www.sanlamreality.co.za / Autumn 2018
CRYPTOCURRENCY THE mon e y OF THE FUTURE? wellness: understanding teenage suicide
debate: should we all become vegan?
travel: see South Africa by train
food: superfoods Mzansi-style
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FROM THE EDITOR
We lc o m e Shake-ups… every so often, industries undergo such radical reorganisation that it’s hard to remember the way things were before the change. Remember a time before cellphones and the Internet? Before calling a taxi through an app and watching on-demand TV on your computer? No, we don’t either! The world of finance stands at the threshold of possibly one of the biggest shake-ups in history – the emergence of a new, somewhat abstract way of transacting, via cryptocurrency. If you haven’t been caught up in a conversation around the water cooler about blockchain and Bitcoin, halving and hashrates, then you’ve probably been living under a rock. Cryptocurrency is the topic of the moment: so read our feature on page 12. While it’s not quite a shake-up (yet), the motor industry is also facing significant change with the growing movement away from petroland diesel-powered engines towards electric ones. We explore this topic on page 22. Another area undergoing reassessment is the food industry. There’s been major progression towards thinking ethically about what we eat and understanding the providence of the food we put on our plate. The current trend is towards veganism, but is this realistic for South Africans who love a chop on the braai? We unpack the debate in our new ‘Talking point’ column on page 66. Happy reading! Jane Smith Editor
60 In every issue
Features
04 M AILBOX 07 THE OTHER SIDE OF REALITY 66 TALKING POINT 69 REAL WORLD
09 W EALTH 18 12 CRYPTOCURRENCIES: THE MONEY OF THE FUTURE? Bitcoin, blockchain, mining and more… alt-coins are changing the financial landscape.
I NVESTMENT JARGON FOR DUMMIES Don’t know an asset class from an asparagus? You need to read our easy-tounderstand guide to key financial terms.
Our contributors WILMA DE BRUIN
JUSTIN FOX
With years of experience as a financial journalist for Beeld and Sake 24 among others, Wilma is the perfect writer to tackle the complicated story of the growth of alt-coins and cryptocurrencies. [+] Check out her in-depth feature on PAGE 12.
Our favourite travel writer recently ticked off another first – a kids’ book called My Great Expedition, about his first Grand Tour of Europe. [+] For us, he shares his experience of jazz and blues in the Deep South on PAGE 28.
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Autumn 2018 Sanlam Reality is the lifestyle, wellness and rewards programme of the Sanlam Group. The Sanlam Reality programme provides a wide range of benefits covering many aspects of today’s busy lifestyle needs, all of which benefit Sanlam Reality members every day. Members enjoy access to exclusive offers, competitions and discounts across a wide range of lifestyle purchases, as well as discounts and extra cover on their Sanlam products. Sanlam Reality aims to educate members on a variety of topics, including health, finances and insurance.
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SANLAM REALITY PROGRAMME Head of marketing and communication Francois Uys Communications manager Lucille Moore Communications coordinators Hasina Khan and Farah Bhikoo Partner manager Marché Cilliers SANLAM REALITY CALL CENTRE Telephone 0860 732 548/9 Email info@sanlamreality.co.za Website www.sanlamreality.co.za REAL FUTURES (PTY) LTD Real Futures is a wholly-owned Sanlam Ltd company managing the Sanlam Reality Programme for the Sanlam Group. Chairman Ahmed Banderker Directors Gary Allen, André Larisma, Theesan Moodley, Jan Steenkamp Company secretary Ulishia Baijnath
PUBLISHED BY NARRATIVE FOR SANLAM REALITY EDITORIAL Editor Jane Smith Junior writer/sub-editor Anitta Banjwa Email mag@sanlamreality.co.za Proofreader Katherine Farrell Contributors Nicci Botha, Nick Dall, Wilma de Bruin, Justin Fox, Deborah Herd, Cathy Hofmeyr, Richard Holmes, Tracy Melass, Angelique Ruzicka, Telford Vice, Katelyn Williams
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PRODUCTION Head of production Nicky Scheepers Traffic manager Ashleigh Tremearne
22 E LECTRIC CARS – ARE THEY VIABLE? The majority of cars in South Africa are still powered by diesel and petrol, but this is slowly changing… 25 T RAVEL 28 T HE SOULFUL DEEP SOUTH Travel through America’s Deep South following in the footsteps of the legends of country, blues and jazz. 32 A FRICAN TRACKS Discover a new side of Mzansi with these remarkable train journeys.
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39 W ELLNESS 42 HOW I KEEP HEALTHY How do South Africa’s top health and wellness experts keep fit, healthy and stress free? 50 W HEN YOUR TEEN IS THINKING ABOUT SUICIDE In the 15 to 29 age group, suicide is the second leading cause of death… so how do you spot the signs? 54 H OW TO READ A FOOD LABEL The info on food packaging can be bewildering – so just what is the label telling you?
57 E NTERTAINMENT 60 SUPERFOODS MZANSI-STYLE Local ingredients that pack a bigger nutritional punch than their international counterparts. 64 F IVE MINUTES WITH J’SOMETHING Time to spice it up with South Africa’s favourite singing chef.
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37 M ANGO FLIGHTS FOR TWO WORTH R5 000!
CREATIVE Creative director Christelle Grobler Head of design Robyn-Lee Baatjies Designer Franco Hanekom Photography Getty Images, Angie Lázaro, iStock, Shutterstock, Justin Fox NARRATIVE CEO Neal Farrell Content director Robyn Daly Business unit director Lauren Brabant Chief content officer Jane Smith Account manager Soni Siwela CAPE TOWN HEAD OFFICE Tel 021 487 9100 Email mag@sanlamreality.co.za 5th Floor Elkay House, 186 Loop Street, Cape Town, 8001 PO Box 16258, Vlaeberg, Cape Town, 8001
Published by Narrative. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrievable system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying or otherwise without the prior written permission of the copyright owners, Narrative Media Group, Loop Street, Cape Town, 8001. Printed by Paarl Media. While reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of advice and information given to readers, the editor, proprietors (Real Futures (Pty) Ltd) and publishers cannot accept responsibility for any damages or inconvenience that may arise from incorrect information.
Printed on paper sourced from sustainable forests.
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SHARE YOUR VIEWS AND
win
WRITE TO US AND WIN! Email mag@sanlamreality.co.za to tell us what you think about Reality magazine or the Sanlam Reality programme. Letters may be edited at Reality’s discretion. Only Sanlam Reality members are eligible for the prize (please include membership number). The winning letter will receive a R1 000 Cape Union Mart voucher.
Evolving product gets the thumbs-up
WINNING LETTER
4 REALITY AUTUMN 2018
When you work in the financial industry as I do, and are aware of all the value-added services and benefits available, it’s sometimes difficult to choose which product to buy into. I was left a little disgruntled when one of your competitors ended their rewards programme, leaving it up to me to size up and compare what’s currently on the market. One of the biggest factors in choosing Sanlam Reality was the entertainment benefits, which easily saves me over R1 000 a month when booking sports matches or shows through Computicket, as well as taking my family out to the movies. As for the magazine, I don’t read magazines much these days, but I will always give something a first try. I’m happy I took the time to read the Reality Spring edition. I’ve learnt about new benefits available to me, such as Sanlam Personal Loans, and the new Santam discounts and online activities. Reading about
these additional benefits really increases my confidence in this rewards scheme and that Sanlam is making sure the product continually evolves to meet the changing economic environment and the expectations of its customers. Also, a big bonus for me was the article on diabetes, which my mother has to live with every day; it was good to be reminded of how easy it is to become a sufferer of this disease, and also how easy it is to avoid it. I remain a strong promoter of Sanlam Reality and continually refer colleagues, friends and family to sign up. Everyone knows me as the discount king, so when I recommend something they know that I’ve done my homework and wouldn’t refer them otherwise. Werner Kleingunther
Ed’s reply: Wow, thanks Werner for the thumbs-up! The entire team appreciates it. From our side, please enjoy a R1 000 Cape Union Mart voucher for your effort.
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Word!
WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY ABOUT REALITY MAG…
Basically I love everything about it, from health to financial tips. It’s a great magazine! Mpho Sakiel
I love the travel articles as I’m a traveller by imagination, but will be making it a reality next year by travelling to Thailand. Valentia Rensburg
Great variety of content covering matters of real interest. Well done! Gregory Kew
OUR LUCKY
winn e r
Congratulations to Tahira Omar who won a weekend break at any Protea Hotels by Marriott® in South Africa worth R6 000 in our Spring 2017 edition. Happy travelling!
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MEET THE
me m b e r
FUTHI CABE
Father of three, Futhi Cabe, is a passionate Sanlam Reality member and recently achieved Gold status for 2018 – meaning bigger savings for him and his family. He joined Sanlam Reality in 2016 after being made aware of the programme by his financial broker. After signing up for Reality Core, he quickly upgraded to Reality Plus because he realised “this is where I need to be!” Gold status promises great rewards for you this year – how hard was it to get to the top tier? Not hard at all. I conscientiously worked towards Gold status last year. I signed up for TaxTim, used the financial calculators on Wealth Sense and acquired a Money Saver card. My financial planner also advised me how to improve my tier status – so I increased my retirement annuity and Sanlam investments. What is your favourite Sanlam Reality benefit and why? As a father of three children, it has to be the Nu Metro Movies and Refreshments benefit. Sometimes we’ll even watch two movies in a day! I also enjoy the Computicket benefit, and last year I went to watch the Sharks vs Bulls at Kings Park Stadium.
Have you used any of the travel benefits? I’m in the process of relocating from Durban to Johannesburg, so I’ve already booked my Mango flight between Lanseria and King Shaka at a 30% discount. And of course I’ll Uber to the airport. Do you have any upcoming travel plans? Every year I take my kids on an international holiday. This year they really want to go to Dubai, so I’ll definitely be using my Emirates discount – especially since I get 25% off flights on Gold status. Now I just need to decide when to go! Would you recommend Sanlam Reality to your friends? I already have! In fact, when my son relocated to Johannesburg for work, I told him there are two things he absolutely has to do when he gets a job: firstly, get a retirement annuity through Sanlam, because it’s important to start retirement savings from a young age; and secondly, become a Sanlam Reality member. And lastly, how would you describe Sanlam Reality? Fantastic programme, good value for money, worth it!
AUTUMN 2018 REALITY
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Take a trip! Get a discount of as much as 30% on Mango!
Mango was recently voted ‘The Best Low-Cost Airline: Middle East and Africa’ by TripAdvisor.
To book flights, go to www.sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/mango-flights or call 0860 732 548/9 for more information. Terms and conditions apply.
The other side of TELFORD VICE He has been writing gainfully, mostly about sport, since 1991. No-one has yet paid him enough to stop. He lives in Sea Point with an old bicycle, a small wife and a large cat.
FYNBOS OR FINANCE?
VS
It’s the Cape Town vs Johannesburg dilemma.
he wind swoops from the north west, bringing more of what started as mist and now has become a drizzle that swells to proper rain over Newlands cricket ground. Grandstands are desolate, save for handfuls of hardy souls huddled in disparate corners trusting that this too shall pass in time to see a few hours’ play under Cape Town’s late-setting sun. The Cape of Good Hope, indeed. Joburgers reading this will shake their heads in sneering dismay. Given similar weather at the Wanderers, the crowd would long since have poured into their cars, snarled up the surrounding roads, and set out for the nearest licensed, franchised burger joint. I am, of course, a Capetonian speaking. But with a qualification: before I moved here in 2014 I had survived six years in Joburg. And before that I lived in Durban for 10 years, which
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followed growing up and getting married and fat. It took me 30 years to escape. So I know of whence I speak, and I know that Cape Town is easily the best place I’ve lived. Capetonians will always stop and smell the fynbos. Even when there is no fynbos. If fynbos grew in Jozi, Joburgers would bottle the fragrance and sell it, then rip the stuff out by the roots and pave the space for another parking lot. Or build a townhouse complex. People in Joburg live to work and flash cash. In Cape Town,
I was staying) for more than 24 hours. The next day we were relieved and grateful to board a plane home, only to be reminded by the captain to save every drop of water. Coffee or a shower? You can’t have both. Cry with frustration, the beloved Mzansi. The differences between Johannesburg and Cape Town can be that stark, but they can also be subtle. Your takkies, for instance, should be dirty, preferably ripped, in Melville and Observatory. But they’ll
lucky, your route takes you past a mine dump. If you’re unlucky, it goes past a hijacking hotspot. On weekends, you drink and hunt and gather supplies at shopping malls, where you scream at waiters who take longer than 30 seconds to bring you a cappuccino. Not that Cape Town’s traffic is easier – Hospital Bend from 4pm on any given weekday, anyone? But it takes the edge off that you can look left and see the ocean and look right
On weekends you drink too much and hunt and gather supplies at shopping malls…. we work to live. Sometimes, and rarely after 3pm… That’s not to say my time in Johannesburg was irredeemably miserable. I went there to marry someone else, and by then I was thin. But I don’t want to go back. Ever. If only. Work takes me back at least once a year, and the last time I was there a thunderstorm knocked the power out of Rosebank (where
earn you unwanted attention from the private security squads in Bedfordview and Bishopscourt. Living in Johannesburg can seem like nothing more than trying to stay sane while you inch along for hours on hopelessly overburdened, poorly maintained roads that lead from your barricaded home to your unbearably beige place of work. If you’re
and see the mountain. Besides, you have so many more interesting places to go. Halfway there you might decide your shoo is not aligned with your waa today, and go back home.
Telford AUTUMN 2018 REALITY
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KINGJAMES 41374
1 in 4 South Africans is affected by cancer.* Which means it could happen to you or someone you love. Make sure you’re financially covered with Sanlam’s Cancer Benefit from R100. Speak to a Sanlam financial adviser or your broker, SMS** 1 in 4 to 45759 or visit 1in4.co.za. *“One in four South Africans is affected by cancer through diagnosis of family, friends or self.” Statistic provided by the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA). **Standard SMS rates apply.
Sanlam is a Licensed Financial Services Provider.
SMALL CHANGE, BIG MAN South Africa gets a new R5 coin in 2018 On 18 July 2018, Nelson Mandela would have celebrated his 100th birthday. To commemorate the centenary of the great man, the South African Mint will produce a brand-new R5 coin, featuring the image of Madiba on one side (replacing the Black Wildebeest) and the SA coat of arms on the other side. And Mandela is not the only struggle hero who could pop up in your small change this year… The SA Mint has a tradition of immortalising iconic figures in bronze and silver, and last year also released a commemorative OR Tambo coin.
