Premier | January 2012

PREMIER Complimentary Magazine for the Discerning Traveller | JANUARY 2012

the welcome back issue

Queen of the River

Luxury river safaris aboard The Zambezi Queen

Corporate Wellness | Jaguar XF 2,2 Diesel | Zanzibar’s Stone Town | Brett Shuttleworth

vivasite

Contents contents

30

FEATURES

62

30 The Zambezi Queen

5 Star sailing in a natural paradise…

34 Brett Shuttleworth on the Year Ahead

What will you do with your time…

55 Dubai Airport

The world’s most luxurious stopover…

BUSINESS

44 Employee Health a Major Concern

55

36

Companies learn to protect their most precious asset…

62 Taking to Skies

SA to be at the frontlines of telescopic space exploration…

TRAVEL

46 Shumbalala Game Lodge 36 Zanzibar

Getting lost in Stonetown…

60

Shishangeni Private Lodge

Complimentary Magazine for the Discerning Traveller | 7

Contents contents INDULGENCE

58 Sommelier

50

Why Viognier has such loyal followers…

MOTORING

50 The Jaguar XF 2-2 Diesel

A one of kind commercial diesel…

REGULAR

08 Letter from the Managing Director 10 Letter from the Editor 16 Letters from our Guests 18 Manager Q & A 20 Travel Guide

46

24 Style Guide 26 Gadget Guide 22 Good to Know 64 Reviews: Books 66 Reviews: Movies 68 Events to Diarise 70 Final Thoughts

24

72 Premier Lounge Wine Selection

20

8 | PREMIER

Welcome welcome

Gavin Bell

MD's

letter

Bidvest Premier Lounges is expanding its offering even more and plans for a new and exciting project are already in motion.

A belated “Happy New Year” to all our lounge guests! I trust you all had a memorable time with friends, family and loved ones. To those who were on leave over the festive season and chose to travel or stay at home, I hope you all relaxed and achieved whatever it was that you set out to do. To those who have made “New Year’s Resolutions,” here’s wishing you all the best in achieving these.

Last year was a fantastic one for Bidvest Premier Lounges and we anticipate an even better one in 2012. A new and exciting project is underway and to keep you guessing we have thrown out a few hints which you might notice in the Premier magazine and around the airport.

We will also be posting previews on the Bidvest Premier Lounge Facebook page in the months to come, so please go and ‘Like’ the page to access some of our sneak previews.

By way of introduction, I have taken over as MD of Bidvest Premier Lounge from Charles Drewe and aim to build on the successes he managed to achieve in the lounges. My background is in the hospitality industry where I worked at the Carlton Hotel in its “heyday” and Southern Sun Hotels. I hope to put all the knowledge and experience I gained into practice in the lounges, particularly concerning customer service, standards and employee relations. I look forward to meeting and chatting to you all in the coming months and to receiving your constructive feedback on an on-going basis.

I wish you all every success both professionally and personally in the year ahead.

Until next time, see you in lounge.

Gavin

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10 | PREMIER

Welcome welcome

Nicola Weir

editor's letter What if we all choose to live this year as though it would be the last the world is ever going to have?

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Do you believe that this will be your last year on earth?

This seems to be the topic du jour and the question that is on everyone’s lips. Everywhere you look you are reminded of the doomsday predictions surrounding the possible events that many believe will come to pass this year.

Countless theories abound, the most popular of which is drawn from the Mayan Calendar. The abrupt ending of the Mayan Long Count Calendar on 21st December 2012 has been interpreted as a prophecy of the end of an age and maybe even the world. The message the Mayans give concerns making a choice of how we enter the future and that this could be a time of transition from one World Age into another. Another theory is that a giant volcano called a Super-Caldera will erupt in Yellowstone Park in America plunging the earth into darkness as huge clouds of ash obscure the sun, triggering another ice age.

Now I personally don’t put any stock in these beliefs, and I really do think that you will all be reading my letter again in January 2013, but it did get me thinking though about how we will all approach the year ahead. I mean, just imagine – what if we all choose to live this year as though it would be the last the world is ever going to have?

There are two possible answers to this question that will divide our reactions into two groups. The first group of people might choose to live in waiting. Waiting for might happen, always looking ahead instead of living in the now, and for them the year will pass in a blur. They are the ones who will stand back on the sidelines and end up simply watching as life passes them by while they wait for a catastrophic outcome that may never happen.

The second group may see this year, with all is controversy and uncertainties, as the chance to accomplish as much as possible.

They may choose to tick off a few items on their bucket list and to cherish each moment. They will spend their time productively and wisely in order to make the most of the year ahead. These will be the ones who refuse to spend 2012 feeling as though they are living according to a stopwatch.

If I were expecting an apocalyptic end to this year, I would definitely fall into the latter category. But this too raised yet another big question in my mind. Shouldn’t we all live every year this way? Imagine if we did.

Nicola

Contributors

CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE Brett Shuttleworth / Motivational Speaker Brett is an International Motivational Speaker and founder of the Smiling Soul Retreat. He is also well known for his fun, light and highly inspiring series of motivational talks, the Smiling Soul Series which incorporates five different themes ranging from business talks to women’s and kiddies talks. Brett is the co-producer of a soon-to-be released television documentary called, “What Makes Your Soul Smile?” and is currently working on not one, but two books, which are scheduled to be published next year, based on his riveting life story which sees him strutting the catwalk as a top international super model, sleeping homeless in New York, breaking his arm in 29 pieces whilst playing International Rugby and everything in between. Brett’s approach is humorous, entertaining and charismatic with an immediate connection to his readers or audience.

Michael Vlismas

Lara Potgieter

Elaine Weir

Bernard K Hellberg

On the Cover The Zambezi Queen

Columnist

Wine

Features

Motoring

Cover Star

Michael Vlismas is a

Lara is a true Capetonian

When she’s not taking life too

Bernard has taught journalism

Read more about this 5 star

freelance sports journalist

with an Honours degree

seriously giving Maths Classes,

and public relations at various

luxury African river safari on

and broadcaster, owner of

in English from UCT. She is

Elaine writes as an outlet for

academic institutions, and

page 30. Photograph © The

a sports media agency and

passionate about literature

her boundless creativity!

served as Editor-in-Chief for a

Mantis Collection.

editor of golf publication Tee

and is a published poet.

number of publications.

to Green.

PUBLISHER Bernard Hellberg bernard@tcbgroup.co.za EDITOR Nicola Weir nicola@tcbgroup.co.za DESIGN & LAYOUT Renier Keyter renier@virtualdavinci.co.za MEDIA TRAFFIC Okkie Meintjes okkie@tcbgroup.co.za National Sales Manager Estelle van der Westhuizen +27 84 821 7257 estellevdw@tcbgroup.co.za Cape Town SALES MANAGER Nikki de Lange +27 79 079 9907 nikki.sales@tcbgroup.co.za SALES EXECUTIVES Bryan Kayavhu, Robyn Shillaw-Botha

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REPRODUCTION Virtual Da Vinci Creative Room +27 12 425 5800 info@virtualdavinci.co.za www.virtualdavinci.co.za CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE Kevin Wakeford, Nicola Weir, Michael Vlismas, Lara Potgieter, Neil Grant, Bernard K Hellberg, Finweek, Finesse Wines, Elaine Weir, Brett Shuttleworth, Signature Hotels, The Mantis Collection, Nicky Arthur PR. IMAGES © iStockphoto.com, © Quickpic PRINTING Business Print Centre, Pretoria

AFRICAN SPIRIT MEDIA / TCB GROUP Pretoria 343 Lynnwood Road, Lynnwood, Pretoria, 0081 Tel: 021 876 3137 Fax: 0866 790 006 Cape Town 203 Manhattan Suites, Esplanade Road, Century City, 7441 Tel: 0861 THE MAG (843 624) Fax: +27 12 362 0605 mail@tcbgroup.co.za www.tcbgroup.co.za

Premier magazine is published monthly by African Spirit Media, part of the TCB Group, on behalf of BIDAir Hospitality, part of the BIDVest Group. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of African Spirit Media, the TCB Group, BIDAir Hospitality, BIDVest, or any of the subsidiaries of the aforementioned companies, their strategic partners or 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 this publication may be reproduced, in whole or in part, without specific written permission from the Editor.

