abouTime January 2009

Vol 6 No 1 C o m p l i m e n t a r y i n - f l i g h t m a g a z i n e f o r 1 t i m e A i r l i n e w w w .1 t i m e . c o . z a 0861 345 345 • www.aboutime.co.za

T h e a rt o f i n k 2009 New Year’s Resolutions • Port Alfred • Mountain Biking B a r a c k O b a m a • I n - C h a • D i s c o v e r i n g T u r ke y • Freshlyground

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contents

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Gone are the days where tattoos only appeared on the arms of hardcore prisoners, sailors, bikers and punks. Today, a trip to the gym reveals that, from bankers and lawyers to doctors and housewives, hundreds of people choose to express themselves with ink. With 2009 upon us, perhaps this is the year to get that dolphin tattoo you’ve always wanted.

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Vol 6 No 1

Features

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52 44

There was a time when cyclists could be divided into two categories – those who have already fallen off their bikes and those who are still to fall

22 The Art Of Ink

Read more on page 63

Tattoos

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Doing It With Flair Bartending

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Exploring Zanzibar

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Cape Town Chacmas

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Turkey

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Mountain Biking For the real enthusiasts

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Paradise and Pineapples

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Barack Obama

Entertainment

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New Year’s Resolutions

Walking with baboons

The new cool

And the intention to keep them

Health & Family

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Cover

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Homeschooling

100

Travelling With Pets

A parent’s choice Advice and tips

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Travel Stone Town

A traveller’s delight

Port Alfred

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Fresher Than Ever

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In-Cha

Freshlyground

12-year-old violin superstar

57 Alternatiewe Afrikaans Musiek

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contents

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116

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Vol 6 No 1

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Their seductive blend of Afro-pop, jazz, township jive and rock looks set to continue to fill our ears...

Read more on page 40

Motoring 70 94

Tops Off

Convertibles

Motoring

Car of the year finalists

Business & Tech 81

Setting Your Budget

92

Staple Diet

105

Mousing Around

Staying on track in 2009

History of the stapler Interesting websites

Regulars

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Editor’s Letter

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Letters From Passengers

Laura Cooke

Your opinions count

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Keeping Up With The Times

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How About That

106

What’s happening in South Africa

News in short

Colouring-In Competition Fun for the little ones

108 On The Cutting Edge

Get it first

110

Flight Schedule

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1time Good News

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Domestic Flight Menu

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Zanzibar Flight Menu

1time flight details

What will it be?

A scrumptious selection

1time Airline Tel: +27 861 345 345

e d i t o r ’s l e t t e r

about adventure

Competition Winners from November 2008 A copy of Sharper Edges by Andy de Klerk Claire Craxton A Makana Meadery Hamper J.A Abrahams

2009 is here – and it has arrived far sooner than I expected.

There is a theory, although it hasn’t been ratified by scientists, that as you get older, your perception of time changes and it seems as though the months and years start going by faster and faster.

One possible explanation is that for a 6 year old, 6 hours makes up a relatively large proportion of the 52,595 hours they have spent on earth. While, for a 35 year old, 6 hours is a mere 0.002 % of the 306,803 hours that they have wracked up on the clock.

But, a new year gives most of us the chance to take a very short breather and a chance to reassess our lives.

Inevitably, as we are all clinking champagne glasses on New Year’s Eve and filled with joy and happiness for all of humankind, we boldly proclaim that in 2009 we are going to be more successful, lose weight, get into shape and take more holidays.

Sadly, these broad statements are somewhat harder to live up to once the year is in full swing.

In this edition, we look at some typical resolutions and reassess the importance of simply enjoying each day as it comes.

We also consider some possible “must-dos” for 2009 including a trip to Turkey, Zanzibar or the Eastern Cape seaside town of Port Alfred.

Or, perhaps it is the year to join the hundreds of South African mountain bikers who spend their weekends getting dirty.

2009 may even be the year that you do something “crazy” and get that tattoo you’ve always dreamt of – if not this year, then when?

We also take a look at Barack Obama, who will be sworn in amidst much fanfare later this month, and discuss whether he will be able to inspire others with his style, elegance and presence.

So, before the year flies away leaving you disappointed once again about your inability to achieve your dreams and wishes, pencil a few into your diary and make sure you take some time out to enjoy yourself in the coming months.

After all life is too short, and if the theory is right, it’s only going to fly by faster and faster the longer we wait.

Laura

SMS & WIN! 16

Cultures converge on Putmayo World Music’s jammin’ collection of reggae beats from Africa, which celebrates Bob Marley’s 64th birthday and his lasting impact on African music. African Reggae features selections by outstanding African musicians who have built upon Jamaica’s “golden age of reggae” in the 1960s and 1970s by weaving together traditional and modern sounds into a vibrant musical fabric. To win one of 5 copies, sms the word TIME followed by the word REGGAE to 35131 Cost per SMS is R3. Competition closes 31st January 2009. By entering this competition you consent to receiving electronic information pertaining to abouTime and/or 1time Airline.

Publisher: TCB Publishing PO Box 11273, Hatfield, 0028 Tel: +27 861 THE MAG Fax: +27 88 012 346 2367 mail@tcbpublishing.co.za GROUP MANAGING Editor: Bernie Hellberg bernie@tcbgroup.co.za Editor: Laura Cooke laura@aboutime.co.za Assistant to THE Editor: Marinda Scharneck marinda@tcbpublishing.co.za Advertising Sales: Senior sales director: Pierre le Roux +27 84 525 2431 Andre Scharneck +27 72 739 8855 sales executives: Neal Kinnear +27 83 655 5780 Robert Mthembu +27 73 000 5378 Alan Kalukhov +27 82 679 5552 Charlotte Nutman +27 83 442 8641 Robyn Shillaw-Botha +27 82 795 5995 Images: Dylan Schwarz, Gallo/Getty Images, Gary Hirson, Istockphoto.com, Motorpics, Quickpic Design & Layout: Joanne Mc Laren Virtual Da Vinci Creative Room joanne@virtualdavinci.co.za Webmaster: webmaster@aboutime.co.za PRINTING: Business Print Centre, Pretoria Contributors to this Issue: Bernard K Hellberg, Jenna van Schoor, Jessica Hewson, Johanna Hellberg, Jolene Bailey, Karen Bloch/featurenet.co.za, Karen Nel, Kathryn Fourie, Mandi Jordaan, Michael Vlismas, Shannon Manders, Susan Putter, Tarryn Day, Yolande Jonker abouTime is published monthly by TCB Publishing on behalf of 1time Airline.

Opinions expressed in the publication are not necessarily those of TCB Publishing, 1time Airline or any of their clients. Information has been included in good faith by the publisher and is believed to be correct at the time of going to print. No responsibility can be accepted for errors and omissions.

No material (articles or photographs) in the publication may be reproduced, in whole or in part, without specific written permission from the Editor.

Submissions of articles and photographs for publication are welcome, but the publisher, while exercising all reasonable care, cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage. Please ensure that all material is posted by registered mail to PO Box 11273, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028.

Copyright © 2009. All copyright for material appearing in this magazine belongs to TCB Publishing and/or the individual contributors.

All rights reserved.

passenger letters

about adventure

Dear 1time, I was onboard a flight from East London to Johannesburg that was delayed for about two hours. I would like to thank the captain and his first officer for a job well done, as well as thank you to air hostesses for making the flight back home a wonderful trip. They were friendly and the smiles that they greeted us with made the delay worth it.

Thanks to a great team, Jan Horn

Dear 1time, Firstly, I would like to compliment 1time. My hubby and I were on a flight that was unable to land in Port Elizabeth in November. 1time was brilliant. They went beyond the call of duty to make us comfortable and treat us with meals and drinks. My hubby and I were most impressed.

Many thanks, Vanessa Marais

Letter of the Month Dear 1time,

The writer of the Letter of the Month will receive one of two limited edition Ferrari

I felt I had to contact someone at your head office to express my satisfaction with the trip which my wife, my father-in-law and I made to Cape Town to attend the funeral of my brother-in-law.

We had to book at short notice and what a joy it was to be met by your friendly, attentive and helpful crew. My father-in-law needed help onto the plane and the no-fuss care was excellent.

I know very little about planes, but the plane we flew in was clean, comfortable and well maintained.

Thank you, John Maree

Pens. Buy these and other gifts online from NetFlorist.

Visit www.netflorist.co.za Have a compliment or comment?

Ask your flight attendant for a pen and paper and let us know what is on your mind. Alternatively, email cr@1time.co.za.

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keeping up

with the TIMES

J&B

Top Gear Live Stunts, jokes and a breathtaking line-up of the world’s most desirable cars. The Top Gear MPH Live Motoring Theatre is back in South Africa with the most spectacular event on the motoring calendar. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and Sasha Martinengo host the Live Motor Show that is filled with completely new stunts and live-action sequences pushing both cars and drivers to their limits. Ticket prices range between R100 to R1395, and are available from Computicket. The event will be hosted at The Coca Cola Dome in Johannesburg from 29th January to 1st of February.

Met

Glitz and Glam will be the theme at this year’s oldest and most prestigious horse race which takes place on the 31st January. Fillies on and off the race track will compete for attention as designers and jockeys bask in the glory that comes from months of preparation.

The J&B Met is one of the biggest fashion and horse racing events in South Africa with the guest list comprising the cream of South African glitterati and socialites. Tickets are R150-R2610. Check out www.jbmet.co.za for more information.

Forest Amphitheatre

Summer Concert

Hidden in a eucalyptus forest, this is a magical outdoor setting for the Paul Cluver Forest Amphitheatre Summer Concerts.

From the sweet smell of the trees to the stars above, this natural venue in the Elgin Valley near Grabouw, is an experience in itself. In January, a number of events are taking place, and include Arno Carstens and Karen Zoid on the 3rd, Nataniel on the 17th and Watershed on the 31st. Tickets cost between R150-R200 and are available from Computicket or at www.cluver.com.

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Bridal Indaba Wedding fever strikes Gauteng with the 2009 Bridal Indaba, hosted by the Indaba Hotel in Fourways. Brides-to-be, accompanied by their fiancĂŠs and friends have the chance to view the top bridal show in South Africa. Having had a successful run over the last eight years the show is sure to of. The Bridal Indaba takes place on the 26th and 27th January. For more information contact the Indaba Hotel on +27 11 840 6600.

The Herald Cycle Tour The time of the year has come to dust off your bicycle and don your helmet as several cycling challenges including the Herald Cycle Tour are scheduled for the the months ahead. The Herald Cycle Tour in the Eastern Cape include a road race and mountain bike event, ensuring there is something for everyone.

The Herald Cycle Tour road race is also a qualifying and seeding event for the Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour 2010. The MTB race takes place on 31st January and the feature race on 1st February in Port Elizabeth. Entry fees are between R60 and R170, and more details are available at www.heraldcycletour.co.za.

Hansa PoweradeDusi Canoe Marathon An estimated 1,700 people will compete in the 58th edition of the epic adventure challenge that is the Dusi marathon. Competitors set off at Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg on 15th January 2009 to paddle, swim, walk and run along the Msunduzi River to the Blue Lagoon at the Umgeni River mouth in Durban. The race takes place over a total of three days where up to 125 km is covered through the valley of a thousand hills. For more information about the race and the preparations visit www.dusi.co.za.

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how about that

African Booker 2008 The prestigious Caine Prize for African Writing, sometimes called the African Booker, went to a South African for the second time since the prize was founded in 2000. Henrietta Rose-Innes, who was on the shortlist last year, won with her short story, “Poison” which she described as an apocalyptic view of South Africa in the face of disaster. Rose-Innes is not new to writing – having published two novels and edited an anthology of African short stories – she had more experience than the other writers on the shortlist. Poison is also the first African story about science fiction, sparking debates around the developing of this genre in South Africa.

The Caine prize is named after late Sir Michael Caine, a former chairman of Booker plc. Several distinguished judges make the decision, and the winner is announced at a formal dinner in Oxford, England, to which all the writers on the shortlist are invited.

SOiL Suffering from high blood pressure? A few drops of Marjoram in your bath may help. Mandarin on the other hand, calms children’s upset stomachs and clove is known to cure toothaches. Holistic healing has returned as people look for more natural alternatives in their daily lives. SOiL products, made in Zululand, are South Africa’s most popular essential oils. Essential oils are derived from the flowers, fruits, peels, barks, seeds or roots of the plants and are usually steam distilled or cold pressed to extract the oil. SOiL had a productive year in 2008 with Real Simple Magazine awarding them the prize for the Beauty Category for their Green Innovations Awards, and adding new oils and products to their range. The SOiL range is completely organic, luxurious and good for you. Go to www.soil.co.za for more.

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South Africa’s leading wine annual, the John Platter South African Wine guide, is the most inclusive and respected register with all the latest updates regarding who’s who and what’s what in South African wine country. The informative and entertaining pocket book is a must-have for wine lovers. In the 2009 edition, 33 out of an initial 6400 wines were given the much sought-after five star rating. The 29th edition of the Platter Wine Guide also includes currently available brands, and has sections on wine cellars, winelands, restaurants, tourist attractions and more. The guide is available at most good bookstores.

