BD Prime - June 2021 Edition

JUNE/JULY 2021

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FINANCIAL MISTAKES TO AVOID PROPERTY INVESTMENT ADVICE PLANT-BASED IS NOT JUST A FAD

MARC LOTTERING shares his secrets to living his best life

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contents

CON T EN T S

COVER STORY Marc Lottering shares his secrets to living his best life 4 A HEALTHIER YOU Why going plant-based isn’t just a new food fad 5 FINANCIAL FITNESS Boost retirement savings; Financial mistakes to avoid 7 PROPERTY INVESTMENT The golden rules for investment; Why buy-to-let is still popular; 8 Are holiday homes still a thing?; What is curated living?

LEISURE EXPERIENCES 11 Keep warm around the fireplaces and fire bomas; Five great red wines to enjoy this winter

14 Six great local breakaways AT HOME 16 How a few simple deisgn tweaks can turn your bathroom into an oasis

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PIcasso Headline, a proud division of Arena Holdings, Hill on Empire, 16 Empire Road (cnr Hillside Road), Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193 PO Box 12500, Mill Street, Cape Town, 8010 www.businessmediamags.co.za EDITORIAL Content Manager: Raina Julies rainaj@picasso.co.za Contributors: Beth Amato, Hasmitha Amtha, Keith Bain, Caryn Gootkin, Nia Magoulianiti-McGregor, Jared Ruttenberg, Anna Trapido, Lisa Witepski Copy Editor: Nicci Collier Content Co-ordinator: Vanessa Payne Digital Editor: Stacey Visser vissers@businessmediamags.co.za DESIGN Head of Design: Jayne Macé-Ferguson Senior Design: Mfundo Archie Ndzo Advert Designer: Bulelwa Sotashe Cover Credits: Lindsey Appolis & Jesse Kramer

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COV ER S T ORY

Lottering with intent Marc Lottering conquered lockdown comedy, adopted a pavement special called Hamilton and celebrated his ten-year wedding anniversary. But wait, there’s more.

By NIA MAGOULIANITI-MCGREGOR

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friends with kids, we can spoil them, and then they leave!”

(Spoiler alert: Lottering says the other secret to being happy together is “just shutting up!”)

But there in the midst of this novel sense of “delicious urgency” came the idea of taking Aunty Merle (Lottering’s Athlone-based alter ego) from the stage to the screen. “When I bounced this idea, no-one went, ‘OMG!’, everyone just said, matter of factly, ‘About time’.”

“Lockdown gave us space to sit and do this.

The script is now done. Soon everyone will see what Aunty Merle’s husband Dennis looks like.”

He’s flexing a few other creative muscles too.

“I’m really enjoying writing for other people and watching my lines come out someone else’s mouth.”

His comedy has evolved over the years. “It was more race-based to begin with and I was in danger of becoming ‘the comedian from the Cape Flats’. Now it’s more universal comedy.

The ‘Karen’ factor is still there, but I feel I have an obligation not to box people into stereotypes. I love doing fresh work and audiences love authenticity.”

He’s more aware of being represented in adverts or other media. “Surely, 50-somethings also enjoy having a burger! Hello. We’re still here. We’re in a very sexy time and we’re very much alive.

“There’s something about being more comfortable in your skin. You are who you always were, but with more confidence. I say no without explanations. I do what I want.”

Marc Lottering

LOTTERING LIKES • Walking: “Especially the Biskop Steps – a stairway in Clifton.”

• Movies: “I’m drawn to mob films, like The Godfather. They’re escapist and stylish. I don’t watch comedies.”

• Dinner parties: “There’s always pots of food, alcohol and good music - Whitney Houston mainly, if I get my way.”

• Gym with a “good-looking” trainer: “It’s an extra motivation to get there.

You have to be healthy because comedy is very physical.”

CREDIT IMAGE: LINDSEY APPOLIS & JESSE KRAMER

ince turning 50 three years ago, comedian Marc Lottering lives his life with an extra sense of purpose. He calls it “delicious urgency”.

“This is an exciting chapter. You’re not struggling with your calling. You don’t have to prove yourself. So now is not the time to mess around - your 70s are around the corner - now is the time for some delicious urgency in doing what you want to do next.”

That didn’t quell a few anxious moments during hard lockdown last year as the realisation hit that comedians were losing live audiences. “Comedy is a dance between you and the audience. What I think is hilarious is not necessarily what the audiences will end up laughing at. They guide you.”

An online show loomed large mid-year.

Turns out there was zero need for sleepless nights. “We sold so many tickets. This was a brand new normal. As I was about to walk on, the guys were saying, ‘okay, we have 16 000 people online. Now it’s 17 000’…”

Finally, over 19 000 people watched My Fellow South Africans which broke all records for an online show in SA. “That was the ultimate test: with no laughter, you just have to trust your material,” says Lottering. “I admit for a few minutes there, I agonised about whether I should have joined Clicks as a cashier like my mom once said.”

Corporates also moved online and Lottering was increasingly asked to MC staff meetings.