ABOVE: Statue of Nelson Mandela in Parliament Square, London.
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Go to www.sanlamreality.co.za/benefits to view which benefits apply to your membership option, your tier status and discount percentage.
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AUTUMN 2018 REALITY
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HIDDEN COSTS OF BUYING A HOME
5. SECTIONAL TITLE The value of your property is dependent on how well the complex is run. Before you buy, put on your detective cap and ask the body corporate some tough questions about rules and regulations, and request to see the latest financials. Also ask for an update on special levies for building alterations or painting. Such costs will be for the buyer unless agreed otherwise.
THE COST OF PURCHASING PROPERTY COULD BE AS MUCH AS 10% MORE THAN THE ASKING PRICE. MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU’RE IN FOR WITH OUR LIST OF EXTRA COSTS AND FEES. 1. ADMIN COSTS Administrative costs will have to come from your savings, and can include a deposit, transfer duty tax, transfer attorney costs, building insurance, life insurance, home contents insurance, bond attorney costs and bond administration fees, if you’re the buyer. If you’re the seller, you should make provision for the estate agent’s fee, as well as for the various inspections (electrical, gas, plumbing, beetle, electric fences), which are a part of the offer to purchase.
2. STRUCTURAL ISSUES It’s hard to know what’s hiding behind every wardrobe, in the ceilings or under the floors, so rely on a thorough seller’s report or get a construction expert to do a survey. By spending some money now, you’ll avoid headaches later. Sellers are obliged to declare patent and latent defects pertaining to: electrical systems, roof leaks, plumbing, air-conditioning, under-floor heating, cracks, mould, flooding, dampness and more. Make sure you get this in writing and signed by the seller.
82% 10 REALITY AUTUMN 2018
3. WHAT’S INCLUDED AND WHAT’S NOT Traditionally, any fixture to the house – from curtain rails and light fittings to air-conditioners – may not be removed when a house is sold. Make your own inventory of what should stay and get your agent to insist the seller agrees to this. 4. UPSCALING Moving into a bigger home? Then expect all costs to rise: rates and taxes, electricity usage, water bill, garden maintenance and more.
6. SECURITY COSTS Security is a personal choice, so even if there are measures in place, consider what will make you feel safe. You might need to set money aside to increase the security to your satisfaction.
EARN TIER POINTS How safe is your home? Complete our online home safety questionnaire and earn
3 000 tier points. Go to www.sanlamreality. co.za/earn-points.
of the wealth generated in 2017 is held by just 1% of the global population. The 3.7-billion people who make up the poorest half of the world saw no increase in their wealth in 2017. Report entitled Reward Work, Not Wealth released by Oxfam.
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WHAT IS BANK ZERO? No branches, less charges… what’s up? An app-driven bank, with no physical brick-and-mortar branches, is what Michael Jordaan (ex-CEO of FNB) envisions for South Africa’s newest bank when it launches in the fourth quarter of 2018. Bank Zero was allocated a licence as a mutual bank by the Reserve Bank in January 2018. Mutual banks are different from commercial banks like Standard Bank and Absa as they are subject to the Mutual Banks Act and do not offer the full suite of banking products. According to Bank Zero, “The mutual banking concept mirrors
STAY ON
current social media trends and benefits customers by allowing for the support and creation of financial communities.” And the name? It’s inspired by mathematics – numbers such as one, two, three, four were
invented first, but the concept of zero was only discovered later. And just as zero revolutionised mathematics, so Bank Zero hopes to revolutionise the SA banking scene. Keep an eye out for the launch later this year…
ABOVE: Banking via your smartphone is set to expand with the launch of Bank Zero later this year.
tax track
The new tax year has just started – TaxTim has five tools to take the ‘taxing’ out of tax returns:
1
An online helpdesk with a trained tax professional to answer your questions.
2
Safe tax document storage facility.
3
Regular reminders about tax submission.
4
Downloadable expense tracker.
5
A mobile-friendly vehicle logbook.
USE YOUR BENEFIT
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RIGHT: It’s always advisable to keep your tax admin up to date from the start of the tax year, 1 March 2018.
Did you know? As a Sanlam Reality member, you save up to R499 when you sign up to our free TaxTim benefit. Plus, you’ll earn 3 000 tier points when you complete your tax return. Go to www.sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/taxtim.
AUTUMN 2018 REALITY
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CRYPTO CURRENCIES
THE MONEY OF THE FUTURE?
12 REALITY AUTUMN 2018
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Around dinner tables and water coolers, everybody’s talking about Bitcoin, blockchains, mining and more… Are cryptocurrencies changing the financial landscape? How do they work and are they here to stay? Wilma de Bruin investigates.
W
orldwide, serious investors and ordinary consumers are increasingly dabbling in various cryptocurrencies, lured by the prospect of exceptional returns on their investments. Despite price swings and sentiments that the ‘crypto bubble’ may well be corrected, pundits believe that cryptocurrency is set to change the face and future of finance, challenging the normal banking model.
GROWTH AND DECLINE... WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Since the introduction of Bitcoin (the world’s first cryptocurrency) in 2009 – created by the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto – many other cryptocurrencies have come into being, fuelling the frenzy. As a result, on 31 December 2017, the number of cryptocurrencies available stood at 1 381, including currencies like Ripple and Ethereum and... uhm... BigBoobsCoin and CryptoKitties! In January 2017, Bitcoin (which continues to lead the pack with a market capitalisation of more than $284-billion) started at $1 000 per unit, but by midDecember 2017 had shot up to close to $20 000. Barely a week into 2018, the total cryptocurrency market capitalisation achieved a new all-time high (on 4 January), briefly rising above $770-billion amid a widespread altcoin rally. In line with international trends, demand in South Africa for Bitcoin has steadily increased. Phillip Strauss, a financial software manager who, together with a business colleague, has intensively studied cryptocurrencies and trends for the past few
years, explains the growth: “In 2015, a mere 300 Bitcoins traded per day in South Africa, at around R3 000 per coin; last December (2017), up to 2 000 Bitcoins traded daily, at a price hovering around R200 000-R250 000 per coin.” However, by 6 February 2018, Bitcoin was trading as low as R76 500, further proving the volatility of cryptocurrency and the risks associated with it. WHAT IS CRYPTOCURRENCY?
Cryptocurrencies are essentially a digital medium of exchange, living in a land of numbers and addresses. Unlike our centralised banking system, cryptocurrencies are decentralised, transparent and allow users to exchange money without the need for a third party (for instance, a bank). All Bitcoin transactions, for example,
In 2015, a mere 300 Bitcoins traded per day in SA, at around R3 000 per coin; last December (2017), up to 2 000 Bitcoins traded daily…
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are logged and made available in a public ledger, helping to ensure their authenticity and preventing fraud. These digital tools of exchange use cryptography and blockchain technology to facilitate secure and anonymous transactions. “In short, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies offer a value transfer that cannot be censored. The reason is due to its decentralised nature. It uses a consensus mechanism, known as the Nakamoto consensus, which establishes trust between untrusted parties. In layman’s terms, it’s a bearer asset which can be moved digitally between two consenting parties that have no reference of trust, without the ability for thirdparty censorship,” explains Strauss.
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WHAT IS A BLOCKCHAIN?
Blockchain is the technology and protocols developed to store the information for cryptocurrencies. Blockchain is essentially a digitised, decentralised public ledger that works like a cash book with credits and debits, and allows people to make transactions and store information. “At its core, blockchain is simply a database of sequential transactions on top of which one can define rules,” Strauss explains. Information about each transaction within the Bitcoin network, for example, can be found in the Bitcoin blockchain. What is a page in a cash book, is a block in the blockchain. If the block is “written”, a new block is attached to write in. It creates a chain of blocks, thus the blockchain. The blockchain is visible to everyone, so there is perfect transparency. Each block has a #tag, which is a type of code, and this links each block to one another. “The blockchain is a distributed database. It’s not located on a central server that is accessed by all participants. Instead, every participant in the network has a copy of the blockchain on his own computer, which is constantly matched with the network, by downloading blocks from the transaction history,” explains Strauss. Blockchain technology is now being explored and used in many other spheres outside cryptocurrencies, for example insurance and banking. WHAT IS MINING?
To keep the blockchain up to date, updates of transactions must be distributed across the network and this is where so-called ‘mining’ comes into play. The Luno learning portal explains how this works with Bitcoin: “This process is not done by people or companies, but by thousands of computers all over the world that are all connected to the Internet. These computers are known as ‘miners’, but they should really simply be called ‘computers that process transactions’.” Furthermore, it explains that “to do this processing in a very secure way, these computers need to perform very complicated calculations, basically cracking the code and generating a #tag, which take a lot of computing power and, in turn, require a lot of energy, as well as expensive and specialised processing equipment.
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ABOVE: The amount of energy used by computers mining Bitcoin in 2017 exceeded the annual energy usage of almost 160 different countries, including places like Namibia, Nigeria and Bolivia among others (according to research done by PowerCompare in the UK).
“Someone – the owner of the computers – needs to pay for all this equipment and electricity, so they must be compensated for all the money and effort they put in to make this network work. They earn this compensation through newly minted Bitcoin for creating a #tag. So, in short, all new Bitcoin acts as a reward and incentive mechanism for people to contribute their computers to the system to help process transactions.” HOW TO BUY CRYPTOCURRENCY
A word of caution – cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and you could lose a lot of money if you are not aware of the risks. However, should you decide to go ahead, the steps below detail the process. The first step to buying a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin in South Africa is registering on the website www.luno.com, currently the largest Bitcoin exchange operating in the country to facilitate Bitcoin-to-rand trades between registered users. (For other cryptocurrencies, you can also register on www.coindirect.com/za or www.altcointrader.co.za.)
CHINA is where most cryptocurrency mining takes place – the biggest reason for this is the country’s low-cost or free electricity.
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BITCOIN’S PRICE HISTORY CHART Bitcoin was not traded on any exchanges in 2009. Its first recorded price was in 2010. Technically, Bitcoin was worth $0 in 2009 during its very first year of existence! 25k
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0k 2011
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This graph indicates the growth of Bitcoin from August 2010 until February 2018 (in US dollars). 25k
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0k Mar ‘17
The current Bitcoin bubble is in fact one of the most extreme examples witnessed in current time.
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May ‘17
Jul ‘17
Sep ‘17
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Jan ‘18
This graph indicates the growth of Bitcoin from 19 February 2017 to 19 February 2018 (in US dollars).
WHAT DOES SARB SAY ABOUT CRYPTOCURRENCIES? In February this year, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) announced that it would complete a review of cryptocurrencies – including Bitcoin – before the end of 2018. The objective of the review is “to inform an appropriate policy framework and regulatory regime”. The review, which will be carried out by SARB’s recently established fintech unit, will address regulatory issues such as clearing and settlement risks, exchange control, monetary policy, financial stability and cybersecurity. Through collaboration with other regulatory bodies, matters such as tax implications, consumer and investor protection, and money laundering activities will also be addressed.
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Once you’ve registered, verified your identity and your account has been validated, you deposit rands via your bank into the Luno account and receive a reference number. You are now ready to buy a Bitcoin or part of a coin, via the Luno exchange. You can either buy at the current price, at a lower price through a matching transaction (where a seller asks a slightly lower price than the going rate, which matches what the buyer is prepared to pay) or even just a small stake, say, R50 of a Bitcoin. Many of these platforms also charge a transaction fee. IMPACT ON THE WIDER FINANCIAL WORLD
Although cryptocurrency is still in its infancy, its impact on the financial world is already widely felt, causing increasing interest and concern among traditional participants. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum and Ripple are starting to flex their muscle in the financial world insofar as they have become popular currency alternatives for online transactions in many different industries. By using cryptocurrencies for cross-border payments or money transfers, users also bypass costly foreign exchange services offered by banks and traditional payment processors. Moreover, the fact that, as an alternative financial system, cryptocurrencies remove the banks as middlemen and are transparent thanks to the public ledger, makes them particularly appealing to consumers. In South Africa, for example, a whole host of companies, including tourism, retail and IT, accept
Bitcoin as payment (eg Bidorbuy, Takealot and WeFix). Additionally, cryptocurrencies are also increasingly used as investment instruments, but there are fears that this might be a bubble. As Patrick Rassou, Head of Equities at Sanlam Investment Management, explains: “The current Bitcoin bubble is one of the most extreme examples witnessed in current time. Over the past few decades, we’ve seen a number of bubbles – the global property bubble in the mid ’90s, the dotcom bubble, the silver bubble of 2001 etc. While in nearly all these cases asset prices increased by 1 000% or more, the common trait was that the prices took at least a decade to inflate. In the case of Bitcoin, prices went up by over 1 000% within two years!” THE FUTURE
Like any other evolving (financial) product or service, cryptocurrency will have its fair share of challenges going forward, especially since it operates in an unregulated environment. Sorting out issues such as fraud, network congestion, high fee costs, processing times, the possibility of regulation and taxation by national governments, blockchain size, hyper-volatility, as well as maintaining high levels of safety and security, will certainly keep the crypto boffins very busy for a long time to come. That said, judging by the interest in the concept (and potential) of cryptocurrency, the phenomenon looks set to have an impact on the financial landscape.
WORD TO THE WISE FOR POTENTIAL INVESTORS DO
A proper analysis and a lot of self study on this subject will best equip an investor to make informed decisions. If you do not understand it, do not buy it. DON’T
Just like on the stock market, making investment decisions by watching one or two top performers and chasing the herd is like investing on the stock market after receiving a hot tip. Don’t do it.
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Cryptocurrencies remove the banks as middlemen and are completely transparent... making them particularly appealing to consumers.
The views expressed in this article are not necessarily those of Sanlam Reality and Sanlam, and do not constitute advice.
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of up to 20% with a Sanlam Personal Loan! With a Sanlam Personal Loan, Sanlam Reality members qualify for the following:
Cash-back reward up to R20 000 Fixed rate on your loan Tailor-made repayment terms The cash-back reward comes into effect after 12 consecutive months of loan repayments and the percentage applied relates to your tier status.
To apply for a Sanlam Personal Loan, go to www.sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/sanlam-personal-loans and follow the prompts or call Sanlam Personal Loans on 0861 40 20 10. T&Cs apply.