Head Office: +27 11 390 8660

Submissions of articles and photographs for publication are welcomed, but the publisher, while exercising all reasonable care, cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage.

Please ensure that all material is sent by email to editor@tcbgroup.co.za.

Customer Care: 0861 BIDAIR (243 247) rosalynb@bidair.co.za www.bidvestlounge.co.za

Copyright © 2012. All copyright for material appearing in this magazine belongs to African Spirit Media, part of the TCB Group, and/or the individual contributors. All rights reserved.

Bidvest PREMIER LOUNGE

POINT TAKEN

Please share your thoughts, comments and complaints with us by sending an email to rosalynb@bidair.co.za, filling out a comment card available from Premier Lounge staff or by leaving a message on the Bidvest Premier Lounge Facebook page!

YOUR Letters wishing you well

congratulations thank You

compliments to Premier Magazine

This Months Letter

PLEASE Write to us

A Quick Reminder…

Don’t forget that access to BidVest’s Premier Lounges is complimentary for those who hold one of the following cards or memberships: ABSA Private Bank FNB Private Clients Investec Private Bank Nedbank Private Bank RMB Private Bank American Express Barclays Diners Club Hertz Gold Club Terms and Conditions Apply.

For more information or to purchase online visit vouchers prior to your flight, go to www.bidvestlounge.co.za.

Compliments & Complaints Contact the Bidvest Premier Lounge Customer Care Line: 0861 BIDAIR (0861 243 247) www.bidvestlounge.co.za

We Value Your Feedback

18 | PREMIER

Dear Gavin

Dear Gavin

Firstly my apologies for sending this mail so late. I met you in the Premier Lounge at O.R. Tambo a few weeks ago at my request and I now feel the need to congratulate you and to compliment the quality of staff you have at the O.R. Tambo Premier Lounge, particularly Veronica at the front desk. What an ambassador you have in her. She greets each guest with a genuine smile and sincere words – suffice to say that is so rare in our service industry and after a long trip away (usually in my case) to end the day at the lounge before going home, is like a breath of fresh air. I want to wish Veronica well and to encourage her to keep up the high standard she invests in her job. The rewards will definitely follow.

Thanks so much again for assisting me by organising access to the Premier Lounge.

I can’t tell you what a godsend it was! There was not a single seat available anywhere inside or outside the main departure terminus except for the cafes and restaurants at the mezzanine level where there isn’t too much space for luggage. I arrived so early that they would not check in my luggage for another 35 minutes and so I was not able to go through to the lounge immediately. Instead I had to hang around clutching the trolley! Once through though, it was indeed a relief to have a comfortable place to sit in for an hour or two.

I was warmly welcomed by Yolanda, who was really on the ball.

Sincere greetings to all on the team, Adele Norman

Many thanks, Wendy McAllister

Dear Gavin

Dear Gavin

On 17th November 2011, I was in the lounge and had the pleasure of being served by Shirley.

She was professional, friendly and assisted not only me but everyone with the same amazing courtesy. I sat right by the door as the lounge was really full, and observed her for over two hours as she treated each guest with a smile as if they are the first guest to enter the lounge and what a marvellous experience it was.

Thank you Shirley for making my very stressful flying day enjoyable, your service was much appreciated.

Kind regards, Martina Letsoalo

Just a short note to advise that you have an absolute star working at the BidVest domestic lounge in Cape Town. I was in a rush on Tuesday night and Carmelita went out of her way to assist, when there was no obligation to do so on her part. Let’s just say that on deadline and with a technological meltdown that looked certain to derail our front page, I was able to contact my office and advise of developments minutes before having to board to Durban. It was heartening to receive that kind of service and she deserves recognition.

Many thanks, Angela Quintal Editor, The Witness

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Premier Lounge News

Text: Nicola Weir - Image © Bidvest Premier Lounge

Bidvest Premier Lounge Manager Profile Aneeqa Roberts, General Manager of the Bidvest Cape Town Domestic Premier Lounge spoke to Premier about being fast paced in the slow city.

Travelling to new destinations also gives you the chance to truly appreciate your roots.

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Q: What is it like managing a lounge, in what other South Africans refer to as ‘slaap stad’, are all of your guests as laid back as we would like to think?

A: It is only those who have never lived in Cape Town that would refer to us as slaap stad, everyone else knows that we are quite slick when it comes to getting things done. As for our guests, I would describe them more as being friendly than as being laid back.

Q: And what is the pace like in the lounge – being located in Cape Town, would you say it is slower than the one at OR Tambo?

A: We are hot on the heels of OR Tambo and turn over similar numbers but with OR Tambo being South Africa’s hub it is a bit difficult to compare the two.

Q: You work exclusively with people who travel – do you like travelling?

A: I absolutely adore travelling. It is such an awesome experience to explore new cultures and meet new people. Travelling to new destinations also gives you the chance to truly appreciate your roots.

Q: What places have you been to?

A: I was fortunate enough to work for a cruise liner for six years, so I have travelled to many places but my favourites would have to be Venice, Barcelona and Ushuaia in Argentina.

Q: Are you scared of flying?

A: Not at all, I actually enjoy it.

Q: How did your career in hospitality begin?

A: I worked as an administrator for a telephone company in 2000. I had very little interaction with clients so I decided to take a part-time job as a bar lady and as they say “the rest is history.”

Q: What kinds of challenges do you come across in your work that people may not know about or understand?

A: There are certain policies and procedures we need to adhere to, as with any company, but being in the airport things are a bit stricter. But I find that because we work within a hospitality environment

people think that it is as easy to bend the rules as it is to request a “large fries with that!”

Q: What does job satisfaction mean to you?

A: When a passenger comes up to me to compliment the service they have received during their stay, or better when they compliment a staff member for service rendered as this shows that my management skills are working.

Q: So, Do you ever SNEAK a croissant or a quick sausage roll when the guests aren’t looking?

A: Who me? Never. But I guess that does not explain my weight gain since I joined the company!

Q: What is the one thing that would surprise our readers about you?

A: My looks do not fit in with the prissy manager picture. I am an individual who does not allow society or fashion to dictate who I am.

Q: What is the strangest thing you have ever seen at the airport?

A: Ok you got me on this one. I don’t think I have been working here long enough to have an answer to this one.

Q: What do you dislike?

A: I absolutely detest dishonesty because once trust is broken it’s really hard to put it back together.

Q: What is your worst habit?

A: I drink about 8 to 10 cups of coffee a day, terrible I know!

Q: How do you relax when you are off duty?

A: With good friends, good wine and good music.

Q: What makes you happy?

A: Spending time with my 16 year old son. At that age they don’t really want to spend time with their parents anymore.

Q: Tell us your favourite joke (if its fit for print).

A: Want to hear two short jokes and a long joke?

Joke. Joke.

Joooooooooooooooooooookkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkke (very corny I know.)

Travel Guide

Chinese New Year

in Phuket

Fireworks, delicious food, vibrant bright colours and dragon processions are what you can be sure to see if you visit Phuket on 27th January 2012. As Phuket enters the year of the dog, its Chinese community gear up to celebrate their New Year. Tourists and locals can look forward to some of the best food and recipes, the perfect opportunity to try some unique local delicacies.

