our desperation sexual perversion, suicide, drugs and alcohol abuse seem like possible solutions. Divorce destroys our homes. We don’t trust our government or our neighbour. We move further and further away from unity. In contrast to this growing trend, we see a consistent theme of ‘oneness’ in the Scriptures.

R ay M

a ga

zine Is

“This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another” 1 John 3:11. Though our feelings come and go, His love for us does not. From

the beginning of time and creation of the universe and man, we see nothing less than an expression of God’s unfathomable love. Jesus Himself came to this earth as atonement for our sins, a sacrifice of love. Line after line, verse after verse, God’s Word is filled with descriptions of God’s abounding love. You may ask what true Christianity is. It is love. We are, because He loved. We are, because He gave His life. In receiving His love, we must also give His love. Love puts the best possible construction on any situation. It sees the potential for good in the very worst characters. For this reason, love succeeds when everything else fails. This love brought success in many people’s lives. The entire book of Ruth is a picture of what it means for Christ to be our Redeemer. The book concludes with a marriage between Ruth and Boaz, her kinsman redeemer. The Lord spoke through this beautiful love story to let us know what was in store for us when Christ would come to redeem us. As the book unfolds, we see Ruth moving from being alone, abandoned and destitute to being part of a family and provided for. Boaz, the kinsman redeemer, is clearly a foreshadow of Christ, our Redeemer. He was introduced to us early in the book as a man of grace, reminding us that our relationship with the Lord can only be built upon this same foundation. Ruth ask, “Why have I found favour in your sight?” Ruth 2:10. She is genuinely puzzled when Boaz tells her to harvest all she wants from his fields and to drink from his water jars. She knows this is not what she deserves since she is a foreigner. She is amazed by his graciousness. We too must realise when the Lord comes offering us the Kingdom that this is not what we deserve. That’s why it’s called “grace”. Romans 3:24 says, “Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus”. Redemption is based upon the kindness in the heart of the redeemer, not some resident goodness in the person being redeemed. Gomer (Hosea’s wife) was a harlot, Ruth was a foreigner. We are completely incapable of justifying ourselves and buying our own freedom. That’s why

8 sue

Christ, our Husband, has the right to redeem us because He is “one of us”. He (Jesus) is not ashamed to call them brethren. Since then the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same. Hebrews 2:11,14. Jesus became a part of the family of man in order to be our representative. He constantly referred to Himself as the Son of man to let us know He was doing what He was doing as one

The scriptures teach that we are all under God’s curse prior to redemption. Deuteronomy 28:15-68. Failure to keep the law brings with it certain terrible consequences. Since we have all come up short of God’s standard (Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:10-18,23), when the worst thing possible happens, we’re merely getting what we deserve Romans 6:23. Thankfully, because of His great mercy towards us, the Lord doesn’t want us to receive our due. He wants to move us out from under the curse into the place of blessing. Describing our Husband-Redeemer, the Scripture says, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law” Galatians 3:13. Being under the curse meant being in the place of disfavour with the Father, but Jesus, like any good Bridegroom, wanted His bride to be in Father’s favour, so He did what was necessary to put us in the place of blessing. To move from being cursed to being blessed means that God is no longer “against us” but “for us”. In the beginning Naomi was convinced that God was against her. No wonder

e8 ssu

agazine I

Jesus literally poured out His life’s blood so we could be redeemed. He gave His life that we might be His bride. Boaz was able to be a redeemer kinsman for Ruth, because he was a relative and could legally represent the family in buying back the inheritance lost previously. Naomi, the mother-in-law, was rejoicing when she told Ruth. “The man is a near relative of ours, one who has the right to redeem us” Ruth 2:20. According to the law recorded in Leviticus 25:25, one had to be a kinsman in order to be a redeemer. The whole point of this law was to restore the property sold earlier to its original owners and keep it in the family. Boaz not only wanted Ruth for his wife, he also wanted their descendants to have their inheritance restored.

As our Redeemer, the Lord not only wants us for His bride, He also wants us to have our inheritance. Jesus speaks of our receiving that inheritance in Matthew 25:34, “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Our original ancestor, Adam, sold what was rightfully ours for nearly nothing, much as Esau sold his birthright. But as a part of our redemption, Jesus restored what was belonging to us as His bride, then and now.

Although we cannot pay the price of our redemption, someone has to pay. Hosea paid fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a half of barley to buy back his bride, Gomar Hosea 3:2. Boaz also paid to be Ruth’s redeemer Ruth 4:9-10. The price paid for us to be the Bride of Christ is the greatest price ever paid for anything in the history of the world. We cost the life of God the Son! In Him we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace Ephesians 1:17.

of us. In order to redeem us, Jesus had to die to sin and be raised to newness of life as our representative. Romans 6:6-11. To be our representative, He had to become a flesh and blood human being just like us. This is the reason for the incarnation.

R ay

we need a redeemer.

she was so bitter. Who can possibly win in life when God is against you? But, in the end, she found that the Lord was on her side. Sometimes when a young man is dating the daughter of a very protective father, the father really doesn’t like the person who is trying to steal his daughter’s affection. However, if the daughter knows this is the one person in the world for her and they marry, the father may change his mind and be very supportive of his new son-in-law. He may move from a position of being against the young man to being for him because he married the daughter. Our position of favour with Father is the direct result of being joined to Jesus as His bride. We were not in the place of blessing prior to our becoming one with Him, but now we are just as convinced that God is for us as we were previously convinced that He is against us. We couldn’t possibly win before, but now we can’t possibly lose. We want to cry out with the Apostle Paul, “If God is for us, who is against us? Romans 8:31. Boaz, who is a type of the Lord our Husband, further extended his grace to Ruth, “Do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask” Ruth 3:11. He not only blessed with his words but was also prepared to demonstrate his love for her by doing anything he could to see that she was blessed. That his love for her at this point is unlimited is undeniable. He has given Ruth a blank cheque; he has already said “Yes” to anything she may require!

R ay M

a ga

zine Is

As amazing as it may seem, Jesus comes to us as the Suffering Servant depicted in Isaiah and says: “Ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you” John 15:7. His love for us is unlimited. He laid down His life as our Redeemer, and He surely will not withhold any of the lesser things that will give us joy. This promise is preceded with the words: “If you abide in Me...” Meaning this applies only to His bride, those who have been joined to Him inseparably. He knows

He can trust us with the privilege of asking because, in Him, we no longer act out of selfishness but out of love. The Lord has desired a bride since before the beginning of time. Little wonder Jesus wants to celebrate now that He has come as the Bridegroom, Matthew 9:11-15. The Lord has come as our Redeemer, and the reason for that redemption is matrimony. When we think of redemption merely in legal terms, such as being saved from torment, and go on our merry way, forgiven but forgetting the One who saved us, we’re missing the main point of what He’s done. The result of redemption is to be in a love relationship with the Lord. Anything less is not full redemption. There are many words used to describe the intimacy that is the result of real redemption. Communion, fellowship, a daily walk, but all of them describe eternal life as well. Jesus has told us that eternal life is knowing Him, John 17:3, a term used in Scriptures to denote intimate relations between a man and a wife when children are conceived. The result of redemption is not only love but a new life as well. Jesus is coming back for one purpose and one purpose only: to claim a holy bride without spot or wrinkle. Like a husband who’s been away a long time making preparations for his wife to be with him, our Lord assures us, “I am coming quickly” Revelation 22:20. As our beloved is anxious for His return, our Lover also anticipates the day when love will know its dullness, when everything that separates’ will be abolished, and we’ll be reunited with the One for whom we were created, the Lord our Husband. RM

8 sue

TO WORSHIP GOD Text Rina Smit & Image: morguefile.com

e8 ssu

agazine I

Imagine the depth of this women’s tears being enough to clean the dusty feet of Jesus! Imagine the gratitude that moved her to boldly display her devotion and adoration of the Man reclining at the table. She had heard Him teach of the kingdom of heaven. She had understood the heart of the Lord. She had seen the miracles He had done. She had been delivered from her old way of life through His loving acceptance of her. With tears flowing from a sobbing heart, she washed the Lord’s tired feet and wiped away the soil with the tresses of her hair. Then she perfumed His feet with oil from her alabaster jar that was valued at a year’s wages. Her love for Jesus knew no bounds. When the others voiced their disapproval of her behaviour, Jesus said: “Leave her alone. She has done a beautiful thing to me”.

What is worship, and what are we doing when we worship? True worship, the kind of worship that God seeks, is described in John 4:23-24: “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth”. True worship is when one’s spirit adores and connects with the Spirit of God, when the very core of one’s being is found loving Him, lost in Him. True worship is not about the songs being sung; it is not about the size of the choir. Although music is a wonderful expression of worship, it is not in itself the essence of it. The core of worship is when one’s heart and soul, and all that is within, adores and connects with the Spirit of God. In fact, regardless of how magnificent the musical moments are, unless one’s heart is fully engaged in the worship being expressed, it is still only music. The song of a pure heart that

Everyone in town knew her as a sinful woman, but her selfless display of excellent true worship changed how everyone remembers her now. Jesus was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon. “When she learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them” Luke 7:37-38)

Jesus knew the woman who anointed Him with her precious perfume fully understood that she had been forgiven for terrible sins. When we stand before the Lord to worship Him, we are to worship Him in truth. If our worship is spiritual and truthful, we will search our souls and appraise the value we place on His love for us. Her action of elaborate love toward her Lord is a powerful example of true, heartfelt worship. Her act of worship had nothing to do with music or song, but it had all to do with being in the presence of her Saviour.