Make mine a

Cub

how about that

2009 Platter Wine Guide

sandwich

The feeding catapult at the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, built by the Engineering students of the University of Pretoria, is a great way to motivate animals. The catapult is used to fling food into the animals’ camp instead of putting it in the same place every time, and they have to use their senses to find it. Because the catapult is portable, it can be used to feed a large number of animals, including lions and tigers. The catapult forms part of the National Zoo’s eversuccessful environmental enrichment programme aimed at stimulating animals’ natural behaviour in an artificial environment.

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Ink

about tattoos

Story by Laura Cooke Pix © iStockphoto.com, Gallo/Getty Images Story by Laura Cooke Pix © Gold of Africa Museum

The growing popularity of an ancient art

Gone are the days where tattoos only appeared on the arms of hardcore prisoners, sailors, bikers and punks.

Today, a trip to the gym reveals that, from bankers and lawyers to doctors and housewives, hundreds of people choose to express themselves with ink. With 2009 upon us, perhaps this is the year to get that dolphin tattoo you’ve always wanted.

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T

he compulsion to adorn and alter our bodies with jewels, makeup, piercings, hair dye and tattoos extends far into our history. The earliest record dates back to 3,300 BC with the discovery of “Ötzi the Iceman,” on the border of Austria and Italy, whose skin was the canvas for 57 tattoos.

In China, early literature describes three prominent figures as having tattoos covering almost their entire bodies.

In India, the ancient art of henna tattoos remains popular.

Meanwhile, the early traditions of Phillippine tribes in the Pacific included tattooing as a rite of passage. Moving to the island of Japan, evidence of tattooing for decorative and spiritual grounds has been found to go as far back as 10,000 BC. In Samoa, the age-old tattoo, or tatau techniques have remained unchanged for at least 2000 years. And lastly,

don’t forget the infamous Picts of early Europe whose blue tattooed skin struck fear into their enemies.

Despite the longevity and widespread occurrence of tattoos, throughout history, tattoos were often relegated to the realm of the barbaric, savage and pagan and were either outright abolished, or the bearers of these signs were shunned. But the art did not die. Tattoos as marks of belonging amongst the armed forces, bikers, gangs and tribes such as the Samoans continued to remain common.

Over the last few decades, the cultural status of tattoos has evolved. Although tattoos continue to remain important as marks of belonging, when the Rolling Stones began to flaunt their inked-up bodies in the early 1980s, tattoos as individual fashion statements became the vogue in Western popular culture.

In October 2008, the London Science Museum placed w w w .1 t i m e . c o . z a

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about tattoos

Many celebrities such as Angelina Jolie flaunt tattoos.

Marc Stapelberg from Keep It Real in Pretoria, one of the growing number of professional tattoo artists in South Africa.

tattoo culture under the spotlight at an exhibition that documented the art’s significance in the past and present.

Katie Maggs, associate medical curator, was quoted, “It is only now in Western culture that tattoos are becoming an expression of individuality, rather than being about belonging to a community.”

Tattoos are a modern stamp of cool. From Angelina Jolie to Johnny Depp and David Beckham, the majority of celebrities, be it on the sports field or the silver screen show off their ink.

And with a youth culture that is obsessed with the lives of the famous, it’s not all that surprising that the demand for tattoos grows with each batch of school leavers deciding to emulate their heroes and assert their individuality.

According to the Pew Center of Research, 36% of 18-25 year-olds have some form of ink on their bodies and a Harris Interactive Poll in 2008 determined that 14% of all Americans have a tattoo – which translates into 45 million individuals. Yet, despite the fact that tattoos are increasingly commonplace, they are nonetheless an individual expression – and certain people will still go to extreme lengths to make a statement with ink.

Although many a young women’s hip displays a delicate butterfly, Chinese symbol or star, serious tattoo artists take full advantage of the entire human canvas. An American known as Lizardman, or Eric Sprague, has undergone 700 hours of tattooing to cover his entire body with green scales. This all forms part of a body-based art piece that he embarked upon during his studies. Today, his “body” attracts curious audiences to his stage performance, much like the sideshow “freaks” at early circuses. Yet, he is certain that he made the right choice, “Regret is always a possibility for

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everyone – you could say the same to someone joining the army or going to law school…I do not think that I will regret this; if I did I would not have done it.”

There are numerous “hardcore” tattoo addicts who will go to extraordinary lengths to stand out, such as tattooing the whites of their eyes, their faces and the majority of their exposed flesh, but getting a tattoo on the small of your back, your wrist, or your shoulder is not the shocking act it once was. The tattoo industry is highly professional, with sterile conditions and accomplished artists wielding the needles. In the United States, tattooing is considered one of the fastest growing retail industries with a new store opening every day.

With a new year underway, it is the time of the year to embrace change and is as good a time as any to do at least one of the items on your “must-do-before-I-kick-the-bucket” list. If you’ve always secretly yearned for a tat, it is not going to elicit stares of shock and horror as it may have done 30 years ago – but you will probably still get a thorough talking to from your 80-year-old grandmother. >

Southern Ink Xposure From the 23rd – 25th January, the Cape Town International Convention Centre will host some of the top international and local tattoo artists. The line up includes artists such as the “father of modern tattooing”, Lyle Tuttle, who has tattooed the likes of Janis Joplin and Cher. If you want to see what’s hot in ink, this is the perfect opportunity. For more information go to www.tattoos.com/six.

about entertainment

Story by Jolene Bailey Pix Š SKYY

Flair

doing it with

Two months ago, Cape Town-based Anil Sabharwal was placed seventh in the world at the SKYY Flair Global Challenge. According to this maestro, one needs imagination, lots of time, and a high pain threshold to succeed in this sport. And, of course, lots of natural flair.

S

ure, bartending is hard work, but there is also an undeniable element of smart and sassy playfulness to the profession. In addition to mixing sophisticated cocktails, whether shaken or stirred, flair bartending adds a whole new level of sexiness to this glitzy line of work.

Bar owners know that a good flair bartender keeps the customers enthralled, ultimately meaning only good things for business. At the same time, any good flair artist will tell you the effort is well worth

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the appreciative looks from admiring clientele and, moreover, the extra tips.

While flair bartending is seen as a well-established career in many parts of the world, it is still gaining credibility in South Africa. According to Anil, some of the best flair bartenders make very good money, especially in the UK and the US. Anil Sabharwal is living proof of the wealth of local talent. A professional flair bartender and Operations Manager at Shaker SA BarSchool (a cocktail training

about entertainment

Seen here (from left to right): Keegan Smith (Johannesburg), Roy Martin (Johannesburg), Victor Pires (Johannesburg), Anil Sabharwal (Cape Town), Tristan Bond (Durban).

school and events service), this 29-year-old Capetonian recently nabbed seventh place for South Africa in the SKYY Flair Global Challenge in Monte Carlo. Created by SKYY Vodka and the World Flair Association, the event showcases the latest trends in flair styles from all corners of the globe.

“18 countries participated, and all the winners from the respective countries were flown to Monte Carlo for the finals. SKYY treated all the competitors like rock stars,” concedes Anil. The talented participants were chauffeured in limousines, accommodated in five-star hotels, and had their food and drinks paid for.

When it comes to competition-time, things become a little bit more serious. Contending bartenders are judged by a panel of industry professionals on skill and difficulty, originality, variety, smoothness of routine, music interaction, entertainment, sponsor promotion and overall performance.

Anil offers the following advice to youngsters with a fervent desire to start flipping bottles.

“Remember it’s the drink and service first, tricks and entertainment second.” >

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Is flairing for you?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

The pros make flairing look so easy, but it takes hours of hard practice. Never demonstrate your flairing abilities until you’ve really mastered these skills, the last thing you want is for a flying bottle to knock out a member of your audience.

Get a feel for what you’ll be doing with bottles by starting off with a mixing tin or shaker. Practise thumb rolls, palm spins and basic flips with these tins first.

Start off using special “unbreakable” bottles (bearing in mind your head and body remain very much breakable), or cover bottles in duct tape. Ensure that no piece of the bottle remains uncovered, as this will prevent shattered bottles from leaving shards of glass everywhere.

Passing bottles from one hand to the next, with rotations in between, is the basis of all flairing tricks. Make sure you master this basic move completely before moving onto more advanced stuff.

When you do start flipping bottles behind the bar counter, make sure you use bottles with very little liquid. Not only does it make a difference in weight, but fuller bottles are bound to spill mid-air; this won’t impress your boss or your customers.

Looking for your team spirit?

Come and find it on the beach at Lagoon Beach Hotel

A modern, world class hotel with luxury accommodation, superb restaurants and excellent service. It boasts unrivalled postcard views of the majestic Table Mountain, Robben Island, the V&A Waterfront and the Atlantic Ocean. Situated on the Beach at Milnerton, Lagoon Beach Hotel is ideally located for business, tourist and leisure travelers. The Hotel features outstanding conference, banquet and wedding facilities as well as our very own Camelot Spa. There are several dining options, including the elegant, exclusive Abalone Restaurant, and the more relaxed Pool Bar and deck. For those who prefer to take their meals in their bedrooms or suites, Lagoon Beach offers and excellent room service menu.

Half and Full Day conference packages that include a FUN SESSION with world renowned comedy illusionist ‘Russell Fox’ from only R400 per Team Member. At rates like these the question is: ‘Can you afford NOT to take your team?

Valid until September 2009, subject to availability.

Lagoon Beach Road, Milner ton, Cape Town, Wester n Cape , South Afr ica Telephone: +27 21 528 2000 / Facsimile: +27 21 528 2010 Email: reservations2@lagoonbeachhotel.co.za www.lagoonbeachhotel.co.za

about baboons

the cape town

Story & Pix © Gary Hirson

CHACMAS Walking with baboons

I

have always seen baboons as dangerous primates that lurk in trees waiting to attack tourists and steal their food. This remained my uninformed opinion until I embarked on a guided walk with Chacma Baboons in the Southern Cape Peninsula.

Chacma baboons are indigenous to South Africa and at one time they roamed freely in areas such as Clifton and Camps Bay in Cape Town. Due to rapid urbanisation of the Cape Peninsula the baboons have been pushed further south; with the highest concentration of baboons now living in the Tokai, Kommetjie, De Gama Park and Scarborough areas.

Baboons soon realised that human food was easily accessible and they began rummaging through waste bins, and at times broke into houses. Conflict between baboons and residents reached such catastrophic

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proportions that, in 1998, it was predicted these baboons would soon become extinct.

“Baboon Matters” – started by Jenni Trethowan – has formed an essential part of finding a solution to save these endangered animals. Baboon Matters are paid a management fee to employ full time monitors to keep a watch on the movement of the baboons and steer them clear of the residential areas. Guided tours, where tourists can walk with the baboons while learning about these misunderstood animals were also initiated. Says Jenni, “When I first came up with the idea of guided walks, people thought I was nuts. But now that the benefits are starting to manifest, opinion is changing.”

Realising that ignorance isn’t bliss, I decided to join Baboon Matters to find out more about these

about baboons

“Baboon Matters” employ baboon monitors to steer them away from residential areas.

misunderstood animals. A scenic 40-minute drive from Cape Town brought me to the offices of Baboon matters.

After a brief introduction, Chris, our guide began with an orientation talk. One of the non-negotiable points was that absolutely no food was allowed on the walk. Shortly afterwards we drove out to the location where one of the troops was believed to be. After a short walk into the hills we met up with one of the monitors.

The 28 monitors, who have been employed from the local community of Masiphumelele, work in teams of three to four. They observe the troops and their movements and take the necessary steps in case the baboons get too close to residential areas. They’re also there to keep an eye on the guides and tourists.

Alarmingly I noticed that the monitors have no form of weapons for protection. “We have a special bond with the troops and they trust us implicitly,” says Mzukisi Nkewu,

who has recently been promoted to the position of field manager. “To direct them we only have to clap our hands and whistle, and they’ll move to wherever we want them to.” He tells of a story when a film crew was shooting a commercial in the Cape Point Nature Reserve. The crew went to the location without any baboon monitors. A short while later Baboon Matters received a phone call from the stressed production manager saying that the crew were all huddled in a caravan while a number of “vicious” baboons were eating all the food from the tables.

Four baboon monitors rushed to the scene. The baboons recognised them immediately, and with sandwiches, fruit and biscuits in hand, they made for the bushes. The monitors, clapping their hands and whistling, steered the baboons further away.

We walked about 700 metres into the low-lying hills when suddenly we heard the barking of a baboon. A

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about baboons

Baboons will not attack people and generally only come towards people if they are carrying food.

short distance in front of us the Alpha male of the troop, George, reared his head from behind a rock. After giving us the once over, he seemed to nod, and the rest of the troop, about 15 baboons, followed him down to a small clearing in the shade of a tree. The older baboons joined him, lay down and dozed while the younger more energetic ones, jumped from rock to rock, climbed up the nearby trees and play-fought with each other.