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INVESTMENT
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FOR DUMMIES Can’t tell the difference between a liability and a labrador? Wouldn’t know a diversified portfolio if it slapped you across the face? Fear not… At the end of this tutorial, you’ll be beating inflation with the best of them. By Nick Dall.
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A IS FOR ASSET
Your possessions are known as your assets, while any debts you may have incurred are called liabilities. If the mortgage on your home is fully paid up, then it’s an asset, but if you’re still paying off a hefty home loan, then your home sweet home will start behaving more like a liability. To determine your net worth, you simply subtract your liabilities from your assets. Of course, not all assets are created equal: that brand-new 4x4 might’ve been worth a pretty penny the day you drove it out of the showroom, but because it’s now lost more than half its purchase value, it’s called a depreciating asset. A fully paid-off home in a desirable area, however, is an appreciating asset.
Savvy investors get their money to work for them, instead of the other way around.
BEYOND THE BASICS
Savvy investors get their money to work for them, instead of the other way around. When it comes to investing, you need to be aware of four main asset classes: Shares aka stocks or equities are an opportunity to own a tiny slice of listed and private companies. Put simply, companies sell off little bits of themselves in return for cash. These are traded on the stock market, and their value is subject to a myriad market forces. Bonds are issued by governments or large companies who want to borrow money from members of the public. A bond comes with a contract stating the interest rate that will be paid and when the loan will be returned. If you hang on to a bond until it matures, you know exactly what you’ll get in return, but bonds can be traded on the market. Cash refers to an array of short-term loans which in return pay a fixed interest rate for a short period, that’s usually less than 12 months. Property. Your home is an asset, but so too are rental properties, commercial properties (for your own business or rental), real estate investment trusts and property unit trusts.
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VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE
A sound investment strategy involves cherry-picking investments from a variety of asset classes to build up what is known as a diversified portfolio. That fable about not putting all your eggs in one basket is the very definition of the age-old investment principle of diversification. Fortunately, you don’t have to do all the picking and choosing yourself, as there are hundreds of off-the-shelf ‘ready meals’ put together by highly experienced fund managers. Unit trusts pool together the money of many investors before investing it in a selection of underlying assets (shares, bonds, cash and perhaps property) according to the unit trust’s investment objectives. Returns are then shared among investors. Some examples include: Money market funds invest solely in cash. These low-risk, low-reward investment vehicles are ideal for short-term investing. Balanced funds spread the love between asset classes to ensure that there’s a healthy equilibrium between risk and reward. Perfect for medium-term investing and retirement funds. Equity funds invest heavily (or exclusively) in shares. This increases both risk and reward and means that these unit trusts are ideal for long-term investing. Funds of funds invest in a portfolio of different unit trusts (according to their investment objectives) to make the circle even bigger.
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A portfolio containing a few carefullychosen unit trusts can be mighty effective – provided it fits in with your time-based goals (more about those very soon). TIME IS ON YOUR SIDE (SOMETIMES)
In the investment game, anything is possible if you have enough time to play with. Thanks to the wonder that is compound interest (growth on growth of your investment for supercharged profits) a relatively small monthly contribution can become a pretty impressive lumpsum if you can wait a few decades before dipping into it. To make time work for you, you simply need to beat the inflation rate (the rate at which the cost of goods and services increases). If your overall investment portfolio outperforms inflation, then you’re sitting pretty. Perhaps counterintuitively, having time on your hands also means that you can take greater risks in return for higher potential rewards. If you’re saving for a dream Mauritius holiday in a year’s time, it’ll be ideal to put your money in stable, cash-heavy investment. If, however, you’re starting a university fund for junior who’s still in nappies, you can stomach the greater risks associated with equities, safe in the knowledge that the short-term peaks and troughs of the stock market will be ironed out by your 20-year time horizon.
In the investment game, anything is possible if you have enough time to play with.
THE LONG SLOG
We all dream of a happy and fulfilling retirement, but to make this dream a reality, you should ideally start saving 15% of your income when you’re about 25 years old. Depending on your situation, your retirement strategy may involve investing in any or all of the below: If you work for a company you may be making tax-deductible contributions to a pension fund which enjoys tax-free growth. When you retire you can take a third of the cash while the remainder has to be reinvested in a compulsory life or living annuity. Your company may also make payments into a provident fund on your behalf. You are currently able to access the entire lumpsum when you retire – although the lumpsum taxes may scare you off that idea!
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a plan
Diversification means you avoid putting all your investment ‘eggs’ in one basket.
EARN TIER POINTS Now that you understand the money terms, take the next step and start planning your financial future. Earn
8 000 tier points when you request a financial planner visit www.sanlamreality. co.za/earn-points.
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Absolutely anyone can make tax-deductible contributions to a retirement annuity, which – these days – can be underpinned by unit trusts and other investment vehicles. You can only withdraw a third of your cash when you retire. GOLDEN YEARS
When you reach retirement age (provided you’ve embraced retirement funds) you’ll get the option of purchasing a life or living annuity to provide you with an income during your golden years. A life annuity is an insurance-based fund which provides you with a guaranteed income during life. A living annuity is a unit trust-linked investment which will provide you with an income based on the value and returns of an investment portfolio. Both annuities come in different shapes and sizes, but all withdrawals are regarded as income by the tax man and taxed at your marginal income tax rate. The major difference between these annuities is that a life annuity ceases on death (although there are some exceptions here), while the remaining value in a living annuity passes on to your nominated beneficiaries.
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SNOWBALL
effect
Just as a snowball grows exponentially as it rolls through the snow, so your money grows with compound interest.
BUT I CAN’T EVEN CHOOSE MY OWN PIZZA TOPPINGS…
For the very same reason that you wouldn’t highlight your own hair (we hope), it’s best to engage the services of a financial planner (singular, not plural – too many cooks definitely spoil this broth) who will analyse your financial health and retirement goals before advising on timebased investment strategies. When you meet with your financial planner (which should happen at least annually), it’s imperative that you don’t hang on to any financial secrets – even if you are embarrassed about the cash you blew on Aunt Mabel’s failed craft koeksister delivery app.
USE YOUR BENEFIT
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Did you know: Over a 10 year period, a Sanlam Reality member on Gold status could earn as much as R270 000 more on a R1-million investment than a non-Sanlam Reality member, thanks to 100% discount on primary asset management fees. Go to www.sanlamreality.co.za/benefits/wealth.
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Electric cars – are they viable?
The majority of cars in South Africa are still powered by petrol and diesel, but this is changing slowly as electric cars become more affordable, finds Angelique Ruzicka.
WHY BUY AN ELECTRIC CAR?
WHO OFFERS ELECTRIC MODELS?
Besides offering lower running and operating costs, they are kind to the environment because of their lower CO2 emissions and innovative technology. Also, they’re no longer slow and cumbersome; in fact, there are certain models that will beat most supercars.
Manufacturers at the forefront of offering electric-only models in South Africa include Nissan, with the Nissan Leaf, and BMW, with its i3 and i8 models.
2 hours That’s how long it takes to charge a BMW i3 from 0 to 80%.
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WHERE CAN I CHARGE MY CAR?
ARE ELECTRIC CARS CHEAPER TO RUN?
Finding somewhere to charge your car can be problematic, although the manufacturers have set up charging stations for their customers. Charging spots in South Africa can be found across the network of 38 BMW i3 dealers and, together with Nissan South Africa, they’ve also rolled out AC chargers at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront and Constantia Village, plus three AC fast chargers in the Melrose Arch Precinct in Johannesburg. Plans are underway to expand to more sites in Gauteng and KZN.
Yes they are. According to Nissan, the Leaf’s battery takes 22kWh of useable power. With the current Eskom price per kWh, fully charging the Nissan Leaf’s battery can cost between R25 and R30.The BMW i3 needs roughly 13.75kWh per 100km, which means that the cost per 100km is about R15. On the other hand, the cost of a highly efficient diesel engine used in city or urban areas, which needs six litres per 100km, comes out at roughly R84 for 100km (diesel price between R13 and R14 per litre).
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Lower CO2
emissions as opposed to diesel and petrol cars.
ARE THEY CHEAPER TO BUY?
5
times
cheaper to run a BMW i3 EV than an internal combustion engine.
Not at present, as electric vehicles attract the highest import duties (25%). The BMW i3 starts from R606 800 for the pure electric version, while the Nissan Leaf starts from R474 900. However, the BMW Group South Africa is negotiating for a 0% duty on the import of electric vehicles. ARE THEY CHEAPER TO MAINTAIN?
Consider oil changes and ‘tune-ups’ a thing of the past because electric cars don’t have an internal combustion engine or transmission. There are fewer moving parts, making it cheaper to fix and maintain. According to BMW, the long-term service maintenance costs for the i3 are also lower than that of an internal combustion engine, and BMW offers an eight-year factory warranty on the battery. Nissan said
its EV comes standard with a service plan, and general maintenance is very low compared to a normal vehicle. You still have coolant, brake fluid and brake pads to maintain and need to do an annual battery health check. HOW LONG DO THEY TAKE TO CHARGE?
Charging an electric vehicle needs some planning as the time it takes varies. BMW’s AC stations can charge a BMW i3 from 0 to 80% in approximately two-and-a-half hours. WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES?
If you don’t want to go 100% electric but still want to help the environment, you can buy a hybrid car. Hybrids use more than one form of onboard energy to get the car going, but this technique is still cleaner than petrol or diesel engines, and will reduce emissions.
22kWh
are needed to charge the Nissan Leaf, equating to approximately R25-R30.
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Save as much as 25% on Emirates flights! Travel to more than 130 destinations worldwide and feel truly special in Emirates economy class: Over 2 500 channels Four-course meal Complimentary drinks Free Wi-Fi
For more information, go to www.sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/emirates or call 0860 732 548/9. Terms and conditions apply. Exclusive to Reality Plus and Reality Health members.
AFRICA’S OWN TATE MODERN Zeitz MOCAA makes waves as a new cultural landmark Once a dockside grain silo (and the tallest building in sub-Saharan Africa), the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art (Zeitz MOCAA) is now an architectural masterpiece housing the largest collection of modern African art on the continent. After a R500-million ingenious re-design, the erstwhile grain silo opened late last year in the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. Nine-storeys high, with a boutique hotel on top, the 80 cube-like galleries are filled with 21st century African art, anchored around the private collection of billionaire German philanthropist Jochen Zeitz. For the building alone, Zeitz MOCAA is the hottest must-do on the Cape Town tourist route.
YOUR
As much as 30% discount with Mango
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travel
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BENEFITS
As much as 50% discount with Tempest Car Hire
As much as 30% discount with Uber Airport Transfers
Free Bidvest Premier Lounge access
Go to www.sanlamreality.co.za/benefits to view which benefits apply to your membership option, your tier status and discount percentage.
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ALTERNATIVE ART SPOTS IN SA
ART TAKES MANY FORMS AND IS NOT LIMITED TO GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS. CHECK OUT SOME UNUSUAL ARTY DESTINATIONS AROUND SOUTH AFRICA. ART ROUTE 67 This heritage walk in central Port Elizabeth starts at the Campanile and ascends the staircase to Vuyisile Mini Market Square. Along the way are 67 artworks by local Eastern Cape artists collectively symbolising the 67 years that Nelson Mandela dedicated to the fight for freedom in our country. Don’t miss the life-size metal cut-out of Nelson Mandela leading a line of voters on 27 April 2004. [+] www.route67tours.co.za CLARENS The village of Clarens in the Eastern Free State has been a haven for artists for many years, and The Artist Amble takes you on a walking tour of many of their 20-odd galleries. Stroll
around President Square and browse the arts and crafts shops. Or buy traditional blankets at Di Mezza & De Jager, and pop in at the Bibliophile bookshop. DRAKENSBERG ROCK ART The Drakensberg boasts around 20 000 individual rock paintings etched into caves and overhangs, resulting in the entire area being declared a World Heritage Site. Some of the more obscure sites are a strenuous hike away, but the most accessible spots include Battle Cave near Injasuti Camp, Game Pass Shelter at Kamberg and the Bushman Cave Museum in Giant’s Castle Reserve.
BAARDSKEERDERS… WHAT? The village of Baardskeerdersbos lies on a dirt road somewhere between Stanford and Wolvengat or Elim, in other words, somewhere near nowhere you’ve ever heard of (clue: it’s in the Cape Overberg). Obscure it may be, but the hamlet has attracted a disproportionate population of painters, photographers, sculptors, printmakers and ceramicists. Twice a year – in spring and autumn – they open their homes to visitors as part of the Baardskeerdersbos Art Route. [+] www.baardskeerdersbosartroute.co.za NEWTOWN CULTURAL PRECINCT The rejuvenated Newtown district in downtown Joburg is cosmopolitan, avant garde and dedicated to the arts – not all of it is formal. Look out for the 560 statues of carved wooden heads mounted around the neighbourhood. And underneath the M1 highway you’ll find an open-air graffiti gallery, with regular additions of vibrant colour added by the local artists. [+] www.newtown.co.za
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ABOVE: Port Elizabeth has a rich art heritage, including Route 67. BELOW LEFT: 560 carved wooden statues decorate the vibey Newton precinct in Joburg.
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STAY HERE!
Chill out IN THE FRIENDLY CITY If location is everything, then the four-star Protea Hotel by Marriott Port Elizabeth Marine has it in abundance. It’s perched on the Summerstrand beachfront directly overlooking Pollock Beach. You’ll have sweeping views over Algoa Bay from your luxury en-suite room and the Deck Cocktail Bar, and there’s also a roof-top swimming pool. The modern hotel is in walking distance of the beach, Bayworld (including the snake park and natural and cultural museum) and the Donkin Reserve.
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Take a break to Port Elizabeth and enjoy sea, sun, sand, history and art! You can save as much as 30% on a double room with your Protea Hotels by Marriott® benefit. Go to www.sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/protea-hotels to book.
5 500 passengers
2 774 cabins
16
decks
10-STOREY waterslide
Did you know? St George’s Chapel in Windsor, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will say their “I dos” on 19 May 2018, was built in 1528 and seats ‘only’ 800 guests, making it more intimate than the 2 000-seat Westminster Abbey which usually hosts royal weddings.
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These are just some of the wow statistics for the Symphony of Seas which, after its launch in April 2018, will be the world’s largest cruise liner. One of the family suites has a slide so children can whizz from their bedroom to the living room, a floor-toceiling LEGO climbing wall and a 3D cinema – with a popcorn machine. The 362m luxury liner is the newest addition to the Royal Caribbean fleet, and she’ll spend her inaugural cruising season in Europe.
