Prestige Magazine South Africa Edition 47 by Neo Africa Publishing

Ghost

april 2011

The power of simplicity

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Lamborghini

Slow cruising

Art

Gehry Architecture

Volcano jumper

Design | Travel | Collectibles

Rolls-Royce Sandton: Sandton Isle, Cnr Rivonia Road and Linden Road, Sandown.

Business

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2011/03/23 1:27 PM

april 2011

Issue no. 47

prestigemag.co.za

R39.95

Mo¸t Grand Vintage 2002 • The Masters • Bronze watches • Geneva Motor Show • Colin Firth • Collectible model cars

South Africa’s Premier luxury Lifestyle Magazine 3/23/11 2:07:20 PM

Innovation Neo Solutions was established in 2004 as a niche business focused on the public sector and general consulting. Over the years it has evolved into a large consulting practice with strong expertise in the following areas: project management, public sector general consulting, supply chain, procurement and tender management, strategic planning, IT solutions, business evaluation, incubation and networking. Neo Aviation is an aviation company with a difference, and with a fresh approach to the business of aviation. More recently acquired is our capability to apply business consulting in-line with benchmarking, business revenue improvements and turnaround strategies in the maintenance, repair and overhaul of aircraft line and major maintenance and repair. Pcubed is an information technology and communications unit specialising in turnkey solutions using state-of-the art, secure platforms developed in-house. This division has developed groundbreaking IT systems focusing on large-scale mobile office environments and portals, mobility solutions and automated processes.

As a group, Neo Africa lives by the philosophy and values of empowering nations through recruiting, developing and positively impacting historically disadvantaged individuals, not just in South Africa but all over the continent. As a truly African organisation, we have a proven track record for developing and implementing large-scale operations and projects for both the Public and Private sectors. We have performed projects in Southern Africa and are currently expanding our footprint into the rest of the continent. Neo Africa is 100 percent black owned and managed and employs over 300 people.

Revolution Neo Energy was formed some four years ago in the environmental and financial sectors. It has a focus towards renewable energies and cleaner fuel energy solutions, as well as using existing resources more efficiently and protecting our environment, not to forget carbon-trading opportunities. Neo Secure was specially established to give clients a secure solutions package, with a Neo Africa credit card. The card is secure as its default status is OFF until activated using the customised mobile phone linked to it. Neo Property Management is a private commercial property asset management operation boasting an entrepreneurial in-house management team with over 40 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience in all facets of the South African property industry.

Lifestyle Neo Odyssey is a Concierge division born of the need in the market for an exclusive and personalised service to manage high-profile clients in a manner that surpasses industry standards. Neo Events is an elite, dynamic, event management and coordination entity with additional full-house marketing, communications, and public relations service abilities. Neo Publishing is a passionate, entrepreneurial company, always in the market for new acquisitions, as well as for the creation of new custom solutions for its corporate and government clients.

The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;tools in our own arsenalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; include the following group companies at our disposal: Innovation, Revolution, and Lifestyle.

info@neoafrica.com / www.neoafrica.com Tel: +27 11 484 2833 / Fax: +27 11 484 2899 3rd Floor, North Wing, Oakhurst, 11 St Andrews Rd, Parktown, 2193 PO Box 2971, Saxonwold, 2132

|||| CONTENTS

issue 47 – April 2011

Fore|Words 6

Chairman’s letter

Life|Style 18

Vivien Natasen

Editor’s letter

What’s News From around the world

Strategic agility

Flourishing under hypercompetition

Competitive challenge

Kunjalo – the way it is

April 2011

Wireless is here, but real men use cables

Execujet Meeting all your private aviation needs

Gadgets, gizmos, gear The latest

Get cooking

Brandy for a bungabunga bash Grappa is becoming the Cape’s fashionable digestif

18 Prestige

Back to the Bronze Age

Cable guys

Pan-fried Scottish salmon with mint risotto, endives and salmon roe

Talking to AnnieClaude Bergonzoli

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 A new level of awesome

Prestige and Moët & Chandon celebrate the best of the Grand Vintages

Relais & Châteaux dream-holiday dynamo

End of the ‘big men’ syndrome

In great company

For macho watches, bronze is the new steel

Dr Demartini talks about business growth

How best to spend it

Toni Muir

Little luxuries

Tech|Know

84 www.prestigemag.co.za

|||| CONTENTS

issue 47 – April 2011

Features 34

The other Frank Architecture of the exceptional Frank O Gehry

Colin Firth

On fame, winning an Oscar, and overcoming a mid-life crisis

Restoring Coronet A modern-day story of labour and love

Volcano jumper Abseiling into the mouth of a rumbling volcano

Strand Craft surprise It’s a bogof deal

The Masters The finest thing of its kind

Vroom vroom noises not allowed

Miniature cars don’t necessarily mean toys

Slow travel at sea Taking time out to travel leisurely has renewed appeal

Geneva Motor Show The best of

Prestige

April 2011

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Fore|Words

The time has come for ingenuity and inventiveness. In the latest shift in the world’s history, with unrest in the oil territories bringing instability to energy-hungry and Dollardependent countries, coupled with the quake in Japan, we are being forced once again to rethink our way of doing

ruler. At the end of the day our concept of right and wrong is only defined by the laws of our society which, in many instances, are moving goalposts depending on the regime in power. So all we can do is go through life being mindful of the consequences of our actions, as these will determine our fates.

administration that followed. A strong positive move, though, is the focus on our youth in the latest budget. Hopefully, the follow-through of this will be an increase in the number and quality of jobs and an impetus for emerging small businesses. More importantly, we hope that the current lead-

Neo Africa was fortunate this month to have been involved with the Johannesburg City Parks Greening Concert – a production that raised much-needed funding for greening projects in the City. things. The ominous tone in the world around the acceleration of global climate change and economic meltdowns only reinforces this need. The old adage of people uniting against a common enemy will continue to ring true. It is baffling to me that after 30 years an entire nation decides to wake up and act against oppression by a dictator, rebelling against this errant

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April 2011

In terms of our situation in South Africa, there seems to be growing disenchantment with the current leadership. In fact, there is open polarisation of certain race groups, being touted as policy. When and how did the goalposts move? The last time I checked, the mandate was to implement a non-racial, democratic society. That was the mandate to the ruling party, and in turn the

ership puts aside its personal agenda for the Presidential race and starts looking to resolve pressing matters in its current administration. On a different note, Neo Africa was fortunate this month to have been involved with the Johannesburg City Parks Greening Concert – a production that raised much-needed funding for greening projects in the City. A magnificent

setting at the new fountain at Wemmer Pan saw the construction of a stage on top of the water, and I was pleasantly surprised at the attendance and corporate involvement, despite the torrential rain that pelted down on the day. It looks like this event is set to become an annual addition to the Johannesburg calendar, and City Parks resolved to go even bigger and better next year. The proceeds from the day will be used to plant several new trees in the city, as Johannesburg builds on its reputation for being the largest man-made forest in the world. On the Prestige side, I do hope that you are enjoying our new look and feel. Please keep the comments flowing as we do value your input. Chairman Vivien Natasen

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Fore|Words PUBLISHER

Neo Publishing (Pty) Ltd Tel +27 11 484 2833 Fax +27 86 699 2266

CHAIRMAN

Vivien Natasen vivien@neoafrica.com

EDITOR

Toni Muir toni@prestigemag.co.za

ART DIRECTOR

Dylan Seegers dylan.seegers@neoafrica.com

TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY EDITORS Charl du Plessis charl@prestigemag.co.za Tanya Goodman tanya@prestigemag.co.za

Letter from the editor

ADMIN & CIRCULATION Adesh Pritilall mail@prestigemag.co.za

ADVERTISING

DAVLYNNE LIDBETTER Tel: +27 82 303 6764 davlynne@prestigemag.co.za Virginia Burger Tel: +27 84 455 0133 virginia@prestigemag.co.za

PROOF-READING Clive Moses

It has been a marvellous month for Prestige magazine. We’ve received great feedback on our new look, and it seems the publication is being noticed more and more often nowadays. Though we have already spotted our glossy title on a TV show or two, it seems this is one publication that has made it to the big time. Prestige will be appearing in a movie, yes an actual Tinsel

honoured guests were indulgently wined and dined, and at the close of the evening each made off with a gorgeous Moët & Chandon champagne cooler – they’re so special that they’re not even available to purchase here. This month we welcome onboard a new columnist, Dumisani Hlophe, who will be contributing a regular piece of

which will surely leave you stymied just because of the sheer peculiarity of it all. And, since we’re so fond of speed and all things super, we’ve got another special something: a story on a superyacht that comes complete with its own supercar – how’s that for two birds with one stone? We kept our revs up with a wrap-up of the recent Geneva Motor Show, looked

We may affirm absolutely that nothing great in the world has been accomplished without passion. – Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, German philosopher Town movie, starring Denzel Washington, scheduled for release early next year. Oh, my lips are sealed on the details, so you’ll have to make sure you get your hands on a copy every month to get the full scoop. Another feather in our cap is that Prestige was selected by Moët & Chandon as their preferred media partner for a most exclusive dinner recently held at the Westcliff. Our

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April 2011

political commentary. It’s sure to ruffle just a few feathers. We sent a journo into the fiery depths of a Vanuatu volcano to snap film and photo footage – ok not literally one of our own, but a brave-hearted soul nevertheless made the leap of faith and we’ve published his red-hot story on our crisp white pages. We also have an incredible story on the architecture of the legendary Frank O Gehry,

into collectible model cars, and peeked under the bonnet of the new Lamborghini Aventador. Oh, and we sent a journalist out to cruise the Med in slow-travel style, to get your feet itching, and caught up with Colin Firth on life, love and winning an Oscar. It’s the usual generous serving of top-class literary nosh, so please, do enjoy.

PRINTING

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SUBSCRIPTIONS

R360 for 12 issues; R720 for 24 issues To subscribe, send us an email with the words SUBSCRIBE PRESTIGE in the subject line, and your name, email address, cell number and delivery address in the body. Send it to mail@prestigemag.co.za.

DISTRIBUTION

Prestige is available on newsstands and through subscription. Free public space distribution includes charter fleets operating in the Southern African region. Top five-star hotels and all major business-class airport lounges nationally also receive copies. Prestige can also be found in various upmarket coffee shops, spas and private banking waiting areas. COVER IMAGES iStockphoto.com; Bradley Ambrose/Specialiststock/TCS; Automobili Lamborghini Holding S.p.A.; Seabourn Cruises

Toni www.prestigemag.co.za

“You have cancer... ... was the most devastating sentence I had ever heard. What now? What if I had known before?”

Powered

By Supporting the Cancer Loyalty Card you support a cause that has touched each and every one of us. In addition you will receive discounts at selected retailers countrywide for goods and services purchased. Show your support for PinkDrive and MBTM by signing up for a Cancer Loyalty Card. Proceeds from these cards will contribute to cancer awareness and education programmes. Apply online at: www.pinkdrive.co.za. For more information: www.pinkdrive.co.za 071 328 6756

Early detection of cancer saves lives.

A CMF initiative (Cause Marketing Fundraisers is a Section 21 Company registered under the Companies Act of South Africa. PBO Nr. 930025326)

Have you met an angel? Not the really big ones with wings, but the normal unsuspecting ones that walk amongst us? If you’ve ever wondered about this phenomenon, I can now tell you that since I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I have met them and they are out there, waiting to touch your life. You just know that your family and friends will be supportive at a time like this. They cannot help themselves because God made them in that wonderful way that will not allow them to be anything else. Sometimes the hardest part is for you to relinquish some of your own independence and admit that you need help. Still, all you have to do is ask. What is extraordinary though, is the kindness that you receive from people outside this usual support group. Some of these people do not even know you, whereas others might be in a position to understand that you are currently in the biggest battle of your life. Whatever their origin, whatever the reason, they all work together to help keep the faith, albeit unwittingly. My first encounter with an angel was when a hearing-impaired nurse knew what I wanted to say without having to utter a word. She covered me with a blanket that kept me safe from this thing that wanted to take over my heart and mind. Something similar happened a few weeks later when a nun held my hand in the middle of the night because my hair fell out and I was feeling lost. And scared. And so terribly sad. The wonderful thing about these encounters is that they do not wait for the dark and desperate times to cross your path. They also happen during the day when the sun is shining. One such day was when two young friends of my son walked through the door before I was ‘ready’. They were absolutely fascinated by my look in the most honest and open way. I marvelled at the experience, especially since, of late, I was found fascinating only when either bare chested or under a microscope! Another lucky encounter was when a proudly South African lady shared the secret of tying a scarf around your head just the way her mother, and her mother before her, did it. I was an African queen. That happy experience was only rivaled by a gift sent by my sister who lives in a faraway country. She sent me the simplest aid to free me from daily boundaries – a little pink cap. Immediately, it was true love . I am lucky because my story has a happy ending and I have been truly blessed. For that, I say thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to all the angels who were with me on my journey with breast cancer.

For more touching true life stories click on “Survivorship stories” at the bottom of www.pinkdrive.co.za.

Fore|Words

Glenmorangie Signet crowned Whisky of the Year

Innovative single malt so named at the global Whisky magazine awards 2011

Glenmorangie Signet came through intensive rounds of blind tastings from a global panel of experts to be crowned Highland Malt of the year at the recent Whisky magazine awards. The World Whisky Awards are regarded as the Oscars of the industry and, like Colin Firth’s performance in The King’s Speech, the judges liked the rich

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April 2011

and regal finish of Signet. Signet has been created from a secret combination of the oldest and rarest Glenmorangie whiskies using high roasted ‘chocolate’ malted barley. The single malt is deepest amber in colour and delivers notes of cocoa, mocha, plum pudding, and baked apricots. The sublime flavour and rich

velvet texture of Signet comes from its maturation in the most exclusive casks The man behind Glenmorangie Signet is Dr Bill Lumsden, who was recently given an outstanding achievement award by the International Wine and Spirit Competition for his work as a pioneer of wood management and cask selection. He

says. “Signet now stands as an icon in its own right, having beaten off stiff competition from all over the world. Signet is a rich super premium spirit that will appeal to those who seek character and depth.” Glenmorangie Signet is available from good liquor stores for around R2 000 a bottle.

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Chopard – lucky charm to the stars

Cooking for a cause

For the eighth consecutive year, the winners of the acting awards presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences were adorned in jewellery, watches and cufflinks from the prestigious Genevabased House, Chopard. For the very first time at the Oscars, actors joined actresses in choosing Chopard to bring them luck! Winner of the Best Actor Oscar, Colin Firth, followed in the glamorous footsteps of such luminaries as Charlize Theron, Hilary Swank, Rachel Weisz, Helen Mirren, Marion Cotillard, Kate Winslet, and Pen¸lope Cruz. It seems Chopard, the jewellerwatchmaker of the movie world, has a decidedly golden touch.