“Baboons will only attack if they’re threatened. The only time they will approach us, is when they can smell that we have food on us. Still then they won’t try to bite us, but rather they’ll only try to push us over so that they can get to the food,” says Chris.

After two hours of watching, listening and learning we made our way back to the car. The walk is short, not too steep, and the rugged nature is quite striking. All that you need to bring along is a hat and some sunscreen and the R275 that it cost for this tour is money well spent.

It helps to keep Baboon Matters, and their dream of reducing the conflict between humans and baboons, alive. Residents are happier, and both tourists and the people of Masiphumelele are benefiting from this educational adventure.

While driving back to the city, I am much more mindful of the dangers of ignorance. Baboons could very easily have been driven to extinction if it weren’t for the work of organisations like Baboon Matters. And, baboons aren’t out to get you – they just want to eat, sleep and have some fun, just like us. >

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Walks occur twice a day, except Sundays, where there is only a morning walk. Minimum 2 people maximum 6 per group. Children under 15 pay R140.

Contact Baboon Matters on + 27 21 782 2015, +27 084 413 9482 or email jennit@cybersmart.co.za or visit the website at www.baboonmatters.org.za.

Susan Greyling Alice Art Gallery proudly presents:

Susan

At Alice Art gallery we are completely dedicated to the promotion and support of South African Art and Artist.

Our expert knowledge of art and our deep desire to provide our clients the paintings their dreams are made of, contribute to Alice art being a leader in the art industry.

At Alice Art we source art for our clients by artists whose work is decorative, attractive and above all, understandable. Our exquisite range of art speaks to the heart and soul and every person who enters our galleries. We make art a living, integral part of your home.

Visit our gallery for the ultimate art experience of a lifetime. Let us adorn your home with beautiful works of art.

When you sometimes become lonely or long for memories gone by,

you will find satisfaction in the art of Susan Greyling.

The paintings of Susan, educated as an Art teacher, depicts women and children in warm glowing colours and rich textures.

Her lascivious bar girls made her famous and once seen, also made them famous.

A sense of warmth and a feeling of nostalgia is part and parcel of her figures.

The fullness of her creations and the simplicity of her art culminates in balanced beauty seldom to be found anywhere else.

Alice Art invites you to the opening evening of the SUSAN GREYLING exhibition!

Alice Art RUIMSIG Wednesday 25 February 2009 18:30 sms 076 1292830 to rsvp

Stone

about travel

Story by Shannon Manders Pix © Dylan Schwarz

town

We got lost on our first day in Stone Town, and our sense of direction did not improve the next day, or the day after that.

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anzibar is still the best-kept secret in the Indian Ocean, with fascinating history and magnificent beaches. An archipelago made up of Unguja and Pemba Islands and several islets, Zanzibar is located some 40 kilometres from the Tanzanian coast. The archipelago is characterised by beautiful, sandy beaches with fringing coral reefs, and the magical Stone Town – said to be the only functioning ancient town in East Africa.

On our first trip to Stone Town, we wandered the narrow streets of the old town and lost all sense of where we were. We meticulously picked out landmarks to return to, only to find that appearances shifted in the changing light that filtered through the warren of houses, compounds and alleyways, and the distinctive features of landmarks became blurred.

Certainly the best way to explore Stone Town is to walk, and preferably, to get lost. While the city may not have a particularly romantic name, Stone Town is the old cultural heart of Zanzibar, little changed in the last 200 years. Built when Zanzibar was one of the most important trading centres in the Indian Ocean, it is a place of bustling bazaars, mosques and grand Arab houses whose original owners vied with each other over the extravagance of their dwellings.

Its narrow, twisting streets are criss-crossed by serpentine alleyways that unexpectedly open out onto semi-ruined squares alive with food vendors, hawkers and, at night, crowds of people enjoying coffee on the stone barazas.

These thick benches of solid stone are built into the walls around courtyards or flank the heavy doors of the townhouses. Zanzibari people loll about on the warm, smooth cement benches, gossiping, playing games of bao or cards, or simply idling away a long afternoon with a nap. In the rainy season, when torrents of water, sometimes laced with rubbish, make walking down the streets of Stone Town uncomfortable and even hazardous, the barazas outside the houses provide a useful elevated pavement, and pedestrians jump from one to the next in an attempt to keep their feet dry.

The town features once-grand palaces and public buildings dating back to the sultanate period of the early 19th Century, now – sadly – rather run-down and ill-repaired. However, several buildings have been renovated and the Stone Town Conservation Authority has been established to coordinate the restoration of the town to its original magnificence. The former Nasur NurMohammed Dispensary and The House of Wonders are superb examples of how imposing this type of architecture can look after a little tender loving care.

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Stone Town in Zanzibar is a fantastic destination to explore on foot.

The infrastructure for visitors to Stone Town has improved considerably in recent years. There’s now a wide range of accommodation, from basic backpackers to luxurious hotels in restored atmospheric mansions, decorated with exquisite Zanzibar antiques.

There’s also a good selection of restaurants serving the best of Swahili food, some local and international bars, and even the odd Internet café. Fortunately, none of these changes have intruded on the atmosphere of Stone Town, and a lot of thought has been put into how to modernise the town without it showing.

Today, Stone Town remains a wonderfully authentic crumbling ruin of a place with a sweaty, broody atmosphere.

Visitors expecting some sort of historic theme park will be disappointed though, as Stone Town remains somewhere to explore rather than tour. > 1time flies directly to Zanzibar! See the flight schedule for times and days.

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Five fast facts: • Stone Town has 50 mosques and four Hindu temples.

• The House of Wonders is one of the first buildings in East Africa to have electricity and is Stone Town’s oldest existing building.

• Musician Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara on 5th September 1946 in Stone Town.

• Stone Town is the starting point for a Spice Tour to the surrounding countryside – an opportunity to see a side of Zanzibar other than old houses and beaches.

• For many years Stone Town was a major centre for the slave trade. Slaves were obtained from mainland Africa and traded with the Middle East.

The Anglican Cathedral is built on the site of a former slave market. Some of the holding cells still exist.

about music

Story by Jessica Hewson Pix © Freshlyground

Fresher It’s late afternoon on a lazy summer Sunday at the Kirstenbosch Gardens in Cape Town. Families and friends are here in their droves, soaking up the sun and snacking on picnic treats. “Concert sold out” reads a banner at the entrance, and the crowds wait in eager anticipation for one of South Africa’s best-loved bands to begin.

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reshlyground takes to the stage, launching into beats so infectious that it doesn’t take long before concertgoers congregate up front, swaying and jiving in unison. There’s a determined wind blowing, but this doesn’t do much to deter the 5000-strong crowd as they sing along to the authentic rhythms of a band that’s earned itself pride of place among the cream of South Africa’s musical crop.

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than ever

This band is made up of expert musicians. There is powerhouse Zolani Mahola on lead vocals and Kyla-Rose Smith on violin and vocals. Over to the boys with Aron Turest-Swartz on keyboard and percussion, Josh Hawks on bass guitar and Julio Sigauque on acoustic guitar.

Multi-skilled Simon Attwell plays the flute, mbira and harmonica, amongst other instruments, while Peter Cohen completes the rhythm section on drums.

Freshlyground are seven illustrious years from their

about music

modest beginnings in the small, smoky suburb of Observatory, and they continue to play to sold-out venues across the country – and the world. Their three albums, Jika Jika, Nomvula and Ma’Cheri, continue to sell like hotcakes. And in 2008 they grabbed four South African Music Awards (SAMA) including Best Album for Ma’Cheri, as well as Best Group. Added to this, they have numerous international tours under their belt, and are, as one of their songs proclaims, Fired Up. This is an extremely fitting way to describe their stage performance and presence. It’s feisty, fiery and full of life. Zolani Mahola, the diminutive diva who fronts the band, is a key ingredient in the Freshlyground recipe. Through her resonant, strong voice she commands and holds audiences of any size. As the primary lyric writer, Zo, as she is affectionately known, is in touch with the world and cites “our emotional state, our travels, the political situation in the world, romantic involvement,

Freshlyground continues to make waves locally and internationally.

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families and the world” as the factors that influence their music. From soulful ballads such as I’d Like and Desire to catchy pop tunes like Doo Be Doo and Buttercup there is an integrity and beauty to her words.

This dynamic band is not just a success on home turf. Internationally, there are exciting developments on the cards for Freshlyground. They have completed a number of European tours. As Peter Cohen, drummer for the band, says, “European audiences are great. They have no preconceived ideas and are open to new experiences. They always request numerous encores when we play.” June marks the start of their first tour to the USA where, in addition to making great music, they’re looking forward to observing the major changes that the US is experiencing.

But what is the secret to their success? What gives them the edge that has seen them rise to fame both locally and abroad? The South African

music scene is notoriously harsh when it comes to album sales and radio airplay.

Granted, Freshlyground have mastered the art of creating rhythms that get people dancing, but it goes deeper than that. Peter touches on what could be at the core of the Freshlyground phenomenon: “Through the band’s multi-racialism we present an ideal to South Africans. We give people hope and represent a microcosm of how society could be. We’re not huge messengers. But, intrinsically through our music we reveal a positive slant on life.”

Their seductive blend of Afro-pop, jazz, township jive and rock looks set to continue to fill our ears, and hearts, in the future and they aim to launch a fourth album towards the end of this year. South Africa, and the world, just can’t get enough of tunes that are being ground fresher than ever. >

about travel

Story by Kathryn Fourie Pix Š Port Alfred Tourism

PARADISE AND

Pineapples Port Alfred

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hen people daydream at their desks about escaping reality, computers blip and bloop obscenities, fax machines squeal and the 10 am milky tea goes undrunk. Yet behind these glazed eyes, images of foreign lands with empty beaches and sunny skies appear. The very next thing one does is to Google an exotic location like ‘Mexico’ or ‘Spain’ and check our bank balance…then we mope until 5 pm.

But these fantastical lands are not as inaccessible as we think. One such spot exists about a 12-hour drive from just about everywhere. Think rocky outcrops, game

farms, acacia trees, prickly pears and rolling valleys.

Oh yes indeed, it’s the Eastern Cape! But heading more specifically for wide-open beaches, pineapples and relaxation – welcome to Port Alfred, smack in the middle of the Sunshine Coast.

Port Alfred was originally established in the 1820s when Lord Charles Somerset moved a posse of British Settlers into the area to act as a barrier between the Western Cape and the lands that were still under AmaXhosa rule.

The town was originally called Port Kowie after the river that runs through it, until Queen Victoria sent her son along to South Africa for a holiday. In true British style, to honour Prince Alfred, they changed the name.

One can only imagine how wild Port Alfred was

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almost 200 years ago, as even today no more than a couple of kilometres out of the town the dunes are covered in hard-core thicket vegetation, and wildlife isn’t strictly found behind fences. Leaving all pretension at the border to the Oos Kaap, when you hit Port Alfred big city effects tend to become a distant need.

No one cares what brand of flip-flop you’re wearing, and conversations revolve around fishing, the weather and who was seen with whom at the local pub, the Snorting Grunter.

Typical of small town living, people know each other by name and life around the Kowie River is very relaxed.

Famed for its waterfront marina, Port Alfred has grown steadily to become one of the top holiday destinations in South Africa, and many a multimillionaire has a house on the river, with a boat to match. Not surprisingly, the hand-in-hand industries of tourism and property development pump life into this pocket of paradise, and land prices have skyrocketed over the past few years.

Port Alfred has three main beaches, but Kelly’s beach on the western side of the river mouth has Blue Flag status due to its ecological diversity and ultra-clean conditions. In fact, if you’re hunting for some of the best beaches in South Africa, look no further than this stretch of the Eastern Cape. Just out of Port Alfred is the

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tiny hamlet of Riet River, where one can park and walk north up the beach to the Three Sisters; impressive rocky bluffs that rise straight out of the sea. Atop the second Sister, one has views over Sharks Gully, a Ragged Tooth breeding site! For divers, a shipwreck sits just off the Sisters – if the Raggie part didn’t put you off.

Surrounded by farmlands and sea, fresh produce to rival any expensive organic shop in the big cities is available year round in Port Alfred. With pineapples being one of the main crops in this part of the country, Sunshine Juice is a local brand of fruit juice that, once tasted, can never be forgotten and visits to the juicing factory can be arranged. Cheese from the district can also be bought at the Green Fountain Resort just outside Port Alfred, and Bathurst, which is 15 km inland, has a farmer’s market every Sunday morning with fresh coffee and apple strudel, home-made yoghurts and veggies galore.