R ay

Holy, Holy, Holy

“ is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come” Revelation. 4:8

is yearning for more of God and less of oneself is the music that holds the key to many victories and delights the heart of our King. When we lift up our hearts and sing, “I will serve no foreign God or any other treasure...”, Do we really mean it? The implication of the song is that God is above all, there is nothing that compares to Him. In our spirit do we understand what we are singing? Yes there are treasures and idols that attract us and seek to take us away from the Lord, and in worship we fight them. One definition of worship is gazing upon God. When Moses gazed upon God, he returned a changed man, covered by the glory of the presence of God. We all know that sometimes it is a struggle to get into that place of intimacy with God. We long to come into the presence and feel the Father, but it doesn’t happen automatically. Well, gazing upon the Lord in worship is a quick way to enter the presence. As we gaze upon Him, admiring Him, offering ourselves to Him, telling Him how powerful and awesome He is etc. our spirit begins to be moved. If we stay in that place long enough, expressing our adoration of Him in words or song, our spirit will soon know His presence in a very profound way. The more we gaze upon Him, the more He reveals Himself: His love, power, goodness, majesty, etc. As our spirit and soul keep soaking up that revelation, we reach a point where we just want to bow before Him. We begin to see Him in His true light, as the greatest Being in the universe.

R ay M

a ga

zine Is

We catch a revelation of His purity and, before long, our heart begins to remind us of the things that are holding us back from consecrating ourselves to Him. We are confronted with the reality of our idols and very soon, we find that we cannot continue worshipping without first dealing with those idols.

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who had called you out of darkness into His marvellous light” 1 Peter 2:9. Worshipping our Saviour, Jesus Christ, is fundamental to living a faith-filled, Spirit-led, Christian life. There are countless, conflictions as to how we actually worship the Lord. There are multiple worship methods, plans, and styles that vary amongst cultures and geographic boundaries. The Lord enjoys the diversity of sincere worship when expressed through His Spirit and in truth. Worship should be a way of life, with many facets of expression. But regardless of the method, the act of worship must be in Spirit (from our rational consciousness) and truth (consistent with the rest of our lives) John 4:24. We don’t have to be great singers or musicians to worship God. Our worship can be filled with radical demonstrations of praise and other times be very quiet and personal. Neither is better than the other. But we do need to be in a personal relationship with our great God and live with the truth of His greatness reflecting through all we are becoming and all we do. To be a worshipper is to fall in love with God, the Author of love, and accept the love He has for us. He adores us. God gave you His Word as a living love letter that contains everything you will ever need to get through this life and beyond. The Word encourages us to be established in love and to grasp how wide and long and high and deep the love of Christ is for us. His love “surpasses knowledge” Ephesians 3:19. His love is at work within us to the measure with the fullness of God. If we could understand even an inkling of this love Christ has for us, our hearts would be full of worship for the One who loves us so much! RM

8 sue

Life's Best Gifts

Text Olivier Kizika M Daniel & Image: Rina Smit

Looking closer though, I have come to a conclusion that what people really want and pursue in life is not firstly the material things. It is true the human heart can never be satisfied with material things. What man is really after is usually intangible and invisible: the deep longing of one’s heart. It is with this perspective that we can observe that the best gifts of life are immaterial. The most expensive commodities of life are intangible. These are the things we are all after. From sports to food and everything in-between our deepest desire is usually the “experience” and the feeling we get from them. There are people who would not normally wear a jacket unless it has an “Italian” brand on it. Because

It is a matter of prioritizing and making a distinction between having influence and affluence. Between being a good person and just doing good things, between impressing people and the true motives of the heart. In our pursuit of excellence seven “must-have” of such priceless things come into account: 1. REPUTATION The Bible says in Pro 22:1 if you have to choose between a good reputation and great wealth, choose a good reputation.

e8 ssu

agazine I

The clergy has not spared time and efforts of warning us of the pursuit of vain glory and the lust of the eyes in this world. It is often said that he who pursues the world can never be satisfied.

It is always a delight to see a young man who’s just gotten his first car. What a sight! He is overjoyed! But not really for the tangible car itself, but for the freedom it gives him. It is the same when you buy a beautiful house; it is comfort and safety that you are really after. The most important things of life are those that we cannot touch; those that we cannot buy or put a price on, such as good relationships and friendship. A person with an excellent spirit maximizes and invests more in these areas. A wise and insightful person pays more attention to these things just like a good manager would emphasize on good attitude towards customers from his employees.

In every heart where hope has ever been born, there is a sense of pursuit. Every human being is pursuing something. Pursuit is what makes one active. And we pursue what we focus on and what we value. What we value we prioritise. And our decisions are determined by our priorities.

it is really not the fabric that impresses them, but rather the sense of status and importance they get when he dresses Italian. We are after experience, feelings, status, a sense of belonging, identity, a sense of worth, abilities and means. We all long for love, respect, esteem, favour, good reputation and freedom to name but a few.

R ay

In the past

two or three decades bookstores all over the world have been flooded with “howto” books. It is as if the quest for success and the experience of a life that cuts above the ordinary has gotten more intense by the day. The world is looking for the perfect ingredients to make the recipe of a life that has meaning. A life that is of significance and not just of survival. Is there a formula? Are there methods to achieving and fulfilling dreams according to God?

As a businessman your reputation is just as important as your products and services. A good reputation is priceless. When you are established in the market place, your reputation will bring you more clients than all the adverts combined. Good reputation is one intangible thing we need to maintain and work on. It inspires trust and confidence. If you want to be successful and excellent in everything you do, do not indulge in any kind of compromise that can potentially tarnish your reputation. This is one thing you cannot afford to lose! It is how the world perceives you. Your image and brand must speak of integrity and excellence. 2. WISDOM We can never over emphasize on the importance of wisdom. The scriptures clearly put it this way: “wisdom is the principle thing”. Those who work with their minds rule over those who work with their hands. Wisdom, creativity, insight are what gives an edge and an advantage in life. A wise businessman makes right decisions at the right time and it spares him from costly mistakes. Proverbs 8:1 says: “I am Wisdom, I am better than jewels; nothing you want can compare with me (GN). A man with wisdom knows how to get wealth and increase it, but an unwise one can only lose it. Wisdom from God is the advantage we have in this competitive world. It is said of Joseph and Daniel that they had an excellent spirit within them and they displayed great wisdom. Without weapons they managed to impose themselves, rule and reign in a hostile land, thanks to wisdom. 3. FAITH AND COURAGE It is literally impossible to achieve anything without a measure of faith and courage. He who possesses these qualities shall win every time. Courage is more powerful than weapons. In the battlefield of life the opposition and challenges you face would not go away just because you have weapons to defeat them. But it is your courage, boldness and determination that decide on the outcome. The world has a way of intimidating us, especially when you have a vision and a dream from God. In your pursuit of excellence, you will be judged, criticised, rejected and misunderstood. The only thing that will keep you focus and on course to fulfilling your destiny will be your faith and the courage you display in moments of crisis. 4. FAVOUR

R ay M

a ga

Favour is an affair advantage that God in his sovereignty just decides to put on you. I heard a wise man saying: “one day of favour is better than a thousand days of labour.” How true this is! Favour is when God himself smiles on you and situations and circumstances just work to your advantage. With favour you are distinguished and rise above the ordinary. Talent can take you far and gifting can open doors for you, but favour will make you unique and

extraordinary in your field. Favour is that intangible thing that makes one attractive to good things. With favour you can succeed anywhere and every time. Because of favour Joseph even after being sold into slavery, prospered both in Potiphar’s house and prison! 5. FREEDOM There’s no self-discovery and self-determination without freedom. Before you become anything you must be free first. Freedom is vital in the pursuit of excellence and fulfilling your purpose. Any form of dependency and bondage can potentially hold you back from making progress. Freedom is always the first step towards pursuing destiny. Everyone in the Bible that was called by God was to separate himself or herself first, in essence to be free. From Abraham, Moses, Joseph to David, they all had to experience freedom from the familiar to discover what God made possible and available for them. No country in the world has ever achieved a collective destiny of prosperity without the starting point that we call: Independence Day! Being restricted by lack means to fulfilling your dreams is lack of freedom. The essence of freedom is to be able to make independently your own decisions and implement them without restrictions. Free to think, free to choose, free to be and free to do is the first condition before achieving greatness. 6. POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND EXCELLENT SPIRIT I consider myself to be a student of life and a careful observer. Sitting in my house one day, I marveled at the sight of an insect that was trying to fly outside. Unfortunately for it, the windows were closed. It kept on hitting the glass on the window in fruitless attempts to get out! I first wondered, why can’t it just understand that the window is closed? Then I realised that in the mind of the insect he is saying to himself “if I can see through it, I can go through it!” That is attitude! “Attitude is everything,” you may have heard that before. A good or a bad attitude is what separates the winners and the losers. An attitude is the atmosphere we create around us. Ultimately it determines who we are and how we are perceived. We attract or repel by the attitude we adopt. Something as simple as a good attitude can give you a considerable advantage in life. A smile, a “thank you”, an apology when you are wrong, little assistance to someone in need, they all say something about your attitude. Life has its time of pressure and challenges; in this regard we have a choice to make whether to adopt the attitude of a victim or a winner. The Bible says, when the twelve spies were sent to explore the Promised Land, ten came with a bad report. But Joshua and Caleb who were among the twelve spoke with a “yes

zine Is

8 sue

-we -can” attitude. Winning has more to do with your attitude than your strength and abilities. The lion is the King of the Jungle not because it is the biggest animal or even the fastest or strongest, but because it is fearless and bold even before an elephant! How one’s life changes when instead of seeing problems you see possibilities and opportunities. When you define every setback as a learning experience instead of calling it failures. When you refuse to adjust your life to limitations and the expectations of others by challenging normalcy with a positive and a creative spirit. Aim at the moon to at least hit the highest mountain! Aim at perfection, to at least reach excellence. If I can see through it, I can go through it! A winner never gives up. A winner is not eager to be popular and please everybody. A winner makes decisions with convictions and leaves the consequences to God! A winner is never satisfied but by the best and what is excellent!