“People started realising what was possible.

And perhaps we all became more open to the function of comedy: dealing with the madness of life, of us as people, about the craziness that happens even when you look for a parking space.”

Other more personal stuff also fell into place. Lottering and husband Anwar McKay, who also produces his shows, adopted a dog, Hamilton. For a while, the couple contemplated having children. “I wasn’t so open to this - okay, basically I was scared - unlike Anwar. When I decided one of the secrets to a successful partnership is to consider what the other person wants, Anwar had had a change of mind.” Enter rescue dog Hamilton who needed love too. “Anyway, we’re surrounded by

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A HE A LT HIER YOU

Going plant-based?

ANNA TRAPIDO shares why this new food fad could help save the world

IMAGES: ISTOCK.COM, SUPPLIED

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eyoncé and Jay-Z do it. So does Gwyneth P. In certain circles, it is now almost impossible to swing a fennel frond without hitting a hipster expounding - ad nauseam - on their plant-based lifestyle. Foodie fashionistas aside, it would be a mistake to dismiss the diet as a transient flavour of the month. Plant-based eating has epically ancient roots and could just save the world…

Plant-based is a broad term which encompasses everyone from vegans (who eschew all animal products) to flexitarians (who continue to consume some meat, dairy and eggs but have altered the amounts relative to plant matter they munch on). Motivations for making the move to a meat-light lifestyle are often interlinked. Mindful consumers are increasingly aware that meat not only causes suffering for the sentient creatures killed and consumed but also impacts on the environment.

The 2010 United Nations Environment Programme report Assessing the Environmental Impacts of Consumption and Production: Priority Products and Materials states that: “Animal products, both meat and dairy, require more resources and cause higher emissions than plant-based alternatives. Reducing livestock would reduce methane emissions which are the second largest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide.”

“Traditionally, our cattle were rarely consumed outside of sacred rituals.”

– Mpho Tshukudu

Then there are the implications for human health. The most famous plant-based strategy, the Mediterranean diet, has been shown in both large population studies and randomised clinical trials to reduce risk of heart disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, certain cancers and depression. While the Mediterranean diet may not be economically or culturally appropriate for the majority of South Africans, plant-based is nothing new in Mzansi.

As Rustenburg-based dietician Mpho Tshukudu observes, “Traditionally, our cattle were rarely consumed outside of sacred rituals.

Obviously, there was amasi fermented milk but never to excess and mostly people ate it in combination with plant-focused meals such as dikgôbê (Setswana sorghum and bean melange), Venda-style tshidzimba (groundnuts, bean and corn) or Xhosa umngqusho (samp and beans).”

All of the above are (literally) just what the doctor (and the dietician) ordered but mindful behaviour is necessary to ensure the ideal scenarios set out above actually occur. Out of season fruit and vegetables flown in from faraway lands generate greenhouse gas. Altmilks require masses of water and undermine bee ecosystems. The unethical sourcing of quinoa ravaged Bolivian biodiversity and food security. Plus, as Tshukudu points out, “Healthy plant-based eating takes skill. The cultures in South Africa and around the world that live this way have learnt over hundreds of years to create recipes that provide the right protein, essential fats, carbohydrates, fibre, vitamins and minerals. Those looking to begin this lifestyle need to educate themselves or deficiencies can occur.”

Education sounds like school and school sounds like no fun but rest-assured plant-based

cooking and dining can be a joyful delight. Eating less meat or no meat almost invariably makes those who do it better cooks.

The natural umami in meat makes us lazy because it brings instant but unidimensional savoury satisfaction. Without that to lean on, a world of complex, considered flavour creation opens up. Think of it in terms of tastes gained rather than ingredients lost. Eating less meat and dairy means that there is more room on a plate for other delectable dishes. Just step away from the quinoa and out of season mango, almond milk smoothie…

LEAFY GREENS CAFÉ This idyllic, organic farm restaurant is 20 minutes from Sandton, Johannesburg.

Breakfast on magnificent mushroom Benedict with lemony vegan ‘Hollandaise’.

Lunch on Thai-style courgette curry or falafel-filled cauliflower and kale wraps. Great chocolate brownies too… www.leafygreens.co.za

MOUNT NELSON HOTEL CAPE TOWN. Whether you want afternoon tea, bar snacks or multi-course tasting menus, Chef Rudi Liebenberg has the perfect posh-nosh plantbased treat. Brinjal biltong at the bar and foraged mushroom risotto (with lemon and pea salad) on the terrace. Sweet-toothed types adore the marinated pineapple carpaccio with vegan meringues. www.belmond.com/mount-nelsonhotel-cape-town/

Mpho Tshukudu

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F IN A NCI A L F I T NES S

A boost for retirement saving CARYN GOOTKIN learns how to boost your retirement savings and avoid costly financial mistakes

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n addition to the usual measures - tightening your belt, reviewing your financial goals, trying to start a side business to earn a second income, working longer and paying off debt - here are a few ways to ensure your nest egg lasts longer.