So when you next catch yourself staring at images of happy tanned people strolling down a beach or galloping through a forest on horseback, snap out of it, stop feeling sorry for yourself and make a point of finding your way down to Port Alfred, to ice-cold Sunshine Juice, pots of steaming mussels and countless hours of outdoor fun. >

Activities When arriving in Port Alfred it’s a good idea to hit the handy Tourism Office in Causeway Road for pamphlets and maps showing what to do and where to go. There are countless activities such as hiking, horse riding, boat trips, forest walks, diving, surfing, paddling, 4x4 trails, golf and more. Email the Tourism Office at tourism@ndlambe.co.za for further info and book your activities in advance.

Pineapples The climate of the Eastern Cape is perfectly suited to pineapple cultivation, and this Brazilian plant flourishes in the surrounds of Port Alfred. The plant is made up of 30-plus spiky leaves surrounding a thick stem. The pineapple fruit then grows atop of this stem – a sight that not many people get to see!

An individual pineapple is in fact made up of many tiny fruits that press together to form a “giant” fruit, and this fruit contains brolemian, an enzyme that breaks down protein which is why a lot of people use pineapple juice to tenderise meat.

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about music

Story by Kathryn Fourie Pix © In-Cha

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In-Cha

hinking back to when you were 12 years old, it’s not uncommon to have memories of running wild in the garden, climbing trees and avoiding all semblance of responsibility. Our parents were proud when we managed to tie our shoelaces and did not spill everything we ate on the carpet; and our amazing macaroni and glue artworks brought them close to tears.

However, there is one 12 year old giving her classmates a run for their pocket money, and this is the dynamic and vastly talented In-Cha. Hailing from Durban, she is a pintsized classical violinist who has become a household name over the past couple of years.

In-Cha’s mum was always a very musically inclined person but never had the opportunity to study music. So she made sure that her daughters had the chance to learn. In-Cha began her musical career playing the piano at the age of four. However, after watching a violin concert with her mother when

12-year-old violin superstar

she was six, she knew her passions lay in strings not keys.

“I actually tried a whole lot of instruments; the recorder, the organ, the piano…but I chose violin because the sound that comes out when you play sounds like how you are feeling – it comes out sounding like me. When I’m angry it comes out muffled and if I’m in a good mood it comes out happy and skippy!”

In-Cha’s career started out like most violinists, in the classical realm. After four years of honing her violin skills, she did incredibly well at the Queensburgh Festival in 2005 and 2006, winning her age category, and was invited to perform with the Hugo Lambrechts Youth Orchestra as the youngest soloist at the Reiding Concerto in Cape Town. In fact In-Cha plays countless classical performances with many orchestras, receives high 90s in her exams, and has won many music competitions. But her rise to commercial fame draws more from her youth.

As a tween (pre-teen), In-Cha’s personal taste in music

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revolves around pop and hip-hop, and with a bit of maturity behind her already impressive resume, she upped the ante by creating a fusion of all that she loves in her first album. To do this, she travelled to Atlanta in 2007 to work with Grammynominated producers Ced Keyz International and Willie Briggs Jr. This experience taught her how to delve deeper into the violin and to expand her interaction with it in order to produce new sounds and musical flavours.

On her return she worked with Alexis Faku, who has produced for Jae, Loyiso and many other SA artists. With his influence, In-Cha’s desire to have her Afro-Asian roots come through in her music became a possibility. Her debut album, Violin Superstar was released in 2008 and her career shows no signs of slowing down as she performs with the likes of HHP and Danny K, creates new music videos, and even travelled to London in November last year for a month of performing with the Young Voices in Concert Tour.

One might wonder how a 12-year-old deals with being

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well known so early in life? In-Cha has a sensible way of looking at things, “Well, I always wanted to be famous; I just didn’t know it was going to happen so fast or be in music!

Having people come up to me when I’m shopping doesn’t bother me because I know that it means I’ve done my job, and I’m setting an example for others. Also, without people who support me, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

With unlimited support from her family and manager at NB records, In-Cha can only grow, and with a focus on giving back to people in need via donations to charity, she has made sure that others benefit from her success.

At the end of the day, In-Cha is a rather extraordinary violinist and a typical child. She loves shopping, clothes and having fun. Yet, she has a very adult way of dealing with her career. But, my bet is that her macaroni and glue artwork would be the one that gets the Art Prize; she’s just that kind of kid. >

Story by Johanna Hellberg Pix © iStockphoto.com & Gallo/Getty Images

TURKEY A traveller’s delight

To experience Turkey is to encounter a kaleidoscope of colours, tastes, aromas and religions in a place which is neither Asia nor Europe.

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stanbul, the original capital city of the Ottoman Empire, is a city with atmosphere.

With one foot in Asia and and the other in Europe, this unique city is connected by the Bosporus Intercontinental Suspension Bridge that spans the Bosporus Strait at a length of 1,560 metres and 64 metres above sea level.

There are many magnificent sites in Istanbul, of which the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Church and the Topkapi Palace are probably the most famous. However, there are also many less familiar places to visit, such as the spectacular Beylerbeyi Palace and the Chora Church.

Beylerbeyi Palace, which is on the Bosporus, was used during the 19th century as the summer palace of the Ottoman sultans. The Chora Church dates back to the 11th century, and boasts remarkable Byzantine mosaic murals.

Istanbul in particular, is fantastic for shopping. Silk, cotton, wool, carpets, kelims, pashminas, spices, Turkish Delight and apple tea, are just some of the exotic specialities that tourists can take home. You can choose to shop at the Spice Bazaar, the Grand Bazaar, or Istiqlal Street which boasts shopping and dining until well after midnight.

A journey to Turkey would be incomplete without a visit to Cappadocia. This unique lunar landscape was formed by volcanic activity in the region. The lava, ash and mud that covered the area, was compacted over centuries into tufa, a malleable material out of which the ancient cities were carved.

The Hittites were the first people to create underground cities and houses in the tufa. In the 6th century AD, many Christians hid in these cities and attended underground churches.

Many of these dwellings can be visited today, and leave one astonished at the ingenuity of the ancient architects.

Turkey’s beaches on the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas are among its most popular tourist attractions. Antalya, on the Mediterranean Sea, has a large, convenient airport and apart from the seaside attractions, Antalya is also close to Perge and Aspendos – cities that existed in Biblical times and were visited by Paul on his missionary journeys.

Aspendos is renowned for its unique theatre, which is more than 2,000 years old, and still in use. The acoustics in this theatre are so good that performers have no need to use microphones to perform. Legend has it that the theatre was built to win the hand of the Sultan’s daughter in marriage.

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The Bosporus intercontinental bridge

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Cappadocia, the remarkable lunar landscape where ancient cities still exist.

The ruins of Ephesus offer a view of the best preserved GreekRoman city in the Eastern Mediterranean. The library, the third largest in antiquity after Alexandria (Egypt) and Pergamum, was built with double walls so that air could circulate between the two walls to keep the scrolls safe from harmful moisture.

Had Homer not written The Iliad, Troy would probably still be an unknown city. Excavations show that there were 16 cities of Troy, each one built on top of the ruins of the previous one. It is very difficult to distinguish between fact and myth in Troy’s history, but what is certain is that many wars surrounded it – mainly to gain access to the Dardanelles Straits and eventually the Black Sea. The Battle of Gallipoli in World War I took place not far from here.

Lastly is the food. Turkish food is much like Greek food, and is very tasty. Olives are plentiful, and are served in a variety of colours and sizes with all meals, even breakfast! The bread

is excellent and there is never a shortage of cheese or honey – often still on the comb! Desserts range from healthy fruits to extremely sweet creations that normally include plenty of honey.

Turkish Delight, arguably Turkey’s most famous invention and export, can be found virtually everywhere. It is best to buy this at the bazaars rather than from the roadside stalls where the sesame oil, cream and honey used in the making, have been exposed to the elements. This way you can be sure your Turkish Delight is always deliciously fresh.

Turkey offers good value for money as a tourist destination, and whether you enjoy archaeological sites and museums, or water sports and skiing, it is all there. You can do a historical, Biblical, cultural, food or photographic tour. You can choose to backpack or do the luxury thing – and it still will not cost you an arm and a leg. >

Shopping at Turkish markets is a great way to find bargains and interesting trinkets

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about music

Storie deur Mandi Jordaan

ALTERNATIEWE Afrikaans musiek

Pix © Sean Metelerkamp

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lternatiewe Afrikaanse musiek het vir homself ‘n regmatige plek in die plaaslike musiekbedryf verdien. En of jy dit nou as kuns of kultus beskou, alternatiewe Afrikaans is hier om te bly.

Die jongmense jol en die ou mense kla.

Alternatiewe Afrikaanse musiek was vir lank “die soort musiek wat die jeug opsweep en die ou mense skok.” Vandag blyk dit asof hierdie musiek genre groter en lewendiger is as ooit – en duisende is deel van die alternatiewe beweging.

Alternatief = Anders

In teenstelling met die gewone hoofstroom musiek wat op die breër Afrikaanse mark gerig is, is alternatiewe Afrikaanse musiek ‘n meer intense musiekvorm. Dit is

Hier om te bly musiek wat bedoel is om die wat lusiter te ontnugter, te bevry, en wat gewoonlik sosiale of politieke kommentaar lewer. Die hedendaagse alternatiewe musiek is dan ook soveel meer as net die sogenaamde angry music –‘n ander stigma waarmee hierdie tipe musiek gebrandmerk is. “Ons alternatiewe rock bands draai nie doekies om nie – hulle sê ‘n ding soos hy is – en dis waarmee baie mense nie gemaklik voel nie,” verduidelik Liny Kruger, publisiteitsbeampte van Rhythm Records. “Eintlik is dit okei om kwaad te wees, om vrae te vra, om die norm te bevraagteken, om jouself te bevraagteken, om gefrustreerd te voel oor aspekte in jou lewe wat nie reg voel nie. Alternatiewe rockers se passie word dikwels verkeerd geïnterpreteer en mense dink dat hulle net die wêreld wil afbreek. Maar dit is hierdie einste

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kamp

an Meteler

Aking © Se

t © Carina

ar Valiant Sw Polisiekar ©

passie wat wys dat hierdie kunstenaars eintlik baie belangstel in hulle eie lewens, wat om hulle aangaan en die wêreld waarin ons lewe.”

Van toeka tot nou

Alternatiewe Afrikaanse musiek is so oud soos die berge, al het dit ‘n lang en moeilike paadjie na erkenning gestap. Groot musiekgeeste soos Anton Goosen, wie se musiekloopbaan al oor dekades strek, het so vroeg as die sewentigerjare begin om alternatiewe musiek te skryf. Hy het Afrikaanse musiek geherdefinieer met die heel eerste Afrikaanse rock liedjie in die geskiedenis, Blommetjie-gedenk-aan-my. Soos baie van die alternatiewe materiaal wat deur daardie tyd se kunstenaars geskryf is, het hierdie liedjie eers omtrent dertig jaar na sy uitreiking ‘n treffer geword, omdat die destydse uitsaaiwese en media baie streng was oor die blootstelling wat alternatiewe musiek mag geniet het. Enige kontroversiële liedjies is verban, afgekeur en as “ongeskik” vir die SuidAfrikaanse gehore beskou. Vir lank was die publiek onbewus dat hierdie tipe musiek gemaak is. Ander baanbrekers in die alternatiewe Afrikaanse musiekbedryf, wie se werk vandag nog groot aanhang geniet, is Johannes Kerkorrel, Koos Kombuis, Bernoldus Niemand, Valiant Swart en Koos du Plessis. ‘n Nuwe geslag Al was alternatiewe Afrikaanse musiek vir baie mense so lank ‘n steen des aanstoots, staan dit deesdae sy eie man. Die

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Laubscher

Liam Lynch

politieke winde van verandering wat in Suid-Afrika ‘n dekade of wat terug begin waai het, is grootliks verantwoordelik hiervoor, gesels Liny. “Na die verkiesing in 1994 was daar nie meer rede vir musiek met politiek-verwante issues nie. Die nuwe generasie musikante het begin kyk na hulle eie identiteit en het hulle calvinistiese opvoeding begin bevraagteken. Die groot voorloper van hedendaagse alternatiewe Afrikaanse musiek is die groep Polisiekar. Vandag is daar ‘n klomp alternatiewe bands wat oor meer persoonlike issues musiek maak.” Groepe wat deesdae baie aftrek kry, is aKing, Van Coke Kartel, Foto na Dans, Karen Zoid en Straatligkinders.

Kunstenaars soos Somerfaan en Riku Lätti wat meer ongedefinieërde alternatiewe musiek maak, geniet ook baie ondersteuning.

Anders as wat mens sou dink, is alternatiewe Afrikaanse musiek bedoel vir enige iemand wat daarby aanklank vind – met baie belangstelling van die jeugmark en die ouderdomsgroep 30-50, bevestig Liny. “Alternatiewe Afrikaanse musiek is nie gemik op enige iemand spesifiek nie,” sê Hunter Kennedy, kitaarspeler vir Polisiekar, aKing en Die Heuwels. “Alternatiewe Afrikaanse musiek gaan daaroor dat die verhouding tussen die kunstenaar en die luisteraar op die kunstenaar se terme bestaan, en nie anders om nie.