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THE SOULFUL DEEP SOUTH Justin Fox sets off on a nine-day journey through America’s Deep South following in the footsteps of the legends of country, blues and jazz music.
28 REALITY AUTUMN 2018
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ur musically themed tour would take us from Tennessee to New Orleans, via the legendary cradles of modern music inbetween. From Nashville we would head west to Memphis, then follow the Mississippi to New Orleans via the slave plantations that made the South so prosperous in the 19th century. It was those slaves who brought the rhythms of Africa to the shores of America and spawned some of the greatest music the world had ever heard.
CROON ALONG TO COUNTRY
After a long, overnight flight from South Africa, I landed in Nashville, home of country music. To orientate myself, I took a wander through downtown Nashville. Broadway Street is its musical heart, lying in the shadow of the ‘Batman’ AT&T tower, backdrop to countless movies. It was thronging with pick-up trucks, men wearing Stetsons and women with blonde curls and too much make-up. Live music pours from honkytonks, starting at 10am each morning. The infectious, foot-stomping sounds
OPPOSITE PAGE: New Orleans’ French Quarter, the heart of the music district. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash feature at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame; BB King’s Blues Club in Memphis; sightseeing in downtown Nashville; Beale Street in Memphis is the home of the blues; Jazz Funeral is a quirky souvenir shop in New Orleans; a roadside diner en route from Nashville to Memphis.
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filled the street, and I was sucked inexorably into bar after bar. Our group visited RCA’s Studio B, where Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and many other greats recorded their songs. More than 1 000 hits were issued from this tiny studio, and it’s here that Dolly recorded “Jolene”, “I Will Always Love You” and “Coat of Many Colours”. There was one legendary night in 1960 when Elvis cut 13 tracks in Studio B. In the early hours of the morning, he asked for the studio lights to be switched off and sang, “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” The world responded in the affirmative and he became a modernday god. We trawled through the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, a repository of memorabilia from stars such as Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn and Bob Dylan. In an upstairs room, Grammy Award-winning singersongwriter, Richard Leigh shared the stories behind some of his hits, like “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue”. He sang a few favourites and delighted our group with his backstage Nashville gossip and wry quips. That night, we had tickets to the Grand Ole Opry and joined the audience of America’s longest-running live radio programme (it’s been going since 1925). This takes place each week at the atmospheric Ryman Theatre, also known as the Mother Church of country music. It was a bizarre evening, with radio adverts for hunting rifles and health insurance read by the host between acts. There were ancient crooners, folk stars, square dancers and finger-picking youngsters playing mean banjos and guitars.
laws, the passive resistance of Rosa Parks and civil-rights activism of the 1960s. The museum is housed in the old Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King Jnr was assassinated. His room has been left as it was on that fateful day in 1968. A wreath adorns the balcony where he fell. Across the road, a bathroom window is still left open where the sniper aimed his rifle. It’s a powerful and affecting memorial to the great man.
ABOVE: Uromnis explit quuntur rem eicaepro ma si si quiassitae dendignimusa velectas ilibusaeped qui totas sus ullent que ducitis si dellit optis modit et quisque
GOING TO GRACELAND
We all sang along as the coach’s sound system played Paul Simon: “I’m going to Graceland, Graceland, in Memphis, Tennessee, I’m going to Graceland.” That evening was devoted to Elvis Presley and his influence on American culture. Our tour of Graceland house was led by Elvis’
SING THE BLUES
Next, we headed west to Memphis, the downand-dirty home of blues. Our hotel was just around the corner from Beale Street, where we partied hard each night. The neon sign at the Blues City Cafe on Beale read ‘Put Some South in Your Mouth’ and nicely sums up this area. For lovers of food, booze and the blues, no street in the world can rival Beale. Best of all was BB King’s Club. Upstairs was an epicurean delight of Southern foods; downstairs the house band played edgy blues that had us on the dance floor until the wee hours. Memphis also gave us a chance to engage with America’s darker past. The National Civil Rights Museum traces the history of black emancipation from the 17th century to the present: slavery, the Civil War, racist Jim Crow
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close friend, George Klein, now in his 80s. Clad in a midnight-blue velour tracksuit, George led us through the rooms telling tales of fabulous stardom, generous largess, groupie sex and Nixon’s late-night phone calls. He took us down to a den with multiple TV sets, a ‘jungle room’ with shaggy green walls and outside to view Elvis’ gold-encrusted jet aeroplanes. The tour culminated in a Southern dinner in Graceland’s automobile museum surrounded by Elvis’ cars – everything from Cadillac and Rolls-Royce to Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz. While we dined, big screens beamed footage of the leather-clad, loosehipped, honey-mouthed king of rock ’n roll doing his inimitable thing. Next, we headed south to Frogmore Plantation, transporting us back to a time when cotton was king. Our hosts, dressed in period costume, led us around this reconstructed, 19th-century, slave-owning plantation. Later, we were able to compare the old part of the farm to its modern-day operation.
JAZZ IT UP
We drove south along Highway 61, the great river road, via Baton Rouge to New Orleans, which rose out of the misty bayous like a Cajun spaceship. Our hotel was in the French Quarter, the heart of the music district. Tours with a local expert took us to the city’s curious cemeteries with their aboveground tombs of pirates, politicians and voodoo queens. We visited the warehouse district, Louis Armstrong Park and Jackson Square, where the city’s colonial history unfurled at every turn. The nights were filled with Southern food and music. Our group’s farewell dinner was at famous Arnaud’s Restaurant, followed by a performance of the purest jazz I’d ever heard at Preservation Hall. Then we hit Bourbon Street for a riotous night of slave rhythms, soul, blues and jazz, bars by the dozen, outrageous dancing and perhaps one Jack Daniels too many. Next morning, I bade au revoir to my companions and climbed into a stretch limo wearing a silly party hat and a hangover. What better way to leave the Big Easy?
The infectious, foot-stomping sounds filled the street, and I was sucked inexorably into bar after bar. LEFT, TOP TO BOTTOM: A 1960s, passiveresistance display at The National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis; the wreath marks the spot where Martin Luther King Jnr was assassinated; one of Elvis’ Cadillacs on display at Graceland.
TRAVEL PLANNER WHEN TO GO The best times to visit this part of the USA are April and May or October and November. These ‘shoulder’ periods offer brief relief from the hot summer and cold winter seasons. HOW TO GET THERE We flew from South Africa to Amsterdam with KLM, from Amsterdam to Atlanta and then a connection to Nashville with Delta Airlines. www.klm.com Emirates Flights connects to a number of US cities via Dubai, including Houston, Dallas, New York and Chicago. www.emirates.com THE TOUR OPTION Southern Grace is a nine-day tour offered by Luxury Gold with rates from R55 400 per person sharing. Accommodation is in five-star hotels and the emphasis is on unique experiences that could not be done as an individual traveller
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(such as dining after ‘tourist hours’ at Graceland with one of Elvis’ best friends). The trip boasts worldclass chefs, local experts, epicurean dining and is led by a knowledgeable travelling concierge. www.luxurygoldvacations.com THE SELF-DRIVE OPTION If you’d like to do a Southern music tour on your own, fly into New Orleans or Nashville and hire a car. The interstate highway system is
excellent. Drive the route, taking in the highlights of Nashville (Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Grand Ole Opry), Memphis (Sun Studios, National Civil Rights Museum, Peabody Hotel), Graceland, Natchez (visit a few slave plantations) and New Orleans (Mississippi river cruise, French Quarter). Affordable accommodation options along the way include Airbnb or chain hotels such as Best Western. Check out www.booking.com or www.tripadvisor.com.
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African TRACKS Discover a new side of Mzansi with these remarkable train journeys across South Africa, writes Richard Holmes.
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W
ho doesn’t love a train journey? Whether it’s the hypnotic sound of metal wheels on welded rails, or the rare opportunity to discover corners far removed from the highways and byways of South Africa, travelling by train brings a romance all of its own. True, it’s rarely the fastest way to get from A to B, but then that’s seldom the point. When travelling by rail, it really is all about the journey and not the destination. Depending on the depth of your pockets, that journey could see you sipping on fine wines as you trundle through the Karoo aboard Rovos Rail, running a bath on The Blue Train or simply meeting the locals in a bustling Shosholoza Meyl compartment. Whichever you choose, the romance of rail is sure to open your eyes to new landscapes, and new experiences. Be warned though, years of underinvestment in tracks and rolling stock mean delays are commonplace – so you’ll need a pool of patience plus a sense of humour. Learning a little flexibility is what travel’s all about, so don’t let the moans on TripAdvisor put you off. If you’re looking for a unique holiday in 2018, set aside a few days and pack your bags for one of these four unforgettable rail adventures.
ROVOS RAIL
Rovos Rail harks back to the golden years of train travel. What began in 1989 as a passion project for founder Rohan Vos has evolved into one of the finest luxury train services in the world, with restored wood-panelled carriages decorated in an opulent colonialera style: think leather-clad smoking lounges, brass nameplates and monogrammed writing paper. Internet access is pointedly not available, and guests are politely requested to leave their mobile devices in their suites. Your days on board are a welcome escape from the 21st century. The compact compartments – from entry-level Pullman Suites to opulent Royal
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Fine dining is part and parcel of a trip on Rovos Rail.
Suites – boast plenty of mod-cons though, with air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms and well-stocked mini-bars, no comforts are left wanting. However, it’s the elegant public spaces that are the highlight of your days on the rails. Aside from the cosy lounge areas, the bar-car at the rear of the train attracts most guests thanks to its open-air observation platform. Come evening, the dinner-gong summons guests to the dining cars. Dressing for dinner is expected, with a jacket-and-tie a minimum requirement for gentlemen. It’s typically a grand affair, with four-course meals paired to top-notch South African wines. Although the classic run from Pretoria to Cape Town is always popular, Rovos Rail runs a number of intriguing itineraries exploring all corners of southern Africa. That could mean a golfing safari to the Lowveld and KwaZulu-Natal, or a rail adventure the length of Zimbabwe to finish at Victoria Falls. For well-heeled travellers, there’s even the option of a 15-day odyssey to Dar es Salaam. Prices: From R18 950pp sharing, all-inclusive. www.rovos.com
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SHOSHOLOZA MEYL
By far the cheapest way to discover South Africa by rail is to hop on board the Shosholoza Meyl, an affordable commuter service that links seven major cities and transport hubs. The Johannesburg-Cape Town and Johannesburg-Durban services are the busiest routes, but trains also link the coastal cities of Port Elizabeth and East London. Less frequent trains run to Queenstown as well as Komatipoort, where connecting services on the Mozambican side of the border will take you into the heart of Maputo. Shosholoza Meyl carriages offer a twoclass configuration, with Sitter coaches the cheapest way to get from A to B. However, they’re not terribly comfortable, so for journeys of more than a few hours, it’s worth forking out for a Sleeper carriage where twoperson coupés and four-person compartments offer padded bench-seats that fold into bunk beds at night. Bedding is available for hire.
There’s plenty of space for storing luggage, and no weight restrictions on suitcases. Passengers in Sleeper compartments also have access to the communal shower and toilet facilities that bookend each carriage, while a dining car dishes up affordable fastfood-style fare. Shosholoza Meyl also offers a motor coach service on selected routes, allowing you to take your vehicle on holiday with you; an excellent way to save on car hire costs. While Shosholoza Meyl is an affordable and accessible way to explore the country by train, it has one Achilles heel: punctuality. Shosholoza services are notoriously tardy, with delays and breakdowns occurring frequently. Be sure to pack a little extra patience. Prices: From R630pp (Joburg-Durban) and R690 (Joburg-Cape Town), one-way. www.southafricanrailways.co.za
BELOW: Shosholoza Meyl is the most affordable way to discover our land by train.
When travelling by rail, it really is all about the journey and not the destination.
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Admiring the local terrain from the lounge car is an integral part of Blue Train travel.
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THE BLUE TRAIN
Tracing its history to the heady gold-rush days of the early-1900s, The Blue Train has earned its place as one of the world’s great railway journeys. The classic route from Cape Town to Pretoria delivers a cross-section of South Africa’s finest scenery, retracing the steps of the earliest carriages that raced across the country carrying men and women seeking their fortune in the diamond and gold fields up north. Today it’s more likely to ferry curious tourists and railway fanatics, who soak up the marvellous scenery as the train winds its way through the verdant winelands and wide-open Karoo plains towards the waving grasslands of the Highveld. It’s a 27-hour journey along 1 600km of track, which guests get to enjoy in air-conditioned, five-star comfort. The Deluxe and Luxury suites are decorated in a stylish African motif, with dedicated butlers taking care of everything from laundry
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to luggage. All compartments offer private en-suite bathrooms, some of which boast full-length baths, and there is complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the train. The elegant lounge car offers a quiet space for admiring the scenery, or indulging in the daily afternoon tea. Meals are certainly a highlight on board, with multi-course lunches and dinners served in the Art Deco-styled dining car. Fares are fully inclusive, and the excellent wine list showcases some of South Africa’s finest estates. While the classic run is from Pretoria to the Mother City, services are also offered to Hoedspruit, near the Kruger National Park, and train charters are available on request. Prices: From R9 995pp sharing; Pta-Cape Town route starts from R15 500pp sharing. www.bluetrain.co.za
As much as 30% discount on Protea Hotels by Marriott®
As much as 50% discount on Tempest Car Hire Find out more at www.sanlamreality. co.za/benefits.