Retirement Annuities “RAs can be used, subject to certain limitations, to bolster current retirement savings in a taxefficient way, reducing your taxable income by

increasing your savings,” says Cassandra Ison, wealth manager at 27four Wealth. Returns are tax free, allowing you the benefit of compound interest.

Tax-free savings accounts TFSAs offer you the opportunity to bolster current retirement savings subject to certain limitations. “The investment growth is exempt from income, interest, dividends and capital gains tax,” says Ison.

Debit order per month

Investment period

Real return (after inflation of 4.6 per cent has been deducted)

Future investment value

R500

15 years

5 per cent

R133 644.47

R1 000

15 years

5 per cent

R267 288.94

R5 000

15 years

5 per cent

R1 336 444.72

Unit trust investments Consider a person aged 50 with R10 000 to invest earning a real return (after inflation of 4.6 per cent) of 5 per cent. “If they invest for 15 years, at age 65 their investment would have grown to R21 137.04,” says Ison. “But if they added an extra R500 to the investment each month, their investment would be worth R154 781.51 after 15 years.”

A successful way to boost your savings is to invest via a monthly debit order. “Make the debit order date the same date that your salary gets paid into your bank account, so you learn to live on the reduced amount,” says Ison. “The table shows how quickly relatively small investments can grow over time - but remember this is for illustration purposes only and doesn’t take into account fees, market movements or increases in the inflation rate.”

FINANCIAL MISTAKES TO AVOID The financial mistakes you should avoid in your 50s are similar to those you should avoid earlier on in life but are even more relevant in your later years. Ensure you and your family have adequate financial protection, writes CARYN GOOTKIN

PROTECTION AGAINST LOSS OF INCOME AND CRIPPLING MEDICAL EXPENSES “Loss of personal cash flow (income) due to illness or injury is catastrophic for most people,” says Richard Muller, a financial planner with Momentum. “Many of us will at some time suffer an illness or injury from which it may take months to recover.

Imagine receiving no income for these months. Make sure your income is insured for this time. In addition, severe illness brings significant expenses - often not covered by medical aid benefits. Protect yourself with a critical illness benefit, which will pay you a welcome tax-free lump sum on diagnosis.”

IMAGES: ISTOCK.COM

PROTECTION AGAINST DEATH OF THE BREADWINNER To most families, even those with a dual income, the death of a breadwinner is financially catastrophic. “Life assurance (‘death’) benefits ensure that your dependants can pay off the bond on the family home, educate children to adulthood and

provide supplementary income for as long as needed,” says Muller. “But make sure you are not over-insured. Your expenses change over time so you often need less life insurance when you are older if, for example, your home is bond free and your children have finished studying.”

Make an effort to fully understand the “now, future and total cost” of your life assurance. “Beware of premiums which escalate annually at a greater rate than your income and ability to pay them,” says Muller.

PROTECTION AGAINST THEFT AND DAMAGE “The contents of your home, your vehicles and everything else which you own have all been purchased with income earned over many years,” says Muller. “Imagine having to buy all of it again after burglars have stolen it or a fire has reduced it to ash. Short-term insurance will cover these losses.”

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The golden rules for investing in property BETH AMATO takes a closer look at why property investment remains a valuable asset class

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he COVID-19 pandemic has ironically created an unprecedented buyers’ market. Ernest Zamisa, a financial adviser at Momentum, says that this is “a lucrative opportunity” for first-time buyers because of a favourable interest rate (the lowest in 55 years) and the fact that banks are willing to give 100 per cent home loans.

No matter the market, there remain key property investment principles and recommendations.

Chris Renecle, managing director at Renprop explains that location is everything. “If you look at Rosebank for example, it is one of the city’s oldest, most established suburbs and it is hitting an

all-time peak in development investment of both commercial and residential properties.

When looking at the area in numbers, in the past three years a remarkable 200 000m2 has been developed, completed, and occupied.

“This demonstrates the incredible growth of the area, thus making it a sought-after address for businesses, individuals, and families. And a perfect location to buy in,” says Renecle.

Second, doing research prior to purchasing a property is critical. “Ensure that the property you want to invest in will have a good yield, based on the rental income in the area.

Rental income depends on various factors, including location, the condition of the property, and the state of the property market. “So again, research thoroughly when considering an investment property. Also, Herschel calculate all the expenses Jawitz involved in buying the property and make sure that you budget for unexpected costs, such as maintenance and repairs. Bear in mind that you could have to pay levies and home insurance, as well as income tax on the rental income received from the property,” says Carl Coetzee, CEO of BetterBond.

Momentum’s Zamisa explains that the amount of capital one has shouldn’t deter a prospective investor. “Although there are distinct advantages to investing and owning your own property, if you don’t have the capital - or are a little more risk averse - but still want the investment exposure that property brings, the property market is still ripe with investment opportunities,” he says. A property unit trust, for example, is an option.

Finally, take a long-term view. Herschel Jawitz, CEO of Jawitz Properties, says that property is not a liquid asset like shares and the costs to buy and sell property are high.

