Wanted February 2022

wanted THE RENEWAL ISSUE

F E B R U A R Y / 2 0 2 2

reuse / reset / relax T h i r z a

S c h a a p ,

V a l e n t i n e

omegawatches.com

SEAMASTER AQUA TERRA

E D D I E R E D M AY N E ’ S C H O I C E On stage and in film, Eddie Redmayne has portrayed some of history’s most intriguing and complex characters. With a true love for both detail and variety, his choice of roles has established him as one of the most versatile and passionate actors of his generation, with accolades to his name including Golden Globe, Tony and Academy Awards. Proof that he not only loves a challenge, but also thrives on it.

ED’S LETTER

02 / 2022

EDITOR.

From dreams come actions text

portrait

Siphiwe Mpye

Lesedi Molefi

the past few months — we offer a holistic reset, a clean slate, a renewal of body, mind, spirit, and our environment.

We enter the blooming world of eco estates; pay a visit to a multi-functional eco farm; discover rejuvenating spa treatments; eavesdrop on a fascinating conversation between two Earth-loving friends; sample ethically sourced cuisine; and explore all things restorative to self and kind to the planet.

On our cover we feature a piece by Dutch artist Thirza Schaap, who uses plastic waste harvested from the ocean to create art that pleases the eye

even as it implicates all of us in an accelerating environmental catastrophe.

By homing in on the possible — by multinational brands, small establishments, and individuals — we acknowledge that while where we are may not be ideal, it still has to be faced head-on, as Gostner so eloquently states: “In stopping to see the pain, to hear ourselves and each other, we create understanding. From understanding comes possibility.

From possibility comes the hope to dream. And from dreams come the actions we can take to create a better world.”

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ach act, each moment is corroded by questions, by doubt. We live in a hall of mirrors, once-normal moments distorted by fear.”

This haunting testament to the anxieties of our time comes not from an Insta-viral poem, but from one of our contributors, integral coach Karl Gostner. I met Gostner just shy of two decades ago, when we both worked in radio and were young and handsome (well, I was the handsome one, he got by on charm and intellect). I have mused elsewhere about how

we shared an office, bonding through banter and our failed romances. Last year, he contracted Covid. I would check in on him via text, and though he didn’t completely play down his condition, he seemed upbeat, even strong enough to exchange smartass one-liners like the good old days. I would find out about a week later, through a harrowing, widely shared account on his newsletter, that he had been at death’s door.

Thankfully, he pulled through.

There are colleagues, friends, and kin who didn’t make it, a devastation that

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IMAGE SIPHIWE MPYE

“As we present our first issue of the year — still as optimistic as we’ve been for the past few months — we offer a holistic reset, a clean slate, a renewal of body, mind, spirit, and our environment.”

may have forced us to tiptoe in trepidation into the new year, steering clear of resolutions and pop affirmations. We may only be in February, but many of us will already feel the weight of the abhorrent everyday: the rise in anger as the taxi behind you hoots a millisecond after the traffic light has switched to green, or the annoying alpha male breathing down your neck in the queue, social-distancing stickers at his feet be damned.

These realities are going nowhere, but as we present our first issue of the year — still as optimistic as we’ve been for

P L U S

P L E N T Y

M O R E , V I S I T

Taking a moment, Hogsback, Eastern Cape

WA N T E D O N L I N E . C O . Z A

L . U . C T I M E T RAV E L E R O N E - Handcrafted in ethical gold -

L.U.C Time Traveler One is a 42 mm world-time watch equipped with a disc bearing the names of the reference cities for the 24 main time zones. It is powered by

conceived and crafted in our Manufacture. Proudly developed and handcrafted by

and inventiveness cultivated within our Manufacture.

w E D I TO R S i p h iwe M pye ( m pye s @ a re n a . a f r i c a ) C R E AT I V E D I R E C TO R A n n a L i n eve l d t ( l i n eve l d ta @ a re n a . a f r i c a ) M A N AG I N G E D I TO R S u z y Jo s e p h s o n 0 7 2 5 9 8 9 2 8 2 ( j o s e p h s o n s @ a re n a . a f r i c a ) J U N I O R D E S I G N E R S C a r i k e d e Ja g e r

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20 Ntokozo Mbuli and Albertus Louw champion the tree house

24 Regenerative farming gets a stylish shot in the arm

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Relax and revive at some of the best luxury spas at home and abroad

Top chefs take ethical, sustainable cooking to heart

40 Ease into the new year with an escape to the country

BABYLONSTOREN Cover bildhalle.ch

WAT C H E S

02 / 2022 text

Gary Cotterell

COLUMN.

Quality time

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apanese artisans tend to be renowned for their pursuit of harmony and order, and their love of natural beauty.

Grand Seiko timepieces are exemplary examples of this life philosophy. With its characteristic pared-back “Grand Seiko Style” design codes — first defined by the model 44GS in 1967 — and a samuraisword-like focus on quality and precision, this is a brand that resonates with a world seeking to restore balance. At the time, the 44GS was recognised for achieving the highest level of accuracy of any manually wound five-beat watch in the world.

The same year, Grand Seiko released the 62GS, featuring its first automatic movement, and in 1968 its first automatic Hi-Beat 36000 or 10-beat 61GS. With a

G P H G 2 0 21 w i n n e r, t h e Hi-Beat 36000 80 Hours Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 GMT 44GS 55th

Original

Anniversary

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Limited Edition

1 200 numbered pieces. This 30% lighterweight titanium edition has a white dial with a soft sheen as an update to the 2014 GPHG prize-winning stainless-steel GMT, which received the “Petite Aiguille” award for exceptional design and everyday wearability at an accessible price.

A mechanical GMT watch has always been a handy tool for those with global pursuits, because the lights will eventually go out. The edition is powered by the HiBeat GMT Caliber 9S86 automatic movement, designed, made, and tested in Shizukuishi, where all Grand Seiko mechanical watches are assembled by hand. The calibre has an accuracy of +5 to -3 seconds a day and a power reserve of 55 hours. The GMT hand is adjustable independently of the primary hour hand, with a second time zone read off the 24-hour inner bezel ring. The hour, minute, and GMT hands are detailed with Lumibrite and the dual-curved sapphire crystal has an anti-reflective coating on its inner surface.

The Caliber 9S86 is built on the Hi-Beat 9S85 platform that has been in use since 2009. This higher frequency means that the watch will deliver a higher rate of accuracy, but usually also means greater wear on components. To counteract this, Seiko uses its special Spron 610 alloy for the balance springs, which also provides greater resistance to magnetism and shock. A new reverser was created to increase winding efficiency.

The redesigned hairspring and mainspring complement cutting-edge Micro Electro Mechanical Systems technology to raise precision, reduce component weight, and improve durability. A special gold-toned titanium oscillating weight is visible through the sapphire caseback. POA, grand-seiko.com or Seiko Boutique 010 285 0091

The quest for balance and harmony

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50th anniversary edition for Médecins Sans Frontières,

limited to 2 021 pieces. Nomos will donate €100 from the sale of each of these watches to the emergency-aid organisation.

Inside this elegant 38mm piece is the high-precision, in-house, manually wound Alpha calibre.

POA, nomos-glashuette.com

OMEGA SPEEDMASTER 321 The first Omega Speedmaster CK2915-1 model was introduced in 1957. Powered by the legendary calibre 321, it was designed for racing car drivers and was the first chronograph wristwatch to feature a tachymeter scale on its bezel. This calibre also featured in every Speedmaster worn on the Moon. More than 50 years after its final appearance Omega brought this Apollo-era calibre back into production in 2019 with the Speedmaster 321. Joining the Heritage Collection is a 38.6mm model in 18kt Canopus Gold featuring tributes such as the “broad arrow” hands, vintage Omega logo, and three classic subdials. Presented in a special 65th anniversary box.

POA, omegawatches.com

TUDOR BLACK BAY BRONZE Big news from Tudor this year is that it has partnered with the World Surf League on two legendary Big Wave events: the Tudor Nazaré Tow Surfing Challenge in Nazaré, Portugal, and the Quiksilver Jaws Big Wave Challenge in Maui, Hawaii.

Only a handful of women and men worldwide can surf the monster waves of Nazaré, the Portuguese fishing town that is home to the tallest surfable waves in the world — often over 20m high. The Tudor Black

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NOMOS GLASHÜTTE TANGENTE 38 Whether in cash or in kind, let’s continue to show support this year for those workers who so selflessly provide essential services. In this spirit, Nomos Glashütte — known for its award-winning, affordable, well-made timepieces with a modernist aesthetic — presents the Tangente 38 special

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NEWS

Bay Bronze boutique edition

with new bronze bracelet would be a fitting companion for an ocean daredevil. R78 450, tudorwatch.com

IMAGES SUPPLIED

Gary Cotterell is Wanted’s editorat-large.

10-beat movement, the balance wheel that controls the accuracy of the mechanical watch oscillates 10 times per second. This is equivalent to 36 000 oscillations per hour (or vibrations per hour), which earns it the name “Hi-Beat 36000”. Most movements beat at a rate of 21 600 oscillations per hour (six per second) to 28 800 per hour (eight per second).

Before 2010, you would have had to travel to Japan if you wanted to acquire a watch from this luxury sub-brand created

by Seiko in 1960, distinguished by the “GS” secondary logo on dials. The rarity of these models also contributed to the brand’s huge global cult status. In 2017, Grand Seiko became an independent brand of Seiko, which has been making watches for 140 years.

Combining heritage with a powerful contemporary feel, the Grand Seiko HiBeat 36000 80 Hours was last year’s winner of the prestigious Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) “Men’s Watch Prize”.

It features the Hi-Beat 36000 Caliber 9SA5 mechanical movement, which is an evolution of the 9S series first introduced in 1990. The 9S was also the first Grand Seiko movement to be submitted to and pass the official Swiss COSC chronometer testing, adding to the already highly regarded rigorous testing conducted by Grand Seiko internally. The revolutionary Caliber 9SA5 has a precision rate of +5 to -3 seconds a day and an impressive power reserve of 80 hours. The crisp dial of the 80 Hours is inspired by the beautiful white-birch forests near the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi in northern Japan.

Joining the Heritage Collection this year is the Hi-Beat 36000 GMT 44GS 55th Anniversary Limited Edition of only

JEWELS

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he annual De Beers Diamond Insight Report, based on a global study of seven key consumer markets, reveals that, in the broader fine-jewellery market, trends are being led by a younger generation that values sustainability. About 30% of millennials have bought jewellery with sustainability credentials, compared to only 8% of baby boomers.

“With sustainability being one of the key mega trends across all consumer sectors, the Diamond Insight Report 2021 explores how sustainability factors are influencing consumer attitudes towards diamonds,” says Bruce Cleaver, CEO of the De Beers Group. “As is clear from this research, a tipping point has been reached — sustainability is no longer a trend that’s coming over the horizon; it’s already one of the key considerations in diamond purchases.”

The diamond industry is one of the few in the world that has a selfregulatory system. The Kimberley Process (KP), an international certification scheme, was set up in 2003 to increase transparency and oversight, and to establish and monitor responsible business practices. Southern African diamondproducing countries met in Kimberley in 2000 to discuss how to halt the trade in blood diamonds (rough diamonds used to finance civil wars) and combat conflict

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and exploitation. All members are bound to regulations that ensure diamonds are traded throughout the supply chain in a fair and ethical manner.

Another regulatory layer comes in the form of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), whose members include the likes of BHP Billiton Diamonds, Cartier, Chopard, the World Jewellery Confederation, Tiffany & Co., and the Diamond Trading Company (part of De Beers). The RJC establishes and monitors responsible business practices in the diamond, gold, and platinum industries. The RJC Code of Practices, the global standard for the jewellery and watch industry, focuses on business ethics and responsible supply chains.

As an extension of its RJC membership, Chopard has committed to a Journey to Sustainable Luxury — a longterm programme to ensure responsible sourcing throughout its supply chain.

