Made In SA: June/July 2022 edition

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RESET REBUILD RECOVER

Why buying local will boost the economy INSIDE EXPLORING THE WORLD’S LONGEST WINE ROUTE I LOCAL MANUFACTURERS I THE SMART HOME I THE HIGHEST BUNGEE JUMP IN THE WORLD MISA2022_CoverFinal.indd 1

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F ROM T HE EDI T OR

TALENTED, UNIQUE AND PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN

Published by:

Picasso Headline, A proud division of Arena Holdings (Pty) Ltd Hill on Empire, 16 Empire Road (cnr Hillside Road), Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193 PO Box 12500, Mill Street, Cape Town, 8010

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EDITORIAL Editor: Rodney Weidemann Content Manager: Raina Julies rainaj@picasso.co.za Contributors: Caryn Gootkin, Eustace Mashinbye, Denise Mhlanga, Itumeleng Mogaki, SIthembile Ntombela, Jared Ruttenberg, Anna Trapido, Benjamin van der Veen, Leah van Deventer Copy Editor: Brenda Bryden Content Co-ordinator: Vanessa Payne

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COPYRIGHT: Picasso Headline. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited material. Made in SA is published by Picasso Headline. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Picasso Headline. All advertisements/advertorials and promotions have been paid for and therefore do not carry any endorsement by the publisher.

W

hen DJ Black Coffee picked up the Grammy award for Best Dance/ Electronic Album, he became the first African to win this category, shining a light on the abundance of talent in our country, from artists to designers to medical specialists.

In this issue, we take a look at talented South Africans who have made it big on the global stage. As the worst of the pandemic recedes, so our tourist venues are reopening, and nothing says “South Africa” quite like a wine route. In this issue, we meander through the various wine farms and tipples along the

Contents 6

PROUDLY SA

The Proudly South African 2022 Buy Local Summit & Expo emphasised “buying local” to create jobs, opportunities and overall growth.

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Brand SA

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MAKING US PROUD

Why it is imperative to build the country’s brand reputation, and how this can improve our global competitiveness.

From Grammy winners to pandemic-related heroes, SA has many locals who make us proud.

popular Route 62, and investigate the country’s best craft alcohols. We also talk to successful local manufacturers across a range of industries, as well as some black-owned businesses developing products specifically for the local market, including indigenous toys, books and appliances.

It would not be a true Made in SA publication without exploring the heritage and origins of some of our nation’s most popular and unique dishes now enjoyed around the world. Ultimately, whether it is food, drink, music or product development, when it is made in SA, it is just so much better!

Rodney Weidemann, Editor

20 EXPLORING THE WINE ROUTE

Dotted along Route 62 are famous wine farms, many of which are worth an extended visit.

22 CRAFT DISTILLERIES

Local craft distillers are increasingly coming to the fore with unique spirits and tastes.

We share some of our favourites.

26 UNASHAMEDLY LOCAL FOOD

With many varied taste sensations, thanks to the diversity of our citizens, we look at unique South African dishes that locals and foreigners alike enjoy.

10 SOUTH AFRICA’S OLDEST TOWNS 31 LOCAL MANUFACTURERS From Tulbagh to Kimberley and Oudtshoorn to George, we explore what the country’s oldest towns have to offer the tourist.

Profiling a number of local specialists, from famous old manufacturers like Plascon and Pratley to entrepreneurs custom-building reptile vivariums.

12 NATIONAL PRIDE

35 FASHIONABLY SOUTH AFRICAN

14 LITTLE KNOWN FACTS ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA

41 MODERN DAY INVENTIONS

Jessica the hippo has starred in over 100 movies and documentaries, receives visits from international celebrities, and thrives on 20 litres of rooibos tea a day.

From small pieces of rock belonging to the Berlin Wall to giant space rocks that created a 300km-wide impact crater, we look at some little-known local facts.

16 THE CRADLE OF HUMANKIND

Touted as the birthplace of humanity, we find out more about the discovery of Homo naledi, and what else awaits at this historical site.

We check out some innovative fashion – a first-of-its-kind adjustable sports bra, top-quality gumboots and safety clothing designed for the female form.

Profiling some incredible and potentially life-saving inventions created by young South Africans.

42 PROUDLY BLACK-OWNED BUSINESS

Locals know what locals want. We profile some businesses creating products for the people.

44 THE SMART HOME

The voice-activated, app-controlled smart home is now a reality, but how affordable is it and what’s involved in the implementation?

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PROUDLY S OU T H A F RICA N

RESET, REBUILD, RECOVER AND BUY LOCAL

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roudly South African’s 10 th annual Buy Local Summit & Expo, which took place in March this year, sought to promote locally sourced and manufactured goods and services to different target markets comprising government, media, consumers and businesses.

This year’s summit was themed “Reset, Rebuild and Recover”, and aimed to showcase the significant role of localisation as a key driver of economic reconstruction and recovery.

Localisation needs to remain a central pillar of the country’s economic recovery plans.

We need to focus on stimulating demand for locally manufactured goods across a range of industries. These include steel, poultry, sugar, furniture and clothing, which need to be revitalised if we hope to significantly boost job creation and the economy.

It is also worth noting that South Africa offers a wide range of quality, competitive goods and services – which is why the Expo also focused on providing networking opportunities for small business owners and entrepreneurs, as well as training workshops.

In his keynote address, President Cyril Ramaphosa noted how, even though the pandemic exposed the fragility of global supply chains, it revealed South Africa’s great capacity for innovation and adaptation in manufacturing.

In just two years, the country was able to build local production capability in ventilators, hand sanitisers, medical-grade face masks and gloves, vaccines and therapeutic drugs and anaesthetics. Not only did we produce these goods to meet local needs, but also the needs of other countries on the continent.

Proudly SA was at the centre of this: we created and provided online portals for local

Eustace Mashimbye

manufacturers of PPE, including sanitisers, detergents, masks, and face shields which are still accessible today via www.proudlysa.co.za.

The president stressed the need for creating an environment that supports local companies, is more conducive to local production, and where red tape is reduced and barriers to entry removed for emerging companies. He pointed to government’s far-reaching reforms in energy, telecommunications, the ports and railways, with a view to improving the competitiveness of local products.

PROCUREMENT ISSUES HINDER PROGRESS However, government’s plans to promote and procure South African goods and services have been threatened and are being undone by the court cases brought about by Afribusiness NPC against National Treasury.

WE MUST ALL RALLY BEHIND EFFORTS AIMED AT TURNING THE ECONOMY AROUND. TO ACHIEVE THIS, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL FACETS OF OUR COUNTRY, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS, CONSUMERS, THE MEDIA AND CIVIL SOCIETY, WORK TOGETHER TO PRIORITISE OUR COUNTRY. 6

Although the main legislation in dispute was the B-BBEE regulations, localisation – which forms part of the challenged Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA) – has also suffered.

On 25 February, in response to a ruling by the Constitutional Court, National Treasury issued a directive to all government agencies that any tender issued before 16 February 2022 should proceed in accordance with existing PPPFA, and any tender issued after that date should be held in abeyance, and no further tenders should be issued until clarification was received from the apex court on the validity and suspension of the terms of the PPPFA. Subsequently, on 3 March, National Treasury issued a further advisory that public sector procurement could resume – with entities free to use their own procurement criteria – and advised them that they could apply to Treasury for exemption of any of the specific clauses of the current regulations, including from local content requirements.

To add insult to injury, within the new draft regulations sent for public comment, all local content provisions included in the PPPFA have been omitted with Treasury presumably trying to avoid another legal wrangle.

Who is benefitting from the current status quo if a possibility exists of a legal challenge against the inclusion in the regulations of mandatory local procurement?

Certainly not the masses who are losing their jobs because of the influx of imported products supplied to the state. We must all rally behind efforts aimed at turning the economy around. To achieve this, we need to make sure that all facets of our country, including government, business, consumers, the media and civil society, work together to prioritise our country. We cannot transfer the responsibility of creating South African jobs, through building demand for South African products, to other countries. If we do not buy our own products, who do we expect to? We can all make a difference. Buy local to create jobs!

IMAGE: SUPPLIED

Localisation is the key driver of economic recovery, writes EUSTACE MASHIMBYE, Proudly South African CEO

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T HOUGH T L E A DERSHIP: BR A ND S A

SOUTH AFRICA’S BRAND POSITIONING

AMID GLOBAL UNCERTAINTY Nation branding can serve as a catalyst for global competitiveness, shares Brand SA’s acting CEO, SITHEMBILE NTOMBELA

Some segments of the South African population understand the intricacies of building a reputable country brand. While the awareness levels of Brand SA domestically are satisfactory, we need to be more focused and intentional and speak to citizens in a relatable and relevant manner. There’s an opportunity to leverage our initiative through the Play Your Part programme to build awareness around shaping a positive narrative and image of the country.

BRAND SA’s impact on investment

IMAGES: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/NATASAADZIC, SUPPLIED

BRAND SA GLOBALLY When the South African government responded to the need for the country to be positioned as an investment destination and a partner in global governance, it needed to leverage a coherent and integrated nation brand image to deliver on these strategic objectives. At that time, there was very little knowledge of what and who South Africa was, other than the association with its apartheid past and liberation icon, the late president Nelson Mandela. Brand South Africa was given a mandate and the responsibility for developing a nation brand strategy for the country. Our government recognised the need for a unique value proposition, understanding that South Africa can only gain a competitive advantage if it can differentiate itself.

Since then, Brand SA has helped the country establish itself as an internationally recognised country in the nation brand space.

Our country has done this through our various national strengths: • Great sporting prowess • Our internationally exported winning wines, our culture and heritage • Our vibrant constitution • The country’s beautiful fauna and flora • Being considered one of the top 100 global travel destinations.

Sithebile Ntombela

BRAND SA IN SA The next step to creating a truly vibrant Brand SA is getting our people to buy into Brand SA. The goal is to have a better understanding of how everything that happens on the ground – our associated behaviour, attitude, and what we say and do – influences how South Africa is perceived.

Currently, there is no link or correlation.

We need to position South Africa as an economic hub that extends to the balance of the continent. Ideally, we want investors to use us as a conduit to access the continent. With our progressive infrastructure (road, air and land), we are in a better position than most other countries; the same is true of the strength of our financial institutions. South Africa houses one of the world’s top 20 stock exchanges – the JSE is currently ranked as the 17th largest stock exchange in the world by market capitalisation – and the largest stock exchange on the African continent.

Brand SA has championed several campaigns profiling South Africa’s strength in attracting investment. This includes showcasing our export value and contextualising South African policies. We have also showcased why investor protection is critical and how the rule of law ensures adherence to the principles of supremacy, equality, accountability, and fairness. These are the pillars we focus on when crafting marketing and communication campaigns, including a reputation management programme for South Africa that’s responsive to issues in the environment affecting our nation brand image. The work done by Invest SA is part of advancing South Africa’s image as a one-stop-shop to simplify the process of opening a business in the country.

The role of reputation management agencies such as ours continues to be critical in elevating a nation’s abilities and capabilities. Through this, we can compete for a share of voice in the promotion and attraction of investment opportunities that contribute to economic growth and, through this, poverty alleviation for all our people.

WE NEED TO POSITION SOUTH AFRICA AS AN ECONOMIC HUB THAT EXTENDS TO THE BALANCE OF THE CONTINENT. IDEALLY, WE WANT INVESTORS TO USE US AS A CONDUIT TO ACCESS THE CONTINENT. MADE IN SA

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N AT ION A L PRIDE

PEOPLE PRIDE For a relatively small nation, South Africa has lent its fair share of talent to the world. RODNEY WEIDEMANN takes a look at some of our finest

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outh Africa has much of which it can be proud, from its heritage and history to its many inventions and talented citizens. Whether they are artists lauded for their talents, designers with unique ideas or medical doctors involved in life-saving work, South Africa’s diverse people bring pride to the nation daily.

Nkosinathi Maphumulo – better known as DJ Black Coffee – recently celebrated a lifelong ambition as his album Subconsciously won the Grammy award for Best Dance/Electronic Album, and he became the fi rst African to win this category.

This is a unique achievement since previous African Grammy winners received their awards under the World Music category. Black Coffee indicated that he was especially pleased to have ended what he calls the “pigeon-holing” of African music to the side-stage as opposed to what he refers to as the “main stage” of music events and festivals.

He notes that one of the biggest reasons he does what he does is to carry the flag for South Africa, adding that he hopes this success will inspire some more of the “unmatched talent coming out of Africa”.

Staying with the Grammy theme, another local success story was represented at the event, with Skinny Sbu Socks chosen as the “official sock partner of the 64th Grammy Awards 2022”. The company’s socks were included in the Grammy awards gift bag, handed out to the media, awards presenters, nominees and performers at the event. It was the only African brand included in the gift pack.