“Long-term means you should think of your property investment as part of your retirement funding, like you would your pension fund.”

“Ensure that the property you want to invest in will have a good yield, based on the rental income in the area.” – Carl Coetzee

Ernest Zamisa

Is buy-to-let still a viable option?

Given the global pandemic and resultant financial crisis, what should property investors be doing with their portfolios today? By BETH AMATO

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hile it certainly is a property buyer’s market, is a buy-tolet option a viable and sound investment choice? Most in the business agree that the

market, including the rental market, goes in cycles, and that currently the rental market is in a down cycle. Herschel Jawitz, CEO of Jawitz Properties, explains that there are fewer tenants in the market, especially in the apartment market. But, “the cycle will shift at some point and you will need to make sure you are still invested when it does,” he says.

Hayden Giger, growth head of FNB Private Bank Lending, explains that vacancy rates have risen causing landlords to start liquidating their rental portfolios or drop their rental prices to ease fi nancial pressure. He says that the irony is that “low interest rates have helped landlords. The economy is cautiously moving towards recovery” with landlords well positioned for the future.

Jawitz urges homeowners not to dispose of their rental properties. “Many owners still have the mistaken view that it is better to sit with an empty property than accept a lower rental than you want or even need.” Some cash flow, he says, is better than nothing. “Listen to market feedback about what tenants are prepared to pay for your property. They are the market, not you. Try and fi nd other areas in your fi nances to save money before you have to sell your property investment. If you do have to sell a property for cash flow reasons, choose the property that will get you out of your current situation even if it’s the ‘crown jewel’ in your portfolio.”

Hayden Giger

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PROPER T Y IN V ES T MEN T

Are holiday homes still a thing?

We take a look at the do’s and don’ts for this investment purchase.

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oliday homes, says Karen Turner, sales consultant at Jawitz Properties North Coast, are still popular. Buyers are however more circumspect when it comes to location, security and having a viable rental option in place.

“A further pro is to have a rental management system in place so if the property is not being utilised as a family getaway, it can generate income from holiday or Airbnb rentals, which

San Sereno by Auria Senior Living

Curated living Estate living: how to decide which property best suits your needs. What are the unique features offered by estate portfolios?

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

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outh Africa is an estate-living paradise, driven by security needs, and the need for a robust community and “village” lifestyle where most amenities are readily available. Hayden Giger, growth head at FNB Private Bank Lending, says that those looking to live in estates have an overwhelming choice, but must focus on the fundamentals. “Location is very important and, along with security, will often be the main deciding factor.”

aids in covering levies, rates and maintenance.

With overseas travel curtailed at present, having a holiday home within the borders is a bonus.

Continued low interest rates, as well as the fact that real estate generally appreciates over time, makes investing in a holiday home an extremely viable option. Cons would be the costs, such as property management fees and maintenance fees - especially those associated with living by the coast which tend to be higher,” she says.

Turner’s colleague at Jawitz Properties North Coast, Paula Eaton, says that higher-end buyers still purchase holiday homes. Furthermore, syndicates are buying property along the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal with families owning shares of one property. “There are also holiday-home owners who rent out their houses when not in use, so they become investment properties that provide holiday accommodation when needed,” says Eaton.

He adds that the proximity of offices, shops, schools and medical facilities are imperative when choosing which estate to live on.

“Amenities and facilities are a big drawcard. There are estates which offer everything from golf courses to running trails, schools, gyms, and tennis courts. Estates are a very popular choice currently and the draw towards them doesn’t seem to be slowing down,” says Giger.

Retirement estates and villages are also popular choices for older people.

Gidon Novick, founder of Lucid Ventures (a venture capital retirement living fund), says that with South Africa’s growing elderly population, well-designed retirement living facilities will increase significantly in value over time. The fund has acquired land in Houghton and Rosebank, Johannesburg to build retirement living estates.

“The combination of valuable real estate, growing demand and good retirement living facilities allows us to confidently target double-figure returns for investors. We are equally confident that the fund will continue to deliver very competitive returns for many years to come,” says Novick.

Modern seniors - as Barry Kaganson, CEO of Auria Senior Living, describes South Africa’s elderly - are not in a state of decline, nor even planning to stop working. “Many continue to work, or if

they do not, they travel and take up sports and hobbies that keep them active and busy. These people are not on the brink of a decline into ‘old age’, but many would like a lock-up-andgo, hassle-free lifestyle which has resulted in the advent of senior living communities, or continuing care retirement communities,” says Kaganson.

Kaganson explains that it is not necessarily considered an investment when buying a retirement property in an estate but that when someone purchases a “life right”, they have the right of exclusive use of a property for the remainder of their or their spouse’s or partner’s life.

A life right scheme differs from a sectional title or full title property in that ownership of the property is held by the life rights scheme owner or operator.

“Unlike full title or sectional title schemes, any capital appreciation in the property accrues to the scheme owner, and not the occupant.