Executive Chefs support the Big 5 Multiple Sclerosis Luncheon Five leading international Executive Chefs have offered their expertise to create an exceptional 5-course meal for the 5th ‘Big 5 MS Luncheon’, scheduled to take place on 29 May, at Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate, Franschhoek. The line-up of chefs includes Darren Roberts from Grande Provence, who will head up

the team, Michel Louws from the Estate’s sister property, Huka Lodge in New Zealand, Rudi Liebenberg from the Mount Nelson, Gregory Czarnecki from Waterkloof Estate, and Roland Gorgosilich from Grande Roche. Each of the chefs will prepare one of his favourite courses to complement the new Grande

Provence wines. Additional activities will include an auction as well as performances by local entertainers. Tickets cost R1 100 per person, but this full amount goes directly to MS Western Cape. +27 21 876 8600 / reservations@ grandeprovence.co.za

Kopi Luwak, the world’s most expensive coffee

A newly opened boutique roastery and espresso bar in Cape Town is selling one of the world’s most expensive coffees, a rare and naturally sweet-tasting bean that has been through the digestive system of the Asian palm civet. Known as Kopi Luwak, the Indonesian coffee sells locally for a little shy of R3 000 per kilo, or R80 per cup. The coffee takes its name from Kopi, the Indonesian word for

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coffee, and Luwak, the Asian palm civet that feasts on the ripest, sweetest red coffee cherries growing on coffee trees in Sumatra. Once the Luwak eats the cherry, the parchmentcovered coffee beans inside are passed through its digestive system, with a unique combination of enzymes in the stomach breaking down the proteins to remove all traces of bitterness. Still intact even after being

excreted, the parchment cover protects the green coffee beans. In a very labour-intensive process, the beans are collected from the faeces of civets and the parchment is removed. The coffee is then thoroughly cleaned and sundried before being sold. Kopi Luwak is available exclusively through the Haas Coffee Collective, attached to the lifestyle design store of handmade objects, Haas Design Collective in Rose Street, in the Bo-Kaap. www.haascollective.com / www.strictlycoffee.co.za April 2011

Prestige

Fore|Words

Strategic agility

Flourishing under hypercompetition CHARL DU PLESSIS

Here is a shopping list of horrors that keeps CEOs, Boards and shareholders awake at night for their innate ability to disrupt what could have been a good thing only last week. Globalisation, rapid technological changes, codification of knowledge, the Internet, international and domestic mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, talent and employee mobility, increased rates of knowledge transfer, imitation, changes in customer tastes, and the obsolescence of products and business models. In an era of hypercompetition, there is just no certainty from where the next threat will come. Last week only (figuratively speaking, of course), it was still sufficient to don a Hawaiian shirt for a few days and to head out to the bush for the annual strategy-stroke-bonding experience that would set the course for the new year. Sustainable competitive advantage, strategic core competency and the likes would be milled through with outside facilitators. From these sessions would arise, like a phoenix from the ashes, the strategy; the master plan for domination in the next year. Truth is, where thinking is heading in hypercompetitive mode, that the plan and all its lofty and aligning goals should just lay low. The ash heap is not a bad place for that kind of archaic thinking. The company of the future, and the one that will survive, is most likely the one that is not shackled with the burden of predetermined goals and plans against an uncertain future. Yes,

Prestige

April 2011

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it did make leadership easier when one could spell it all out upfront and could give it great names for everyone to buy into, but the key to the game in the hypercompetitive environment is agility. Agility means the ability to rapidly adapt or change direction. It speaks of the ability to remain flexible in facing new developments, to continuously adjust the company’s strategic direction, and to developing innovative ways to create value.

into independently. Research topics by management academics currently include searching for new ways of creating early warning systems, scanning and screening protocols, managing business transformation and renewal, developing dynamic capabilities, creating imitation abilities, maintaining a high level of organisational flexibility through modularising organisational design, rotating leadership, developing learning and

Image © ISTOCKPHOTO.COM

In an era of hypercompetition, there is just no certainty from where the next threat will come.

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There is a tension between formal processes of strategic planning that require strategic commitments for a course of action and opportunistic strategic agility. Strategic planning has been criticised for preparing plans for tomorrow based on yesterday’s actions, concepts and tools. Although strategic planning can help in specific situations, it usually creates an inertia that prevents fast adaptation when circumstances change or market discontinuities occur. Strategic agility requires inventing new business models and new categories rather than rearranging old products and categories. As the awareness of the need for agility grows, scholars and practitioners alike are developing an increasing body of knowledge on strategic agility and the approaches and tools that might be available to the CEO and executive team to shape organisational flex and nimbleness. It is significantly beyond the scope of the space we have available here to do more than provide an outline of some of the areas worth looking

knowledge transfer skills, and using adaptive corporate culture, to name but a few. Of particular interest is the work done by a set of Israeli management theorists on how due diligence during mergers and acquisitions takes on additional dimensions dealing with agility. One could see how the real value of an acquisition might be less in its current revenue projections and more in its ability to render itself and/or the merged entity agile for future competitive scenarios. I leave you with one provocative question raised by researchers and one that represents rather a challenge to our risk-averse and careerembracing corporate culture: “When should management pursue intuitive, improvisational, and action-oriented forms of decision making for the sake of effectiveness?” If we accept that institutions, to some degree, mimic the evolutionary traits of the natural world and that there is some relationship between fitness and survival, it might be time for your organisation to become agility-obsessed.  April 2011

Prestige

Fore|Words

Competitive challenge

Businesses grow most at the border of support and challenge  DR JOHN DEMARTINI

strategies to fulfil what is truly most important in their lives. On the other hand, whatever is lower on a person’s priority list or set of values, they commonly procrastinate, hesitate and frustrate over. They have disorder and they attempt to disown it. In their lower values they require outside motivation to get them up in the morning and into action. Human beings open up to that which they perceive as supportive of their highest values and close down to that which they perceive as challenging. They label the former good, moral and ethical and they label the latter bad, immoral and unethical. They become vulnerable and gullible ‘prey’ to that which supports their highest values and sceptical and invulnerable ‘predators’ to that

upon their world. It therefore governs their destiny. So how do axiology and human values relate to business growth? Well let’s explore the correlation a bit further. Human beings desire to fulfil their highest values and try to avoid anything that they perceive to be painful or challenging. But now a paradox arises within this attractive and repulsive scenario. If human beings were always supported in their environments they would become more juvenile, dependent upon their supporters, and solely remain security-seeking intrepreneurs. It is just like a child who becomes spoiled, juvenile and dependent from too much pampering or mollycoddling by its parents. But, children also need challenges, accountabilities and problems to solve in order

Maximum growth and development of business occurs at the border of support and challenge, or cooperation and competition. It is by their highest value or ‘telos’, ‘chief aim’, or ‘end in mind’ that people identify themselves ontologically and represent who they are – at their innermost level of being. It is this highest value where they are also most inspired from within to get up and do whatever it is that is most meaningful to their lives each day. Nobody has to motivate them from the outside. Every person spontaneously originates effective and efficient

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April 2011

which challenges them. People become more empowered in the areas of their highest values and disempowered in the areas of their lower values. People have a selective biased attention for things that support their highest values and selective biased disintention away from things that challenge their highest values. In other words, their hierarchy of values literally dictates the way they perceive their world, make decisions in their world and act

to make them more precocious, independent and risk-taking entrepreneurs with greater time and space horizons. This same scenario holds for businesses. What actually makes children and businesses grow most viable and stable is a perfect balance of support and challenge, which is the key intrepreneur and entrepreneur builders. That is often why in nature when one parent is overly protective and nurturing, the other is more

assertive and tough. This keeps setting their offspring free from their dependencies. If both parents are overly supportive then the outer and extended family predators can grab their offspring as simple prey. So, maximum growth and development occurs at the border of support and challenge. When human beings live congruently and in alignment with their highest values they become most willing to endure equally the necessary balance of both support and challenge, pleasure and pain, ease and difficulty and cooperation and competition in the pursuit of www.prestigemag.co.za

Images © DEMARTINI INSTITUTE; istockphoto.com

To appreciate why competitive challenge is just as important for business growth as cooperative support, let us explore for a few moments a specialised discipline that could shed some light on this sometimes overlooked, yet vital business insight. The specialised discipline is called axiology, and it is the study of value and worth. According to the study of axiology, every human being lives and makes decisions by his or her own unique set of priorities, values or by the things that he or she feels are most important, down to things that are least important. Whatever is highest on a person’s list of values is where they display their greatest discipline, reliability and focus and where they see the most order and create the most organisation in their lives.

their highest values. This reflects their teleological purpose or mission, which is ultimately their service to the world market. When a fledgling business is growing it requires both supportive cooperation and challenging competition. The more the business owner seeks addictive support, the more challenges it will attract to break their juvenile dependency or addiction. This is also why support groups without challenge groups are incomplete. The easier and more overprotected a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life is, the more challenges and responsibilities the child will need to www.prestigemag.co.za

attract to make it grow. Nature provides such a wise balance to make all living things grow. This is the nature of the predator-prey food chain within all living ecosystems. Human beings would become bored if they experienced too much ease and support and would become burned out if they experienced too much difficulty and challenge. Like for all supply-and-demand food chains within ecosystems, every species has and requires a predator that challenges them and prey that feeds them. So too for all businesses, they require both predator to keep them on

their toes and prey acquisitions and customers to feed them. Maximum growth and development of business occurs at the border of support and challenge, or cooperation and competition. It is wise for businesses to become grateful for their key competitors. They make them sharper and keener for novelty and they birth innovation. It is also equally wise for businesses to be grateful for their cooperating acquisitions and customers. They make them fulfilled and satisfied and allow them to acquire economic resources. According to a basic principle of business development:

if a business doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seek and embrace those targeted challenges, it will keep attracting challenges to break its addition to any support. Wisdom is embracing both challenging competition and supportive cooperation with both open hearts and arms with the knowledge that both are equally required to assist in fulfilling business missions and services. ď&#x201A;Ž Dr John Demartini is the founder of the Demartini Institute, he is a human behavioural specialist, educator, internationally published author and consultant. www.drdemartini.com April 2011

Prestige

Fore|Words

Kunjalo – the way it is

The end of the ‘big men’ syndrome  DUMISANI HLOPHE It has been said that history is the ‘greatest teacher’. Quite often the reference to ‘history’ is meant for past events, however, the current political developments within the Arab world provide many lessons

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from which we can learn. The first lesson is that the era of ‘big men’, the ‘untouchables’, is over. Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak ruled Egypt for more than three decades. This is a symptom of a man who has grown so assured

of his own ‘invincibility’ and yet, he was dethroned within 18 days of a popular uprising. Libya’s Muammar Gaddafi has also been in power for more than 30 years and currently faces the greatest challenge of his

political career. His presumed invincibility is also out of the window. Despite his military might, Libya’s masses are prepared to face this power in the quest for a more open democratic political dispensation. www.prestigemag.co.za

Tunisia’s former ruler, Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, was forced to leave his own country, and the pressure is on in Egypt to either take over Mubarak’s assets or get him to face criminal charges. And several countries, including South Africa, have frozen Gaddafi’s assets. The loss of power is not only in material conditions, but also in worthiness in political leadership and stature. Thus, while financial accounts are globally frozen, it is the loss of authority and legitimacy that reduces the once ‘big men’, the ‘invincible, and renders them more worthless to all than material wealth. Conservative and intransigent leaders have a whole lot

therefore, is to build a better quality of life for the masses. In short, no matter how much rulers ‘sniff out’ the political elite that they deem problematic, such rulers are not safe. In modern societies, it is the well-being and democratic sentiments of the masses that determine political stability in any society. Hence the fourth lesson: modern regime-change political protests have no heroes, they are simply mass based. Heroes are often associated with military prowess and bravery. Modern regime change protests are far removed from this scenario. They are literally mass based and unarmed. The status

structures preoccupied with their own preservation. The security of society is reflected through democratic norms, values, open political dispensation, and a better quality of life for the majority. This leads to the sixth lesson: the modern threat to the ruling political elite is no longer external military forces. Virtually all the major countries that are experiencing political instability, including the Ivory Coast, are not attacked by foreign forces. The sources of instability are internal. The arms are not directed at foreign armies but at the country’s own citizens. The current political instability therefore, as lesson seven,

Maximum growth and development of business occurs at the border of support and challenge, or cooperation and competition.

The learning curve, therefore, for the likes of King Mswati III of Swaziland, and Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, is simple: you are not beyond reproach. While these leaders have earned the status of invincibility, currently history indicates that such status is limited. And so begins the second lesson: political leaders who are forced to change tend to lose everything. The current unfolding history is equally abundant in this regard: www.prestigemag.co.za

more to lose than those who assume a progressive move to change. Therefore, the likes of Mugabe and Mswati III should learn to take the necessary leadership in terms of managing a progressive change. Ultimately, both these leaders stand to salvage some integrity and material conservation if they choose to engage in progressive change rather than misguided conservatism and intransigence. The third lesson is that modern political rulers need not worry so much about the ‘agent provocateur’ political elite, but rather the masses. Both the protests that dethroned Mubarak, and those that are mounting stiff challenge against Gaddafi’s regime, were neither instigated nor led by political elite. Rather, they were spontaneous; based on the daily experiences of ordinary men and women in the street. While in the past it was a great strategy to buy off the opposition political elite, that strategy no longer guarantees political stability for undemocratic regimes. The challenge,

of being unarmed invokes mass sympathy and therefore, earns them massive moral support both domestically and internationally. This is precisely the reason the Tunisian and the Egyptian revolutions were relatively smooth and quicker in reaching the desired outcomes of dethroning their respective rulers. The Libyan revolution will take much longer because of impatience – they quickly changed to armed struggle. If they had stuck to peaceful revolutionary means they would have put much more pressure on Gaddafi. Rather than guns and ammunition, the Libyan revolution needs more bodies in the streets and squares. The fifth lesson, while it is not new but really more pronounced of late, is that there is a difference between the security of society and that of the state. The Libyan experience reflects a state or government preoccupied with its own security rather than that of society. The government is unleashing its military might upon its own people. It shows political elite within state

is a result of poor political management by the ruling political elite; an elite that may have developed so much confidence in itself that it seriously underestimates the intelligence and will of its own citizens. The fact is that, over the years, citizens have grown in democratic consciousness. They are more aware of their human rights. The masses are also aware that as tax payers, they are entitled to public goods in the domain and management of government. There has therefore been an increase in the willingness to make demands to the state. The eighth and final lesson we might take from all this is that the era of ‘life presidents’ is over. Political leaders must learn to leave positions of power timeously and gracefully. Societies honour those who do not cling to power for longer than they should. The era of ‘big men’, the ‘invincible’, the ‘heroes’ is indeed over.  Dumisani Hlophe is a political scientist. For more articles by this author see www.kunjalo.co.za April 2011

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Joburgâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hidden gem Haswell Guesthouse In a charming residence built in 1913, in a beautiful suburban setting, sits the original farmhouse of Oaklands, a hidden heritage treasure. Tastefully restored and decorated in an eclectic and colourful style,

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the property is now home to a boutique, five-star guesthouse that epitomises restful and gracious living. Filled with the sound of chirping birds, its flowering gardens welcome long lazy

lunches under the grand old oak, or afternoons spent sipping cocktails under the wooden eaves of an open-sided pool house. And the food is delicious too. Haswell is a hidden Joburg

gem; a city sanctuary, and if you need to escape the hustle and bustle but still be within city limits, we highly recommend a visit. www.haswellguesthouse.co.za