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TAKE A DAY TRIP
Don’t have time for a few nights’ away? Try these memorable day trips by train… METRORAIL TO SIMON’S TOWN Perhaps the most scenic commuter journey on the planet also makes for a fine day out. Catch Metrorail’s Southern line from Cape Town Central Station (or any suburban station) to Simon’s Town, a picturesque suburb on the False Bay coastline. From Muizenberg to Simon’s Town, the tracks run just metres from the Atlantic Ocean. R33 return (Metro Plus). Daily. www.metrorail.co.za BY STEAM TO CERES The Ceres Rail Company uses three restored steam locomotives to pull historic carriages on a remarkable journey from Cape Town to Ceres. The train travels through the winelands and the Breede River valley, traversing two mountain passes to enter the Ceres valley around lunchtime. After a buffet lunch (extra cost) at the Ceres Golf Club, the train returns along the same route. R800/R500 per adult/child. Saturdays. www.ceresrail.co.za MAGALIESBURG EXPRESS A must for steam-train enthusiasts in Gauteng, this full-day excursion by Reefsteamers runs from Johannesburg’s Park Station heading west on a scenic route to the Magaliesburg, returning later the same afternoon. Private compartments are available, and the comfortable lounge car sells a range of refreshments en route. Shorter excursions between Rhodesfield and Irene are also offered. R295/R245 per adult/child. Monthly. www.reefsteamers.com SHONGWENI BY TRAIN Ride the rails from Durban Station to Shongweni Farmers’ market, with a scenic train ride on The Holiday Express. The 60-minute journey takes travellers through tunnels and past tumbling waterfalls, where the driver will stop for passengers to take photos. Day excursions to Scottburgh are also offered. R250/R200 per adult/child. Weekly. www.theholidayexpress.co.za
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PREMIER CLASSE
One step up from Shosholoza Meyl is the charming Premier Classe service, a threestar hotel on wheels that runs between Cape Town and Johannesburg, and from Gauteng to Durban. It’s certainly not the quickest or the cheapest way to travel from the coast to the city of gold, but it’s an ideal ‘Goldilocks’ option for those wanting a little comfort on the rails. The air-conditioned Premier Classe compartments accommodate just two people, with upholstered bench-style seats ensuring everyone gets a window seat to enjoy the scenery. Come evening, the backrests fold down to form two single beds, comfortably made up with good quality linen by the ever-helpful cabin attendants. Shelves above the beds contain complimentary towels, slippers and bathrobes. At the end of each carriage you’ll find shared toilet and shower cubicles. Unlike Shosholoza Meyl, all meals are included in the fare, with a set menu offered at each sitting. Expect the likes of roast chicken for lunch, and butternut soup and roast lamb for dinner. There’s a small winelist, and drinks are well priced. During the day you’ll spend your hours either snoozing in your compartment or relaxing in the public coaches. The lounge cars are a particularly popular spot, with wide picture windows and spacious booth seats. It’s far more comfortable than Shosholoza Meyl, but unfortunately suffers from the same punctuality issues as its entry-level sister-service. Prices: From R1 230pp (Joburg-Durban) and R3 120 (Joburg-Cape Town), oneway. www.southafricanrailways.co.za
ABOVE: Commuter trains pass seaside suburbs Muizenberg, St James, Glencairn, Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek en route to Simon’s Town.
Whichever you choose, the romance of rail is sure to open your eyes to new landscapes, and new experiences. www.sanlamreality.co.za
win!
Mango flights for two people worth R5 000
How to enter Update your personal details with us and you stand a chance to win this amazing prize!
You can either: SMS the keyword ‘Update’, plus your name and surname, email address, membership number and cellphone number to 31108. Send us an email with the keyword ‘Update’ in the subject line, plus your name and surname, email address, membership number and cellphone number to info@sanlamreality.co.za.
Competition closes: 19 June 2018 (exclusive to Sanlam Reality members)
Terms and conditions: The winner will be drawn within two weeks of the closing date of the competition and notified thereafter. The prize is valid from 1 July 2018 until 31 December 2018. The prize is not transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. The prize includes two Mango flight tickets up to a total value of R5 000. The prize is not valid for travel over peak periods and is subject to availability at the time of booking. A Sanlam Reality consultant will assist you with the booking. For full Sanlam Reality competition terms and competitions, go to www.sanlamreality.co.za/terms-conditions.
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Start an adventure today Hire a car from Tempest and pay from as little as R220 a day, plus get unlimited mileage and Super Cover!
For more information, go to www.sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/tempest-car-hire or call 0860 732 548/9. Terms and conditions apply.
HIITing THE SPOT Less time, more impact training takes over High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been topping the physical health trends for the last few years and it’s no wonder why. Studies show that 15 minutes of HIIT can help you burn more kilojoules than an hour of running. HIIT works by forcing you to give 100% effort through quick, intense bursts of exercise followed by short rest periods. The workout boosts cardio capacity, tones the core and strengthens the upper and lower body. It’s a HIIT!
YOUR
As much as 60% monthly discount at Virgin Active (Reality Health only)
wellness BENEFITS
As much as 80% monthly discount at Planet Fitness
As much as 80% monthly discount at JustGym
Go to www.sanlamreality.co.za/benefits to view which benefits apply to your membership option, your tier status and discount percentage.
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AUTUMN 2018 REALITY
39
rb up HeYOUR
THYME helps fight sore throats, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, and prevents food poisoning by decontaminating food.
SAGE is perfect for digestive problems, helps with asthma, and can be applied directly to the skin to ease cold sores.
ROSEMARY, with its pleasant aroma, is documented as a good memory booster, stomach soother and blood-flow stimulant.
PARSLEY is traditionally used as a medicine for diabetes in Turkey, and has compounds such as vitamin C and betacarotene that can help fight rheumatoid arthritis.
MINT is packed with iron and vitamin C, and contains antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties that help treat nausea and soothe a sore throat.
HEALTH
APART FROM THEIR CULINARY BENEFITS, HERBS ALSO HAVE IMMUNE-BOOSTING ADVANTAGES TO GIVE YOU A HEALTH KICK WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST – IN WINTER.
UPCOMING EVENTS FNB MAGALIES MONSTER MTB CLASSIC
This event (held on 2 June 2018) is affectionately named after the “Monster”, a gruelling 6km climb up the northern slope of the Magaliesberg, which riders of this 70km mountain bike race will have to tame. www.stillwatersports.com
FNB CAPE TOWN 12 ONERUN
Get your groove on with thousands of Capetonians
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on 20 May 2018 on a flat 12km race route that starts at Woodbridge Island in Milnerton and ends in the Cape Town city centre. Walk, run, do it in stilletos, do it in takkies – it’s all about the vibe. www.thecapetown12.com
AFRICANX TRAILRUN
Now in its 10th year, the AfricanX Trailrun is not for the faint-hearted. With a new venue this year, runners will explore the picturesque (and tough!) terrain around Boschendal
EARN TIER POINTS Wine Estate over three stages from 27 to 29 April 2018. www.stillwatersports.com
MERRELL AUTUMN RUN – JHB
Hit the trails in Johannesburg’s Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens on Sunday 25 March 2018. This event includes three trail distances – 6km, 12km and 20km – as well as a 2km kiddies run. The routes include open rocky grassland and more technical running sections. www.mountainrunner.co.za
Get outdoors and enjoy the autumn weather – you can earn as many as
8 000 tier points towards your status. Log your events on sanlam. entrytime.com.
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SOUTH AFRICA’S SILENT KILLER Over the past decade, South Africa has seen a significant rise in deaths owing to chronic kidney disease. Without a cure, how can you keep your body’s natural filter safe? YOUR BODY’S NATURAL FILTER Like all the organs of the body, the kidney plays a vital role. Located just below your rib cage, the kidney is made up of millions of tiny filters called nephrons, which filter your blood by removing toxins, controlling the body’s fluid balance and keeping the right balance of electrolytes. Once your kidneys start deteriorating, your filtration system no longer works optimally and your body has no way to expel the toxins. With vague or in some cases non-existent symptoms, you could have 10% of your nephrons working and not feel any different. Common symptoms include: fatigue, discoloured urine or pressure when you urinate, pain on the side or mid to lower back,
USE YOUR BENEFIT
and swelling of the hands, feet or face. In South Africa, the most common diseases which contribute to kidney failure are uncontrolled diabetes, HIV and high blood pressure. PREVENTION IS KEY There is no cure for chronic kidney disease apart from treatment that slows the process down. Therefore many patients with kidney failure are faced with heavy out-of-pocket medical expenses (including transplants), taking the treatment out of reach for millions of patients. It’s not all doom and gloom, as there are ways to avoid kidney disease that can be incorporated into your daily lifestyle. If you have diabetes, ensure your blood sugar is under control.
ABOVE: While symptoms of kidney disease are usually non-existent, lower back pain, fatigue, discoloured urine or swelling of the hands, feet or face can be a cause for concern.
It’s also important to keep a healthy blood pressure, follow a low-salt and low-fat diet, and avoid smoking. If you are HIV positive, ensure you take your ARVs on time to avoid complications. Also keep physically active as this reduces glucose levels and encourages weight loss – and most importantly, encourage your family to go for a screening.
Did you know? Your kidneys measure around 11cm – that’s a similar size to your cellphone or computer mouse!
Your health is your wealth. Physical fitness will help keep your kidneys in good condition. Join the gym and save as much as 80% on fees at Planet Fitness or 60% at Virgin Active (Reality Health only). Go to www.sanlamreality.co.za/benefits.
HAVE YOUR SHOT! As the temperature drops, respiratory infections begin to rise and the flu virus circulates at higher levels. Getting an annual flu vaccine leads to stronger immune cell activity and leaves you protected. Key things to note when getting your shot:
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The best time to have your shot is during autumn. The shot will last you for the whole season. The flu shot may result in flu-like side effects.
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HOW I KEEP
42 REALITY AUTUMN 2018
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How do South Africa’s top health and wellness experts keep fit, healthy and stress free? Tracy Melass spoke to them about their health and fitness mantras.
Mike Posthumus has a PhD in Exercise Science and manages the High Performance Centre at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa. He is also an honorary senior researcher within the division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine at the University of Cape Town. HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE
my life. I know, for example, that I don’t get enough sleep. I get up at 4:45am daily to train and try to stop working at 10:30pm each night. In an ideal world I would love to sleep for nine hours every night…
WELLNESS INTO EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE?
HOW DO YOU EAT?
I regularly ride and compete in mountain bike races. I train six days a week to prepare for these events. Because of my career and family, I head out in the early hours to get my training out of the way. This is the perfect time to clear my head and mentally prepare for the upcoming day. On the flipside, I am guilty of not emphasising general wellness in other spheres of
It’s important to be as light as possible for cycling; so I have to really watch what I eat. I try and eat a balanced diet mostly consisting of nutritious whole foods. I track the calories I consume in a day to ensure I don’t overeat, and I don’t drink alcohol.
TOP TIP
for a heal thy life
There is no excuse not to exercise. Over time, making time for yourself in order to exercise will help you be more productive, healthier and alleviate stress.
LEFT: Exercising in the morning builds muscle mass and boosts energy levels and mental capacity throughout the day.
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It’s difficult to escape stress, but what we can control is our reaction to stress and how we manage it.
RIGHT: Resistance training causes tiny tears in muscle tissue. Give your muscles at least 48 hours to recover before your next session. FAR RIGHT: Blending produce into a smoothie nourishes your body and improves athletic performance.
– Ronald Abvajee
Ronald Abvajee is a leading South African fitness trainer, entrepreneur and media personality. HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE WELLNESS INTO EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE?
It’s about being mindful in every aspect of my life. This means, for example, really focusing on the exercise I’m doing when I’m training, eating with awareness, being fully present when meeting with other people, from colleagues and friends to my wife and daughter. HOW DO YOU KEEP FIT?
During the week (six days), I train at home, using my body weight, a skipping rope and resistance bands. To vary my workout, I try to get to the gym on weekends for some serious weight training.
TOP TIP
for a heal thy life
Take action! We can keep telling ourselves stories and theories about leading a healthy life, but only when we consistently act on those theories and implement healthy behaviours do we lead a healthy life. Also, it’s difficult to escape stress, but what we can control is our reaction to stress and how we manage it.
Lisa Raleigh is a health and fitness expert, author, public speaker and entrepreneur.
my day – it shapes my day. Being healthy means knowing how to be flexible – balancing out an indulgent meal by making your next one ultra-clean, or factoring in a more challenging workout that day. Education plays a huge part in knowing how to manipulate variables to create an overall healthy day or week versus being regimented with every meal and every workout.
HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE HOW DO YOU EAT?
WELLNESS INTO EVERY AREA
HOW DO YOU KEEP FIT?
I practise balanced eating with all the food groups, including carbs, and indulge in something sweet every now and then. I have a really sweet tooth!
OF YOUR LIFE?
I exercise daily, unless I’m ill or on a plane. My body loves variety, so I mix it up with Bodytec once a week (this uses EMS technology for harder training in less
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Health is my top priority, I put it above all others. I am passionately healthy, so wellness isn’t something I need to try incorporate into
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THE BUSINESS END OF
balance
Faith Khanyile, Businesswoman of the Year in the corporate category for the Businesswomen’s Association of South Africa (BWASA), shares her insights into health and how to achieve the work-life balance. Good health is both a state of mind and physical wellness. It means having the energy and passion to do the things that I love doing – being able to make an impact in society through the work that I do, having the energy to be truly present when I am with my team at work, and with my children and family, and having the energy to share my time, experience and talent with those that need my guidance. It’s difficult to achieve balance given the demands of being a mother, wife, CEO and engaged citizen. What I do to strike a balance is to make sure I’m disciplined and efficient with my time – at work I focus on doing the work and getting things done. I try not to work late often unless it’s absolutely necessary; on the weekends I spend time with family and do things that I enjoy (reading, running, being with friends).
time), strength sessions at home using weights, resistance bands, gliders and ankle weights, cardio on my Elliptigo with my hubby, a run outdoors, or my all-time favourite piece of equipment – my mini-rebounder. HOW DO YOU EAT?
Many people are surprised to hear I have a sweet tooth! Chocolate milk and vanilla sponge cake appear in my life more often than you might think. I practise the 80/20 rule – 80% healthy food, 20% indulgence. Almost every day includes a fresh veggie juice, a big salad of raw veggies, tons of water, herbal tea and my daily vitamins.
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As a vegetarian for more than nine years now, I also pay close attention to my protein quota, eating eggs almost daily, protein shakes or smoothies, and plenty of legumes.
TOP TIP
for a heal thy life
Balance makes perfect. I don’t believe in deprivation, rigidity or excess when it comes to health. Flexibility is the key to sustainable health.
I strive for a holistic approach to my life by taking care of my physical, mental and spiritual wellness. I meditate daily to clear my mind and be ready for the day ahead. I’m also very careful about what I eat – all these add up to a life that’s more balanced and not too emotionally hectic. I exercise at least four times a week. I’m a keen runner. I’ve completed the Two Oceans half-marathon and ultra-marathon, and my next challenge is to finish my third Comrades in 2018. Being out there running for hours at a time is an opportunity to be with myself. It clears my mind, gives me time to be creative, come up with new ideas and solve business and personal problems.
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HOW DO YOU KEEP FIT?