The company pays particular attention to sourcing responsibly mined gold.

In 2018, it achieved the use of 100% ethical gold in the production of all its

watches and jewellery.

The aim for 2022 is to have artisanal and small-scale gold represent 60% of its fine-gold sourcing.

In 2005, the De Beers Group

independently audited and applied throughout our value chain, from exploration through to retail — not only within our own operations but also as a mandatory requirement for all those doing business with us,” says David Johnson, the head of strategic communications at De Beers Group.

Graff — a multinational jeweller

(Sightholders are authorised bulk buyers of rough diamonds.)

“When buying a diamond from a respected retailer with the proper documentation, you can be assured that your diamond is conflict-free,” says Yair Shimansky, founder and CEO of diamond specialist Shimansky, which has stores in Cape Town and New York.

“Our diamonds are sourced directly

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from South African mines, and each is assessed with the latest technology,” he adds.

Last year, De Beers launched its Code of Origin, a customised code unique to each

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Ingrid Wood

A G O LD E N AG E O F R E S P O N S I B I LITY Fine jewellery is increasingly valued according to sustainability considerations 4.

introduced the groundbreaking Best Practice Principles (BPPs) — stringent responsible-sourcing criteria underpinned by international bestpractice standards on human rights, labour regulations, and other ethical, social, and environmental requirements.

“The BPPs are

based in London — is committed to acting in an ethical and responsible manner in all its business practices.

Its procurement and polishing subsidiary, Safdico, must adhere to the rigorous requirements of the BPPs to maintain its “sightholder” status with De Beers.

diamond. “Consumers want to know not just where their diamond came from, but also that it was responsibly sourced and created

a positive impact for people and the planet on its journey,” says Johnson. “Currently in the test-to-scale phase, the Code of Origin can be applied to diamonds discovered

by De Beers and provides assurance that a diamond was discovered by De Beers in Botswana, Canada, Namibia or South Africa, that it is conflict-free and meets our industry-leading ethical standards, and that it has helped create a positive impact for the people and places where it was discovered.”

De Beers is also the force behind Tracr, a diamond traceability platform underpinned by blockchain technology, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things.

To provide an additional level of security for its clients, each Graff jewel is engraved with the company logo, hallmark, unique stock number, and stone details.

The company also uses laser-inscription technology — the same as is used by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) — to micro-inscribe all diamonds weighing more than 0.30ct with the logo and a unique GIA code on the girdle, which is invisible to the naked eye.

1. Ethical 18kt white-gold earrings with brilliant-cut diamonds, POR, Chopard 011 669 0790, bhhboutique.co.za 2. Reflections of Nature Motlatse Marvel necklace, POR, De Beers debeersgroup.com 3. Millennium ring in 18kt gold, R29 400, Shimansky shimansky.co.za 4. Laser engraving on a diamond girdle, Graff, graff.com

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T I M E TO R E AC H YO U R S TA R

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artist

Thirza Schaap

OBJET

Using plastic waste collected from the ocean, the “Plastic Ocean” series combines sculpture with photography, creating beautiful compositions that, on closer inspection, evoke a sense of ecological grief

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STOCKISTS PLASTIC-OCEAN.NET COURTESY OF BILDHALLE.CH

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he House of Chanel has answered the global call for sustainability with the launch of a game-changing product line, N°1 de Chanel — the culmination of a decade’s research and commitment to nature and ingredient integrity.

With a long history of researching and working with natural ingredients, Chanel turned to the expertise within its own labs, where sustainability has become part of the brand’s DNA. In the beauty industry, sustainability is now a serious topic of conversation, and the introduction of N°1 de Chanel is proof that Chanel not only has been ready for this step for some time but is also taking strides to change the culture within the luxury space.

“Concerning the line, this is the first one — and a first for us — that will really have a global approach to beauty by combining skincare, makeup, and fragrance mist. It also has a sustainable and innovative approach, which will really change the way of thinking about beauty products.

I think it’s game changing in terms of active-ingredient creation,” says Sandra Forestier, head of biological and clinical studies at Chanel.

The brand had the luxury of being able to dedicate a considerable amount of time to researching natural ingredients and their traceability, in order to guarantee safe ingredients without having to resort to

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chemicals. With the abundance of natural ingredients available to it, Chanel turned to Gabrielle Chanel’s favourite flower, the camellia — a delicate plant iconic for its aesthetic value and resilience, as neither water nor cold has any impact on its petals.

Nicola Fuzzati, director of innovation and development of cosmetic ingredients, shares how the “red camellia” (The Czar cultivar of Camellia

2022 / 02

high quantities of] protocatechuic acid.”

By harnessing the bio-essence of this flower’s resilience, experts developed it into the main active component of N°1 de Chanel in a 10-year research programme into senescence [the process of skin cellular ageing], in collaboration with a professor at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna.

Each stage of the development underwent rigorous testing and clinical trials to guarantee active-ingredient efficacy in skin cells, tissue, formulation, and vitality, targeting the first stages of ageing.

“The red camellia extract was the most efficient in preventing the entry of cells into a senescence. We found that it could enhance the vitality of cells by 67%, even in a stressful environment,” says Forestier.

The sustainability credentials of this collection are

BEAUTY AHEAD OF TIME text

Nokubonga Thusi

japonica) came to be the main component of N°1 de Chanel. “ We started cultivating in Gaujacq in the southwest of France, where we have one of the best-known experts in camellia cultivation in the world, Jean Thoby. It became an Open Sky Lab where we studied the composition of the different camellias to evaluate their potential, and we identified the red camellia, [which produces

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Introducing N°1 de Chanel, the result of a decade-long study of plants, bio-active ingredients, sustainability, and cellular ageing in the skin

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impressive, with ecodesigned packaging, a reduced use of plastics, reduced packaging weight, no paper leaflets, and sustainable, innovative formulations. At the same time, there is no compromise on the intrinsic qualities we have come to expect from the Chanel brand, namely luxury, quality, efficacy, and beauty.

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“Up to 97% of the ingredients are from natural origins. We have, as far as possible, used recycled and recyclable materials.

The best example is the leader of the collection, the revitalising cream.

The lid is made of 90% bio-based materials, which means that inside the lid you have a mix of camelliaseed shells, which are by-products in the production of the camellia oil, mixed with wood chips. It is the first refillable cream container for Chanel Skincare, and 80% of the product is made of glass, which is recyclable,” explains Forestier.

At the heart of N°1 de Chanel, along with a commitment to sustainability, scientific expertise, and research, is a desire to create an opportunity for women to practise self-care. This is done through a four-step ritual designed to prepare, treat, revive, re-energise, and enhance the skin’s inherent beauty. N°1 de Chanel shows not only a welcome shift towards sustainability but also the enormous potential of plants and nature when time and a considered approach are taken.

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1. Powder-To-Foam Cleanser 25g, R1 005 2. Revitalizing Lotion 150ml, R1 230 3. Revitalizing Illuminating Eye Cream 15g, R1 395 4. Revitalizing Serum 50ml, R2 830 5. Revitalizing Cream 50g, R2 010 6. Revitalizing Serum-In-Mist 50ml, R1 600 7. Revitalizing Foundation 30ml, R1 435 8. Lip And Cheek Balm 6.5g, R925 9. L’Eau Rouge Revitalizing Fragrance Mist 100ml, R2 155

02 / 2022

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Nokubonga Thusi

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ROCHAS

aving won the Country Road Changemaker Award at the Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards 2021, The Herd, founded by South African creative Mbali Mthethwa, is a beacon of circular design as well as sustainable and sociallyconscious business practices.

With a focus on elevating the craft of beading — a form of communication and art pioneered

by Nguni women that has since been whitewashed and exploited — The Herd champions the preservation of the African narrative by empowering women in the community through beading.

Consisting of neck pieces, wall art, and a soon-to-be-launched home-décor range, The Herd’s pieces not only pay homage to Nguni cultural symbols in every shape, line, and colourway but are also artisanal visual masterpieces that call for economic and social change.

theherddesigns.com

La prairie

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a Prairie has taken the life-supporting powers of Swiss caviar and given us a double dose of golden life.

The gravity-defying Skin Caviar Liquid Lift, originally created in 2012, has been reimagined with the merger of two potent and advanced caviar technologies.

nature’s gold

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Combining the lifting properties of Caviar Premier with the volume-restoring powers of Caviar Absolute, and enriched with La Prairie’s Exclusive Cellular Complex, the formulation is a luxurious natural wonder housed in a dual-chambered pump bottle that freshly blends the two formulas together. Once you’ve gotten over the beauty of this product, apply a slathering of the silky liquid gold, consisting of caviar beads and a milky emulsion, for skin that is lifted, firmed, and contoured with renewed volume.

La Prairie Skin Caviar Liquid Lift 50ml, R12 350

et’s be honest — we’ve made a pretty big mess of the planet, so it’s nice to know that the new scent from Rochas has sustainability top of mind. Feel good knowing that you’re doing good with every spritz of the clean, fresh, floral scent of Rochas Girl, which is like activism in a bottle with its strong messaging of girl power and environmental responsibility.

This trailblazing vegan fragrance has sustainability credentials that would please even Greta Thunberg, with notes of neroli, Arabian jasmine, and cedar.

The brand’s powerful commitment to sustainability is undeniable, with a juice made of 90% natural-origin ingredients, all of which are traceable and responsibly sourced; the use of 99.9% natural beetroot alcohol; organic-ink printing; and a bottle made of 40% recycled glass and topped with a cap crafted from 39.36% recycled plastic.

Rochas Paris Girl EDT 100ml, R1 399

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SPRAY GOOD, FEEL GOOD

STYLE NOTES

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ot all heroes wear capes, but the BOSS x Matteo Berrettini collection is proof that they do wear tennis shoes. BOSS has tailored a new conscious narrative in its long-term partnership with Italian professional tennis player Matteo Berrettini. The standalone capsule collection, set to launch later in the year, will see Berrettini act as co-creator and global brand ambassador for BOSS, on and off the court.

With champion-worthy activegarment designs as well as offcourt essentials, the collection will give back to the community, with a percentage of all sales to be donated to Berrettini’s soon-tobe launched charity in support of underprivileged children in Italy.

Who would have thought that our daily coffee grind could do more than just keep us up all day?

Jamie Cleaver certainly did when she founded local game-changing brand Blür Beauty, which gives a second life to coffee — and a muchneeded sensorial boost to our beauty routines. All the caffeinated product formulas use recycled coffee grounds sourced from coffee shop Truth in Cape Town. Powered by caffeic acid, which helps to boost collagen levels, reduce premature ageing, strengthen the skin barrier, and improve hydration, the entire range — consisting of a body scrub, body oil, face serum, and face scrub — is designed to leave skin feeling super supple and energised.

How’s that for ingenious sustainability? Blür Beauty Coffee Body Scrub 200ml, R299; Blür Beauty Coffee Face Serum 30ml, R399, blurbeauty.co.za

hugoboss.com

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OFF

THE GRID

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e know we’re well into the new year, but if you’re still not feeling ready to face it head on, how about a venture off the beaten path to reset? Whether you choose to travel to the countryside, a city or somewhere as-yet undiscovered, make sure you have Gucci’s new environmentally conscious collection in tow.

Expanding from the brand’s first Off the Grid collection, launched in 2019 and designed for those mindful of their environmental impact, Gucci Off The Grid Blue stays true to the vision of circular production with the addition of a striking new cobalt-blue colourway. All the pieces — duffle bags, backpacks, sneakers, small accessories, and ready-to-wear items — are versatile and made from recycled, organic, bio-based, and sustainably sourced materials, such as ECONYL®, a regenerated nylon made from discarded fishing nets, carpets, and other scraps, coupled with solvent-free recycled polyester (from polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, bottles) and other sustainable raw materials. The collection references iconic designs such as the genderless Gucci Tennis 1977 sneaker and adds some new bag designs. Get ready to explore new destinations in sustainable fashion. gucci.com

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DOWN TO BUSINESS

02 / 2022 text

Lukanyo Mnyanda

L Lukanyo Mnyanda is the editor of Business Day

COLUMN.