Red is considered a happy and positive colour, so don’t be shocked by the amount of red you see while you are on the island. THAI is introducing their “Thailand & Asia Pacific Delight” promotion until the 31st March 2012, allowing you to experience the Chinese New Year in Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai all at once. For more information, call +27 11 268 2580 or visit www.thaiair.co.za.

Tourists and locals can look forward to some of the best food and recipes, the perfect opportunity to try some unique local delicacies.

A Slice of Life Set in the heart of Fourways, Johannesburg, the Life Day Spa offers you the opportunity to calm and soothe your senses in a beautiful and atmospheric setting. Set yourself set at ease in the calm surroundings as friendly staff guide you through the spa facilities complimented by the unique ambience of the Life Day Spa. The shimmering surface of this modern health and beauty spa reflects the professionalism of the trained and dedicated staff whose job it is to make sure your visit is as enjoyable as possible. As you explore the spa facilities you can rest assured that there will always be someone nearby ready to offer any assistance you might need. Life Day Spa’s aim is to help you fully experience your senses. So step out of your world and into ours. Recharge yourself at Life Day Spa. For more information, visit www.lifedayspa.co.za.

Awaken Your Senses!

Cradle Health Spa Health is the new wealth, and this is at the heart of what is offered and practiced at Cradle Health Spa and Medical Centre, an incredible new holistic health and pampering spa nestled under the beautiful Magaliesburg Mountains in the Hartebeespoort Valley, just a short drive out of Sandton.

The Cradle Health Spa and Medical Centre were born out of the desire to bring a brand new concept to South Africa.

The concept has finally come to life and the Cradle Health Spa and Medical Centre has officially opened, offering full conventional medical consultations, a fusion of modern and multi-disciplinary healing modalities, a magnificent day spa and conference facilities, health and wellness seminars, pregnancy and other programmes – all personalised to clients’ needs by an expert team of medical doctors, gynaecologists, nurses, massage therapists, physiotherapists, beauticians and other practitioners. For more information, visit www.cradlehealthspa.co.za.

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Travel Guide

Savour Summer with

Exclusive Beach Picnics In Cape Town Cape Town’s Camps Bay is undeniably one of South Africa’s premier summer hot spots, renowned for its pristine beachfront, glamour and glorious sunsets.

This summer Pepper Club on the Beach, one of the trendiest restaurants on the Camps Bay promenade, is offering specially catered, exclusive picnic baskets to be enjoyed on the beach. Pepper Club on the Beach has two set picnic basket menus available, each varying to suit individual tastes. The basket’s dishes range from pâtés, quiches and salads, to tempura fried vegetables and Moroccan roasted chicken drumsticks. The basket is complete with a picnic blanket, cutlery, crockery and refreshments. For more information, call +27 21 438 3174 or visit www.pepperclubonthebeach.co.za.

Booking essential.

Sweetly Serendipitous High Tea at the Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town The lounge, where tea is served, is a lofty, opentruss room which has views across the working Cape Town harbour, the city and Table Mountain through its high arched windows. High Tea at the Table Bay offers a selection of the finest teas from Africa, India, China and Ceylon as well as the rest of the world. Stylish cake stands groan under the weight of rich layered cakes but among the many indulgent cakes, tarts and mousses, the place of pride goes to their traditional Austrian Sacher torte taking centre stage, a melt-in-your-mouth dark chocolate mousse cake and a sublime red velvet cake with a tart raspberry cream cheese filling. For more information, call +27 21 406 5918.

Molecular Mixology at

The Westcliff Hotel

The Polo Bar’s Molecular Mixology Menu was introduced in September and four members of the bar squad of The Westcliff’s Polo Bar are in serious training – they are constructing cocktails by way of deconstructing and performing scientific experiments. Molecular cooking has conquered the world in the last decade, but molecular mixology is a brand new trend, based on creativity and fun. ‘Molecular’ in a bartending context dictates the application of scientific processes in making drinks. The four man squad will be able to manipulate flavours into a variety of textures such as foams, airs, gels, spheres, smoke and, why not, fire. So what does one get when ordering the Tequila and Lime Experience, a B-52 Deconstruction, an Orange and Sage Martini with vanilla panna cotta and apricot-mandarin infused spheres, or a Citric Flower Martini with blueberry and grape caviar – apart from a bit of a twisted tongue? Not only a visual spectacle, but an experience as well. And not just in a glass either – most of the deconstructed cocktails are served on a plate!

Visit www.westcliff.co.za for more information.

Complimentary Magazine for the Discerning Traveller | 23

Good to know

Good News for Pets!

Acana World Class Pet Foods now available in SA These days, knowing where you pet food comes from really matters. From free-run chicken, wild-caught fish and fresh whole eggs, to steel-cut oats, russet potatoes and organic vegetables – over 95% of ACANA’s ingredients are grown, raised or fished in Western Canada. Formulated to better match the balance and variety of animal proteins that nature provided cats and dogs in their natural environment, ACANA promotes peak conditioning in all breeds and life stages. The Acana range is available at boutique vets or through their head office. Call +27 21 910 4381 for more information.

Woolworths Supports Biodiversity in Wine Many shoppers may have recently noticed an interesting logo on the labels of some Woolworths wines. Featuring a Cape Sugar Bird and a protea, it’s the logo of an organisation called Biodiversity in Wine, and it can be spotted on most of the local wines you’ll find at Woolworths. The Western Cape is not only a great wine producing region, it’s also one of the world’s ‘hottest’ biodiversity hotspots and home to the planet’s richest, and smallest plant kingdom. Established in 2004, BWI aims to protect and conserve this unique natural heritage by encouraging wine farmers to farm sustainably. To date, over 126 000 hectares of land have been conserved by BWI, and 28% of South Africa’s wine producers are BWI compliant. These wine producers are using sustainable farming methods that protect the natural environment and encourage biodiversity. As part of its Good Business Journey, Woolworths aims to have over 90% of its local wine suppliers accredited by BWI. Look for the BWI logo on the back label of Woolworths wines – it’s your guarantee that the wine was produced in a way that cares for nature.

Taking Branding to New Heights

Sub Station Brita Water

Filter Systems Hydration Box Brita, the global leader in home water filtration, substantially reduces harmful substances in your tap water, making it taste great – giving you confidence in the quality of the water you and your family consume. Brita offers well designed, innovative and cost effective products and solutions designed to meet the needs of all households, the latest of which is their Hydration Box, which includes a Brita Elemaris Meter, Maxtra Replacement Filters, Fill and Go Steel Bottle and a Fill and Go Filter Bottle. Products and stockest information available at www.brita-water.co.za.

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Sub Station is an enterprise that offers the most diverse range of dye sublimate products in South Africa. Through their working culture they form powerful relationships with suppliers, clients and staff. Their approach to the quality of the products they manufacture ensures that they are pushing the international standard whilst proudly representing our country.

Through four departments, they offer flags and banners, gazebos, bannerwalls, a wide range of customised clothing, and various other dye sublimated, niche products. For more information, call +27 11 795 1219 or email info@substation.co.za. Sub Station is the little enterprise that does.

Good to know

Stylish Al Fresco Chicnics at

Allée Bleue

In anticipation of the lovely long, hot days ahead, Allée Bleue Wine Estate in Franschhoek presents the ‘chicnic’ – the most stylish way to dine al fresco this summer. Visitors to the picturesque winelands estate can enjoy a sumptuous sit-down picnic with wicker baskets full of delicious summery food designed to eat in a leisurely fashion with friends and family. Picnic baskets must be ordered with at least a days notice and are weather dependent. For more information, visit www.alleebleue.com.

