Prime December 2022

A haven where you and your family will enjoy a lifestyle like no other. Get your adrenaline pumping on the 50km mountain bike trail , jog on the 45km promenade or take an outride on your favourite steed along our bridle paths . Enjoy the crystal waters of the 300m lagoon , take a scenic flight to your weekend getaway from the Ultimate Helistop or play a round of golf on our Nicklaus design championship golf course all nestled in our 2000 acres of indigenous parkland . This piece of paradise has 24/7 security to provide peace of mind while you enjoy all the amenities you could ever wish for.

LUXURY FAMILY RESIDENCES | STANDS | APARTMENTS

Book your exclusive viewing at www.steyncity.co.za or email sales@steyncity.co.za and marvel at the ultimate luxurious lifestyle on offer in Gauteng.

Whether you are travelling for business or leisure, get exclusive access to Discovery Bank’s Priority Fast Track and The Lounge, By Discovery and SAA.

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EDITORIAL

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Editor, SALUT! Jared Ruttenberg

Contributors: Winnie Bowman, Reece Daniel, Mart-Marié du Toit, Yael Geffen, Caryn Gootkin, Gareth Griffiths, Nia Magoulianiti-McGregor, Johann Olivier, Gregoire Theron, Anna Trapido

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Digital Editor: Stacey Visser vissers@businessmediamags.co.za

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MANAGEMENT

Management Accountant: Deidre Musha Business Manager: Lodewyk van der Walt General Manager Magazines: Jocelyne Bayer

CONTENTS

9 COVER PROFILE

Cultural icon Dr Gcina Mhlophe weaves magic into ancient tales.

11 THOUGHT LEADERSHIP: FINANCIAL FITNESS

How to invest for your retirement and what your financial advisor should be focusing on.

13 PROPERTY INVESTMENT

Residential and sustainable home investments; the evolution of lifestyle estates.

19 HEALTHY LIVING

Healthy diets for your body and the planet.

22 AT HOME

Garden gadgets that make outdoor jobs easier.

24 LEISURE ESCAPES

COPYRIGHT: 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. Prime is published by Picasso Headline. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Picasso Headline. All advertisements/advertorials have been paid for and therefore do not carry any endorsement by the publisher.

Savour the historical beauty of Stellenbosch; life on the water.

29 SALUT!

A firm nod to South Africa’s diversely rich wine and spirits industry.

THE STORY OF DR GCINA MHLOPHE

Dr Gcina Mhlophe, age 63, continues to enliven the ancient art of storytelling by laying down magical fables before her delighted audiences. “I wear the stories of my people like armour. They see me through the worst of times.”

In a digital age, Dr Mhlophe continues to wield her superpower: mesmerising her audience without the techno bells and whistles. “Listen in the middle of the night, when not even the wind blows, when everything is perfectly still, there is something else that you can hear, some moans and groans of stories longing to be heard ...”

Wide-eyed children and battle-weary grown-ups find the lure irresistible and are only too willingly led towards an enchanted forest of embarrassed chameleons, teasing fireflies, splashing rivers, and soft-voiced lions who find their roar.

Dr Mhlophe, too, found her roar.

As a teenager in boarding school, she felt, she says, “alone and left out”. Inspired by her grandmother’s stories, she started reading. The backbone of her expanding imagination was AC Jordan’s The Wrath of the Ancestors, about a Xhosa prince returning home to claim his crown amid much resistance. “It’s a universal tale. I loved it. The style! The language! You can hear the horses, feel the fear of the young women. I started achieving in my studies without knowing I was tilling the land for the future.” It was at that time, she says, “I fell in love with my voice.”

Though she has worked as a journalist, actress, newsreader, motivational speaker, playwright, TV presenter, poet and author, she is never more loved than when she is on stage telling traditional tales of bravery, little kindnesses, and derring-do.

THE MAGIC OF STORYTELLING

“I want audiences to see the places I’ve seen. To watch the flowers blooming, the birds dropping feathers, and even to feel the feathers falling around them. My grandmother, who told me story after story, took her time painting pictures in my mind so that my imagination could soar.”

Storytelling is more than just theatre though. “I tell stories to wake up the stories in other people. I believe every living being has a story to tell.

“Now more than ever,” says Dr Mhlophe, “as gadgets discourage communication, we must bring storytelling back, whether it’s to enhance our personal relationships or develop strategic thinking in business. People are increasingly anxious. Listening to others is an art.” There is something deep and meaningful about oral history. “It’s

MAKE SOUTH AFRICA A READING NATION

Dr Gcina Mhlophe started her Nozincwadi Mother of Books Literacy Campaign in 2001, travelling to rural schools to promote literacy by setting up libraries. The books are donated by publishers, business people and individuals, and the name and inspiration came from her great-grandmother: “She couldn’t read or write, but my father told me how she loved collecting anything –articles, newspapers, books – with words on it.”

Getting kids to read means empowering them with education and inspiration. “Kids dance with joy when you read to them or tell them a story. They ask questions. We need to build a reading nation,” she says. “Let’s renovate libraries, let’s continue with literacy campaigns.”

the passing down of a family’s heirloom. Your grandmother can leave you antique furniture, but when she leaves you stories of your family, you can carry your heritage with you.

Dr Mhlophe is translated into many languages, including German, French, Italian, Swahili and Japanese.

But she’s not putting up her feet just yet. “I have a hunger to learn, I keep learning how to use my voice or share my poetry in a different way.” Film scripts are the next step. “And animation,” she says. She’s thinking of adapting Peter and the Wolf, a symphonic story set to classical music with traditional African instruments.

Her stories retain their power to thrill and enchant. Who can not be enraptured by “The cool breeze at dawn has got secrets to tell you …”.

“Contemporary stories are universal,” says Dr Mhlophe. “They show we are more alike than different.”

Weaving magic into ancient tales, cultural icon Dr Gcina Mhlophe says stories show we are more alike than different. By NIA MAGOULIANITI-MCGREGOR

Dr Gcina Mhlophe

“I TELL STORIES TO WAKE UP THE STORIES IN OTHER PEOPLE. I BELIEVE EVERY LIVING BEING HAS A STORY TO TELL.” – DR GCINA MHLOPHE

Like every business journey, there is a beginning. In the beginning, GraySwan started with a family passionate about investments. Having consulted to, and managed money for, many of the largest institutional investors in South Africa, they had a desire to provide a boutique, high conviction investment offering to clients of all types. They wanted to empower investors implement superior, and robust, long-term investment strategies. This was 12 years ago. Today they advise on and manage in excess of R20 billion in assets.

With a collective investment experience spanning over 150 years, the team has built an impressive portfolio, advising to highprofile institutional and corporate clients, as well as high-networth individuals and family office investors. The collaborative goal is to generate and preserve wealth for the long term, and across generations.

“When we started the business, we wanted to do something different,” says Duncan Theron, Chief Executive Officer. “We believed there was a gap in the market to provide an independent, high conviction advisory and wealth management offering. But more importantly, we wanted to build a business that not only consistently performs, but one that is purpose-driven, innovative and personal.”

Tania Theron, Head of Wealth notes “Being appointed as a financial confidante is a responsibility we take very seriously. We earn our clients’ loyalty by repeatedly proving that our value proposition is not just lip-service, but the pinnacle task we set ourselves. Our clients Sleep Well at Night (SWAN) while we regularly burn the midnight oil looking after their wealth.”

GraySwan’s range of Regulation 28 compliant Fund of Funds have all outperformed their peer groups as measured by Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) since inception and have done so with lower fees. To cater for the needs of conservative, risk averse investors who wish to maximize ongoing monthly income whilst still aiming to produce real returns over any 3-year rolling period, GraySwan offers the SCI GraySwan Cautious Fund of Funds.

This Fund utilises both active and passive mandates, investing in a well-diversified and carefully constructed combination of highly reputable and best of breed local and offshore investment managers and tracker funds. The Fund has a maximum exposure of 40% to growth assets such as equities and property, while the bulk of the Fund’s assets are fixed interest assets, such as cash and bonds. These fixed interest assets provide investors with both income and real returns over the long term.

GraySwan manages the Fund actively, with assets being tactically shifted to reflect changing economic and market conditions, to maximise income over the short to medium term while producing real returns over the long term. The team also actively manages and hedges the currency exposure in the Fund.

Additionally, the Fund construction incorporates superior Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) aspects into its investment philosophy. GraySwan was only the second advisor in South Africa to sign up the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investing.