Image: andyewilliams.com

7. LOVE Love is truly one thing money cannot buy. When God wants to protect you, He takes someone out of your life, when He wants to bless you; He brings someone into your life. Love given and love received puts you in a right frame of mind and emotional stability to face difficult situations with fortitude and confidence. You can never be successful if your life is not based on love and giving. Give your best, that’s how you find fulfillment. Give yourself; that is how you find your place in the world. Give your all, that’s how you become the most important person in the world, to achieve significance. Jesus’ life and deeds were all based on the principle of love and giving. Someone said: “we make a living with what we do, but we make a life with what we give!” Treasure your relationships, invest in them. God always uses a human being to help another human being. Never compromise your relationships for selfish ambitions. Preserve trust, because it is priceless. Your relationships is your support system, they bring stability.

Image: eftspain.com

CONCLUSION 2Co 4:18 for we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever. (GN)

Image: covdevotions2010.blogspot.com

agazine I

e8 ssu

R ay

Let’s focus on the lasting and the imperishable. What really makes us human beings? Let’s focus on the best gifts that God gives. The gifts of becoming in His likeness and Image in Christ. True riches and wealth can never be evaluated. These are virtues and qualities that only God can give: freedom, love, peace and His power. I believe in you and remember, no one really knows you, we are all discovering you! RM

Our tour to South Asia

Text & Images: Jaco Pretorius from Echo Youth Development

R ay M

a ga

I recently went with some friends on a bit of a weird tour to South Asia. It

Bangladesh - according to the World Bank one of the poorest and fastest growing cities on earth.

is quite the “in thing” for South African pastors and other Christian leaders to venture to the States and Europe on what they call “study tours”. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there is a lot to learn in the so called uptown side of the world. But when the opportunity came in the form of sponsored plane tickets, we decided to give India and Bangladesh a shot. We’ve heard that a lot is being done there with less, and we figured that if something can work in these extreme parts of the world, then maybe it can also work in Pretoria? We shared the believe that people living in real physical need has a lot to teach us about life. So, we decided to learn from the poor about the poor.

We met up with the friendly people of Grameen Bank. It is a unique bank founded by Professor Muhammad Yunus, who in 2006 received the Nobel Peace Prize for his achievements in empowering poor families in Bangladesh through a micro-credit program focused mostly on woman. They give small loans to poor people possessing no collateral - meaning there’s no fat cat on the top buying himself a Boeing and a few islands, everything is thrown back into empowering more people. The aim of the bank is to establish credit worthiness and financial self-sufficiency amongst the poor and vulnerable. They helped more than 3,2 Million people up to date.

The four of us who travelled together, are all involved in development programs in Pretoria: I’m with ECHO Youth Development and the other three, Francois, Marinda and Sharaine, with Pen - an organization that runs some mind blowing projects in the heart of the inner city.

The statistics alone are pretty amazing, but it was seeing this system at work in everyday life in poverty stricken rural Bangladesh, that really touched us. We visited some of the villages, joined a micro-credit women’s meeting and spoke to some of the clients.

zine Is

Our first stop was the crowded city of Dhaka in

One lady, who until recently had only the equivalent of R2 a day to support her family of four, borrowed

8 sue

We volunteered in Kalighat because we wanted to see from the “inside” what the Sisters of Mercy was all about. The four of us joined in with other volunteers from all over the world. The whole idea was helping with the cleaning, dressing and moving of patients. Sometimes we had to help them eat and other times we just sat down chatting in broken English while massaging their cramped arms and legs. Mother Teresa said that she often saw Jesus in the eyes of the most vulnerable people in Kolkata. We saw Him too. money from Grameen Bank and is now the proud owner of a cow. She sells the milk and every now and then rents out the cow to pull someone’s cart. Recently the cow gave birth to a calf. This might not sound like a big deal to you and me, but it seems to make a world of a difference to this lady and her family. Some other woman bought very basic hand loom weaving machines and started their own little business.

We realised that there is something of God’s heart that you don’t find in beautiful cathedrals, the most touching spiritual music, the best of Christian books, not even in Bible study groups or at prayer meetings. It seems life chooses to reveal something of His heart through the poorest of the poor. It was Jesus who said:

We saw hope in the eyes of these friendly women. Thanks to Muhammad Yunus, once a poor man himself, they look forward towards a new future full of possibilities for them and their children. As followers of Jesus we were humbled by this selfless Moslem initiative to help the poor. Next we visited Kolkata (previously Calcutta) in India. If you look for the church in this city you might be drawn to beautiful old buildings with huge towers; when you enter you will most probably be surprised at the lifelessness - a bit like entering a museum.

“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me...” Many Christians today tend to move away from suffering in search of comfort and safety. What a strange phenomenon for people claiming to be the body of the Christ doing just the opposite? Jesus did not call us out of the darkness, but rather into the darkness. He never promised a comfortable and safe life for his followers. The core of His message was a call to self sacrifice - seeking out the darkness, giving yourself to be the light.

agazine I

e8 ssu

In Varanasi we met up with more of God’s strange people who is doing just that. These weirdos run

R ay

We found another manifestation of the church right next to a huge Kali temple in the chaos of downtown Kalighat called: The house for the dying. We were still standing around in the entrance when a voice behind us said: “Please excuse me,” it was from a Western girl in her early twenties carrying in her arms a near dead naked old man she found somewhere on the dirty streets of Kolkata.

a coffee shop a few blocks from the Ganges. They call it Open Hand. Most of them are South Africans who gave up their comfortable lives and moved there more than ten years ago. Through the coffee shops they create work opportunities for some of the most vulnerable people in India, whose hand crafts they sell. They also run an amazing project with the homeless children at the Varanasi station and have some similar non profit initiatives in other parts of the country. Inspiring stuff, to say the least! Jesus said that to give will bring more joy than to receive. The enormousness of South Asia’s suffering broke our hearts and turned our guts, but we also saw this joy breaking through. It was visible in a little girl looking after her cripple sister, homeless children sharing whatever a tourist gave them and especially where God’s people moved in to make a difference.

alleys. The two girls in our group were robbed in Bangladesh, our taxi driver got beaten up and we were cheated and misdirected on more than one occasion. We had a lot of laughs, wept a few times silently and shared our dreams and frustrations about the role of the church in this broken world. There was a little site seeing, and a lot of hope seeing. It changed our lives. Somewhat of a funny tour, won’t you say? Maybe the biggest lessons in life are not to be learned in the Christian bubble away from injustice, poverty and human suffering, but right in the middle of it. RM

It was my first visit to India since I lived there fifteen years ago. I went there as a poor student and came back rich - with less money in my pocket. The same happened to the four of us on this visit.

Contact

Some people argue that the centre of God’s will is the safest place to be. Not so for John the Baptist - the centre of God’s will was the place he lost his head, or just think of Steven who got stoned to death while being obedient - or Jesus for that matter. The centre of God’s will can sometimes be a very uncomfortable, even dangerous place, but it is also the place where his children will feel the most alive. On the tour we discovered a different understanding for the promise of a life of abundance in the Gospels. It seems not to be a guarantee of safety and comfort, but rather an assurance to God’s people that they will have the ability to be a light in the face of darkness, that they could walk courageous in dangerous places and that true joy is possible without material stuff or human status. God promises a peace that passes all understanding - even when entering some very nonpeaceful places. R ay M

a ga

zine Is

We spent a lot of time on trains, planes, Indian taxis and walked for miles on end in dirty crowded

Jaco Strydom ECHO Youth Development A community all about: freedom, fun and fellowship Tel: +27 12 3312341 Cell: +27 844 777 123 Email: info@echoyouth.co.za ; jaco@echoyouth.co.za Website: www.echoyouth.co.za Motto: “Don’t tell them Jesus loves them ‘till you’re ready to love them too...” Mission: love passionately travel lite  be open be real   be courageous   honour the poor  stand up for justice  dare to care  seek out the darkness and be the light  give yourself  follow Jesus...

8 sue

Lord I am a lost sinner I realise that my sins have created a barrier between You and me (Isaiah 59:2). I now want to sort out this matter with You (Isaiah 1:18). I confess that I am a sinner and that I am sorry for all the sinful things that I have done. Please forgive me and cleanse me with Your precious Blood that flowed for me on Calvary. I am willing to forgive all who wronged me and to do restitution where this may be necessary. Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that You are the only

Amen. e8 ssu

agazine I

Then pray this prayer out aloud:

Our only key to eternal life is a new birth, which takes place through the immortal seed of the Word of God. Without this new birth we are lost forever, cut off for eternity from the life of God that is found only in Jesus Christ. The new birth takes place when you pray a prayer. The choice is yours. Do you want to accept Jesus Christ as the Lord and Saviour of your life?