“As a result, the scheme owner is always incentivised to maintain and operate the scheme optimally and to the highest standard to ensure overall property capital appreciation. Different investment types come with different responsibilities, so it’s important to make oneself aware of the differences in these models in order to make a more informed decision,” says Kaganson.

“Estates are a very popular choice currently and the draw towards them doesn’t seem to be slowing down.” – Hayden Giger PRIME

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L EISURE E XPERIENCES

FIRE IT UP

Keep warm and toasty this winter with an indoor fireplace and/or outdoor fire pit. HASMITA AMTHA rounds up five to consider

THE ECO SOLUTION Our beautiful climate fosters an enjoyable outdoor lifestyle. Ensuring you’re kept comfortably warm when there’s a chill in the air, the Bio Ethanol Fire Pit from Beauty Fires is an eco-conscious, fussfree solution. Bio ethanol is considered as a clean fuel due to its nature and composition, resulting in a clean burn with no residue left behind. The latest addition to Beauty Fires’ collection of bio ethanol burners, the Fire Pit is made from 304 stainless steel, and ensures a burning time of between eight and 12 hours with multiple flame heights on a 6L fuel tank. beautyfires.com

WOODEN WONDER There’s something nostalgic about a wood-burning fireplace that makes it so desirable. The Filiofocus from Swissfireplace takes this attraction to the next level with its sleek contemporary design. A central, suspended wood-burning fireplace, the Filiofocus has four curved heat-resistant glass panels of which two are fixed and two slide open, serving as a fireguard. The hearth bowl can be positioned at three different heights: built into the floor, placed above the floor, or attached to a steel or constructed base, making this a flexible solution for different interior design needs. swissfireplace.co.za

ON THE MOVE If you’re looking for an outdoor heating solution that can easily be moved around depending on where you want to be, then the ceramic Earthfire Fire Pit is worthy of consideration. It can be placed on the balcony or at a campsite. A small, portable wood-burning unit, the Fire Pit doubles up as a small braai when the (supplied) stainless steel grid is attached. The unit comes in a smart box for easy mobility. The Fire Pit is made from durable, thermal shockproof NilTherm with a hard-wearing glazed surface both inside and out. The ceramic body stores heat and radiates a comforting warmth even after the fire has burnt out. macd.co.za

FOR EASY ENTERTAINING A crackling fire, a glass of wine and some snacks make for a good evening at home with family. Making this possible in your backyard, the FireBlade was designed locally by one of South Africa’s leading garden landscape designers, Craig de Necker of The Friendly Plant, for Chad-O-Chef Lifestyle Products. The design captures the essence of what a fire pit should be: simple, elegant and beautiful. The units are available in gas-burning and wood-burning options, and in many different styles to complement any space - easily incorporating as a centrepiece in a beautiful outdoor living area. chad-o-chef.co.za

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

GO FOR GAS The popular option for many homeowners, flueless gas fireplaces have become the go-to for contemporary homes, with the ability to heat more of an open-plan space - and at an affordable price, too. The Infiniti Fires Slimline gas burner is such a unit: perfectly on-trend with a sophisticated aesthetic. The Slimline unit burns gas cleanly, and is safe to operate in open-plan areas without the need for a chimney. This makes it both very efficient and a powerful heater. Designed to be built into a brick structure to your desired style, the unit is available in a choice of stainless steel or black to complement your home’s interior aesthetic. infinitifires.co.za

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L eisure E xperiences

Fireside Wines As winter approaches, so does the opportunity to savour red wine in front of the fire. Here is a selection of five great South African reds worth gracing your winter glass. By Jared Rutenberg

Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 Since South Africa is synonymous with big and bold red wines, the first fireside choice is a red that lives up to that reputation. Klein Zalze has recently enjoyed a well-deserved spotlight after clinching the title of Platter’s Top Performing Winery of the Year 2021 and then being awarded no less than seven five-star wines. From their premium Family Reserve Range, the Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 takes the spotlight here.

An oak regime of 70 per cent new, 30 per cent second and third fill, for 18 months, adds to the balanced wine which Klein Zalze refers to as “new-world opulence and old-world elegance”. A bouquet of savoury tobacco, cassis, and mint then unfurls into a palate of seductive dark fruit for a complex and rewarding Cabernet Sauvignon. kleinezalze.co.za

Creation Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot 2018 For white wine drinkers or those who lean towards wines that don’t pack such a punch, perhaps look to one of the country’s cooler climate offerings.

Thanks to the slower ripening of fruit in these areas, acidity and elegance is achieved at no expense to flavour.

Hemel-en-Aarde heavyweight Creation is well-known for their Pinot Noir, but today it’s another of their offerings that gets the attention.

The estate produces a Bordeaux blend featuring Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. Expect to find blackberry and blackcurrant notes on both nose and palate and well-integrated tannins that allow for a maturation potential of ten years. creationwines.com

Great Heart Red Blend 2019 From the cool kids of the Swartland, comes a new staff empowerment project - Great Heart Wines. The brand itself is collectively owned by the winery staff of Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines. Says Chris Mullineux, “Our intention in starting Great Heart was to uplift our team through a project that belongs to them; as the shareholders of Great Heart, our employees benefit directly from each bottle that is opened and enjoyed.” An impressive 100 per cent of the profits to be exact.