These Covidhappy birthdays

Omicron’s gifting ways fail to charm

ater in February, I will be celebrating my birthday. More likely than not, I will be alone, in a hotel room in Cape Town, preparing for the finance minister’s annual budget due the next day. Which might make the question I had in mind before the budget date’s confirmation rather academic — namely, whether my celebrations this year would be more like those of 2021 or 2020.

There’s no competition as to which of the two was more memorable. In January 2020, I attended the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, going to sessions where there was vague talk of a virus that had hit a Chinese town.

There was not enough alarm to prevent me from travelling to the UK the following month, visiting landmarks in London such as the Natural History Museum and, my children’s favourite that holiday, the Harry Potter studio tour at Warner Bros.

I returned to South Africa shortly afterwards, and there was still no reason to have any concerns about this virus, which was yet to become a household name. I went ahead and invited a few friends to celebrate my big day in my flat — the size of which, rather than my popularity, meant that it was a standing-room-only affair.

Three weeks later, we were in complete lockdown. Forget about travelling to Europe, we

weren’t even allowed to leave our homes and I was jogging up and down the stairs of my apartment building for exercise.

My birthday in 2021 couldn’t have been that remarkable, as I can’t remember it at all.

Regulations had waned, for sure, but this was pre-vaccine days, so a gathering would have been out of the question, I presume.

After the Omicron scare of late 2021, it does feel like life is returning to normal again, though there won’t be a party for me.

But I’m excited at the possibility that we may have seen the worst of Covid-19 and that we can host in-person events for Wanted with the complete confidence that they will happen.

Late in 2021, colleagues hosted the South African premiere of the movie House of Gucci, in which Lady Gaga plays Patrizia Reggiani, the daughter of “truck drivers” who married into the fashion dynasty. Professional movie reviewers will do a better job of describing the intrigue, betrayals and, ultimately, murder.

As has been the case so often over the past two years, after a bout of optimism Covid came back to remind us that it wasn’t gone yet.

Not long after this memorable evening at Sandton City, I was in a virtual lockdown in the UK. Omicron had been discovered by scientists in South Africa and, instead of thanking us, the world punished us with travel bans.

Having managed to make it to the UK and survive hotel quarantine, I was surprised about how light the restrictions were.

But that doesn’t mean life was a party. For many, Christmas is a time for travel and family reunions, and it was striking how many people changed or cancelled their plans for socialising ahead of Christmas.

With more than 70% of people in the UK fully vaccinated, the fear was not so much that they would get seriously ill. It was more of what would happen afterwards if they had a positive result. The fear was of forced isolation and what it would mean for future family reunions and travel plans.

Last month was supposed to mark the return of the annual Davos meeting in person. I had been looking forward to it, but was relieved when it was cancelled eventually. Only then did I read up on the stringent safety protocols that would have been required, such as testing every couple of days. With a positive test, one could have found oneself having to isolate in very expensive Switzerland until a negative test result appeared.

That’s something else to add to the travel risks — not being able to travel home because you can’t produce a negative PCR test result at OR Tambo or Cape Town airports. Covid is the gift that just keeps on giving, but not in pleasant ways.

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I INN CCOONNVVEERRSSAATTI IOONN

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PEERS IN CONVERSATION Two nature-loving filmmakers who met while working on the long-running environmental show 50/50 shoot the breeze about “FUN-kansies”, indigenous knowledge, the circular economy, and living in a tree

NTOKOZO MBULI AND

ALBERTUS LOUW

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lbertus Louw (AL): Ntoks, when is our next “FUN-kansie”?

Ntokozo Mbuli (NM): We’ve been talking about this FUN-kansie ever since I left 50/50. I’m dying to have it. But only when you can remove yourself from the trees. This is a question that I want to ask — why do you live in a tree? It’s the first thing I say about you, “You must meet my friend Albertus, he lives in a tree, but that’s a story for another day.”

AL: Since I was a little boy, I wanted to have a tree house. It is just such an amazing feeling to live close to nature. My whole idea was to experiment with natural building materials and to do something that’s healthy and integrated with nature.

NM: So, I’ve been to your, let’s call it your house, and it’s been a really special time. You and I have often had conversations about when I fell in love with nature, because the two of us are very different. We both worked at 50/50, but it was a place where everyone was an ecologist or a conservationist. And I was very much an urban girl. There have been various turning points in my life and career where I’ve started to understand this concept of being environmentally conscious, and your house is one of the places in my journey where I began to believe that you could live off the grid and still have pieces of your urban life.

AL: Thank you. And you’ve been such an inspiration to me. The moment I got the opportunity to present at 50/50, it was like, “Whoa, I’m meeting this icon.”

NM: We’ve been to swim with the sharks, and for me that was a big thing, because until that point I was

Ntokozo Mbuli is A TV producer, writer, and presenter who has become the face of environmental programming in the country

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Albertus Louw is an award-winning filmmaker and field presenter for 50/50 , and a producer at Lightning Tree Stories

minister of environmental affairs ran a campaign called Basa Njengo Magogo, which went into the areas where people are still using fire for cooking and taught them to make fires in such a way that there’s minimal impact on the environment. And we did a few stories on biodigesters, using cow or animal dung as fuel as opposed to coal or wood, learning from rural people. I thought, “Surely there’s much more of that.” We should bring that conversation into the mainstream, and we should stop talking about going into rural areas and teaching people about conservation. We should rather think about it as reminding ourselves of the connection between our identity and sustainability. And so you can’t use the same method of messaging for one group of people and make it a blanket statement. Because the poaching of rhinos doesn’t impact people in Lusikisiki, for example, but then let’s talk about renewable energy on a small scale, let’s talk about reminding ourselves about how our people lived with the land and speak about sustainability from that point of view. And then in other places you can talk about biodiversity management or ecosystems, because that’s important to those people. Everyone in the urban environment is trying to get off the grid and everyone in the rural environment has been off the grid all their lives. It’s about tailor-making the messaging to suit the people.

AL: I’ve struggled with that idea that there’s such a clash between the ideas of development and conservation. That arrogance of saying that people in rural areas should be taught about conservation, while the facts show that, in general, biodiversity is the highest where people live closest to the environment.

NM: Flourishing!

AL: There’s this idea that some people are for conservation and some are for development, and these two clash. A lot of the language around conservation has been negative: “You must pollute less, you have to use less energy.” I did a story on a city in the Netherlands called Venlo that adopted cradle-tocradle principles, which really inspired me. They said, “We want to think positively, so we want to have an environmental footprint, but that environmental footprint has to be positive. We want to be more good rather than less bad.” That paradigm shift caused such a lot of awesome innovation to happen. Waste becomes part of the whole cycle of creating stuff. And that’s the whole idea of the circular economy that really inspires me. In Venlo, they have shown that they could make their businesses not just sustainable but thriving over the long term. The circular-economy thing is very much part of African culture and philosophy. There are fantastic ways that we can become much more innovative with it in Africa. I’m starting to work on a pilot with Briana Evigan, an American actress. We are working together with a group of very cool people in the Bushbuckridge area. It is very exciting and based on these things that we’ve been talking about, about how together in that community we can find innovative solutions and really build an abundant village where we use as many circular cradle-to-cradle ideas as possible.

NM: And my immediate future will be about working on the worldview of Africa and debunking a lot of the stereotypes about Africans and conservation.

AL: I’m looking forward to that. You and I will be working together again this year.

NM: And we’re going to go on that FUN-kansie.

Check Wanted Online for a video of the full conversation

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One minute you’re riding past elephants, the next minute you’re riding past communities of people who are existing in harmony with the natural world. And there were lessons that I drew from it that mapped out some of the things that I’m doing in my life now.

AL: It was such an amazing experience. You touched on the indigenous knowledge subject; I think that’s one of the things that I love about what you are doing.

NM: My biggest bugbear about the conservation space was that every time Black people were part of the conversation, it was from the point of view of their having to be educated about conservation. I would give a talk about whatever, rhino poaching or sustainable living, and somehow the question would spring up that, in a country plagued by poverty, why should we worry about rhinos being poached? I just started thinking that we were going about it the wrong way. Indigenous people are not the ones who need to be taught — they are the teachers. About 10 years ago, the then deputy

02.

against shark-cage diving. It was on that trip that I came into my own as somebody who’s got their own opinions about conservation, because the conservation world is vast, and even in that community there are opposing opinions. And while some things can be a bit taboo, it’s got to be about balance, because it is the eco-tourism industry that funds [conservation]. And then I gave you my Nedbank Tour de Tuli adventure.

AL: That was amazing! I had this dream of riding the Tour de Tuli, which is a four-day cycle trip through wilderness areas. It was such a dream, and then you got invited and I was so jealous.

NM: And then I fell pregnant. What was special for me about that trip — that I didn’t go on and that you went on — is that the story you came back with was enough for me to fall in love with the idea of harvesting knowledge from indigenous people, because yes, it was a great mountain-biking experience, but it was also in the most precious wilderness areas in Southern Africa.

THE READ

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Having gone through immeasurable pain and loss, what choice do we have but to forge on towards the life we know we can live?

I

thought I was fine and then I crashed. I went into hospital and came out two weeks later.

I had lost 20kg.

I lost the first member of my family in July 2020, then three others before the end of that year. Two were my age. Since the beginning of 2021, our family has lost four more elderly relatives. Before a colleague passed away, he told me to look after myself. I wish I had listened. I missed a call from a friend and by the time I returned it, he was in the ICU. We never spoke again.

These are fragments of conversations I’ve had with my clients over the past two years. These words are about the pain that I’ve seen and the hope that I have.

The loss is, indeed, staggering. The pain overwhelming. Alongside this, old, still-open wounds were injured again.

I work as an integral coach. I walk alongside my clients on their journeys of professional and personal mastery.

Covid-19 and its impact have necessarily

been in our conversations as we all wrestle with the collision of the personal and professional.

My own Covid journey started with my waking, gasping for breath as phlegm bubbled into my throat. I survived.

We’ve watched as rich nations vaccinate themselves to relative safety, while the pandemic still pummels poor people. We were enraged when we suddenly found ourselves blocked and banned. We wait for the thanks that will never come, for an apology that will never be voiced.

It is said that the last time the world was this unequal was during the Roman Empire. There is majesty in Rome’s ancient ruins, but ruins they are.

We have to grapple with profound insecurity and uncertainty. We can board planes, but will we be allowed to disembark? We are tempted to accept that job in a foreign city, but will we be able to come home to see our family? I have a job, but will it still be there next month? I feel a bit tired today, do I have

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Karl Gostner

Covid? Should I go for another test? I’ve discovered I have Covid, who might I have infected inadvertently? I’ve got Covid, will I get lucky and it’ll be mild, or will I be on oxygen? Will I be intubated? Will I die?

Each act, each moment is corroded by questions, by doubt. We live in a hall of mirrors, once-normal moments distorted by fear.

It is tiring to write these words. It is tiring to read them. Perhaps we should pretend that the pain is not there? Surely that would be easier? But it is there. And, as with all pain, we must acknowledge it, we must speak to it, we must share it. If we don’t, it festers in the dark, infecting our souls, and then our relationships, and then the world.

In stopping to see the pain, to hear ourselves and each other, we create understanding. From understanding comes possibility. From possibility comes the hope to dream.

And from dreams come the actions we can take to create a better world.

And there is hope. I’ve seen sparks

“We know that a different life is possible. We’ve seen it, we’ve tasted it, we’ve lived it. We just have to choose it.” in the darkness of the past 18 months.

Sparks that, if we’re intentional, we might fan into flames. Flames to warm us as we wait for this night to pass.