R ay

Sinner’s Prayer

true Saviour and therefore I ask You to become my personal Saviour and Redeemer. I accept You today as my Lord and my God. I believe that You died in my place and that God raised You from the dead in my stead. I also believe that by accepting You, I am set free from the power of darkness and you are transforming me into the Kingdom of Your love. Lord Jesus, by faith I now receive You as my personal Saviour. I receive the incorruptible seed of Your Word in my heart and thus I receive the new birth. Thank you that You are now my Lord and my God. Thank you that Your Holy Spirit is now living in me and that He enables me to walk in Your ways and keep Your commandments. I confess that from now on I am a child of the Living God. I confess that my name is written in the “Book of Life”. I confess that I have received the gift of eternal life and have thus received my heavenly passport. Thank You, Lord Jesus. RM

R ay

agazine I

e8 ssu

R ay M

aga

zine Is

104

8 sue

agazine I

e8 ssu

105

R ay

R ay M

aga

zine Is

106

8 sue

Dresses & Accessories: Angel Lifestyle Tel: +27 11 234 4664 / + 27 12 361 2444 www.angellifestyle.co.za & F Wilson Fashion (Johan or Fritz) Tel: +27 12 751 2327 www.fwilson.co.za

Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Suits, Waistcoats & Accessories: Angel Lifestyle Tel: +27 11 234 4664 / + 27 12 361 2444 www.angellifestyle.co.za

Models: VIP Agents Tel: +27 72 554 1064 Hair & Make-up: Tamaryn Pretorius

Tel: +27 76 1246 879 www.saskykitty.co.za Styling and Production: Ally Mesnard Photographs: Michael Maherry Tel: +27 79 408 6708

Shot on location at:

Zesty Lemon Photographic Studio Tel: +27 12 480 1738 Cell: +27 79 492 5429 Web:www.zestylemon.co.za

Image: Rina Smit

Mrs. Modern Woman

2010 Fashion Shoot Models: Mrs Modern Woman finalists, www.mrsmodernwoman.co.za Hair & Make-up: Nadya Tel: +27 82 641 4121 Styling and Production: Ally Mesnard Photographs: Michael Maherry Tel: +27 79 408 6708 Shot on location at:

Stone Cradle, Rietvleidam Tel: +27 73 2662 555 www.stonecradle.com

Clothing: Dresses: Jo Borkett Tel: +27 11 883 7240 www.joborkett.co.za Accessories: Angel Lifestyle Tel: +27 11 234 4664 / + 27 12 361 2444

e8 ssu

agazine I

115 R ay

www.angellifestyle.co.za Shoes: Preview, The Designer Collection, Sandton Tel: +27 11 884 0401/2 Europa Art Shoes Tel: +27 11 447 4109 / +27 11 447 4133

Michele Britz â&#x20AC;&#x153;Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you like what you do, you will be successful.â&#x20AC;? Albert Schweizer

Marguax Van den Berg “You never get a second chance to make a first impression!” Proverb -“By knowing one reaches belief. By doing one gains conviction. When you know, dare.”

Elmarie Erasmus Nothing in life that is worthy is ever too hard to achieve if you have the courage to try it, and you have the faith to believe. (Matt 21:22 - And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith).

Celest Kruger The biggest failure in life, is to succeed in the wrong assignment - Rick Godwin

Dalene Minnaar I want to thank you for what you have already done. I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards. I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better.

Julienne Vorster â&#x20AC;?To get something you never had, you have to do something you never didâ&#x20AC;?.

Hermien Du Toit â&#x20AC;&#x153;Evil prevails when good men and women do nothing.â&#x20AC;?

Adri van Zyl Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier. Mother Teresa

Geraldine Botha Enjoy everyday life!!!

Marga Gillard â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Quote: Nelson Mandela

Alet Kruger God grand me the wisdom to change the things I can, to accept the things I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t and the wisdom to know the difference.

Shannon Oosthuysen Proverbs 31 “ Attitudes are contagious, is your’s worth catching?”

K arin Els You are the author of your own life story. We need old friends to help us grow old and new friends to help us stay young - Letty Cottin Pogrebin. Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mohandas K Gandhi.

Lynn van Vuuren “ Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”

Sulette Wood Quote: “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened” – Anatole France

Photography Text & Image: Rina Smit

Digital images are at work in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s modern world. Every image you see in a newspaper or Magazine will have been through a digital process. Photography itself has become so advanced by new digital technology, but at the end of the day the talents of the individuals never fail to amaze us and leave the beholder in awe... Now is the time for young and old to capture Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beautiful creation.

g ia

T heunis Minn

Text: R obert Mitchell & Images: Theunis Minnie.

l a ie - A Sense of Nost

heunis Minnie is a photographer living in the Western Cape, Mossel Bay. The objective of his photography is to capture images which are typically South African and which create a sense of nostalgia. The subjects range from Karoo landscapes to old transportation means. He loves to make use of sepia tone as it compliments the subject and enhances the sense of nostalgia. All his images are printed on premium grade art canvas with a satin finished coating which is flexible to avoid cracking when the canvas is stretched. He loves the texture, which is provided to the images by this printing medium. He recently exhibited at the Innibos and Aardklop Art Festivals. We speak to this photographer who loves to capture scenes reminiscent of a bygone eraâ&#x20AC;Ś

R ay M

a ga

132

zine Is

8 sue

Please tell us about yourself, your background. I studied in the field of logistics and purchasing and started a career in logistics at a large automotive manufacturing company. I tried to spend as much time as possible taking photographs, even if it meant taking more leave than I had available. My wife and I decided to change our lifestyle and moved to a small town. We sold our house in Port Elizabeth and moved to Oudtshoorn, where I worked for a local newspaper before moving to Mossel Bay. When did you decide to become a photographer?

The first photograph that I took of a doorway was in Graaff Reinet. Everything about that photograph was absolutely perfect. It was a moment perfectly captured. Do you have any formal training regarding photography? I am a self-taught photographer through trial and error and reading about photography. Photography started as a creative outlet for me. I often tell people

to get to know their cameras so that they can get the results that they want. I do understand the need for formal training and I will never discourage anyone from doing formal training. Photography, like any other occupation, requires continuous learning and development. There is always room for improvement and I always appreciate advice from fellow photographers. e8 ssu

133

agazine I

Photography has given me experiences, which I will never forget and introduced me to amazing people,

Can you recall the first photo you took that made you go WOW?

What does photography mean to you?

which I probably would not have met, if not through photography. But most importantly, I get to capture scenes that were carefully prepared by a loving Creator.

R ay

Photography has been a passion of mine since a young age. I recall ordering SATOUR booklets as a child so that I could look at the photographs. I remember dreaming about becoming a photographer. The door only opened after other doors closed for me. That may be the reason why doors are one of my favourite subjects to photograph.

How technical is your photography? I am not technically inclined. The focus of my photography is emotional. I try to create a mood through compositions and the subjects that I photograph. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see photography as a science. If a photograph could be measured in terms of right or wrong, I probably would not have loved photography. Where is your favourite place to live and work as a photographer in the world and why? Mossel Bay is a wonderful place to do just about anything. I love living here. I have taken my best photographs in the Karoo, which is relatively close to Mossel Bay. I do have a wish list of places that I would love to photograph, though. Define the word "beauty"! Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. It is incredibly difficult to define. Beauty can be found anywhere if you look carefully. There are times however, those special moments, when I look at the beauty of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creation in awe. In those moments I put away my equipment and just sit back and enjoy the beauty and thank God for creating it and allowing me to experience it. What is your most favourite and least favourite word in photography or life? How do they make you feel? My most favourite word in life is dream. Without dreams we are nothing. A dream can be the difference between hope and utter despair. The word dream makes me feel that anything is possible. My least favourite word would have to be apathy. How does your personality change when you look through the camera lens? My photography is an extension of my personality. I feel completely at home when I look through the camera lens. So one could actually say what you see is who I am. Who/what are your influences?

A lot of the photographs I have taken to date have been of the Karoo so I would have to say that is one of my influences. Specifically the solace that one experience there. Simplicity also moves me, I have had people remark on the simplicity of my photographs but this is simplicity with a purpose. A simple image devoid of clutter with a strong subject evokes a strong emotional feeling in me. I feel that photography was meant to capture moments, to trigger memories when we view photographs. That is exactly what I try to achieve through my photography. What is your favourite image, either your own or someone else's or both? Describe its creation or meaning to you? My favourite image is one that I took of a farm gate that is half open with a dirt road running towards a windmill. I had this picture in my mind and when I discovered the scene, I got goose bumps because I knew exactly how the photo was going to look and it was exactly what I was hoping for. Describe a day in your personal or professional life. Mostly my days are pretty routine. I have a small picture framing business in Mossel Bay that I operate myself. My wife and I also have an almost two year old that keeps us busy. I regularly go on short photographic expeditions. During these expeditions I usually work closely with local people who assist me in finding suitable material to photograph. People like Piet Gouws in Laignsburg and Clive and Nell Kingwill in Victoria West have helped me tremendously. What are the biggest personal or professional challenges you face on a daily basis? Restrictions. I think this is the biggest challenge that artists are faced with on a daily basis. What are your favourite subjects to photograph? I love photographing landscapes. I also cannot resist abstract subjects such as a door or window with character. Tell your funniest, scariest, most bizarre, most touching story from a photo shoot! The first ever wedding that I shot was probably the funniest and most bizarre experience that I ever had as a photographer. Imagine everything that could possibly go wrong in a wedding. My scariest experience was photographing a rhino for a game lodge in the Eastern Cape. I had to get out of the vehicle to get a shot with

the rhino in the foreground and the vehicle with the branding in the background. During my short stint as a photographer with a local newspaper in Oudtshoorn, I experienced some very touching moments. That opened my eyes to the work that journalistic photographers do. What types of assignments are you attracted to mostly? Assignments where I feel I can express my creativity. Besides landscapes I have also had the opportunity to photograph Motorsport that I thoroughly enjoys. Describe what sepia tone photography means to you? Sepia tone enhances the sense of nostalgia that I try to create through my photography. It also leaves something to the imagination of the viewer. The viewer can add colour in his/her own mind. Do you think of yourself as an artist and what do you think of the word artist? Yes, I do think of myself as an artist. The word artist is loaded. It means a lot of different things to different people. I see the world around me in a certain way. Through my photographs I introduce others to the world as I see it. How do you describe your photographic style? Photojournalistic / Simplistic. I try to capture moments as they occur. I want my photographs to tell stories. What has been the most surprising or most predictable reaction to your photographs? I am often surprised by peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comments on my photography, especially children. The most surprising reaction however is when people become emotional about photographs. Somebody has recently written the most beautiful poem after looking at a photograph of mine. I was truly touched by this gesture. Who or what would you love to shoot that you haven't already? R ay M

a ga

136

Namibia and Namibia! I just know that I will enjoy it and I envy all people who have had the opportunity.

zine Is

8 sue

What would you have done differently during your photography career so far and could this be an advice to others?