Since Syrah is one of the varietals where the estate hangs its hat, you’ll be pleased to know that the blend is driven by a 51 per cent Shiraz component, and then 34 per cent Tinta Barocca, and 15 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon. The Red Blend is not only wine with heart, but also surprisingly affordable at around R120 a bottle. greatheartwines.com

Boplaas Family Vineyards Cape Vintage Reserve 2017 If the thought of a winter’s evening conjures up the image of savouring a glass of port, then look no further than Boplaas Family Vineyards. Port-styled wines are known as Cape Vintage in South Africa, and Boplaas Family Vineyards is one of the leaders among local producers. Accompanying its five-star accolade, the Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2017 was also recently rated Best SA Port by the Platter’s South African Wine Guide.

The Portuguese varietals of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barocca, Souzão, and Touriga Franca are used in the traditional old-world vinification methods. This wine is a decadent treat, and a worthy companion for earthy dishes, braised meat or venison. Buy a case so you can enjoy a few bottles now, but cellar half to enjoy their flavour development over the years. boplaas.co.za

Tokara Directors’ Reserve Red 2017 High on the slopes of Simonsberg Mountain, Tokara is one of the country’s foremost producers. The Stellenbosch estate has featured more than once on the prestigious Drinks International’s World’s Top 50 Most Admired Wine Brands. The flagship Directors’ Reserve Red 2017 is a Bordeaux blend featuring all five of the classic varietals.

A bouquet that shows black fruits translates into fine tannins with a hint of spice - further developed by the 22 months the wine spends in French oak, 54 per cent new.

For anyone who’s had the privilege of sitting in the tasting room at the estate, you’ll instantly be taken back with a sip of this wine. tokara.com

Not for Sale to Persons Under the Age of 18.

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Introducing W O N D E R W I J N

A wine bar experience delivered to your door. Enjoy eight glasses of artisan wines, wherever you are. Each pack has a different theme, with wines by different boutique producers, delivered with a virtual tasting.

T he perfect virtual event or unique gift.

Get Wonderwijn online at w w w. w i j n b a r . c o . z a or email us at c o n n e c t @ w i j n b a r . c o . z a for a bespoke experience.

ALCOHOL NOT FOR SALE TO PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18. ENJOY RESPONSIBLY.

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L EISURE E XPERIENCES

Far from normal KEITH BAIN suggests six places to stay where three essentials - escape, awe, and wonder - are guaranteed

On the R62, just three hours from Cape Town, Sanbona was the first reserve in the Western Cape to offer Big Five sightings against the Klein Karoo’s scenic backdrop of undulating mountains. So you spot ellies and other animals drinking at water holes before you even reach your accommodations. On your way in, the detour from the tar road trains your eyes on exquisite terrain. The reserve is a trove of wonders - tiny succulents that look like pebbles or buttons or something alien grow amidst incredible rock formations within a geologically fascinating universe that opens up all around you. Animals are a tad more elusive than those in Kruger, but there’s a whole lot of space (54 000 hectares) that’s shared with considerably fewer guests who are, in turn, lodged at a variety of camps. Secluded Dwyka Tented Lodge is, scenically, our favourite. It’s

arranged along a dry riverbed at the base of a steep ravine where you’ll spot black eagles, baboons and klipspringers. The canvas-topped stone cottages are very smart, too. Gondwana Lodge, meanwhile, is especially designed for families with children. It’s worth spending a few nights to increase chances of encountering free-roaming big cats: lion have been returned to the area for the first time in two centuries, and the reserve also has cheetahs collared for conservation monitoring which means you can track them on foot, a dizzying experience.

Alternatively, you can join one of their Explorer safaris, where you sleep in the bush (in slickly kitted-out off-grid tents) and join rangers for on-foot animal tracking during the day, but mix up your time with drives and sunrise coffee sessions up on a hill with stupendous views in every direction. sanbona.com

Tswalu For years, Tswalu in the “Green Kalahari” has been hands down the most glamorous place to stay in the Northern Cape. Now, thanks to the recent opening of Jan Hendrik van der Westhuisen’s Restaurant Klein JAN (an offshoot of his Michelin-star establishment), it’s also among the world’s most astonishing dining destinations.