Flames to light a new path. Flames to burn through the thorns that try to trap us. Flames to forge the tools we need to rebuild and renew.

We’ve all discovered that there is at least some work that can be done from home without the stress of rush-hour commuting.

Yes, we need and want the social connection of work, but it needn’t be every day. And with that possibility comes the possibility of less stress and more time. Time and energy with which to shape our lives. Time to connect.

Time to strengthen. Time to learn. Time to get that side hustle on. Time, in short, to open new possibilities.

As the knowledge that what we once thought was immutable is, in fact, completely malleable, settles into our souls, suddenly we realise that everything can be explored and

changed. This time has taught us that an infinity is possible when our imaginations are emancipated. We did it in fear. What happens when we do it with the courage to create? We now know that nothing needs to be the way we’re told it is.

We can declare no-fly weekends to give us all a chance to breathe. We can declare work-from-home days and weeks. We can close city streets or even highways for a day or two. Not everything needs to be 24/7/365. We can take a break. We can stop. The Earth will be grateful.

The onslaught of communication has led us to delete apps from our phones, to turn off notifications, to leave our laptops behind when we go on holiday, to intentionally ignore our phone’s demands until we have finished showering and eating.

We know now that these devices are not innocuous. They want our time.

They want our attention. And we know now that we want these things more.

We want our time and attention for ourselves, our loved ones, and our lives.

Life is all too short, after all.

The pain and the loss have intensified our search for meaning. All of us have asked, “Is it worth it?” and “What else is there?”

In their simplest form, the answers have led us back to old sources of joy. To the instrument we last played in school, to the paintbrushes or the camera we last used before we were married, to the books and poems that helped us become human. In each link back to ourselves, we get to know ourselves more deeply, and that knowledge helps us sense new possibilities.

In all the turmoil, we’ve kept trying to be our best. Yes, because we need incomes but also, critically, because we want, need, to be our best selves. It is what makes us alive.

And perhaps most vitally, in April and May 2020 we experienced the silence that our ancestors knew. For a brief moment, our world was filled with images of mountains rising through fading smog, of animals tentatively creeping back into spaces normally trampled by us, of the beauty that is this planet when just given a chance.

We all knew the joy of it. Our spirits knew that this was life.

Of course, business has pulled us back, but we know now that a different life is possible. We’ve seen it, we’ve tasted it, we’ve lived it. We just have to choose it.

We only have to act. It is our choice.

The flames that were lit by pain have shown us the possibility of a new path.

We should take it. After all, we want to be our best.

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H HO O UU SS EE

02 / 2022

LE

POIRIER REBORN

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hen the owner, a former retail executive, established Le Poirier in 2018, it was conceived more as a weekend winelands escape than as a permanent home. Over a number of years (and many a bottle of wine), she and architect Martin Kruger refined the design into something of an architectural wonder.

They created a contemporary homage to the local Cape vernacular, fusing modern and traditional elements, in a home surrounded by gardens, vines, beds of veggies, fruit and olive trees, and fragrant fynbos.

The house is positioned in a pear orchard overlooking a stream — hence the name, which means “place of pears”. Initially, it was decided not to farm commercially because of the pesticides required.

The house invites in the beautiful mountain views on one side, and wraps around a series of courtyards on the other. The gardens, too, are a wonder, designed with landscaper Danie Steenkamp of DDS Projects.

They are sensitively knitted into the architecture and the broader landscape beyond.

A series of arches is repeated inside the house and throughout the gardens and courtyards, where they act as interleading elements, creating gateways and stitching together the interior and exterior “rooms”.

It’s difficult to draw a line where architecture ends and garden begins, and in turn where the gorgeous naturalistic elements stop and nature takes over.

While the main courtyard is devoted to the vineyard, the others surrounding the house were designed to accommodate a vegetable garden, olive grove, and “gin garden” with the lemons, limes, grapefruit, oranges, and rosemary needed to mix sundowners.

Although the beginnings of a farm-to-fork philosophy were at play, ultimately, the owner says, the house was conceived for entertaining, relaxing, and appreciating nature. But that changed dramatically with the onset of the pandemic and the first hard lockdowns of 2020.

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The vineyard in the main courtyard, hugged by the two wings of the house, is planted with vines. Half of the grapes are chenin and the other half shiraz.

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On the side of the house facing the stream and swimming pool, the house presents a modern façade with traditional Cape Dutch features recast in a modern idiom.

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A beautiful Franschhoek farmhouse is transformed to embrace regenerative agriculture and “celebrity” livestock

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Greg Cox/Bureaux

styling

Elsa Young

Graham Wood

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The owner and her partner moved to the house permanently just before the first wave of the pandemic gripped South Africa and the rest of the world. They might have escaped the city and found themselves “locked down in paradise”, as she puts it, but food security was nevertheless a concern. They also found the job losses and economic damage wrought by the pandemic alarming.

This prompted them to ask deepening questions about the way we live, and particularly about our relationship with the planet — a process that had already begun when they built the house during the drought in the Western Cape.

“We’re both quite into exercise,” the owner says, and while she would go for regular 10km trail runs around the property, her partner was training for the Iron Man triathlon (“before events were cancelled”) and would venture even further afield. “We started wearing down paths and going to corners [of the farm] that we don’t usually visit, particularly across our little river,” she says. She remembers thinking, “Wow, look at all this space … we could do something here.”

So they did. Moving quickly, they ordered as many seeds and seedlings as they could find, hired some extra hands, and set about creating more food gardens. “Things cascaded,” she says.

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“It was a beautiful house built for enter this has added some serious soul to it” Now, her original vision of a house surrounded by gardens has exploded to include organically farmed fruit, vegetables, flowers, nuts, and herbs.

While looking for instruction on YouTube and the like, they also came across more substantial fodder for inspiration in documentary films such as Kiss the Ground and The Biggest Little Farm, which set them on the path of regenerative agriculture and permaculture. Alongside the more substantial food gardens, the courtyards have become home to a combination of bought and rescued ducks, rabbits, chickens, and alpacas, which maintain an ecological balance and sustain soil health. (All are named after international celebrities, and there are some striking resemblances!) They have been joined by fish and bees, too.

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The sitting room features a suspended fireplace, in keeping with the modern, industrial design language on this side of the house.

Artwork by Shany van den Berg.

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The pergola is unusually high so as not to obstruct the view and disrupt the relationship between the interior spaces and the surroundings.

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taining, but now...

The owner points out that, as someone who had worked “in retail all my life, I’d bought the product that I’d sourced. I never bought from farmers’ markets. I have learnt how people get an immense amount of joy out of that process.”

Le Poirier now supplies beautiful seasonal vegetable boxes to local residents and guesthouses. They collect waste from local restaurants, too, which feed five worm farms and a compost heap. In their embrace of a vegetarian lifestyle, they have become vocal in their support for the principles of regenerative agriculture — care of self and care of the planet.

This sea change in Le Poirier’s destiny, prompted by the pandemic, the owner says, also precipitated a new and better “understanding [of] our property and what it could be in the [local] community”. Le Poirier now employs nine people (they started with two), who in turn support 37 dependents.

“It was a beautiful house built for entertaining,” she muses, “but now, that same architecture fulfils that original ambition [and] so much more. This has added some serious soul to it.” martin-kruger.com, ddsprojects.co.za

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In the dining room, Kruger has devised an ingenious natural ventilation system that draws warm air up through the clerestory windows and cool air in from below.

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The “winter” bedroom is positioned to catch the morning sun during the cold months. The “winter” bathroom, like the bedroom, features a darker variation on the palette of greys and neutral tones.

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The screen can cover up the recessed part of the kitchen, and can also slide over to close off the arches that lead to the dining room and lounge.

L U X U R Y S PA S

02 / 2022

Designed to restore mind, body, and spirit, these spas are currently topping travel bucket lists

Relax and rejuvenate text

F OR CONTEMPLATION Choose from one of 11 sanctuaries situated on Sterrekopje’s 50ha farm, Franschhoek’s newest best-kept secret, “where everything has been curated to foster deep restorative sleep and inspire gentle contemplation and creativity”, as per the website. Rest, stay, play, and grow are the pillars of the retreat, and each sanctuary has been designed with one-of-a-kind décor from Kenya, India, and Egypt. Specialised spa treatments, outdoor soaking tubs and garden showers, custommade stationery, antique desks, private terraces, restored architecture, and the scents of imphepho and clove evoke an ancestral presence and meditative tranquillity.

IMAGES IN RESIDENCE BY PIETER BRUNDYNU AND SUPPLIED

Zodwa Kumalo-Valentine

BABYLONSTOREN

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sterrekopje.com

FOR A TURKISH CLEANSE Babylonstoren’s Garden Spa is a living spa, set within a forest of bamboo. It offers a hammam (Turkish bath), chill room, gym, and hot spa (temporarily closed while undergoing renovation). Aimed at both couples and individuals, the traditional Turkish cleansing treatments incorporate the hammam water ritual, during which

lukewarm water is repeatedly poured over the body for the ultimate winding-down experience. In addition, the hammam’s heat and steam help to ease and relax tired muscles. Choose from a selection of treatments, including the Private Hammam Water Ritual, the Traditional Soap Treatment, and the Honey and Salt Scrub with Steam. babylonstoren.com/spa

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theroyalportfolio.com/the-silo/ overview/

FOR A PRIVATE PARTY For the ultimate spa experience to mark a milestone, celebrate upcoming nuptials, or indulge in a day of pampering, book a private garden spa suite at Four Seasons Westcliff, set above the suburb’s lush canopy of green. Relax and create memories while you indulge in a day of wellness and beauty services, quaffing champagne and nibbling on canapés in this secluded haven. fourseasons.com/johannesburg/

FOR AN AUTHENTIC AFRICAN EXPERIENCE One&Only Spa offers three uniquely African treatments using indigenous and authentic techniques. The Essence of Cape Town is a 120-minute treatment using therapeutic plants harvested from the earth and ocean, beginning with an exfoliating sea-salt scrub and followed by a conditioning and remineralising seaweed wrap, a mind-clearing scalp massage, and a full-body massage using warmed seashells.

Making use of indigenous herbs, the Table Mountain Tonic aims to alleviate muscle tension and detoxify over the course of two hours. The African Journey Experience is a 90-minute total-body treatment that starts with a rooibos-and-rock-salt scrub, flows into an African Rungu Stick massage, and is sealed with a rooibos tea ceremony. You’ll leave the spa with glowing, nourished skin and reawakened senses. oneandonlyresorts.com/cape-town/ experiences/spa

FOR A WELLNESS RETREAT The ultra-luxe In Residence villas can be found in more than 18 locations across the globe, but bookmark two — in Mexico and Croatia — for an ultimate wellness retreat.

Set in the exclusive gated community of

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Punta Mita, Mexico, Casa Tesoro is situated on an oceanfront bluff just steps above a secluded cove. The stylish, fully staffed beach house has a private fitness trainer, full salon service for hair and nails, and in-villa spa services, available on request.

On an island just off the coast of Croatia, Lopud 1483 is a restored Franciscan monastery built in the 15th century. Tucked away in the ancient complex are medicinal and spiritual gardens, while the extensive terraced gardens have been beautifully revived and replanted with more than 80 historically accurate medicinal species.

Guests are encouraged to walk barefoot in the fragrant sacred garden and take in its restorative properties. The villa also has wellness facilities and in-house meditation experts. inresidence.villas LOPUD

1483

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FOR CUTTING-EDGE TREATMENTS Through an interactive consultation, The Silo Spa’s expert therapists ensure you receive the right treatment for your skin type and requirements. Situated on the fourth floor of The Silo Hotel in Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, the spa is a serene space where guests can enjoy the latest therapies, techniques, and signature treatments using exclusive products such as Black Pearl, a powerful natural moisturiser with antioxidant boosters and proteins that firm the skin and protect against ageing.