“It’s part of our DNA & our journey to care about the planet whilst producing superior returns for our clients.” DuncanTheron

Find your freedom at: www.grayswan.co.za

Stellenbosch: (021) 852 9092

Somerset West: (021) 852 9092

Johannesburg: (011) 431 0141

GraySwan Financial Services (Pty) Ltd (Reg No: 2010/009813/07) is an authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP No: 42290).

DUNCAN THERON Chief Executive Officer

FOUNDERS:

TANIA THERON Head of Wealth

GREGOIRE THERON Chief Investment Officer

South African savers are confronted by many and different challenges. Increasing longevity means retirement savings need to stretch further than ever before. Yet, the fi nancial turmoil that has followed the pandemic and, more recently Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have wreaked havoc on global markets. As such, the savings pool is shrinking further still.

The latest statistics from the Association of Savings and Investment for South Africa (ASISA), show a 5.3 per cent decline in the value of total assets held by life offi ces and collective investment schemes or the unit trust sector over the fi rst six months of 2022. This refl ects a reduction in the number of risk policies bought and an increase in the number of lapsed policies compared to the same period the year before. This is as indicated in the “SA’s savings pool is shrinking” article, hosted on Business Live – no doubt a refl ection of the harsh economic environment and consistently high unemployment rate.

FROM SAVINGS TO SURVIVAL MODE

As more South Africans move from savings mode towards survival, they run greater risk of being unable to afford to retire. Financial advisors have an important role to play in ensuring that their clients do not lose sight of their longer-term savings goals. Revisiting clients’ fi nancial plans will require substantial care and consideration, and possibly some brutal honesty.

However, the facts remain the same: fi nancial advisors must manage client expectations without sugarcoating their reality. The aim is to instil confi dence and provide a practical path for improving material retirement outcomes.

Here are three key areas to zero in on when creating retirement plans during times of uncertainty.

1.

Get better at budgeting.

Some salaried employees are forced into saving for retirement by way of their monthly pension fund contribution. However, many people who work for themselves or lack retirement benefi ts do not account for retirement savings in their monthly budget, even more so when times are tight. Salaried

INVESTING FOR AN UNCERTAIN JOURNEY TOWARDS RETIREMENT

GREGOIRE THERON, chief investment officer at GraySwan, shares top tips on how to invest for your retirement and what financial advisors should be focusing on

pension and provident fund members may be tempted, in future, to withdraw some of their retirement savings prematurely, as per National Treasury’s proposed two-pot retirement system. The two-pot system will allow members to make an annual lump sum withdrawal of up to one-third of their total retirement savings. Therefore, fi nancial advisors must assess or reassess clients’ current fi nancial situations so that clients clearly understand how much needs to be saved each month to receive suffi cient income to cover essential expenses in retirement.

2. Invest wisely

With over 1 500 registered unit trusts in the South African investment market, it can be intimidating for investors to select the best products that target their income requirements for retirement. Advisors, who have reviewed clients’ fi nancial plans, will be in a better position to select long-term investment options that fi t their clients’ time horizons and risk profi les. Advisors must also educate clients on the relevant tax-free retirement savings vehicles available.

3. Focus on fees

While fees should always be an important consideration, in times of sluggish economic growth and high inflation, it is even more essential for investors to recognise the correlation between performance and fees to prevent fees from eating into their returns.

Clients must ask their advisor for fee structures and fund fact sheets to help give them a transparent, simplified view of their options so that they can make informed decisions based on investment costs and profit potential.

With inflation looking to continue for the short- to medium-term and a possible global recession on the cards, the only thing that is certain about the current investment climate is that there is more uncertainty on the way. By regularly reviewing clients’ financial plans, advisors should be able to impart greater confidence to stay invested for the long term to enjoy a well-deserved retirement.

AS MORE SOUTH AFRICANS MOVE FROM SAVINGS MODE TOWARDS SURVIVAL, THEY RUN A GREATER RISK OF BEING UNABLE TO AFFORD TO RETIRE.

Gregoire Theron

MIND YOUR TRENDS

Residential real estate investment now tops global investment, but savvy investors and property professionals must understand and observe recent market shifts and trends, writes YAEL GEFFEN, CEO of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty

There are four emergent trends that property professionals and investors need to keep a close eye on when considering residential investment.

1. Shifts to second-tier cities. Real estate investors and companies began to focus on second-tier cities such as Nelson Mandela Bay and G arden Route when property prices in first-tier metros became prohibitively high. In South Africa, the trend has been further fuelled by semigration, with a growing number of people looking to escape crime and congestion in search of a better quality of life.

2. People are moving from cities to suburbs. COV ID-19 put the brakes on the established urbanisation trend overnight, precipitating

migration from inner cities to the suburbs and even semi-rural areas. Although the appeal of the suburbs is unlikely to reverse overnight as millennials are now settling down to have families, investors with an eye on the long game should bear in mind that high demand will always drive prices upward.

3. The growing prominence of middle neighbourhoods. The steady migration from cities to suburbs has resulted in increased demand for single-family homes, especially in middle neighbourhoods where they were already in short supply. Stock availability issues are further compounded

by the coinciding trend of millennials entering the homeownership phase and looking to purchase their first house or start a family.

4. The rising tide of the silver economy. According to 2021 estimates, almost 10 per cent of South Africans are now over the age of 60. With this figure expected to double over the next 30 years, residential development in the retirement sector is under significant pressure to meet this growing demand. With estimates putting the current global value of the silver economy at a considerable $15-trillion, organisations and investors positioned to meet this group’s core senior-centric needs will reap attractive returns in the coming decades.

THE STEADY MIGRATION FROM CITIES TO SUBURBS HAS RESULTED IN INCREASED DEMAND FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES, ESPECIALLY IN MIDDLE NEIGHBOURHOODS.

WHY A SUSTAINABLE HOME IS A BETTER INVESTMENT

durable products. The house must withstand all the elements and remain intact for decades, with minimal maintenance requirements.

1. Cost savings. The installation of LED lighting, gas-powered cooking appliances, solar panels, and water retention devices results in massive monthly cost savings for the homeowner. A well-designed home will incorporate modern techniques that not only prioritise the efficient use of resources, but also maximise natural lighting and breezes to minimise operating costs related to artificial lighting and temperature control.

2. Peace of mind. Eco-friendly home construction minimises greenhouse gas emissions with reliance on renewable energy sources further contributing towards the global shift to environmentally conscious living.

3. Increased build durability. The key to building a truly sustainable home is using environmentally friendly and

4. Better long-term investment. Buying a sustainable home is a fantastic long-term investment as the demand for sustainable living continues to grow. These homes offer buyers much lower monthly costs and have a much higher resale value than other homes.

5.An uninterrupted lifestyle. A sustainable estate will ensure that there is uninterrupted water and power supply through solar backup, gas appliances and water retention strategies, including storage devices and supply dams.

6. A deeper connection to nature. Eco-estates often have indigenous gardens that attract insects, birds and wildlife, and nature trails for families to explore by hiking and biking.

7. Better home loans. Finally, there’s another financial incentive for those looking at sustainable homes. According to the Green Building Council of South Africa, banks are starting to recognise the benefits of such homes, with a reduction in risk and lower running costs translating to more likelihood of securing a home loan at a reasonable rate. These “green mortgages”, as they’re known, are beneficial for those looking to buy their first family home.

REECE DANIEL , Serenity Hills developer, shares seven reasons why sustainable homes are a sound investment

Reece Daniel

Serenity Hills

Yael Geffen

LIVING OFF-THE-GRID IN STYLE AND SAFETY

Teak Place Estate offers the ultimate secure country lifestyle only 15 minutes from Lanseria International Airport, 35 minutes from Fourways and 45 minutes from Sandton. There are also several well-known schools in the area catering to all ages, making it the perfect location for a family.

BENEFITS APLENTY

Located in a farming environment, Teak Place Estate enables residents to live selfsustainably, with fresh organic produce easily and readily available. To add to this independence, water on the estate is sourced from its own borehole, with no reliance on municipal connections.

Many activities can be enjoyed on the property, including mountain biking, trail running, walking, birding, and fi shing. The estate also boasts an eco-training swimming pool, splash pool, gym and tennis court facilities. All of this can be enjoyed with the peace of mind that the state-of-the-art security systems and trained teams ensure the safety of residents.

The development offers 24 large residential sites ranging in size from 500m² to 2 000m² that provide the perfect setting for a dream country home, built completely off the grid. Each site has been carefully located to ensure privacy and make the most of the area’s spectacular scenery, waterways and topography.