LEFT: Healthy oils such as avocado and nut oil are rich in oleic acid and omega 3 which balance cholesterol and provide an energy boost.
I can stay on my board long enough to surf solid waves. I obviously practise yoga and complement it with mountain runs. I also dabble in swimming and mountain biking to keep cardio-ready. It’s important to be able and capable to jump into any activity. I find that yoga allows for a really good low-level base fitness for almost everything. HOW DO YOU EAT?
Linda Kantor is a counselling psychologist and hypnotherapist, based in Cape Town. She is also the co-founder of the Cape Town Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Programme. WHAT DOES HEALTH MEAN TO YOU?
It’s the capacity to treat myself and others with kindness. To breathe, to stretch, to appreciate the body and mind in all its capacities and its transitions. To be grateful. To remember that every moment is precious. To enjoy, smile, have a good word, or share a laugh with people, and not take it all too seriously. HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE WELLNESS INTO EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE?
Luckily, mindfulness practice is a lifelong journey that can extend
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into every aspect of life. It’s the little things, like waking up in the morning and feeling my breath, driving with awareness to work, taking short breathing spaces during the day, drinking a cup of tea mindfully, stretching and looking out of my window in-between seeing patients, casting my mind through all the things I am grateful for at the end of the day…
TOP TIP
for a heal thy life
Consider that you are a human being and not just a human doing! Take time out every day for some form of meditation or yoga practice. Stop and be present to yourself. Learning the art of observing the activities of your mind with nonjudgment is a daily act of love.
I love food. I eat well and all sorts. I lived in Asia for many years and that has left an imprint: lots of oil and fresh greens. It should always be tasty!
Jim Harrington is a lifelong yoga practitioner, yoga teacher, trainer and coach. He is the founder of ReUnion Yoga & Meditation Studio and Yoga For Sports. HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE WELLNESS INTO EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE?
Wellness starts in the mind and in the heart. Keep as optimistic as possible, look for the good in people and situations, and always have a sense of humour.
TOP TIP
for a heal thy life
We should learn more about our mental health. This means training ourselves in keeping mentally positive, poised and open, letting go of toxic thought habits, and choosing happiness.
EARN TIER POINTS Take charge of your health by doing a basic medical and earn as many as
10 000
tier points. Go to www.sanlamreality.co.za/earn-points.
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Fit starts with you No excuses - join Planet Fitness today!
+ SAVE
as much as 80% or R450 on monthly gym fees.
For more information, go to www.sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/planet-fitness or call 0860 732 548/9. Terms and conditions apply.
body for granted. Screen for diseases, check your blood, go for mammograms, pap smears, colonoscopies and mole mapping, check your blood pressure, sugars and cholesterol.
Professor Carol Ann Benn is a renowned surgeon and breast disease specialist. WHAT DOES HEALTH MEAN TO YOU?
Health is more than physical wellbeing. To be healthy, we must encourage not just physical training but mental and spiritual training as well. Health is not taking your
HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE WELLNESS INTO EVERY AREA
TOP TIP
for a heal thy life
Let it go: stress, guilt, and other peoples’ issues… Just enjoy every day to the fullest and don’t say it if it’s not positive.
OF YOUR LIFE?
Wellness is a state of mind – it’s how you look at the world and your life. I believe you should live with the ‘do no further harm to all’ attitude. This is the philosophy I live by. It gives me a sense of wellness, which I hope translates into physical wellbeing.
RIGHT: Incorporating hill workouts to your trail running route is a great way to build endurance and strengthen your legs.
Adrian Penzhorn specialises in nutrition and dietetics for highperformance athletes, and is the founder and director of performance nutrition at Food for Sport. HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE WELLNESS INTO EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE?
I see wellness as an outcome of balance and I try never to get caught up in overemphasising one aspect of health or overdoing one style or approach. I am pretty comfortable with my choices and, while they are not always the healthiest, they
USE YOUR BENEFIT
48 REALITY AUTUMN 2018
feed my overall wellness by adding to my bigger picture. HOW DO YOU KEEP FIT?
The trails of Cape Town are my best tool for keeping fit. I do have an office in a gym, but putting my running shoes on and finding a new track on Table Mountain appeals to me most. HOW DO YOU EAT?
I love food and I love being in the kitchen. I’ve launched the Performance Kitchen (a comprehensive food service that enables individuals to perform at their best) as a reflection of eating well to
fuel any daily demands, and this is quite naturally the way we eat at home too. I focus on better quality ingredients, local produce and always try to make the food myself.
TOP TIP
for a heal thy life
I try to avoid sweating the small stuff, focus on doing what needs to be done and tying in the things I love to a typical work day.
Start your journey to better health at Planet Fitness or Virgin Active (Reality Health members only). You can save as much as R450 on monthly gym fees. Find out more at www.sanlamreality.co.za/benefits.
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Activate your new life
Join Virgin Active and get cash rewards for going to the gym! That’s a saving of up to R450 a month.
For more information, go to www.sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/virgin-active or call 0860 732 548/9. Reality Health members only. Terms and conditions apply.
50 REALITY AUTUMN 2018
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WHEN YOUR TEEN IS THINKING ABOUT
SUICIDE
Teenagers, moodiness and sullenness go hand in hand. But what if your child’s behaviour is indicative of something more serious like suicidal tendencies? Nicci Botha investigates.
I
n the 15-29 age group, suicide is the second leading cause of death – and, frighteningly, the fastest growing – according to the World Health Organization. “Subjectively, I have seen an increase in parasuicides (attempted suicide) in teens over the past few years and the stats back this up. The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) found that 9% of all teen deaths in South Africa are due to suicide,” explains Tyrone Edgar, a clinical psychologist who works closely with SADAG.
WARNING SIGNS
Seventy-five percent of people who are contemplating taking their life will give some warning of their intentions to a friend or family member. Statements like “I wish I was dead” or “nothing matters anymore” are pointers that your teen may be in danger, but some of the other signs are:
LEFT: Look out for the signs of hopelessness, persistent sadness or anxiety in your teens.
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The way your child has learned to deal with emotions is often more important than the triggers that life can throw at them. Increased levels of hopelessness Persistent sadness or anxiety Lost interest in previously enjoyable hobbies and activities Feelings of pessimism, guilt, worthlessness, helplessness and self reproach Too much or not enough sleep Eating too much or too little Decreased energy levels Thoughts of death or suicide, and suicide attempts Restlessness, irritability and hostility Difficulty in concentrating, remembering and making decisions Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment (headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain) Withdrawal from family and friends Giving away prized possessions CYBERBULLYING
One in five teens has experienced cyberbullying first-hand, and 84% say they knew someone who had been bullied online. A global YouGov survey of almost 5 000 teens aged 13 to 18 in 11 countries found an average of 18% of teens were bullied online. South Africa ranked the fourth highest after New Zealand (30%), the US (27%), and Ireland (26%), with a figure of 24%.
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SOCIAL MEDIA
“Research indicates that increased levels of hopelessness, along with strongly held beliefs that ‘there are no solutions to problems’, tend to lead to suicide attempts. Bullying can develop this sense of hopelessness and so can be a trigger for suicidality,” explains Edgar. The recipient of the bullying generally doesn’t like to create more problems by getting parents or authority figures involved. However, Edgar warns that parents shouldn’t allow their anger at the bullying incident to supersede the tact they use in addressing the issue, “especially if you want your child to trust you with such information in the future”. A useful tactic to help your teen recover is to keep the bullying incident in perspective. “This does not mean playing down the seriousness of the event; it simply means
We live in a digital era where exposure to social media places far more pressure on teens than experienced by previous generations. But these media platforms can be both good and bad when it comes to mental health, says Edgar. “Social media can create helpful awareness around solutions to problems, such as bullying or suicidal ideation. On the one hand, social media destigmatises asking for support, while on the other, it can generate emotional difficulties. Anxiety and sadness are generally triggered by our five senses, and social media is characterised by provocative sensory information, which has the potential to produce emotional reactions on one level or another. The more provocative the media content, the more likely a person is to experience strong emotional reactions. This can lead to emotional problems,” says Edgar.
Statements like “I wish I was dead” or “nothing matters anymore” are pointers that your teen may be in danger… helping your child realise the incident(s) is something that can be localised and does not need to be generalised to every area of social interaction. Ideally, we want to gently and empathically encourage the child to move past the event and not let the event define them indefinitely,” he explains.
BELOW: Social media places even more peer pressure on already stressed teenagers.
He advises parents to ask the following questions when managing your child’s social media interaction: What advice would you give a teenager about general social interaction? Would you monitor who your teen spoke to for advice in general? Would you allow your teen to have friends over at your house 24/7? Would you allow your teen to invite strangers over to chat? Edgar says your answers to these questions should guide you in monitoring social media in your own home. In other words, parents and teens alike need to be aware that social media and social interaction are not mutually exclusive. The rules in the social world tend to apply in the social media world as well. PEER PRESSURE AND HELICOPTER PARENTING
Unhealthy levels of peer pressure can trigger feelings of hopelessness in teens, especially if he or she feels they can’t keep up with the standards of others. This is a problem
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ABOVE: Bullied children can develop a sense of hopelessness, which in turn is a trigger for suicide.
67 000 The estimated number of adolescent deaths (10-19 years old) worldwide as a result of suicide and accidental death from self harm in 2015, according to the World Health Organization.
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AGE 15-29
Suicide is the second leading cause of death globally in this age bracket, according to the World Health Organization.
because research shows that hopelessness and suicidality are highly correlated. Similarly, helicopter parenting (where the parent is overprotective and rescues their child from difficult situations) can leave a teen feeling so reliant on the thoughts and ideas of the parent that they fail to develop their own sense of coping. In the process, the child doesn’t develop a strong, personal sense of hopefulness, which is an important buffer against emotional disorders (like depression) and suicidality. LEAVING HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME
Leaving the safety of the home for the first time can create problems, particularly if your child has not learned to deal with emotions adequately. The teen’s ability to manage uncomfortable emotional experiences is highly influenced by their parents. “The way your child has learned to deal with emotions is often more important than the triggers that life can throw at them. It’s similar to the
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WHERE TO GET HELP SADAG 24-hour helpline: 0800 12 13 14
Suicide Crisis Line: 0800 567 567
Destiny Helpline for Youth & Students: 0800 41 42 43
concept ‘give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime’. In other words, ‘take away a trigger and you take away emotion for a day, but teach them to deal with emotion and they can handle a lifetime of triggers’. The better the parent models appropriate ways to deal with emotions such as anxiety, sadness, anger and/or guilt, the more prepared the child will be to cope with the real world,” Edgar says. Sadly, teen suicide is a reality, but it is referred to as a preventable tragedy. It is important that your teen knows that you care, and if they are depressed, explain that their feelings are caused by an illness that can be treated. But don’t take on the responsibility of your teen’s wellness yourself, seek professional help. Organisations such as SADAG can point you in the right direction and attending a support group can help your children understand that they are not alone.
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How to
read a
FOOD LABEL Have you ever stood in front of a supermarket shelf, scratching your head in bewilderment at the info on the food packaging? Nicci Botha explains what the food label is telling you.
ENERGY
The standard measurement for energy in South Africa is kilojoules (kJ) or, in some cases, calories (1 calorie = 4.2kJ). By knowing how many kilojoules you need in your daily food intake to maintain, gain or lose weight, you can evaluate whether you can include the product in your meal plan.
PROTEIN
Although it’s essential for cell repair and growth, protein can easily lead to weight gain as fat or carbohydrates if you eat too much of it.
TIP
To live up to a ‘high protein’ claim, the foodstuff should contain 10g/100g or 5g/100ml, as well as meet other qualifying criteria.
UNDERSTANDING NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
The table on any food label is a breakdown of the nutritional composition of the product, such as energy, macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates and fats), dietary fibre and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals – including sodium content). The information is usually listed per 100g or 100ml, and per the recommended serving size.
INGREDIENTS LIST The food label must list all ingredients – even the smallest touch of seasoning. These are listed in descending order by weight. A warning on common allergens, such as egg, cow’s milk, gluten and peanuts, must also be on the label. So, if you’re trying to cut down on fat, carbs or protein and it’s near the top of the list, you’re going to have to find something else to eat.
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FAT
The fat value shows the types of fats the product contains. Go for foods with a higher unsaturated value than saturated.
TIP
‘Low fat’ refers to total fat content of the product of <3g/100g and <1.5g/100ml. However, most proteinrich foods don’t meet this recommendation and the term is a more useful tool in gauging carbohydrate-rich foods. Foods high in protein should contain <10g total fat/100g.
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CARBOHYDRATES
The glycaemic carbohydrate value on the label is followed by the total amount of sugar a product contains, but doesn’t differentiate between natural sugars (eg fructose in fruit and lactose in milk) and added sugars.
TIP
‘Sugar free’ claims can only be made when a product contains <0.5g of sugar per 100g/ml product. But watch out! Manufacturers replace sugar with fat and sweeteners, such as aspartame, to improve the flavour. ‘No added sugar’ means the foodstuff can’t contain syrups like honey, molasses or even fruit juice concentrate.
SALT
Found naturally in meat and vegetables, salt is often added to improve the taste and shelf life of a product. The recommended daily allowance should be below 2 000mg of sodium per day, which equals 5g (1 teaspoon) of salt in total.
TIP
‘Low salt’ products should contain <120mg sodium/100g product or <300mg salt/100g per product (1g salt = 400mg sodium).
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SUGAR, FATS AND SALT A rose by any other name… sugar, fats and salt come in various guises on a food label, but are nonetheless the same thing. Sugar: cane sugar, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, glucose, high fructose corn syrup, honey, maltodextrin, maltose or sucrose. Fats: coconut oil, hydrogenated fats, lard, palm kernel oil, shortening or vegetable fats. Salt: sodium, which can be combined with other terms such as monosodium glutamate or MSG.
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Be entertained with Sanlam Reality!
Get two tickets for the price of one on Computicket (up to R300)!
Pay just R20 for a 2D movie ticket and R25 for a medium popcorn and beverage at Nu Metro! Get six monthsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; music streaming and access to 32-million songs with simfy africa.
For more information on all your benefits and qualifying membership options, go to www.sanlamreality.co.za. Terms and conditions apply.