Jongmense kan beter daarmee relate. Mens moenie met voorafbepaalde verwagtinge na hierdie musiek luister nie. En as jy nie daarvan hou nie, so what?” >

Mountain

about adventure

Story by Bernard K Hellberg Pix © Gallo/Getty Images

-

BIKING

FOR THE REAL ENTHUSIASTS There was a time when cyclists could be divided into two categories – those who have already fallen off their bikes and those who are still to fall. But, there is another category: the fat tyre

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brigade, also known as mountain bikers.

t all started in the mid 1970s, when a number of cyclists grew tired of being limited to on-road cycling because of their skinny-tyred road bikes.

Fast but puncture-prone, the bicycles had to stay on tarred surfaces – which also held the additional danger of cars and other vehicles.

The answer was an off-road type bicycle with a stronger frame, and smaller (26”) wheels. Led by Gary Fisher, a “roadie” who wanted to move out into Marin County near Los Angeles, the movement quickly grew.

New, sturdier frames were developed. Tyres grew in width (up to three times their usual width); mountain bikers (the guys) stopped shaving their legs – and a

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new sport was born. Given the competitive nature of humankind, competitions were developed with downhill biking gaining in popularity and attracting a large following.

The pioneers of this new sport were, apart from Gary Fisher, Joe Breeze and Tom Ritchey – the same names that endure to this day on many bicycles and components.

The riders were attracted to the 4.6 kilometre long Cascade Fire Trial near the town of Fairfax in California. Every rider would start at different intervals with one objective – getting to the bottom of the trial with its 490-metre drop in the shortest possible time. With the last race taking place in 1984 because of the insurance companies’ collective unhappiness with all the claims, local authorities closed the event down.

Gary Fisher still holds the downhill record – 4 minutes and 22 seconds. In layman’s terms this is more than 60 km/h on a dangerous gravel surface with obstacles such as trees and boulders thrown in for good measure.

In South Africa, mountain biking has also taken off in a big way. In fact, it is estimated that there are more cyclists on mountain bikes than on their lighter (and faster) road cousins.

These bikes are also used in road races when they appear with so-called thin racing slicks to ease the owner’s long-distance agony.

Mountain bikers also enjoy the added advantage of practising their sport under safer conditions. They do not have to stick to paved surfaces, but can head for the single tracks and footpaths when motorised traffic becomes too dangerous.

Curious motorists will recognise mountain bikers immediately. They are the folks who do not shave their legs, sport a tan of enviable proportions, and carry strange contraptions called Camelbaks on their backs containing liquid refreshments. After all, taking a hand off the handlebars to reach for a bottle while negotiating a rocky section of track would be courting disaster of epic proportions.

In our country, several superb events are held

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annually. These include the Subaru-sponsored Sani2C where the cyclists ride from Underberg in the Southern Drakensberg to Scottburgh on the East Coast. More than 1,200 cyclists – both professional and amateur – take part in this annual bike festival with farmers and their families providing marshalling and catering, as well as mental and physical support.

And then there’s the biggie. The Absa Cape Epic attracts dedicated local and international cyclists for eight days of sheer offroad hell. All cyclists enter as pairs which means that the stronger must take care of the weaker – quite a frustration when both are not equally competent.

about gardens

The event starts at Table Mountain on 21st March and ends on the 28th. Twelve hundred cyclists will ride 743 kilometres and climb 16,650 metres during the race, which ends at Lourensford Wine Estate.

Mountain biking continues to grow in popularity worldwide, and South Africa not only hosts numerous events, but also has well developed and exhilarating mountain bike trails across the country. Even Johannesburg, which is not exactly hilly, has its fair share. So, with the new year upon us, why not go off the beaten track and get a little dirty! >

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Story by Susan Putter Pic © iStockphoto.com

give yourself a

BREAK

New Year ’s Resolutions and the Intention to Keep Them

“May all your troubles last as long as your New Year’s resolutions” – Joey Adams

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he whole resolution fiasco, as far as I can tell, can be blamed on the Roman King, Janus. He is the chap with the two faces and, come New Year, this is pertinent because it enables him to look both to the future as well as to the past.

Lacking the second face, we mere mortals are somewhat handicapped when it comes to New Year’s resolutions. We can look to the future or we can look to the past but never to both at the same time. As a result we either regard resolutions with bleary-eyed gloom born of repeated failures or manic enthusiasm resulting from having no memory whatsoever of the past. Nonetheless, we rub our champagne flutes and imagine the New Year’s genie coming to grant one or more of the following insanities: 1. I will lose weight. At the stroke of midnight I will lose all taste for chocolate, creamy desserts and

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fatty biltong. Instead, I will crave only celery sticks, lettuce and tap water. This will transform me into a sylph-like goddess by 7th January.

2. I will get out of debt / save money / get a second job / be rich / stick to a budget / make Tito proud. Money, money, money. As the kilograms drop, so the money will accumulate. This is the year when I make it big. By the end of the year I will be wearing designer labels while driving my new convertible to my professionally decorated pad in Clifton.

3. I will stop procrastinating and instead use my time productively by not playing Tetris / Minesweeper / Solitaire for hours on end. This, obviously, only starts in the New Year.

4. I will no longer yell at my family, friends, colleagues. Neither will I throw myself on the floor in fits of hysterical frustration. Instead, I will say daily affirmations / burn candles and incense / start meditating / achieve enlightenment / go to India.

about health

Possibly go work in a call centre so that I can save money for the pad in Clifton.

5. I will, will, will stop smoking. The person weaving through traffic on the highway, covered in nicotine patches, foaming at the mouth from all that gum, shouting “Cigarette! Cigarette!” will be me.

6. I will start exercising. And I will stick to exercising. Just as soon as I lose weight, stop smoking and save up enough money for the membership fee at the gym. Unless, of course, I do not manage to stop procrastinating. By the way, does anybody know how much a gym membership costs in India?

7. I will de-junk the house / clear out the garage / Wendy house / linen cupboard / that odd kitchen drawer with miscellaneous curtain hooks, pens, scissors, receipts and screws. I will transform my home into a haven of peace and tranquillity by shining the window latches / doing home maintenance / building my own TV unit / creating a water-friendly garden from scratch.

This is clearly a pipedream. But it is such a nice one that it is worth keeping on the list for decorative purposes.

8. I will learn to cook something new every week. There are many different things that one could do with celery sticks, lettuce and tap water.

In the unlikely event that I cannot find appropriate cookbooks, I will write one myself: “101 Tasty Ways with Celery.” It will be an instant bestseller. My bank balance will swell enabling me to afford nicotine patches and a gym membership.

9. I will read and practise the “Kama Sutra.”

Although, considering all the above, I am probably going to be rather busy, what with the celery and the call centre and all. Maybe I could set one day aside for mastering this one... To be honest, just the thought of all that stretching is giving me a headache...

10. I will simplify my life. Starting right now with this list of New Year’s resolutions. I am of a mind to scrap the whole thing. Where would I find the time?

Yes. I will simplify my life. I will take each day as it comes, blessings and curses alike, and I will simply be grateful for the time. >

about motoring

Story by Bernard K Hellberg Pix Š Quickpic

Top

take your

Convertibles have succeeded in retaining their appeal through at least eight decades. Regarded as dashing, adventurous and sporty, these motoring masterpieces continue to attract those with a sense of adventure and fun, those wanting to feel the great outdoors, indoors, and of course those who want to be more accessible to their adoring publics.

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off

about motoring

I

n the beginning virtually all cars could be classified as convertibles, evolving as they did from buggy and bicycle technology. Reliability was held in higher regard than weather protection and motorists tried to avoid travelling in winter. But by 1925, sales of closed cars had exceeded that of open roadsters, as they were known. Buicks, Cadillacs and Chryslers lead the pack, as many of them still do today in the American market, followed by Willys, LaSalle, Stearns and Whippet, who have sadly disappeared from the scene.

The years leading up to World War II saw the convertible making a strong comeback, especially with Nazi politicians favouring brands such as Mercedes-Benz and Maybach to expose themselves to the masses. To this day, these ostentatious displays of political power may be seen at the Transport Museum in Sinsheim, Germany. The year 1939 also saw the introduction – by

Plymouth – of the first convertible with a power top. It was activated by pneumatic cylinders and removed a major inconvenience of open cars.

By 1957 the market saw a prosperous era with convertible sales suddenly achieving 5% of the market.

Ford continued to dominate, followed by British cars such as Austin-Healey, MG and Jaguar – a strange development, given British weather conditions.

The ‘70s was a dismal era, plagued by two oil crises.

The market started demanding cars with higher fuel economy, the fun element seemed to be gone and, with it, the urge to own a convertible.

However, the convertible managed to weather this period of sensible thinking well and now, with the exception of a few brands, virtually every manufacturer/importer has at least one convertible in its product line-up. These vehicles are seen as a status

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about motoring

symbol for the wealthy few who are determined to enjoy the fresh air – even if it means getting sunburnt to a senseless degree.

In terms of the latest technology, convertible roofs often feature solid steel sections that fold away in the luggage compartment. Hailed as a masterpiece of automotive design, this so-called technological advance must be seen in context when it is realised that as long ago as 1956, the Ford Fairlane 500 featured a foldaway roof. This is virtually the exact design used to this day by all the major manufacturers.

But, not all convertible roofs are steel. Many feature what the Americans quaintly refer to as ragtops. These roofs have the disadvantage of intrusion by evilintentioned people with sharp objects, but they take up less space than three segments of steel plate.

While convertibles may seem an expensive indulgence, many proud owners love their cars and will take them out whenever the weather is perfect. Perfect weather, however, is a relative term. In winter it is usually too cold,

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in spring it’s often too windy, and in mid-summer drivers and their passengers will have to wear headgear to keep the harsh ultra-violet rays of the African continent off their necks.

However, the positive aspects of open-top motoring are equally appealing. The driver and passengers are having fun; they are in touch with nature in its full, often aromatic, glory. They never seem to be in a hurry. This makes sense because there is no point in rushing through the countryside, just to have your headgear stripped off and dumped on the road behind you. Also, the masses (those of us whose cars have fixed roofs) will be unable to recognise – and pay homage – to the glitterati, when these folk rush by in a high speed blur.

It’s all about image and the message is clear: sell the solid-roof chariot, and the motorcycle and invest in an image-builder with wheels. And in terms of weather, remember that there are more bad days than good, but on those rare occasions when all the elements come together in hedonistic harmony you’ll be glad you did. >

about obama

Story by Karen Lehrman Bloch, featurenet.co.za Pix © Gallo/Getty Images

A wax figurine Barack Obama is seen in a replica of the Oval Office at the Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in Washington, DC.

Cool the new

P

Can Obama inspire a new era of elegance?

resident-elect Barack Obama has style – he dresses well, he’s eloquent, he remains calm under fire, he rises above personal attacks. Few would dispute that the nearly visceral effects of his style helped get him elected. What his critics have argued, though, is that it will ultimately represent the seeds of his undoing: It’s a fantasy glamour, they have claimed, which manipulated us into projecting our hopes and dreams onto him. Once reality intervenes and he inevitably disappoints, we will feel, at a minimum, betrayed.

How the president-elect’s supporters respond to his future decisions is of course an open question.

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But what his critics fail to grasp is that his stylistic power appears to be rooted in something far deeper than charisma and far more substantial than glamour.

Barack Obama has what used to be called class, despite the fact that he doesn’t look like or share the politics of those who believe they have a monopoly on the word. Indeed, Obama could inspire a return to something we haven’t seen for a long time, especially among public figures: dignity and its aesthetic partner, elegance.

Elegance hasn’t been in fashion for a good forty years. Sure, a fashion magazine will periodically declare “The New Elegance,” but the issue will turn out to be full of profiles of emotionally bulimic

about obama

celebrities interspersed with models splayed out quite inelegantly across spreads. Rejected by some as elitist and nearly anathema to the fast pace of high-tech information sharing, elegance was ditched for an ostensibly unpretentious, shoot-from-the-hip “authenticity” that’s meant to connect quickly and democratically. The result: an almost intentional reaching for the lowest common denominator of human interaction, whether in the discourse on the Web, the attire chosen for attending an evening at the theater, or the reality of reality TV. The larger result: rudeness abounds. We have grown so accustomed to a level of discourteousness, of incivility, that random acts of kindness tend to surprise us.

But elegance attracted us to Barack Obama nonetheless. His well-tailored suits, subtle ties, pitchperfect carriage and comportment – all are truly refreshing, but they may turn out to be the least of his appeal. What’s seemingly different about Obama is that his style and charisma are actually grounded in something: a set of values about how to conduct oneself in the world. He ran his campaign on the premise that one should respect even those with whom you disagree, and he not only gave his opponents credit when he agreed with them, but steadfastly refused to stoop to the level of his most venomous critics, no matter how much he was goaded.

As we’ve seen since the election, this was not mere campaign strategy. It aligns with everything we’ve seen in how he’s preparing to take office. Elegance points up the difference between confidence and arrogance: Obama seems to feel no need to rush to judgment, no need to be the only smart person in the room.