All Black Pearl treatments include the use of ultrasound, oxygen, and light therapy, combined with sensorial touch and massage with precious stones.

T H I S I S N ’ T Y O U R N E X T H O L I D AY. I T ’ S YO U R N E X T H O M E .

Secure luxury apartment living.

Where else would you find prime waterfront property in the heart of Johannesburg?

Or be able to go kayaking in a sparkling lagoon to relax after work? Where else could you enjoy the convenience of a modern city environment with its state-of-the-art amenities, while surrounded by unspoilt natural splendour? This is City Centre, the apex of secure, luxury apartment living.

Apartments from R2.3m up to R35m.

Visit www.steyncity.co.za to book your exclusive property viewing.

C O L L A B O R AT I O N

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KEEP THAT LUXE HOLIDAY FEELING GOING ... between meetings in minutes in absolute style.

It all adds up to an environment where the prevailing atmosphere is rooted in a sense of freedom — an ambience that is enhanced inside the homes themselves.

The generosity of the development’s proportions is a major contributing factor here.

The one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom homes and penthouses all have features that belie their size and make them ideal for busy executives and growing families alike.

The design of the homes is significant here, too. Double glazing and air conditioning come standard, as do luxe fittings such as integrated Blu-line kitchens with Gaggenau appliances and Kohler sanitaryware. The bedrooms in each home are large enough to fit a king-size bed with space to spare — the three- and four-bedroom doublestoreys, measuring up to an impressive 371m2, are a case in point.

A number of top South African interior designers were called in to place their stamp on City Centre apartments and had the opportunity to work with these homes — a strong foundation, indeed. How to improve on this canvas? By imagining the people who will ultimately move through this space, take in the view from the balconies, relax in the outdoor piazzas, and carry in shopping through the private elevator to be welcomed by a front-desk officer. The result?

Homes that are as practical and liveable as they are gorgeous and luxurious — and that set the stage for a life lived well.

City Centre – where every day is extraordinary.

From R2.3-million to R35-million.

To make an exclusive booking, phone 010 597 1170, email ccsales@steyncity.co.za or visit steyncity.co.za

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hat do you consider to be the biggest luxury? For most people the answer is quite simple: it’s time. This is why Steyn City’s City Centre is emerging as one of the most enviable addresses in Joburg — after all, no other place in the city can give you the gift of more hours in your day.

You’re probably familiar with that January feeling: disappointment that the summer holiday is over; a slight sense of dread at the reappearance of deadlines; sadness that those seemingly endless evenings of sundowners have, indeed, come to an end.

The only people not experiencing these emotions right now are those who have chosen to make the City Centre their new home. That’s because their home offers a plethora of facilities that transform every day into a holiday. Chief of these is the 300m lagoon launched last year, where families can while away the hours with pedalos, kayaks, and SUP boards, or do nothing more energetic than basking in the sun with a gelato from the Laguna kiosk.

But it doesn’t end there. The City Centre is located in a 2 000-acre indigenous-planted parkland, which dispels any inkling of urban stress in minutes. It’s also home to an 18-hole, Nicklausdesigned championship golf course with an award-winning clubhouse, equestrian centre with clubhouse, indoor aquatic centre, resort pools, a choice of eateries, a well-equipped gym, children’s play nodes, a 45km floodlit promenade for walking and jogging, a 50km MTB trail, and tennis courts, as well as infrastructure designed to remove the need for a daily commute — think AAA-grade offices at Capital Park, the forward-thinking campus at Steyn City School (accommodating learners from grades 000 to matric), and the Ultimate Helistop, which makes it possible to move

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A MOMENT OF BLOOM text

Joan Muller

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With home buyers increasingly in search of “greener” pastures, a new generation of lifestyle communities is mushrooming across SA

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he pandemic-induced “race for space”, coupled with the remote-working trend, has prompted a trek away from high-density suburbs to secure, gated communities in countrified settings.

While estate living is nothing new, what has changed is the extent to which buyers in lifestyle developments are expecting sustainability boxes to be ticked. This means that eco estates, which tend to have various flora and fauna offerings with a strong conservation focus, are increasingly de rigueur among well-heeled homebuyers.

Andrew Golding, CEO of the Pam Golding Property group, says lockdown-related work and lifestyle changes have seen many city dwellers grow tired of being cooped up in small homes in congested urban areas. This has boosted demand for

properties in secure lifestyle estates that offer easy access to open spaces as well as leisure amenities.

Eco estates, which typically comprise homes on larger stands in scenic surrounds, have become particularly popular. But the focus of the new generation of eco estates blooming across the country isn’t only on wildlife and vegetation preservation. They also tend to boast various “green building” credentials to meet changing buyer preferences.

Golding says homebuyers are increasingly looking to go off the grid, even if only partially. “The installation of energy- and water-saving solutions is now becoming the new normal amid rapidly rising electricity and utility costs, coupled with poor municipal service delivery.”

He cites increased saleability as another driver of the sustainable-living

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trend. “A green home typically sells at a premium [compared] to regular homes of a similar size and location.”

Grant Smee, MD of Only Realty, agrees. “Savvy South Africans are gravitating towards sustainable, ecofriendly living.”

He believes the use of solar power and sustainable building materials to reduce carbon footprints, as well as other green features such as vegetable gardens, will continue to appear on homebuyers’ wish lists.

Samuel Seeff, chairperson of the Seeff Property Group, says eco estates within easy commuting distance of good schools, hospitals, shops, and business hubs are especially popular among young families. Homes in eco estates that are more remote are popular with professionals who can work from anywhere — and as weekend or holiday getaways.

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WHERE TO BUY MEYERSDAL Joburg Meyersdal Eco Estate, which forms part of the greater Meyersdal Nature Estate south of Joburg, offers an unspoilt natural environment with plenty of endangered fauna and flora, and is only a short drive away from the city centre. It also boasts mountain-bike and hiking trails, and three dams.

Large, standalone homes with all the bells and whistles sell for between R7-million and R22-million.

VAL DE VIE Paarl Chris Cilliers, CEO and co-principal at Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty, Winelands, believes Val de Vie Estate is a prime example of the move towards prioritising a more sustainable approach. Apart from an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, three polo fields, and an equestrian centre, Val de Vie offers walking trails, mountain-bike trails, dams and lakes that allow catch-and-release fishing, a fynbos reserve, and an enclosed dog-running park. It also incorporates a working farm where residents can pick fresh vegetables. The estate has various green credentials and its own boreholes to supplement municipal water. The average selling price at Val de Vie is R10-million, with two-bedroom sectional-title townhouses for sale from R3.4-million and freestanding three-bedroom homes for about R4.3-million.

CHAPMAN’S BAY Noordhoek The once-sleepy seaside village of Noordhoek on Cape Town’s southern peninsula, traditionally popular among artists and the horsey set, is now home to a number of eco estates. Arnold Maritz, southern suburbs co-principal for Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty, says Chapman’s Bay Estate, which is in the final development phase, ticks all

the boxes. “The developers have placed specific emphasis on preserving and restoring biodiversity, including the natural fynbos and various indigenous species.” Prices of vacant stands start at R895 000, townhouses are around R3.7-million, and freestanding homes range from R4.8-million to R8.9-million.

ELALENI AND ZULULAMI KwaZulu-Natal North Coast The KwaZulu-Natal north coast has long led South Africa’s eco-development movement. Andreas Wassenaar, licensee for Seeff’s KwaZulu-Natal’s north coast region, says Elaleni Coastal Forest Estate and Zululami Luxury Coastal Estate are now looking to set new benchmarks for eco living.

Some 17.5ha of Elaleni’s 46ha consist of a protected swamp forest. The development also has numerous conservation servitudes and beautifully landscaped communal spaces.

Vacant land is priced from R1.635-million to R3.85-million, while turnkey homes are between R5.85-million and R6.79million. At Zululami, which is within walking distance of Sheffield Beach, freehold stands are priced from R1.4-million, two- to three-bedroom apartments from R2.3-million, and freestanding homes from R3.5-million.

THORNY BUSH Mokopane Thorny Bush Estate is a fairly new golf and wildlife estate near Mokopane in Limpopo’s Waterberg region.

The focus is on energy-efficient and self-sustainable homes, particularly in terms of water provision. Set in prime bushveld with free-roaming game, the estate offers ownership opportunities that range from start-up and family homes to retirement options. Christine McGrath, Seeff’s MD in Mokopane, says vacant stands are priced at around R450 000 and golf-course stands at around R650 000. Large, secluded erven sell from R1.25-million.

1. Chapman’s Bay Estate 2. Val de Vie Estate 3. Zululami Luxury Coastal Estate 4. Thorny Bush Estate

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all it the electric-vehicle (EV) revolution or the big plug-in, but the move to battery-powered cars truly gained momentum in 2021. Like many other brands, Audi announced it would be phasing out the internal combustion engine in pursuit of a cleaner planet, and declared that by 2026 every new Audi launched on the global market would be all-electric.

Locally, Audi is backing up the plan by launching its range of batterypowered E-trons. From the first quarter of 2022, the luxury EV will be sold here in a six-model lineup. Prices start at R1 990 000 for the entry-level E-tron 55 Advanced and go up to R3 300 000 for the high-performance RS E-tron GT. This includes a five-year/ 100 000km Audi Freeway Plan and an eight-year/160 000km battery warranty.

The model I drove was the E-tron S Sportback quattro SUV, which is priced at R2 425 000. If you’re familiar with Audis you’ll know Sportback refers to a curvaceous body style with an athletic, coupé-like profile.

It looks more sporting than a regular SUV without impinging on practicality, as there’s sufficient rear head room under the fastback roof. The spacious cabin comfortably accommodates a quartet of tall adults, and this luxury SUV has an elevated ride height for that allimportant “command” seating position and pavement-clambering ability.

Whereas German cars usually offer a raft of extra-cost optional features, this E-tron comes comprehensively equipped straight out of the box, with features such as four-zone climate control, electric front seats with heating, Matrix LED lights, and a comfort key with sensorcontrolled bootlid release.

The cabin serves up Audi’s typical premium flair, and red leather seats with diamond stitching added a colourful flourish to the test car.

Physical buttons are largely replaced by touch screens in the heavily digitised cockpit, and though it makes for a pleasingly hi-tech look I wasn’t a fan of the haptic feedback controls. They require a harder press than regular icons and sometimes it took two or three jabs to get a reaction.

The E-Tron S Sportback is quite high on Audi’s EV totem pole in terms of power. Its three electric motors combine to produce 320kW and 808Nm. In launch-control mode the outputs are raised to 370kW and 973Nm to enable

a sportscar-like 4.5 second 0-100km/h sprint, with top speed electronically governed at 210km/h.

The car rushes forward with silent but violent urgency. Without any gears to shift there are no steps or pauses in the power delivery; just a satisfyingly seamless surge of pace. And while the absence of a roar to accompany hardthrottle driving is rather jarring, like watching an action movie with the sound off, it’s something we’ll have to get used to in this new EV age.

A high-voltage battery gives the Sportback a range of up to 452km depending on driving conditions, but the range dips considerably if you exploit all that power with an enthusiastic right foot.

The time-honoured quattro system has followed Audi into the electric age, and in addition to the electric all-wheel drive, torque vectoring provides active and fully variable torque distribution on the rear axle. There’s no shortage of grip, and the car doesn’t turn tail-happy if you boot the throttle out of a tight corner, despite all that instant power.

Adaptive suspension can be set to various firmness levels in the Drive Select system, and the car glides with impressive smoothness in the comfort setting.

EVs are in their infancy and it will take some time for them to become affordable cars for the masses. But for well-heeled early adopters, cars such as the Audi E-Tron provide swift and silent performance with good practicality and a decent range. Not to mention eyecatching styling.

GET YOURS Customers can reserve their electric Audi at one of 10 E-tron dealerships, with three outlets in Johannesburg, three in Pretoria, and two each in Cape Town and Durban.