Badger Balm The Concentrated Goodness of Nature Badger Balm is known for their fine organic balms, body care and sunscreens. Badger products are safe, comforting blends of fresh, whole, organic, extravirgin oils, waxes, exotic butters, herbal extracts and pure essential oils. Badger Balms and Oils contain no chemicals, synthetics, parabens or GMOs – just good, wholesome, blends of concentrated goodness. They are also certified organic. If you are heading to the bushveld these holidays, then the Badger Anti-Bug Balm (R75.00) is the perfect product to try. This all-natural insect repellent smells good, feels good, soothes dry skin, and works. It contains the pure and powerful aromatic essential oils of Citronella, Lemongrass and Cedar that have been used for centuries to naturally repel insects.

Call +27 11 640 5721 for more information.

The Taste of Summer Belvedere Vodka’s recipe for the perfect summer is their not-too-sweet and slightly nutty, Cherry Smash. This simple cocktail is the perfect aperitif.

50ml/2oz Belvedere Vodka 4 fresh cherries 25ml/3/4oz lemon juice Dash Amaretto liqueur 3 dashes Angostura bitters Add all ingredients to a rocks glass.

Add crushed ice and churn.

Top with crushed ice and serve.

Chocola J

Chocola.J pronounced cho - kola -j, is the Mayan word for we drink chocolate together and at Chocola J you can drink it, eat it and marvel at it. Truffles, bon bons, chocolate bars, brownies, cakes, pop cakes, mini cakes, cupcakes, cheesecakes, meringues and tartlets are what await you at this sugary haven in Northcliff, Johannesburg. Don’t leave without trying their signature chocolate brownie cake, the wasabi truffles or olive and sea salt bars. For more information, visit www.chocolaj.co.za.

Complimentary Magazine for the Discerning Traveller | 25

STYLE GUIDE

A fusion of Sophiatown glamour Gone are the days when bathrooms were monochromatic and clinical rooms, with no character or warmth. Today’s best-dressed bathrooms comprise layers of luxurious textures and rich colour palettes that are as alluring as they are interesting. Point in case is this glamorous bathroom created by Bathroom Bizarre – it holds just the right balance of elegance and glamour, while still remaining unique and inviting. Says Jasmin Kraneveldt from Bathroom Bizarre: “The inspiration for this bathroom was found in the vibrant history of the Sophiatown culture during the 1940s and 1950s. This inspiration is clearly depicted in the choice of blockmounted wallpaper that has been included in this room – it features a collage of different black-and-white press photos, including various glamour shots of curvaceous African women, combined with images typical of the life and times of the ‘40s and ‘50s. In its heyday, Sophiatown was a vibrant, creative and multicultural society, and it is these qualities that have been incorporated into this bathroom design in an updated, modern and sophisticated manner.” All sanitaryware products and tiles featured in this bathroom are available from Bathroom Bizarre. For more information visit www.bathroom.co.za.

Military Inspiration Alpha Industries Alpha Industries is an international military and military-inspired brand, and now you can get your hands on some of their gear right here in South Africa. Alpha is known for their unsurpassed performance, design and quality products and their latest range of T-Shirts are made out of super soft cotton that feature iconic militaristic inspired graphics on the front for an old school edge. For more information or to by online, visit www.alphaindustries.co.za.

Lorna Jane Launches Her New Collection

“We Are Worth It” Lorna Jane, is launching its We Are Worth It campaign, combining a crusade to encourage women to recognise their self worth with a fashion collection that encourages them to invest in colourful, purposeful and fashionable pieces as an expression of this. The collection includes everything from sequins and stripes to tribal prints accented by eye catching colours like electric pink and tango. Visit Lorna Jane in Sandton or Morningside Centre in Johannesburg or Gateway in Durban. For more information, visit www.lornajane.com or e-mail leigh.stringfellow@lornajane.co.za.

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Would you?

Time to embrace WeWOOD Watches Born in Florence, Italy, WeWOOD Watches are possibly the most unique timepieces to emerge in years. Bold, feather-light and beautifully crafted, the range will inspire even those that never wear watches to think again.

Their watches are crafted from, you guessed it – wood! Making use of wood that would otherwise be discarded, WeWOOD timepieces represent a unique blend of fashion, style, uniqueness and sustainability. WeWOOD lets us rediscover nature in its beauty, its simplicity and inspired design. There are two WeWOOD models available – the WeWOOD Date (retailing at R950) and the WeWOOD Jupiter (retailing at R999, which will launch in 2012). WeWOOD South Africa will be planting one tree for every watch sold. For more information, visit www.wewood.co.za.

STYLE GUIDE

Art in the Forest In support of The Light From Africa Foundation

Oh lá lá!

Created by Belgian born Barbara Kasasa, an accomplished artist who resides in South Africa , the Oh là là! Ribbons with Charm, occupy a space between timeless elegance and contemporary relevance. Designed with the aim of effortlessly collaborating with the modern woman’s wardrobe, the Oh là là! Range is inspired by women of all ages and lifestyles. The range adopts a versatile approach to accessorising, allowing for several looks from one piece of jewellery. Oh là là!

Ribbons with Charm are handmade in South Africa, providing sustainable employment opportunities for many formerly unemployed men and women in the dynamic field of African craft-art.

By making use of charitable grants, art education and art therapy, the Light from Africa Foundation applies a three-pronged approach to supporting vulnerable children in South Africa. The foundation launched its first Art Hub in August 2011 which is aptly named Art in the Forest due to its spectacular position within Cecilia Forest, Cape Town.

Combining enterprise opportunities with outreach to the local community; this art hub offers art classes and therapeutic workshops for vulnerable children and their care takers as well as a fine art gallery, studio and boutique which are open to the public from Monday to Saturday between 10h00 and 16h00.

This January, visitors can enjoy the “Passages” exhibition which showcases prints by emerging artists from Soweto as well as a selection of high quality ceramic art sourced from across the country.

For more information contact Catherine Bolton on +27 21 794 0291 or visit www.lightfromafrica.com.

A Touch of Luxury Polo Homewear

The latest Polo Homewear Ranges will be available instore from February 2012. The ranges titled Nautical, Poolside, Tailored Stripes and Summertime, conjure images of cool crisp linen inviting you to steal a lazy afternoon nap! For more information and to locate a stockiest, call +27 11 839 2970.

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GADGETS gadgets

Empower and Inspire in vivid RED The New Nikon D3100 D-SLR empowers and inspires users as the simple solution to stunning pictures and amazing HD video. This camera speaks to the growing ranks of enthusiastic D-SLR users and aspiring photographers by providing an easy-to-use and affordable entrance to the world of Nikon D-SLR’s. The 14.2-megapixel D3100 has powerful features, such as the enhanced Guide Mode that makes it easy to unleash creative potential and capture memories with still images and full HD video. Like having a personal photo tutor at your fingertips, this unique feature provides a simple graphical interface on the camera’s LCD that guides users by suggesting and/or adjusting camera settings to achieve the desired end result images. The D3100 is also the world’s first D-SLR to introduce full time auto focus (AF) in Live View and D-Movie mode to effortlessly achieve the critical focus needed when shooting Full HD 1080p video. Visit www.nikon.co.za.

Kindle Fire Sets Online Content Ablaze The new Kindle Fire will allow users to access more online content than ever before. Over 100,000 movies and TV shows will be available from Amazon Instant Video, including thousands of new releases and popular TV shows, available to stream or download, purchase or rent – all just one tap away.

Amazon also offers users over 17,000,000 songs from Amazon MP3 and over 1,000,000 Kindle books, including thousands of bestsellers, children’s books, comic books and cookbooks in rich colour. 100 exclusive graphic novels, hundreds of magazines and newspapers and all the most popular Android apps and games will be available.

The Kindle Fire web browser Amazon Silk introduces a radical new paradigm – a “split browser” architecture that accelerates the power of the mobile device hardware by using the computing speed and power of the Amazon Web Services Cloud. The result is a faster web browsing experience available exclusively on Kindle Fire. The Kindle Fire comes automatically pre-registered to your Amazon.com account so you can immediately start enjoying your digital content purchased from Amazon or shop for new content.