His speech is of course supremely eloquent, but – in stark contrast to the sound bites of most politicians and most especially the rants and naval-gazing of talk radio and much of the blogosphere – it’s also nuanced, thoughtful, and restrained. While he well knew how to exploit the efficiencies of the Internet in terms of voter outreach and campaign financing, he apparently feels no need to accelerate and abbreviate his thought patterns to better jive with today’s insta-pundit pace.

As a concept, elegance began to lose traction in the ‘60s: a legitimate questioning of authority quickly devolved into an irreverent overthrow of everything even remotely associated with authority.

But despite our somewhat conscious decisions

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to embrace inelegance in our daily lives, we still respond fairly quickly to the real thing. Why? Because unlike a superficial glamour, which can be bought at Stuttafords, elegance stems from the best within us.

Throughout history, religious institutions have used elegance – in their architecture, music, calligraphy – to elevate our spirits and conduct. Indeed, perhaps the most interesting thing about elegance is that it’s a renewable resource: elegance can’t help but inspire more elegance in everything around it.

Unfortunately, inspiration has also been out of fashion. The notion that a public figure or work of art could elevate us, could touch us so deeply on an emotional level that our lives are fundamentally changed, has been considered rather regressive: the goal of culture for the past few decades has been irony. We have become so profoundly skeptical of believing in anything, so deeply afraid of emotional manipulation, that we often prefer to shut off our emotions entirely, over- or under-intellectualising movies, art, books, and theatre as a consequence.

Of course, it doesn’t help that public figures, both religious and political, sink to the level of reality TV on a fairly regular basis.

Can President-elect Barack Obama inspire a new era of elegance? Can he make elegance, in addition to patriotism, cool? He certainly has a good chance of doing so in terms of style. But the hope of course would be that his meta-dignified demeanor will trickle down to the rest of us Americans: we will actually begin to give up our seats on the bus for the handicapped, the elderly, the nine months pregnant; we will no longer feel the urge to immediately tell all of our problems to people we meet at the gym; our words will again be respected for their depth rather than the quickness of our response.

President-elect Obama has a chance to be a behavioral role model, to truly make the US a kinder, gentler nation from the bottom up. At the very least, President-elect Obama has shown that elegance can take many forms. Elegance is not about a prescribed set of clothing or furnishings. It’s not about a rigid formalism of any variety. Elegance is a universal language evident throughout the world; its only constant is an essential dignity and respect–for yourself, for others. >

Budget Basics

about finance

Story by Karen Nel Pic © iStockphoto.com

Need a money makeover? Here are some practical tips to get your finances on track in 2009.

T

he current economic environment doesn’t paint a rosy picture for 2009. If ever there was a time to get your finances in shape, this is it. The good news is that a budget doesn’t have to involve scary financial terminology that makes you go cross-eyed.

A budget is a simple, yet very effective financial tool that will help you afford the things you really need, and save for the things that you really want.

Here’s how it works:

First, identify your goals. Ask yourself: what do I really want to achieve in 2009? This could be paying off your car, buying a house, paying for your children’s education, or even going on holiday. Use these answers to draw up a list of goals for 2009.

Next it’s time to draw up a budget that will enable you to achieve these goals:

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1. Calculate your monthly revenue

Draw up a list of all sources of revenue that you receive each month.

This includes your monthly salary (after tax), and actual cash inflows from investments, rental income and any other income generated from extra work. The sum of these amounts represents your total monthly revenue.

2. Draw up a list of your monthly expenses

Expenses fall into the following categories: fixed (repayments on your home, vehicle or insurance), variable (water and electricity, food and petrol) and ad hoc (car service, doctor’s bills and annual tax assessments).

You should have a fairly good idea what these figures are from the expenses that you have incurred in the past, although the actual amounts may surprise you by month-end.

Next, prioritise your expenses from most to least important. The easiest way to prioritise is to distinguish between wants and needs. Needs should always be placed above wants (luxury items) on the list. Examples of highpriority needs are mortgage payments, rent, food, insurance, school fees and petrol.

Remember to also make provision for ad hoc expenses. Ideally you should set aside a fixed amount each month, say R1,000, to deal with unexpected expenses such as your car breaking down, or your geyser bursting. (If you have a home loan, pay this extra amount into your home loan each month.

You can always withdraw it when you need it.) This ad hoc amount should be placed above luxuries on your list of expenses.

3. Do the maths

Start with your total revenue amount and move down your list of expenses from most important to least, subtracting the amount of the expense each time. If you reach a break-even point, you know that you cannot afford any expense beyond that point. This also implies that you’re living beyond your means and you need to start managing your expenses. Ideally, however, you should be able to cover your expenses and have a surplus amount available in order to meet the goals that you identified. >

Managing your expenses Remember the golden rule: you cannot manage what you cannot measure. You cannot manage your budget if you don’t measure your actual expenses, and how they deviate from your budgeted expenses. Keeping a record of what you actually spend each month is crucial.

In a certain sense, it is easier to manage a variable expense as you can control how much you spend on it. You can decide to cut back on your cellphone bill by making fewer calls. However, a fixed cost luxury item (for example, weekly gardening services) cannot be managed in this manner.

You either decide to pay it, or you cut it out entirely. Don’t assume that you can afford a luxury simply because your have become accustomed to it. Many people fall into the trap of using debt (credit cards, loans etc) to finance luxury items that they cannot actually afford.

For more information visit: www.egyptair.com Contact our Johannesburg Office on (011) 327 0258/9 or email johannesburg_res@egyptair.com or our Cape Town Office on (021) 421 7503/13 or email capetown_to@egyptair.com

H o m eS c h o o l i n g

about education

Story by Nikki de Swardt Pix © iStockphoto.com

A parent’s choice For any parent, the question of a child’s education is of paramount importance. While most would consider the established education system as their only pedagogic option, a growing number of parents are turning to homeschooling their offspring.

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n South Africa today, many parents begin contemplating their children’s academic future long before the leap to “big school” is made. The demand for enhanced early development and schooling has grown to such an extent, that parents often need to register their children – for placement in a school of their choice – several years before they actually have to attend.

While planning ahead, many parents overlook homeschooling as an alternative to the traditional education model. Whether they are simply unfamiliar with the concept,

or don’t have the time or ability to take on the additional responsibility, the idea of homeschooling children is a growing worldwide phenomenon.

Defined simply as the education of children within a home environment by parents or professional educators, homeschooling has become a serious alternative to enrolling your kids at a public or private school.

In our history, before school attendance became mandatory by law, education was something that happened mainly within the family. But, over time,

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industrialisation and the centralisation of communities created a society where parents mainly worked away from the home, and the responsibility of teaching the youth became the responsibility of the state.

In spite of the best-laid plans, that have often viewed conventional schooling through rose-tinted glasses, in recent years many South African parents have chosen to follow the, sometimes controversial, international trend towards homeschooling. While this decision inevitably means that personal sacrifices have to be made, the argument is that this choice will ultimately have a positive effect on their children’s long-term educational and emotional well-being.

In most cases, these parents have become disillusioned with the degrading public educational system, the exorbitant costs of private schooling, and the widening chasm between parental norms and values in relation to those taught in schools.

As with many other important issues in life there are both negative and positive aspects.

The main issue raised by people opposed to the idea, has always been that of sustained opportunities for social interaction with peers. In the South African context, homeschooling parents organise regular educational, sporting and social events within, as well as outside of the home schooling community, and so create many opportunities for socialising.

Where quality of instruction and resources has often been a concern, especially in public schools, parents choosing to assume the role of absolute educational provider generally have excellent resources, unlimited time as well as personal caring for their children at their disposal.

This has proven to be an extremely successful combination, especially in light of the fact that in recent years home scholars have been the group with the best average matric results.

What makes the homeschooling concept so appealing and is contributing to its increasing popularity and growth has largely to do with two key elements. Firstly, children are allowed to grow up in a more natural way and are taught according to a curriculum suitable for their developmental stage. And secondly, each child can meet their individual potential and in no way needs to be held back or sidelined by the failings or achievements of other individuals.

For some families homeschooling can provide short-term assistance to children with, for example, ADD or ADHD. And, when parents start noticing the extra benefits, such as improved self-confidence, they often choose to stay the course on a long-term basis.

Lastly, the most convincing argument in favour of homeschooling is the safety of children. Internationally, and more so in South Africa, schools have proven to be a breeding ground for violence such as bullying, molestation and drug use.

Knowing this, it makes perfect sense to rather raise children in a secure, well-balanced home environment. >

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about technology

Story by Michael Vlismas Pix © iStockphoto.com

the

STAPLE

diet of any office

C

had Lemke seems like a fairly decent bloke. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, and works in the art industry. But when he locks his front door at night, he sits behind a computer and trawls the depths of the Internet for names such as “Bump,” “Cadet,” “Compo,” “Hotchkiss,” “Kling-Tite,” “Neva-Clog,” “Swingline” and “Pinzit.”

You see, Lemke is a stapler fanatic. So much so that he has a blog called “The Stapler of the Week.” As he puts it, “My love for European office supply design continues.”

The humble stapler certainly deserves its place as an object of worship, for it has evolved from a luxury item to a key component of any office.

But in its early years, it was by no means a common sight on office desks. In fact, it was considered such a luxury that there was a time when one stapler amongst around 500 people was considered more than enough.

And even the early staples were works of art.

France’s King Louis XV is credited as being the owner of the first handmade stapler in the 18th century. True to his expensive taste, the individual staples were inscribed with the insignia of the royal court, and some were made of gold and even encrusted with expensive jewels.

So who gave it to him? Now that’s where it gets tricky. There is evidence that in the 1200s, people were fastening papers together using wax and a ribbon which was inserted through a cut in the upper left corner of the paper.

Then King Louis’ expensive stapler arrived on the scene, and historians are still a bit baffled as to who made it and why it was never introduced to the masses.

But as the use of paper increased, there was a growing need for a device that bound them together in a faster and less costly manner.

Samuel Slocum has long been credited as the inventor of the

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modern stapler in 1841. But this is a common misconception.

Slocum’s machine was actually a means of packaging the sewing pins he manufactured in paper. But describing his invention as “a device used for sticking pins in paper” created the confusion.

It’s accepted amongst those who have blogs dedicated to this kind of thing that Henry Heyl patented the first stapler in 1877. But his patent is titled “Improvement in devices for inserting metallic staples,” suggesting that there must have been other such devices around at the time.

For example, in 1866, the Novelty Paper Fastener debuted on the market, but it only allowed a single staple to be loaded at a time. And Charles Gould invented a device that cut and inserted wire in the folds of magazines before bending over the wires ends.

The early 19th century could be regarded as a sort of Renaissance of the stapler. New designs were aplenty, and some even perfected the use of fastening paper without staples with a type of weaving method.

George McGill could probably be credited with being the first to take the stapler commercial when, in 1879, he was awarded a patent for The McGill Single Stroke Staple Press.

And then the American manufacturer B Jahn Mfg. Co. came up with the ingenious idea of inserting 25 tin-coated metal staples in a strip in the stapler, pioneering the way we load staples today.

In the late 1930s, when Swingline unveiled their product in which the stapler opened up on top allowing a strip of staples to be loaded therein, the evolution of the stapler was close to complete.

So where to from here?

Well, Swingline have recently unveiled a stapler that uses staples with radio frequency identification tags inserted into them. This means that important documents can never be lost.

Don’t be surprised if it debuts in the next spy thriller, perhaps with Mr Bond catching up on some much-needed paperwork. >

about motoring

Best

Best

Story by Bernard K Hellberg Pix © Quickpic & Motorpics

motoring’s of the

The Car of the Year Competition Finalists

Run and managed by the SA Guild of Motoring Journalists, with strong support from Wesbank, the competition now enters its 22 nd year. Aimed at finding a car that is able to strike the perfect balance between quality and value for money, the COTY award is South Africa’s most prestigious motoring accolade. With the competition being wide open this year, all nine contenders have a more than even chance of taking home the title.

The latest version of the Audi A4 Turbo is a wellappointed and well-built sporty sedan producing 140 kW of power for a superior driving experience. This, then, is the reason why Audi is yet again among the favourites for this year’s title. No newcomer to the competition, Audi has carried off the ultimate accolade on three previous occasions. On each occasion, with the exception of 2006 when the A3 won, the A4 model brought home the bacon, with the 1.8 normally-aspirated model winning in 1996 (two years after the model range was launched) and again in 2002 when the 1.9 turbo diesel took the crown. Will history repeat itself? The Audi A4 1.8 T has a more than outside chance of winning, and scores 7 on the 10-point scale. Four winners in the 22 years of the competition would be a great achievement.