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A day at the races

As good as it gets Von Geusau Chocolates Von Geusau Chocolates was started in a beautiful cottage in Greyton, a fairy-tale village in the heart of the Overberg, by Richard von Geusau, formerly a frustrated city accountant. The creation of Richard’s finest truffles and chocolate bars starts with the best of chocolate covertures procured from a renowned Belgian supplier – the chocolate distinguishable by its high cocoa percentage. All the chocolates are meticulously made by hand, using only the

finest, freshest and original ingredients – fresh farm cream, roasted nuts, exotic liqueurs. The richness of the aromas, the subtlety of the fillings and

the lushness of the covering will delight every taste bud. Go on, try one. You know you want to.

creation of the originally designed, high-performance, handmade Phantom models. “For some strange reason, the design of 95 percent of commercially available electric guitars has been stuck in the

1950s and 1960s,” says Kuun. “Being a designer ‘by trade’ [with a background in violin making and furniture design], my interest is to bring the design of the electric guitar into the 21st century.” Guitars are made to order, though the original demo models are also for sale. www.esprit-guitars.com

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Interested in an investment of a different kind? Like perhaps owning a share in your own racehorse? Then look no further than Imagine Racing, which specialises in managing racehorse ownership to groups of people on a sharedownership basis, acting as the liaison between horse, trainer, racing association and owners. Each owner will receive regular communication on their horse’s progress, race nominations and race notifications, as well as winning photographs and/ DVDs. Say managing partners Sandy Wilson and Catherine Hartley, “Instead of networking on the golf course, we aim to make watching your own horses at the races the social event of choice.” www.imagineracing.co.za

A passion for music Murray Kuun’s new Esprit guitar collection is a hybrid of modern design and traditional luthery. The integration of various premium materials, high-quality woods, hardware and electronics allowed the

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Me time

Need to spoil yourself or a loved one? Book a treatment at the recently opened Spa de la Veille at the Marion on Nicol Hotel. Decorated in a classic French style, the Spa offers a place of quiet solitude, its expertly training therapists ever at the ready to wow you with their nimble hands and healing touch. www.spadelaveille.com April 2011

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In great company

Prestige and Mo¸t & Chandon celebrate the best of the Grand Vintages &

TONI MUIR; MO¨T & CHANDON

At a recent dinner hosted at the elegant Westcliff Hotel, which sits like a majestic beacon above the twinkling lights of Johannesburg, a select group of Prestige clients and readers with a love of fine wine enjoyed an evening unlike any other. In the company of Moët & Chandon winemaker Marc Brevot, at a table beautifully laid with gleaming silver and shimmering crystal, we gathered for the feast. It was one which would see us enjoy a food and wine pairing of some of Moët’s finest vintages, which were specially brought in from France for the occassion. The evening’s menu was to the excited gastronomes gathered what an Academy Awards line-up surely is to movie buffs. Prepared by the Westcliff’s Executive chef, Nicky Gibbs, was a bill of fare she herself

marlin and oyster cerviche with micro greens, accompanied by a Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2003. This was followed by the most mouthwatering Smoked ostrich and chevin nougat with a quince and vanilla dressing, gently washed down with the Grand Vintage 1995. A petit serving of raspberry sorbet served as the palate cleanser, before we were presented with a most magnificent dish: Prawn brandard with grilled langoustine and asparagus accompanied by a trufflebutter sauce. It was beautifully paired with the Grand Vintage 2002 – the star of the evening. Before we knew it our fourth course had arrived. Accompanied by the very rare Grand Vintage 1992 was a Twice baked drunken pecorino soufflé with poached pear and pomegranate. The flavours were

Marc Brevot made a special trip over from France for the occasion, and explained the harvest conditions of each vintage as we wined and dined, as well as what we should taste in each sip. One rather enthusiastic guest kept him on his toes, firing off question after question

house doesn’t. In fact, it is a rarity for them to host dinners of this sort, so we were certainly lucky to be a part of this. Mo¨t & Chandon Grand Vintage 2002

Established in 1743, Moët & Chandon is one of the world’s

As most champagnes are non-vintage, and blended from the wines of different harvests, Moët & Chandon’s Grand Vintage champagnes are all the more rare and highly prized. said had been great fun to put together. And a worthy challenge – one can imagine it is not easy to pair some of the world’s best champagnes with food of equal calibre, and which will best complement the flavours of the wines. Our dinner began with a delicate portion of Cured

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incredible. And lest we thought we were getting off lightly, the chef presented our final course: a perfect Strawberry charlotte with a Madagascan pepper gastrique and basil mascarpone, which was served with a glass of the light and delicious Grand Vintage 2002 Rosé. It was just sublime.

about the champagne-making process. But the winemaker didn’t seem to mind. As we said our giddy goodbyes, our hunger for exceptional food sated and our thirst for exquisite champagne quenched, one guest turned to Marc and said, “You must do this all the time.” But the champagne

most venerable champagne houses and possesses the most extensive estate in the Champagne region. The visionary spirit of Jean-Remy Moët, grandson of founder Claude Moët, has long inspired the House, for it was he who recognised the universal appeal of champagne and introduced ❱ www.prestigemag.co.za

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Accompanied by the very rare Grand Vintage 1992 was a Twice baked drunken pecorino soufflé with poached pear and pomegranate. The flavours were incredible. the luxurious pleasure of the finest of fine wines to the world. Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage champagnes are aged wines of distinguished character first created by the House in 1842 to meet the demands of British and American connoisseurs for more mature wines. As most champagnes are nonvintage, and blended from the wines of different harvests to recreate a consistent style every year, Moët & Chandon’s Grand Vintage champagnes are all the more rare and highly prized. For centuries the vintners of the Champagne region, like the vintners in all of France’s winegrowing regions, made their wines from the annual harvest with no particular reference to the year of production. It was not until the 19th century that the practice of setting aside certain higher-quality wines for extended ageing became widespread. This became the rule in Champagne, where each year’s wines were blended with a varying proportion of wines from the reserve. At the same time, however, when the quality of a given year’s grapes

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was especially remarkable, there emerged the concept of a vintage champagne blended uniquely from the fruits of a single harvest. Grand Vintage champagnes are not created every year and account for less than 10 percent of all champagne produced. In the 161 years since the House’s first Grand Vintage, from 1842 to 2003, only 69 Grand Vintages have been released. Longer ageing (legal minimum of three years and often much longer) imparts the finer, more sophisticated flavour that is so sought-after. www.prestigemag.co.za

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Every Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage is the first, last and only champagne of its kind, the ultimate celebration of the world’s most luxurious wine. Granted complete freedom, guided by his personal tastes, expertise and flair, the Chef de Cave selects and blends the most distinguished fruits from a single harvest. If Moët & Chandon Imperial is a renewal of the universal ideal of champagne devoutly crafted every year by the winemaking committee, a Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage is a matchless www.prestigemag.co.za

creation, a rare and distinguished realisation of the Chef de Cave’s personal vision. Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2002, the House’s 69th, possesses a uniquely commanding presence. The year’s temperate weather, the warm, windy harvest period and the remarkable unity of ripe maturity across the grape varietals laid the foundations for a wine of exceptional harmony. Released in the full bloom of maturity, Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2002 is the house’s first Grand

Vintage since the 1930s to be aged for seven years – Moët & Chandon’s tradition has always been a five-year ageing period. Grand Vintage 2002 is mature, harmonious and precise. Its seven years in the cellars developed the mature, toasty flavours, both sweet and dry, with warm notes of grain and frangipane along with toasted almonds and malt, mocha and light tobacco. Notes of ripe fruits follow: pear, candied citrus, plum, nectarine and white peach. On the palate, the construction

is precise and the substance is velvety. The first impression of creamy roundness progressively allows the linear, tight structure to appear. The flavours of fruit become fresher: mandarin orange and pink grapefruit. The deliberately light dosage (5.5g/l), creates a firm, precise finish, deliciously tonic and refreshing, with notes of rhubarb and currant as well as quinine and citrus. The assemblage of the wine is 51 percent Chardonnay, 26 percent Pinot Noir and 23 percent Pinot Meunier.  April 2011

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IMAGES © PANERAI, CUERVO Y SOBRINOS, ANONIMO

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Back to the Bronze Age

For macho watches, bronze is the new steel  KEN KESSLER

For the past two decades, one of the most successful ways to make one’s watches stand out from others has been the use of unusual case materials. The vast majority of timepieces are most often fashioned from stainless steel, followed by gold and other precious metals if the watch needs a ‘jewellery’ quotient. It has been this way for the entire history of the wristwatch, after silver was replaced by steel, thanks to the latter’s durability. A blessing arrived in the forms of modern ceramics, titanium, high-impact plastics, carbon-fibre and other substances as viable case materials, and has proven attractive to both the manufacturers and their customers. Better still, www.prestigemag.co.za

each of these enjoys its own unique visual characteristics. In every example, the material was the result of cuttingedge research, but now they’re so familiar as to be, well, common. More recently, the industry has embraced special treatments to apply over a steel base, either DLC (DiamondLike Carbon) or PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition), to create the stealthy, all-black watches beloved of those who indulge in extreme sports, covert military ops or other situations where ‘bling’ is not favoured. Quietly, though, another material has been working its way into the affections of watch enthusiasts for whom black is ‘over’: the old and noble metal, bronze.

Well known to sea-faring types because it resists corrosion and was used in boat and ship fittings prior to the wide employment of stainless steel, bronze can still be found in ship propellers and submerged bearings. It is thus no coincidence that two of the three pioneers using bronze have genuine naval associations, while the third has applied it to a range of watches which tip the hat to pirates of old. Its most obvious commercial appeal is a colour not mistaken for any other, because bronze develops its own unique patina as it ages. And bronze reeks of times past, as if to serve as a backlash against ultramodern materials, although

these brands may also employ ceramics, carbon-fibre or other state-of-the-art substances elsewhere in their catalogues. Historically, bronze was a material that liberated mankind as far back as the late 4th millennium BC. It is a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper and tin; modern bronze alloys usually feature a mix of 88 percent copper and 12 percent tin. Bronze is closely related to brass, but the latter is an alloy of copper and zinc. Although its score on the Vickers hardness scale is below that of stainless steel, it is harder than gold, so bronze as a watch case material will not prove to be a compromise. As important in the highly ❱ April 2011

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competitive watch market is its visual appeal, thanks to the way it oxidises. Unlike iron, which will corrode into rust, or silver which discolours, industrial bronze only oxidises on its outer surface. The copper oxide eventually turns into a copper carbonate that actually protects the underlying metal from further corrosion. While most watchmakers will defend stainless steel as the definitive case material, and its strength and resistance to corrosion have elevated it with full justification to its status as the perfect default, bronze does

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have other characteristics that make it a desirable alternative. Although softer and weaker than steel, it has greater resistance than steel to metal fatigue and corrosion, including that caused by seawater. It’s the sea that has inspired all of the watches here: Cuervo y Sobrinos’ Pirata was stirred directly by the tales of the region in which this watch company was established: it is a descendant of the greatest jewellery stores in pre-revolution Cuba. As the Caribbean was the theatre of operation for the pirates of legend, Cuervo

y Sobrinos created a line of timepieces, called Pirata, with aesthetic touches that recall the adventurous spirit of the buccaneer period. A family of watches recently expanded to include a GMT and a chronograph with complete calendar, Pirata models feature a modular case made of different metals. Bronze, titanium and burnished, polished steel combine to suggest the profile of a 17th century cannon. The chronograph pushers recall the muzzle of a harquebus, while the crown is shaped like the

terrestrial globe. Bronze even appears in the rubber strap, as the colour of the contrasting stitching. As the company notes: “Bronze is an ancient, noble metal with properties that will encourage an individual finish and add character over time.” If anyone knows about case manufacturing, it’s the Florentine watchmaking house of Anonimo. Their diving watches are used by professionals, including a joint venture between Anonimo and Drass Galeazzi, an Italian dive contractor and www.prestigemag.co.za

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equipment manufacturer. Just as noteworthy is one of the company’s associates: Dino Zei, who, while running Panerai, relaunched the company’s watches in the early 1990s. Zei now has his own family of watches within the Anonimo family, and both brands produce models with bronze cases. Among these are the Dino Zei Nautilo Bronze (with the colour extending to the dial itself ), the Anonimo Marlin Bronzo, and the Anonimo Millemetri Polluce Bronzo. They complement the company’s offerings with other www.prestigemag.co.za

models bearing cases finished in a proprietary treatment called Drass, in honour of Drass Galeazzi, as well as the more conventional stainless steel models. Officine Panerai itself is the latest to embrace bronze. Probably the most truly ‘maritime’ of all watch brands, Panerai has delivered the ultimate in bronze with a new limited edition, the Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Bronzo, appropriately using the Italian word for the alloy as the name of the watch itself. Its form will be familiar to fans of the brand,

for it is the classic Luminor shape with heavy rotating bezel. What really makes the collectors sit up and take notice are the colours: the warm, brushed bronze of the 47mm case is accented by a dial not in black but in a dark forest green. Panerai identifies the specific bronze chosen for the Bronzo as an alloy of copper and pure tin known technically as CuSn8, chosen for its high resistance to the corrosive effects of both sea water and atmospheric pollutants. The company, like Cuervo y Sobrinos and Anonimo, also points out proudly that bronze

“preserves the warm shades of the original while acquiring over time the aged appearance through the patina which covers it. This patina does not alter the properties of the material, but is rather a sign of its ageing, making each example unique and personalised.” Simple but effective: by using a material we may have taken for granted, this trio of watch houses has devised the ultimate service for its clients. Over the years, each of these watches will evolve with the wearer. It doesn’t get more personal than that.  IMAGES © DE BETHUNE

IMAGES © PANERAI, CUERVO Y SOBRINOS, ANONIMO

The patina is a sign of its ageing, making each example unique and personalised.

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Annie-Claude Bergonzoli Relais & Châteaux dream-holiday dynamo CHARL DU PLESSIS

Prestige recently had the privilege of sitting down at the CellarsHohenort, one of Cape Town’s most delightful boutique hotels, with Annie-Claude Bergonzoli, Relais & Châteaux Director for Southern & East Africa & the Indian Ocean Islands. AnnieClaude keeps her offices here, in the heart of the Constantia Winelands, with tranquillity

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and views of the ocean and Table Mountain setting the atmosphere for her daily task – devising dream holidays. Annie-Claude scoffs at my attempt at humour when I ask her how she could be so crazy as to have left France at the age of 18 to marry a man who was Africa-bound. Clearly, she explains, when one finds love

you act on it. That was the start of her long and distinguished hospitality career and her love affair with our region. She joined UTA in Johannesburg, and later Air France, and spent 25 years opening up the African and Indian Ocean skies for pleasure-seekers. “I am passionate about people, enhancing and nurturing their www.prestigemag.co.za

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potential, luxury travel and the small details that make up the bigger picture,” she says. When her husband passed away in 2001, she was approached by Relais & Châteaux and duly appointed General Manager for Southern Africa. It was an association that she knew well as her and her husband used the Relais & Châteaux guide to organise all their holidays worldwide, and she related to the spirit and soul of the association. Our conversation quickly turns to the association and its very special range of properties and experiences in the region. www.prestigemag.co.za

These, after all, are the principals Annie-Claude serves and I can sense she would rather have them as the focus of our conversation. The Relais & Châteaux association, AnnieClaude explains, started many years ago (1954 to be precise) when seven friends with accommodation mapped between Paris and Nice joined forces to offer travellers a signature experience when on the road. Today, an exclusive collection of over 500 of the finest hotels and gourmet restaurants in 60 countries band together, their mutual mission to spread the

art de vivre across the globe. Association members share a passion for, and a personal commitment to, ensuring their guests are privy to moments of exceptional harmony. To choose Relais & Châteaux is to experience an unforgettable celebration of the senses, whether in the vineyards of Napa valley or the beaches of Bali; the olive groves of Provence or the lodges of South Africa. Relais & Châteaux offers a chance to explore the ‘Route du Bonheur’ and discover a special place in a variety of destinations. As I query how association

members are chosen, a lovely story emerges. Generally an establishment applies to be considered as a member property. Inspectors (very Clouseau, I think) then visit potential hoteliers incognito and make their recommendations, whereafter the independent owners are invited to become members of this very select family. And I choose the word ‘family’ specifically, as one of the critical criteria is the sense of personable hospitality that visitors experience. Local members know each other well and pass on travel ❱ April 2011

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tips and recommendations to travellers – almost like an introduction to the next of kin in the next town. No wonder seasoned travellers who have once journeyed under the Relais & Châteaux umbrella hardly look back to the days of independently trying to explore new regions when they can rely on the association to guarantee them a soft and friendly landing in new countries. We turn to the portfolio of association members that Annie-Claude represents in our region and I drool at the wonderful experiences on offer at some of the most exquisite establishments this side

The Plettenberg, Tsala Treetop Lodge, and Karkloof Spa Wellness and Wildlife Retreat. And in each Namibia, Madagascar, Seychelles, Tanzania, Mauritius and Zimbabwe, too, the association prides itself with members who are the talk of the town. As we walk out onto the manicured gardens of the Cellars-Hohenort, AnnieClaude hands me the newly released 2011 guide to all the Relais & Châteaux properties world-wide. Richard Gere, she mentions, is the new ambassador since he opened up the Bedford Post Inn just outside New York with his wife. No,

I am passionate about people, enhancing and nurturing their potential, luxury travel and the small details that make up the bigger picture.