The company’s founder, Sibusiso “Skinny Sbu” Ngwenya, suggests his mother taught him to be business-minded from a young age.

And, because he was always tall for his age and found his pants were seldom long Sibusiso Ngwenya enough – leading to Nkosinathi Maphumulo – DJ Black Coffee

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his socks always showing – it didn’t take long for him to come up with the idea of a business built around unique, funky sock designs.

Ngwenya says the partnership with the Grammys is a great and exciting start to the year for the brand, which has now achieved the goal he set from day one of the business: to build a brand that could be described as “glocal” – having global appeal, but remaining relevant to local customers.

On to the woman who helped guide the country through its biggest medical crisis this century – no list of great South Africans would be complete without mentioning Professor Glenda Gray.

The first female president and CEO of the South Glenda Gray African Medical Research Council, Gray is renowned globally for her research into HIV vaccines and interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the disease.

She has also co-founded and led, with James McIntyre, the globally eminent Perinatal HIV Research Unit at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, receiving the prestigious Nelson Mandela Health and Human Rights Award in 2002. In 2013, Gray was awarded the nation’s highest civilian honour, the Order of Mapungubwe, for her research into HIV and AIDS. Perhaps she is most noted as the Chair of the Research Committee on COVID-19, bringing scientific evidence and experience to the Minister of Health and the National Coronavirus Command Council and acting as the voice of reason during the confusing early days of the pandemic.

Referred to by many as the most trustworthy person in South Africa, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman founded the Gift of the Givers Foundation some 30 years ago.

Today, it is the largest disaster response nongovernmental organisation of African origin on the continent.

The organisation has, in a 13-year period, delivered more than R160-million to 22 countries, including South Africa, most notably playing a critical role in disaster relief following the recent flooding in KwaZulu-Natal.

Such was his dedication to helping people that Sooliman gave up his career as a medical doctor for the field of humanitarian aid. He says he did this because this work transcends the boundaries of race, religion, culture, class and geography.

He has received significant recognition for his efforts, including being awarded the presidential Order of Baobab (silver) and, earlier in 2022, being named Social Justice Champion of the Year. He also won the prestigious South African of the Year Award, run by the Daily Maverick.

Dr Imtiaz Sooliman

ANOTHER LOCAL SUCCESS STORY WAS REPRESENTED AT THE EVENT, WITH SKINNY SBU SOCKS CHOSEN AS THE “OFFICIAL SOCK PARTNER OF THE 64TH GRAMMY AWARDS 2022”.

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South Africa’s cities may not have the history of those in Europe, but there are still some wonderful historic towns worth visiting, writes ITUMELENG MOGAKI

Tulbagh

TULBAGH IN THE VALLEY OF ABUNDANCE Tulbagh was discovered in 1658 by Pieter Potter, surveyor general to Jan van Riebeek and named after Dutch Cape Colony Governor Ryk Tulbagh.

Favourably situated in a picturesque environment on a coastal plateau between the Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean, Tulbagh and its surrounding areas are blessed with a temperate climate all year.

Cape Dutch architecture dominates the historic Church Street, while the town also features Victorian-style houses and five museums, enabling the visitor to time travel over 300 years.

Church Street and the Tulbagh Wine Route are among the town’s biggest claims to fame. Tulbagh’s accolade-crowned wine route boasts gracious historic estates interspersed with state-of-the-art contemporary cellars and boutique wineries.

To fully experience the town’s rich heritage, visitors should not miss seeing the Oude Kerk Volksmuseum and annexes and the De Oude Drostdy Museum, which is situated a few kilometres out of town.

Visitors can participate in several interesting activities, including a scenic tractor ride up the Oudekloof Mountain to take in the amazing views of the surrounding area from the top of the mountain, bird watching, hiking, biking, fishing, horse riding and zip lining. There are also galleries, gift shops and the Tarzan shoe factory as well as an animal rehabilitation sanctuary, where one can feed the animals and relax in the beautiful gardens.

Information supplied by Patty Nieuwoudt, CEO Tulbagh Tourism & Tulbagh Wine Route.

CAPE DUTCH ARCHITECTURE DOMINATES THE HISTORIC CHURCH STREET, WHILE THE TOWN ALSO FEATURES VICTORIAN-STYLE HOUSES. 10

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HOME OF THE BIG HOLE Kimberley was founded in 1871 when diamond deposits found on a hillock dubbed Colesberg Kopje, on the farm Vooruitzicht, owned by the De Beer brothers, led to an influx of determined prospectors searching for fame and wealth. So desperate to find fortune, they hand-dug the colossal Kimberley Mine, now better known as The Big Hole.

By 1872, the tents and shacks of more than 50 000 feverish diggers crowded what was then known as the mining town of New Rush, surrounding the hillock.

Spacious homes began to rise from the dust and, in 1873, the town was renamed Kimberley, after the Earl of Kimberley, British Secretary of State for the Colonies.

The town boasts many traces of the past in its architectural heritage, including: • Canteen Kopje is an earlier stone age archaeological site with open-air displays and a historical walk around the geology, archaeology, and diamond diggings of the area. Two of the world’s largest hand-axes were found here.

• A cenotaph, designed by architect and painter William Timlin, was erected to commemorate the 400 Kimberley men who fell in World War I. • The Big Hole, Kimberley’s most famous landmark and “must-see tourist attraction”, now has a new exhibition centre, viewing platform, and a reconstruction of the “Old Town”.

Adjacent to the Big Hole is the Kimberley Mine Museum, which depicts life in the city during the frenetic days of the diamond rush. A guided underground tour (some 840m beneath the earth’s surface) of the De Beers diamond mine makes for a fascinating experience.

The historical city centre is full of monuments, museums, and art galleries, many of which can be found inside some of the stunning old Victorian homes. The Town Hall is a stunning example of late 18th-century architecture.

The site of the Battle of Magersfontein, just 30km from the city, has an observation point with good views of the battlefield and the trenches.

Information supplied by Ntombi Mtai, tourism officer, Sol Plaatje Municipality.

Kimberley’s The Big Hole

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IMAGES: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/GROBLERDUPREEZ, ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/JENNIFER SOPHIE, SUPPLIED

STEEPED IN HISTORY AND TRADITION

Honoured Dead Memorial, Kimberley.

HIS T ORIC T OW NS

George Tourism Bureau office

FROM WOODCUTTER OUTPOST TO FLOURISHING TOWN Old Knysna

A NATURAL PARADISE World-renowned today, the town of Knysna was founded in 1804 by George Rex, thought to be the illegitimate son of King George III, who settled his family on the shores of the Knysna Lagoon. The land was covered in indigenous forests, which saw the rise of Knysna’s famous timber trade. The name Knysna stems from the Khoikhoi word naizna, meaning ferns.

The town houses the largest Rastafari community in South Africa: the Judah Square Rastafarian “one love” community are considered the friendliest, most welcoming and accepting religious culture you are likely to encounter.

The town is famous for its tranquil lakes, golden beaches, fine indigenous timbers, and also for the artistry of its furniture and timber products, not to mention its oysters, loerie (tauraco) birds, seahorses (hippocampus capensis), and indigenous Knysna forests.

Information supplied by Thozeka Sikali, Knysna Tourism information officer.

IMAGES: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/GROBLERDUPREEZ, ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/JENNIFER SOPHIE, SUPPLIED

THE TOWN OF KNYSNA WAS FOUNDED IN 1804 BY GEORGE REX, THOUGHT TO BE THE ILLEGITIMATE SON OF KING GEORGE III, WHO SETTLED HIS FAMILY ON THE SHORES OF THE KNYSNA LAGOON.

Oudtshoorn

OSTRICH CAPITAL OF THE WORLD For as long as anyone can remember, Oudtshoorn’s history and development have been inextricably connected with the growth of the ostrich feather industry, which commenced around 1860.

By the turn of the 20 th-century, the use of prime ostrich feathers in ladies’ clothing was high fashion, especially in England and Europe. Feathers were light and easily imported and fetched incredibly high prices. The resultant prosperity had a profound effect on Oudtshoorn and its immediate environment.

Primarily known as the ostrich capital of the world, Oudtshoorn has quickly gained a reputation as a cultural, heritage, adventure, and sports hotspot. The picturesque town of Oudtshoorn is based in the semi-arid Klein Karoo and borders the north of the picturesque Garden Route region.

With low rainfall annually, Oudtshoorn is an ideal location for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and exploring the wonders of nature in one of the nearby nature reserves.

Due to the weather, it is also a natural choice to host events such as the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees and the National Arts Festival. Finally, when in Oudtshoorn, the world-famous Cango Caves – Africa’s largest heritage show cave system – are a must-see.

Among the town’s major attractions are: • The Old Oak Tree is one of the town’s most famous landmarks. This 200-year-old oak tree has an old iron chain embedded in its trunk with the remains of a heavy lock attached to it.

• St Peter and St Paul is the oldest existing Roman Catholic church in South Africa.

• The Outeniqua Railway Museum is the only national railway museum in SA that boasts old locomotives, coaches, and road transport items on display.

Information supplied by Caydyn Louis, intern information officer, George Tourism.

Information supplied by Corleen Barnard tourism manager, Oudtshoorn & De Rust Tourism.

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The town of George was founded because of the Outeniqua forest that surrounds it. In 1776, the Dutch East India Company established a woodcutter outpost on the site. It became known as George in 1811, when the British, who had assumed control of the Cape Colony, established it as a separate district of Drostdy.

George is the sixth oldest town in South Africa and was the first South African town founded under British rule, which is why it was named after the reigning monarch, King George III. The town’s first museum was established in 1967. Renovated in 1992, it has an outdoor complex consisting of plantings of fynbos and forest trees, as well as exhibition halls and original yellowwood buildings, the focal point of the museum’s main theme.

The George Tourism Bureau building is considered to be the best example of Edwardian architecture in George. It was designed

by Charles Bullock of Oudtshoorn in the Neo-renaissance style. The Tourist Information Office is now situated in this building.

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N AT ION A L PRIDE

SOUTH AFRICA’S ROOIBOS-QUAFFING

CELEBRITY HIPPO Rescued as a baby after serious flooding, Jessica the hippo has become a famous movie star, tourist attraction and renowned drinker of local rooibos tea. By SA ROOIBOS COUNCIL

Jessica the hippo drinking rooibos tea.

favourite, she eagerly gulps down about 20 litres of rooibos tea daily, preferring to take it warm with a bit of brown sugar. According to the Jouberts, Jessica has it for breakfast, lunch and supper and always nudges them for a final drink just before bedtime. They claim that it helps her to fall peacefully asleep on the veranda with her best friends – the couple’s five English bull terriers.

Jessica with Tonie Joubert.

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essica the hippo is considered to be one of the world’s most famous animal stars, having played the lead in several National Geographic documentaries, appeared on the Discovery Channel, SKY news, BBC, Japanese, German and Australian TV – she has even made it onto the Oprah Winfrey Show.

In fact, thousands of tourists flock annually to the six-hectare reserve in Hoedspruit, situated along the Blyde River in Mpumalanga, to catch a glimpse of her.

Honorary game ranger Tonie Joubert and his wife, Shirley, have raised Jessica since she was a calf, having rescued her during the devastating floods that ravaged parts of Mozambique and South Africa in 2000.

They believe that shortly after being born, the baby hippo must have been swept downstream. She was found by the Jouberts, alive and intact, on the banks of the Blyde River, near their home.

Obviously weak and exhausted by her ordeal, she had no energy, and when Tonie picked her up, he realised her umbilical cord was still attached, meaning she was no more than a few hours old.

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She needed milk urgently, he recalls, but because she was so young and small, she couldn’t be fed pure cow’s milk. Instead, he prepared a formula of his own creation, consisting of egg yolk, cream and full cream cow’s milk, to create a substitute for colostrum. To their surprise, she liked it so much that it appeared she could hardly get enough of this formula.

When they saved her, Jessica weighed just 16kg and was 30cm tall at the shoulder – the smallest hippo they had ever seen. Moreover, every day she had to consume 10 per cent of her body mass in milk, around 1.6 litres. Since her chances of survival in the wild were very slim, the Jouberts chose against letting nature take its course and instead adopted her into their family.

What makes this curious South African tale even more unique is that when the time came to wean her, the Jouberts experimented with various teas, but the only one she took to was a homegrown favourite, rooibos. Still Jessica’s

With more than 100 films to her name, the Jouberts reckon Jessica must be one of the most documented animals on the planet.

Not only did she star in Leon Schuster’s blockbuster movie, Mr Bones, but Jessica also has her own fan page, and celebrities from around the globe come to visit her.