CHEESED OFF! No cheesy songs and movies this month… it’s time for the real cheese. Cheese has been around ever since human beings started to breed animals and process milk… oh, about 4 000 years ago. These days, cheese is made not just from the milk of cows, but also from other mammals, including sheep, goats, buffalo, reindeer, camels and yaks! With more than 500 varieties of cheese recognised by the International Dairy Federation, it’s pretty impossible to try them all in a lifetime – but you can give it a start at the annual South African Cheese Festival, held at Sandringham outside Stellenbosch from 27-29 April 2018. + Reality Health and Reality Plus members can buy any ticket to the SA Cheese Festival on Computicket (up to R300) and get another ticket free. Book at www.sanlamreality. co.za/benefit/computicket.
YOUR
entertainment
Pay R20 for a 2D movie ticket (R40 for 3D) and R25 for a refreshments combo at Nu Metro
Get two tickets for the price of one on Computicket!
BENEFITS
Six months’ music streaming from simfy africa
1GB free data every month with AlwaysOn
Go to www.sanlamreality.co.za/benefits to view which benefits apply to your membership option, your tier status and discount percentage.
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The future AND THE PAST
OUR TOP MOVIE CHOICES GO BACK AND FORWARD IN TIME TO PRODUCE OTHERWORLDLY THRILLS AND SPILLS.
TOMB RAIDER
READY PLAYER ONE
The popular film franchise gets a reboot with Swedish star Alicia Vikander taking on the iconic role of Lara Croft. It’s back to Croft’s first expedition as she heads off to complete her father’s research and uncover ancient secrets that could clear his name. Much of the film was shot at various locations in Cape Town. Release date: 16 March 2018
With the world on the brink of chaos, a virtual reality universe called OASIS beckons as the salvation of the people. Based on the novel of the same name by Ernest Cline, Steven Spielberg directs this fantastical thriller set in a grim dystopian future where the cities have turned into slums and the population are desperate for escape. Release date: 30 March 2018
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“WE’RE WRITING A BOOK AND WE’RE HAVING FUN.” AA Milne, the author of Winnie the Pooh, in a new biopic of his life called Goodbye Christopher Robin.
USE YOUR BENEFIT
Save as much as R240 when you treat your family of four to a movie, popcorn and drink at Nu Metro! Book at www.sanlamreality. co.za/benefit/numetro-movies.
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Did you know? In the 1980s, at a White House banquet to honour the Austrian ambassador, the song “Edelweiss” from The Sound of Music was played, because President Ronald Reagan was under the impression it was an official state anthem. See The Sound of Music on stage this May – Reality Health and Reality Plus members save big on Computicket tickets. More info at www.sanlamreality.co.za/ benefit/computicket.
The first dance Wedding fever is in the air with the pending nuptials of Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle in May. And, of course, there’s plenty of interest in what she’ll wear, who’ll be there and what they’ll boogie to… To whet your appetite, here are the first dances of 10 other famous couples: • Barack and Michelle Obama: “You and I” by Stevie Wonder • George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin: “Why Shouldn’t I?” by Cole Porter • Kate Middleton and Prince William: “Your Song” by Elton John (performed by Ellie Goulding)
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• Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel: “A Song for You” by Donny Hathaway • Beyoncé and Jay Z: “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé • Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi: “Ribbon in the Sky” by Stevie Wonder • David and Victoria Beckham: “It Had to Be You” performed by the Starlight Orchestra • Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban: “At Last” by Etta James • Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” performed by Florence Welch • Fergie and Josh Duhamel: “Sweethearts Together” by The Rolling Stones
Feel the romance with your favourite love songs on simfy africa. Get your six months’ free music streaming now: www.sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/simfy.
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Superfoods LE
ROASTED BEETROOT AND GOAT CHEESE QUICHE
MZANSI -S TY
Why eat superfoods shipped halfway around the world, when you can be healthy and reduce your carbon footprint? Katelyn Williams showcases local ingredients that pack more nutritional punch than their international counterparts.
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ROASTED BEETROOT AND GOAT CHEESE QUICHE
Beetroot may not be the most exotic superfood, but that doesn’t make it any less powerful! Beets are dense with nutrients, including potassium, betaine, magnesium, folate and vitamin C, as well as a good dose of nitrates. Beets can also help reduce blood pressure and anaemia, improve circulation and cognitive function. If you can buy beets with their leaves intact, chop them up and cook them as you would spinach. Serves 8 Pastry: 2 cups (300g) wholewheat flour 1 tsp sea salt 150g cold unsalted butter, cubed 1 cup (100g) strong, white cheddar 1 egg Filling: ¼ cup olive oil ¼ cup (60ml) red wine vinegar ¼ cup (45g) soft brown sugar Sea salt and cracked black pepper 250g baby beetroot, trimmed, scrubbed and halved 2 tbsp salted butter 2 leeks, cleaned and halved ¾ cup (180ml) pouring cream ¾ cup (180ml) milk 6 eggs, lightly whisked ½ cup (20g) grated parmesan 200g peppered goat cheese Sage leaves
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METHOD
For the pastry: in a food processor, blend together the flour, salt, butter, cheddar and egg. Pulse until the pastry comes together. Roll the dough into a sausage shape, wrap in clingfilm and refrigerate for an hour or until firm enough to grate or slice. To make the quiche: preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced). Combine the olive oil, vinegar, sugar and seasoning together in a medium jug. Place the beetroot in a large piece of heavy duty foil, lift the edges up slightly to form a bowl and pour in the vinegar mixture. Place the parcel on a baking tray and cook for 45 minutes or until fork tender. Allow to cool. Reduce the oven temperature to 180°C (160°C fan-forced) and place a large baking tray inside to preheat. Generously spray the base and sides of a 5cm deep, 23cm round tart tin with baking spray, and line the base with baking paper. Grate or slice the pastry into the tart tin and prick the base and sides. Dock the base and line the pastry with non-stick baking paper. Fill with baking weights or uncooked beans. Place the tart tin on a large oven tray and cook for 25 minutes or until slightly golden. Remove the paper and weights and cook for a further 5-10 minutes or until the pastry is lightly golden. While the pastry is cooking, heat the butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the leeks cut-side down and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 4-6 minutes or until browned. Set aside. Place the cream and milk
ROOIBOS AND GINGER AFFOGATO
in a small saucepan over medium heat and heat up to just below boiling. Place the eggs and parmesan in a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Gradually add the cream mixture to the bowl, whisking until smooth. Place half of the beetroot, leeks and goat cheese in the pastry shell. Pour over the egg mixture and top with the remaining beetroot, leeks and goat cheese. Sprinkle the sage leaves on top and reduce heat to 160°C (140°C fan-forced). Cook the quiche for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until golden and set. Cool for 30 minutes before removing from the tin to serve.
ROOIBOS AND GINGER AFFOGATO
Like any superfood, rooibos is full of health-boosting phytonutrients, such
as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, polyphenols, and flavonoids that, among others, help to strengthen the immune system, fight cancer and support diabetes. Although technically not a tea, the rooibos bush is only grown in the Cederberg region north of Cape Town. Since it’s caffeine free, this affogato won’t keep you awake until 3am like the traditional espresso version. Serves 4 8 scoops store-bought, good-quality vanilla ice cream 2 cups hot red (rooibos) espresso Ginger nut biscuits, crushed METHOD
Divide the ice cream between four glasses, pour over the red espresso and sprinkle with ginger biscuits. Serve and eat quickly.
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SPICY SORGHUM NASI GORENG
SPICY SORGHUM NASI GORENG
Sorghum is a commonly grown grain in South Africa and is, rather surprisingly, entirely gluten free. Not only is sorghum rich in phytochemicals that act as antioxidents in the body, it is also absolutely protein packed! For example, a cup of sorghum contains 22g of protein – which is approximately 40% of our daily recommended protein allowance. It works really well in nasi goreng, a traditional Indonesian stirfried rice dish. Serves 4 Sorghum: 3 cups vegetable stock or water 1 cup sorghum grain (available at health shops) 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp salt
2 tbsp sesame oil 4 large eggs 4 cloves garlic, grated 2 tbsp grated ginger 3 spring onions, sliced thinly 500g prawns, shelled and cleaned ¼ cup (65g) soy sauce 1 tbsp honey 3 cups (240g) bean sprouts 2 red chillies, deseeded and thinly sliced Coriander and toasted peanuts, to serve
METHOD
To make the sorghum: bring the stock or water to a boil in a medium pot and add the sorghum, olive oil and salt. Reduce the heat to medium and allow to simmer, covered, until tender – about an hour. If the grains are still hard after the
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water has cooked off, add an additional cup of water and continue cooking. Once the sorghum is cooked, heat half the sesame oil in a large wok or saucepan over high heat. Fry the eggs in batches and allow them to cook for 2-3 minutes or until done to your liking. Set aside and keep warm. Heat the remaining oil in the wok, fry the garlic, ginger, onion and prawns, and stir for 5 minutes or until the prawns have cooked through. Add the cooked sorghum, soy sauce and honey, and cook for a further 4 minutes. Divide the sorghum mixture between four bowls, top with the egg, bean sprouts, chilli, coriander and peanuts to serve.
MORINGA AND PEA BUCKWHEAT RISOTTO Native to Africa, all parts of the moringa tree – bark, pods, leaves, nuts, seeds, tubers, roots, and flowers – are edible. The leaves are used fresh or dried and ground into powder, which can be blended into smoothies or juices. Compared to kale, moringa leaves have twice the protein, six times the iron, and 97 times the vitamin B2. Find moringa at health shops or online at www. Faithful-To-Nature.co.za. Serves 4
2 tbsp salted butter 2 red onions, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, grated 1 cup (190g) buckwheat, rinsed thoroughly 500ml chicken stock, heated 2 cups (60g) spinach leaves
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Small handful of mint leaves 1 lemon, zested and juiced 2 tbsp moringa powder ¾ cup water 1½ cups (210g) frozen peas, thawed and blanched 3 tbsp salted butter Gruyere cheese shavings, for garnish Sea salt and cracked black pepper Pea shoots or micro herbs, to serve
MORINGA AND PEA BUCKWHEAT RISOTTO
METHOD
To make the risotto, heat up a large saucepan over a medium heat and melt the butter. Add the chopped onions and grated garlic, and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until soft and translucent. Stir in the buckwheat and cook for 2-3 minutes. As the ingredients cook, slowly increase the heat and add the stock. Then cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally or until all the liquid has been absorbed. While the buckwheat cooks, place the spinach, mint, lemon zest, juice, moringa powder, water and half the peas in a food processor and blend until a smooth paste forms. Once the buckwheat is cooked, add the pea mixture, salt and pepper to the pan and cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring continuously. If the mixture starts to dry out, add a little more water or stock. Turn off the heat and add the salted butter into the mixture. Put the lid on the pan and allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving. Divide the mixture between four bowls and top with the micro herbs, reserved peas and Gruyere shavings, and sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper to serve.
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USE YOUR BENEFIT
Want to make these recipes? Shop for ingredients at Pick n Pay, pay with your Money Saver card and earn as much as 10% towards a cash-back bonus. Apply for your card at www.sanlamreality. co.za/money-saver-card.
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Spicing
UP THE MIC 5 minutes with J’Something Lead vocalist of award-winning band Mi Casa, J’Something is adding extra flavour to the entertainment industry with his culinary talents. Here he shares his recipe for a balanced lifestyle with Reality. MI CASA HAS BEEN PHENOMENALLY SUCCESSFUL IN SOUTH AFRICA – WHAT DO YOU THINK SETS YOU APART FROM OTHER BANDS?
I think we just do us, and we try and be nothing other than us. We compete with ourselves. I believe that people who are unique in this world are those who try and be themselves and are not defined by trends. HOW DID YOU BRANCH OUT
One day I was invited to a party. The DJ was playing with this trumpet guy and I thought it would be cool to join them on vocals. I didn’t know them from a bar of soap! That’s how Mi Casa was born.
WHAT DRIVES YOUR PASSION
THREE KEY INGREDIENTS YOU
(BOTH IN MUSIC AND FOOD)?
CONSTANTLY HAVE NEXT TO YOUR
Doing what I love is my main ambition in this life, and doing it with the purpose of bringing glory to God.
STOVE…
HAVE YOU LEARNT TO BALANCE YOUR FINANCES?
HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A
Spending money to make money. We have an amazing team, which includes a financial director, who has been with us since day one.
HEALTHY BALANCE?
MEMORABLE MOMENT IN YOUR
It’s the toughest thing about what I do and especially because I love food. But I try and play football twice a week and then exercise twice a week. I also try and follow a healthy, yummy diet.
Spending a week with Bra Hugh Masekela and writing a song with him.
FROM BEING A MARKETING GRADUATE TO GETTING
COMPLETE THE SENTENCE:
INTO THE ENTERTAINMENT
A TYPICAL DAY IN MY LIFE IS
INDUSTRY?
SPENT...
HAVE YOU ALWAYS KNOWN
I dreamt a little? Honestly, that’s the best answer I can give. I reached out beyond the “possible” in my head and wandered a little in the “what if”. After varsity, my cousin invited me to move to Joburg. One thing led to another and before I knew it I was managing a studio in the heart of the city.
Doing what I love. One thing I don’t have is a routine... every day is different. But lately I’ve been having breakfast with my family, spending some time in the gym, doing meetings and interviews, cooking dinner with my family and eating together, then doing a show in the evening.
YOU WOULD MOVE INTO THE
USE YOUR BENEFIT
64 REALITY AUTUMN 2018
WITH SUCH A DIVERSE BRAND, HOW
WITH SUCH A BUSY CAREER,
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST CAREER SO FAR?
Olive oil, sea salt, and garlic.
CULINARY INDUSTRY?
Well I grew up in it, so it was always hovering over my head. But I definitely didn’t plan it at all! IN THREE WORDS, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE FOOD YOU MAKE?
Down to earth.
ANY EXCITING PLANS FOR 2018 – PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY?
Definitely! This is the year of no comfort zones for me. Mi Casa is working on some amazing ideas and I can’t wait to explore a whole new vibe this year with the band. Personally, I have some great ambitions lined up, including working on a new book. I’m also planning to create a platform that promotes the South African food industry, which excites me beyond words and, of course, I’m doing My Kitchen Rules again – I cannot wait!
J’Something and Mi Casa are live in Stellenbosch on 14 April 2018. Reality Plus and Reality Health members can book any ticket listed on Computicket (up to R300) and get a second ticket free! Book on www.sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/computicket/.