EACH SITE HAS BEEN CAREFULLY LOCATED TO ENSURE PRIVACY AND MAKE THE MOST OF THE AREA’S SPECTACULAR SCENERY, WATERWAYS AND TOPOGRAPHY.

Teak Village is the perfect alternative for those looking to downscale, own their own weekend getaway or start their family in a small piece of paradise. Teak Village consists of 14 smaller (350m²) residential sites for three-bedroom modern en suite homes.

Teak Place Estate is convenient and secure living and is an excellent investment opportunity.

➔ Scan this QR code to go directly to the Teak Place website.

For more information:

Nicola Dittmer nicola@teakplace.co.za Justin Blom justin@viva.co.za www.teakplace.co.za

Centrally located luxurious independent secure farm-style living

LIFESTYLE ESTATES

GARETH GRIFFITHS explores some lifestyle estate options and shares what’s

SPONSORED CONTENT

BREAK AWAY TO THE COAST

Ian Raubenheimer, executive director of Knysna Lifestyle Estates (KLE), says that prices on the 52-hectare estate range between R3.950-million and R8.205-million for freehold homes. Life-right assisted living units start at R1.325-million. The majority of properties are sold as freehold title, however, for those closer to the golden years, a life-right agreement applies to the assisted living units. The KLE is situated off Welbedacht Lane in Knysna.

Developed by Ledevco Development (Pty) Ltd, KLE ownership requires a deposit on signature with a bank guarantee for the balance of the land value. Thereafter payments are made in progress payments during the build process.

Offering a density of only five homes per hectare is a highly attractive feature to buyers. “Knysna Lifestyle Estate’s comprehensive facilities include a luxury clubhouse featuring a library, card room, billiard room, and a communal bar and lounge. Sports facilities include a gym, sauna, walking trails, a heated swimming pool, and tennis and boule court. A restaurant and bowling green will follow. Residents have access to a healthcare facility, with optional single or double bedrooms and a 24-hour-a-day full care service. We accommodate patients who are recuperating from surgery, oncology patients, the disabled or weakened, bedridden patients, and those in the early stages of dementia,” Raubenheimer says.

Another popular destination is the Renishaw Coastal Precinct, a substantial development located on KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast between Scottburgh and Umkomaas. Within it lies the Renishaw Hills Mature Lifestyle Village.

The master developer, Renishaw Property Developments, is a subsidiary of the JSE-listed Crookes Brothers Limited, one of the oldest companies on the JSE. Attractive to property

developers is that the overall developer holds the vision of the mid-South Coast as the next big growth area in KwaZulu-Natal. Since its launch, the number of enquiries from developers has been huge and very encouraging, says the developer.

“Renishaw Hills is aimed at retirees looking for an affordable upmarket gated estate with state-of-the-art security systems and a healthcare offering focusing on home-based care and community living,” says Phil Barker, a spokesperson for Renishaw Property Developments.

“The weather is a big plus on the mid-South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, as is the laid-back nature of the area and the locals, and the lack of traffic. Warm sea, beautiful beaches, multiple golf courses, and coastal forests, grasslands, and wetlands that offer birding opportunities and much more add value to the offer,” he adds.

Medical care focuses on preventative healthcare, with a qualified nurse providing routine checking in an on-site clinic. The estate also offers paramedic response for emergencies. Home-based care is the preferred option for longer-term care needs, but there is a small care facility for emergency and short-term care needs.

Barker advises that there are a variety of options, from two- and three-bedroom stand-alone homes to smaller two-bedroom maisonettes with prices as per the Renishaw Hills website. It’s competitive, especially when compared with other coastal estates around the country, which offer similar facilities.

“Our levies are very reasonable in comparison with similar gated estate offerings, including uncapped, unshaped Wi-Fi internet access and full garden service. With weekly happy hours at the community centre and monthly activities, there is never a dull moment,” finishes Barker.

Render of Imhoff

IMHOFF MANOR RETIREMENT ESTATE

With more than 32 years of property development success, the Devmark Property Group has recently launched the Imhoff Manor Retirement Estate. Situated adjacent to the village of Kommetjie, the property provides magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean, Noordhoek wetlands, Chapman’s Peak, as well as Hout Bay.

Jean Ehlers, residential development director of the Devmark Property Group says: “We’re extremely excited about Imhoff Manor. Kommetjie has become a very popular town for people seeking a relaxed lifestyle, but still want to live close to the city. It’s the perfect area for retirement, with beaches and nature on your doorstep, lots of activities and a peaceful, relaxed lifestyle with a low crime rate, surrounded by a vibrant community.”

Built in the modern Cape vernacular style, the development will offer 154 freehold homes, 60 apartments and a healthcare centre with assisted living suites as well as frail care beds. It will boast excellent communal facilities such as a clubhouse, restaurant, gym and swimming pool, and state-of-the-art security.

For more info visit imhoffmanor.co.za or contact Estelle Wilshire on 076 738 0172 or Estelle Kitching on 072 626 4084.

on offer in terms of facilities and new developments

“Renishaw Hills is aimed at retirees looking for an affordable upmarket gated estate with state-of-the-art security systems and a healthcare offering focusing on home-based care and community living.”– Phil Barker

An aerial view of the Renishaw Hills Mature Lifestyle Village.

Manor Retirement Estate

COAST AND COUNTRY

With over 100 years of experience in the building and property development industry, lifestyle developments in the Noble Resorts portfolio include Noble Resorts’ Harbour Bay near Simonstown and Allesverloren in the Riebeek Valley in the Swartland.

“Our perfect buyer is someone who is discerning, well-travelled, and well-heeled. They have lived a good life and are accustomed to a certain way of living. They may have security or medical concerns, so are looking to live in an environment that offers them an uncompromised, convenient lifestyle,” says CEO Harry Pretorius.

“We’ve created five-star resorts where people can invest in lock-up-and-go apartments to large villas. We offer casual and formal dining, a wine room, bars, a library lounge, indoor heated pools and resort pool, an artist studio, a sophisticated spa and gym, and more.

A highly experienced hotel management team runs the resort’s facilities. “Living here will feel as though one is living in a luxury seaside resort. Understanding that people’s needs change over time, there will also be a specialised NobleCARE precinct on-site with a medical team accessible 24/7, a clinic and a highly specialised memory care unit,” explains Pretorius.

Allesverloren prices start from R1.595-million and Harbour Bay from R1.795-million.

All properties are sold as sectional title units within the developments. They are sold off plan and directly from the developer, there are no transfer duties, and VAT is included in the sale price.

GAUTENG COUNTRY LIFESTYLE

Steyn City near Fourways is turning heads: in New World Wealth’s recently released ranking of the top 10 lifestyle estates in South Africa, Steyn City received a glowing endorsement.

The security offered by Steyn City is a major attraction. In addition to the triple biometric access at City Centre, the development itself is protected with biometric access, round-the-clock foot patrols and a 24-hour security nerve centre.

While not catering specifically for persons in their “golden years”, this huge parkland development

offers substantial lifestyle opportunities for investors wanting to embrace the country lifestyle. And Steyn City’s much-vaunted parklands means that every single resident has access to one of the largest back gardens in South Africa. Residents can enjoy them in many different ways, including running the 45km floodlit promenade or cycling the 50km MTB track or golfing at the Nicklaus design championship golf course.

The Waterfall development has also been making waves. The development recently received the International Property Awards’ Best Mixed-use Development in South Africa 2022-2023.

Says Willie Vos, CEO of the Waterfall Management Company: “Waterfall City is the ideal place to play, work and stay in the heart of Gauteng. It offers an unsurpassed quality of life in a vibrant, award-winning urban development that’s secure, easily accessible from major highways and routes, and has a world-class fibre optic and wireless communication network. It is also a pedestrian-friendly city, with a CBD, schools, shopping centres, hotels, and a hospital, right on one’s doorstep.

There are freestanding homes, clusters and apartments in 10 residential developments within Waterfall City, including two mature lifestyle estates.

“Our mature lifestyle estates provide residents with the security that in years to come they will not have to leave the property, but simply relocate to a more suitable environment to retire. The Waterfall Hills Mature Lifestyle Estate is a gated estate with 194 freestanding houses, 102 apartment suites, and a 33-bed frail care centre with 24-hour medical supervision. It has a magnificent clubhouse with every facility you can imagine, and residents also have access to the amenities of the Waterfall Valley Mature Lifestyle Estate. So, Waterfall City offers multigenerational living.

“Properties are not owned in freehold, but are held by a long-term lease with an initial period of 99 years, which can be infinitely extended. This is an ownership structure common to the entire Waterfall City development,” he concludes.

A render showing farm-style living at Teak Place.