Tourists especially love to take turns feeding her a warm bottle of rooibos tea and some well-prepared sweet potatoes cut into slices, which, the Jouberts point out, she simply can’t resist.

They consider her a dear friend and note that Jessica is very protective of them. While hippos are known to be aggressive, Jessica is gentle and kind. In 2012, history repeated itself, with the couple finding another newborn hippo – a male they named Richie – after similar flooding.

Today, Richie and Jessica are firm friends, and both love watching television and listening to music with the Jouberts … and, of course, enjoying multiple bottles of rooibos tea every day.

According to Marthane Swart, secretariat of the SA Rooibos Council (SARC), the brew not only has a high level of antioxidants, but is also known for its alkalising benefits. This, she adds, is why rooibos is a core ingredient in many pet foods.

In fact, as the Jouberts and their adopted “children” have discovered, the variety of antioxidants and bioflavonoids in the liquid make rooibos an important daily supplement – for both pets and humans.

SHE EAGERLY GULPS DOWN ABOUT 20 LITRES OF ROOIBOS TEA DAILY, PREFERRING TO TAKE IT WARM WITH A BIT OF BROWN SUGAR.

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A MOVIE ICON

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DID YOU K NOW ?

EXPLORING THE COUNTRY’S UNIQUENESS South Africa is a unique nation in many ways, and nothing says “unique”, according to CARYN GOOTKIN, quite like this interesting list of facts

EUROPE IN CAPE TOWN In 1996, then president Nelson Mandela received a special gift while on a state visit to Berlin – a piece of the Berlin Wall that came down on 9 November 1989, signalling an end to the Cold War. The then German ambassador to South Africa arranged for this iconic piece to be housed outside the BMW Pavilion at the V&A Waterfront. It was later moved to outside the Mandela Rhodes Foundation Building in St Georges Mall, where locals and tourists can view this historical treasure.

The significance of the Berlin Wall to South Africa lies in the fact that its dismantling happened days before a meeting between Nelson Mandela and then president FW de Klerk, which set in motion the events that led to South Africa’s first democratic election.

“Having a piece of the Berlin wall outside our offices is a symbol of both how far we have come and how we continue to be divided,” says Judy Sikuza, CEO of The Mandela Rhodes Foundation. “It reminds us that the struggle for freedom is global.”

Mponeng Gold Mine Carltonville.

DEEPEST MINE IN THE WORLD Operated by Harmony Gold, the world’s deepest mine – the Mponeng Gold Mine – is in Carltonville, 65km southwest of Johannesburg. “As the deepest level shaft in the world, its depth is 3 891 metres below datum and 2 062 metres below sea level,”

A piece of the Berlin Wall stands in St George’s Mall.

says Jared Coetzer, head of investor relations at Harmony Gold.

Sinking of the main shaft started in 1981 and it was commissioned in 1986, while the subshaft was commissioned in 1993.

“The mine contains two shafts on the surface – the main shaft and the service shaft, with two additional comparable shafts underground from level 83 to level 120,” says Coetzer. “Transporting people from level 120 to level 126 is done by chairlifts on a journey that takes about 10 to 15 minutes. We estimate that to travel from the surface to the deepest point of the shaft takes 1 hour and 30 minutes.”

The Vredefort Dome

THE VREDEFORT DOME Home to the largest and oldest verified meteor scar in the world, the Vredefort Dome in the small farming town of Vredefort near Parys in the Free State, is the site of a crater that is approximately 300km wide.

“The Vredefort Dome structure is a vast and complex feature created by an asteroid or comet impact some two billion years ago,” says Professor Graeme Addison of Vredefort Dome Tours & Trails. “It is now deeply eroded, but still visible, unlike most other impact craters on earth, which are either hidden by vegetation, deserts or oceans or have been subducted under continents. The structure marks what the UNESCO World Heritage Site citation says was the largest energy release of which we have any record on the earth’s surface.”

Just an hour’s drive south of Johannesburg, the Dome – the “core” of the crater – is the perfect spot for a day break. “You can hike and mountain bike in the Dome Bergland, the first ring or collar of the Dome, and river raft on the Vaal River, the only major river to flow through an impact – and the largest – crater,” says Addison.

FAST FACT

Despite already being almost 4km deep, the Mponeng Gold Mine may not yet be done. “There is the potential to deepen the mine by a further half a kilometre to approximately 4 500 metres, depending on the results of further studies,” says Jared Coetzer, from Harmony Gold.

Face Adrenalin operates bungee jumps from the Bloukrans Bridge.

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Luckily for adventure seekers, South Africa is home to the highest commercial natural bridge bungee in the world, at Bloukrans Bridge in the Tsitsikamma region between the Eastern and Western Cape. According to Thomas Ngomana, marketing manager of Face Adrenalin, the jump is 216 metres deep. And if this isn’t enough of a thrill for you, the bridge is in the middle of the majestic Bloukrans River Valley in South Africa’s magnificent Wilderness area.

But fear not! Face Adrenalin uses pendulum bungee technology to ensure the smoothest jump possible and secures jumpers in a full-body harness in addition to the ankle connection. “We are here to give people the most amazing experience,” says Ngomana. “We pride ourselves on a 100 per cent safety record, so come and have some of the best fun you can have.”

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HIGHEST BUNGEE JUMP IN THE WORLD

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CRADLE OF HUMANKIND:

BIRTHPLACE OF THE HUMAN RACE? The Cradle of Humankind is considered one of the finest sites for discovering fossils of humanity’s oldest relatives. DENISE MHLANGA takes a closer look

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FAST FACT

The Cradle of Humankind is a paleoanthropological site that was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. The 47 000ha site contains a complex of limestone caves and is home to famous fossil discoveries such as Mrs Ples and Little Foot, according to the Cradle of Humankind website.

Source: https://www.maropeng.co.za/

A reconstruction of the skull of Leti, the first Homo naledi child whose remains were found in the Rising Star cave in Johannesburg.

HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE According to the Cradle of Humankind, Africa is the birthplace of humankind, and hominin – the ancestors of modern humans – first emerged seven million years ago in Africa.

Nearly 2 000 individual fragments of more than two dozen individuals at all life stages of Homo naledi have been recovered since the discovery of the Rising Star Cave in 2013. The cave system has become one of the most prolific sites of discovery for hominin fossils in the world.

Berger says with ongoing work throughout the cave system, the team of researchers is hoping for further discoveries that are likely to shed more light on whether these chambers

and passages are a burial ground of Homo naledi, as the team originally hypothesised.

“With the discovery of the first skull remains of a child of Homo naledi, we can begin to develop a better understanding of the growth and development of the species. The adult anatomy of Homo naledi is already among the best known for any ancient hominin species and Leti’s adds to our understanding of how this remarkable species ‘grew up’,” he says.

The last 12 years of significant discoveries have proven that this is where history began, says Berger, adding that this isn’t the last find as the team is busy with other discoveries.

He notes that the discovery is important because anything we learn about these species tells us more about our origins as human beings and where the burial rituals, for example, come from.

“The discovery of the Leti skull is further proof that Africa is the birthplace of humankind, and is significant of the unity and how the continent has grown us as humanity,” says Berger.

“THE DISCOVERY OF THE LETI SKULL IS FURTHER PROOF THAT AFRICA IS THE BIRTHPLACE OF HUMANKIND, AND IS SIGNIFICANT OF THE UNITY AND HOW THE CONTINENT HAS GROWN US As HUMANITY.” – PROFESSOR LEE BERGER

A photo of a cranial fragment of Leti that was found in the Rising Star cave in Johannesburg.

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n 2021, the first parts of the skull and teeth of a Homo naledi child that died almost 250 000 years ago, at approximately four to six years of age, were unveiled at the Cradle of Humankind, 50km northwest of Johannesburg.

The remains were found in the remote depths of the Rising Star Cave in 2017, beyond the Dinaledi Chamber, the original site of the discovery of the first Homo naledi remains, revealed to the world in 2015.

The discovery, by a team of international researchers, was led by Professor Lee Berger, the Phillip Tobias Chair in Palaeoanthropology and head of the Centre for the Exploration of the Deep Human Journey at the University of the Witwatersrand.

“The discovery of a single skull of a child, in such a remote location within the cave system, adds mystery as to how these many remains came to be in these remote, dark spaces of the Rising Star cave system,” says Berger.

Researchers named the skull of the child Leti, a Setswana word meaning “lost one”. It consists of 28 skull fragments and six teeth. Reconstructed, it shows the frontal orbits and top of the skull with some dentition.

Professor Lee Berger “Homo naledi remains one of the most enigmatic ancient human relatives ever discovered,” says Berger. He adds that its presence at that time and in this place complicates their understanding of who did what first, concerning the invention of complex stone tool cultures and even ritual practices.

Tebogo Makhubela, a member of the geological team, says it’s not known how old Leti’s remains are. Based on preservation and proximity, Leti is probably about 241 000 to 335 000 years old, given the period of other fossils of Homo naledi discovered in the nearby Dinaledi Chamber during this time.

“This is the first partial skull of a child of Homo naledi yet recovered, and begins to give us insight into all stages of life of this remarkable species,” says Professor Juliet Brophy from the University of the Witwatersrand and Louisiana State University.

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MCGREGOR

EXPLORING THE WORLD’S

LONGEST WINE ROUTE Much like America’s famed Route 66, Route 62 is a self-drive and an invitation to enjoy the slower life. JARED RUTTENBERG shares a selection of his recommended stops

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ind down the window and allow the fresh mountain air to revive those city lungs, as never-ending landscapes and endless vineyards slowly sweep by. This is Route 62, and as the world’s longest wine route, it is simply a sipper’s paradise.

The best part is there’s no slick marketing campaign behind it, so the experience has an authentic feel where quite literally, you’re the driver. Remember, it’s also a fairly long drive – although having no formal start and ending, the route encompasses over 800km.

A short detour from Robertson and you’ll discover the oh-so-charming Mcgregor – a perfectly preserved 19 th-century Cape Village, replete with whitewashed cottages and friendly locals. On the main village stretch, look out for the signs for Bemind, the town’s garagiste winery.

After 16 years as a winemaker for various estates, Ilse Schutte decided to start her own range, which now includes an MCC, a white wine, and two red choices. The tastings run Wednesday to Sunday – and if the vetkoek is on offer, trust me on this and order one!

If possible, plan your visit around breakfast at 51, the classy café owned

by Gerard Back and Phillip Loxton that boasts the town’s fi nest baked bread.

The village is also home to one of South Africa’s emerging advocates of plant-based eating, the kitchen-savvy Mira Weiner. Follow her beautifully curated social media to find out what she’s currently cooking up – or contact her in advance for the possibility of a personal demo in her garden.

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ZANDVLIET HAS A TREAT IN STORE. YOUR WINE HOST TAKES YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS OF WINE BLENDING, AFTER WHICH YOU CAN BLEND, BOTTLE, AND LABEL YOUR CREATION.

Our starting point is Robertson, the most bustling of the Route 62 towns, where wine excursions are plentiful. Four Cousins is a name many of us are familiar with, and in the heart of the town, its visitor centre proudly shows off its full range of offerings. If you’re travelling as a group or family, there is something for everyone. Adding to the multitude of wine tastings is also a restaurant and brewery on site.

If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at winemaking, Zandvliet has a treat in store. Your wine host takes you through the process of wine blending, after which you can blend, bottle, and label your creation. As a spoil for your efforts, afterwards, settle in front of the fireplace in the Kalkveld lounge for one of Zandvliet’s tempting platters.

A few minutes out of town, you’ll come across an interesting find. Common to a few of the estates in the area, Esona’s underground concrete tanks were once used for the storage of sweet wine. As winemaking techniques have evolved and now made them redundant, Esona has repurposed these tanks to offer a unique experience. Descending a staircase into the bowels of the building, visitors are welcomed to an underground lair. Here the hosts lead interactive tastings that involve comparing wines in different glasses – with an excellent introduction to Riedel’s range of variety-specific glasses. The sensorial experience is combined with food pairings, music and artwork dressing the walls.

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ROBERTSON

T OURISM BONNIVALE Keeping in the spirit of quaint backroad villages, a little further on is the settlement of Bonnievale. At the boutique winery Lozärn, winemaker Salome Buys-Vermeulen is one of only two or three in the industry that grows the rare Carmenere variety. It is officially one of the noble Bordeaux varieties once thought to have disappeared completely. However, in the 1990s, following tests on some of Chile’s Merlot plantings, it was discovered that they were Carmenere and the variety was indeed alive and well. Visit Lozärn to taste this rare wine and meet the others in the farm’s collection.