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IN FIVE LINES NAME: J’Something LIFESTYLE: Blessed,
entertaining, spontaneous, fun, dreamy
INDULGENCE:
Peanut butter PET PEEVE:
Doing dishes NOTORIOUS FOR:
Photo by J’Something Brand
Scrambled eggs
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Talking POINT
SHOULD WE ALL BECOME VEGANS? Would adopting a vegan lifestyle improve human health as well as the planet’s, wonders Deborah Herd?
“I
have always eaten animal flesh with a somewhat guilty conscience.” These are the words of Albert Einstein, who gave up eating meat towards the end of his life and, increasingly, many of us share his sentiments. Certainly, the meat-laden dishes that dominate my diet are beginning to sit heavily both in my stomach and on my mind. Like many, I am increasingly aware of what I eat, where it comes from and the impact animal farming has on our planet.
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Globally, increasing numbers of people are choosing to live a vegan lifestyle, which means eating no animal products, including eggs, butter and milk, nor wearing clothes or buying products made from animals. You only have to look at the vegan options in supermarkets, the vegan restaurants popping up in our cities and the number of vegan websites, blogs and apps to see that what was once considered an alternative lifestyle is increasingly mainstream. High-profile vegans from Ellen DeGeneres and J-Lo to Venus Williams, Lewis
Hamilton, Brad Pitt and Samuel L Jackson are doing much to champion this compassionate and ethical lifestyle that is kinder to animals, the environment and, perhaps most relevantly, to our own health. So, should we all be adopting a vegan lifestyle? Is this feasible for meatloving South Africans? A braai without vleis… it’s like a storm without rain. Could we actually do it? Why, I hear most of you thinking, would we even want to? According to Donovan Will, a director at the South African Vegan Society, the question of who is most
likely to go vegan isn’t who likes meat the least, it’s who most understands the negative impact of a meatheavy diet on their health, the environment, other humans and animals. “We like to think South Africans love their meat more than people from other nations, but the reality is that meat is a central part of many countries’ culture, including places like Germany that are leading the move towards more plantbased options,” he says. According to Will, who gave up meat in 2014, it’s generally accepted by vegans that the hardest part is not
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DEBORAH HERD When Deborah, a freelance editor and writer specialising in health, isn’t trying to finish the manuscript of her long-imagined novel, she’s trying to feed her family with interesting meals that are healthy, sustainable and affordable.
the elimination of animal products, but the difficulty of having to continuously defend your choice to be vegan. “I loved meat for 30 years – but I love being healthy and knowing that my choices are not harming others even more.” Before adopting a vegan lifestyle, Will was a self-confessed couch potato. Last year, he
largest contributors to greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming. The methane gas expelled (mainly from the mouths, not the rear end, as is commonly cited) from livestock alone is the largest source of methane gas worldwide, contributing to more than 28% of total emissions.
More than 15 000 litres of water are used to produce just 1kg of beef. completed the Ironman triathlon and the Comrades Marathon. Examining the arguments for adopting any lifestyle is not easy. There are always highly intelligent people arguing both sides. There are always myths that proliferate. Here are some strong arguments from both sides: IN SUPPORT OF VEGANISM
Resources: Studies suggest that rearing livestock (there are approximately 1.5-billion cows alone chewing the cud on earth at any one time) requires more land, water and energy than producing grains, which also generates considerably fewer greenhouse gases. More than 15 000 litres of water are used to produce just 1kg of beef. The environment: Animal agriculture is one of the
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According to a 2016 Oxford University study, the adoption of a vegan diet globally could cut down food-related greenhouse gas emissions by 70%. Human health: Annually, the average South African eats 65kg of meat (half the average American’s 125kg), but many of us eat two to three times the SA average. You know who you are… The World Health Organization recommends no more than 70g a day or 26kg a year. While veganism isn’t a guarantee of good health, it is accepted that a plant-based diet can help reduce the risk of major killer diseases, notably type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancers. Eating too much red and processed meat increases the risk of colorectal cancer by up to 30%.
IN SUPPORT OF EATING (SUSTAINABLY-RAISED) MEAT
Resources: Livestock is essential to many of the world’s poorest people. In low- and middleincome economies, where livestock accounts for 40-60% of agricultural gross domestic product, farm animals provide livelihoods for almost 1-billion people, many of whom are women. According to Dr Jimmy Smith, director general of the International Livestock Research Institute, cows, goats, sheep, pigs and poultry are scarce assets, which bring in regular household income and can be sold in emergencies to pay for school or medical fees. For people who would otherwise have to subsist largely on cheap grains and tubers – risking malnutrition and stunted growth – livestock can provide energy-dense, micronutrient-rich food. The environment: The ecosystem relies on a self-regulating balance of predators and prey. Few question that inhumane and inefficient farming practices compromise the wellbeing of animals, the health of humans, and the health of the planet, but ‘ethical omnivorism’ – eating less meat of a higher quality from small, local
producers – supports the demand for ethically farmed, pasture-raised meats and it sustains the environment. Human health: Essential fats from sustainably raised animals provide health benefits not found in plant sources. EPA and DHA, the active forms of omega-3 vital for cognitive function, are found only in animal sources such as fatty fish. Vitamins A, D and K2 are found in fatty animal products. Cholesterol, a vital ingredient for healthy hormones, can be found only in animal sources. Dietary cholesterol is a key part of wellness including memory, liver health, and digestion.
[+]
CONCLUSION
So where to from here? Will we all become vegans eventually? Will we look back on the days of meat eating and wonder what we were thinking? Who knows? What is for certain is the impact of this new movement of ethical eating is being felt. The new generation of people eating ‘free-from’ animal products is disrupting the food industry globally, and that will impact our health, the planet and the lives of animals. And that’s got to be a good thing.
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Explore more. For less. South Africa is a beautiful country, so get out and discover. Stay at Protea Hotels by MarriottÂŽ and you can save as much as 30% on a double room.
To book your accommodation, go to www.sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/protea-hotels or call 0860 732 548/9 for more information. Terms and conditions apply.
REAL WORLD YOUR
info guide
70
TO WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HAPPENING INSIDE SANLAM REALITY
71
72
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
MANAGING YOUR RISK
MONEY SAVER CARD
Estate planning tips for divorced and single parents
How to earn tier points in this category
Shop and earn towards a cash-back bonus
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73 BENEFITS All your Sanlam Reality benefits and discount percentages
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sanlam money
Single and divorced parents: know your rights Divorced and single parents should take extra care when estate planning to ensure the best for their children. David Thomson, Legal Adviser at Sanlam Trust, runs through some of the key ramifications.
Proper planning can help divorced and single parents share the load of raising their children equitably. “For instance, when negotiating a divorce settlement, it’s critical to agree in detail and in writing about how maintenance and school fees will be paid, and what should happen to the minor child if the custodial parent passes away,” explains Thomson. Details about guardianship need to be particularly well thought through, he says. “According to the Children’s Act, the surviving biological parent automatically becomes the guardian. But, what if this person lives abroad or in another city and your children have to leave their familiar school? What if a new spouse (from a second marriage) decides to adopt your minor children? Who would you want to protect or guard the inheritance you’ve left your children? These intricacies could turn your children’s lives upside down,” says Thomson. Here are a few estate planning details divorced and single parents need to consider:
Guardianship The surviving parent automatically becomes the minor child’s legal guardian, irrespective of your divorce or custody agreement when you were alive. As the legal guardian, the surviving parent will make all financial and legal decisions for the child, even if they don’t live with the child. These include administering and safeguarding the child’s property interests; making decisions about schooling; giving or refusing consent to enter into financial and legal agreements, among other things. “So, if you want to appoint someone as a guardian, or you are the sole surviving parent, it’s strongly advised to state this in your Will. It’s also good to motivate in your Will why you are appointing that person,” explains Thomson.
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Testamentary trust It’s preferable to have a separate guardian for your children from the professional trustees you appoint to take care of your estate. “A testamentary trust can ensure that the money you leave for your children is used as you intended – to pay for their upbringing. If you have a house, investments and other assets that you wish to protect in order that these may benefit your children, you should set up a testamentary trust in your Will,” explains Thomson.
Life policies Life insurance can be an affordable benefit which allows parents to leave a financial legacy for their children. Thomson adds further: “If your former spouse is paying maintenance for your children, it may be prudent for the payer to have a life insurance policy (with the child as beneficiary), which will ensure that this income stream is still available to support your child, after the person’s death.”
EARN TIER POINTS Speak to your financial planner about the best way to approach your estate planning. Request a meeting via the Sanlam Reality website and earn
8 000 tier points. Go to www. sanlamreality. co.za/earn-points.
So, with careful financial planning, you can maintain a safe and comfortable environment for your children after your death.
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tiering
How to earn points for managing your risk 1. Go to a Clicks or Dis-Chem Pharmacy and do a basic medical test, including blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and body mass index checks.
10 000 POINTS
Up to
2. Join Planet Fitness, JustGym or Virgin Active (Reality Health only) and earn 150 points per gym visit.
15 000 POINTS
Up to
3. Head outdoors and exercise in official events, including running, cycling, swimming, mountain biking and more – the difficulty of the event determines the points earned.
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Up to
4. Have your vehicle inspected annually at any Tiger Wheel & Tyre or Tyres & More branch (Santam clients only).
10 000 POINTS
Up to
5. Have a tracking device installed in your vehicle and drive safely (Santam clients only).
25 000 POINTS
Up to
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Manage your risk for points If your goal is to get to Gold tier status (and it should be), then tackling some of the bigger points-earning tasks is the way to go… One of the easiest ways to boost your tier status is to complete the activities in the ‘Managing your risk’ category. Some of these activities accumulate points monthly; so the earlier you start, the more points you’ll be able to earn before the cut-off date for 2019’s tier status – 31 December 2018.
GET MORE ONLINE Terms and conditions apply to certain of these tier activities. To get more information – and to explore even more points-earning opportunities – go to www.sanlamreality. co.za/earn-points.
It’s important to note that to earn points in this category, you need to hold specific products in your financial portfolio: Points activities
Required product
Basic Medical, Gym Attendance, Outdoor Activities
Life, savings or investment product, personal loan, Will or Trust with Sanlam; qualifying medical aids
Annual Vehicle Inspection, Vehicle Tracking Device
Santam policy
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benefits
Money Saver card Our transactional shopping card helps you put extra money back into your pocket. Use it on your day-to-day shopping for fuel, groceries, pharmaceuticals, clothes and more, and earn towards a cash-back bonus.
Need to know Your monthly purchase limit is determined by your credit worthiness. This purchase limit is interest free up to 45 days. There are no transactional fees at any of the national retail partners. The monthly administration fee is R50 (including card fee and insurance).
1
APPLY AND RECEIVE YOUR MONEY SAVER CARD
Apply for additional cards at R25 per month admin fee. Sign up today and pay no admin fees for the first 12 months (Sanlam Reality members) or first three months (Medscheme clients). Earn 3 000 tier points when you acquire a Money Saver card, plus 1 000 tier points per additional card.
2
SHOP AT A PARTICIPATING STORE AND PAY WITH YOUR MONEY SAVER CARD
3
EARN AS MUCH AS 10% TOWARDS A CASH-BACK BONUS
Where to shop Fuel
Groceries
Pharmacy
Goods
Go to www.sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/money-saver-card for more information.
72 REALITY AUTUMN 2018
www.sanlamreality.co.za
benefits
Sanlam Reality benefits table Reality Health
Reality Plus
Reality Core
Sanlam Premier Risk Products
Up to 30% off
Up to 30% off
n/a
Sanlam Savings Products
Up to 100% off primary asset management charges
Up to 100% off primary asset management charges
Up to 100% off primary asset management charges
Sanlam Gap Cover
Double the cover from day one
Double the cover from day one
Double the cover from day one
Sanlam Online Will
Free with secure Will storage
Free with secure Will storage
Free with secure Will storage
Sanlam Personal Loans
Cash-back reward of up to 20% Cash-back reward of up to 20% Cash-back reward of up to 20%
Wealth Sense
Online financial platform
TaxTim
Complimentary tax assistance Complimentary tax assistance Complimentary tax assistance
Funeral Cover
Fedhealth members on Reality n/a Health and Reality Access
Fedhealth members on Reality Health and Reality Access
Pet Accident Cover
Fedhealth members on Reality n/a Health and Reality Access
Fedhealth members on Reality Health and Reality Access
Cash-back bonus
Cash-back bonus
Cash-back bonus
Virgin Active
As much as 60% off
n/a
n/a
Planet Fitness Gym
As much as 80% off
As much as 80% off
As much as 60% off
JustGym
As much as 80% off
As much as 80% off
As much as 60% off
Mango Flights
As much as 30% off
As much as 30% off
As much as 20% off
Emirates Flights
As much as 25% off
As much as 25% off
n/a
Protea Hotels by MarriottÂŽ
As much as 30% off
As much as 30% off
As much as 20% off
Tempest Car Hire
As much as 50% off
As much as 50% off
As much as 50% off
Uber Airport Transfers
As much as 30% off
As much as 30% off
As much as 30% off
Bidvest Premier Lounge
Up to 20 visits/year
Up to 20 visits/year
n/a
International Travel Insurance
Fedhealth members on Reality n/a Health and Reality Access
Fedhealth members on Reality Health and Reality Access
Nu Metro Movies & Refreshments
R20 for 2D or R40 for 3D; R25 for combo
R20 for 2D or R40 for 3D; R25 for combo
R20 for 2D; R25 for combo
Computicket Shows and Sport
Two tickets for the price of one (up to R300)
Two tickets for the price of one (up to R300)
n/a
Simfy Africa Music Streaming
6 months complimentary; save 7.5% thereafter
6 months complimentary; save 7.5% thereafter
6 months complimentary; save 7.5% thereafter
Wi-Fi
1GB data/month
1GB data/month
n/a
Reality Magazine
Quarterly
Quarterly
Quarterly
24/7, 365 days a year
24/7, 365 days a year
24/7, 365 days a year
Wealth
Online financial platform
Online financial platform
Day-to-Day Savings Money Saver card Health
Travel
Entertainment
Personal Services Personal Assistant
www.sanlamreality.co.za
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KINGJAMES 32699
When things go wrong, you need an insurer that’s committed to making it right. Which is exactly why we offer our clients a wide variety of 24-hour road and home emergency services. After all, it’s what you’d expect from a company that paid 99% of claims made in the past year. So ask yourself, can you afford not to be with the insurer that’s with you 24/7? Santam. Insurance good and proper. To get a quote, call 0860 444 444 or your broker. www.santam.co.za Santam is an authorised financial services provider (licence number 3416).