All of your digital content is instantly available to enjoy and manage with a simple, consistent experience across all content types. Kindle Fire also offers free storage for all your Amazon digital content in the Amazon Cloud. Amazon digital content is automatically backed up for free in the Amazon Cloud’s Worry-Free Archive where it’s available for re-downloading anytime.

Weighing in at approximately 410 grams, the Kindle Fire is small and light enough to hold in just one hand and carry everywhere you go. Its content comes alive on a 7-inch full colour LCD touch screen and this display is chemically strengthened to be 20 times stiffer and 30 times harder than plastic, which means it is incredibly durable and will stand up to accidental bumps and scrapes. www.amazon.com.

The Kindle Fire web browser Amazon Silk introduces a radical new paradigm – a “split browser” architecture that accelerates the power of the mobile device hardware by using the computing speed and power of the Amazon Web Services Cloud.

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GADGETS gadgets

JVC Introduces Hybrid Camera JVC’s new digital camera uses a new high speed imaging engine to shoot both high quality digital still images and stunning Full HD video. The JVC GC-PX10 is a true hybrid camera that shoots 12 megapixel stills and Full HD 1920 x 1080/60p video. In addition, it offers professional-level capabilities as 60 shots per second still image shooting and 300 frames-per-second video recording for high-quality super-slow motion capturing. At the heart of the GC-PX10 is JVC’s new Falconbrid high speed imaging engine – a single-chip technology with the processing power to allow the GC-PX10 to record Full HD progressive video at 36Mbps for rich, detailed images. The camera can also shoot 8.3 megapixel stills while recording Full HD video for clear, high-quality still images from recorded video. With 32GB of internal memory, its features also include optical image stabilization with JVC’s Advanced Image Stabilizer, 10x optical zoom, 19x Dynamic Zoom, Konica Minolta HD Lens, microphone output and headphone input. www.jvc.com.

HP Slate Tablet 2 HP has announced the HP Slate 2 Tablet PC with expanded touch capabilities, enhanced multitasking performance and embedded security, providing added flexibility to mobile business users. The HP Slate 2 Tablet PC provides instant deployment for business and vertical markets such as education, healthcare, government and retail, where jobs frequently take users away from a traditional desk. With a full-featured Microsoft Windows environment, the 680 gram HP Slate 2 Tablet PC provides professionals with the flexibility to create, edit and review content on one highly mobile and lightweight device. The HP Slate 2 Tablet PC comes with optional additional accessories and business solutions including the HP Retail Mobile Point of Sale (POS) Case, which features an integrated magnetic stripe reader and barcode scanner for retailers. The case attaches to the HP Slate 2 and creates a secure portable POS solution that personalises transactions, boosts productivity and sales, and integrates into existing application and hardware infrastructures. For more information, visit www.hp.com.

Seamaster Planet Ocean collection OMEGA’s Seamaster Planet Ocean collection has been held in high regard for their professional divers’ features, style and their innovative Co-Axial technology since they were released in 2005. This year OMEGA is proud to be expanding the family. Like every Planet Ocean, the new watches are ready for underwater adventure and are equipped with unidirectional rotating bezels, helium escape valves and water resistance to 60 bar / 600 metres /2,000 feet. The applied indexes on the dials of the watches are coated with white Super-LumiNova emitting a blue light as are the polished, facetted rhodium-plated hands. The exception is the minute hand which emits a green light, as does the dot on the diving bezel. This feature makes it easy for divers to keep track of their time at a glance. They are powered by OMEGA’s exclusive Co-Axial calibres and each one is equipped with a silicon balance spring. This combination is so stable and reliable that OMEGA offers all of the new Planet Ocean watches with a full four-year warranty. Visit www.omegawatches.com for more information.

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Text: Nicola Weir - Images © Isabella’s, Hausbrandt, Green Bean

PREMIER | EATERIES

Caffeine Creations Coffee houses and cafes are starting to take notice of the quality of coffee they serve and if you are lucky tasty treats are on offer as well! We bring you our top picks for getting your caffeine fix!

The energising effect of the coffee bean plant is thought to have been discovered in the northeast region of Ethiopia, and the cultivation of coffee first expanded into the Arab world. Legend has it that Ethiopian shepherds first noticed the effects of caffeine when they saw their goats appearing

to become “frisky” and to “dance” after eating coffee berries. Originally, coffee was eaten – African tribes mixed coffee berries with fat which formed edible round balls which, when eaten, provided an energy boost. The earliest credible evidence of coffee drinking appears in the middle

of the 15th century in the Sufi shrines of Yemen in southern Arabia. About 500 years later in 1906, instant coffee was invented, and its popularity as a household drink greatly increased. Today coffee is the second most traded commodity on earth.

Isabella’s

Waterkloof Corner Centre, Waterkloof, Pretoria. +27 12 346 0769.

Isabella’s Cake & Food Shop is a reputable haven for clients that accept nothing but the best in quality food and enduring tastes. With their original store, Isabella’s Cake & Food shop situated in the upmarket Groenkloof region in Pretoria, Isabella’s has made a name for itself as the only place to spend your early mornings enjoying the best cup of coffee, a freshly baked muffin, and the aroma of freshly brewed foreign coffee filtering through the air. The Waterkloof shop has proved equally popular. In fact, residents often escape to what may very well be termed “little Italy”, as the ambience is that of a classical Italian coffee shop situated on the side of the road, watching as passers-by go about their daily routines.

Hausbrandt

Branches in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Always striving to best serve its clients, Hausbrandt offers different whole bean coffees to satisfy the demands of the most varied clientele, both in Italy and abroad. This selection allows the manager to choose the most appropriate blends for their own establishment. Each blend is unique, a perfect balance of single origin beans, a sophisticated combination of the best varieties of Arabica and Robusta that are studied, chosen and selected to fill every single cup with enjoyment. Hausbrandt also has two branches in Cape Town located in Waterkant Street (+27 21 421 0901) and at Greenmarket Square (+27 21 422 3308) and a branch at Melrose Arch (+27 11 022 4786) in Johannesburg.

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Green Bean

Beyers Naude Drive, Muldersdrift, Johannesburg. +27 11 957 2987.

This “in-restaurant” coffee roastery was launched at the Casalinga Ristorante Italiano in Muldersdrift, Johannesburg in October 2007. “The Green Bean African Coffee Roastery is one of very few direct-to-consumer coffee roasteries in Gauteng, which aims to bring the finest, roast-to-order coffee to South African consumers, while they wait, if so requested,” says director Iris McCallum, “and we can also offer the facility of specially blending coffee to match individual tastes.” The company focuses only on Arabica beans from high-altitude African regions and single estates, where the beans are hand-picked to ensure consistent quality. The two owners are strongly committed to offering alternative coffee-brewing tastings, which focus more on coffee and less on milk-flavoured offerings. “There is so much emphasis in South Africa on cappuccino and espresso-based drinks, whereas the good old coffee plunger and a drip filter machine can offer better flavour extraction and a more satisfying coffee taste experience” says Jenny de Luca, Casalinga’s co-owner ,“and our customers have applauded the improvement in our coffees since the roastery arrived!”

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PREMIER | TRAVEL

Text & Images © Mantis

Royalty

River

The Zambezi Queen

Close your eyes and imagine a burning orange sun melting into the horizon. The wind is in your hair and the last rays of sun are on your face. On the river’s edge a family of elephants playfully shower each other with water and dust. The call of a fish eagle breaks the solitude. Whether dining while watching the wildlife gather at the waters at dusk, game viewing from one of the private boats, or attempting to land your first tiger fish, Zambezi Queen’s professional team will be on hand to meet your every need.