Very seldom do I leave Woolworths without a bottle of Weltevrede Chardonnay in hand, and for the same reason, I can’t pass through the region without visiting the estate. Philip Jonker, fourth-generation winemaker-proprietor, says: “Our wines should have personality dictated by the soil. It should have a sense of place.” And there is no better way than to see it in person.

BARRYDALE A recent extensive redevelopment of the farm’s visitor experiences will have wine lovers and experience junkies in awe. The journey begins with the expansive new landscaped rose-and-vine garden, and then the magic continues underground. A labyrinth of underground tunnels provides a thrilling space to taste some of the region’s most beautiful limestone Chardonnays. Ask the host about the legendary story behind winemaker Philip Jonker producing wine from vines on Robben Island.

Heading further into the hinterland of Route 62, Barrydale is next. Known for its local artisan population, it is worth carving out some time to visit some of the local galleries and Barrydale Hand Weavers, to see their weaving mill and expertly made textiles.

Taking a brief departure from the vino, a visit to this town must include Joseph Barry Distillery. There are four Klein Karoo terroir-inspired Cape Brandies to sample, with the over six-year aged Joseph Barry XO undoubtedly the showstopper.

CALITZDORP

MONTAGU

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Next up is Montagu, where the buckled Cape Fold Mountains create an impressive rocky ravine as an entrance.

At one point, the road drives directly through a hole in the rock – look carefully enough and you’ll spot the concealed rock fort above. Start your explorations of the town with one of Flying Feet’s bicycle tours. Owner Marchelle van Zyl is every bit as entertaining as she is knowledgeable, with tours including art stops and even the opportunities to hear about (and hopefully not meet) the town’s fabled ghosts.

Art Deco lovers will find the Montagu Hotel a feast for the eyes with a large

DID YOU KNOW?

collection of period furniture dressing the communal spaces and rooms.

Owner PJ offers a truly unique way to experience Route 62: a scenic ride in one of the hotel’s American Dream Cars.

Enquire about the sundowner drives, where you can admire the sunset over the town while sipping on dessert wine.

Before leaving, plan an hour or two for a stop at the BluVines District. No expense has been spared on the building and furnishing of this collective that offers dining, food, wine, and coffee.

The chic interior spaces with New York and Parisian touches, align with the beautifully presented food. What’s more, BluVine partners with the Rural Arts Development Foundation, so patrons directly support the community and may even be treated to a musical performance by the waitrons, who are the art students.

BluVines is also home to Mimosa Wines. Opt for the chef-suggested pairing option and consider taking home a bottle of the delectable Natural Sweet Mimosa Reserve made from Weisser Riesling; a generous glug over a serving of ice cream is simply divine.

Route 62’s wine has had its fair share of glory. Graham Beck Cap Classique was served at both Nelson Mandela’s inauguration and Barack Obama’s presidential win.

Although not on Route 62, a 90-minute detour will take you to Plettenberg Bay, which now has a thriving wine region. Taste your way through the area’s crisp Sauvignons and lively MCC.

Our journey concludes a few hours down the road, in Port territory – or Cape Vintage as it’s referred to in South Africa. De Krans is firmly regarded as one of the leading producers in the country, with a string of enviable awards to its name. Look out for the brand-new P&T – the first and only port-style wine and tonic in South Africa.

A premium ready-to-drink cocktail that’s a firm favourite in Europe and is now proudly produced locally. Lastly, if you’re wanting to walk off all those calories, enquire about the scenic 30-minute walk through vineyards and orchards.

WHERE TO STAY Romantic retreat: The Robertson Small Hotel is an education in elegance and intuitive hospitality. The magnificent Victorian home and adjacent buildings have several rooms tucked away, with two pools and a lush garden. therobertsonsmallhotel.com Backroad bonhomie: Embrace the sanctuary of McGregor’s Temenos Retreat, with homely cottages spread out through enchanting gardens. Also featuring a restaurant on site, the venue is within walking distance of everything else the hamlet has to offer. temenos.org.za Country class: Experience the finest country class at ceramicist, chef, and designer Jacques Erasmus’ Montagu properties.

Four suites are spread across two Cape Dutch-style homes with jaw-dropping interior design with 18th-century Cape furniture. jonkmanshof.com

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SEVEN OF SA’s CRAFT DRINK BRANDS South Africans certainly love their tipple, and the country has some wonderfully inventive craft distillers that brew up interesting products in all corners of the country, writes LEAH VAN DEVENTER

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outh Africa has had a love affair with distillation since 1672 when a cook recorded distilling wine into brandy aboard De Pijl, a Dutch ship anchored in Tafelbaai. The settlers had recently started producing wine in the Cape, and it was necessary to preserve the liquid for maritime travel.

The liquor, rough as it was, was a hit on land too, and it wasn’t long before inventive individuals started tinkering in rudimentary stills to supply the taverns.

When gold and diamonds were discovered upcountry, the influx of fortune seekers brought the demand for hard tack. In 1881, Alois Hugo Nellmapius, a Polish entrepreneur, saw the gap for spirits made from crops other than grapes and fruit and managed to wangle the sole right to distil alcohol from grains, potatoes and other produce in the then Transvaal. To improve quality, he advertised in the European press and managed to entice René Santhagens, an adventurous Cognac distiller, to make the arduous journey to the republic, bringing his copper stills with him.

After the Second Boer War in 1899, modern distillation spread throughout the land, making our spirits more palatable. While we now have huge commercial success with producers like Distell, the intrepid spirit of micro distillation continues with plucky craft distillers.

NOT YOUR AVERAGE RUM WITH SPICE As implied by its name, this is not your garden-variety rum, but rather the result of a meeting of especially inventive minds. The creators are rum aficionados Andy Kiloh and Peter Good of the Authentic Alcohol Company who took their idea of rum with a difference to Craft Link Distillery in Ferreirasdorp, Johannesburg. The divergence in question is that spiced rum is traditionally infused with botanicals like vanilla, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves and cardamom, or focused on a single fruit such as pineapple or granadilla.

Not Your Average Rum With Spice, however, is enlivened with honeybush, cassia and almonds – the latter tincture being redistilled to be allergy-friendly. The molasses base and time in wood, along with these interesting flavourants, magically merge into a liquid with notes of banana bread, marzipan and Christmas cake, and a kiss of liquorice on the finish.

Here are seven of our favourites.

LEVEL UP

Bushveld Whisky, from New Harbour Distillery located at the African Spirits Lab in Woodstock, Cape Town, is designed to transport you to the bush at first sip. Nic and Andri Janeke – the couple behind the brand, who have already received significant acclaim for their gins – achieve this with a unique finishing process. After the single-grain spirit has matured in ex-Bourbon American oak casks for the required three years, it spends time in custom-made, charred kameeldoring (or camel thorn) casks. The result is a heavily spiced, honeyed whisky with distinct smoky kameeldoring notes, which any South African will recognise as reminiscent of a bushveld fire. To maintain its rich texture and intense flavour, Bushveld Whisky is bottled without chill filtration.

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BUSHVELD WHISKY

Headquartered in London, the curriculum offered by Wine & Spirit Education Trust is the global standard in wine, spirits and sake education, and is suitable whether you work in the liquor or hospitality industries or are simply an enthusiast who wants to learn more.

On the spirits side, there are three levels, including an introductory level 1, intermediate level 2 and advanced level 3, in both online and classroom formats.

Each covers spirits production and systematic spirits tasting to increasingly complex degrees.

Local programme providers include the International Wine Education Centre (https://thewinecentre.co.za) and Shaker Bar & Barista School (https://shaker.co.za).

Drink Responsibly. Not For Persons Under The Age Of 18.

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CR A F T DIS T IL L ERS Esperanza Agave Spirit Lucy Beard and Leigh Lisk of Hope Distillery in Salt River, Cape Town, have long been market leaders in the craft spirits space, most famously for Hope Gins. Esperanza, “hope” in Spanish, is their answer to the time-honoured spirits of Mexico, the two most famous being Tequila and Mescal. Because those products are protected by geographical indication, here we use the generic term agave spirit, agave being the succulent from which the spirit is made. For Esperanza, Hope imports the plant in dehydrated form, before rehydrating it, fermenting it and distilling the liquid in Mad Mary, their copper hybrid still.

After 30 days of rest in a stainless steel tank, where the flavours settle, Esperanza is bottled. It has floral butterscotch on the nose, slightly spiced caramel on the palate, and a warm, soft vanilla finish.

Kimushki The Brave Gin Not only is the packaging of Kimushki especially eye-catching, but its contents are too. Where most local gins are made from cane spirit, this is made from a neutral grape spirit. Then the infusions happen in stages with various methods.

Juniper and some other botanicals are vapour infused, meaning that they only have contact with the spirit’s vapour – a delicate way of extracting flavour. Kimushki’s signature passion fruit is extracted separately via steeping before that liquid is vacuum distilled with more juniper, a method of distillation where a still is put under pressure, allowing the liquid to vaporise at a lower, gentler temperature. Lastly, the two gins are combined and aged in first-fill French oak Chardonnay barrels – another unusual step for gin, which is

BOBBEJAAN HERBAL LIQUEUR Local is lekker with this fun new liqueur, embodied by Famous Bob, who adorns the bottle. Conceptualised by Mike Toua and Eugene Vos, Bobbejaan is made at the Bundu Brands facilities in Villiersdorp. Here, a secret medley of 61

FAST FACT

generally unaged. This innovative production method results in a creamy and mellow gin, elegantly flavoured with juniper floral spice, zesty citrus, sweet vanilla and light, buttery oak. The brand is owned by Kim Zanasi and produced by Nic and Andri Janeke at African Spirits Lab. dried flowers, roots, herbs, fruits and spices are added to cane spirit; once their essence has been absorbed, the liquid is filtered, sweetened with natural sugars and diluted to 30% ABV. Multiple flavours are present, the dominant peach or stone fruit being supported by spearmint, liquorice, dark caramel, candied fruit, vanilla and orange skin.

With a good balance of sweet, bitter and herbal notes, it’s accessible to an array of palates, and decidedly nicer tasting than similar herbal liqueurs.

Designed as a digestive, Bobbejaan can be shot at room temperature or icy cold, or mixed into cocktails.

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BLOMENDAHL VODKA The Blomendahl family has been working in agriculture in Europe since 1185, and the current patriarch, FJ, has nearly 40 years of winemaking and distillation under his belt. This wealth of generational experience is evident in Blomendahl Vodka, which FJ makes along with his son Benedikt on their farm in Elgin, in the Western Cape. Like Kimushki, it’s grape-based, but again, this is not the norm for vodka. Even more unusually, the grape base is actual barrel-aged wine, some of which is more than seven years old. After distilling the wine into vodka in their custom-built copper potstill, the liquid is aged again in steel tanks for some eight years. When the time has finally come for bottling, the spirit

• Whisky must be made from grains, like maize, barley or rye.

• Rum can be made from sugarcane juice, molasses or cane syrup.

• Agave spirits like Tequila and Mescal must predominantly be made from agave.

• Vodka and gin can utilise any raw material, and are usually made from the cheapest crops in any given country.

CAPERITIF KAAPSE DIEF VERMOUTH Originally produced by Castle Wine and Spirits Company in the early 1900s, Caperitif found its way into the booming cocktail scene of 1920s London.

Production stopped around 1940, and the recipe was all but lost until reinvented by local winemaker Adi Badenhorst and Danish cocktail enthusiast Lars Erik Lyndgaard Schmidt. A vermouth, Caperitif is made from Chenin Blanc wine on Adi’s Kalmoesfontein Farm in the Western Cape.

It’s fortified with spirit, sweetened with grape sugar and bittered with cinchona bark. Following this, it’s infused with 34 other Cape botanicals, including kalmoes, fynbos and naartjie. The ensuing flavours are piney, grapey and citrusy, with soft spice. It can be sipped on the rocks, lengthened with soda or tonic, or mixed into any number of vermouth cocktails, such as Martinis.

is blended with mountain spring water. After such patience and care, it’s not surprising that Blomendahl Vodka is sublime and can easily be enjoyed just over ice.

Drink Responsibly. Not For Persons Under The Age Of 18.

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DELICIOUSLY SOUTH AFRICAN TASTES S

outh Africa is blessed with many languages and an almost infinite array of expressions to convey the concept of yumminess. Local food and drink is lekker (Afrikaans) and ku nanzika (Xitsonga) and imnandi (isiXhosa). Exclamations of gourmet joy such as zwi a difha/zwi kho difha are frequently offered up in Tshivenda.

An abundance of indigenous edible plants and animals ensures that even the fussiest foodie has plenty of tasty treats about which to say cosololo in isiZulu. Originally imported, but subsequently locally adapted, landrace ingredients bring further di bose (SePedi) and monate (Setswana) eating experiences each and every day.