Ford

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Fiesta 1.6 Trend 5-door

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Audi

A4 1.8T Ambition

South African buyers got their first taste of the Fiesta in 1994. It was well received and even walked away with the Car of the Year title, in 1998. The introduction of the new Fiesta also sees the introduction of a 1.6-litre engine with twin independent variable cam timing. Despite producing an impressive 88 kW, this Duratec engine has an average (claimed) fuel consumption of 5.9 litres/100 kilometres. Built on the platform of the Mazda2 (the 2008 winner), the 5-door Fiesta is a strikinglooking newcomer with superb handling, impeccable build quality, but a somewhat bland interior. Safety remains a primary consideration with dual front airbags and ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution (EBD). The Fiesta offers the perfect blend of affordability, styling and performance, and is poised to take the title. It scores a 9 on a 10-point scale.

about motoring

As Honda’s flagship in South Africa, the Accord 2.4i EX is a worthy contender for the Car of the Year title. Superbly styled and crammed with luxury and safety features, the Accord could easily walk away with the title in March. This model range, that made its debut in 1976, has, up to now, enjoyed rather limited support in our country. Buyers seemed to remain fixated on German brands – Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Perhaps, then, this is the reason why the Accord is only now beginning to find wider acceptance. With total sales of more than 16 million in the past three decades, the latest generation Accord was launched in June 2008. Powered by a magnificent 2.4-litre V-Tec engine that produces 148 kW, the Accord is capable of a top speed of 227 km/h and average (claimed) fuel consumption of 8.8 litres/100 kilometres. On a scale of 10, the Accord is a confident 7.

Jaguar

XF 3.0 V6

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Jazz 1.5 EX

Accord 2.4i EX

In the past, the Car of the Year competition has been plagued by allegations that judging is biased towards the so-called “econo-boxes,” and that real (and expensive!) luxury cars such as the Jaguar were mere token nominees. Well, this Jaguar has picked up several awards in recent times, and has a better than average chance of springing a surprise with its smooth and powerful 3-litre V6, impeccable build quality and a firm but sporty ride. The buying public is often an astute judge of excellence, and in this sense the manufacturers are enjoying the rare sight of a waiting list with orders having been placed for cars that have yet to be built. Now owned by the giant Tata Corporation of India, the Jaguar remains true to its roots. It’s still a real Jaguar and not some recycled Bengal Tiger. It scored an 8 on the 10-point scale and has a good chance to walk away with the title.

The Suzuki Swift is widely regarded, together with the Ford Fiesta, as the car to beat in this competition. With an unbeatable value for money proposition, a willing 74 kW engine, great build quality (it’s built in India), as well as a 4-year/60,000 km service plan, the Suzuki Swift has few rivals.

While not exactly a Koenigsegg supercar, the Swift nevertheless can reach a top speed of 175 km/h, and, on average, uses 6.1 litres of fuel every 100 kilometres. The Swift is a dream to park, thanks to its short turning circle, and provides owners with all the essential must-haves such as air conditioning, 6 airbags, electric windows and mirrors, as well as alloy rims.

The gearbox is a slick five-speed manual unit, and the brakes (ventilated discs in front) are linked to ABS, EBD and EBA (for emergency braking). It scores a mouth-watering 9 on the 10-point scale.

Honda

Honda

Suzuki

Swift 1.5 GLS

When the first Honda Jazz reached our shores a few years ago, it was predicted that this model would become a best-seller. Loved for its innovative CVT “stepless” gearbox, the Jazz was snapped up by more “mature” buyers who appreciated the Jazz’s traditional reliability, build quality and innovative design features. The new 1.5-litre four-cylinder sips fuel at 6.4 litres/100 kilometres for the manual gearbox, while producing 81 kW of power.

Traditional Jazz design features such as the fold-flat rear seats (called Magic Seats) have been retained, and overall length and width have been increased for more interior space. With the rear seats folded away, the Jazz can transport three mountain bikes with their front wheels intact. Additional sound insulation and increased body rigidity have added to the overall sense of style and comfort in the cabin.

The Honda Jazz 1.5 EX is rated 8 out of 10 as a possible winner.

about motoring

Suzuki

SX4 2.0

For a brand that only returned to South Africa in June 2008, Suzuki has achieved excellent sales figures in every subsequent month. This has been ascribed to great pricing and value for money, the advantages of a respected name, as well as residual loyalty in a country where the Suzuki name has always been held in high regard. The combination of Japanese engineering and Italian styling (by Giorgetto Giugiaro), as well as a pricing structure that screams “buy me, buy me” at customers, are some of the reasons why the SX4 has joined younger brother Suzuki Swift in the ranks of the chosen nine for this year’s competition.

The SX4’s dimensions provide room for five people, with the base of the windscreen pushed far forward to make provision for a huge fascia. Power (107 kW) comes from a DOHC 2-litre petrol engine. With a claimed maximum speed of 184, the SX4 is said to use 8.4 litres/100 kilometres – not too shabby for a 2-litre. As an excellent contender with an 8 score on a 10-point scale, the SX4 could be upstaged by its smaller sibling – the Swift.

Interesting that such a relatively small car should carry such a long-winded and elaborate name (add Trend+Fun 4Motion to the above, and you get the picture)! Nevertheless, the VW Tiguan, resembling a MPV/SUV joint venture in terms of styling, is a firebreathing little all-wheel-drive rocket that produces 110 kW from a modest 1.4-litre engine. The sophisticated front and rear suspension, as well as disc brakes on all wheels, provide yet another clue as to this car’s power heritage. With a top speed just 8 km/h short of the magic 200, the Tiguan is a true enthusiast’s car. It is purpose-built for the man or woman who wants more than just another econo-box, and who has a soft spot for Volkswagen quality. It probably managed to reach the sought-after finalists’ category thanks to its engineering specifications and unique blend of sophistication and power. Unfortunately, its price tag of more than R290,000 will probably count against it in the competition. A good contender with an outside chance, the Tiguan is rated 5 on a scale of 10.

Mazda

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2.5 Individual

Volkswagen

Tiguan 1.4 Tsi

If ever there was a serious challenger to Toyota domination of the mediumsized sedan segment, then the Mazda6 is the one that the opposition needs to fear most. As a dynamic and sporting car with enhanced refinement and quality, the Mazda6 rewards the driver with a quality feel, excellent road-holding, and a powerful 125 kW engine that uses 7% less fuel than its 2.3-litre predecessor.

The fairly hefty price tag of R272,000 could, however, count against the Mazda6 in the competition. This perceived disadvantage is offset, however, by an extensive range of safety and luxury features and a superb 5-year/100,000 kilometre service plan. Scoring a 7 on the 10-point scale, the Mazda6 is a worthy contender and completely at home in this select final nine group. Will it emulate last year’s winner, the Mazda2? Wait for the announcement in March.

about animals Story by Tarryn Day, Brand Manager at Royal Canin Pic Š iStockphoto.com

TRAVELLING with your pets

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here is a growing trend among travellers to take their furry friends along with them for their holidays and weekends away. Of course, there is a lot to think about, and all the appropriate arrangements should be made well in advance.

Travelling options

You can either take your pet along with you in the car, or it can join you on your airplane journey. But, travelling via airplane is a more costly option and can be a stressful experience for your pet as it is placed in the hold.

Whatever the case, ensure that your pet has a secure pet carrier in which it can lie down and stand up comfortably. Take your pet for short trips in the container in the weeks prior to departing to familiarise him with it.

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In the car, invest in a special car-seat harness or a car seat cover that will keep your pet still and safe during the journey and consider speaking to your vet about tranquilisers.

Before setting off, feed your pet lightly, about one third of its normal amount and save the remainder until you have reached your destination. Remember to take breaks at least once every three hours to allow your pet to exercise and relieve itself, but don’t allow your pet to run loose at rest areas.

Accommodation

Always ensure that the accommodation you’re going to accepts pets and make sure that you are aware of any restrictions or fees which may apply. It is also important to respect the rules of your travelling destination. The better behaved the pet, the more likely that accommodation venues across the country will open their doors to animals.

Health and safety first

Consider visiting the vet before taking your pet on holiday. The vet can perform a general check-up, recommend any vaccinations required for the area and provide you with a printout of your pet’s medical history in case of an emergency. Some provinces require records of vaccinations, so it is always best to take your pet’s vaccination booklet with you. Ensure that you guard your pet against ticks and fleas at least one week prior to departure, especially if you are travelling to the coast, the bush or any grassy/forest regions.

Your pet should also have some form of identification and having your pet “microchipped” will ensure that if it gets lost, any vet or shelter will be able to contact you. If your pet is already microchipped, ensure that the details on the database are up-to-date. In addition, your pet should have a comfortable collar with a tag detailing at least two current contact numbers and it is a good idea to keep a current photo of your pet with you to use for identification purposes if it should get lost.

Pack a bag

In addition to all the items that you need to think about for the family, you should also pack a bag for your pet containing food, food and water bowls, fresh water, leashes, medication, treats, toys, bedding and a few old towels or sheets.

In case of emergencies

Ensure that you have the contact details of the vets in the area and take your vet’s number with you. There may be times when your pet requires first aid, particularly when you are travelling to isolated areas, therefore it is important to carry an appropriate first aid kit with you. Your vet can advise you as to what you need to include for your pet. In the event that your pet is bitten by a snake, is stung by a bee or cuts itself – at least you will be prepared to assist until you get him to a vet.

Hydration

Don’t leave animals in the car in hot climates or during the warmer months as even a short time in a hot vehicle can be harmful. If your car is not air-conditioned, leave two windows slightly open for fresh air. Any short-nosed breeds, for example Pugs and Bulldogs are particularly prone to heatstroke/heat related problems.

Arriving at your destination

Try and arrive at your destination in daylight as this will give your pet the chance to explore the new surroundings. Make sure that you pay special attention to your animal and spend some time with it in the new environment.

If your pet is social and confident enough to handle the stress of being out of its comfort zone, then taking your pet on holiday with you will prove to be a great addition to what is sure to be an action-packed and exciting holiday for the whole family! >

www.betterbudgeting.com It happens every year. As the festive season starts, you promise yourself that you will keep to your set budget.

But as December passes by, the pretty lights and tinsel get you in a spending mood, and before you know it; your budget is a thing of the past. The New Year starts with a bang and suddenly you have dozen of bills to pay. The site, betterbugeting.com, offers several ideas and tips on how to save money. Keeping in mind that money saved is just as good as money earned, improving your saving skills can be a lifesaver for post-Christmas debt relief. Teaching you how to save money with thousands of free tips on everything from budgeting, getting out of debt, frugal family fun and saving money on groceries to work-at-home business guides, this site is a New Year lifesaver. And best of all, it’s free!

mousing around

Compiled by Yolande Jonker

www.onlineshopping.co.za Does the very thought of going to the local mall stir up images of impatient crowds, never-ending queues, rude checkout staff, overbearing shop assistants and painful blisters? Then onlineshopping.co.za is just the site for you. Listing some of the best online stores in South Africa they have everything under one roof, from airtime and cigars to travel and movies. Every site is also reviewed before it is listed to make sure they act in accordance with the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act of 2002, making it both safe and enjoyable. There is even a link to a comparative shopping window where you can compare the prizes of the products you want, saving you time and money.

www.timtang.net Addictive and mind-boggling, timtang.net is home to the most difficult and longest online puzzle. With over 2.9 million people having attempted the test, only 105 passed the halfway mark of 200 levels and no one has ever won! The riddles are 100% original and require logical thinking, skills in math, music, and lots of patience. To solve each level, one must figure out a logical solution to the hints given by that level, from but not limited to the title, the picture and the background music. Players’ quotes displayed on the home page, proves just how popular the Tim Tang Test (TTT) is. There are a few sites available to help you with hints as well as a Facebook group supplying more clues. And once you have found the answer, all the frustration melts away and you are tempted to try all over again on the next level.

w w w .1 t i m e . c o . z a

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Colouring-In Competition

ThisMonth’sWinners

asy- 11

Sunn Jordan

Mariska van den

yrs

Berg - 12 yrs

Danyal Chow

an

We at 1time value our young flyers in the knowledge that we will grow together. This is why 1time is running a colouring-in competition especially for them. The pictures are found in the Activity Packs that are handed out on the plane and a winner is chosen every month.

Winners receive a gift hamper, sponsored by 1time, including: • 1time paraphernalia, • A copy of the in-flight magazine, abouTime, in which the picture is published.

Winners are notified by telephone and the hamper, together with a copy of the in-flight magazine, is delivered directly to their door. So come on kids, enter the competition! Who knows, you could be the next winner!

the cutting edge

Compiled by Jenna van Schoor

Logitech Squeezebox™ Duet Listen to your music in any room of your home with this wireless device. The Squeezebox consists of a controller, which has a full-colour LCD screen, and a compact receiver. This enables you to wirelessly browse, select and play your digital music on stereo speakers in any room of your house, even when your computer is turned off. You can also connect to internet radio services, or listen to online music sites and subscription services, all in the palm of your hand. The multi-room controller has an easy to use scroll wheel, and with full colour screen, all album art is prominently displayed, with the option of customising your own screen wallpaper. The receiver uses advanced 802.11g wireless technology, and can be placed in any room of the house. Multiple receivers can be programmed to play different music in each room, or can be synchronised to play the same tunes.