Discover luxurious independent country living situated in the heart of the world-renowned Cradle of Humankind, offering residents the best of both worlds. Teak Place Estate offers secure, off the grid, farm-style living only a mere 40 minutes from Johannesburg.

This high-end, off-the-grid development is situated on a 180ha working farm, allowing residents to become completely immersed in the farm lifestyle while still enjoying the comfort, convenience, and security of estate living.

At Teak Place Estate, the ethos revolves around the idea and values of “farm to fork” the successful farming operation provides residents with the opportunity to purchase fresh organic produce, dairy and meat products right on their doorstep.

The Estate provides an ideal environment to raise a family or enjoy your retirement with its low-density and charming open spaces. Lanseria airport, hospitals, schools, and shopping malls are all a stone’s throw away making for the perfect location. Whether you’re looking for your forever home, or planning for retirement, Teak Place Estate is the investment opportunity you’ve been waiting for. Get in touch today.

Nicola Dittmer nicola@teakplace.co.za

Justin Blom justin@viva.co.za www.teakplace.co.za

“Waterfall City is the ideal place to play, work and stay in the heart of Gauteng. It offers an unsurpassed quality of life in a vibrant, award-winning urban development.” – Willie Vos

Waterfall City offers country estate living in nature.

NOBLE RESORTS HARBOUR BAY - Coastal Living

NOBLE RESORTS ALLESVERLOREN - Winelands Living

Cutting down on meat should be first on your list when looking to make diet changes. Beef consumption, in particular, should be reduced because this would, as a recent report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) argues, “not only decrease individual risk of colon cancer, stroke, and diabetes, but also reduce the deforesting, water-guzzling, energy-intensive, greenhouse-gas-generating consequences of cattle farming”.

According to EWG, we should all be swapping our braai meat for beans. The latter are not only rich sources of protein, iron, zinc, magnesium, and folate, but also support environmental sustainability.

FROM BEEF TO BEANS

Dr Caroline Wood, researcher in plant biology and food security at the University of Sheffield, notes that: “For each gram of protein, the average global water footprint of beans is only 17 per cent that of beef. Meanwhile, the carbon footprint of beans is, on average, 48 times lower than the equivalent weight of beef cattle. And they work with bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into useful ammonia or nitrates, thereby improving soil fertility and reducing dependence on energy-intensive fertilizers.” If you must munch on meat, go for lower-impact, grass-fed beef, which offers eaters more antioxidants and fewer inflammatory fatty acids than grain-fed.

Before setting off for a steak, at least engage with the original idea of swapping beef for beans. While we think of ourselves as a nation of meat eaters, South Africa’s many and varied heritage culinary cultures are almost all substantially plant-based. Whether you want a Durban-style sugar bean curry or a Tsonga tihove (samp, bean and nut mélange), there is a lovely legume recipe to match every mood. Even our fancy fine dining features them: when Chef Kobus van der Merwe’s Paternoster eatery Wolfgat (www.wolfgat.co.za) came out tops at the 2019 World Restaurant Awards, the judges specifically mentioned his heerenbone bean purée topped with sustainably farmed Saldanha Bay oyster and dune spinach.

SUSTAINABLE SWAPS

Experts tell us that poor diets not only harm people, but also put the planet at risk. With a few, relatively simple, South African-specific, dietary swaps, we can all eat in a way that helps human and environmental health, writes ANNA TRAPIDO

FROM MOO TO MOPANE

For those who can’t face beans, there are other options. A 2017 Edinburgh University study published in the Journal of Global Food Security concluded that substituting half of the meat consumed worldwide with insect protein could cut farmland use and greenhouse gases by one-third.

Fortunately, South Africa has a history of enthusiastic insect eating. Currently, protein-packed mopane worms (the caterpillar form of the Gonimbrasia belina moth) are in season and available at almost every traffic light from Pretoria to Pofadder. They can also be sourced online through Wendy Vesela-Ntimbani’s magnificent Matomani (www.matomani.com), which sells spiced whole, dried insects and ground mopane flour and energy bars.

Rustenburg-based dietician Mpho Tshukudu notes that: “In addition to the protein in mopane worms, there is lots of calcium and phosphorus, both of which are required for proper functioning and strengthening of bones and the prevention of osteoporosis. Calcium deficiency can contribute to mood problems

such as irritability, anxiety, depression, and difficulty sleeping, so mopane worms have a real role to play.”

Once you have made the mental transition from moo cow to mopane, why not explore other insects? Cape Town-based food scientist Leah Bessa was named among the 2021 World’s 50 Next list of future leaders for her work transforming sustainably farmed black soldier flies into a faux milk entitled Entomilk™. Bessa presides over regular stylish pop-up bug-based ice cream events under the epicurean epithet of Gourmet Grub (https://gourmetgrubb. com/entomilk/).

Those who can’t face frozen desserts with insects among the ingredients may prefer the baobab and marula nut “milk” ice cream made by medical doctor Tracy Nelwamondo. Her company Malie’s Ice Cream (@maliesicecream) has recently entered into an agreement with Pick n Pay to supply environmentally sustainable, vegan, sugar-free, low-fat tasty treats to selected stores nationwide.

Whether you are a bean lover, an insect enthusiast or an eco-epicurean in search of internationally award-winning posh nosh, there is a health-promoting, environmentally sustainable, deeply delicious, South African-specific dietary swap to suit every palate and wallet.

“IN ADDITION TO THE PROTEIN IN MOPANE WORMS, THERE IS LOTS OF CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS.” – MPHO TSHUKUDU

Mpho Tshukudu

Dr Tracy Nelwamondo

Dr Nelwamondo’s mulberry ice cream.

SPRAY DON’T SWALLOW

The need for vitamin supplementation is not lost on consumers today. Modern lifestyles, medication and dietary limitations all infl uence vitamin status, and most healthy people who consume a standard modern diet are at risk for a defi ciency, despite appearing healthy (Sivaprasad et. al. 2019).

Oral vitamin supplementation is often used to address these shortcomings. However, several factors, such as pill fatigue, digestive insufficiency, and even forgetfulness, can limit the effectiveness of these interventions.

Here are five reasons why you might consider Phytomist™ oral sprays for supplementation.

1. Pill fatigue

Pill fatigue is when people lose motivation to take their medication or supplements due to what is known as “high pill burden”. This tends to occur when someone becomes overwhelmed with the number of pills prescribed and/or the frequency at which they have to take them. An alternate dosing format (such as a spray) has the potential to increase compliance, especially if consumers struggle to swallow pills.

2. Rapid absorption

Oral sprays offer faster uptake compared to tablets, which require dissolution in the digestive system before becoming available for

REFERENCES:

absorption (Marmor, 1990). Oral vitamin sprays have been proven to provide rapid absorption because the droplets immediately enter the bloodstream via the rich vein system in the soft tissue of the mouth (Satia, et. al. 2015).

3. Dif culty swallowing pills

Children and the elderly often struggle with swallowing pills, yet due to limited diets, both groups may need dietary supplementation. Many adults also struggle to swallow certain tablets and capsules, making a spray a convenient and easy-to-use alternative. Phytomist oral sprays are suitable for children from the age of one

4. Speci c diet/medications

B12 defi ciency is often prevalent among individuals following a meat-free diet, the elderly, and those on certain chronic medications (O’Leary & Samman, 2010).

Langan, R. C., & Goodbred, A. J. (2017). Vitamin B12 Defi ciency: Recognition and Management. American family physician , 96(6), 384–389.

Marmor A. (1990). Comparative evaluation of a new formulation of isosorbide dinitrate oral spray and sublingual nitroglycerin tablets. The American journal of cardiology , 65 (21), 43J–45J. https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9149(90)91311-s

O’Leary, F., & Samman, S. (2010). Vitamin B12 in health and disease. Nutrients, 2 (3), 299–316. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu2030299

Satia, M., Mukim, A., Tibrewala, K., & Bhavsar, M. (2015). A randomized two way cross over study for comparison of absorption of vitamin D3 buccal spray and soft gelatin capsule formulation in healthy subjects and in patients with intestinal malabsorption. Nutrition Journal , 14 (1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-015-0105-1 Sivaprasad, M., Shalini, T., Reddy, P. Y., Seshacharyulu, M., Madhavi, G., Kumar, B. N., & Reddy, G. B. (2019). Prevalence of vitamin defi ciencies in an apparently healthy urban adult population: Assessed by subclinical status and dietary intakes. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif. ), 63-64, 106–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2019.01.017

People over 50 years of age, people following a vegan diet, or anyone using oral hypoglycaemic drugs (such as Metformin) or proton pump inhibitors should take a B12 supplement daily (Langan & Goodbred, 2017).