Whatever words different groups of South Africans use to indicate their appreciation, the overlapping epicurean associations literally linger in the air we all breathe. From Keurboomstrand to Ixopo, almost all of us instinctively ascribe nostalgic emotional importance to the slightly sweet, nutty, nutritious smells of sorghum porridge.

Olfactory memories of childhood kitchens from Sandton to Seshego, Rustenburg to Riemvasmaak are infused with its reassuring, earthy aroma. For some, the warm, soft embrace of our nation’s indigenous ancient grain was dished up as supermarket-bought Maltabella, for others, it was bowls of Tswana-style milky motogo wa mabele or ting ya mabele, fermented by a family member that

Sorghum porridge

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Marula nuts

everyone turned to because they had “a hand” superior to all others when it came to creating just the right intensity of sourness. Whoever and however the sorghum porridge was cooked, everyone understands it’s proudly South African, timeless message of familial comfort and care.

Sometimes the same ingredients exist on a continuum of sacred to secular both within and between culinary cultures. Spirituality is fermented into the Vhavenda people’s mukumbi marula beer. These Limpopo brewers traditionally engage in muhwedzo rituals whereby they offer a portion of the output to their chief. Offerings are also made to the ancestral spirits to bless the community for the season ahead. Once divine and earthly leadership have both been recognised, everyone can enjoy the vitamin C-rich, relatively low alcohol beverage.

VhaVenda-style waste not want is implemented with every aspect of the ingredient. Once the fruits have been pressed for juice, the hard oval nut within the marula is cracked to extract nutritious and delicious kernels. Cooks generally grind these thebvu kernels into a kodela, pesto-like paste that is added to recipes such as bovhola pumpkin leaf

Xigugu ice cream sandwich

and marula nut mélange. Where others throw away stems and foliage, South Africans make morogo. Not even the outer marula nutshell is discarded because it is taken up by traditional healers who throw the pieces as part of divination rituals.

Mukumbi can be too sour for some.

Sweet-toothed types may prefer to take their antioxidant-laden, indigenous fruit as Amarula cream cocktails. There are few things finer than the grown-up milkshake heaven that is an Amarula and ice cream Dom Pedro.

Those seeking to soak up some of the alcohol absorbed through Amarula or mukumbi drinking might like to snack on our homegrown Provita cracker, with boerenkaas and Afrikanerstyle maroela jelly.

Creamy Amarula drink

Marula kernels are not our nation’s only rich, pounded, nutty treat. In Mpumalanga, xigugu is often jokingly referred to as “Tsonga Ferrero Rocher”. Although there is no chocolate in xigugu, the description does give some sense of its luxuriously compatible yet contrasting sequence of tastes and textures. This dark, glossy, subtly sweet, salty, smoky, buttery blend of roasted nuts and maize is a literal labour of love because it must be hand-pounded and sieved repeatedly for several exhausting hours.

WHOLE, GROUND, DRIED, FRESH OR FERMENTED, IT IS NOW ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO IMAGINE SOUTH AFRICAN CULINARY CULTURE WITHOUT CORN.

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South Africa is recognised for the diversity of its peoples; this is reflected in the many unique and exciting taste sensations found across the country, writes ANNA TRAPIDO

F OOD

GOURMET GIFTS Traditionally, xigugu can be served in platonic social situations (and is traditionally made following the harvesting and drying of corn and peanuts), but it is often associated with romance as it plays a role in the ceremonial customs attendant on Tsonga-Shangaan ma lovolo (bride-wealth) negotiations. Prospective partners are not directly involved in the dialogue between their families, but once an agreement is reached, the bride cooks her groom a meal of chicken huku ya mkon’wana (which directly translates as son-in-law’s chicken) at her parent’s home and presents him with a bucket of xigugu.

This gourmet gift accompanies its maker as she moves into her marital home. In such situations, xigugu is said to represent the bride’s hopes for a sweet start and recognition of the hard work that goes into maintaining successful relationships.

Just in case hoping and hard work are not enough, nuptial xigugu often includes a korobela potion to guarantee the groom’s love and fidelity going forward.

Maize is not indigenous to South Africa and there is no record of how/if

Roasted mielies

xigugu predates its 16th-century arrival on our shores. What we do know is that the Columbian Exchange, colonialism, apartheid and urbanisation have significantly altered the way we eat.

Whole, ground, dried, fresh or fermented, it is now almost impossible to imagine South African culinary culture without corn. Whether you want roasted mielies sold from an mbaula brazier street-side, a portion of Xhosa umvubo (umphokoqo crumbly porridge with amasi) or even a packet of NikNaks, maize products are absolutely everywhere.

Sometimes our maize products come with an attitude and street smarts. In Tsotsitaal, to be told, “Sho, uyiskhokho!” is the highest of high praise. The hard, often slightly burnt crust at the base of the pap pot is variously called isikhokho/sekhokho/ sikhokho/xikhokho or tshikhokho. Anyone who has ever tried to prize off this starchy residue will know that considerable

IMAGES: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ANINKA BONGERS-SUTHERLAND, ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/GIOVANNISEABRA, ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/IRINA PETRAKOVA, ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ANINKA BONGERS-SUTHERLAND, ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/GAUS-NATALIYA, SUPPLIED

WHOLE, GROUND, DRIED, FRESH OR FERMENTED, IT IS NOW ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO IMAGINE SOUTH AFRICAN CULINARY CULTURE WITHOUT CORN.

Gemmer/Ginger beer

CONTRADICTORY, FEARLESS AND UNIQUE The nation’s most divisive, love it or hate it comestible, mebos, is a slab of sweet, sour, salty contrast.

For some the robust, layered flavour profile of the brined then sundried and sugared apricot is deeply disconcerting.

Others argue that this sensory confusion is precisely the point.

In South Africa, the latter argument most often applies. We are what we eat. And what we are is full of contradictory energy.

Some of our food is as old as the hills (well, at least as ancient as the first prehuman hominins that caught and controlled fires at the Cradle of Humankind), but we are also a nation of NikNaks lovers devoted to our modern, industrial food commodities. We brew fruit wines that pass from sacred to secular as ancestral rituals give way to community celebrations. We shore up the romance of xigugu with the cynicism of korobela.

For every soothing sip of rooibos tea, there is a back of the throat, powerful punch of gemmer ginger beer waiting for its moment to bubble out of the bottle – and occasionally explode in the pantry!

We are fearless with flavour and uninhibited about offering up the unexpected, and our foods – be they sweet, salty, savoury or a combination thereof – certainly match our people’s uniqueness and diversity.

NikNaks

FOR EVERY SOOTHING SIP OF ROOIBOS TEA, THERE IS A BACK OF THE THROAT, POWERFUL PUNCH OF GEMMER GINGER BEER WAITING FOR ITS MOMENT TO BUBBLE OUT OF THE BOTTLE.

Vetkoek

strength and patience are required, but that perseverance pays off because isikhokho is a rewardingly crunchy delicacy. Those said to carry these tough, feisty, resilient qualities are much admired. Legend has it that King Shaka’s Zulu army used these dry, crisp wafers as military rations.

Crisp textures are also available in our fabulous fried doughs. Some, such as vetkoek and amagwinya fritters are savoury, while others – such as twisted koeksisters and coconut-rolled koesisters – are syrup-soaked. In the Free State and the Northern Cape, aniseed-studded skuinskoek occupy the sweet-savoury middle ground. This contrary pairing is extremely popular countrywide, where seemingly clashing taste profiles are often used to create delicious depth in dishes such as the Cape Easter treat of pickled fish with hot cross buns.

Karoo lamb

A WELL-SHEPHERDED TASTE SENSATION Foodie folklore has always argued that lamb and mutton from the Karoo region have terroir-specific distinctive and desirable herby flavours and aromas.

The good news is that it is true. A recent study of the sensory profiles of mutton from different regions of South Africa conducted by the Agricultural Research Council found that there were indeed discernible differences in both smell and taste. For many urban South Africans, each aromatic mouthful also comes seasoned with a longing for wide-open spaces, big-hearted people and calm in a complicated world.

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A DV ER T ORI A L K A NS A I PL A S CON

INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGY AND EXCELLENCE Kansai Plascon is a leading paint and coatings manufacturer rooted in South Africa, and has been creating well-known and loved sub-brands for over 130 years

O

ver its years of operation, through strong innovation and creating brand love, Kansai Plascon has successfully established itself as a leader in manufacturing products of the highest quality.

This quality is achieved through robust strategic planning, systems, processes and controls. Kansai Plascon prides itself on ensuring that only product of the highest quality is sold to our valued customers and consumers across the continent, and constantly strives to be a market leader.

To achieve this, the company continuously looks at ways of improving product quality and efficiently increasing production to meet the growing demand. The organisation is constantly adapting to the changing macroeconomic landscape by innovating or restructuring the business.

Today, the company operates through an extensive network of facilities across Southern, East and West Africa. It has 15 manufacturing plants and more than 3 000 dedicated employees producing paints and coatings, which are distributed to over 20 countries on the African continent and Indian Ocean islands.

From project work and home decoration to preservation of infrastructure and painting of vehicles, Kansai Plascon’s quality paint ranges have become a mainstay in homes, showrooms, roads and cityscapes across the region.

Kansai Plascon’s rich history includes the introduction of many new coatings solutions.

The company pursues innovation and has built a reputation of trust and reliability as an expert in paint coatings.

PRODUCTION EXCELLENCE A notable leap in the company’s continued pursuit of excellence is the introduction of market-leading technologies in both the manufacturing equipment and product technologies used to craft these popular brands.

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K A NS A I PL A S CON A DV ER T ORI A L

FROM PROJECT WORK AND HOME DECORATION TO PRESERVATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND PAINTING OF VEHICLES, KANSAI PLASCON’S QUALITY PAINT RANGES HAVE BECOME A MAINSTAY IN HOMES, SHOWROOMS, ROADS AND CITYSCAPES.

The company has introduced in-line dispersion equipment and robotics to its filling line to increase production throughput and efficiency and ensure customer satisfaction.

Coatings production requires special dispersion equipment that can mix the solid and liquid particles required in the formulation of the final products. The purpose of dispersion is to increase the surface area of the particles to intensify the durability, colour strength and coverage of the final coating, giving our customers consistent quality.

There has been an increased effort to reduce environmental impact through minimising volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in both water-based and solvent-based coatings production. This further increases efficiency, versatility and colour accuracy for a final product that carries the renowned Plascon brand name. This challenge has introduced many new variables in the raw materials required, special purpose additives and techniques and equipment involved.

Water-based products are particularly susceptible to foaming, and the commonly used high-speed dispersers are known to create these issues. In the past, this has created the need for defoaming agents. This is inefficient and affects accuracy as some agents can also hinder other properties of the final product, necessitating additional additives.

Due to normal variation in raw materials, virtually any dispersed product may occasionally fail to meet the specification. By utilising the in-line dispersion equipment, Kansai Plascon guarantees that only the best quality is delivered to our loyal customers. In-line dispersers can also reduce problems caused by settling during transfer – a

common issue during moving to and from bulk storage. An in-line disperser eliminates this issue by redispersing the raw material en route to the dispersion tank or the storage tank, producing an end product with superior colour development and consistency. For a market leader such as Plascon, looking for ways to increase capacity and ensure the best possible quality for the end-user, this has been an extremely efficient answer. Kansai Plascon has brought coating production into the 21st century, thanks to its adoption of new inline dispersion technology that not only processes paint three times faster than conventional methods, but also uses less energy and generates less waste.

This new state-of-the-art system was introduced at Kansai Plascon’s plant in Johannesburg and has become the new benchmark in paint manufacturing. By harnessing the technology, Kansai Plascon can produce better quality paint faster and at a lower cost.

Furthermore, the company has enhanced productivity by incorporating robotics into its new filling lines – machines that fill paint faster and at double the capacity of the previous manual process, meaning it can fulfill customers’ orders in less time.

Indeed, moving with the times and remaining relevant has been central to the company building such a longstanding reputation, reflected by the environmental initiatives in product innovation.

GREEN PRODUCT INNOVATIONS The first of these innovations is the introduction of alkyl phenol ethoxylates (APEO)-free formulations. Plascon TradePro Roof & More is a roof paint entirely free of the harmful APEO chemicals. APEO compounds,when released into the environment, can be toxic to human and wildlife, especially marine life. Conventional roof paints contain APEOs that, over time, leach into waterways through rain and drainage, and eventually contaminate the soil, water tables, rivers and ultimately our oceans. APEOs that accumulate in water systems are toxic to aquatic organisms. In large doses, APEOs can also affect hormonal systems in humans.