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PREMIER | TRAVEL

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PREMIER | TRAVEL

Unspoilt Africa There are few natural wonders as representative of Africa’s raw wilderness as this stretch of untamed waters. The Chobe River divides Botswana’s Chobe National Park from Namibia’s Caprivi Strip, and its exotic banks boast one of the densest populations of wildlife on the African continent.

This national park is teeming with life and sprawls across some 11,000 km² of lush African bush. It is home to the largest population of elephants in the world, which is currently estimated at about 120,000. Leopard, prides of lion, huge herds of buffalo and numerous species of antelope can also be seen on the river banks, with hippos and crocodiles in the waters alongside. It is on this great expanse of water that an adventure unlike any other awaits.

Queen of the River Guests can now experience the thrill of an African safari from their own private suite aboard the luxurious Zambezi Queen. This lavish 42 m floating boutique hotel is situated on Botswana and Namibia’s great Chobe River, and offers guests a once-in-a-lifetime African experience.

The Zambezi Queen operates in fivestar luxury and pampering, indulgence, and personalised comfort are the order of the day.

This floating hotel offers ten suites and four master suites. These all come complete with en suite bathrooms, king or twin beds, private balconies and fans for those hot summer afternoons. Full length sliding shutters for

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privacy and protection from the sun and sliding mosquito net doors complete the offering.

Of the vessel’s three levels, the first boasts an air-conditioned lounge, coupled with a small library. The remainder of the first level, as well as the entire second level is home to the 14 luxury suites. On the third and highest level is an entertainment deck with dining facilities, unobstructed views, a telescope for exploring the African night sky, an open plan lounge and a stylish bar stocked with the finest wines and spirits. All areas are protected by mosquito screens, which allow for a comfortable and pleasant environment for relaxing and dining.

Two outside areas on the top deck include a shaded area with seating, a plunge pool and sun bathing area.

Leaving only Footprints Behind In keeping with the Mantis Group’s philosophy, sustainable, responsible tourism lies at the heart of the Zambezi Queen. One of the major concerns is the preservation of this unspoilt area. The boat has therefore been designed and built to very specific requirements.

It does not use conventional propellers, but rather a jet propulsion system which reduces damage to the river bed and enables the boat to operate in very shallow water. At night it switches over to a low emission power system for lighting, refrigerators and other requirements. This unique system allows guests to enjoy the sounds of the bush, undisturbed by the unwanted sounds of modern technology. All hot water requirements are provided by solar panels which transfer the sun’s heat to storage boilers. Taps and showers incorporate the most

advanced water saving designs available and all grey water is stored in holding tanks, so as to prevent it from being discharged directly into the river.

A Pamper Package A two- or three-night stay on the Zambezi Queen includes collection from either Botswana Immigration at Kasane on the banks of the Chobe River, or from the Impilila airstrip on the other side of the Namibian border. Special arrangements can be made for other land transfer requirements.

All meals are included in the price, as are drinks with meals and during game drives.

Water based game viewing on smaller boats, 4x4 game viewing in Botswana’s Chobe National Park, tiger fishing in season and cultural tours of local villages are also included.

A dedicated team of experienced guides, chefs and staff will ensure a memorable experience for all guests.

The Zambezi Queen is unlike any other houseboat on this stretch of the water and provides a sophisticated, elegant experience that has retained the essence of all that is uniquely African.

The Zambezi Queen is a member of the Mantis Group, which is a proud member of the Preferred Boutique Hotel Group. For more information, visit www.zambeziqueen.com.

PREMIER | WELLNESS

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Text & Image © Brett Shuttleworth

PREMIER | WELLNESS

Hang in There

BRETT SHUTTLEWORTH EXPLAINS HOWThe pressure of survival can easily make you lose sight of your dreams

I face challenges daily; just like every human being does. In dealing with these challenges I have come to realise that answers don’t empower us; if they could, people would search the Internet – plug in your challenge, click ‘search’ and the solution would instantly jump up in front of you.

Life, however is not that simple.

Consider the following: Can you be free of your mind altogether? If you were to really sit in observation of how your life runs you, you would see that thinking has become a disease – due to the fact that you believe the mind is you. You are unconsciously being used by the mind for survival mainly due to fear of not being enough – both internally, as well as externally. The only difference between someone perceived to be insane, such as a mad man in the street speaking out loud, and you is that you do not verbalise the voice in your head.

If you did express all your thoughts out loud, would people also perceive you to be mad? What would you look like? The collective mindset you inherited and your life experiences is how you identify yourself and is also therefore what you confine yourself to. You can free yourself from your mind when you realise you are not the thinker of those programmed and inherited thoughts.

Here is a test you can try: be still now for 30 seconds and don’t think about a thing – not even my question. If you were in control of your thoughts this exercise would be easy – welcome to enlightenment! If you could not

stop them, well then who is the true thinker of your thoughts?

The core of your being, your spirit and your soul is the ultimate reality, the gateway to universal intelligence and the source of all that exists. This can only be felt organically when your mind is still. So instead of being in reaction to your mind, be in creation and live according to your true self, your true passions – these are the things that instantly make your soul smile.

This in turn opens up the possibility of eternal peace in your life.

Looking Ahead

Wake up early to give yourself time to create a clear vision of what you hope to achieve during the day. It is great to have personal time before the day begins. Read an autobiography that will inspire you. Try and wake up with nature – we all know what a brisk morning walk in the mountains or on the beach can do for our souls and sense of wellbeing – it’s a great way to start the day and clear the mind.

Smile! Wake up and smile, smile at a stranger – the shortest distance between

ABOUT BRETT SHUTTLEWORTH Brett Shuttleworth is an International Motivational Speaker & Transformation Facilitator. He runs the Smiling Soul Retreat. To book a place at one of the Retreats or for information on booking Brett Shuttleworth for a talk please call +27 72 368 6721 or +27 87 985 1823 or email theshuttleworth@hotmail.com.

Up-coming retreats: Smiling Soul Men’s Retreat – 27th – 29th January 2012 Smiling Soul Lifestyle Retreat 10th – 12th February 2012 The Smiling Soul India & Thailand Retreat 24th February – 4th March 2012.

our souls is a smile. It may make a world of difference to their life that day and it will certainly add positively to your world.

SMS &

WIN

smiling soul men’s retreat One lucky reader could win the chance to unlock their true potential at Brett Shuttleworth’s Smiling Soul Men’s Retreat.

The primary objective of the Smiling Soul Men’s’ Retreat is to support you in your journey to connect to and create greater purpose, joy and creativity in your life translating to a sense of fulfilment, feeling alive and passion. The Smiling Soul Men’s Retreat is highly interactive, fun, 100% hands-on and will challenge you to get out of your comfort zone. Brett cuts through layers of conditioning and partners with you to bring about an experience which will leave you deeply connected to the passion in your life. This will support you as you let go and live into your dreams with balance and courage – to the degree you are willing to jump into the unknown and play is to the degree your soul will smile.

To enter, simply SMS your NAME and PREMIER RETREAT to 31531. Terms and conditions apply, competition closes 15th January 2012.

For more information please visit www.BrettShuttleworth.com.

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PREMIER | TRAVEL

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Text: Shannon Manders - Images © Dylan Schwarz

PREMIER | TRAVEL

Get Lost in Zanzibar’s

Stone Town 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.

Zanzibar is still the best-kept secret in the Indian Ocean, with a 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 magical Stone Town – said to be the only functioning ancient town in East Africa.

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 and little has changed here in the last 200 years. Built when Zanzibar was

one of the most important trading centres in the Indian Ocean, it was 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

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PREMIER | TRAVEL House of Wonders are superb examples of how imposing this type of architecture can look after a little tender loving care.

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, brooding atmosphere. Visitors expecting some sort of historic theme park will be disappointed though, as Stone Town remains somewhere to explore rather than tour.

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.