5.

Convenience

Whether you’re travelling, on the run, or admin averse, Phytomist oral vitamin sprays are useful because they are small and portable and can be taken anytime, anywhere without water. Four sprays directly into the mouth provide the recommended daily dose of each respective vitamin.

Phytomist oral vitamin sprays offer a much-needed reprieve from the complicated supplement regimes many people struggle with today. Convenient, fast, effective, and easy to take, the vitamin sprays are sugar-free, taste great, and provide an effective alternative to traditional oral supplements.

Available online from Phytoceutics™, and from Wellness Warehouse, Faithful to Nature, and other leading independent health store retailers nationwide.

Phytoceutics™ is a natural healthcare company providing premium-quality nutraceuticals that are produced by nature, supported by science, and assist in optimising health.

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

For more information: www.phytoceutics.co.za

Phytomist™ oral vitamin sprays offer an effective alternative to swallowing your daily vitamin supplements

THE GARDEN SPOT

Want an Instagrammable garden, but don’t have the time or desire to get your hands dirty? CARYN GOOTKIN rounds up garden gadgets that make outdoor jobs easier

Thanks to its low noise, you’ll barely notice that Gardena’s Robotic Lawnmower SILENO Life is out on the lawn. An intelligent solution for automatic lawn care, it can mow precisely through narrow passages and function in any weather condition. www.gardena.com/za/

The Power for All alliance between Gardena and Bosch means that you can charge numerous home and garden appliances from one powerful battery, saving money, space and time so you no longer have to buy a battery for each garden and cleaning product. www.powerforallalliance.com/en/

Perfect for spot treatments, Husqvarna’s 1.5 litre Handheld Sprayer Mister can be used around the home or garden. The pump is built into the handle and features a pressure release valve that allows the safe release of the internal pressure before opening the sprayer to refill. www.husqvarna.com/za/

Rolux 500mm Smooth Rollers are used to smooth out new or established lawns. www.rolux.co.za

Leaves everywhere? The 120iB is a lightweight, easy-to-use, battery-powered blower from Husqvarna with three modes for flexible operation. Ideal for small and medium gardens, the compact design, soft grip, low weight and perfect balance allow you to work efficiently while putting less strain on your body. www.husqvarna.com/za/

Ensure your plants get exactly the amount of water they need with the Gardena Water Computer Multicontrol Duo, which lets you irrigate two different areas of the garden at the same time. Set the automatic irrigation of the two areas individually to save you time. www.gardena.com/za/

Take action in the garden today…

Log onto www.greenplanetorganics.co.za to get your garden in tip top shape with our range of organic products.

Healthy soil = healthy plants = healthy people

GET YOUR GARDEN IN TIP-TOP SHAPE THE EASY WAY

Green Planet Organics advocates for using organic certifi ed products to get your garden producing and looking its best with minimum environmental impact. The company has joined forces with three well-known South African brands that supply organic-certifi ed products for the garden.

These product offerings ranges are all available from Green Planet Organics’ newly launched online shop.

The Talborne range of organic fertilisers is climatefriendly and adds carbon to the soil, which is vital for microbial life to flourish. Using organic fertilisers conserves water as there is no need to water plants excessively to dissolve the fertiliser.

Talborne products are released in a sustained and consistent manner over a four-month period, saving money in the long run. Look at fertiliser prices on the shelf and check how many times other fertilisers will need to be used in the same four-month period and at what application rates, and you’ll see how you can save on costs. For example, if “Fertiliser A” is applied once every 4–6 weeks and Talborne’s Vita range is

applied once every 16 weeks, then take the price of “Fertiliser A” and multiply it by three or four – this will give you a fair comparison. Let the numbers speak for themselves.

URBAN FARMS – BOUNTIFUL BENEFIT FOR SOIL

Urban Farms’ uses earthworms to recycle food waste into vermicast (basically worm manure), which acts as a powerful fertiliser. The benefi ts of incorporating vermicast into soil are many and include:

• Adds organic matter;

• Helps soil absorb and retain water;

• Breaks up clay soils;

• Improves soil structure;

• Increases cation exchange capacity;

• Eases cultivation;

• Helps form soil aggregates;

• Enhances soil fertility;

• Reduces bulk density;

• Improves soil aeration;

• Increases soil microbial populations;

• Reduces soil compaction;

• Diminishes soil erosion;

• Reduces pH;

• Lowers electrical conductivity;

• Helps prevent soil crusting; and

• Provides micro- and macro-nutrients and increases their availability

BIOGROW – SPRAY TODAY, EAT TOMORROW

Environmentally friendly organic growing is an integrated approach to plant care based on the principle that a healthy environment creates healthy plants. Biogrow’s range of chemical- and toxin-free biological products work with nature to help you cultivate a flourishing garden, without harming the environment or beneficial insects.

green planet

Green Planet Organics has launched an online shop, offering a convenient way to purchase its organic-certified products

SAVOUR STELLENBOSCH

South Africa’s second oldest town is, to put it mildly, simply astonishing. Stellenbosch has the country’s oldest wine route and has become an art destination of note. There’s plenty to sip, see and excite in Stellenbosch, so make sure this tree-lined town is your next destination. By MART-MARIÉ DU TOIT

The vibey student town was founded in 1685 after then governor of the Cape of Good Hope Simon van der Stel discovered the valley in 1679. After camping on a little island on the Eerste River, he declared it Stellenbosch, commemorating his name and the wealth of natural vegetation growing there. These days Stellenbosch is known for the wine flowing through its arteries, moreish dishes served overlooking vineyards, and an art scene to rival most. This is how you should experience Stellenbosch.

HEAR(T) THE HISTORY

Join a Stellenbosch On Foot Walking Tour –you’ll be clued into the town’s rich heritage and get the chance to admire the charm and harmony of the Cape Dutch architecture while listening to tales and fables about the colourful inhabitants of three centuries.

Then head out to the Knorhoek Valley to discover everything on offer at Muratie Wine Estate, one of the oldest estates in South Africa. You’ll hear fascinating stories about the rich heritage that make Muratie a must-visit destination and taste excellent wines named after the more lively characters in their tales.

WINE AND DINE

Boozy lunches don’t get better than those at the Vine Bistro at Glenelly Estate, where chef Michael Saville serves classic French bistro food with a modern twist and distinctive,

award-winning wines from the estate. Evenings should be spent dining on the simple French sophistication that awaits you at Le Siemma in Dorp Street and satiating your carnivorous desires at The Fat Butcher with one of its signature steaks.

Fine dining lovers will fall head over heels for Gåte (“gah-tey” meaning “the entrance of a labyrinth” or a “riddle”), a fine dining experience at Quoin Rock where chef Paul Prinsloo’s focus is not on a specific cuisine, but the elevation of singular ingredients.

Also, make sure to schedule enough days out for wine tasting. Our favourite tasting experiences include Jordan Wine Estate, the IWSC White Wine Producer of the Year. It has some of the most beautiful panoramic views of Table Mountain, False Bay and Stellenbosch from its hillside vineyards. And don’t miss out on some of the world’s finest Bordeaux-style wines at De Toren Private Cellar. Here grapes are hand-harvested exclusively by a team of women in the cool of the early morning before successive rounds of hand-sorting ensure only the finest, unblemished berries make it into the cellar and ultimately into the bottle.

ART AND ACTIVITY

Visiting the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden is a highlight of every trip to Stellenbosch. Ten years in the making, the garden is a place of expansive vistas, scents and the sounds of

FOR THOSE WHO LOVE A MODERN MEETS VINTAGE STAY – BOOK A NIGHT OR TWO AT THE OUDE WERF HOTEL AND RESTAURANT.

Oude Werf Hotel

nature, with tranquil groves, hidden paths and lush indigenous vegetation. you can easily spend a lazy day discovering more than 60 sculptures from Lewis’ comprehensive record of artistic development, carefully placed in harmony with the landscape: the human form, shamanic figures, monumental abstracted fragments and his iconic great cats.

a n d if you’re up for something much more active, the c a pe c o untry r o utes’ ad venture s h op will cater to your every whim with e-bikes, cycle tours, 4x4 experiences, and more. s o you can discover the town as actively as you wish before turning in for the night.