By choosing to use APEO-free products, consumers are contributing to a safer, healthier and more sustainable planet. Water, although

KANSAI PLASCON HAS BROUGHT COATING PRODUCTION INTO THE 21ST CENTURY, THANKS TO ITS ADOPTION OF NEW IN-LINE DISPERSION TECHNOLOGY THAT NOT ONLY PROCESSES PAINT THREE TIMES FASTER THAN CONVENTIONAL METHODS, BUT ALSO USES LESS ENERGY AND GENERATES LESS WASTE.

a reusable resource, needs to be treated responsibly and conserved to avoid pollution and shortages.

South Africa is among some of the most water-scarce countries in the world and one way to use water more responsibly – and save more money on your monthly municipal bill – is to harvest rainwater from roofs.

Since Plascon TradePro Roof & More is APEO-free it is safe for the harvesting of rainwater for nonpotable use.

Another threat to environmental conservation is the plastic pandemic. The mass production of plastics began over 50 years ago. Since then, eight billion tonnes of plastic have been produced, of which an estimated 90 per cent is not recycled, and about eight million tonnes ends up in oceans annually.

Given the excessive life expectancy of plastic products, almost every piece of plastic created and sent to a landfill or dumped in the environment is still in existence. This puts an immense strain on the environment and its inhabitants, increasing the urgency to reduce plastic consumption and wastes, as well as to find sustainable ways to recycle existing plastic products. To honour this call, Kansai Plascon has introduced black buckets made of up to 70 per cent upcycled material to its premium range.

Upcycling is a means by which we can reduce the amount of solid waste entering landfills and polluting the environment. The materials of old paint buckets are harvested to produce new ones of equal quality with a lower manufacturing impact. Through this process, we can reduce carbon emissions by extending the shelf life of used materials, thereby reducing the energy and natural resources needed for new materials to be created. By upcycling, not only do we stop more longwearing pollutants from going to landfills, but we also reduce our environmental footprint having saved the cost of manufacturing, packaging and transporting new materials.

These upcycled buckets provide the same structural integrity with new distinction to the Plascon premium range, including Plascon Micatex, Double Velvet Pure, Cashmere, Velvaglo Water-Based, Nuroof Cool and Wall & All, bringing consumers the renowned and trusted quality of these brands with the peace of mind knowing they’re making the most responsible choice for the environment.

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A DV ER T ORI A L K A NS A I PL A S CON

Much of environmental conservation and ethical practice involves correcting ingrained perceptions and innovating so that the same quality can be provided while reducing environmental impact. Solvent-based paints used to be the preferred choice in coatings, favoured for their perceived durability, especially in enamel paints. But these solvents can be more demanding in terms of application, cleaning, disposal and, most importantly, harmful to the environment.

There has been a global shift toward water-based products, which offer equal, if not better, quality with added benefits including faster drying times, lower associated costs and minimal impact to the environment and the health and wellbeing of consumers.

Plascon Velvaglo Water-Based Enamel is just one of the extensive water-based range of product offered by Plascon. Leading the field in water-based alternatives, Plascon Velvaglo is prized for its superior strength, satin finish and versatility. Formulated with a unique water-based acrylic hybrid called AquatoughTM, Plascon Velvaglo Water-Based offers all the toughness of a solvent-based enamel including UV, flaking and stain resistance, with nondrip properties while remaining environmentally friendly and nontoxic.

Also of particular concern with solvent-based products is the associated risk of VOC emission, which has become a major societal concern with VOC pollution on the rise. VOCs are chemicals emitted from production processes and common household items. These chemicals accumulate in the air and can have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to 10 times higher) than outdoors. To combat this threat, Kansai Plascon has optimised the formulations of its premium brands, which now all boast zero-VOC recipes. This means that there are no VOC emissions when using these products, thereby protecting the environment as well as your home and family.

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But Kansai Plascon didn’t stop there. Not only has it removed VOCs from its premium products, but it has also further engineered them to remove VOCs from the air.

In 2020, Kansai Plascon pioneered paint with air purifying technology. Plascon Double Velvet Pure has the ability to actively improve the quality of indoor air by removing formaldehyde, a noteworthy VOC, from the air that you breathe, making your home and workspace a safer environment for you, your co-workers and your family. A special compound in the formula removes and permanently transforms the formaldehyde in the air into undetectable, harmless water vapour that is safe to breathe.

The re-engineered product retains all of its premium quality, strength and elegance as well as its existing leading technologies such as the Stain BarrierTM, to make cleaning away life’s messier moments a breeze, Silver ProtectTM to inhibit mould and bacterial growth and BreatheasyTM to minimise odour and ensure cleaner, breathable air.

PRODUCT TECHNOLOGY Over the years, Kansai Plascon has launched leading technologies, providing premium quality products to bring elegance, style and peace of mind to its consumers.

Plascon Cashmere features Triple Action BeadTM technology, a special additive in the paint responsible for the dispersion of light. This technology allows a plush matt finish that is capable of hiding plaster imperfections in the wall while bringing to life warm colours and forming a protective barrier that maintains an absolute matt finish over time, even with regular wiping.

Plascon Cashmere, Plascon Double Velvet Pure and Plascon Kitchens and Bathrooms, are all formulated with Silver ProtectTM, silver additives to help keep walls cleaner for longer and improve stain resistance. The additives have also proven effective in reducing mould and algae formation.

➔ Scan this QR code to go directly to the Placson website.

For more information: www.plascon.com

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

THE MATERIALS OF OLD PAINT BUCKETS ARE HARVESTED TO PRODUCE NEW ONES OF EQUAL QUALITY WITH A LOWER MANUFACTURING IMPACT.

Plascon Nuroof Cool has a unique EnviroshieldTM formulation with UV protection and infrared-reflective technology. The formulation minimises the effect of the sun’s heat on your roof, resulting in cooler roof surfaces. Lower roof temperatures mean less stress and strain on the coating and the roof – promoting longer roof life and keeping your roof beautiful for years. It also cools the interior of your home by up to 8°C during summer (winter impact of cooling effect is minimised). By reducing the need for cooling, consumers will save on both costs and power while also reducing emissions of greenhouse gases due to lower power requirements.

The Plascon premium range also utilises BreatheasyTM technology so that consumers can paint with virtually no odour. This means that the short-term adverse effects of eye, nose and throat irritation and headaches that often result from breathing in paint vapours are drastically minimised. With no lead and zero VOCs, consumers can be assured that no harm is being done to their family’s health or to the environment.

In keeping with its commitment to innovation, Kansai Plascon has also launched major upgrades to another of its beloved and well-renowned brands: Plascon Micatex, now with Polycell Technology.

Plascon Micatex with WeathertoughTM is a finely textured, exterior matt paint for long-lasting, extra protection against the toughest weather conditions and the wear and tear of everyday living. Now with Poly-cellTM Polyfilla Fine Crack Filler, it covers hairline cracks and prevents water from entering through the cracks, which can cause damp problems, premature colour fading or cracking and peeling of the paint. With twice the film thickness compared to conventional paints, Plascon Micatex also boats mica for stretch and marble for strength.

Kansai Plascon continues to innovate, with a focus on developing pioneering products while being conscious of its environmental impact.

These changes affirm Plascon’s re-orientation and refreshed commitment to focus on people and purpose.

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M A NUFAC T URING

Local manufacturing

as diverse as SA’s population South Africa is known for its diverse population of over 60 million people, and with a gross domestic product of US$301.9-billion in 2020, the local manufacturing scene is as varied and unique as the country’s people, writes BENJAMIN VAN DER VEEN

SUSTAINABLE PAINT AS A DÉCOR ITEM Kansai Plascon has over 130 years of experience in the paints and coating industry.

The company started in 1889 when Herbert Evans, a young Welshman, arrived in the shanty mining town of Johannesburg with just a cart, ladder, and paintbrushes, embracing the core values that the business still strives toward today – to design products that improve the lives of customers through constant innovation.

Evans re-invented the coatings industry, pioneering the earliest “ready-mixed” coloured paints and revolutionary “best elastic carriage varnish”. This spirit of innovation and a total dedication to designing products to meet the coating needs of customers carries through the organisation to this day.

In 2020, Kansai Plascon introduced the South African market to its innovative Plascon Double Velvet Pure paint – created with air purifying technology. Plascon Double Velvet Pure actively improves the quality of indoor air by removing the formaldehyde from the air that customers breathe, making their

EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY SINCE 1992 Most South Africans love their coffee, and nothing goes as well with the locals’ favourite morning brew as some soft, tasty biscuits with a creamy centre, or chocolate chips. When it comes to cookies, biscuit lovers can hardly go wrong with choosing a confection based on one of the famous recipes from family business, BiscoPlus.

Plascon

homes and workspaces a safer environment.

A special compound in the formula removes and permanently transforms the formaldehyde in the air into undetectable, harmless water vapour that is safe for breathing.

“Furthering Plascon’s commitment to environmental conservation has been a mandate for the brand, which continues to take meaningful steps with leaps and bounds in green technology to reduce its impact on the environment,” says Suvasin Moodley, head of marketing (decorative) at Plascon.

The company was launched by a group of family and friends 30 years ago, explains Adina Smith, marketing manager at Biscoplus, as a flour mill manufacturing biscuits for the wholesale trade market.

Over the past 25 years, BiscoPlus has grown and perfected over 60 varieties of biscuits, which it distributes across Africa, Europe and the Indian Ocean Islands. BiscoPlus retails as Henro and Bisco, Henro being the company’s premium brand.

“Today, we have good relationships across most of the SADC region and the Indian Ocean Islands, as well as a shop in the United Kingdom. However, we still see big potential in the South African market. Locally, we believe we have the right products and have identified the opportunities – all that’s left is to pursue them,” Smith says.

VIPER BROTHERS AND THE LIVING VIVARIUM Viper Brothers, along with its sister company, The Living Vivarium, was established by Blake Vermeulen and Marcel du Toit in 2016. The company was created to be a one-of-a-kind reptile facility in South Africa, where the founders aim to breed and supply both the local and international market with quality captive-bred venomous animals and conduct research into the snakes’ venom.

The founders of these two companies have over 15 years of experience in keeping and handling venomous reptiles, as well as experience in creating custom living vivariums that replicate the animals’ natural environments.

The Living Vivarium’s du Toit explains that their vivariums are full bioactive enclosures built to the custom specifications of the animal the enclosure will house.

“As full bioactive enclosures, the vivariums come complete with clean-up crews – notably isopods and springtails, insects that specialise in breaking down waste matter, along with living plants,” he says.

“Living vivariums provide users with a living garden for their beloved animals, by housing these reptiles in living vivariums, the reptiles’ behaviour is more relaxed, and they experience less stress as they live in a more natural state.” ›

The Living Vivarium

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M A NUFAC T URING

SUSTAINABLE AND AFFORDABLE MOHAIR

PRATLEY STICKS WITH THE CORAL NURSERY PROJECT Established in 1948 by George Pratley, Pratley is now a stable of companies that rests on a foundation of research and innovation over the years. The Pratley companies have over 350 filed patents worldwide. Included in the Pratley stable are Pratley Adhesives, Pratley Electrical, Select Hairdressing Supplies, Presley Minerals, and Pratley Craft & Decoupage.

In celebration of Earth Day in April this year, Pratley announced that its famous Pratley’s Putty was being used in the Coral Nursery Project, spearheaded by Oceans Without Borders, to secure and restructure endangered coral reefs off the coast of Zanzibar.

Pratley’s marketing director, Eldon Kruger, notes that coral reefs have been dubbed the rainforest of the seas as they play a vital role in preventing marine ecosystems from disappearing.

Coral reefs are home to 25 per cent of the world’s marine life.

Oceans Without Borders employs marine rangers to maintain and nurture coral gardens that are created by transforming broken pieces of parent coral from all over the reefs into new coral pieces. To turn these fragments into new coral, each individual fragment is secured to a special disc with Pratley Putty before being added to the underwater coral nursery table.

“Pratley Putty is a slightly water-soluble, hand-mouldable, high-performance putty-like adhesive, ideal for underwater use, having already been widely used in the aquarium-keeping hobby for securing rock and coral fragments.”

“In keeping with Earth Day’s philosophy, Pratley is excited and honoured to be part of this project to protect, manage, and restore nature,” he says.

consumers, and as pioneers of the future of South African mohair.

Two years after the official formation of SAMIL, the company opened SAMIL Spinning in collaboration with a dyeing plant, SAMIL Dyeing.

Shortly after opening these two divisions, the company established SAMIL Farming to strengthen SAMIL’s already close partnership with the Angora farming community.