All these dealers will be equipped with DC fast-chargers of up to 75kW, which will be accessible to the public.

If required, Audi will cover the installation of a 32-amp industrial socket up to the value of R5 000 at your home.

This will allow for the integration of single-phase power (the most widely available power available in South African households) and the Audi E-tron charger, to deliver around 7.2kW of power towards a full charge in around 13 hours.

Audi SA has partnered with Gridcars to allow E-tron customers access to the public charging network of more than 280 universal charge-point connectors.

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FINDING SANCTUARY AT TIGER CANYON

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The luxurious Tigress Julie Lodge is a haven of comfort, perched on a dramatic eyrie

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y first sighting is nothing short of breathtaking. Against the backdrop of ochre Free State grasslands shimmering in an early-summer breeze, the tigress slowly pads towards us along a sandy track, patrolling her territory. A flick of an ear, and a quick sideways glance at these curious onlookers in a vehicle, and she continues on her way.

As each enormous paw strokes the soil, plumes of dust rise in her wake. Her muscled coat of burnt-orange and jetblack stripes ripples in the golden sunset.

Up ahead, skittish zebra and springbok keep watch, snorting their disapproval before turning heel as she draws near.

I sit, awestruck, as the tigress known as Oria wanders off in search of her cubs and mate.

I’ve seen tigers before, but only fleeting glimpses in the thick jungles of Rajasthan.

This is different. This is visceral — an unhurried and intimate encounter with the world’s largest cat species. At Tiger Canyon Private Game Reserve, guests have the opportunity to admire these remarkable predators up close, in a unique big cat conservation project.

Tiger Canyon was started by acclaimed conservationist John Varty, who was alarmed by the diminishing number of wild tigers in Asia. Beginning with two captive-born tigers, he hoped to show that their future offspring could be born wild and learn to fend for themselves in an African environment.

In time, these African-born wild tigers could even be relocated to repopulate parts of Asia.

That dream remains, but today, under the stewardship of co-owners

Rodney and Lorna Drew, the immediate focus of Tiger Canyon is on expanding the land under conservation to provide additional range for these famously territorial cats.

Tiger Canyon is both a sanctuary and a wildlife reserve. This protected space gives a threatened species every opportunity to thrive, while also creating a self-sustaining ecosystem in which flora, fauna, and predators are in balance. It is funded by low-impact eco-tourism, allowing lovers of wildlife and wide-open spaces to encounter the 15 free-roaming tigers that call Tiger Canyon home.

The 5 500ha reserve is divided into four fenced sections, three of which are dedicated to specific alliances, or families, of tigers. The fourth is set aside for cheetah conservation, with a breeding programme of free-roaming

cheetah. Twice-daily game drives explore the diverse sections of the reserve, while thrilling bush walks in the expansive cheetah section allow guests to observe these endangered cats up close.

Big cats aside, there’s plenty more to captivate guests on game drives. The reserve includes re-wilded farmland spread across diverse habitats, from wide open grasslands to a dramatic section with deep valleys and rocky peaks delivering superlative views over the vast Vanderkloof Dam. This habitat plays host to a variety of antelope and birds — I loved the abundance of clapper larks and feisty pale chanting goshawks — while night drives may deliver rare sightings of porcupine, aardvark, and aardwolf.

After hours out on the reserve, the luxurious Tigress Julie Lodge — named in honour of one of Varty’s first tigers

— is a haven of comfort, perched on a dramatic eyrie overlooking a rocky canyon of dolerite pillars.

With just three spacious suites it’s an intimate property, ideal for small groups or multi-generational travellers looking for an unforgettable wilderness getaway. A dedicated chef and host are on hand, and inspired menus tap into classic Karoo cuisine paired with wines from leading Cape estates. Within the securely fenced lodge, a small plunge pool and al-fresco dining area are quiet spaces for relaxing between game drives.

Tiger Canyon offers the perfect balance between wilderness discovery and moments of rest and recharge. It’s a place where your pulse will race at the sight of free-roaming Panthera tigris on the hunt, while your soul finds solace in the wide-open horizons of the Free State. tigercanyon.com

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ustainability, locality, and provenance have all long been buzzwords when it comes to food and restaurants. Often, they bring with them connotations of the wine-farm eatery that rears its own produce, or the little restaurant that grows its own veg, or the local market that supports small-scale suppliers.

These are, for the most part, apt examples of people doing what they can to be environmentally and ethically conscious. However, this past year, as consumers both locally and abroad have become more aware of what and how they eat, the industry has seen a massive shift towards ethical sourcing, sustainable ingredients, and plant-based dining at all levels.

Chefs and restaurants, locally and abroad, are adapting to a more sustainable, e nv i r o n m e n t a l l y f r i e n d l y, and ethical way of cooking

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There is the acclaimed Eleven Madison Park in New York, which held the top spot on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2017. It has taken the bold move to go almost entirely plantbased (it still serves honey and milk with tea and coffee). Then ONA by Claire Vallée, in Arès, France, broke barriers by becoming the first vegan restaurant SALSIFY in that country to earn a Michelin star.

In San Francisco, the three-Michelinstarred Dominique Crenn, who initially took meat off her menu in 2018 as a protest against factory farming, reintroduced it in the form of lab-grown cell-cultured chicken.

Soon others followed suit, with an array of the world’s finest introducing plant-based menus either in place of or as an alternative to their standard offerings.

Locally, we’ve seen many chefs and restaurants follow a similar path, with a definite shift towards sourcing produce, embracing environmental consciousness, and supporting local suppliers. At the same time, they also acknowledge the growing consumer demand for vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Where once it was considered an annoyance to have to cater to a vegan patron, now many of our fine-dining restaurants offer plant-based dishes as a standard option. Gåte at Quoin Rock Wine Estate in Stellenbosch is one such example. Upon

arrival you’re handed a menu with one side showing the standard offerings and the other the vegan options. And it’s clear that these plantbased gastronomic creations have been given as much attention as those on the “normal” menu.

There’s the Quoin Rock twist on a deconstructed minestrone — a vegan dish that kicks off both of the menus — or the beet-steak, which sees the vibrant vegetable used in three ways, accompanied by the crunch of hazelnuts. Each dish has its own wine pairing, ensuring that the plant-based consumer gets the same experience as any other diner.

In terms of sourcing and locality, we’re seeing chefs getting more serious than ever. Chef Kobus van der Merwe, at his acclaimed Wolfgat eatery in Paternoster, was awarded the 50th spot on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2021. His seaside eatery, renowned for its hyperendemic produce, reflects the west coast’s bounty in every course. Ingredients are foraged, caught by local fishermen, or sourced from local farmers who share his vision.

Speaking of fishing, there’s also a huge focus on our oceans and the damaging effect that large-scale fishing has on them. While projects such as Green Fish and Abalobi have enabled many restaurants to get sustainably sourced, traceable, and locally caught fish, some chefs are going even further.

Ryan Cole of Salsify at The Roundhouse Restaurant in Cape Town and Johannes Richter of Durban’s The LivingRoom at Summerhill Estate Culinary Retreat have taken the sourcing into their own hands — quite literally. Cole and his brother line-catch all the fish you’ll find on the restaurant menu, while Richter goes spearfishing every few days and adapts his menu based on what he catches.

And it’s not just a trend we’re seeing among the top rung of chefs — many everyday eateries are adopting this new approach, particularly when it comes to plant-based offerings.

Tashas is one such example.

Its classic menu was updated last year to include six new dishes, all either vegetarian or vegan. At the launch, owner Natasha Sideris said the additions reflected feedback from customers, with a continuing shift to healthier eating, vegan options, or a flexible approach to vegetarianism.

It’s a consumer demand that shows no sign of slowing down.

“Reducetarianism” — reducing (rather than eliminating) the amount of animal products one consumes while being aware of the environmental and ethical impact of what one does eat — topped the list of many foodie trend pieces this year, suggesting that this movement is here to stay.

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LEKKERWATER BEACH LODGE ou may curse the rutted road that runs to De Hoop Nature Reserve’s Potberg gate but, as the 4x4 transfer to Lekkerwater Beach Lodge crests the rise of ancient dunes, you’ll agree that the journey is worth every last bump. At Lekkerwater, cast adrift on a private concession in the eastern reaches of the reserve, seven bright and airy suites cling to the pristine shoreline. In each a secluded deck offers a quiet space to reconnect and recharge, while the main lodge promises inspired Cape-coastal cuisine and idyllic sundowners on the wraparound terrace. If the weather’s fine, look forward to seaside dining.

At Lekkerwater, days are filled with beach picnics and fynbos walks, while at low tide resident naturalists lead shoreline meanders to discover the rich intertidal ecosystems.

In summer you can swim and snorkel in tidal pools while dolphins cavort in the waves.

Wintry weather brings dozens of southern right whales to the shallow waters. Whatever the season, Lekkerwater promises a beguiling coastal safari, with luxurious touches in all the right places. naturalselection.travel/

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Want to ease into 2022?

Make like a weekend escape artist and decamp to one of these restorative country retreats

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BRAHMAN HILLS f it’s spa indulgence you’re after, look no further than Brahman Hills in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, perfectly positioned for travellers leaving either Joburg or Durban on a Friday afternoon. This popular retreat, set in the Blue Crane Nature Reserve, offers an array of accommodation options — self-catering cottages, luxury hotel rooms, and the charming Springholm cottages set on the lakeshore. Wherever you

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TREEDOM VARDOS here’s no shortage of glitz and glamour on the Garden Route, but for a memorable forest escape à deux, the quirky caravans of Treedom Vardos are hard to beat. Here, on a forested hillside a short way outside the town of Wilderness, two vardos (Romani-style caravans) offer a charming getaway for couples.

While the accommodation is cosy, each vardo manages to squeeze in a double bedroom, kitchen, and en-suite bathroom. And there’s more living space outdoors, with a private garden, fireplace, and glasshouse lounge and dining area. During the day, chances

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lay your head, you’ll want to spend your days in the spacious Healing Earth Wellness & Transformative Spa. Here treatment rooms overlook the lush hills of the Midlands, while the revamped facilities deliver a modern aesthetic that neatly dovetails with the innovative menu of wellness treatments. Watching your budget? Keep an eye out for the good-value spa packages. brahmanhills.co.za

are you’ll opt to spend most of your time on the soporific daybed, hand-crafted by a local artisan-artist. If not, you can book a private session in the secluded hot-stone sauna, followed by a dip in the heart-shaped pool. If you want to explore, on the doorstep you’ll find scores of lakes and beaches, lush woods for “forest bathing”, and tannin-stained rivers. treedomvillas.co.za

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Garden Route.

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Mpumalanga.

LETHABO ESTATE et less than an hour’s drive from Joburg, Lethabo Estate’s 60ha of wilderness straddle the Crocodile River, with an array of romantic cottages and hideaways from which to choose. It’s a destination devoted to the art of romance, with outdoor beds, oversized baths, and opulent décor.

Privacy and position are paramount here, and the secluded suites, cottages, and thatched hideaways have perfect river views. Otters Hide, in particular, is ideal for couples looking to reboot.

There’s an on-site restaurant, but you can also order a picnic basket for candlelit dining on your private deck.