Where can the public obtain your photographs or get in touch with bookings / assignments etc.

If I could do it all over again, I would have started earlier.

My work can be seen at www.theunisminnie.co.za. Upcoming exhibitions are also on the website. I also have a permanent exhibition at Elcota, Industry Road, Voorbaai, Mossel Bay.

How do you feel about digital manipulation and to what extent do you utilize it? The line between photography and graphic design has become somewhat blurred. I am a photographer. I utilize editing programs to do what would have been done in a dark room ten years ago. I do not add or remove anything to or from a photograph. One of my photographs has a communication tower that is visible in the background. People have asked why I don’t remove it. I took this photograph in 2009. Communication towers were part of the landscape in 2009.

There is a coffee shop and I am always keen to have a cup of coffee with visitors. Alternatively please send an email to: info@theunisminnie.co.za or contact me on my cell: +27 82 493 0854

What other thoughts would you like to share? The secret to taking great photographs is slowing down. People are often in such a hurry to get where they are going that they don’t appreciate the beauty of their journey. Tell us about the photographic equipment you use? My first SLR was Canon. When I made the shift from 35mm to digital, it made sense to stick with Canon. People are usually surprised when I tell them that I use a Canon 300D and 350D. Both are entry-level consumer models and both are outdated. When spending money on photography, it is usually a toss up between new equipment and a photographic expedition. Somehow the expeditions always win. Who in this industry’s work do you admire and why? The wonderful thing about photography is that every photographer has a unique style. Ten photographers can photograph the same subject and you could easily end up with ten unique photographs that will all blow you away. It is therefore difficult to mention one photographer. I do however have great admiration for Derek McKenzie. Derek’s dedication is inspiring. He once told me that he would camp at a windmill for days to wait for ideal conditions before photographing it. RM

e8 ssu

agazine I

137 R ay

Text & Images: Rina Smit

Motoring When everything is coming your way, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in the wrong lane. I could not repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.

Renault

Twingo Gordini RS • • •

Rebirth of the Gordini name revives the brand's glorious motorsport heritage Offers an even more exciting variation of the popular Twingo RS Visually striking, thanks to exclusive colour, sporty detailing and chic trim

Text & Images: Renault South Africa

• •

Will attract customers seeking a distinctive, compact performer hatch Headlines styling, specification and technical updates for entire 2010 Twingo range

The Renault Sport range is already revered for its

exceptional combination of dynamic styling and segment-defining driving enjoyment. And now Renault South Africa has upped the ante with the addition of the spirited Twingo Gordini Renault Sport (RS) – a car that revives one of the most legendary names in motorsport. Indeed, Amédée Gordini, who developed almost 200 000 Renault cars for racing over a 20-year period, achieved some of the brand’s greatest sporting achievements. The revival of the Gordini label pays homage to this proud legacy, while building on the renowned expertise of Renault Sport and offering a fresh interpretation of its values. "The Twingo Gordini RS is the most exciting and dynamic rendition of the Twingo range to date,” explains Renault SA managing director, Xavier Gobille. “It introduces a new, even more exclusive and distinctive alternative to the rapidly growing 'hot hatch' market," Gobille adds the Gordini RS is the most expressive interpretation yet of Renault’s drive to produce an

was commonly known, to develop its rear-engined Dauphine sedan into a competitive rally car. And the rest, as they say, is history. Gordini subsequently reworked the Renault 8 into a formidable rally contender from 1964 and, along with the Gordini-fettled Renault 10, ensured that Renault became a prominent and highly successful feature of the racing and rally circuits – especially in SA. The Renault 8 Gordini, with its bright blue paintwork and twin white stripes, was one of his most successful and iconic creations, finishing 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th in the 1964 Tour of Corsica rally. In 1966, the 1300 cc version starred in the first Gordini Cup one-make race series, which would become the blueprint for all single-make motorsport championships. At the end of 1968, the Gordini company was merged into Renault, and it became the foundation for Renault Sport Technologies – a division which has produced the impressive and prized Renault Sport (RS) versions of the Clio, Mégane and Twingo over the years. It's fitting, then, that Renault pays homage to Amédée Gordini and the legendary cars that proudly carried his name with the relaunch of the Gordini label as the most exclusive, fashionable and sporty rendition of

inherently sporty range of cars at affordable prices. “We believe that image-conscious buyers in SA will be drawn both to the Gordini's bold athletic flair, and its esteemed racing heritage." HISTORY

the Twingo RS.

Amédée Gordini was born in Bazzano near Bologna, Italy, in 1899. From an early age he had a strong fascination with cars and motor racing, and began living his dream by working as a mechanic in his teens. After World War I he settled in Paris and competed in various forms of motorsport, including grand prix racing and the legendary Le Mans 24-hour.

Although comparatively new to SA buyers, following its local launch in October 2008, the Twingo has been a dominant player in Europe for many years. It is the best-selling small city car in France, accounting for almost a third of this highly competitive segment.

e8 ssu

141

agazine I

To ensure that it reflects the Gordini's glorious

In 1956 Renault approached 'The Sorcerer', as he

PERFORMANCE

R ay

He later established the Gordini company that transformed production cars into accomplished racers, modified regular engines for competition in endurance and grand prix racing, and even built specialist racing cars under his own banner.

Equally, the Renault Sport version of the Twingo (launched locally in May 2009) is the sector’s bestselling small sporting model in its home market, contributing significantly to the Twingo's dynamic image.

motorsport heritage, the new addition to the Twingo range is based on the same highly rated performance and equipment package as the proven Renault Sport version, as developed by the renowned Renault Sport Technologies team. The acclaimed Sport chassis and suspension of the RS are retained, but given even greater handling prowess with the inclusion of 17-inch wheels and lower 40-profile tyres. However the commendable ride quality of the RS ensures that it's perfectly suited to everyday use. Feisty performance characterises the 1,6-litre 16-valve fuel-injected engine employed in the RS, delivering a distinctive, specially tuned engine pitch under acceleration to suit its sporty demeanour. This unit is credit with a peak power output of 98 kW at 6 750 r/min and a lively 160 Nm at 4 400 r/min. Notably, in its updated 2010 model year evolution this powerplant boasts reduced CO2 emissions, dropping from 165 to 160 g/km. Combined cycle fuel consumption is rated at 7,0 l/100 km. PRICING AND VALUE Despite the exclusive visual interior and exterior enhancements, matched to a significantly higher standard level of specification, the Twingo Gordini RS represents exceptional value at a recommended retail price of R214 900. This represents a justifiable R15 000 premium over the standard RS, but remains well below the price positioning of its mainstream rivals. Peace-of-mind motoring is naturally standard fare as part of the Renault Confiance all-encompassing care package, which includes a three-year/60 000 km Service Plan and Renault's five-year/150 000 km warranty. RM TWINGO MODEL RANGE 1.2 Dynamique Plus R139 900 1.6 Renault Sport R199 900 1.6 Gordini Renault Sport R214 900 For further information, please contact: Alyson Strever Tel: +27 11 607 7306 Email: alyson.strever@renault.com

Mazda BT 50

“Active Lifestyle Vehicle” Text & Images: Mazda South Africa

Mazda is proud to announce a brand new direction in the utility market. At this year’s Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, Mazda is unveiling the All-New BT-50 that signifies a new direction in the utility segment. It was developed as an “Active lifestyle vehicle,” and is intended to further extend the appeal of a utility from traditional business users to a wide range of customers, including families and pleasure-seekers.