With all of these entities now under one parent company, it’s no surprise that SAMIL feels it is now ready to offer an all-encompassing service to every area of the mohair trade.

Citra Housing

UNIQUE SUSTAINABLE HOUSING CITRA Construction was created in 2015 when the Swiss Ambassador allowed a sustainable polystyrene housing prototype to be built at her residence in Pretoria. She later founded the construction business in 2016.

Based in Cape Town, this construction company is managed by Joel Baur, who says that the cornerstone of their construction and design is their unique, environmentally friendly, durable, and affordable building method.

He explains that the central part of the CITRA system is made from expanded polystyrene (EPS) produced by the

Isowall Group. This is a lightweight, safe, sustainable, nontoxic, nonflammable, and fully recyclable material.

Furthermore, notes Baur, the material is composed of organic elements (carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen) and does not contain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).

“Citra’s aim is to be the most innovative building company in Africa and our team works hard to deliver a product of worldwide quality. We also pride ourselves on having a strong focus on research and development, environmental sustainability and cutting edge design,” he says.

FAST FACT

• Pratley Putty was used by the American Space Agency onboard its Ranger moon-landing craft, which led to Pratley Putty acquiring global fame as the only South African manufactured product to go to the moon.

• Plascon Double Velvet Pure is the first paint in South Africa to improve indoor air quality after application.

Source: Pratley/Plascon websites

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South African Mohair Industries Limited

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

Coral Nursery Project

South African Mohair Industries Limited (SAMIL) is involved in all aspects of the mohair industry.

Its aim is to provide sustainable, affordable, top-quality products to the world, showcasing both the product and the industry, country of origin and individuals participating in the production and processing of mohair fibre.

The company traces its origin back to 1965 when a textile trading company from Bradford in the United Kingdom created a subsidiary in what was then Port Elizabeth, called the International Mohair Topmakers. In 1987, the company moved from purchasing greasy mohair and opened its very own combing mill, named Border Combing Company, now known as SAMIL Combing.

It was only in 1992 that the current SAMIL was officially formed, primarily as a mohair trader and processor. However, its ambitions have now reached far beyond these activities, and the company now views itself as a link between mohair producers, processors and

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FA SHION

FASHIONABLY SOUTH AFRICAN

Whether for safety, comfort or just plain “looking good”, South Africa has some unique locally-made clothing types that offer both functionality and fashion, writes CARYN GOOTKIN

DID YOU KNOW?

Good bra support helps you run faster! The Research Group in Breast Health at the University of Portsmouth has conducted extensive research into the effect of different types of sports bras on the athletic performance of the wearer.

They found that when women run in ill-fitting or unsupportive bras, the following happens: • exercise feels harder • they may reach fatigue sooner • the risk of injury increases stride length decreases by 4cm – which means over the length of a marathon they are effectively running an extra 1.6km.

BODY KIND: SA’S FIRST ADJUSTABLE SPORTS BRA In 2021, Lisa Raleigh launched South Africa’s first fully adjustable sports bra. Raleigh is an acclaimed Johannesburg-based fitness and wellness guide and entrepreneur. This innovative and attractive addition to her Body Kind Athleisure range has sold out on every restock thus far. “Its online reviews indicate that this is a product that services the true needs of active women of every size and bust shape, across every kind of exercise modality,” says Raleigh.

Raleigh offers classes in rebounding– a low-impact exercise performed while jumping on a mini trampoline. “One of the questions I get asked almost daily is around effective support for breasts during our rebounding classes and all other kinds of movement,” says Raleigh.

“I am regularly shocked at what otherwise well-informed women choose to wear to support their breasts during exercise. I believe that all women deserve to feel supported, secure and comfortable while they exercise.”

Raleigh meticulously tested various iterations of the Body Kind bra on herself and women of all sizes. “We adjusted and improved the samples taking into account every bit of constructive criticism until we got it right,” she says.

“OUR BODY KIND BRAS ARE FULLY ADJUSTABLE ACROSS THE CHEST AND SHOULDER STRAPS. THE SHOULDER STRAPS CAN ALSO BE WORN STRAIGHT OR CROSSED OVER.” – LISA RALEIGH

Women tend not to replace their bras often enough because bras – and sports bras especially – can be relatively expensive. The beauty of the Body Kind bra is that women can continue to use it even after physical changes.

“Our breasts change in size through teenage development years, hormonal fluctuations, breastfeeding, weight loss journeys – and yet we hang on to the same sports bras even when they become ineffective,” says Raleigh.

“Breast tissue damage is not reversible, other than through surgery, and breast trauma caused by lack of support can cause health issues down the line. I looked at all the options around and decided it was time to bring a truly South African sports bra, designed for every type of South African woman, to my Body Kind range. It took almost two years of development to get to our final product, and now we can’t keep up with the orders.”

Source: https://www.port.ac.uk/ research/research-centres-and-groups/ research-group-in-breast-health

The bras come in four striking colours: Khaki, Copper Rust, Sage and Onyx. “Our Body Kind bras are fully adjustable across the chest and shoulder straps,” says Raleigh. “The shoulder straps can also be worn straight or crossed over. This makes them super supportive as well as comfortable to wear. We especially chose a luxe-feel fabric that has the added benefit of moisture-wicking capabilities to draw sweat away from the skin.”

In another first, the Body Kind bra also functions as a feeding bra, so women can confidently and comfortably go back to exercising, even while nursing. ›

THE BENEFITS OF BUYING LOCALLY MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS Buying locally manufactured goods contributes to growing the South African economy.

“Sourcing and manufacturing materials, components and products locally are critical to creating employment throughout the value chain and growing industries around increased manufacturing,” says Deane Nothard of the BBF Safety Group.

Local manufacturers can develop products specifically relevant to our local conditions and climate and the size and shape of our particular workforce. “Different workforces have different physical characteristics and because we design and manufacture all our products locally, we can better cater to the characteristics of the Southern African workforce, rather than importing from regions like Asia, where the workforces have very different bodies to South Africans,” he says.

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FA SHION

WAYNE SAFETY BOOTS Way back in 1940, Wayne Safety started manufacturing gumboots in KwaZulu-Natal, setting in motion a long tradition of designing and creating quality gumboots in South Africa.

“Guided by the needs of workers at the heart of the various industries for which we create boots, we are dedicated to perfecting the art of safety gumboots. Today, Wayne is one of the foremost polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyurethane (PU) gumboot manufacturers in Africa,” says Salona Bhugwantdeen, brand manager at Wayne Safety.

“Our top-quality gumboots are specifically designed to protect the wearer against the hazards they face in the various industries we cater for, such as mining, food processing, hygiene and services, agriculture and forestry, construction, and ocean’s economy and fisheries.”

Wayne Safety Boots are made with lightweight material for comfort. Features include maximum slip resistance and resistance to oils, fats and chemicals to give the wearer the triple benefits of protection, performance and comfort.

“Wayne Safety has always been proudly South African and we have established ourselves as part of the history of our great country and continent,” says Bhugwantdeen. “Our gumboots are proudly manufactured in South Africa both up and down

the value chain, which means we contribute to job creation and employment. We also support small to medium enterprises wherever possible to encourage the economic growth of this vital sector while ensuring our offering is tailored to the needs of the South African workforce. We are constantly innovating and, as we only produce gumboots, we can focus on improving the technical specifications of our boots every time new technologies are developed.”

At the same time as being a proudly South African brand, Wayne Safety also enjoys a strong

“OUR GUMBOOTS ARE PROUDLY MANUFACTURED IN SOUTH AFRICA BOTH UP AND DOWN THE VALUE CHAIN, WHICH MEANS WE CONTRIBUTE TO JOB CREATION AND EMPLOYMENT.” – SALONA BHUGWANTDEEn

presence in the global markets for gumboots.

“Currently, 30 per cent of our gumboots are exported to over 40 countries across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific,” says Bhugwantdeen. “Our boots meet all international safety standards. Since inception, no other manufacturer on the continent has supplied more gumboots into the African market.”

FAST FACT

Gumboots or wellingtons?

What’s the difference between these two words? There is none … both terms refer to waterproof rubber or plastic boots. Other common names for these boots include galoshes, mucking boots, and wellies.

Source: Wayne Safety Wear

SISI SAFETY WEAR

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understand that women have a very different shape to men and require workwear that takes the female anatomy into account,” says Nothard. “This has become increasingly important to us, as research shows increased productivity and satisfaction of workers when they are comfortable.”

Cognisant of the fact that women now perform many jobs previously considered suitable only for men, Sisi continues to identify areas of the market with growing numbers of female personnel so that it can introduce options allowing more women to wear safety boots or garments designed

for them. “We recently introduced our female selection of fall arrest harnesses in the Working at Heights category,” says Nothard.

“Earlier this year, we also launched the new Basi safety boot, with an integrated metatarsal protector for those areas where falling rocks and debris could create a serious hazard. With all of the ranges and options available for a female workforce today, I do not understand why some employers still insist on kitting their female staff in ill-fitting male (or so-called unisex) safety footwear and workwear.”

“WE UNDERSTAND THAT WOMEN HAVE A VERY DIFFERENT SHAPE TO MEN AND REQUIRE WORKWEAR THAT TAKES THE FEMALE ANATOMY INTO ACCOUNT.” – DEANE NOTHARD

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

BBF Safety Group, an integrated workplace safety solutions provider, launched its Sisi brand in 2008 as a sister brand to its highly successful Bova men’s safety footwear range.

“The Sisi brand began as a proudly South African range of women-specific safety footwear for a growing female workforce requiring personal protective equipment (PPE),” says Deane Nothard, marketing manager of BBF Safety Group. “With the introduction of the Sisi brand, we looked beyond the superficial adding of feminine touches to the styling, and selected moulds that were better suited to the female foot.

Over the years, the range has grown to accommodate female workers across several industries and with different foot shapes, ensuring women workers do not have to settle for safety footwear and PPE made with men in mind.”

In 2018, when BBF Safety Group launched its first workwear ranges, they introduced a men’s (Bova) range and the Sisi women’s workwear range. “We

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IN V EN T IONS

MODERN DAY INVENTIONS Necessity really has been the mother of these inventions, created by young South Africans, as CARYN GOOTKIN discovers

LUMKANI FIRE DETECTOR – CREATING SAFER COMMUNITIES Every year, rampant fires rip through South Africa’s informal settlements, leaving a wake of destruction and loss of life. While doing his honours engineering thesis, Francois Petousis took up the challenge of developing a technical solution to deal with the spread of fires, along with his lecturer, Samuel Ginsberg.

“Early on New Year’s Day in 2013, a fire broke out in BM section, Khayelitsha, leaving 4 000 people without homes,” says Petousis.

“The enormity of the devastation caused by this fire galvanised the initial group of inventors – Francois Petousis, Paul Mesarcik, David Gluckman, Emily Vining, Max Basler and Samuel Ginsberg – to start Lumkani to mitigate

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

ZIBIPEN – AN ELEGANT SOLUTION TO A GLOBAL PROBLEM Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction to anything from peanuts to bee sting, and can cause death in 15 minutes if left untreated. “The only effective treatment options available are adrenaline auto-injectors, which deliver adrenaline to the deep muscle tissue of the patient’s thigh, relieving the symptoms and allowing time to get to the nearest hospital,” says Gokul Nair, Impulse Biomedical co-founder.

Nair grew up in Coffee Bay, 60km from the nearest hospital. Childhood memories of driving his injured brother this distance on gravel roads, which injured him further, inspired him to pursue a career in improving access to healthcare. Similarly, co-founder Giancarlo Beukes nearly died as a result of an anaphylactic reaction to Voltaren.

People with allergies should carry an auto-injector with them at all times, but the adrenaline has a shelf life, so they have to discard unused devices. “This makes existing devices too expensive for patients to afford, resulting in unnecessary hospitalisations and even deaths,” says Nair. “They also do not cater to patient variation – body type and size – so the needle can fracture smaller children’s femurs or fail to deliver the medication effectively enough to larger adults.”

The pair developed the ZiBiPen to address these issues and in so doing,

the loss of life and property caused by shack fires in South Africa and across the globe.”

The device creates a community-wide alert when a fire starts, giving people time to be proactive in limiting the spread of the fire before it becomes dangerous. The fire detector also sends text messages to the homeowner, who can communicate and assist in limiting the fire.

“Without critical innovations in the way we do things, the challenges of our developing nation (and others) will remain the same,” says Petousis.

“We also need inspiration (and proof) that these innovations can make a difference – we need to

Lumkani fire detection

encourage those with the skills and compassion to go and tackle these challenges.”

Lumkani has already installed its award-winning fire detection system in over 50 000 informal homes, largely through grant-funded projects to cover entire high fire-risk areas.