SLEEP IN

t he slopes of the Helderberg don’t only make for excellent wines, but for great sleepovers too! at ta aibosch, the three new exclusive-use villas offer the best in luxury – modern amenities, butler service and meals prepared in your villa by ta aibosch’s private chef. each stay also includes an exclusive wine tasting in the cellar with winemaker schalk Willem Joubert. With panoramic views stretching to the horizon, the opulent modern hilltop offering, Farsight Villa, offers guests uninterrupted and spectacular views of the cape Peninsula.

But if you’re looking for something more stellenbosch old-school, staying at cape

country routes’ ee ndracht Hotel is just the ticket. situated in historic dorp street in the core of the oldest part of stellenbosch, this village hotel is a quaint, comfortable and historic building with characterful corners.

a nd for those who love a modern meets vintage stay – book a night or two at the o ude Werf Hotel and re staurant – the oldest running hotel in south af rica. It has a history spanning three centuries, and rooms where you’ll want to luxuriate and forget about exploring.

stellenbosch is a town that can only be described with adjectives aplenty and some “oohs”, “aahs” and “you-have-tos” thrown in to encapsulate an immaculate description.

Sources: https://www.stellenboschheritage. co.za/stellenbosch-resources/ stellenbosch-heritage/stellenbosch

FOCUS ON CABERNET SAUVIGNON

The winery was officially opened in 2005 and has been producing a range of wines since then, with a particular focus on Cabernet Sauvignon. Recent renovations have transformed the winery into an iconic symbol of the Helderberg region.

Vines are planted on the slopes of the Helderberg Mountains, benefitting from high-potential soils and the ideal growing conditions for the winery’s favoured varieties. The slopes feature a granite mother material, high in clay content, with mainly Tukulu and Oakleaf soil families. A large portion of the vineyard is devoted to Cabernet Sauvignon, with dedicated planted blocks facing north and northeast to absorb as much sunlight as possible. This is the key to producing the fuller and fruitier wines of Ernie Els fame.

The Major Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is available for sale on the Ernie Els Wines Online Shop 2 https://ernieelswines.com/southafrica/ major-series-cabernet-sauvignon-2018/ for R250 per bottle.

Taaibosch Farsight Villa

Gåte Restaurant

From the world-renowned Helderberg region of Stellenbosch comes an award-winning range of wines named after South African golf legend Ernie Els and skilfully crafted by winemaking legend Louis Strydom. Epitomising the beloved character and celebrated prestige of its namesake, the four collections –Signature, Major Series, Big Easy and Proprietor’s – deliver iconic wines of characteristic style, exclusivity and generosity. Whether applauding exceptional accomplishment, upping the entertainment game, or toasting great friendship, Ernie Els Wines always make it an occasion.

Avoyage at sea is the ultimate way to travel the world and immerse yourself in local culture. However, cruising offers so much more than a one-stop getaway abroad. M any top cruise lines now offer itineraries to far-flung and exotic destinations such as the French Riviera, the A mazon, and Africa. A cruise holiday is generally all-inclusive and boasts great entertainment, amazing culinary experiences, and activities to keep the kids entertained.

Nick Wilkinson, regional vice president M iddle E ast and Africa for N CL (Norwegian C ruise L ines), says: “ Travelling by sea with N CL is an adventurous and relaxing way to explore a variety of destinations in a very cost-effective manner. It essentially gives you a choice, with as much or as little to do on board as you please, while hopping off to explore a multitude of beautiful and cultural destinations that you wouldn’t be able to experience as easily on a standard holiday. A nd the best bonus of a cruise? You only have to unpack once!”

CUSTOM OR COMFORTABLE

T hese days cruises don’t only offer a one-size-fits-all holiday – depending on the size of your wallet, you can make up your itinerary within a larger framework of schedules and harbour stops. S o it is more than buffets, beaches and binge drinking (although there certainly are some on-the-water options that will cater to this).

If cultural enrichment through local experiences is the aim, European cruises docking at different cities every second night give you time to immerse yourself in the surroundings at every port of call.

DID YOU KNOW?

When

BON VOYAGE

S ome cruises also offer different shore excursions that are expertly curated, elevating the experience further.

R iet G oetschalckx, sales director CEMEA at O ceania C ruises, says: “ T here’s no better way to discover a variety of destinations and cultures than by making your way by sea. You’ll get to explore fascinating small ports and the usual favourites and enjoy authentic excursions. Pamper yourself with the finest cuisine at sea and the service with a smile, and fall asleep to the lull of the water to wake fresh and ready for the next day’s adventure.”

SELFIE-STICK TOURIST OR INTREPID TRAVELLER?

Why not be both? Whether you’re gliding from country to country on a mega-ship, sailing yacht or riverboat, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in unique cultures. S hore excursions can bring you into the home of local families, see you picking grapes on a vineyard close to the sea, or wading in rock pools next to the waves on a deserted beach. E xploring from the sea allows you to see a variety of places that would be hard to get to by land, especially on small-ship sailings that can manoeuvre through narrower waterways and dock at smaller ports.

CHOOSE YOUR CRUISE

Norwegian Cruise Lines’ (NCL) Norwegian Jade sails from Cape Town and South African travellers don’t need visas to join on deck –even the shore excursions are paid for in ZAR. NCL’s Nick Wilkinson says: “Norwegian Jade will make NCL history as the first ship in our fleet to offer round-trip cruises from Cape Town from December 2022. Norwegian Jade is set to make her South African debut from December through January 2023. This 12-day Extraordinary Journey sailing, including visits to Lüderitz, Walvis Bay, and Durban, will feature overnight calls in Cape Town and Richard’s Bay along South Africa’s stunning coastline – truly one for the bucket list.”

This effort did not go unnoticed. In December, the Cruise Vacations Team picked up the “Africa’s Best Cruise Travel Agency” award from the World Cruise Awards. These awards recognise, reward and celebrate excellence in the global cruise sector. Cruise Vacations is a general sales agent handling the sales, marketing and reservations for some of the world’s most luxurious cruise lines.

South Africans wanting to book Silversea Cruises, Scenic Cruises, Emerald Cruises, and Star Clippers can do so through Cruise Vacations or their regular travel agent. info@cruise-vacations.co.za, www.cruise-vacations.co.za

Oceania Cruises, the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, offers a range of holiday packages to suit every budget and taste. Its cruises are so popular that they sold out a single cruise within 30 minutes of opening for sale in March 2022. This enthusiastic response was for its 2024 Around the World in 180 Days voyage aboard the Insignia.

Oceania’s Rio de Janeiro to Cape Town (32 days on the Insignia) and the maiden voyage of the Vista in 2023 (Rome to Barcelona) have unique itineraries that will please travellers of distinction.

Life on the water can be idyllic and offers one of the best ways to see the world at a slow pace, writes MART-MARIÉ DU TOIT

“There’s no better way to discover a variety of destinations and cultures than by making your way by sea.”

– Riet Goetschalckx

Oceania Vista

Riet Goetschalckx

COVID-19 hit, the global cruise industry docked its fleets resulting in displaced passengers and others needing refunds or new bookings. In South Africa, boutique cruise specialist agency Cruise Vacations’ employees worked tirelessly to assist affected clients.

SALUT!

A NOD TO HISTORY

SALUT! – a fi rm nod to South Africa’s diversely rich wine and spirits industry. And we truly do have much to celebrate. After emerging from a dark period during the global pandemic, we’re seeing signs that not only are we in recovery, but also returning to life.

In this edition, sommelier Johann Olivier pays homage to Chenin Blanc, one of South Africa’s fi rst-ever plantings, and Dr Winnie Bowman takes us on a fascinating tour of the country’s whisky history. I share several enticing Winelands escapes, including a curated Cape Manor stay and, for the avid campers, a glamping tent experience.

From the team at SALUT!, we wish you the merriest of festive seasons, and as you take time to celebrate with family, we hope it will be with a glass of fi ne South African wine in hand.

SALUT! Jared Ruttenberg

INSIDE

31. WINE TALK Johann Olivier takes a deep dive into the history of Chenin Blanc. 32. WHISKY Dr Winnie Bowman takes us on a journey of South African whisky distillery. 34. BRANDY Koogan Archary discusses brandy’s rich history and artful blending process. 36. ROUTES Jared Ruttenberg shares travel highlights from a classic Cape stay and then something a little different.

CHENIN BLANC, YES PLEASE

Many of us have heard the statement, “I do not drink Chenin Blanc,” muttered. I always find it amusing how people tend to – sometimes quite brashly –dismiss wines at the drop of a hat. Wine is meant to be drunk based on enjoyment, instead of the snobbish cache that sometimes is associated with it. Responses such as these are often roused by the production style of the wine rather than the actual varietal, which is why today we’re taking a deep dive into Chenin Blanc.