e8 ssu

agazine I

143 R ay

The current BT-50 is Mazda’s only offering in the utility segment. It is an established one-tonne utility that has won numerous awards and gained a strong following all over the world. In developing the new model, Mazda intended to expand its appeal to customers who lead active lifestyles and have needs that cannot be met by conventional utilities. It offers all the functionality required for business use combined with passenger car-like comfort for family use; and for active customers in Australia and Europe, it is the perfect answer for all kinds of outdoor leisure activities. In

this way, the new BT-50 has been developed to fulfill the varied requirements of customers in every market. To ensure all these aims were met, the all-new BT-50 was developed under the theme “Active lifestyle vehicle.” The result is a utility that offers unique value; it has refined and expressive styling; a comfortable, high quality interior; a smooth ride with the feel of a passenger car; sporty and responsive driving dynamics that reflect Mazda’s DNA; and outstanding environmental and safety performance. Design: “Sophisticated Beast” We wanted to design a truck that car lovers would be deeply pleased with and proud to own. We targeted a unique and expressive design that people would find desirable, and we also wanted it to be seen as strong and dependable. This led us to define the design concept as a “Sophisticated Beast.” As Ryo Yanagisawa, chief designer of the all-new BT-50, explains: “Mazda’s brand message is ZoomZoom, which refers to the emotion of motion first experienced as a child. With the All-New BT-50, we aimed to express this emotion through the design,

to get in and drive. The crisp lines will have owners looking on with pride. The finished car has a beauty and individuality that can be recognized at a glance from any angle, even up to 100 meters away.  Dynamic wedge-shaped proportions evoke an image of a large carnivore about to pounce on its unsuspecting prey. This is unlike any other utility.  Casting off the conventional boxy image of a utility, sporty and dynamic lines are in tune with the rest of Mazda’s passenger vehicle lineup.  Further evolving Mazda’s traditional prominent fenders, muscular lines flow from the fenders along the body sides. A Front Fascia with a Bold, Overwhelming Presence and an Individual Rear End  Mazda’s family face, the five-point grille, is further evolved for a more imposing expression with the headlights and a chrome crossbar forming a large pentagon.

and we drew a lot of inspiration from various “movements” in the world around us. For example, we had a photograph of a lion. He looked like a magnificent predator with his muscles all bunching up as though he was about to pounce on his prey. His sinews were stretched taut ready to strike, and his mane framed a sharp, masculine countenance that seemed to say, ‘I am the proud king of the beasts!’ In profile, that lion appeared to be both intelligent and powerful. I really wanted the design of the truck to project that kind of image. This kind of inspiration was the basis of the emotional design that we worked so hard to achieve with the all-new BT-50.” Exterior – Lively and Imposing Styling

R ay M

a ga

144

Without detracting from the strength or the level of functionality, we wanted to give the exterior of the All-New BT-50 an athletic design, overflowing with movement, that would make people immediately want

 The headlights have a bold boomerang shape, elaborate details and a functional beauty. 

A first in the segment — the taillights are

zine Is

8 sue

stretched horizontally, reaching around the corners and across the tailgate, for a sporty and refined rear view that is similar to a premium SUV. Interior – A Sporty and Personal Space We wanted to give the interior of the All-New Mazda BT-50 a more sporty and personal feel to complement the dynamic exterior image, and create a comfortable space to rival Mazda’s current passenger car standard. The cockpit is designed to wrap around the driver and provide an environment that supports enthusiastic driving. It raises anticipation for a sporty and responsive driving experience that goes beyond any conventional utility.  The flowing design smoothly connects the center of the instrument panel to the raised center console, which has never before been seen in a pickup truck.  The dashboard has an asymmetric design to create optimal space on each side; it reassuringly wraps around the driver and provides an open space for the passenger.  Four bold metallic panel strips on the door trim and sides of the center console express dynamism and seem to be supporting the interior space.  A metallic outline highlights the two cylindrical meters and connects them via a center strip to improve readability and enhance the sporty, driver-oriented impression of the instrument panel.  The audio control panel and the climate control switch panel, which has independent driver- and passenger-side temperature controls, form a beautifully designed human interface. With modern and refined styling both inside and out, the All-New Mazda BT-50 will raise the bar in the utility segment and for the first time provide a realistic alternative to the family wagon and 4x4 SUV. RM

Wizard offers FREE home loan applications LOWEST negotiated interest rates Efficient and friendly SERVICE

A member of the ooba Group

ou hy

wit ep

st by ep

Contact Ruan for more information

083 276 8419 ruanm@wizard.za.com

Von Tyras

Great Dane Kennels KUSA Breeders of Great Danes: Black, Harlequin and Merle coloured http://vontyras.jimdo.com or contact Corinna @ 078 8019698 V

reat Danes

on Tyras G

Wir sprechen auch Deutsch

Décor & Design

Text & Image: Rina Smit

Decorating unleashes your creativity and the whole wonderful process can be great fun. It’s not just about keeping up with fashion and its many and varied cycles; it’s about making a home where both you and your family will always feel comfortable and happy. In decorating, a touch of bravado can reap huge rewards, yes rules are sometimes meant to be broken, or at the very least bent a little. Experimenting will give you a home that proclaims this is me and this is mine.

Text: Michelle Garforth-Venter

Images: Michael Maherry

Welcome to our Bio-Climatic Home

Why do it?

Â With some extra effort on our part our homes can provide us with a space that connects us to the pleasures of the natural world, keeping us in touch with the seasons and providing our families with a buffer against our fast paced lives. Eco-friendly homes are cleaner, more cost effective and more fun. They use less, do more, last longer, support your local community and help you to connect with the natural world. Â What makes an Eco Friendly home? Â Eco-friendly can be defines as homes that consider the environment, our families and how it interacts with its surroundings, both immediate and farreaching. In practice an eco-friendly home is one that questions the traditions of conventional construction, asking how can we tread more lightly on our natural resources and do it better? R ay M

a ga

148

zine Is

8 sue

1) NATURAL LIGHTING: Riaan & I made as many changes as possible in our current home, I refer to these changes as ‘green accessories’ that everyone can install in their homes, saving money and starting on the path to become eco-friendly planet dwellers, but addressing the insusualtion aspects of your home’s structure and architecture is vital, which is the prompt for Riaan & I to build a bio-climatic home from scratch. Our starting point was to find the right professionals that understood how to execute green building practices, and it is not good enough to just understand the concepts on paper, ask for his architectural resume and previous green building experience. Our choice was Anthony Papageorgiou Architects, who is a member of the SA Green building Council, to design a climatically responsive house broadly considering the sun, choice of materials, ventilation and recycling. We looked long and hard to find the best possible building company, and Accolade Construction, listed with the SA Green Building Council, were our choice. From clean building site practices, to local and environmentally sustainable materials to insulation knowledge on which suppliers can deliver what, is vital advice to have as you tackle your dream home. Keith Van Der Linde, the CEO of Accolade told me at the on-set of construction, “green building is about equal parts science and ethics, but mostly it is about

common sense!” Rooms that require a lot of sunlight and lighting should be given façade preference. Uninhabited rooms like bathrooms can be located on the interior of the building or in less light exposure positions. Your architect must consider the geometry of spaces, whereby deeper rooms require larger windows for daylight penetration, more so than shallow rooms. Vertical windows allow for more daylight than similar horizontal windows placed at the same height. 2) INSULATION Half of the energy consumed in the home is used for heating but with careful consultation with your architect a good design can half your heating costs. The best eco-option is solar panels, which will be discussed in detail later in this synopsis. Ask your architect to consider thermal mass which are the components of the building used to store heat in winter and coolness in summer so that savings can be made in the use of mechanical interventions needed to equalize day / night temperature fluctuations. Creepers and vegetation close to the envelope help increased the size and stability of the external air film adjacent to the outside walls increasing the home’s R-Values (thermal resistance).

We approached the company SAINT GOBAIN to assist with providing the materials for wall & floor insulation, and found the service and green knowledge to be extensive and all encompassing. Insulating your walls can reduce your heating bills by up to 30%, and while not an environmentally benign process, the resulting reduction in heat consumption and energy expenditure make it a good long-term option. The building of our bio-climatic home has ignited an exciting first in South Africa, with SWARTLAND

Window frames. Up till now, we South Africans could only buy double glazing windows framed in aluminum, but metal is a poor insulator. It is pointless having double glazing glass and insulated walls, floors and ceilings when heat is being conducted outwards through the metal window frames. Use as little wood as possible; use recycled timbre or make sure that the timbre you do use comes from an ethically managed plantation, which only releases timbre at the same rate, that it is being produced. Very

R ay M

a ga

150

innovative timbre alternatives are being developed today, such as composite wood made from reclaimed hardwood sawdust, and plastic formed from the plastic waste-stream. Riaan and I have chosen to go for roof trusses from MITEK made from recycled aluminum – we have chosen metal versus timbre roof trusses, as they are light gauge steel and require just one drive to site for delivery, plus the factory is near the site location reducing the carbon footprint of MITEK’s delivery. We have chosen face brick from COROBRIK – baked clay just like our forefathers were living in. And investigating the green practices of the company like rejuvenation of quarry sites, usage of rainwater catchment & recycling programmes in their factories to ethical employee practices. Delivery and packaging have been primary in Carbora’s green drive, by eliminating plastic to wrap the bricks in and rather just making use of simple box package straps. Which in Michelle Garforth-Venter’s world of conservation, comes with a red alert warning: please cut the ‘round’ shape of the plastic box package straps

on delivery before throwing away, as these package straps kill thousands of marine animals every year. The animals swim into the ‘round’ and as the animal grows the package strap will choke them, as they do not have hands to remove the noose from their necks. We have removed straps from sharks in KZN to seals in Alaska – a painful and prolonged death that can be avoided just by breaking the round shape of a box package strap. From a concrete perspective, LA FARGE is a company that are all about sustainability, which means surviving and thriving without damaging Mother Nature, being responsible thinkers in how we are using natural resources. La Farge cement is based on using fly-ash – which is a waste product from burning coal. And the ethic is to reduce their use of non-renewable resources, reduce carbon emissions during manufacture and cut back on what is being sent to landfill sites. Named on the list of Global 100 most sustainable corporations in the world, we have been really impressed with their commitment to changing the traditional way of construction.