“WITHOUT CRITICAL INNOVATIONS IN THE WAY WE DO THINGS, THE CHALLENGES OF OUR DEVELOPING NATION (AND OTHERS) WILL REMAIN THE SAME.” – FRANCOIS PETOUSIS

FAST FACT

Impulse Biomed’s ZiBiPen was developed out of the dire need to improve access to affordable healthcare and healthcare technologies to the broader South African public. “Although we have started with allergies and asthma, our vision is to develop numerous medical devices for developing and emerging world markets,” says company co-founder Gokul Nair. “We are really passionate about creating African solutions to global problems.”

improved both safety and efficacy.

“The patented ZiBiPen is a reloadable adrenaline auto-injector that significantly reduces treatment costs by allowing patients to reload adrenaline cartridges when medication expires,” says Nair.

“It also accommodates cartridges with various needle lengths, catering to a wider range of patients. We have obtained our manufacturing licence and are on the way to getting ZiBiPen into the market in the near future.”

Giancarlo Beukes and Gokul Nair

ZiBiPen has won numerous awards both locally and internationally, including first place at the Merck Cape Town Accelerator Competition in 2019 and first place at the Swiss Venture Leaders South Africa programme in Zurich, Switzerland.

The knowledge gained through this initial process has set Impulse Biomed up to develop ZiBiPen 1.0 – a smaller, safer and more user-friendly device currently being manufactured and assembled in Cape Town. “We are really excited to be one step closer to getting the device into the hands of the patients who need it,” says Nair.

“THE PATENTED ZIBIPEN IS A RELOADABLE ADRENALINE AUTO-INJECTOR THAT SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES TREATMENT COSTS BY ALLOWING PATIENTS TO RELOAD ADRENALINE CARTRIDGES WHEN MEDICATION EXPIRES.” – GOKUL NAIR MADE IN SA

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FOUR THRIVING

Despite the many challenges involved in running a business, entrepreneurs find a way. DENISE MHLANGA spoke to four proudly black-owned businesses that have defied the odds by starting and sustaining their businesses amid challenges.

S

mall, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) are crucial in job creation and economic growth, especially in a country with high unemployment levels.

According to the Global Entrepreneur Monitor 2021/2022, South Africa is the second-largest economy in Africa (by gross domestic product) with relatively well-established markets and supply chains, but constraints on entrepreneurship make it challenging to sustain a business.

In his State of the Nation Address in February, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the government’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan prioritises job creation, especially SMMEs, and will remove regulatory barriers that increase costs for businesses as well as implement measures to promote localisation and trade.

While all businesses face challenges, including access to finance and markets, black-owned businesses, particularly those in the townships and rural areas, suffer the most. These four black-owned businesses have managed to thrive despite the challenges.

ORIGINS PUBLISHERS Origins Publishers, launched in 2015, was a quest to give Nizenande, Mosa Mkhize’s first child, a gift of books in different languages. Mkhize could not find the right books, so she started producing stimulating books for her family.

“Having had first-hand experience of the developmental benefits of multilingualism, I wanted to have books in all of our home languages to equip us as parents to teach our children with ease,” she says.

Origins produces bilingual books for a diverse range of parents, caregivers and teachers drawn to Origins’ vision of unlocking cognitive and developmental excellence through books and educational materials.

She says one day, her son Alakhe asked for an engineer puzzle that looked like him. This kind of product cannot be sourced, so innovation was the answer.

This led to Origins producing its first set of educational materials, a range of ethnically diverse puzzles that showcase children of all races in different careers, including astronauts, pilots, ballerinas, engineers, scientists and software developers among others.

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Origins’ books and products are available online, and with growing e-commerce, the company invested into an online store to leverage technology to reach new markets and remain relevant.

With no experience as an author or publisher, Mkhize had a lot to learn about the publishing industry, but luckily her determination and dream to write and publish children’s books won, and she had enough resources to cover publishing costs.

The company has grown significantly over the past few years, resulting in increased sales and customer base.

“Partnerships have been key to our growth as a business, and we will continue to focus on these partnerships and learning from others.”

Rainbow Kids dolls

TOYS WITH ROOTS Recognising that toys designed with African children in mind are limited and there is a growing need in South Africa for toys and products that celebrate African children led to Thabo and Mpumi Motsabi founding Toys with Roots in March 2015.

“We believe that our African children need to identify and see themselves and their greatness in the songs they sing, books they read, toys they engage with and media they consume. Through play, children can best learn and form important concepts about themselves and their world,” they say.

The couple used their savings and started by distributing other entrepreneur’s dolls, then later created their own brands. Today, their online store sells children’s products and toys created by Toys with Roots and other entrepreneurs. However, with rising fuel costs, it is becoming expensive to courier products across the country, but online is key to reaching a wider market.

Access to markets was another challenge as online sales didn’t match their expectations. Taking the brand to retail stores was a game-changer.

Toys with Roots’ first retail foray was in 2017 with Hamleys and Toys R Us, and in 2019, the brand was sold at Shoprite, Spar and Mighty Small. The company partnered with the Shoprite group to create the Rainbow Kids brand, which includes three dolls, two puzzles (48 and100 pieces), and a ball, and is available across all Shoprite stores in Africa, with potential expansion of the brand within the group.

Toys with Roots is currently focused on rebuilding the business, following the momentum lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and attracting new customers. “We plan to showcase our products at pop-up events and invest in social media campaigns.”

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES

Mosa Mkhize

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BL ACK-OW NED BUSINES SES

ACCELERIT TECHNOLOGIES Armed with six years of experience in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) business at a global technology and consulting firm, KwaZulu-Natal-born Mandla Ngcobo was ready to start his own venture.

Ngcobo founded Accelerit Technologies in 2013, first installing internet in Greyhound buses, and then running Accenture South Africa’s entire connectivity network nationwide.

Accelerit was part of the 2019 intake of beneficiaries of the Accenture Enterprise and Supplier Development Programme.

“I am passionate about technology, interested in personal development, and continually looking for growth opportunities,” he says.

At the height of the pandemic and coupled with remote working, Accelerit’s workforce grew 500 per cent, comprising mostly young people.

These positions have been retained post the peak pandemic periods.

The company has partnered with Openserve, LiquidTelecom and MTN, among other companies and has a presence in major data centres like Terraco in Cape Town, Durban

FAST FACTS

Mandla Ngcobo

and Johannesburg. Accelerit works with small to large businesses and residential buildings, servicing connectivity issues through its local and international internet links. Word of mouth, social media campaigns and competitive pricing has seen the company grow.

Ngcobo says that as a customer-centric business, Accelerit employs ordinary people who can speak customers’ language. “We also focus on hiring graduates from college or varsity to give them a chance to gain work experience.”

He says access to favourable funding hinders potential mega operations from taking off, and

AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC AND COUPLED WITH REMOTE WORKING, ACCELERIT’S WORKFORCE GREW 500 PER CENT, COMPRISING MOSTLY YOUNG PEOPLE.

• According to the Centre for Development and Enterprise, of the over 2.6 million SMMEs counted by the Small Enterprise Development Agency during the first quarter of 2020, 74.8 per cent of formal SMMEs were black-owned.

• To remain competitive, SMMEs will need to embrace technology and digitisation as part of their business growth strategy, according to a 2020 SMME report by the Small Enterprise Development Agency.

the industry has limited mentors to guide new entrants into the sector.

In South Africa, accessible infrastructure and costs are the biggest internet connectivity issues, and Accelerit offers custom solutions, especially for its business customers, to accommodate needs. “We’ve put together solutions combining the use of satellite, microwave and fibre connectivity just to get to where connectivity is required.”

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

LOCAL VILLAGE FOODS Coming from a rural area rich in natural resources, and inspired by sustainable development during her university years, prompted Sipamandla Manqele to launch Local Village Foods, an indigenous African food business in 2016.

Products include Bambara groundnuts, fonio grain, Tiger nut flour, teff grain, sorghum flour and moringa sourced from small-scale producers in Nigeria, Malawi, Benin, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

“I connect small-scale farmers/producers with conscious consumers, and my objective is to use entrepreneurship as a vehicle for sustainable development,” says Manqele.

The business started its operations from an apartment balcony before moving to a warehouse. In the early days, Manqele sold free-range chickens and eggs, yoghurt, granola and honey at weekend markets, and in early 2018, it pivoted to African wholefoods under the current brand name, Local Village Foods.

Manqele says signing a lease agreement for the warehouse and a contract for the first employee to approaching the first retail store are some of the greatest successes of

the business. Local Village Foods continues to invest in research and development of its products, and today the company supplies Organic Health stores and has grown from one to six full-time employees. Local Village Foods will soon launch its product range in a national retail store.

Manqele says most of their customers are conscious and discerning individuals concerned about the source of products, those who grew up with these foods, but

cannot access them, chefs, and those with food allergies who need alternatives.

The food industry is highly regulated, and the competitive fast-moving consumer goods market makes it difficult for new entrants with limited capital.

Local Village Foods has partnered with various stakeholders to overcome these challenges while continuously maintaining authenticity with its different product offerings, says Manqele.

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SM A R T HOMES

CONNECTED AND SMARTER

I

n today’s increasingly digital and switched on world, the attraction of systems to help us simplify or eliminate complications in our lives is growing. It is not surprising then to learn that the concept of a fully integrated, fully connected smart home is gaining traction in South Africa.

Of course, the common perception around the subject of “smart homes” is that one needs to be a technological wizard to implement one, or that such homes are the preserve of the extremely wealthy. But is this the case, or can modern smart homes be implemented easily and at a reasonable cost?

According to Ryan Smith, MD at Smart Home Creations, for some time, it was not economical for the average user, but today, most home products have a smart element – in the form of an internet of things (IoT) sensor – meaning the possibility of integrating them does at least exist.

START WITH THE BASICS “We suggest that people considering a smart home first think about what benefits it will add to their lifestyle and family. We also recommend that a smart approach begins with replacing

ordinary light switches with glass panel light switches. These offer touchscreen control and can be linked to a phone app, allowing you to control all the lights in the house.

“Once you have control over your lights, you can follow up by connecting your geyser, gate motors, garage doors, air-conditioning, swimming pool pump and more. With these also connected to a single device, you will have far more control of all these household elements.”

Smith adds that with everything connected in this manner, introducing a device like Amazon Alexa will take your home to a new level, allowing you to control everything via your smartphone and voice commands.

But will this deliver tangible value to the homeowner, or is a smart home only about the “coolness” factor?

“There is a multitude of real benefits to such an implementation,” says Smith. “For one, it boosts security as you can control entrance to the property even when away, check security cameras via your phone, and get notifications on your phone that someone is ringing your doorbell.

“It is also fantastic from an energy-efficiency perspective as being able to control lights and

“WHILE SUCH SYSTEMS IN THE RECENT PAST WOULD HAVE BEEN AFFORDABLE ONLY TO THE MOST WEALTHY, TODAY YOU CAN IMPLEMENT THE FULL SYSTEM DESCRIBED FOR AROUND R30 000.” – RYAN SMITH 44

WHICH SYSTEMS TO CHOOSE? Schneider Electric’s Ettienne van Niekerk points out that a fully integrated and connected smart home is “implementable” today – the extent of which is only limited by one’s imagination and budget. The connected systems one would typically require, he suggests, would be security systems (access control, CCTV, alarms, and so forth), integrated entertainment systems, lighting systems and energy management systems – all of which must be connectable and remotely accessible.

energy-intensive devices remotely enables significant energy savings. Perhaps best of all is that while such systems in the recent past would have been affordable only to the most wealthy, today you can implement the full system described for around R30 000,” he notes.

Ettienne van Niekerk, offer marketing manager for Schneider Electric’s buildings business unit, believes smart home adoption will be driven in South Africa by people’s basic needs first. “Once these needs have been met, the further adoption of smart home technology will become a matter of preferential luxuries or convenience,” he says.

“As far as what the initial, most basic needs are, I feel that consumers in South Africa will first address the energy crisis probably through hybrid backup energy systems – systems which combine (and control the interaction between) backup generators, solar power and utility power.”

The next layer, he says, being safety and security, leads him to expect Ettienne van Niekerk that security systems will be next in line for an upgrade to fully smart systems, making them remotely accessible and controllable.

“Thereafter, I feel it will depend on the individual. The decisions could be driven by energy efficiency, cost savings or return on investment, or purely by varying needs of convenience.

“The rapid adoption of technologies that enabled working from home has sped up the adoption of smart home solutions,” he concludes.

IMAGE: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM, SUPPLIED

A fully integrated and connected smart home is possible today in South Africa, and it will be far more affordable than in the past, writes RODNEY WEIDEMANN

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