What’s more, this is South Africa’s largest private game reserve, covering more than 100 000 hectares of remote and mystical semidesert where big animals (including black-maned lions) can be seen on game drives and there exist possibilities to spot rarities such as brown hyena. Because there’s less thick vegetation to conceal animals, sightings are excellent and might include sable and roan antelope, tsessebe, cheetah, and wild dog. Meerkats are a favourite sighting; on night drives you might run into elusive aardvark or aardwolf; and this is probably the best place in South Africa to see pangolin. For guests at either of the two lodging sites, there are dedicated guides and pampering staff to take care of every whim. The Motse, the main camp found below the Korannaberg mountains, offers just nine individual stone, clay, and thatch “legae” (Tswana for “dwelling”) with private decks overlooking a waterhole - each sensitively constructed with plush interiors that look and feel bespoke. Tarkuni, meanwhile, is an exclusive-use homestead that sleeps ten. And if you’re excited by groundbreaking food, Klein JAN is also a formidable reason to make the trek to this corner of the country; the Michelin-star chef has set his culinary spirit free while placing emphasis on ingredients and traditions from this part of the country, which typically gets ignored when it comes to gourmet expectations. What’s been created, though, is a destination dining experience the whole world will soon be talking about. tswalu.com

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CLEOPATRA MOUNTAIN FARMHOUSE If you’ve ever been the victim of a stuffy meal in an old-fashioned country hotel, then here’s the antidote: Richard Poynton - part Santa Claus, part Hogwarts professor - is an award-winning cookbook author, a delightful raconteur, and compelling host. His dinners at Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse, an enchanted hideaway at the foot of Mount Lebanon, not too far from Giant’s Castle, are more than mere meals. They are performances that, along with wine and story-telling, steadily build into a multicourse adventure featuring beautiful flavours coaxed from fresh, seasonal produce from the garden and from nearby farms. “We don’t want to be accused of being a health farm,” Richard will tell you as you tuck into a decadent dessert of berries in zabaglione, for which there’ll be no sparing of butter or cream. After Richard has fattened you up, you retire to bedrooms exquisitely decorated by his wife, Mouse.

Besides vintage bathtubs or cleverly-sourced antiques, all kinds of discarded bits and pieces have been recycled into eye-catching décor to reinvigorate old farm buildings, now restored and given themed, quirky interiors. And, when you wake up still dreaming of the previous night’s indulgence, there are fantastic hikes, horse trails, and plentiful streams and lakes for swimming or fishing. But first, of course, breakfast beckons. If you are looking for a place to hole up as a family (since Cleopatra’s doesn’t accept children under 12), you may want to consider the self-catering farmhouse about 1km away – River Run looks onto the Highmoor section of Giant’s Castle Nature Reserve and, apart from being a gorgeous country getaway in its own right, is close enough should you wish to book for one of Richard’s meals, too. cleomountain.com

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SANBONA

L EISURE E XPERIENCES

The Homestead at Hazendal A sumptuous addition to the fleet of slick retreats in the Winelands, this Cape Dutch villa has a history stretching back to 1790.

Situated on the historic Hazendal estate on Stellenbosch’s Bottelary Road, it’s been graciously restored to provide a sense of its original character while being imbued with contemporary touches and modern conveniences. Plus, serious artworks including originals by Tretchikoff and Pierneef, and a valuable collection of historic maps and rare antique furniture. It’s only available to rent in its

entirety - so that’s five bedrooms (each with either king- or queen-sized beds, and each with an en suite bathroom and a unique view) that combine for a wonderful retreat whether shared by friends convening for a special occasion or a family in need of a spoiling treat. There’s loads to do while you’re there. Hazendal has in the last couple of years reinvented itself as a varied and exciting place to find delicious food, and uncommon delights such as the Russian high tea and - for youngsters - Wonderdal, an

edutainment centre with emphasis on science and nature. Plus, there’s wine tasting, art tours, and butler-style service, exquisite breakfasts, a library nook, bar, garden terrace, and picnics from the Babushka Deli, fun times in the Pivnushka Beer Garden, and, on occasion, jazz evenings. The grounds themselves are gorgeous to explore, and if you’re that way inclined there’s an 18-hole par-3 mashie golf course with a putting park and driving range, too. hazendal.co.za

Kruger Shalati - Train on the Bridge

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Prana Lodge The Wild Coast has plenty of marvellous spots where you can rough it, stay in huts, camp, even hike your way along the wild edges and sleep under the stars, but being here in the heart of paradise needn’t mean abandoning luxury at all.

Not far from East London, in Chintsa, where there’s an enormous strip of vagabond beach, super-luxurious Prana Lodge has huge, sumptuous villa-style suites built into a jungly 17-acre semi-wild garden behind towering forested sand dunes. When you do venture onto the beach, it’s like arriving in paradise, with zero chance of encountering anything resembling a crowd. In fact, given that Chinsa’s pristine shore stretches for some 21 unblemished kilometres, it’s possible to explore it and find barely another soul. You come here for purest tranquillity and respite from all the noise and nonsense. It’s a genuine

battery recharger with a balance of barefoot back-to-nature beachcombing and manmade luxuries including cool lounging areas at the pool, butler-style service, and an excellent spa with a menu of imaginative therapies (including dedicated men’s treatments, and packages for couples and ones that include dinner at Prana’s very fine restaurant). Rooms feature covetable, timeless décor (Persian rugs, a formidable art collection, spoiling bathrooms) with chic contemporary comforts, including luscious linens on plush beds. There are plunge pools in each suite’s private garden, too. A wooden boardwalk leads you to the summit of a steep dune where there’s a deck to chill out, cocktail in hand, watching for dolphins and whales. Or take the plunge into the soft sand down below and amble along that shoreline, encountering sunbathing cows, whale bones, and opportunities to reconnect with yourself. pranalodge.co.za