zine Is

8 sue

3) SOLAR PANNELING: There are 2 main ways of harnessing the sun’s energy and both options are available in South Africa: solar thermal panels absorb heat which is stored as hot water, and photovoltaic cell panels (PV’s) convert sunlight into electricity. Our bio-climatic home is entirely off the grid, and we will be installing both options through a company named SAFRELEC. We have provided a flat roof space on both the house and the garage, and will be planting veldt grass under all the panels to ensure they function at optimum productivity. If the panels are laid on a hot surface they are up to 35% less effective, hence growing a base that will absorb heat. A turf roof is the best insulation and this is one of the roofing finishes that will be highly encourage in the estate we are building at - Le Jardin. 4) ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHT BULBS: Energy efficient bulbs have come a long way, they that have a very effective energy-saving shower head, we have installed them in the current home we are living in, and the shower heads have contributed to a monthly saving of around R600 on our current Eskom electricity bill. Another water enhancing trick is to build with permeable paving, the usage is preferable, as it will prevent huge run-off into municipal storm water systems, which are costly to expand and maintain. Rather allow the rainwater to naturally seep down to water-table level. We have made use of a permeable concrete mix for our drive-away (permeable has to do with the ratio / mix of cement), and the Estate will also be doing so in the primary thorough fares to ensure as little run-off and water wastage as possible.

e8 ssu

agazine I

151 R ay

are green, clean and last up to 6,000 hours, and this is in comparison to 1,000 hours with an incandescent bulb. But whether you are choosing LED’s or CFL’s you will save a significant amount of money on your home energy bill. 5) WATER SAVING: Our inspiration has been born out of spending time in wild spaces and realising the Planet is in a desperate situation, we asked what we could do to make a difference. It has resulted in an entire revamp in our lifestyle and the building of a home. Riaan discovered a company in Cape Town, OXYGENICS

natural pond or pool that has a specialized filtration system that means we do not have to make use of any chlorine or salt chlorinators.

In our current space of domestic bliss we removed all thirsty exotic plants (and re-versioned them by donating to the complex gardens) and replaced them with an indigenous selection for the Gauteng region featuring drought resistant aloes and thorn trees, and it was amazing, within 24 hours, we had visiting birds, bees and butterflies! It was a conscious decision on our part to give biodiversity a helping hand and bring wildlife into our garden. All suburban gardens are an incredible haven and vital network for wildlife in major cities. We have provided nectar-rich flowers for insects and their larvae to feed on, and bark for insects to live in and lichens and mosses to grow on. A layer of leaves at the base of trees provides the perfect environment for slugs, snails and spiders – and the birds are grateful for their daily supplement feed of seed and fruit scraps.

R ay M

a ga

152

I am bursting with excitement of taking it one step further in our new home, and we are choosing to have only a single round patch of green grass for aesthetic jolt, with the majority garden planted with wild flowers and veldt grasses typical to the Muldersdrift area. A large vegetable garden, fruit trees and a drip irrigation system will also be included. The complex Le Jardin are making all pavements frog friendly by ensuring the pavements are low enough to hop up on, and in keeping with this we are going with open palisade fencing creating free-movement pathways so frogs can hop from garden to garden and not be restricted by sheer walls. We are also building a

6) GREY WATER, RAIN WATER & WORMS: Our bio-climatic home has both rainwater catchment systems & grey water recycling. A house with grey water systems will consume 50% potable water, and flow reducing valves on taps (6 liters per minute) and shower heads (9 liters per minute) can further reduce this amount. The instillation of water-saving toilets is also a pre-requisite when building new. Grey water piping comes from all our showers and washbasins and is processed through a BIOLYTIX system that employs thousands of composting worms to eat or recycle any hair or debris that will be present in the water. The worms act as filters and the water will be pumped for usage into the indigenous garden and for washing cars. Vermiculture: Worm composting is also known as vermiculture and worms are king in our home, not only working in the grey-water system but also working for the garden. The unlikely housemates provide essential garden and home services in return for their favourite meals of butternut and eggshells. Fresh food wastes like carrot tops and tomatoes ends are used in the wormery bins to generate a ‘liquid gold’ – worm pee to spray over your vegetable and herb garden, lessening the need for pesticides. Not just any worms are used; Red Wrigglers or Kariba worms are the preferred composter species.

The role players for décor and interior design of the Love & Mortar home: Caroline de Freitas, Sublime Interiors Owner of Sublime Interiors, Caroline de Freitas, achieved her higher diploma in Interior Design from the Calder School of Interior Design and has been in the industry since 2001. Sublime Interiors has a signature style that comes through in all the projects they undertake, always working on the brief supplied by the client with the end result reflecting not only the client’s lifestyle but personality as well.

zine Is

8 sue

imported, a large number of the items are only completed once in South Africa – the frames for the chairs arrive without upholstery and stains and these pieces are completed according to the client’s specification – again all pieces chosen were manufactured in Johannesburg reducing the carbon footprint of the piece. Fabrics chosen are also the better choice, going for natural silks (silk being a renewable resource) and leather. High Thorn Each product is hand-made by a group of men and women in Pietermarizburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The employees at High Thorn are encouraged to take responsibility for each order that is allocated to them and we hope that this responsibility will transcend into their daily lives. A team of previously disadvantaged women who are usually the sole providers for their families does the beadwork. Why we picked High Thorn: The items selected from High Thorn are not only truly African, but make use of natural materials such as leather and invader wood. Through these pieces we have been able to give back to a community and empower people. Milk Deco – contemporary furniture and décor for the nursery or children’s room. Milk Deco strives on its designs being unique and in line with international standards. We want to create unique nurseries that are baby friendly, affordable and that parents enjoy as well, since they spent so much time in these rooms. All art by Shiyloh Art and Elsa Portwig. Vinyls in study and baby bathroom by Gin & Chocolate. All players and pieces have been selected in accordance with the following criteria: · Sustainability · Use of renewable or recyclable materials. RM Contact Milk Deco – Baby Room Candice Brophy Phone: +27 82 855 2925 Email: info@milkdeco.co.za Website: www.milkdeco.co.za Elsa Portwig - Artist Phone: +27 83 716 2703 Email: porta@telkomsa.net Aurelio - ID8 Email: info@cmarch.co.za Tel: +27 11 622-6130 Fax: +27 11 622-6187 Website:www.cmarch.co.za; http://www.id8.co.za/ Setsebi Productions, Melinda Smith Email: Melinda@ezinkulu.com or Tel: +27 11 023 9101/2/3/4 Fax: +27 086 295 5603 MICHELLE GARFORTH-VENTER www.michellegarforth.com  RIAAN GARFORTH-VENTER www.nutsman.co.za e8 ssu

agazine I

153 R ay

Will van der Watt, Ideate (ID8) Interior Design Will and ID8 have designed a selection of contemporary and custom furniture for the Love & Mortar home in conjunction with Caroline de Freitas to showcase both Riaan and Michelle’s unique styles and passions. Why we picked ID8: Green thinking is about looking at the ‘cradle to grave’ history of the product – ID8 manufacture in Johannesburg, reducing the distance that the pieces have had to travel to the home, in turn reducing the carbon footprint of the piece of furniture – ID8 also specializes in Bamboo and Steel. Bamboo is a renewable resource and steel is recyclable. All glues used on the furniture are formaldehyde free and all stains are water based. Block and Chisel The store offers a high-gloss, lacquered look with opulent chandeliers, lamps with crystals and Venetian mirrors, suited perfectly for your lavish and charismatic lifestyle. Block and Chisel invite you to come and experience this stores’ sensational products and fabulous ambience, and be inspired to create lots of charm and interest in your own space. Block and Chisel are supplying some of the French Provençal pieces that will give this home’s French Provençal feel. Why we picked Block and Chisel: Block and Chisel work with reclaimed furniture, as well as pieces that are beautifully manufactured that will last you a lifetime. Again, distance that the furniture has had to travel has been taken into account, and all pieces were manufactured in Johannesburg thus reducing the carbon footprint of the pieces chosen for the home. Peter JA Stuart: Nearly all our Italian manufacturers purchase their timber requirements from forests that adhere to the international code of Sustainable Forestry. Materials are also recyclable and or biodegradable wherever possible. Why we picked Peter JA Stuart: Although some items in the Peter JA Stuart are

Court Classique Suite Hotel, Pretoria has just gotten a whole lot classier! The multi-award winning, fourstar Court Classique Suite Hotel, Pretoria is proud to announce that the R4.5million upgrade of the property complete. In order to further enhance guest experience, safety & security the property has been revamping various aspects. Completed projects include: • The launch of Orange Restaurant & Wine Cellar. • A R100 000 investment into a state-of-the-art security system, with a number of additional cameras installed in key areas of the property; and

• • •

•

A R400 000 investment in the repainting and maintenance of the exterior of the property. This was a 12 week process, which was completed in December 2009. A R4.3 million investment into a complete refurbishment of all 58 suites and public areas including conference facilities - in time for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The overall quality of our guests’ in-suite experience has been enhanced by: • repainting the interior of all suites; • the replacement of air-conditioning systems; • replacement of carpets; • replacement of curtains; • replacement of all linen with the Chrysalis brand. We are part of the retail program and our guests will now be able to purchase this exquisite linen to take home; • installation of Sony 40’ and 32’ flat screen television sets; • installation of international multi wall plugs in all suites; • upgrading of our fire detection system, to a system that offers wireless smoke detection throughout the property and in all suites; • upgrading of the guest amenity range for all suite types; • stocking each suite with an iron & ironing

board set; refurbishing existing quality furniture pieces; and displaying contemporary artworks by a local artist in all suites. Lastly, all suite entry doors will receive electronic keycard access upgrades before the end of the year.