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she has not met him yet, but Annie-Claude shows me his message in the guide, which in her view summarises what the association is all about: “We share a kindred spirit with the other Relais & Châteaux innkeepers: a genuine commitment to serve, a rather insane attention to detail, a passion for beauty in all its forms and a personal aspiration to make our world a little better for us having been here.” 

IMAGES © RELAIS & CHâTEAUX

of the globe. Just a handful of properties in the Relais & Châteaux portfolio include Asara Wine Estate & Hotel, Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat, Ellerman House, Gorah Elephant Camp, Londolozi Private Game Reserve, Camp Jabulani, Singita Ebony and Boulders in the Sabi Sands and Singita Lebombo and Sweni in a concession in the Kruger Park, The Marine in Hermanus,

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Pan-fried Scottish salmon With a mint risotto, endives and salmon roe Method For the risotto

Heat the stock. In another pan, warm 50g of butter and the olive oil. Gently fry the onion until soft. Add white wine, then add the rice and stir until it’s coated. Add 2 ladlefuls of boiling chicken stock just enough to cover the rice. Simmer and stir continuously until the rice has absorbed nearly all the liquid. Continue to add more stock until most

of it has been absorbed. The rice will become creamy and al dente. Season to taste and add the remainder of the butter, the parmesan and the white wine. Stir gently before adding the mint. Cover and remove from heat. Allow to stand for 10 minutes. For the salmon

Portion the salmon in six pieces and set aside. In a shallow pan slowly braise endives in olive

oil, salt and pepper, sugar and butter. When soft in the centre, add the brandy and flambé until alcohol is cooked out. Season salmon portions with salt and pepper and pan fry them on each side – remember, no colour, no flavour. To serve

Spoon the risotto onto a plate, top with the endives and the salmon and garnish with chervil and salmon roe. Serves 6.

Ingredients Risotto 1.5l chicken stock 200g butter 50ml olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 50ml white wine 400g Italian risotto – not rinsed Salt and pepper to taste 100g parmesan cheese 100g fresh mint, sliced 100g salmon roe Fresh chervil and parsley to garnish Salmon 1.2kg salmon 3 whole endives, halved 80ml olive oil 2tsp sugar 50g butter 120ml brandy Salt and pepper to taste

About Kurland Hotel The award-winning Kurland Estate, situated near the picturesque beach resorts of Plettenberg Bay and Nature’s Valley, offers a five-star luxury sanctuary to guests looking to unwind and enjoy its highly personalised service, fine cuisine and exceptional wines. The Estate’s esteemed Head Chef, Leon Coetzee, enjoys the bounty of Kurland’s impressive

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organic herb and vegetable garden, preparing sumptuous meals for his guests. The hotel boasts 12 suites, and has been designed with special facilities for families, making Kurland an ideal yearround destination for family getaways. www.kurland.co.za

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Brandy for a bunga-bunga bash Grappa is becoming the Cape’s fashionable digestif

Italian protocol is in an uproar. What should the caterers serve at the ‘bunga-bunga’ parties Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi is alleged to have thrown for his friends featuring underage nymphettes and wannabe models, continuing a party tradition dating back to Roman emperor Nero? The late journalist Italo Calvino would surely have proposed grappa, the fiery husk brandy distilled from grape skins, stems and pips. A spirit he thought appropriate only for “defrocked priests, unemployed bookkeepers and husbands that have been cuckolded.” Grappa is a versatile spirit to be enjoyed anywhere, anytime. A shot in an early morning espresso – caffe corretto (corrected coffee) – kick-starts the day before progressing to tumblers of the stuff standing ready-poured in the fridge of the Trattoria, to climax in an arcane social ritual involving a flat wooden bowl with several spouts around the edge, called a grolla. Filled with a mixture of Grand Marnier, coffee and grappa, the grolla is then ignited. Passed between guests, this flaming liquid fondue concludes that special meal. Alternatively, a chilled grappa may be taken after coffee, in which case it is called ammazza caffe or coffee killer. A sure-fire way to rate a restaurant is by asking if they

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serve grappa (one point); if they stock grappa ruta – grappa infused with herbs such as rue or chamomile, collectively known as grappa aromatizzata for obvious olfactory reasons (one point); and if it is served

at room temperature, chilled or both (for a bonus point). Yes, grappa will definitely do as a bunga-bunga beverage, for as Irish playwright Samuel ‘waiting for Godot’ Beckett told gallerist and Venetian art

royalty Peggy Guggenheim: “Making love without being in love was like taking coffee without brandy.” Grappa is the latest craze in the Cape Winelands and producers like Klein Constantia www.prestigemag.co.za

IMAGES © DALLA CIA Emanuele Vescovo

NEIL PENDOCK

Life|Style and Nabygelegen are delivering their pressings to the distillery of Giorgio Dalla Cia at Bosman’s Crossing in Stellenbosch and returning for bottles of grappa. The leftovers would most likely have ended up as compost or cow fodder, which could be why the KC hip flask with a porcelain Grolsch swing top features a sad-looking blue cow on the front. Distilled from the dregs of Vin de Constance, that famous dessert wine tipple of Napoleon, it is also aged in empty VdC barrels,

creating a third generation grappa-making team. Back in Friuli during the roaring twenties, Giorgio’s papa was the first Dalla Cia to make grappa, a family tradition now continued in the New World by Giorgio. The current range comprises two products under the brand G (choosing to opt out of the political debate about whether South African grappa may be called grappa), and both are blends – Pinot Noir and Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the

Grappa is a versatile spirit to be enjoyed anywhere, anytime. which supplies an exotic Turkish delight character from the emir’s harem. KC grappa is technically a ue, pronounced “ooh-eh” as it is aged in wood. In this case oak, though acacia, birch and juniper are also used. Wood maturation provides a golden colour and rich, spicy flavour and these grappa invecchiata are often indistinguishable from fine Cognac. The French call it marc, the Alsatians eau-de-vie, while the Portuguese have their own name for it: bagaceira, which is what Miguel Sevillano Barredo produced from the pips and skins of Karl Lambour’s Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc. They split the spirit by way of payment.

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Grappa was brought to South Africa by Italian prisoners of war who built Chapman’s Peak Drive and some of Johannesburg’s most breathtaking roads like Munro Drive and Sylvia’s Pass. After their release, the road-building prisoners graduated to distilling firewater from bunches of Catawba and Hanepoot grapes growing over their carports in Orange Grove. It’s all pomace brandy, moonshine distilled from wine leftovers. Ordinary brandy is distilled wine and is typically matured in oak vats. Standard grappa is a cousin with attitude and a scar from the wrong side of the tracks and is lucky to spend six months in a stainlesssteel tank before bottling. But today premiumisation dictates

fashion and we now have grappas made from single grape varietals, the so-called grappa di monovitigno, the first being made in Italy in 1973. There are even single-vineyard examples with famous producers like Jacopo Poli and Giannola Nonino, eagerly sought out by cognoscenti. At ground zero of yuppiedom, San Francisco’s Restaurant Splendido offers discerning diners a menu of over 80 varieties. Giorgio Dalla Cia is the father of grappa in South Africa. Before he retired from Meerlust, he made the stuff on the historic farm with Meerlust seigneur Hannes Myburgh a 50/50 partner. Myburgh generously gave his share to Giorgio’s son George, thereby

latter available in a premium wood-matured version at the almost abstemious alcohol level of 40 percent. Writing in the Guardian, Victoria Moore compares the smell of standard grappa to skin toner, which harks back to the origin of bunga-bunga bashes, so named after a Bloomsbury jape from 1910. Virginia Woolf and friends, disguised with skin darkeners and dressed up like the Prince of Abyssinia in turbans, fooled the Royal Navy into giving them a tour of HMS Dreadnought. The ‘Abyssinians’ decorated the admiral and showed much enthusiasm for the military hardware, exclaiming “bunga! bunga!” and falling onto their prayer mats, extending lavish praise. 

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The other Frank

Architecture of the exceptional Frank O Gehry CHARL DU PLESSIS; SALON PEOPLE

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â?ą

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| Legends & Icons

The Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas.

Legends & Icons |

rank Lloyd Wright designed the original Guggenheim in New York, and it was controversial at the time. When the Basque Country Administration chose Frank Owen Gehry’s titanium design for the Bilbao sister museum, the combination was twice as controversial. This ‘other Frank’ was lesser known, and Bilbao, capital of the Basque region, was a city plagued with a staggering murder rate, separatist politics and bad weather. Yet, what Gehry’s bold design has elicited and changed is how people started travelling across the world to look at a building – its outside and inside – and it has proven that one dynamic addition to a cityscape has the power to transform a whole city. Such has been the popularity and the impact of the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum. Basque separatists planted a bomb at the opening in 1997, killing one guard and destroying a Jeff Koons sculpture, yet that has not deterred more than two million people subsequently from making the pilgrimage to see the impressive Gehry design. Of course, with a design so peculiar and ahead of its time, there have been detractors. TV character Frasier lambasted the building, while a real-life art and architecture critic once called it “a lunar lander in search of a moon”. Yet, still they come to walk the wide interior spaces of its galleries and the flowing parks that connect the museum with the rest of the city. Fame did not idle for Gehry until The $62-million Richard B Fisher Centre, in Annadale-on-Hudson, NY.

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Frank Gehry inside the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, in Las Vegas.

he designed the Bilbao Guggenheim. One could call it a later incarnation, as he became a hit as early as the seventies with his innovative furniture ranges. Despite working as an architect, first in Paris and then back in the US, Gehry found his companionship among artists and sculptors, whose ability to create

with their own hands awed him, and inspired him to dabble with his first furniture collection. His ‘Easy Edges’ furniture became an immediate success. These fully functional chairs, stools, tables and and ottoman were life-size squiggles rendered in laminated cardboard, though for Gehry they were not entirely successful. He

‘Ginger and Fred’, placed at Rasinovo Nabrezi in Prague, Czech Republic.

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wrote in 1992 that with this cardboard collection he had set out to create “the Volkswagen of furniture” – an engaging design that would also be economically accessible. His agent, however, wanted the furniture to take on the air of a collection, of something rare and special, and with a price range decidedly nonVolkswagen. Gehry resisted, though his next range, the ‘Rough Edges’ did go to market as very abstract, limited and expensive. Gehry’s first building to draw attention was his own home, where to this very day his family has to endure the daily passing by of busloads of gawking architecture students. Gehry and his wife Berta bought a pink, two-storey bungalow in Santa Monica. Gehry took to it with modest, industrial materials. He enclosed the first floor in a corrugated metal sheath that looks from the street like a jagged privacy fence, then expanded the ground floor space out to meet it. He punched miscellaneous windows out of the new wall, and giant shards of glass appear to have collided into the building to form windows or skylights with the tilted wood-frame supports left exposed. Concrete blocks retain a small, terraced yard, with concrete steps, a plywood stoop and spare patches of chain-link and white picket fencing all providing accents. Meanwhile, the demure pink second floor with its pristine white trim, brick chimney and black tar paper gambrel roof peeks out above the whole assemblage. This building has been very influential and elements have been adopted into a whole generation of design. The momentum gained from the popularity of his home design led to Gehry’s groundbreaking furniture design period with power houses Vitra and later Knoll. His Gehry Collection soon became the taste of the town, gracing the covers of several industry magazines. With the Moma displaying a few prototypes, this success contributed to Gehry’s receiving the Pritzker Prize – design and architecture’s equivalent of the Nobel Peace Prize. Not that Gehry didn’t stick to his day job as architect. He has been a prolific force with an impressive ❱ portfolio of completed buildings April 2011

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Legends & Icons | and designs, and even as he employs a staff of 120 people, he still designs each building himself. His sketches and scribbles leave the impression that rather than designing buildings, Frank O Gehry designs large public sculptures which people then hollow out to use as buildings. Perhaps his most whimsical

building is the Fred and Ginger building (Nationale Nederlande) in Prague. Completed in 1996, the building forms one corner among several blocks of ancient, decorative five- and six-storey structures in central Prague. Gehryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s building is similar in surface and colour to the surrounding buildings. The ground

The new Walt Disney Concert Hall, in downtown Los Angeles.

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floor is glass and the remaining floors are stacked on top, covered with undulating rows of windows. At the corner the structure erupts into two vertical cylindrical forms slightly taller than the rest of the building. One cylinder (Fred) matching the rest of the building, sits atop a post, and is slightly flared

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at the top and bottom and is topped with a tangled ball of copper. The second cylinder (Ginger) is a sheer column of glass, pinched in at the ‘waist’, flaring more drastically at the second floor into a ‘skirt’, and perched atop several gracefully curved posts. At the fifth floor, a small canopy juts out from ❱

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Gehry’s bold design has proven that one dynamic addition to a cityscape has the power to transform a whole city. Such has been the popularity and the impact of the Bilbao Guggenheim Museum.

The Guggenheim museum looms over a Bilbao street.

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Ginger’s waist toward Fred in an equally abstract reference to the arms of the dancing couple. If Bilbao popularised Gehry, it was the 2003 completion of his Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles that solidified his mastery, not only for design, but for the phenomenal acoustics of this grand concert hall. Despite Gehry’s own worries that Disney www.prestigemag.co.za

IMAGES © AP / PICTURENET

The stage area of the new band shell at Chicago’s Millennium Park.

Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao.

would always be ‘son-of-Bilbao,’ the staggering $274-million price tag and multiple delays, and the problems of its reflective surfaces heating up surrounding neighbourhoods to furnace-like temperatures (all resolved today), this beautiful building stands as Gehry’s greatest piece in his own country. And for Gehry, who never felt comfortable in the company of architects alone,

it must be the ultimate reward that popular culture rather than high art has embraced this building. Ellen DeGeneres hosted Idols here. The building has been lampooned, with Gehry’s help, in The Simpsons. It also been featured in thrillers, comics and action movies alike. If anything, this building has given ‘this’ Frank his Volkswagen – his connection to his people. 

Personality |

I think I invest more in my personal life than I do in my professional life. And my wife is spectacularly good at keeping my feet on the ground. 42

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| Personality

Colin Firth S

ome 16 years after Colin Firth first came to international attention as Mr Darcy in TV’s 1995 Pride & Prejudice, and after the English-born actor wooed the ladies in the Bridget Jones films, Love Actually, Girl with a Pearl Earring and Mamma Mia, he has at last been rewarded for his theatrical prowess. The 50-year old star recently won the Oscar for ‘Best Actor’ for his moving portrayal of the stammering King George VI in The King’s Speech. After winning the Golden Globe and the BAFTA for this role, did you expect to win the Oscar as well?

I was trying not to think about it. Last year [when he was nominated for A Single Man], it was fun to be at the parties. But I’m too old to get swept away in it completely. On the other hand, we actors do want attention. You have said it was a physically exhausting part, because of the stammering.

At the end of some days on set I would get headaches, and a few times I did something weird to the nerves in my left arm and couldn’t move it. I still don’t know what it was. It sounds like an actor trying to talk about the rigours of the role, but it really was the strangest thing. When filming was over, was it easy to leave the stammer behind?

No, I stammered for a few weeks afterwards. I talked to [actor] Derek Jacobi who played the stammering Claudius [in I, Claudius] and he warned me that it would take time to get rid of the stammering. The role could have gone terribly wrong. Did it scare you?

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It was scary to take it on, but I wasn’t alone. I worked with two daring and relentless artists – Geoffrey Rush [co-star] and Tom Hoover [director], in finding the humour and tragedy in the story. You have a lot of films coming out in the next year, why do you think you have been offered so many great roles recently?

This is an interesting age for male actors, because a lot of stories are written for them. You finally have a past and that gives texture to what you are all about. It makes the physical deterioration so much easier to bear when you’re getting better roles. You recently turned 50, any midlife crisis?

I’m in a fully fledged one right now! It’s been going on since I was about 28 (laughs). There are a series of crises as you pass certain experiences that mark change, and sometimes it is just an age milestone. Having children is probably the biggest moment. You cannot cling to being a kid at that point; it’s your children’s turn. There are moments when you look at your life and go, ‘What did or didn’t I achieve’?

hours in the gym would that need? How much time do I have to spend in order not to disgrace myself and horrify everybody?’ The older you get, the harder the work and the more you’re hoping you won’t be asked to do that anymore. As Mr Darcy in the 1995 miniseries of Pride and Prejudice you became an unwilling sex symbol. Didn’t you initially turn down the role?

I had no interest in it whatsoever. Everybody at my agency said: ‘Don’t do it. It’s a step down.’ Then the women in my family all reacted in horror and warned me not to ruin their favourite book. So what happened?

I did read the novel and suddenly decided it would feel very odd watching someone else do it. The role had a huge effect on your career...

I still get called Mr Darcy. I’ve just accepted it. It’s like having a dead twin on your back.

And certain physical changes occur in mid-life...

Then you did Bridget Jones’s Diary, Love Actually and Mamma Mia – all female favourites. Still, you have never seen yourself as a romantic leading man...

I had 20-20 vision one minute and then suddenly needed glasses the next. And then you reflect: what else is going to go? My memory is not as good as it was. Your hair changes colour, falls out, all those sorts of things. You find you put on weight more easily.

Because I’m not. I’m a character actor. I think that’s been confused because of this fairly neutral appearance that I have. I can be made to look one way or the other fairly easily. Mr Darcy was interpreted as a leading man performance, but it wasn’t; he was a piece of character work.

What is the most horrid thing you can read in a script?

Some say all parts are essentially autobiographical for actors?

That the script reads: naked man exits bathroom. It’s one of the biggest sinking feelings an actor can have. ‘Oh, God, how many

Acting is perceived to be the art of transforming yourself, but I don’t see it like that. Essentially you are drawing on aspects of

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yourself. You take whatever it is that you might bring to a situation and apply it to the problems presented by a story. How do you pick your roles?

My reasons for choosing a job vary enormously. Sometimes I take a job because it’s a group of people I’m dying to work with, and sometimes it can be a desire to shake things up a bit and not to take myself too seriously. A life of very serious, po-faced films would drive me nuts. I need a fairly varied menu. And I like playing strange characters. Some people might say it has something to do with a hidden part of myself, but I think it’s a lot simpler than that: normal people are just not very interesting. You have played several artists, most memorable as Vermeer in Girl with The Pearl Earring. Do you have any artistic talent?

None whatsoever. I had hours upon hours of lessons just so I could look like someone who wouldn’t drop his paintbrush. But I like to write, as a hobby. I’ve never had a huge ambition to be published. I sometimes exchange stories with friends who also write a bit. You seem to have balanced career and family life better than most actors.

I think I invest more in my personal life than I do in my professional life. And my wife is spectacularly good at keeping my feet on the ground. I have a home to go to at the end of the day, which helps me deal with the rigours and the ups and downs; the expectations and the disappointments. I do find that the sanest actors I know have a very strong home life and friends outside the business.  April 2011

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IMAGES © AP / PICTURENET

On fame, winning an Oscar, and overcoming a mid-life crisis

Craftsmanship |

Restoring

Coronet

The last great schooner and a modern-day story of labour and love TANYA GOODMAN

oronet is an icon from a golden age, harking back to the heydays of American history when captains of industry rose to power, and demonstrated their power by adorning their social lives with beautiful yachts, luxury apartments and glamorous girlfriends. When Coronet was first launched in 1885, she was one of the most elegant sailing yachts of her day. Designed for crossing the ocean in style, she featured a marble staircase, stained glass doors, mahogany panelled staterooms, a cloisonné chandelier and a piano in the main salon. Built for American industrialist Rufus T Bush, during her first five years she earned her fame as a transatlantic race winner. She also circumnavigated

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the globe and was one of the first US-registered yachts to round Cape Horn. In the summer of 1886 she sailed a maiden voyage from New York to Cowes, England and back. Coronet’s original builders and designers, C&R Poillon, William Townsend and Christopher Crosby, would never have imagined the journey she would take over the years, with a series of owners using her for different pursuits ranging from pleasure cruising and racing to scientific exploration, and even as a global voyager for a missionary cause. From 1890 to 1905, Coronet passed through the hands of no less than six individual owners. Her original captain, Christopher Crosby, however, remained a constant, staying with Coronet until 1899.

Coronet did a fair amount of globetrotting under her first owner, Bush, and returned again to some ambitious voyaging under the ownership of Arthur Curtiss James (1893-1989), with excursions including the West Indies, Nova Scotia (where she hosted the inventor Alexander Graham Bell in the summer of 1894), and another return trip across the Pacific. From 1895–1897, Coronet sailed over 72 400 kilometres in the service of science. James placed the yacht at the disposal of a joint JapaneseAmerican scientific expedition to view the total eclipse of the sun on 9 August 1896. Unfortunately, despite enormous preparation, when Coronet arrived in the remote fishing village of Esashi, some 1 770km ❱

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Paintings and photographs ÂŠ JOHN MECRAY

The work is painstaking but driven by passion.

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north of Yokohama, Japan, on the day of the eclipse, it was too cloudy and no photographs of scientific value could be produced. In 1905 Coronet’s duties changed when she was purchased by The Kingdom, a non-denominational religious organisation headquartered at Shiloh in Maine, in the US. Founded by Frank W Sanford, The Kingdom used the vessel for its global missionary work. As part of these efforts, Coronet made two voyages from the US to Palestine in 1905 and 1906 and began her second circumnavigation in 1907. Stops in Egypt, the Caribbean, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Tahiti, Australia, and western Africa were only a handful of the anchorage locales logged during her early years sailing for The Kingdom. She remained under The Kingdom’s ownership for 90 years. In 1995, the International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS), based in Rhode Island in the US, acquired Coronet with plans to restore her. Who better to conduct this labour of love than an institution which prides itself on the values and sentiments of a gentler era when respect for craftsmanship, heritage and

integrity were paramount. IYRS is a place that offers technical training for individuals interested in working in the marine industry and teaches the skills, history, art and science of building, restoring and maintaining wooden and composite-construction boats and their onboard systems. Coronet is, therefore, an ideal project for students and old-timers at IYRS. Early stages of the restoration were completed during the late 1990s, and included tasks such as collecting historical records and photographs to document the yacht’s voyaging record and the condition she was in at the time of launching. Next came the process of dismantling, archiving and storing the yacht’s interior, much of which was deemed original. Sourcing the materials that would be needed for the restoration became

a daunting task, as did hauling the yacht and building a temporary workshop to house her on the IYRS campus. It wasn’t until the summer of 2009, however, that the real work on the hull and deck could begin. In 2005 IYRS realised that they did not have the resources to complete this important project and found a new owner for the boat in Robert McNeil, who engaged Eric Thesen from Knysna as one of the two Lead Shipwrights on the project. Eric has a rare level of experience in wooden boat construction and restoration. In the summer of 2009, the real work on the hull and deck began. First, she was carefully surveyed using laser measuring tools, and that data turned into a new set of computer-generated line plans. Tom Daniels has been following the process closely, and offers regular insight into the progress of the team on his blog. A project of this magnitude obviously uses huge quantities of wood, which is brought into the shop piece by piece to be measured, sorted and marked according to the templates and drawings that have been laid

out. As Daniels explains, “The first order of business is, naturally, to find wood that fits the required curves. The second task is to use this wood as efficiently as possible. If you can get two futtocks [curved parts that are fastened together to form frames] out of a slab, you’ve just saved hundreds of Dollars in material. And so it goes, slab by slab, finding the piece with just the right curve for each of the hundreds of futtocks left to shape.” The work is painstaking but driven by passion. The small team of shipwrights have been at it for almost two years now and the boat is starting to take shape. For a classic sailing yacht of Coronet’s stature, only the best will do. 

Dr. John Demartini has consulted for Fortune 500 CEOs, entrepreneurs, Hollywood celebrities, sports personalities, financiers and other professionals. He has appeared on hundreds of national and international radio and television talk and financial news shows including CNN’s Larry King Live, CNBC, CBS, NBC, PBS and more.

The Breakthrough Experience The Breakthrough Experience

Real Solutions To Your Problems Real Solutions To Your Problems Whatever your challenge, whether professionally at work, or personally in your home or social environment, the Demartini Method®, the primary methodology taught in the Breakthrough Experience, is a certain solution to the most common issues that people deal with every day from low self esteem to depression, relationship challenges to divorce, lack of drive and focus to uncontrollable emotions, breakdowns in communication and more. In the Breakthrough Experience Dr. Demartini imparts a depth of knowledge about human behaviour so that you have certainty of direction and clarity as to the most important goals you would love to achieve now and into the future. The outcome is that you learn how to overcome personal and professional challenges, manage any emotion and unfold a more meaningful, focused, driven, inspired and purposeful life. Will the Breakthrough Experience help me in a relationship breakdown? Absolutely. The Breakthrough Experience will show you how to dissolve relationship fantasies, set realistic expectations, calm emotions and tension, reinstate communication and break down the barriers that keep you and your partner from appreciating each other. I am experiencing a career crisis and don’t know what my next step should be. What can I do? At the Breakthrough Experience you will be shown how to clarify your direction by determining what is most important to you with a process called the Demartini Value Determination Process™. Learn how to identify which of the 7 fears is holding you back from living your dream and discover how to dissolve the fear so that you get to make money doing what you love. I would love to grow my wealth, how will the Breakthrough Experience help me to make money? When you receive money, do you save it or spend it as fast as it comes into your life? Your values will determine which one of those options your life demonstrates. There are 6 easy steps that when you implement, your wealth starts to grow. The Breakthrough Experience will show you how to determine your most important aspects of life and how to increase your value on wealth building so that you get to see tangible results. The Breakthrough Experience - Cape Town Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 June 2011 The Westin Grand Arabella Quays The Breakthrough Experience - Johannesburg Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 June 2011 Sandton Convention Centre Cost: R6900 new / R3900 repeat Time: Saturday 8am - midnight, Sunday 9am - 6pm For bookings and early bird specials: 083 370 2201 or info@drdemartini.co.za

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Volcano jumper Abseiling into the mouth of a rumbling volcano with a lake of red-hot lava just below is the stuff of science fiction films. Or is it? ❱

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| Adventure

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Adventure |

heir mission: to abseil into the crater of an active volcano. The temperature: 1 000 °C plus. Their equipment: a unique heatproof climbing rope and suit. The level of danger: very, very high. Mission impossible? Mount Marum sits on the tiny volcanic island of Ambrym, part of the Vanuatu archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, around 650 kilometres from Australia. It is a haven for adventure travellers and is considered Vanuatu’s sorcery centre, famous for its black magic. Aside from the volcano, Ambrym is also home to 8 000 people. To these islanders the idea of entering the jaws of the volcano is far from their thoughts – not because of the associated dangers involved in being so close to a roaring inferno, but because of the myths attached to

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it. Legend has it that this volcano is the place where islanders begin their journey to the afterlife, and for this reason they don’t climb it or go inside as they fear it may bring bad fortune to the village. In September 2010, New Zealand-born filmmaker and volcanologist, Geoff Mackley gathered a team of climbers and a film crew and travelled to this volcanic island with a plan to descend into the crater of its active volcano to capture never-before-seen footage. Today it remains the only successful attempt of its kind on the island. Of course, being a volcanologist Mackley is able to plan and carry out these expeditions safely and sensibly, without endangering any of his crew, and always consults the local people before attempting anything. With a number of other volcano conquests to his name he is no stranger to ❱

The footage and photographs reveal scenes so alien to the human eye that they have attracted a lot of interest from sceptics.