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PREMIER | MOTORING

Text: Deidre Loots - Images © Land Rover Experience Western Cape

The Experience of a lifetime Land Rover Experience Western Cape

To say that I am a proud Range Rover owner would be quite the understatement – fanatical is probably closer to the truth. When offered the opportunity, however, to experience my Range Rover Sport’s darker side, I agreed to give it a go under one condition – it was under the guidance of Land Rover Experience Western Cape’s professional team.

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PREMIER | MOTORING

JOIN US FOR A DRIVING ADVENTURE

To me, driving a Range Rover is more about power, acceleration and excitement, and less about snow, rocks and mud – think Clive Owen, not the Marlboro Man. Yes, being a Land Rover, I expect my Range Rover to be capable off the beaten track as well, but it is not something I have ever been particularly keen on trying out for myself. Frankly, although curious about its capabilities, I never before considered my Sport to be a ‘real’ off-roader.

When my new Supercharged V8 baby arrived along with an invitation to take it out for a real off-road experience at Land Rover Experience Western Cape, the temptation was just too great. Time had come for me to take Clive outside and get him dirty.

To get Land Rover owners outside learning about the awesome capabilities of their off-road vehicles, the brand has established a network of centres designed to provide the ultimate driving experience for owners of the world’s most capable allterrain vehicles. I was surprised, at first, that Land Rover Western Cape is situated on the Simonsig Wine Estate outside Stellenbosch.

Admittedly, there could be few better backdrops for a day of first-time off-roading than the Stellenbosch wine route, but serious off-roading on a wine farm? I had my doubts.

Sunday morning, 10h00. It was a crisp day in the valley and a good day for getting dirty. Pierre and his team of best 4x4xfar professionals had us cool and collected in no time at all and with the compulsory safety briefing done, we took to the off-road. With some of the most challenging terrain you would ever encounter off-road available on the farm, the Land Rover Experience Western Cape facility will challenge you no matter what your skill level. From the Introduction to Driving Skills course, the Intermediate Off-road Handling course and the Advanced Off-road Driving course; through to the His

and Her Handy Off-road programme and the Bos Mechanic course for the guys, Pierre and his crew cover everything you could possible expect from your Land Rover.

With no previous experience to draw on I was, to put it mildly, a little apprehensive at first. While it may be that necessity is the mother of invention, the only thing I learnt out of necessity that day, was how many buttons, switches and levers you never notice on your own car until you take it off-road.

Guided by the Land Rover Experience Western Cape instructors, I learnt quite a few new things about my Range Rover Sport – it is indeed equally at home climbing over rocks, wading through ditches and navigating sand and mud as it is on any highway.

All driving adventures and training programmes at Land Rover Western Cape are conducted by professionally trained Land Rover Experience instructors who are not only qualified to show and teach what a Land Rover can really do, but they do it in such a way that I felt more confident than before behind the wheel. Besides learning a lot of new things about my car, this is one of the most important spin-offs from the experience. There is something about successfully navigating steep inclines and rutted tracks, ditches and dirt that makes you believe in your vehicle’s capabilities and in turn helps you understand your own limits better too.

Team building initiatives are also offered at the centre. Land Rover’s heritage of expedition driving, remote navigation and advanced off-road technology can be put to good if you want a challenging group or corporate activity. ‘Team Discovery’ combines the challenges of the Land Rover Experience with the expertise of leading business development consultants to create unique team building events.

Land Rover has established a global network of centres designed to provide the ultimate driving experience in the worlds most capable all-terrain vehicles. Join us for an experience you’ll never forget.

Land Rover Experience Western Province, South Africa, provides all 4x4 and Off-road enthusiasts with practical training and skills so they can safely and confidently navigate their 4x4 vehicles over a variety of arduous terrains.

Driving Adventures: Experience Land Rover’s capability on challenging terrain Corporate Events: Tailor-made team building experiences Courses & Training: Expert tuition from our world class instructors (+27) 021 852 0728 info@landroverexpwp.co.za www.landroverexpwp.co.za or join the experience on Facebook at www.facebook. com/landroverexpwp.

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PREMIER | WELLNESS

Text: Nicola Weir - Image Š iStockphoto

Empower your Employees

Corporate wellness brings about permanent positive changes

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PREMIER | WELLNESS

In the current economic climate, competition is constantly increasing and so are our stress levels, and with no end in sight employers are realising that the correlation between stress and illness is affecting their bottom line. Many employers have come to realise that their employees are their most important asset and as a result employee wellness is becoming a major concern.

Having a healthy and happy workforce has a direct impact on productivity and profits and so it makes sense that companies everywhere are identifying the maintenance of the physical and mental health of their employees as a major priority. Companies providing corporate wellness solutions have sprung up everywhere as they have indentified this as a challenge to management. Hands On Corporate Massage is one such company as Director Louis Laurie has identified the risks that constant stress poses.

“One of the main reasons that employees are absent from work is due to stress in the workplace,” explains Laurie, “It’s long term effects now outweigh those of serious illness such as strokes, cancer and heart attacks.”

According to Laurie, a company’s ability to deal with stress related risks has an impact on the company’s reputation, goodwill and ability to recruit and retain talent. This makes it, in his view, a bottom line issue and he believes that it should be part of corporate social responsibility.

This makes sense, especially in light of recent studies that have shown that high stress levels and depression are major contributing factors to work related health problems and are also the reason behind absenteeism, sick leave and low morale. These studies concluded that there is a higher than ever need for employee wellbeing interventions that address health risks posed by what has been identified as CDL, or Chronic Diseases of Lifestyle.

Management’s challenge is to maximise the return on investment for shareholders and financial wellbeing for the company while at the same time understanding that high morale and productivity are essential to reaching these goals. Corporate wellness interventions are a simple and effective solution to this problem as employees are educated on the physical, emotional and mental aspects of health and are provided with tools that help them deal with stress triggers which results in a more positive

and valuable workforce and a bottom line that reflects the benefit of increased productivity.

This why research has shown – not surprisingly – that Employee Wellness Programs offer a positive return on investment making them a benefit that costs more to avoid that to provide.

Several high profile companies have already put strategies in place to ensure that their employees are well taken care and the success of these initiatives speaks for itself. Standard Bank Group is one such company. They strive to help their employees maintain a healthy work/ life balance by providing access to health and wellness initiatives, many of which are available to the employees’ immediate families as well.

Their Health and Wellness Programmes include health risk assessments, counselling services, a HIV/AIDS programme, medical aid and strategic business alliances. In 2010 Standard Bank held health days where employees were provided with HIV testing and counselling and completed personal health and stress assessments before being informed on issues relating to their health.

Telkom also places their employees’ health in the upmost importance and describe their Employee Wellness Division as fostering a value-added partnership with the company to enhance productivity by engaging employees and establishing a conducive and vibrant workplace. The division deals with physical wellness, HIV/AIDS workplace management, psycho-social wellness, financial and socioeconomic wellness, community and social support, safety management, occupational health and hygiene and environmental management. Telkom places vital importance on ensuring that employee wellness and health is not managed in isolation of the business but as an integral part of the business drivers such as good corporate governance, social responsibility, productivity measures, sickabsenteeism and cost effectiveness of health

related services, proving that no matter what your budget or management structure, any business can implement employee wellness schemes.

But where do you start? Identifying the types of risks posed within your company is the first step to bringing corporate wellness into your working environment. There are a myriad of different afflictions that could affect your employees and it all depends on your working hours, the sector you work in and your corporate structure and what, if any, measures you already have in place. One example of a risk to wellness that is commonly found is repetitive stress injury. Injuries due to repetitive stress have increased over the last decade and include back problems and carpel tunnel syndrome and are the most costly claims to company workman’s compensation insurance. Addressing an issue such as this with the help of an expert could make a huge difference to your employees’ happiness and satisfaction in the workplace and in turn, as previously discussed will result in higher profits.