Way before the pandemic, someone had the crazy-beautiful idea of parking a reconditioned train on the Selati Bridge above the Sabie River in the Skukuza section of Kruger National Park. Not just for show, but to install as an imaginative new boutique hotel (if that’s the right term for such a fantastical project). It finally opened mid-December, after 2020’s ongoing palaver, with 24 handsome “carriage rooms” in which you can literally sleep high above the river, animals doing their thing down below. The bedrooms and their en suite bathrooms have large glass walls so you find yourself steeped in panoramic views of the terrain that stretches out below, and inside spaces have been fine-tuned with local designer touches, such as blankets by Bonolo Chepape. One-of-a-kind concept and location aside, we love the fact that there’s a plunge pool hovering off to one side, so you can take a dip in what feels like midair - animal sightings can happen right from your deckchair. While it might not be for you if you suffer from a fear of heights or need to feel the ground beneath your feet, later this year they will be opening seven rooms in the land-based “Bridge House”, where children under 12 (who can’t stay in the train) will also be welcomed. Either way, the hotel is a great base for a full-on safari experience, with ranger-guided game drives available should you wish to sit back and be immersed in the experience. krugershalati.com

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AT HOME Matt Black Tapware

Pan Trilogy Sandy Grey Bathroom

accessories like towel hooks in the same colour, so that you can coordinate the look perfectly.

As for shapes, at AXOR, it’s all about slender silhouettes, flat surfaces, soft corners and balanced proportions, while sister brand Hansgrohe is punting minimalist elegance and contrast.

Totally floored

With just a few tweaks and updates, you can transform your bathroom into a soothing sanctuary. Here’s how. By LISA WITEPSKI

A

ccording to Andrew Taylor, MD of Bathroom Butler, renovating or upgrading your bathroom is one of the single most valuable investments you can make to your property: remodelling your bathroom could help you make back up to 75 per cent of your costs.

But even if you’re not planning your bathroom renovation with investment or resale in mind, there’s a lot to be said for creating a welcoming space. After all, who doesn’t enjoy escaping to a sensory haven after a stressful day? This is exactly the type of mood your bathroom should provide, says Cayley-Jade Smith, design consultant at Bella Bathrooms.

She advises a nature-inspired look, which creates a calming, balanced environment ideal for relaxation and rejuvenation: “A minimalist backdrop combined with organic forms, smooth shapes and soft, natural colours accented with warm wood, moody lighting and the addition of botanicals completes the look and is one of the hottest trends in bathroom design right now.”

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A touch of luxury First things first: how to turn your bathroom into a place of pampering? It’s as simple as adding a heated towel rack, says Taylor: “There’s nothing quite like stepping out of a bath or shower and reaching for a hot, fresh towel.”

Smith adds a practical observation: avoid buying cheap fittings. Rather, go for reputable brands which are known to offer good aftersales service and easily available parts, so that you don’t have to carry the cost of replacements later down the line.

Fixtures and fittings Bathroom fixtures can make a real statement - which may be why matte black fittings are having a moment. It’s easy to understand the appeal, says Taylor: matte black can be matched with an all-black theme or used as an accent colour, and fittings are striking with highly noticeable visual appeal.

Smith agrees, adding that brushed bronze and champagne are other popular choices.

She advises choosing a brand that offers

Luxe lighting Lighting in a bathroom is obviously key. This is a room where fluorescent or bright lights can be particularly harsh, so Taylor recommends replacing them with recessed ceiling lights or, if this is not possible, installing a dimmer switch.

Indirect lighting in warm tones is also a good bet. Taylor also suggests a backlit LED mirror, which creates a halo of soft, warm lighting around the mirror’s edge.

The ultimate ambience enhancer, though, has to be a candle. Not only are candles a quick and affordable way to introduce soft lighting, but also to add atmosphere with different scents. Place them strategically throughout the room. Add two large pillar candles on either side of the bath, for example, or dot them around windowsills and shelves for the perfect amount of light.

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Bathroom bliss

The key word when it comes to bathroom flooring is texture, made easier by advances in digital imagery which makes it possible to create natural looks on porcelain tiles - think wood, cement or stone. This allows you to invite in organic elements, without losing out on the durability and longevity offered by porcelain. Marble-look tiles also get the thumbs up, adding interest and versatility. They’re also an excellent choice if you’re opting for the contrasts created by matte black or metallic toned mixers.

Tile size is important, comments Smith. Too small, and the mass of grout lines will make the room look busy; too big, and you’ll end up with unnecessary wastage.

When it comes to the walls, she advises full tiling - or not tiling at all. The half-tiled look, accentuated by a listello, has now had its day. Instead, create features using subtle nuances - like a change in texture, which is both understated and elegant.

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