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Mount Marum is a haven for adventure travellers and is considered Vanuatu’s sorcery centre, famous for its black magic. the heat, though he does admit that Mount Marum was one he wished he could have descended deeper, “But we just didn’t have enough rope!” he exclaimed. Mackley and his team are the only people ever to have dared enter the crater and film it. In fact, they captured some of the most incredible volcano footage ever. Their 60-second video sits on the YouTube website with a viewing count of over 1.4 million, and counting. The footage and photographs reveal scenes so alien to the human eye, where man and liquid lava come closer than ever before, that they have attracted a lot of interest from sceptics. But Mackley strongly defends his position as a filmmaker

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and volcano expert, saying every frame is absolutely real. What caused all the sensation is the image of a silver-suited stuntman waving from the very edge of a rocky volcanic cliff edge, with orange smoke circling from the boiling pot of red molten lava beneath him. Clothed head to toe in a heatproof suit known as a proximity suit (designed to reflect heat so he can get closer to the source), is professional climber Drew Bristol. This stuntman abseiled 500 vertical metres into the crater using climbing ropes, and when he was 100 metres from the surface of the smouldering lava lake, turned and waved at the camera. In order to capture such incredible footage the team pitched a tent

500 metres down, and along with their filming equipment also carried oxygen canisters with them to aid breathing. The camera technique which helped achieve such breathtaking pictures included the use of a long lens which Mackley explains “foreshortens the image, so the lava looks very close to Bristol in his protective silver-coloured suit”. Some 10 years in the making, Mackley’s trip to Mount Marum was planned for one reason only – he wanted to be the first to enter the mouth of this active volcano, classified as ‘highly dangerous’,º with its constant plumes of volcanic ash travelling more than a mile over the island. Mission impossible? No, mission complete.  www.prestigemag.co.za

| Adventure

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Superyacht |

TANYA GOODMAN

Strand craft

It’s a bogof deal: buy one (superyacht) get one (supercar) free

f you’re busy deciding which yacht to charter for the next Grand Prix in Monte Carlo or investigating a more long-term investment in a superyacht of your own, the extensive list of luxury features on such vessels can actually become quite tedious to sift through. How does one compare apples to apples when each superyacht typically has its own signature in terms of decor – vast stretches of inlaid wood throughout the suites, endless strings of Swarovski crystal in the salons and miles of marble in the bathrooms? An alternate strategy to narrow the field of choice might be to start with what typically comes at the bottom of the

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specs list – the enumeration of the various onboard tenders and toys. A personal submersible usually tops my list of nice-to-have tenders, but these are admittedly few and far between. I am also suitably impressed by a custom-designed runabout to get one from yacht to dock. However, once you get a look at the tender offering from Eduard Gray and Strand Crafts, in both the Strand Craft 166 (SC166) and Strand Craft 122 (SC122) versions, your decision-making techniques might forever be forsaken, as these superyacht beauties come with their own supercar to match. At first glance, it is hard to tell which design concept might have

come first – the superyacht or the supercar. The car is as curvaceous and sleek as the yacht, and vice versa, with both oozing a sense of speed and sexiness as if it was part of their genetic code. The debut of this concept came in the form of the SC122. From the start, it was clear that the supercar is no mere accessory to the superyacht; they both hold their own ground. The car is a true tender in all senses of the word as it travels onboard the 38-metre open superyacht, inside its own garage. Simply raise the hydraulic garage door upwards and deploy a retractable passarelle to produce your dockside driveway and hit the beach promenade in style. ❱ www.prestigemag.co.za

surprise

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Superyacht |

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| Superyacht

This handcrafted supercar has a rearmounted, 656kW twin-turbo V12 engine with an estimated 375km/h top speed. Built from carbon-fibre and weighing in at just 1 180 kilograms, it has a projected 0-100km/h time of 3.2 seconds. The yacht is no slowpoke either. She is designed to be able to reach a top speed of 40 knots with her twin MTU 16V4000 engines plus an additional ability to achieve 55 knots with the use of her optional Rolls-Royce KaMeWa boosters, offering over 10 440kW. Of course, the interior of the SC122 is breathtaking as well. She displays an impressive art deco aesthetic that can be customised to any taste. She houses four large bedrooms, reception and salon areas as well as comfortable crew cabins, and will be fully equipped with state-of-the-art-performance and comfort-enhancing technology

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such as 52-inch LED TVs and Bang & Olufsen sound systems in all of the rooms. With high-gloss mahogany inlays on the foredeck and an all-glass atrium covering the cockpit, the Strand Craft 122 offers a true open experience with all the comforts of being fully enclosed. The introduction of the SC166 followed a similar automotive theme, with an extremely low, feline-like stance and a sense of dynamism that streaks across her profile. In this incarnation, the yacht design has become even more daring. With a retractable flybridge and radar mast that retreat into the skin of the yacht when not in use, the yacht is able to maintain the cleanest of lines. Enhancing this sensibility are the twin concealed entrances to the yacht, hiding the stairway to the upper aft deck as well as providing access to the garage, bar and lounge areas. The art of â?ą

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Superyacht |

surprise is obviously a dominant ethic on SC166 as yet another element concealed beneath the carbon-fibre-inlaid foredeck is a sun deck equipped with large Jacuzzi and built-in bar. The SC166, too, comes equipped with its own custom supercar tender. Created in the same design language as its carrier, the tender has a V8 engine producing 462kW and with a top speed of 305km/h. In this version of the superyacht offering from Strand Craft, clients are also able to order their own vehicle of choice, be it a Koenigsegg, Maybach, Lamborghini, Ferrari, or even the more traditional waterborne tender. When it comes to the interior of SC166, the automotive theme is abundant, from the cockpit-like glasshouse on the upper deck to the red leather-covered upholstery that adorns large surfaces of the interior. Chrome highlights sparkle in every part of the cabin and the walls display a highly polished gunmetal automotive treatment. Brushed aluminium trims the windows and bar area and the hallways are bathed in soft LED spotlighting. Onboard SC166 are five double en suite staterooms, each similarly equipped to the SC122 with top-end sound and entertainment systems. With a nod to the latest iPad technology, guests can access a control and information centre from Poets Road to activate any function on the yacht, as well as providing essential information about the running and status of the vessel and its massive engines. Whereas the SC122 boasts bulletproof windows, SC166 offers a totally bullet-proof yacht if you choose a high-tech coating both inside and out. Powered by two MTU 20V4000 M93L 2x4300kW engines with a Vericor TF50 4177kW booster engine, the SC166 is slightly slower than SC122 but still capable of respectable cruising speeds of 30 knots, with a top speed of 40 knots. Estimated cost for one of these Strand Crafts is rumoured to be a mere $25 million. So, stop your never-ending search for the coolest yacht. This ‘buy one, get one free deal’ is too good to resist. 

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April 2011

At first glance, it is hard to tell which design concept might have come first – the superyacht or the supercar.

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April 2011

Prestige

440x300 DP Vintage Prestige Mag.indd 1-2

24/03/11 14:32

440x300 DP Vintage Prestige Mag.indd 1-2

24/03/11 14:32

The Masters

eep in America’s South, just inside Georgia’s state border with South Carolina, and not far from the wide and easy-flowing Savannah River, there’s an old avenue lined with heavy, healthy trees. Like many in that area, it leads to a charming pillared building with wrap-around balconies and a pleasing symmetry. But there’s something more than colonial architecture and elegant flora that makes this particular strip of Dixie country

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April 2011

road famously distinct. Once every year, in the second week of April, the best golfers in the world roll up and down its shaded tarmac in open-top Cadillacs as they go about contesting the greatest prize in American golf: The Masters. It is, of course, the hallowed Magnolia Lane of the Augusta National Golf Club. And this year, South Africa’s Gary Player returns to this sacred boulevard to lay down one more layer of golfing history on its already rich asphalt. After winning all four of the

IAN MACLEOD

then Major championships in a single calendar year (1930), the great Bobby Jones retired from competitive golf. He soon began searching for the ideal stretch of land on which to build his dream golf course, and found it in the form of a nursery in Augusta, Georgia. Alongside Rae’s Creek, and effervescing with all manner of greenery from Georgia pines to pink azaleas, Jones could not have stumbled upon a finer tract of the planet to build a theatre for sporting dreams. In 1931 www.prestigemag.co.za

The finest thing of its kind

he purchased the site with partner Clifford Roberts, and in 1933 – the very midst of the Great Depression – August National welcomed its first, very exclusive intake of moneyed and privileged members. That year the pair hosted the Augusta National Invitation on their fledgling course, a tournament that would morph into The Masters in 1934 and, in the ensuing decades, turn into the most beautiful golf tournament in the world. Each springtime, just as the 90 or www.prestigemag.co.za

so best golfers of the moment peak their games for the first Major of the year, Augusta’s meanly sloping fairways, laser-clean edges and flowersnuggled greens crest to a floral perfection unmatched anywhere. Those who’ve played the course promise with convincing unanimity that television does not do the steepness, colour and atmosphere of the place anything like justice. And while the official speed of the greens – as measured by the industry-standard ‘stimpmeter’ – is a guarded secret,

they are hyperbolically (though at times only slightly so) compared to the bonnet of a Volkswagen Beetle – such is their slickness and variation of gradient. Together this means high, pinpoint irons and accurate green readings are the keystones of any good Masters strategy. But in reality, at this ‘cathedral amongst the pines,’ the winner’s Green Jacket is invariably decided in a human drama far less scientific than that. As they say: “The Masters doesn’t start until the back nine on Sunday.” ❱ April 2011

Prestige

Personality |

That was the key to my success – the belief that I could win no matter what the circumstances. Perhaps the most eloquent dramatisation of this well-worn adage unfolded on the final afternoon of the 1978 edition of the championship. Gary Player woke up that Sunday and teed off early. When you’re seven shots off the lead with 18 holes to play, not even a two-time former winner with the pluck of the Black Knight should feel like a contender. But Gary had never in his life felt like anything else, and he got to work piecing together one of the most staggering and skin-crawlingly stirring charges in golfing history. Gary put on a solid opening nine, pulling back two shots. So by the metaphorical beginning of the tournament, he was five shots behind, with Tom Watson, Hubert Green and Ron Funseth ahead of him. What followed was a sizeable chunk of the legend that is Gary Player. It started with a snaking 25-foot putt to make birdie at 10. He then turned ‘Amen Corner’ – Augusta’s notorious 11th, 12th and 13th – in 2 under par. With eyes now keenly tracking his movement

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April 2011

up the leader board, Player reached the par-5 15th green in two, only to miss the eagle putt and tap in for birdie. Then at 16 – a short hole with a fairway made entirely of pond – Gary made birdie with a skill that has always differentiated Masters winners: putting downhill. Finally, he climbed the holly-lined 18th and tucked in another 15-footer for his sixth birdie of the return loop. He had come home in a record-breaking 30 and – although he’d have to wait for the overnight leaders to finish for confirmation – won his third Masters title. “I believed I could do it,” recalls a 75-year-old Gary Player. Now very slightly hunched over and with bolts of professor-like grey in his otherwise jet-black hair, he still has that steeliness in his eyes. “When I was 7 shots behind I said, ‘I can win,’ and I did,” he explains. “That was the key to my success – the belief that I could win no matter what the circumstances.” A throwaway line from almost anyone else, but from a man who has stormed the home straight at

Augusta like he did that memorable Sunday in 1978 and made a career of beating golfing royalty like Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, that quote has the feeling of sage advice. This year, Gary returns to The Masters to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his first Green Jacket in 1961. And some insiders are whispering about a possible role for him in the annual starting ceremony. “I have made no secret of the fact that I would love to join Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus as an honorary starter to reunite The Big Three,” explains Gary – careful to add the caveat that nothing has been confirmed. In 1977 co-founder of Augusta National, Clifford Roberts, described Magnolia Lane as ‘The finest thing of its kind’. Today, more than 30 Masters later, this sounds a deserved tag for the golf course to which it leads and the tournament to which it shuttles players. That’s not to call them necessarily better than, say, St Andrews and The Open; only different. And Gary Player, well, he’s the finest of a kind, too.  www.prestigemag.co.za

premier TRAVEL

TwELVE APOSTLES cAPE TOwN

Stand at the edge of the world where you can enjoy nature or explore Cape Town’s cosmopolitan V&A Waterfront with car transfer or helipad services. Voted Africa’s leading spa resort, the Twelve Apostles welcomes children and pets and promises an idyllic getaway for the whole family. www.12apostleshotel.com Reservations: +27 21 437 9000

FORDOUN SPA MIDLANDS

This family-run hideaway in the Natal Midlands, with its pristine country air and rolling hills, offers luxurious accommodation and some of the most advanced, award-winning spa facilities. Highly personalised service includes the very best in traditional African treatments. Fordoun is the perfect place to escape and refresh mind, body and spirit. www.fordoun.com Reservations: +27 33 266 6217

RADDISSON JHB & PORT ELIZABETH

Spas, gyms and a unique “Yes I Can” concept that includes 100 percent Guest Satisfaction, both hotels have conference facilities and free Internet and offer luxurious rooms, fine dining experiences as well as opportunities to “paint the town Blu.” www.radissonblu.com/hotel-portelizabeth and www.radissonblu.com/hotel-johannesburg Reservations: +27 41 509 5000 (PE) and +27 11 245 8000 (JHB)

THE SAXON BOUTIQUE HOTEL & SPA SANDHURST Voted the World’s Leading Boutique Hotel six years in a row, The Saxon is the ultimate city base when in Johannesburg. Close to the financial and business hub of South Africa, the lush tranquillity offers a calm retreat from a busy day’s work. Enjoy discreet and highly personalised service in a tasteful African elegance. www.thesaxon.co.za Reservations: +27 11 292 6000

OYSTER BOX DURBAN

Hovering on the ocean’s edge, the Oyster Box Hotel is conveniently close to Afro-chic Durban, yet exudes an air of charm and elegance. This iconic hotel’s dramatic revamp now offers guests a vibrant, contemporary old-world experience, while evoking the warm nostalgia of days gone by. www.oysterboxhotel.com Reservations: +27 31 514 5000

TINTSwALO ATLANTIc

With unsurpassed views of the Sentinel, this lodge can only be described as one of the most secluded and breathtaking jewels on the Atlantic seaboard. Its 10 luxury suites and one regal presidential suite provide an environment that offers a time for stillness and reflection in total privacy. www.tintswalo.com Reservations: +27 11 300 8888

Collectibles |

Vroom vroom noises not allowed Miniature cars don’t necessarily mean toys

t’s only right that any mention of model cars calls to mind such names as Corgi, Matchbox, Burago, and Dinky. Brands like these created the market for die-cast cars, just as Airfix, Revell and a host of others served enthusiasts with plastic kits, for the added satisfaction of building car models, rather than just opening a box. It’s also true that rare die-casts are now the stuff of auction houses and Antiques Roadshow. Five-figure sums change hands for pre-World War II, ‘mint, boxed’ Dinky models, depending on their rarity. That, by any standard, makes the acquisition of once-common die-casts a highend pursuit. But such collecting is simply the visible, commercial, readily-recognisable face of a hobby that also boasts an elite aimed at very few collectors, just as the best wines enjoy ‘Premier Cru’ status and the finest watches are collectively known as examples of haute horlogerie. Those who love hand-built,

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April 2011

‘artisan’ car models might sum it up with this seemingly dismissive but absolutely indisputable definition: Mattel Hot Wheels, Dinky, Corgi and Matchbox models are fundamentally toys. Kits from Monogram, Revell and the like, however accurate, are mass-market plastic offerings. What constitutes model collecting’s high-end are limited edition, breathtakingly realistic, hand-made scale models so accurate that they can be photographed against a plain background and be mistaken for the full-sized real deal. One major difference serves as the perfect synecdoche, a detail that illustrates how artisan models differ in intent from their mass-market counterparts: so delicate, detailed and precious are these models that – deliberately – many are fitted with wheels that do not turn. It signals that these are to be displayed, admired and cherished. They are not, like die-casts, to be played with by little boys.