Some still deem it a “swimming pool wine”, the questionable quality of the past undoubtedly contributing to this abjection. There is, however, so much more to this ubiquitous white wine grape than meets the eye.

It was somewhere between the rich history of the variety within the story of South African wine, the alluring versatility in how winemakers get to harness it, and the tit-for-tat delivery of quality from the vineyards where my enchantment and love affair with Chenin was established.

There are various accounts of its journey to the tip of Africa, several of which place its arrival in the latter half of the 17th century as one of the first varieties planted in the Cape by the Dutch East India Company. Around this time, the name “Steen” showed up in written records. This caused great confusion until 1963 when Professor C J Orffer, head of viticulture at Stellenbosch University, conclusively pronounced Steen and Chenin Blanc to be the same grape. Many producers have since labelled these wines as Steen as a nod to centuries of production and history in our country’s wine heritage.

WIDELY GROWN CULTIVAR

It seems there is no curbing the demand for Chenin. By the end of 2021, cultivation of the varietal comprised nearly 17 000 hectares. Not only does this bestow the title of “most widely grown cultivar in SA”, but the impressive planting

also proudly surpasses all other wine countries, with more than 50 per cent of the Chenin Blanc vines in the world found right here in South Africa.

Chenin is found in almost all our wine-growing regions, highlighting its incredible variance: from the cooler climates of the Cape South Coast to the warmer Orange River Valley. Varied growing conditions result in a range of styles and flavours. Having said this, I frequently find myself blankly staring at restaurant wine lists, wondering why Chenin is exponentially outnumbered by other white wines.

CHENIN IS FOUND IN ALMOST ALL OUR WINE-GROWING REGIONS, HIGHLIGHTING ITS INCREDIBLE VARIANCE: FROM THE COOLER CLIMATES OF THE CAPE SOUTH COAST TO THE WARMER ORANGE RIVER VALLEY.

THREE MUST-TRY CHENINS

The truth is – reputation. For decades, mass production – often a sweeter style – and packaging in large format boxes were the norm, ultimately tarnishing the varietal’s impression. So much so, many winemakers blatantly refused to waste time, passion, and expensive French Oak barrels to make Chenin.

A renaissance, however, was fermenting, and by the 1990s, a renewed interest and appreciation was budding. Around 1995, the Chenin Blanc Association was formed, flying the flag and furthering research into the cultivar. They also introduced the Chenin Blanc Style Indicator, which delineates between Rich, Fruity and Fresh.

To help you on your journey into rediscovering Chenin, I decided to use these classifications to share three Chenins worth adding to your collection. It may still be perceived as a “swimming pool wine” by some, but I urge you to join me and take a dip – your renewed perspective on Chenin Blanc will be rather delightful.

1. Early morning harvesting combined with restrained use of oak, preserves a lively crisp finish to my Fresh choice – the Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Chenin Blanc 2021. Consistency from the 30-year-old Stellenbosch “bush vines” deliver congruous quality, with vintage upon vintage raking in numerous accolades and awards. www.kleinezalze.co.za

2. As a Fruity option, aromas of pineapple, pear and melon make the Vinologist Swartland Chenin Blanc 2021 the perfect “everyday enjoyment” choice. www.vinologist.co.za

3. As a Rich after-dinner treat, you will find the Donkiesbaai Hooiwijn 2022 incredibly inviting and moreish. Laid out on straw mats for three weeks after picking to dehydrate, the fruit becomes super concentrated in sugar, acidity, and flavour before heading to the cellar. www.donkiesbaai.com

JOHANN OLIVIER takes a deep dive into the history of Chenin Blanc

MEET SOUTH AFRICAN WHISKY

The spirits industry has been long linked with South Africa. When the Dutch East India Company started using Cape Town as a trading post, the very first sailor who saw land after surviving the Cape Of Storms was rewarded with a tot of brandy.

Spirits were scarce in the Cape and needed must. The very first record of any alcoholic distillation in South Africa was on a ship called de Pijl, when an assistant cook distilled some brandy in 1762.

In October 1881, A H Nellmapius negotiated a concession with the Transvaal Government that gave him the sole right to distil alcoholic liquor from corn and other raw materials. With partners, Isaac Lewis and Sammy Marks, the first distillery on the Hetherley farm, east of Pretoria, was established and opened in 1883. Named “De Eerste Fabrieken”, it produced gin and whisky.

In 1897, they advertised in European newspapers for an “experienced distiller” and employed René Santhagens, a distiller from Cognac. He proved to be a great success making whisky from grain, but it was very rough, as the mining consumers were impatient, and there was no time for oak maturation of any length of time. With the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War in 1899, the production of spirits was halted, together with the cancellation of the concession.

PRODUCTION TAKES OFF EVENTUALLY

The Tops distillery situated at Wemmershoek in the Cape produced the next commercial whisky, but success was short-lived. Next, in the 1960s, Donald Robertson and Noel Buxton built the small, relatively modern R & B Distillery on Groote Zalze, Stellenbosch. In 1972, Stellenbosch Farmers Winery (SFW) purchased

the distillery for experimental purposes. This ensured the continued production of whisky in South Africa. And what a story followed!

Launched in 1977, Three Ships was a blend of South African grain spirit and imported Scotch malt whisky. When stocks of matured grain spirit became available soon after, the blend was classified as a fully fledged whisky. R & B Distillery could not handle the increased production and operations were moved to the James Sedgwick Distillery in 1990. Formed in 1859, the James Sedgwick Distillery is currently the only fully commercial whisky distillery in South Africa. During the 136 years of existence, there have been only eight managers, with multi-award-winning Andy Watts at the helm for 25 years, pioneering and increasing the quality and offering of South African whisky.

Watts grew up in Yorkshire, England, and arrived in South Africa in 1982 as a professional cricketer planning to spend six months a year coaching at schools throughout the Boland. Within three years, he landed a position at the then-SFW as a spirits blender. An invitation to Scotland by Morrison Bowmore Distillers ignited his love for whisky. He was determined to prove that producing excellent whisky was not a pursuit reserved exclusively for the Scots.

Watts has been instrumental in the distillery’s many achievements and firsts for South Africa: the Three Ships label, the first single malt produced in SA, the first 100 per cent locally blended whisky, and the first single grain whisky, Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky.

Accolades keep rolling in:

• World Whisky Awards’ World’s Best Blended Whisky in 2012 for Three Ships 5-Year-Old Premium Select.

• World’s Best Grain Whisky in 2013 and 2018 for Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky.

• At the 2020 New York International Spirits Competition, the distillery received the prestigious “Global Icon” and the “Sustainable Distillery” of the Year awards.

The James Sedgwick Distillery is currently the only fully commercial whisky distillery in South Africa.

THREE MUST-TRY WHISKIES

1. Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky – the first whisky made from 100 per cent South African yellow maize. It is uniquely double-matured using two sets of ex-bourbon barrels for between 4.5 to 5 years. Smooth and mellow with hints of warm spice, vanilla, and nuts. www.bainswhisky.com

2. Three Ships Whisky 12-year Doublewood is matured for at least 12 years in a combination of seasoned American and Amontillado casks. Vibrant and pure like a Highveld sunset with complex flavours of nuts, toffee apple, marmalade, vanilla, and fresh citrus. Only 2 670 bottles were produced.

www.threeshipswhisky.co.za

3. Boplaas 8-year-old Single Cask Whisky is matured in virgin casks for eight years and is a delight with a smooth entry, exotic spice, preserved citrus and elegant finish. www.boplaas.co.za

DR WINNIE BOWMAN takes us on a journey through South African whisky distillery history

James Sedgwick Distillery

A SMOOTH, GOLDEN ELIXIR

There is something poetic about the amber liquid being swirled slowly and carefully, coating the lining of a glass. For close to 600 years, humankind has been drinking what we know today as brandy. In the 1500s, Dutch traders in France found that the wine they bought spoiled too quickly to be bartered on their journeys, so they preferred the twice-distilled offering called brandewijn (“burnt wine”). They transported the distillate in wooden barrels and soon realised that the barrels added significant colour and flavour, tempering the spirit into the smoother brandy we know today.

In South Africa, KWV’s brandy is imbued with a rich history of excellence, innovation, quality and prestige. The brandy has been shaped and perfected for a century by pioneering thinkers, visionary producers and entrepreneurial leaders to not only cement its dominant position locally, but also in 60 global markets.