Online from www.kalahari.net for R4,353.95 or for comparative pricing from various stockists visit www.pricecheck.co.za.

Wind Up Phone Charger You’re waiting for an urgent phone call, or you’re stranded in the middle of nowhere – and your phone battery dies. We have all experienced this panic-inducing situation, but now, thanks to new technology, you can avoid this with the Wind Up Phone Charger. All you need to do is attach the charger to your phone, and wind the handle of the device vigorously for a few minutes. This activity will power up your phone for about 25-30 minutes, and give you just enough time to make or receive that phone call. The device also has a handy built-in flashlight, so you won’t have to struggle to charge your phone in the dark. No power source is required for the Wind Up Phone Charger, making it reusable and environmentally friendly. It is lightweight and compact, so is perfect for travelling, and is compatible with Nokia, Siemens, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and Samsung models.

Available from www.gadgetshop.com for £5.21 (about R79.)

Loc8tor Wireless Object Finder Everybody knows what it is like to misplace their keys or wallet. We waste so much time anxiously searching all over the house, only to find what we are looking for in the freezer. However, there is now a solution to all the frantic searching – the Loc8tor wireless device. This ingenious gadget will help you find any important possession that has gone astray, and can even help you to prevent them getting lost. All you need to do is attach a tag to any valuable object. The multi-functional Loc8tor handheld unit, when switched to “Locate” mode, can then pick up multiple missing objects, and guide you to them with directions on the screen, from up to 183 metres away. “Alert” mode also allows you to create an “invisible safety zone” around the Loc8tor, so if any tagged objects move from within the boundary, you will be alerted with an alarm. Available from www.loc8tor.com for $170 (about R1,750.)

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Joburg to Durban M

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Joburg to Port Elizabeth M

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Joburg to George M

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Durban to Joburg

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Joburg to Zanzibar M

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1time good news

Free

I

n built-up areas across Gauteng, wild animals struggle to survive as growing developments encroach upon their habitats. Unlike cats and dogs, who are catered for by associations such the SPCA, wild indigenous animals are often left without support.

Luckily, associations such as FreeMe are there to help those who cannot help themselves. Founded in 1997, FreeMe is a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for indigenous wildlife based in Paulshof in the North of Johannesburg. It is a non-profit, self-funding wildlife centre that caters largely for birds as well as small mammals such as hedgehogs, mongooses, suricates and smaller cat species such as genet, caracal and serval. In addition, they also deal with antelope cases including duiker, springbok and steenbok. Even the cold-blooded critters such as tortoises, leguans, snakes and chamelons are rescued and released.

Generally, either members of the public, the SPCA or local vets bring these compromised indigenous creatures to the centre – where they are nursed back to health and released.

A recent first-time visitor was a very wild honey badger.

As with many wild animals, they are not used to human interaction and can be dangerous to handle. Nicci Wright describes the release of this honey badger back into nature, “Despite this formidable creature rushing the fencing making an indescribable sound while it clawed at us halfway up the wire...we managed to box it without getting injured. I drove

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me

Saving our wild animals

it through to the Rietvlei Conservancy outside Tshwane and released it very carefully from the back of my bakkie.”

In addition to working hard to rehabilitate animals, they also strive to promote a responsible attitude towards wildlife and the environment through educational programmes, newsletters, publicity and advice. They also hold educational talks and presentations at schools to instil conservation values in learners for the future preservation of nature. In addition, community involvement includes exhibitions and lectures to citizens, bird clubs, retirement homes and farmers.

Over the last few years, they have dealt with an average of 7,000 cases each year. FreeMe relies on the generosity of the general public for their continuing support and donations are gladly accepted. They are open 7 days a week from 8 am to 5 pm for the admittance of cases or for telephonic advice.

If you would like to get involved, contact + 27 11 807 6993 or + 27 558 5658 (24 hours) or visit www.freemewildlife.org.za. > Non-profit organisation no: 005-380 Section 21 Company Registered No: 2004\000431\08 Public Benefit Tax Exemption No: 930017678 Banking details: Nedbank Epsom Downs Branch Code: 152205 Savings account: 2522 081 241

On behalf of everyo ne involved with Tse nang Homes of Safety 1time for the toys tha , we wish to thank t they so generously donated to our annual Christmas party is a Christmas party. Th highlight on the soc e ial calendar of our saf forward to receiving ety children and the their gifts and being y look entertained for the day .

Without assistance, this Christmas party Homes of Safety we would not be possib have seen many lives le. Through the servic changed for the better es of Tsenang homes. Our goal is and children being pro to continue to make vided with stable, lov a difference in the live support the parents ing s of vulnerable childr that offer their time, en and to continuousl resources and familie such as 1time we wil y s. With the help of do l continue to serve thi nations from supporte s valuable cause. rs Thank you for caring and for supporting ou r organisation.

Tsenang Homes of Saf ety provides care to abused, abandoned health and HIV status and neglected childr . Our organisation coo en regardless of the rdinates safety placem parents, empowering ir ents and acts as a sup them to care for the porting service to saf saf ety children and to soc For information abo ety ial workers of all organi ut this organisation sations involved. , or to get involved fax +27 12 343 2646 contact them on +2 or email admin@tsenan 7 12 343 2572, g.org.za.

1time good news

Dear 1time,

about wine

Zorgvliet

wines on board

What to drink with what

Silver Myn SemiSweet 2007 Silver Myn Shiraz 2006 Dark plum coloured.

White pepper and black plum flavours with an underlying smokiness on the nose. A good combination between ripe and dry tannins with spicy and flavours on the palate. Firm but elegant structure with a good lingering aftertaste.

Best suited with: •

•

•

Sandwich: Pastrami with wholegrain mustard Hotdog: a scrumptious pure beef sausage on a bun with either tomato sauce or mustard.

Fairview Cheese Platter

Silver Myn Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Pale green with light straw hues on the colour. The nose is laden with gooseberry, green apple, and sweet melon with underlying mineral tones.

Clean, crisp acidity with an abundance of tropical and grape fruit showing on the palate.

Best suited with: •

•

Sandwich: Cheddar cheese with onion marmelade Fairview Cheese Platter

Light yellow in colour with hints of lime green.

The wine shows pear and citrus fruit flavours.

Silver Myn Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Garnet red colour.

Classical cassis and ripe, red cherry with a herbaceous and tobacco nose. Mediumfull bodied wine with a soft integrated tannin structure, enhanced by a prominent lingering aftertaste.

Best suited with: •

•

Bagel: egg mayonaisse with bacon bits or turkey and mozzarella with fresh cranberry preserve.

Fairview Cheese Platter

Golf

about golf

Story by Dale Hayes

The home of

I

f your expectation of the home of golf is something brash or flash you will be in for a surprise. St. Andrews may be a “golf town,” but the Old Course is in the centre of what is essentially a university town. The university dates back to 1413, and St Andrews, is a grey, old town that oozes a golfing atmosphere. From the many golf shops, the museum, the eating and drinking houses, to the golf courses, everyone in St. Andrews can talk golf. I remember years ago I had a haircut in town and the barber was telling me that he had watched me play in the 1978 Open. He even remembered my birdie at the first hole. Bernard Darwin wrote in The Golf Courses of the British Isles in 1910, “I once met, staying in a hotel in St. Andrews, a gentleman who did not play golf. This in itself is remarkable, but more remarkable still; he joined so radically if unobtrusively in the perpetual golfing conversation that his black secret was never discovered.”

St. Andrews is home to the Royal and Ancient Golf Club. It was established over two hundred and fifty years ago, in 1754, and is responsible for the administration of the Rules of Golf for the entire world, except for America and Mexico; and the running of The Open Championship amongst other things. There are also more than a dozen courses all worth playing. Some are long, some are short, some are difficult, some easy, some are new and some are very old, which means there is something for everyone.

There are a number of ways to get onto the Old Course, but the best bet is the daily ballot. You have to put your name down the day before and you then have a third of a chance of getting a game.

The first tee shot is amazing. Standing in front of the Clubhouse with the 18th green behind you, there are

always people standing around watching. If this doesn’t get your heart racing then neither will Charlize Theron.

There are a lot of semi-blind drives on the front nine, so it’s a good idea to take a caddy. It’s the back nine though that has half a dozen memorable holes. The 14th hole is a 523-yard, par five which gives you many options, but you must keep out of the sand. The 17th, also known as the Road Hole, forces you to drive over the side of the Old Course Hotel; and the green is one of the toughest I’ve ever played. Ben Crenshaw once said, “The reason the 17th is such a great par four is that it’s actually a par five.”

The other courses you should play are: the New Course, Jubilee Course, Eden Course, Strathtyrum Course and the Dukes. If money is no object, you should stay at the Old Course Hotel, which is amazing but it will cost you R4,000 a night. The last time I was there I stayed at the Aslar Guest House, which only has six rooms and is a good deal at under R1,000 per night. You can’t miss out on a dinner at the Seafood Restaurant, and a few beers at the Jigger Inn, which overlooks the 17th at the Old Course.

You must also take a walk past the cathedral in town, which is where Old and Young Tom Morris are buried – they each won four Open Championships. Lastly, make sure you finish off with a visit to the Museum of Golf.

It’s a perfect day for golf at Zwartkop!

Zwartkop is one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in Pretoria. It’s a classic parkland layout incorporating the Dale Hayes Golf Academy, golf shop and clubhouse which has various function rooms.

Tel: +27-12-654-1144 / +27 12 654 2111 www.zwartkopcountryclub.co.za. w w w .1 t i m e . c o . z a

119

menu snacks & meals

Items on this menu are subject to availability

Sandwiches

R22

(Available on brown or white bread variations - dependant on availability) Bacon & Egg Ham & Swiss cheese Three cheese with Basil pesto mayonnaise V

NEW

Low GI veggie roll

R22

Potato salad, chopped peppers, mushroom and piccalilli, tucked into a low GI roll V

German Hot Dog

R18 Meal Deals

A traditional Bockworst sausage on a bun with either tomato or mustard sauce,

Biltong 80g

1time breakfast with tea or coffee.

R30

or even better, both!

NEW

Prego roll

R26

100g Grilled steak with caramelized onions in a white wine sauce. Spice it up by adding some chilli sauce!

Sweet Chilli Chicken and Halloumi cheese wrap

R26

Muffins

R12

Kosher / Halaal product

Fairview cheese platter consisting of Chakalaka Chevin, Black Pepper Chevin, Mature Cheddar, Blue Vein & Brie with a pack of five biscuits.

Chocolates

Your choice of sandwich with 200ml fruit juice or 200ml soft drink.

R26 R18

Crisps

R6

Smoked Beef Lightly / Plain salted Salt & Vinegar Cheese & Onion

Snacks

R22

R8

Bar One KitKat Lunch Bar

Only served on JHB/CT/JHB and JNB to George flights, until 9 am.

Muffin with tea or coffee

Chocolate Chip Blueberry Bran & Raisin Lemon & poppy-seed

Cheese Platter

Scrambled eggs served with two rashers of bacon, two cocktail cheese grillers, French toast, grilled tomato & mushrooms

R20

Chilli Beef Snapstix Sliced Beef Biltong Dry Wors

Salted Peanuts Peanuts & Raisins Jelly Babies Wine Gums

ANNOUNCEMENT! You can now pay for your onboard purchase with a MASTERCARD/VISA credit card

R6

menu

beverages & miscellaneous

Beverages

Alcoholic Beverages

Hot

Beer

Coffee /Tea

R8

Castle Lager / Lite

R12

Hot Chocolate

R8

Peroni

R14

Cappuccino

R10

Apple Ale

R14

Cold

Sarita Select Sarita Ruby Dry

Still / Sparkling Mineral Water (500ml)

R8

Soft Drinks (200ml)

R8

Coke / Fanta Orange (330ml)

R9

Spirits

Appletiser (330ml)

R12

Assorted Whisky

R20

R19

Rum

R18

Gin

R18

Brandy

R16

Vodka

R16

Wine

R22

Red Bull Energy Drink

Fruit Juice Orange Apple Tropical Blend

R6

White: Sauvignon Blanc Semi-Sweet Red:

Miscellaneous Merchandise

Shiraz

Model 1time Airline MD80 Aircraft Scale 1:200

Cabernet Sauvignon

Available on selected routes only

R130

Kiddies Pack Our VIP passengers on board, up to the age of 12 are given a kiddies’ pack for FREE, to keep them occupied. The pack contains a packet of crisps, a juice box, sweets, a pack of crayons and a colouring-in sheet. Let the kids enter the colouring-in competition found in the pack for a chance to win a hamper of 1time goodies.

Should you wish to purchase an extra pack, the cost is R14.

Let us know what you think. Catering comments and suggestions are always welcome. Send an email to our catering manager at catering@1time.co.za

Zanzibar Flight Menu

This menu is for our Zanzibar flights only