You might argue that there’s no fun, then, in what are, inherently, toys, no matter what rhetoric collectors choose to separate them. But closer examination reveals a number of commercial and intellectual disparities, not least the price and the fragility. Artisan scale models are to mass-market models what Tiffany eggs are to Kinder’s. A primary reason for arriving in the world of costly hand-builts is subject matter. While Corgi or Burago can justify a model of a Ferrari 430 or an E-type Jaguar because the sales will be commensurate with the needs of a major manufacturer, they are unlikely to model anything totally obscure. One does not anticipate, for example, a model of the 1947 Mille Miglia FIAT 1100 Sport from one of the huge model concerns. Conversely, a specialist such as History Car 43 can offer that rare FIAT because it is able to make models in the tens or low ❱ www.prestigemag.co.za

KEN KESSLER

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April 2011

Prestige

Collectibles |

hundreds – also indicative of the relative size of the market. Affordable models of popular cars sell in the hundreds of thousands, but artisan models are produced from the outset as low-volume limited editions. They may be sold, depending on the manufacturer, as both kits and factory-built, in kit-form-only, or built-only. Like mass-market models, too, they are offered in a variety of

artisan models use materials other than those for metal die-casts or polystyrene kits. After decades of using MAZAK, a magnesium-zincaluminium alloy found in die-casts, the artisan industry turned to a specific resin that offered the possibility for finer detail, such as scroll lines to indicate door and bonnet openings, air vents, grilles and the like. The only downside to resin is

Artisan scale models are to mass market models what Tiffany eggs are to Kinder’s. scales, of which the most popular is 1/43rd. Typically three to four inches in length, a sizeable collection of a hundred models wouldn’t fill a wall-mounted showcase the size of a 40-inch flat-screen TV. Larger scales, which provide the opportunity for greater detail, include 1/24, 1/18 and 1/12, all requiring commensurately more display space. In addition to obscure subjects,

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April 2011

that its lighter weight removes from the scale model the wonderful heft of metal. Other advances that brought accuracy up to previously unimaginable levels included the use of photoetched metal parts, for chrome trim and windscreen surrounds, superior paint techniques and – thanks to digital technology – exceptional transfers to represent sponsor logos

on models of competition vehicles. The dozens of makers of artisan models, based in Japan, Italy, France, the UK, Germany and the USA, no longer dare issue the crude, if charming models found as recently as the 1970s: the images available on the Internet no longer allow inaccuracy on any level. Choosing a theme is advisable because there are simply too many models on offer. A typical issue of Four Small Wheels, a catalogue-cumnewsletter published 10 times a year by Grand Prix Models in the UK, might easily announce 150 to 200 new models. And it’s not just the artisan builders serving this market: companies such as Mattel and Revell have ‘prestige’ lines, while specialists including MiniChamps, IXO, Spark, Schuco and Vitesse offer superb miniatures almost indistinguishable from their high-end rivals, for prices between £20 and £50. As in so many fields, China is the country of choice for manufacturing affordable models, and has enabled a new generation of collectors to www.prestigemag.co.za

enter a field where a traditional artisan 1/43rd-scale model may cost between £80 and £100. Climbing the ladder, the crème de la crème includes BBR’s Ferraris at around £160, Carbone’s vintage car masterpieces in the £250 region, and other tempting offerings priced from £200 to £1500 – or more for one-off commissions from the modelling field’s maestri. Unsurprisingly, the first inspiration for the purchase of a model car is wanting a miniature of one’s own real car. Equally, it’s not surprising that those with sizeable collections of full-sized cars are also addicted

to fine-scale models. Themes then evolve into individual makes, road or racing vehicles, modern or vintage, land speed record cars, prototypes, and cars from films – the narrower the field, the better, unless you don’t mind being overwhelmed. If there were ever to be started an AA for model car collectors – ‘Autominiaturists Anonymous’, perhaps? – my initial confession would be: “40 years of Bugatti model collecting, and no end in sight.” And trust me, housing 800 of the little beggars is a challenge. 

This Way Up F1 kits Adriaan Swanepoel has been collecting F1 models for years. He and his wife Lee-Ann are industrial designers and were looking for a new way to use their skills, so in 2002 Adriaan decided to produce his first model car kit to see if he was up to the challenge. “In the beginning it was a real problem to produce the small parts required by 1/43rd scale,” he says. “Up until then we had

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spent a lot of time designing much larger items such as garden furniture.” Despite a few wrong turns, the pair’s first order was dispatched in late 2003. They now produce 33 kits, all of which are white metal and include photo etch, decals, machined parts, and rubber tyres. In terms of what to model, Adriaan and Lee-Ann decide which subjects they’d like to create kits of, though these usually centre on F1 cars that haven’t been modelled before, and which have some historic significance, as the duo likes cars with interesting stories attached. “Collectors are very fond of F1 cars from the 70s,” says Adriaan. “The rules were far simpler and it was a time of innovation. The cars all looked different as people pursued different ideas, from four wheels to six wheels. The old Kyalami race track was considered one of the best in the world. The race was normally very early in the season and a lot of cars made their debut here. Mass model makers generally only make one version of the car from a season, and often only of the popular teams. It was this sort of gap that inspired us to make our first kit – Jody Scheckter’s 1978 Wolf WR5.” www.thiswayup.co.za

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April 2011

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Travel |

Slow travel at sea As the world speeds up, taking time out to travel leisurely and consciously has renewed appeal &

ÂŠ KERI HARVEY

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â?ą

April 2011

Prestige

he marble path to the Acropolis is worn smooth as soap. Millions of soles have tramped this route over the centuries, and millions more will still come to see these symbols of ancient, glorious Greece. Their appeal is eternal, alluring and evocative. Like the majestic Parthenon, inspired by the warrior goddess Athena, and still considered a most perfect piece of classical architecture. In complete contrast to the breathtaking antiquity on the Acropolis, modern Athens lies like a white swathe down below. It is gleaming and geometric, encrusting the surrounding hills. Ancient city gates, temples and theatres punctuate the white cityscape with structures of solid stone – and of course there is the iconic Olympic stadium. If you stop for just a minute, it’s not hard to imagine life here long, long ago: Aristophanes and Sophocles staging plays to enthralled audiences in the theatres; robed philosophers and academics debating in the streets; Socrates talking politics; and athletes training for games. Today, modern Athens lives effortlessly between its elaborate antiquities, revering them while at the same time synthesising them into daily life. The capital also has a special energy and vibrancy – a warm aloofness – as elegant Athenians go about their daily business. But when night falls and the work is done, Greeks celebrate life ’til late. In Athens, as in all of the Mediterranean, there is a palpable lust for life. As evening light dusts Athens in soft shades of gold, we watch this sprawling city grow small in our wake. Leaning over our private balcony aboard a mega yacht, sundowner in hand, life is good. Very good. These Seabourn yachts are special boats, small and exclusive, utterly luxurious and decadent. They are about slow cruising and elegant journeys. We breathe fresh Mediterranean air and watch our yacht cut quietly through the hushing sea. It’s a liquid rhythm that brings with it perfect calm. Actually, there’s no sense of movement at all aboard the craft, and you have to look out to sea to know if you are actually sailing.

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| Travel

That’s one of the special things about cruising. That and falling asleep in one country to wake up the next morning in another. “Welcome aboard the yacht,” greets a smiling Diana Loseva, our vivacious stewardess. “You don’t need to lift a finger,” she adds, “anything you would like, just call me and I will be glad to assist.” Diana tells us briefly about some of the facilities onboard – just some, because there are many. “Seabourn Square is the yacht’s living room with a business centre, coffee bar, and library. All the shore excursions www.prestigemag.co.za

are arranged there,” she says. “Then there are shops and boutiques and many different bars, observation areas, a spa and salon, fitness centre, a retreat area, swimming pools and whirlpools,” she stops. “Do you want to hear more? There are four restaurants to choose from too – everything from fine dining to poolside meals, themed dinners and tasting evenings. If you’re not in the mood for any of these, just order in and dine right here in your suite.” The yachts of Seabourn are renowned for their sublime cuisine and impeccable service. Attention

to detail – from the appointments and amenities in the sumptuous suites and marble bathrooms to all the public dining and leisure areas on the yacht – is flawless. Somehow every whim and desire is anticipated, as if the extensive crew were all trained mind readers. We fall asleep while cruising the Mediterranean and wake up in the Ionian Sea, as we cut through the ocean to Pylos. To the eye, the Ionian Sea looks completely unnatural: perfectly clear and dark inky blue at the same time – and the sea is as warm as the early autumn weather. ❱ April 2011

Prestige

Cruising really epitomises the art of slow travel, plus there is no packing and unpacking, scurrying about, whipping out passports and clearing customs, chasing planes or trains. All you need to think of while sailing is what you’d like to do, and then simply do it. It is unadulterated hedonistic bliss; Heaven for pleasure seekers; Nirvana for lovers of the good life. One of the quaintest towns along the west coast of the Peloponnese, Pylos is a bite-sized taste of Greek village life. The harbour is still guarded by two forts, and the newer one, Neokastro, was used until recent times to protect the bay. In the heart of the village, a silver domed church too, but all the activity is really along the water’s edge – particularly at lunchtime when the seaside restaurants fill up with hungry patrons. Kleftiko, moussaka, and plentiful fresh seafood are on the menu, washed down with crisp white wine. It is wonderful Greek-style easy dining. “If you want to see something spectacular, be on the viewing deck at six o’clock tomorrow morning,” says Captain Mark Dexter, as we pass him in the passage onboard the yacht. “Why?” I ask. “Be there and you’ll see,” he smiles. “It’s one of my favourite experiences.”

Prestige

April 2011

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| Travel

Sailing is more about the journey, the sojourn, the quest. It’s the very spirit of elegant travel. Dishevelled and bleary-eyed, we are up and on deck early the next morning. And we are rendered speechless. Slowly and effortlessly, we are sailing up a fjord. Flanked by land on both sides, our yacht eases up this narrow sea inlet, passing little fishing boats teetering on the waves and watching red-roofed villages wake up to the day. Captain Dexter’s ‘spectacular’ was certainly an understatement. In Montenegro, we’re in one of the world’s newest countries, at just five years old. As one of the former republics of Yugoslavia, Montenegro may be new on the map but it’s old at heart. Ancient villages with heavy red-tiled roofs, hilltop stone churches and city walls of solid rock allude to plenty of history, as well as war and peace. The country has a wild beauty and was only recently noticed by tourists in search of the unusual. But it’s the Adriatic coastline that is the most startling discovery, and

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it’s quite clear to us why it’s rated one of the world’s most magnificent coasts to see and sail. As the spots on the dog, the Dalmatian Coast is a collection of hundreds of islands, some tiny as a sea rock and others much, much larger. The coast looks as though a sky god sprinkled islands on the surface of the sea, and when people came they decorated many of them with lighthouses that now caress the Adriatic with their night beams. It’s really beautiful. Outside on our balcony sipping a nightcap, we are lulled by the sound of the sea as the yacht gently carves its way through the night. We’re also enchanted and seduced by the elegance of sailing as a way to savour travel and soak up the full experience. Now the destination is not the goal; it’s the journey that’s important.  www.cruises.co.za

April 2011

Prestige

Motoring |

The best of the

Geneva Motor Show ADRIAN BURFORD

ou’ve got to love motor shows. If you enjoy cars – be it from a technical, aesthetic or purely practical point of view – they are a great opportunity to see loads of shiny metal in one place at one time. And when it comes to doing it with style, it’s hard to beat the Swiss. The Geneva Salon – which took place for the 81st time, from 1 to 13 March – isn’t necessarily the biggest in the world but in many ways it is the most accessible and the most enjoyable for industry and public alike: they seem to be able to cram more into a given area than most other shows, and it remains a significant event on all levels. The public loves concept cars and designers dutifully trot them out,

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April 2011

spending millions to gauge response – and vie for bragging rights. If you’re not convinced, consider that Renault even has an appointed director of Concept Car and Show Car Design. Premieres, and getting into a prime position for the unveiling thereof, is an ongoing challenge for media, as rival designers are always keen to take a close – and often critical look – at the work of others. It might not have the overt bitchiness of the haute couture catwalks, but professional jealousy is never far away in an industry populated with big egos in what is a relatively small pond of highly influential designers. As for these designers, here’s a crosssection of what they’ve been up to.

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Alfa Romeo’s 4C Concept made its world debut at Geneva. Described as a compact ‘supercar’ that represents the true essence of sporty driving, it embraces Alfa’s core values of performance, style and technical excellence with the ultimate objective of maximum driving pleasure. To deliver on that, it’s a compact two-seater with a rear-drive layout, and uses technology and materials derived from the delectable 8C Competizione. Under the svelte bonnet is a 1.75-litre turbo petrol www.prestigemag.co.za

engine and, despite the modest size of the powerplant, the low weight of the vehicle and the high specific output of the engine should still translate into scintillating performance if it becomes a production reality – something that Alfa is adamant will happen next year.

Toyota isn’t a name traditionally known for its ability to set pulses racing, but with the FT-86 II Concept they just might. And it isn’t some ersatz sports car from the East, either. This is the real deal, and marks a return to the passion for driving that inspired the likes of the 2000 GT in the 1960s. The FT’s styling is dubbed ‘functional beauty’: its bold, sweeping form has been generated purely according to the constraints of function and aerodynamics. The bodywork is stretched taut over compact key dimensions, and it eschews convention by opting for a horizontallyopposed Boxer engine – the physical manifestation of Toyota’s collaboration with Subaru. ❱ April 2011

Prestige

Motoring | Peugeot, at a show which is right on their doorstep, revealed the EX1 concept car. And in this case it is still very much a concept, but fascinating nonetheless. This two-seater roadster – designed for ‘intense sensations’, say Peugeot – features four-wheel drive and combines an ultra-light structure with advanced aerodynamics for brisk performance in a compact package. The interesting part is that drive comes via a pair of electric motors that generate 250kW – the face of high performance is indeed changing fast!

Prestige

April 2011

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One of the most interesting cars in Geneva’s Green Car Pavilion was the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid, joining a Cayenne with a similar drivetrain as part of the Porsche Intelligent Performance range. Total power output is 279kW thanks to a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 combined with a 34kW electric motor, generating a tax-busting 159g of CO2 per kilometre. But those in need of a four-door, four-seater executive express will be pleased to learn that performance isn’t sacrificed on the altar of going green: it is still good for 0 – 100km/h in six seconds.

If we’re being forced to reassess our perception of performance on an ongoing basis, the same applies to how we view luxury cars. RollsRoyce’s contribution to a ‘greener’ motoring world is the 102 EX – an experimental electric vehicle based on the Phantom. Described as a one-off, the fully electric Phantom will serve as a test bed to gather research crucial in informing future decisions on alternative drive-trains for RollsRoyce motor cars. To this end, a global test-drive programme will give owners the opportunity to experience an alternative drive-train technology and to feed back their experiences, thoughts and concerns directly to the manufacturer. While there are no plans to develop a production variant just yet, Geneva will start a dialogue with existing owners and stakeholders, posing as well as answering questions of its audience. 

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April 2011

Prestige

Tech|Know

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 A new level of awesome DYLAN SEEGERS

Lamborghini: the word alone invokes childhood memories of Countach posters pinned to the bedroom wall, inspired ambitions of one day owning one, and impassioned dreams of racing glory. It doesn’t start or end there, though, as Lambos have always been extraordinary in design.