The KWV House of Brandy distillery is located in Worcester and was acquired in 1924. Here almost 45 000 barrels of maturing brandy are kept in 23 maturation stores. Apart from that, the House of Brandy also hosts the largest copper potstill distillery in the world consisting of 120

IT’S THE BARREL AGEING …

Tokara, a family-owned Stellenbosch wine estate, has won international acclaim for the second year in a row with its handcrafted XO Potstill Brandy, bringing home a Brandy Masters 2022 gold medal

SMOOTHNESS IN THE MAKING

Before the brandy aficionado can sit back and enjoy a glass of the smooth and golden elixir, an intricate process takes place. It starts in the vineyards of the Western Cape. Here the best Chenin Blanc and Colombard varietals are selected, and the grapes are harvested during the sweltering summer to give the brandy a richer and fruitier character. Only free-run juice – the juice naturally released when the skins split under their own weight – is used as it has the least contact with the bitter elements in the pips, skins and stems, and no sulphur is added. Our expert panel then tastes each base wine before distillation begins. The base wines are distilled with the fermentation yeast, which adds to the fruity character of our brandies. Only the purest part, the “heart” of each distillation, is used, while the rest (heads and tails) is discarded.

Interestingly, 30 trucks of wine need to be offloaded each day to keep operations running. The distillery has a daily capacity to distil 440 000 litres of wine for neutral spirits and 380 000 litres Tokara XO Potstill Brandy honours the age-old Cognac tradition. The Chenin Blanc base wine is double distilled retaining only the heart fraction for ageing in individual Limousin oak casks for 12 to 18 years. Unctuous and complex with great depth of character, the palate delivers rich fl avours of caramel, dried apricots and cocoa butter with a spicy fi nish and fi ne length.

Producing a refi ned brandy has been the intention of GT and Anne-Marie Ferreira ever since they set their sights on making world-class wines at Tokara over two decades ago. The XO is the natural progression of their distinguished fi ve-year-old brandy fi rst released in 2004.

of wine for brandy. The wine is kept in the biggest wine tanks in South Africa – eight in total with a capacity of 2 000 000 litres each.

KWV Brandy’s smooth taste is a result of being crafted in small-batch copper potstills. The copper aids in extracting impurities and preventing sulphurous build-up. Our distilling team tests each individual barrel at key milestones and evaluates which brandies are ready to be blended and bottled. The fi nest of these are reserved for use in super premium aged potstill brandies.

The secret of good brandy lies in the blending process. The fi nal blend is analysed and optimised to ensure it conforms to KWV’s high standards. Each barrel is meticulously selected by the master distiller, Pieter de Bod, and his team consisting of Ilse du Toit and Lourens Stander, to ensure its contents meet the quality and character profi le of its intended brandy. These are then amalgamated into a master blend and rested in wooden barrels for up to an additional six months to allow the rich fl avours and character of our brandy to marry before our brandy is bottled.

HONOURED LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY

It is KWV’s versatility and tradition as the top brandy producer that enjoys local and international recognition. Over the years, KWV Brandy has walked away with top honours at the Veritas, Old Mutual, Michelangelo International Wine and Spirit Awards, World Spirits Awards, World Brandy Awards, International Wine & Spirits Competition, and the International Spirits Challenge.

“At Tokara we use a Pruhlo Alambic potstill that allows us to keep small batches of fi ne spirits separate. These unique batches are then skilfully selected to make a rich and distinctive blend,” says winemaker Stuart Botha.

Tokara ages the XO in 15 per cent new Limousin oak barrels with the balance comprising older barrels ranging in age from 1 to 30 years. Only barrels that display mature, mellow characteristics are selected for the blend.

“As a result of slow, prolonged barrel ageing, the aromas and fl avours are more concentrated, allowing the brandy to develop its distinctive character, fi ne length and depth of aftertaste,” adds Botha.

KOOGAN ARCHARY, KWV’s brand manager, shares that

the secret of good brandy lies in the blending process

copper potstills, including a rare 2 500-litre French Cognac Charental Prulho potstill.

TRAVEL TIME

BROOKDALE ESTATE

With the Klein Drakenstein mountains providing the dramatic backdrop, the Brookdale estate spreads itself over 67 hectares of land, just outside Paarl, South Africa’s third oldest town.

Thanks to the Rudd family, the estate has seen an exciting new lease of life, with new plantings joining some of the existing Chenin vines – some over 35 years old.

Hailing from the Cape Flats, Kiara Scott, an Elsenburg Viticulture and Oenology alumni, is the gentle but determined force behind Brookdale’s wines. What excites me is the focus on field blends: the 16-varietal White Field Blend is now available and soon the 20-varietal Red Field Blend will be added.

Best of all perhaps, is that you needn’t have to travel far after wine tasting. Management couple Yvonne and Gary Coetzee welcome you with open arms to The Manor House, with its five luxury suites and one adjacent vineyard suite – and based on your interests, help curate a personal stay. With the living room, library, entertainment and dining rooms, study, several outdoor terraces and pool, there is no shortage of inviting spaces to unwind in – whether it’s a room or exclusive-use rental.

CANVAS COLLECTIVE AFRICA

Switch up the traditional Winelands staycation for something truly unique. Picture a boutique hotel, but in luxury tents, a nomadic experience – changing locations once or twice a year. Throw in exclusive locations, fine dining, and curated local activities and you have the Canvas Collective Africa.

Each of the destinations for the roving camp is chosen for its remote location – and it just so happens that the current camp is in the undeniably beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. In addition to the posh tents and fire pit, there’s also a continuously heated Jacuzzi for post-activity unwinding.

The tents offer every creature comfort: a king-sized comfy bed, fully powered off the grid, Wi-Fi, complimentary bar fridge, and en suite bathroom with flushing toilet. The chicly decorated “Field Kitchen” stands at the heart of the camp overlooking the incredible valley. It serves the finest of dining daily, with all protein produce coming directly from the farm; well, except breakfast, which, if you’re in the mood for it, is served daily in bed. And trust me it’s worth it: a tray laden with tasty treats is delivered in your own timing and comfort.

Right throughout, Dez and Sam, the effusive and utterly lovable couple behind the initiative, are always present and certainly the hosts with the most. Being in one of the country’s most famed wine-producing regions, notably for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, use some of your time off for exploring.

In addition to Creation Wines’ continuously changing food and wine pairings, the team now offer informative vineyard walks through the estate. Spookfontein is a lesser-known producer, but focuses on well-priced premium wines, and its modern tasting room is also a sight to behold. Lastly, Tesselaarsdal is an emerging brand from Berene Sauls – if you can pin her down for a private tasting, you’re in for one inspirational story. canvascollectiveafrica.com

OTHER WINELANDS STAYCATIONS

The real magic happens at sunset when the sun casts golden glows over mountains and the estate –accompanied by a toast with the honey-coloured old vine Chenin in my glass. Despite the firm nod to Cape heritage, Brookdale also possesses a youthful exuberance and curiosity, providing a memorable Winelands stay. brookdale-estate.com

1. Holden Manz. It hardly gets more boutique – or luxurious – than the five-room five-star Holden Manz Estate, a few kilometres outside of Franschhoek. Enjoy a garden picnic or a meal at the in-house Franschhoek Country Kitchen. holdenmanz.com

2. South Hill. Elgin is home to one of the country’s most under-rated wine routes, and at South Hill, you can not only familiarise yourself with the region’s excellent cool-climate wines, but also stay on a houseboat. southhill.co.za

3. Jan Harmsgat Country House. Jan Harmsgat Country House offers a plush stay along the famed Route 62 and sunset farm tours that double up as wine tastings from a gorgeous viewpoint. janharmsgat.com

The real magic happens at sunset when the sun casts golden glows over mountains and the estate.

With no shortage of Winelands escapes, we share highlights from a classic Cape stay and then something a little different.

By JARED RUTTENBERG

Brookdale Estate

Canvas Collective

Brookdale Estate

Canvas Collective

NEW BEGINNINGS AT RENISHAW HILLS

From fresh starts to exciting new chapters, Renishaw Hills is the perfect setting to enjoy what ought to the summer of your life. Set on the pristine Mid-South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, a home in our village gives you the chance to live the holiday, whilst celebrating the best of indoor/outdoor living, just as Mother Nature intended.

As part of the highly-anticipated and newly formed Renishaw Coastal Precinct, our village is part of a much bigger picture that works seamlessly to deliver the height of coastal investment, lifestyle, and convenience.

Be part of our ever-growing family of happy residents who have found their new beginning at Renishaw Hills. Take a scenic drive and join us for a private tour and a closer look at our award-winning home types when you email sales@renishawhills.co.za. Can’t visit us just yet? Take a virtual tour: renishawhills.co.za/ house-tours/