Though you’ll be tempted to while away afternoons in the double hammock, there are endless diversions in the Cradle, allowing you to discover ancient history and modern art, or explore farm-to-fork cuisine. lethaboestate.com

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WALKERSONS HOTEL & SPA leeing your new-year inbox or the summer heat? Walkersons Hotel & Spa, outside Dullstroom, has been welcoming Gauteng escape artists for nearly 30 years, dishing up old-school charm on a bucolic 800ha estate. The 27 stone-clad suites

are scattered across the leafy grounds. Though not the most expensive, the Lakeside Suites are perhaps the best choice, boasting open fireplaces and a spacious terrace overlooking the water. The numerous lakes come well-stocked with rainbow trout, but you can also fill your days with walking, cycling, and indulging in fine country dining. walkersons.co.za

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fter the “soft launch” announcement in 2021 of an online collaboration with European web and app platform Artshell, the latest iteration of the hybrid Investec Cape Town Art Fair (ICTAF) offers five different curated exhibitions and many fascinating possibilities for art lovers and collectors. The fair showcases international artists and those from the African diaspora from 18-20 February at its usual venue, the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

ICTAF director Laura Vincenti is co-curating three of the five shows at the fair: the MAIN show; the new ALT project show with Sophie Lalonde (ICTAF head of VIP and partnerships), dedicated to artwork moving from the physical to the digital world; and the SOLO show with Mia Louw (ICTAF galleries and special projects liaison), a special artists’ showcase.

She sees the ICTAF as playing an increasingly important role on the continent. “The fair creates opportunities for engagement and interaction around contemporary African art. We’re keen on offering digital and physical spaces for collaborative exchanges in particular, thus our theme for this, our ninth edition.”

This hybrid format is also behind the special-project exhibition ALT, which is dedicated to projects that reflect the many ways in which the art world had to adapt in response to the global shift from the physical to the virtual.

“In the other special-project exhibition that I helped to curate, SOLO, we will explore how artists have reacted to the intimacy and introspection caused by the pandemic, as well as the effect that exchange and collaboration have on artistic practice as a whole,” says Vincenti.

“This section, now in its fourth iteration, seeks to explore the artistic practices of artists working locally and abroad, through curated solo presentations. SOLO is an extension of the ICTAF project Insight-out, launched in 2020 — a playful Q&A addressed to artists during isolation, highlighting their everyday lives. More than ever, our MAIN section will see collaboration between different galleries and artists — an opportunity to commit to new projects that go beyond geographical and cultural barriers.”

Elsewhere at the fair, Luigi Fassi (director at MAN Art Museum in Nuoro, Italy) and Nkule Mabaso (gallery curator at Michaelis in Cape Town) are the co-curators of TOMORROWS/ TODAY, another special-project showcase. “For this show in 2022 we

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reconnecting through art T h e I n v e s t e c C a p e To w n Art Fair returns with the suitably hopeful theme “Connect through art from Africa and the world” 1. Mongezi Ncaphayi, The Journey Is the Destination I, 2021, SMAC 2. Portia Zvavahera, Ndibuditsei Ipapo, 2021, Stevenson

decided to focus more on African practices and galleries based in South Africa and on the continent, to create a stronger statement on what the scene is offering,” says Fassi. “Visitors will come across different painting practices, and this mirrors the strength of this medium in the current moment.”

Mabaso adds, “The art fair is important for the local scene and a public moment of presentation and meeting, facilitating different conversations. And, because it happens so early in the year, it sets the pace of the art scene for the given year.

It gives the highlights and sets a kind of momentum that is very generative and stimulating.”

The last of the five showcase exhibitions sees art dealer and advisor João Ferreira curate PAST/MODERN, a selection of masterworks in a show focused on collectors.

“We cannot wait to welcome old and new friends and partners to Investec Cape Town Art Fair in 2022 and provide a platform to connect, re-connect, and interact with one another. Nothing is as rewarding as exchanging opinions, emotions, and ideas in a physical art environment and nurturing the natural human needs of learning and sharing,” says Vincenti. The ICTAF digital event is free of charge. To register and attend, sign up online with Artshell.

Tickets for the physical fair, 18-20 February 2022, are available at webtickets.co.za. The fair website is investeccapetownartfair.co.za

efitting its status as Africa’s largest art fair, this year’s ICTAF gallery representation is extensive.

The MAIN section sees South African art-world stalwarts Goodman Gallery, Stevenson, and Everard Read put up their usual impressive and often international selections.

They are joined in the MAIN space by Cape Town-based galleries such as Southern Guild and WorldArt, and other established players such as SMAC, which has just reopened in Joburg to expand beyond its Cape footprint.

An emerging and eclectic presence is provided by galleries such as Kalashnikovv and Ebony/Curated.

An interesting addition to the ICTAF main floor is always the galleries from elsewhere in Africa, such as First Floor Gallery (Harare) and Afriart (Kampala). In the curated special-project exhibitions, visitors can engage with art that is a little more off the beaten track.

The TOMORROWS/ TODAY special section includes work from Guns & Rain, THK, and The Melrose Gallery. The SOLO artists’ showcase draws on contributions from Berman Contemporary, Eclectica Contemporary, and This Is Not A White Cube from Angola and Portugal, among others.

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2022 is the year that tech ramps up its green credentials. Here are some of our favourite new sustainable gadgets LAPTOP

2. Stir It Up Turntable If you prefer vinyl to streaming, you’re going to want to take a gander at House of Marley. One of the most Earth-friendly

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audio brands on the planet, House of Marley has extended the eco-conscious design and technological prowess found in its headphone and speaker range to its eternally popu-

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Whenever I think of Lenovo, specific things come to mind — all of them revolving around business-focused reliability.

That’s not a bad thing, but other than the truly captivating X1 Fold, Lenovo’s laptops have not exactly been sexy. Now, its new ThinkPad Z series — the Z13 and Z16 — is set to change all of that.

Gone are the boxy design and black-and-red colourway that’s been a staple of Lenovo.

They’ve been replaced with sleek lines and a modern design using recycled aluminium or black vegan leather. The packaging is made of 100% recyclable bamboo and sugarcane, while the AC power adapter uses 90% post-consumer content. And Lenovo hasn’t sacrificed power, with the entire lineup powered by AMD’s latest Ryzen Pro processors.

Both devices have a touchenabled OLED display, a 120mm haptic ForcePad, and a reverse notch for the Communications Bar. If this is the future of Lenovo, then sign me up — but please, add more ports. Available later this year.

From $1 549, lenovo.com/za

Brendon Petersen

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lar turntable. The turntable is available in a wireless version (which adds Bluetooth support, onboard volume control, and the ability to be paired with the brand’s dual-

pairing speakers) or a standard non-wireless version, and is entirely green at heart.

Made of bamboo, recycled silicone, recyclable aluminium alloy, and the brand’s signature REWIND fabric — consisting of 30% reclaimed organic cotton, 30% reclaimed hemp, and 40% recycled polyethylene terephthalate (a type of polyester used in plastic bottles and takeaway containers) — it is a glorious symphony of sustainable, streamlined retro design and modern technology.

R4 367, loot.co.za

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3. Le Cord

Originating in Stockholm in 2013 as a special project by research and design studio Local Electronics, Le Cord has been dubbed the “Inventor of Conscious Tech”. While that title may be debatable, there’s no denying that the brand is making some great-looking charging tech that also happens to be incredibly sustainable.

Every year, 640 000 tonnes of fishing gear, including nets, are dumped in our oceans. If left uncollected, these nets can entangle and kill ocean life. For its latest Apple-certified charging cables, Le Cord recycles fishing nets and turns them into stylish, 2m-long braided cables to charge your lightning-port-enabled iPad or iPhone.

And if you’re looking to take your eco-conscious charging a bit further, you can also get a foldable quick charger made of recycled plastic waste. From €26.90, lecord.com

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Wade Bales

S A M E - S A M E , BU T DIFFERENT

Waterkloof’s Seriously Cool Cinsault 2020 is an organic, biodynamic wine with a difference. Also known as pinotage, this proudly South African varietal hails from 30-35-year-old bush vines that produce low yields and fruit with intense flavour. In a very minimalistic approach to the winemaking process, whole bunches are picked at just the right time and then placed in wooden fermenters, where fermentation is allowed to start naturally and spontaneously, inside the berry itself. Powered by gravity alone, the wine finds its way to a tank below while the remaining berries are gently basket pressed.

Aged for 12 months in French-oak barrels, this wine is best enjoyed cool, at around 14°C. Despite the chill, it’s equal parts serious too, with a well-structured, vibrant body and a memorable, lip-smacking length.

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ohn Ross The Pioneer is a non-alcoholic gin that’s as refreshing as it is restorative. Featuring virgin distilled botanicals and mountain-spring water, it’s a tonic in and of itself.

In this sublime infusion, juniper, angelica root, lime, rose, lavender, and honeybush combine to create a startlingly traditional gin with a non-traditional blushing hue, thanks to the antioxidant-rich tannins in the honeybush stalks used in the distilling process.

Serve with lots of ice, a lemon wedge, and Barker & Quin Finest Indian tonic water.

Rooted in the oldest viticulture soil in the world, Longridge Chardonnay 2018 is an ode to its hallowed place of origin. Grown on a farm that honours organic traditions, the vineyards are meticulously cared for by hand, with no pesticides, herbicides or chemical sprays used. The wine is transferred from stainlesssteel tanks to French-oak barrels and matured for 12 months before being bottled. Expect harmonious notes of minerality, citrus, and shortbread, with a refreshing, lingering, and perfectly balanced finish.

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ORGANIC-CHIC CHARDONNAY

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SERIOUSLY COOL, SERIOUSLY SUSTAINABLE

Wade Bales is a wellknown wine négociant and merchant

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Ceder’s Pink Rose is a distilled non-alcoholic spirit that offers an everyday escape from the ordinary. Made with classic gin botanicals as well as more rare and exotic botanicals from the Cederberg region, this award-winning spirit is soft and sweet with notes of juniper, rose, and hibiscus.

Smooth and sophisticated, it’s available online for R259 at Takealot.

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Jimmy Public has sourced and foraged across the globe to find the best ingredients for his signature non-alcoholic gin. London-dry inspired, the juniper accents and citrus notes combine to deliver a refreshingly distinctive drink.

Floral botanicals are vapour distilled and come from a range of interesting places — juniper from Tuscany, coriander from the UK, fresh citrus from Hoedspruit, sun-dried and hand-kibbled lemon peel from Egypt, and lemongrass grown specifically for Jimmy Public in Bronkhorstspruit. Available online at Yuppiechef for R299 per 750ml bottle.

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TEETOTALLING JIMMY

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n its very first year of creation, Mahala Botanical arrived with a bang, clinching first place at the prestigious Michelangelo International Spirit Awards for Best Low/No-Alcohol Spirit. As its name suggests, this premium, triple-distilled spirit — made in South Africa — is free from sugar, alcohol, colourants, and artificial flavours. It’s also gluten-free, vegan-friendly and very, very delicious. Nine hand-sourced botanicals are infused under vacuum to extract the maximum amount of flavour in every sip.

This alcohol-free spirit is distilled in custom-built stills, then bottled and hand-labelled on site at Doña Distillery in Cape Town. Available at e-retailers such as Drink Nil and ZeroDrinks for R275 to R310 per bottle.

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TRIPLE DISTILLED, WITHOUT THE TIPSY

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Michele Magwood

READ ALERT.

Finding one’s way through food

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t is Boxing Day and instead of scarfing down leftover gammon sandwiches and mince pies I am googling Korean restaurants in Joburg and watching YouTube videos on making kimchi. I have become obsessed with Korean food since reading Michelle Zauner’s piercing memoir Crying in H Mart (Picador).

Zauner is something of an indie rock star, heading up a band called Japanese Breakfast and playing what is described as dreamy, “shoegaze-inspired” music.

Pert and teasing, her arms filigreed with tattoos, she is wildly hip.

Eight years ago, when her Korean mother Chongmi died of cancer in her mid-50s, Zauner was flattened.

Chongmi met her American husband Joel when he was working in Seoul.

After their marriage and the birth of their daughter, they returned to the US and settled in Oregon. Like many an immigrant parent, Chongmi centred her life on her child. She was strict and smothering, watching Zauner minutely, chiding her relentlessly.

“Hers was tougher than tough love. It was brutal, industrial-strength. A sinewy love that never gave way to an inch of weakness.”