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April 2011

The 1966 Miura was particulary captivating and arguably the first true supercar, ultimately challenging Ferrari to make more comfortable road cars. The Countach defined the late 70s with its outrageous looks and unwieldy behaviour, while the introduction of permanent four-wheel

drive with the curvy Diablo in 1990 saw Lamborghini take the crown for the world’s fastest production car. Since Audi’s takeover in 1998 we’ve seen a focus on creating more commercial refinement without compromising dramatic design, first the Murciélago and then the little brother Gallardo

which, in its multiple variants, sold in bucketloads. And now, enter the Lamborghini Aventador, the latest pinup to grace the digital wallpaper of young rascals everywhere. This vehicle is an entirely new level of awesome – which is good news for Lambo as it will be replacing the super-cool ❱ www.prestigemag.co.za

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April 2011

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Tech|Know

– commendable for a supercar, though it’s still no tree-hugger. Ultimate power is not enough in this modern day so, with their shiny new ISR (Independent Shifting Rods) transmission swapping cogs in a snappy 50 milliseconds and plenty of carbon-fibre trimming weight (including an all-new carbonfibre monocoque passenger cell), this raging bull is lighter, a tad thinner and ever so slightly longer than the Murciélago, helping it slice through the air to

TFT-LCD displays, the main dial displaying various options from road speed to engine revs and more. Interestingly, all these state-of-the-art electronics were developed in-house by Lamborghini’s engineers, thus keeping everything electronic controlled by one system. The customary array of acronymic features include a fancy new ESP system making sure all four wheels remain positively attached to the ground and keep the beast facing forward.

one of a kind. Everything from interior and exterior colour to contrast stitching on the leather and your choice of paint for the mags and brake callipers is on offer. You can even choose a transparent cover to flaunt that amazing engine, if that sort of thing tickles you pink. It’s got the looks and has figures to match and, with a nod to its namesake – a particularly feisty Spanish bull who courageously took the fight to a matador way back in 1993 –

Enter the Lamborghini Aventador, the latest pinup to grace the digital wallpaper of young rascals everywhere. This vehicle is an entirely new level of awesome. Murciélago, the Aventador is nearly 100 percent new and shares no more than a few nuts and bolts with any of its extended family. The all-new, 6.5-litre V12 is a whopping 18 kilograms lighter than the outgoing powerplant, delivering a massive 515kw while saving around 20 percent on fuel and CO2 emissions

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April 2011

achieve 0-100km/h in an astonishing 2.9 seconds! It swiftly achieves a heart-pounding 350km/h top speed too. Packed full of technology, from an assortment of passive safety features to a state-ofthe-art multimedia system, the onboard computer communicates to the driver via several

The spacious interior, coated in plush leather, follows the arrow-shaped form of the exterior and, as is customary with any vehicle of such high pedigree there are a multitude of customisation options. Lambo has called theirs ‘Ad Personam individualisation program,’ and will make your Aventador

Lambo is challenging the big boys with its price too. One may expect to pay around $1.3 million for a Bugatti Veyron or the new Pagani Huayra, while the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 is pegged at around $380 000 in comparison. Not bad for the new playground bully. I’ll have an orange one.  www.prestigemag.co.za

Murciélago as their new flagship model. The aviation-inspired Aventador retains the iconic upward-opening doors of its predecessors and is defined by its striking sharp edges, smooth yet confident lines, and a stance that will have any sane matador quivering behind his big red cloak. If previous Lambos make you salivate on sight, the Aventador may make you leave your wife. More good news for the discerning Lambo lover is that, unlike the Gallardo and

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April 2011

Prestige

Cable guys Wireless is here, but real men use cables KEN KESSLER

Leads, cables, wires – call them what you like they’re not going away. The move toward a wireless world has been only partly successful, and those who use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on a regular basis know that they’re still prone to failure – usually during a critical download. For the most secure transmission of signals, a physical connection beats wireless every time. Nowhere is this more true than in audio, despite what Apple and the rest suggest whenever they come up with products delightfully named Airplay, Airwave, Airstream, ad nauseam. Yes, the idea of a wireless environment, where you

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April 2011

simply walk into your lounge and the audio system immediate connects to the iPod, iPad or smartphone in your pocket, is attractive to most of us. But for the finest sound quality, the connections between the parts of the audio chain need greater integrity than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth can offer. ‘Chain’ is the operative word, because a hi-fi system is just that: a series of links consisting of a source, such as a CD player, turntable or, yes, iPod, connected to an amplifier. The amplifier accomplishes a number of functions, including the setting of the volume level, choosing the source, and feeding

the music to the loudspeakers. The speakers, the last item in the chain, derive power from the amplifier, and convert electronic signals into audible sound. In between are various wires. The least complicated stereo system, with only one source such as CD, will need one AC cable for the CD player and one for the amplifier; a pair of wires between CD player and amplifier, called ‘interconnects’, and speaker leads for each of the two speakers in a stereo system. All of these perform different functions, so they have different thicknesses, windings and connectors. For decades, the audio

industry treated wires with utter disdain, believing that there were no differences between grades of wire, diameter or materials. In the mid1970s, however, audiophiles around the globe, especially in Japan and France, followed by the USA, the UK and then the rest of the hi-fi- manufacturing territories, started to listen to the differences between, for example, the default copper wires used in every application, to silver, to gold, to metal hybrids and alloys. Nothing was ignored. Even the plugs and connectors were assessed for physical integrity, surface area and impact on the sound. The outer casing of any wire, its protective layer and insulation from adjacent cables, is called a dielectric: the enthusiasts tried everything from plastics to carbon-fibre weaves to silk. A craze ensued, but an industry was born. Their argument? A chain is no stronger than its weakest link. And that weak link had always been the cables. Among the earliest pioneers in cable design were Bob Fulton, Randall Research, Polk, and most famous of all, Monster Cable. In their wake appeared – literally – hundreds of speaker companies, from lone hobbyists to serious, established operations including Cardas, Transparent, MIT, Siltech, Kimber, QED, Chord, Atlas, Yter, Crystal, IXOS and many others. The companies that have survived past the hype employ metallurgists and own testing laboratories that undertake research to demonstrate how, why and most importantly, if cables make any difference. As a serious business, selling expensive cables is now an established part of the audio industry. The privately-held Monster Cable is rumoured by some sources to have an estimated annual revenue of around $500 million. Because normal interconnects and mains cables come free www.prestigemag.co.za

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with their respective components, they have no more standalone value than $2 to $10. Speaker cables are not usually supplied with the speakers, but most retailers used to “throw them in” with the purchase, typically the kind of copper wire that used to be called zip cord and which would share duties with the mains cables going to a table lamp. It’s the stuff that any hardware store sells quite inexpensively. So, imagine the reactions of sceptics, especially hard-bitten engineers who despise anything subjective, to claims that someone’s cables ‘sound better’ than the standard stuff. Their arguments against wires’ capabilities are scientifically-based, for measurements often reveal little that correlates to sound quality – only their electrical performance. And yet seasoned,

for, though, is the same thing: better sound quality. When considering expensive wires – and one company produces a three-metre pair of speaker leads for the same price as a fully-equipped MercedesBenz E350 coupé – it’s easy to see why tempers flare and cynicism flourishes. Clearly, such pricing has little bearing on reality. Even the age-old excuse of ‘The Law of Diminishing Returns’ ceases to have meaning. It argues that once you reach a certain level of quality or performance, you need to spend logarithmically more to achieve even minute gains. This law begs the question: is that £35,000pair of speaker cables truly better than a £100 pair? To which the enthusiast will reply: “You could say the same about a £1 cigar versus a £30 Cohiba, a £3 bottle of table wine or a £275

One company produces a three-metre pair of speaker leads that sells for the same price as a fully equipped Mercedes-Benz E350 coupé. committed, ‘golden-eared’ audiophiles have undertaken blind tests and indentified cables consistently. If any logic supports this, it has to be that no scam could be maintained on such a grand scale, for nearly 40 years. As much as the hard-core engineers would like us to believe that it’s all smoke and mirrors, far too many consumers and reviewers with no vested financial interest in cables can hear differences, and do so consistently. Compounding the matter is that cables can behave differently, according to the components with which they’re used. This keeps reviewers and retailers on their toes, because it can change the verdict regarding one cable versus another. What all are looking www.prestigemag.co.za

Sassicaia. It all depends on what you’re obsessed by.” (And this category includes £800-strappy shoes, £350 000-tourbillon wrist watches, £140 000 000-yachts, £35 000-belt buckles, and everything else in the luxury sector.) An enlightened retailer might suggest spending 10 percent of the cost of a system on the cabling; most audio experts consider that to be a reasonable formula. Also when advising anyone shopping for a highperformance sound system, a retailer will posit that he or she must listen before buying. With cables at these prices, the client might even be able to insist on a home demonstration. But aside from an open billfold, one other thing is needed when approaching high-end cables: an open mind.  April 2011

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Execujet eeting all your M private aviation needs MADIE WERNER

A leading private and general aviation company that provides a wide choice of services to private aircraft owners, operators and users, ExecuJet Africa is a fine representation of the dedication, dynamic nature and vibrancy of the ExecuJet Aviation Group. Attentive to the needs of the corporate world as well as individuals, ExecuJet sought to envelop the global business traveller with a holistic and customer-centric solution. Today ExecuJet has secured its position as a comprehensive, fully integrated aviation service provider with world-class standards. Based at Lanseria International Airport near Johannesburg and

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April 2011

at Cape Town International Airport, the company provides a comprehensive range of aviation services which include preowned and new aircraft sales, aircraft management for private and commercially registered aircraft, aircraft charter, fixed base operations (FBOs) and aircraft maintenance. ExecuJet manages 150 business jets worldwide under the most stringent safety standards. Its commercial fleet is operated under the regulatory umbrella of seven regional civil aviation issued air operating certificates (AOCs), and it has numerous authorised maintenance facilities throughout four regions, certified to work on most business

jets. ExecuJet Africa is the authorised warranty and service centre for Bombardier, Gulfstream, Dassault and Hawker, carrying EASA certification, so aircraft operators can be assured of support for their aircraft

while on the African continent. ExecuJetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s large charter fleet represents the latest in modern technology and flexibility and can supply any type of aircraft from one of their strategic bases worldwide. All charter aircraft www.prestigemag.co.za

comply with the latest regulatory requirements and offer the very best in onboard amenities and luxuries. The charter fleet comprises both single and twinengine turbine aircraft for trips to game lodges and other out-ofwww.prestigemag.co.za

the-way destinations, short and medium-range business jets, and long-range intercontinental jets. Expert charter staff are available 24 hours a day to provide instant quotations and ensure flight arrangements are made.

Friendly and approachable, efficient and professional, these staff are focused on providing service to operators and passengers. The company’s culture of ethics and respect is evident, with the stringent aviation industry regulations forming a backdrop of discipline and understanding of ‘the bigger picture’ of safety and service. Private aircraft owners and operators can rely on friendly, efficient flight planning services, overflight and landing clearances, as well as international classic cuisine and local signature dishes available for in-flight catering. A complete menu of ground handling services, including aircraft, passenger and baggage handling, fuel, aircraft valet, secure hangar and parking, as well as customs and immigration assistance is also on offer. Security services and limousine and crew transfers can be arranged, as can a host of other concierge services including elite, tailor-made and bespoke packages by an in-house concierge and lifestyle manager. In addition, ExecuJet Africa is able to deploy handling agents to most locations on the African continent and Indian Ocean Islands, and extend concierge services to these locations too. ExecuJet’s charter operations are audited and approved by local and international regulatory bodies, aviation auditing companies and large international corporations, while the charter fleet is operated and maintained in accordance with European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standards. And, if you are a regular traveller to Africa and often use South Africa as your base, then ExecuJet has a charter service to

suit these needs. The ExecuJet SimplyFly Membership Card is a genuine, simple pricing policy for chartering aircraft with an ever-growing menu of features. This may vary according to frequency of flights, typical destinations, typical number of passengers, and aircraft preference. You then select a 25, 50, 100 or 200-hour utilisation package and the preferred aircraft type (primary aircraft) from a fleet of more than 40 charter aircraft. A clear, simple and transparent contract will be signed by both sides and you will get a monthly utilisation report from ExecuJet. Should your charter requirements change, Execujet offers the flexibility to adapt your SimplyFly Membership. You can upgrade or downgrade to a different aircraft class to suit your specific mission needs, or trade hours by accessing the entire fleet at preferential conversion rates. And if your primary aircraft or other ExecuJet-managed aircraft is not available, ExecuJet will identify a replacement aircraft from its approved partner network. Headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, ExecuJet has operations in six regions – Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East – and embraces a workforce of over 830 experienced staff. The Group operates seven world-class FBO facilities in Berlin, Zurich, Paris, Valencia, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Dubai. It is not hard to see why ExecuJet is internationally recognised as the leading general aviation company in Africa.  +27 11 516 2300 / enquiries@ execujet.co.za April 2011

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BMW’s special accessories for athletes

The largest amateur regatta in the world, the BMW Sailing Cup, is once again setting sail in 2011. BMW will also be participating in this year’s DTM motor racing series, and recently signed golf pro Martin Kaymer, one of the sport’s top-class ambassadors. BMW’s ambitious dedication to athletic endeavours is reflected in the German car manufacturer’s Sport Collections, a catalogue which includes the new BMW Golf-, Yacht- and Motorsport Collections, as well as the 2011 series of BMW Bikes. The new BMW 2011/2012 Sport Collections is available from your nearest BMW dealer.

Lights, camera, action! The X170 Action Camera has everything needed to capture extreme sports footage and photos. High-quality video (720 x 480 pixel), 5 mega-pixel images, a 1.5-inch colour LCD screen for playback, a 5m wireless RF remote control, and a 170° wide-angle lens, which can be rotated through 300°, are just some of its fab features. The X170 mounts easily onto your head, goggles, helmet, handlebars or just about anything, thanks to the wide

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April 2011

range of mounts that come included. Once mounted, simply use the wireless remote control to start and stop the videos or to take photos. Your video and photos can easily be played back on a TV using the included AV cable or downloaded to your computer using the USB cable. Extremely rugged and brilliant value for money, the X170 Action

Camera is great for all types of action sports including skiing, snowboarding, motorsports, track days, mountain biking, and more. Available from www.mantality. co.za for around R2 500.

Stylish iPad cover from African Queen Get this super-stylish, handcrafted iPad cover from African Queen, available in plain Nguni skin or with a beaded insert on the leather, for just R999. Contact +27 11 022 5376 for the Joburg African Queen store, or +27 83 411 7887 for the KwaZuluNatal store.

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hrough its luxury print, fine look and feel, captivating editorial, and innovative distribution, Prestige has firmly established itself as Southern Africa’s premier luxury lifestyle magazine for billionaires and millionaires, and those aspiring to this lifestyle. Working with a finely nuanced definition of luxury, Prestige is a magazine for those with finesse and financial freedom, who

engage with the world in significant ways. Prestige incorporates the latest in the areas of sailing and yachting, motoring and aviation, travel and lifestyle, art, antiques and collectibles, haute horology and audiovisual, personalities and icons, property, business and investment, and much more. Subscribe to Prestige for just R360 for 12 editions (a saving of 25%) and stand a chance to win a weekend of exquisite five-

star luxury for two at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa. Two nights’ accommodation, dinner and breakfast included, as well as a spa treatment each. To subscribe simply send us your name, contact number and email address to mail@prestigemag.co.za, with ‘Subscribe Prestige’ in the subject line.

SUBSCRIBE NOW AND SAVE 25%. GET 12 issues of prestige FOR R360 OR 24 ISSUES FOR only R720 www.prestigemag.co.za

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Ghost

The power of simplicity

Rolls-Royce Sandton: Sandton Isle, Cnr Rivonia Road and Linden Road, Sandown. To reserve your experience contact Jade Morkel on +2711 301 7000 or 084 240 7414 www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com

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