The Court Classique Suite Hotel, Pretoria looks forward to welcoming guests in the same unrivalled class as we have always done - with a fresh coat of care. International guests travelling on the country’s luxury trains will benefit from our free transfer service within the city that includes the departure stations of the Blue Train and Rovos Rail. The hotel is located within an easy 45min transfer from OR Tambo International airport, offering the perfect stop-over destination for travelers arriving into Gauteng and planning to travel through to the Kruger Park, Pilansberg or other attractions within the region.

Orange Restaurant & Wine Cellar is a brand new addition to the Pretoria social scene. Established in 1997 on-site at the Court Classique Suite Hotel, Orange is the definitive business venue. Patrons are treated to free Wi-Fi, use of the business centre at the Court Classique, free parking within hotel grounds and complimentary biltong & nuts with sundowners. The tranquil gardens and resident ducks add to a laidback, yet private setting. The interior of Orange & ambience of can be described as up-market, yet cozy. Bright orange & dark-wood chairs, blue mosaic tiled pillars and terracotta floors are complimented by picture windows, a fire-place and both an in-door & out-door patio. Paintings by local artist Frans Groenewald adorn the walls and fresh, elegant flowers are placed on each table. The underground cellar can house up to 1000 bottles of wine and is the perfect venue for private function with a group size of 20 -40 guests. Orange now caters for weddings, year-end functions or birthdays and there are always special menus for special days, such as Valentine’s-, Mother’s- or Father’s Day. In addition, there is an order-out platter service, which is perfect for board meetings or office parties. Due to the property’s close proximity to Loftus Versfeld, Orange becomes the perfect pre- and post match venue for the discerning sports enthusiast. British-born Executive, Chef, Gordon Reynolds, fuses his international experience with local ingredients and traditional recipes to bring a touch of the delectable to every meal. Join Gordon and his team for some Classique cuisine when you are next in Pretoria, looking for a local, up-market and elegant dining experience.

as well. Knowing very well that the enemy would not be that happy about the coming audition. At last - it was time to fetch the girls from school. Lydia picked up Suzan from the House of Safety and then headed to school. Both were quiet – thinking, praying, trying not to look nervous when they picked up Nina and Grace. The girls were already waiting at the gate – this was a first! Grace was usually the last to come around the corner from the classroom. The same silly grin broke out on both adult and children’s faces when they saw each other. “So much for trying to hide the nerves” – the two grownups thought to themselves. The girls jumped in and started talking at a hundred miles an hour. Usually Lydia would tell Grace to calm down and speak slower, but today there was no use. The happy chatter was actually a relief because it was to let out some of the nervous energy. Traffic was hectic, but they soon reached the town hall. There were a few other mothers also getting out of cars to escort their children to their auditions. All headed inside to take their seats – whispers replaced the chatter.

The Day Of Grace

A Children’s Story written by Engela Herbst

Monday dragged past for both Nina and Grace at school and for Suzan and Lydia at home. They all tried very hard not to think about what lay ahead that afternoon, but they just couldn’t help it.

Every now and then Lydia found her mind wandering off. She was trying to do some sewing this morning. Luckily nothing too complicated, only hems and buttons and so on. She kept thinking about Nina’s big audition that afternoon.

R ay M

a ga

156

Nina wasn’t even her daughter – she was just Grace’s best friend and it felt as if she would explode from the excitement. While she was sowing she was praying

All the contestants were taken backstage to the green room, issued a number and briefed on the procedure and all the nervous mothers were left in the dark hall so that the children couldn’t identify their mothers. Through years of experience Mr. Grossen (the choir conductor), had found this to work best, especially with smaller children. The singers came one by one, each sounding sweet in their own way. Then at last it was Nina’s turn. She walked to the middle of the stage and she looked even smaller – outsized by the hugeness of the stage and the hall. She was a bit pale and she looked up for a while, then she gave the queue and started singing. Immediately the atmosphere changed in the hall, the mothers started shifting and looking at each other. None of them had ever heard such a voice from such a small body and then it happened – Grace, Lydia and Suzan all saw it at the same time! An eight foot angel behind the tiny little girl and they knew – it was really not Nina singing... RM

zine Is

8 sue

RAY SUBSCRIPTIONS HAVE RAY DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR… Subscribe for only R333.95 An amazing discount offer Of 15% for a year’s subscription

WHY?

• You’ll have your favourite magazine delivered at no extra charge – you’ll never miss another issue; E X C E L L E N C E O F L I F E • You’ll receive it before everyone else does; • You’ll be eligible for special RAY reader workshops, gifts and discount offers. Remember, a RAY subscription makes a terrific gift! FOR EASE, SPEED AND CONVENIENCE, SUBSCRIBE ONLINE AT www.ray-magazine.com E-mail: subscriptions@ray-magazine.com NE RAY MAG AZI

E XC E L L E N

RAY

E CE OF LIF

FAS HIO N|B

I am a new subscriber Name:

E XC E L L E N

EAU TY| HEA LTH |IN SPIR

Postal Address: Cell/Telephone: E-mail: I would like to send a gift subscription to:

‘Soul in Mind’

touches Gold

RAY

ISSU E 2

Name:

CE OF LIF E

LIRA

T Y LIV ING |AR VEL |LU XUR ATI ON| TRA

Code:

IFE C E O F LTT E XC E L L E N BE IE

WE TALK TO

NARD CILLIERS-BAR TRAVEL TO:

Ma uri tiu s

Tammy-Anne

car • Ma da gas

• Za nzi ba r

Fortuin

& The Fabulous

Homebrew Cre

2009/06/18

5:14 PM

Ro bb e n I s TRAVEL TO: l a n d • S o we t o • Fr a n s chhoek

Postal Address:

RAY ISSUE 3

COVER.indd

Code:

RAY SEPT/OC

T COVER.indd

Send the account for this gift subscription to:

WE TALK TO:

Prime Circle Craig Bone

Name:

e Heinz & Alett Winckler

Postal Address:

E: Consciousness EXPERIENC Conservation t Sanctuary • atcher Trail Knysna Elephan Mortar • Oysterc Sport • Love & Jukani • Extreme

Code: Cell/Telephone: E-mail: Rates, incl. discount and postage and packaging South Africa: R333.95 (6 issues) Neighbouring countries: R628.95 (6 issues) Other countries: R708.95 (6 issues) I enclose my cheque for R_______________ Please debit my credit card by R__________ MasterCard

RAY

Visa

Diners Club

Amex

Card expiry date: _____________________ CCV No: _________________ The prices above include Postage. Cardholder’s Signature: ________________________________ SEND TO: Please fax your subscription order to 086 560 2996 for immediate activation. For any enquires, kindly contact our subscription department on: 076 835 5927 or E-mail to subscriptions@ray-magazine.com. For more info, visit www.ray-magazine. com Ray Magazine, Postnet Suite 77, P/Bag x37, Lynnwood Ridge, 0040

2009/08/22

12:05 PM

stockists

LISTING

Where you can find all the fabulous goodies on our pages Angel Lifestyle Tel: +27 11 234 4664 / + 27 12 361 2444 www.angellifestyle.co.za ANTHONY PAPAGEORGIO Architects Tel: +27 11 907 2015 Email: apapa@icon.co.za Block and Chisel, Parkwood Tel: +27 11 442 0628 www.blockandchisel.co.za Eco Landscapes Tel: +27 12 361 9644 www.ecolandscapes.co.za Elsa Portwig, Artist Tel: +27 83 716 2703 Email: porta@telkomsa.net Europa Art Shoes Tel: +27 11 447 4109 / +27 11 447 4133 F Wilson Fashion Tel: +27 12 751 2327 www.fwilson.co.za Gin & Chocolate Tel: +27 12 807 2218 www.ginandchocolate.com High Thorn Tel: +27 33 345 8113 www.highthorn.co.za H & H Linen Tel: +27 12 662 2827 Ideate (ID8) Interior Design Tel: +27 11 622 6130 www.id8.co.za Jo Borkett Tel: +27 11 883 7240 www.joborkett.co.za Milk Deco Tel: +27 82 855 2925 www.milkdeco.co.za Peter JA Stuart Tel: +27 11 786 2323 www.peterjastuart.com Preview, The Designer Collection, Sandton Tel: +27 11 884 0401/2 Shiyloh Art Tel: +27 82 418 3518 Email: shiylohart@vodamail.co.za Sublime Interiors Tel/Fax: +27 11 823 6028 www.sublimeinteriors.co.za

Address: Postnet Suite 77, Private Bag x37, Lynnwood Ridge, 0040 Tel: +27 12 993 5156 / +27 12 809 2521 Email: info@ray-magazine.com Website: www.ray-magazine.com Magazine designed by Michael Maherry (Oceanic Internet Solutions) Tel: +27 12 993 5156 Email: info@oceanicinternetsolutions.co.za Ray Magazine is published bimonthly. Information has been included in good faith by the publisher and is believed to be correct at the time of going to print. No responsibility can be accepted for errors and omissions. No articles or photographs in this publication may be reproduced, without written permission from the Editor. All copyright for material in this magazine belongs to Ray Magazine and/or the individual contributors. e8 ssu

agazine I

159 R ay