How she showed love was through food. She plied her daughter with traditional Korean dishes and Zauner learned early on that an appetite for

first in small venues across the US, then in bigger halls internationally.

Eventually, they held a triumphant concert in Seoul, attended by members of her mother’s extended family.

And so to Crying in H Mart, at first the title of an essay for The New Yorker, written a few years after her mother died, and now the first chapter of her memoir.

H Mart is a supermarket chain in the US that specialises in Asian food.

The H stands for han ah reum or “one arm full

Indie artist’s memoir on loss and rediscovering the Korean roots she shared with her mother

of groceries”.

Whenever Zauner shops there, she ends up in tears, so vivid, so painful are her memories of her mother.

“You’ll find me crying by the banchan refrigerators, remembering the taste of my mom’s soy-sauce eggs and cold radish soup.”

Usually, H Marts have a food court attached to them and Zauner always repairs there for dumplings or tteokbokki rice cakes, watching the people around her. There’s an elderly woman with faded tattooed eyebrows discarding mussel shells on her daughter’s plate.

She wonders what her mother would have been like at 70.

There’s a table of Chinese students, studying in America without their families, seeking comfort in familiar dishes. She watches a man in his mid20s being instructed by his mother on how to eat, just like her mother used to do. Dip it in the onion paste, don’t add too much gochujang. Some days her mother’s nagging used to annoy her, “But most days, I knew it was the ultimate display of a Korean woman’s tenderness, and I cherished that love. A love I’d do anything to have back.”

Zauner doesn’t soften the pain of her loss, and there are no reassurances about time healing all, but there is immense strength in her endurance, and in the shaping of her identity.

It seems that in losing her mother, she eventually found herself.

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Michele Magwood is a contributing books editor at the Sunday Times

this food — the more adventurous the better (think eating octopus tentacles that are still pulsing and sucking the custardy meat out of live crabs) — gained her mother’s approval. In the pages of her memoir she catalogues meals with zeal: “Decadent jjajangmyeon noodles, dumpling after dumpling served in rich broth, tangsuyuk pork with mushrooms, and yusanseul, gelatinous sea cucumber with squid, shrimp and zucchini.”

Watching television, the family would graze on strips of roasted cuttlefish; at Zauner’s wedding to bandmate Peter Bradley they served galbi (Korean beef short ribs).

As she grew older, Zauner grappled with her biracial identity and began to turn away from her Korean heritage, fearing being seen as “other”. She rebelled against her mother’s perfectionism, taking up what Chongmi believed was the entirely useless hobby of playing guitar. She drifted through college and afterwards worked as a waiter, gigging with bands and, as her mother sniffed, “living the life of an unsuccessful artist”.

But when she learned her mother was ill she didn’t hesitate to move back home to nurse her. She died just five months later, leaving Zauner shattered.

Gradually, Zauner turned back to her Korean roots, believing that if she could learn to cook the food on which her mother raised her, she could establish some kind of connection.

“The culture that we shared was active, effervescent in my gut and in my genes, and I had to seize it, foster it so it did not die in me ... If I could not be with my mother, I would be her.”

Zauner turned to the YouTube Korean food diva Maangchi and began to cook. Her kitchen filled with vats of kimchi, while her nights were spent making crispy fried chicken and knife-cut noodle soup.

At the same time her musical career was taking off. Inspired

by Karen O of the band the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, who “obliterated the docile Asian stereotype”, she and Peter formed Japanese Breakfast and put out an album called Psychopomp. The name refers to the spirits or deities that escort souls to the afterlife.

It features a phone recording of Chongmi. “Gwaenchanha, gwaenchanha,” she soothes.

“It’s okay, sweetheart, don’t cry.”

The album did well and soon the band were touring,

GIFTED

Q+A.

01. What is your personal definition of luxury? I define luxury as “the art of living”.

I love art, sustainable fashion, and creativity, and I believe in Africa and our creative power. I’m very intentional in terms of what I buy, what I invest in, and how I show up in the world. There’s a Henry Miller quote that I love: “To make living itself an art, that is the goal.”

02. The one indulgence you would never forgo?

Coffee-table books and

The founder of VS Luxury Group on the art of living and really good cheesecake

love? Cartier. To me, they represent timeless elegance and they’re very well made.

11. The last place you travelled to that captured your heart? Marrakesh. The beauty, the architecture, the creativity, the use of colour and patterns, the effortless way in which people live, the gardens, the food, the culture — I was blown away.

12. What books are on your bedside table? You will always find my Bible and The Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian. I’m currently reading The Gift by Edith Eger and The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck.

13. What’s the last meal that blew you away? My daughter’s baked cheesecake. Heavenly.

14. Which musician really appeals to you at the moment? Bongeziwe Mabandla. I love everything about his music.

15. What’s next on your list of must-haves? An Hermès Kelly bag. It’s timeless, classy, and elegant.

child. She says it was gifted to her by her mom-in-law.

06. What is your drink of choice? An Old-Fashioned.

It’s the perfect combination of bitter and sweet.

07. When you eat out, where do you go? I always go to Olives & Plates in Hyde Park.

Every week. The décor is super stunning, their healthy buffet lunches are out of this world, and if you have a sweet tooth you’ll never find better-tasting cakes anywhere else in Joburg.

08. What item in your wardrobe signifies your individual sense of style? My Valentino silk-pyjama suit. I love high-quality, well-made garments that fit me well and provide me with a great level of comfort.

09. What was the last object that you instantly fell in love with? A gorgeous, high-quality, white linen pant suit from Witchery. It said “take me to the winelands with you this holiday” and I just had to.

10. A watch brand that you

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16. The best gift you’ve been given recently? A limited-edition book set by William Kentridge. Inside was a stamped silkscreen print of one of his works from his “Why Should I Hesitate: Putting Drawings to Work” dual exhibition.

17. A gift that you’ve recently bought for someone? The Epicurean Ceramique d’Art gift set by Jana Nel from Botanicus in Hyde Park. I bought it for a friend who curates stunning mini tablescapes.

18. What place inspires and rejuvenates you? My home in Bisho, where I grew up. There really is no place like home.

19 What was the last item of clothing that you added to your wardrobe? The cutest yellow two-piece linen shorts suit, from a concept store in Sandton.

20. Your favourite region in the world? ProvenceAlpes-Côte d’Azur in France.

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1. The Gift by Edith Eger 2. Bongeziwe Mabandla 3. Initio Parfums Privés’ Psychedelic Love 4. Apple AirPods Pro 5. Oud Jaune Intense by Fragrance Du Bois 6. Babor Lifting Cellular Collagen Booster Cream 7. Marrakesh 8. Chanel Hydra Beauty Essence Mist

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Vika Shipalana

high-quality teas from all around the world.

03. What are your essential grooming and treatment lotions and potions? For my face, I can’t go without QMS Collagen System (and a monthly QMS Urban Repair facial). It is the key to healthy, youthful, glowing skin. I’ve also recently discovered Babor Lifting Cellular Collagen Booster Cream. I love how good it feels on my skin. For fragrances, I like to layer different types. My favourites currently are Oud Jaune Intense

by Fragrance Du Bois and Initio Parfums Privés’ Psychedelic Love. When I travel, I always ensure that I have Chanel Hydra Beauty Essence Mist to keep my skin hydrated.

04. What tech gadget couldn’t you live without? My Apple AirPods Pro. 05. What is the single-most sentimental object to you? My vintage dressing gown, which was gifted to me by my motherin-law after the birth of my first

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N AV I G A T O R

ECLECTIBLES.

Progressing to pilgrim

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The estimated number of plastic microfibres released when washing one load of acrylic fabrics.

The number of metres by which sea levels will rise if we lose Antarctica’s ice cap.

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Declan Gibbon

FOOD FOR THOUGHT… The tonnes of solid waste produced globally every year, consisting of 44% food and organics, 17% paper, and 12% plastic.

The kilometres you have to drive in a car to emit the same amount of greenhouse gases as buying one white cotton shirt.

The percentage of global clothing donations that end up in Africa, where they ruin local textile industries, cause rampant pollution, and impact infrastructure.

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A NUMBERS GAME

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passports and sleeping in modest accommodation, for many reasons, irrespective of religion. They trek for spiritual purposes, to grapple with questions to which they need answers, to tackle grief, for the surrounds, to hang out with friends — or even because they like a good walk.

Many pilgrims return to the Camino de Santiago again and again, but there’s an entire industry of equivalent enlightened sojourns across the globe.

Researching it, I tumbled into a cavern of caminos (or “ways”, as the word translates). You’ve got hundreds of purposeful, meaningful walks from which to choose. Portugal, Japan, Wales, even Australia, have their own established pilgrim routes and, here’s the thing — so do we.

There are several smaller organised

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The litres of water needed per person per day to live comfortably — 50l for drinking and cleaning, 100l for washing clothes, and 2 500l to produce the food we eat.

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The kilograms of CO2 that are emitted in the production of 1kg of beef. The same amount of pork accounts for 24kg.

3 000

The increase in the percentage of extreme weather events over the past 20 years.

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The percentage of global emissions that can be addressed through renewable energy, with the remaining 45% coming from the production of food, cars, clothing, and generic products.

Spain over 15 days. The show documents this and their personal experiences. There’s plenty of complaining about “more walking”, but also a lot about the places they visit. It’s fascinating stuff.

It is true that, because the walk is based on early Christian pilgrimages, it originally gained popularity as a journey of spiritual importance undertaken by people of that faith, but over the centuries that has changed. Every year the route attracts over 200 000 people, so you probably know someone who’s attempted all or a part of this march already. I even know someone who met her future husband on the trail.

Today pilgrims traipse through Spanish towns and the countryside, collecting stamps in their pilgrim

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ith a father in the ICU for weeks, I have watched a lot of TV. No, scratch that. In between doctors’ calls and autopilot drives to the hospital, I have watched all the TV. Good and bad, the small screen has offered endless, mindless solace. By chance, it gave me an idea as well. If you’re also tiptoeing with trepidation into 2022, it is one that might appeal to you too.

During one channel-flicking deepdive, I stumbled upon a rerun of a 2018 show called The Pilgrimage: Road to Santiago. In it, seven British celebs (Heather Small of the band M People, for example) walk the famous Camino de Santiago. The gang takes on the 780km route across northern

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Sarah Buitendach is contributing editor to the Financial Mail.

trails dotted around the country, but it’s the Cape Camino that has caught my eye. The full route runs over 640km, takes 36 days to complete, and incorporates areas such as the winelands, the Sandveld and the Cape Peninsula.

It is, however, popular to do the walk in seven-day chunks.

This pilgrimage seems a no-brainer — you get to take time out, reflect, and meet new people. Plus, there’s cracking South African weather, spectacular scenery, and sacred sites, including shrines, kramats, and caves.

I really like it that, on the Cape Camino, pilgrims break the journey in mostly rural communities, and are chaperoned by locals along the route. As Peggy Coetzee-Andrew, the operations manager for the Cape Camino, explains, “The Camino has been greeted by communities with gratitude and enthusiasm. Many jobs have been created over the 640km, and hosts see the value not just in the financial benefits but also in being part of this global concept.”

She goes on to add, “For many of us, our busy lives are filled with anxiety and loneliness. Walking the Cape Camino gives you purpose and the feeling of connection. It is a challenge, and at the end you’ll know how strong and capable you are.”

It may not include the luxuries of high-thread-count bedding and fancy restaurants, but, as we try to slough off the past two years of Covidinduced crazy, doesn’t a home-style personal pilgrimage sound like just the reset we all need?

The percentage of crops that depend on animal pollinators.

The UN Human Rights resolution that formally recognises access to a healthy environment as a fundamental human right.

The percentage of plastic waste that is collected for recycling — only 9% of all plastic gets recycled.

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Sarah Buitendach

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The number of deaths worldwide every year as a result of air pollution, chemical exposure, or other environmental risks.

Available at Skins Cosmetics – www.skins.co.za