The next step to take once your problem areas have been identified is to seek out more information. There are numerous companies who work exclusively with corporate wellness and can assist in educating both you and your employees. Several companies are also able to manage your wellness programmes on a long term basis. ABSA Health Care Consultants offer services that allow employers and their employees to achieve their full potential through effectively managing health and wellness within the workplace with their cost-effective health care models. With many companies offering these services, even the busiest employer is able to provide employees with an improved working environment.

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PREMIER | TRAVEL

Text: Ivor Jenkins - Images © Shumbalala Game Lodge

Bliss

Bushveld Shumbalala Game Lodge

A month ago, the word Shumbalala was non-existent in my family’s vocabulary and had no meaning in our lives. But, all that has changed – and radically so!

The word, the name, the place has moved right onto the centre stage of our world. This is one of those strange occurrences in life, where the previously unknown becomes dear and almost permanent in your universe.

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PREMIER | TRAVEL

From the moment we drove through the gates of Shumbalala Game Lodge in the Thornybush Private Game Reserve (next to the Kruger National Park), we seemed to be filled with a sense of freedom. We had heard that Shumbalala was an internationally-renowned five-star private bush lodge with the most gentle touch of personal and friendly service, but were wholly unprepared for the lengths to which the Shumbalala staff were prepared to go in order to make each minute feel like a day’s worth of relaxation.

The two bush drives per day – and we ended up doing seven in total, as well as a nice long walk in the reserve – never had a dull moment. Whether we left in the early morning while the air was still nippy – with a blanket and hot water bottle to keep us warm – or headed out in the late afternoon to toast the sunset with a glass of wine and a snack, the experience filled us with a sense of beauty and privilege. The knowledge of the veld, the

animals, the trees, the birds and nature, eagerly shared with us by both the game ranger and the animal tracker were truly educational in every sense. The exchange of information was dealt with in a patient manner and reflected their deep passion for this mystical place and its inhabitants.

Back at the lodge, the highly trained resident chef took a no-holds-barred approach to serving the most tantalising dishes in the most outstandingly decorative way. We also did not have a single meal in the same location. Each meal was served in a different spot, carefully selected to ensure that it was not only the taste but also the environment within which it was served that would leave a lasting impression on

our senses.

Like most travellers with an overdeveloped sense of duty and commitment to ensuring that business stays on track while away, I had enquired beforehand to ensure the availability of mobile and 3G reception, and promptly packed my laptop to make sure I was not left out of the e-loop. To the amazement and wonder of my children, I did not switch on the laptop or use my cell phone for a recordbreaking three days. Just for a short moment in time, they believed that I had miraculously been cured of my virtual addiction!

And then there are the rooms. The thought that went into planning the physical space that enhances the experience of ‘bush

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PREMIER | TRAVEL

freedom’ is evident in every detail. Each spacious environment is user-friendly with tasteful African-inspired décor. Of course – as is tradition on the continent for the adventurous traveller – no teenage boy could resist ‘testing’ the outside shower, and no older sister could pass up the opportunity to capture the moment for prosperity!

While staying at the lodge, many of the international visitors were keen to engage with us and learn more about South Africa. Each of the different members of our family was probed (in the nicest possible way) about life in this beautiful and diverse country. Two weeks after our return from Shumbalala I received an email from a fellow guest – the CEO of an US organisation – to let me know that, “Those few days in the African bush at Shumbalala was the best holiday we have ever had.”

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During our few days together, I had learned that this man had travelled to a different country for his annual holiday for the last 20 years! This is indeed a compliment of the highest order, shared in sentiment by my family and myself.

Getting on the shuttle to return to Hoedspruit airport was a sad occasion. We felt as if we were leaving behind our souls, complete with a sense of reconnecting with nature. Since that moment we have been comforted by the truth that we take with us a memory, a new word, a new name – Shumbalala. It is a word that has comfortably and permanently weaved its way into our family talk and life and has only to be mentioned for the peace and joy of those four days to settle in the midst of our family and home.

Visit www.shumbalala.co.za for more information.

PREMIER | MOTORING

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Text: Bernard K Hellberg - Images © Quickpic

PREMIER | MOTORING

J a g ua r

XF 2-2 Diesel

Car lovers will fondly remember the Jaguar marketing slogan of yesteryear – ‘Grace, Pace, Space’. At the time, the Jaguar management could probably not foresee the day that superb pace could be generated by a fairly modest (by Jaguar standards) 2.2 diesel engine.

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PREMIER | MOTORING However, this 2,179 cm3 4-cylinder is vastly more than the kind of diesel one would find in a commercial vehicle. Featuring low-friction pistons and a water-cooled turbocharger, the result is Jaguar’s most fuelefficient engine ever with a tank range in excess of 800 km. Power output is 140 kW and 450 Nm of torque which is even more powerful than the average tractor. This means that XF will make light work of a horsebox and its two occupants.

With 0-100 km/h acceleration figures of 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 225 km/h, this amazing power plant is also capable of superb fuel consumption figures of 5.4 litres/100 km when driven in a civilised manner. Linked to a super-smooth 8-speed automatic gearbox, the pace aspect is firmly taken care of. The ZF (Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen) gearbox is a class-leading component and is also used by some other manufacturers of super-luxury touring cars. Gear changes are completed in 200 milliseconds – four times faster than the average resting human heart rate, while driver control is enhanced by the ability to perform multiple downshifts using paddleshift technology. The use of advanced lightweight materials means that this 8-speed unit weighs the same as the previous 6-speed unit.

Jaguar can now, for the first time, also add the advantages of economical running to its other well-established claims. The new intelligent Stop/Start system automatically shuts down the engine in just 300 milliseconds when the car comes to rest. This improves fuel economy and CO2 emissions by between five and seven percent. An added bonus is that of the R452, 480.00 for the Luxury and R522, 480.00 for the Premium Luxury,

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the government will only manage to grab R4,189.50 in Emissions Tax – a significantly lower number than the average of over R8,000.00 for cars in this class.

As far as the grace claim is concerned, Jaguar fans need not fear. The cabin of the XF is a uniquely welcoming and stylish place using high-end materials in a truly contemporary manner. The seats, front and rear, feature new hide and colour combinations, while veneers and headlining choices increase the personalisation options available to buyers.

The XF incorporates a formidable amount of technology, but in true Jaguar fashion it is integrated seamlessly into the function of the car, and controlled through a central 7-inch touch screen with a new polarising filter for better contrast viewing.

True Jaguar grace is further enhanced by

three new audio systems on offer. Heading up these choices is a 1, 200 Watt 17-speaker premium set-up by British audio experts, Bowers & Wilkens. This system offers concert hall-quality sound reproduction.

As a superb touring car, at night the Jaguar XF relies on bi-function HID xenon technology that provides outstanding beam resolution.

Modern LED daytime running lights arranged in a Jaguar ‘J-blade’ signature pattern round off the car’s striking appearance.

Renowned as a saloon with the soul of a sports car, the XF has won accolades and fans across the globe for its dynamic abilities and dramatic looks. Yet it remains the quintessential Jaguar – a powerful, yet elegant design oozing sporting intent. The “Big Three” German luxury brands have every reason to be extremely worried.

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Text: Elaine Weir - Images © Dubai Airports

PREMIER | STOPOVER

Dubai

International Airport

The world’s most luxurious stopover

Just the word ‘airport’ is enough to make anyone cringe. We rush from one side to the other, trying to get in and out as fast as possible but if you stop to look around, an airport can be a very interesting place: some steeped in history, others breaking world records and almost all of them changing every day. Each month Premier gives you a look at some of the biggest, best and most technologically advanced airports in the world. In this issue, we will be exploring the most luxurious airport in the world, Dubai International Airport.

Dubai International Airport lies in the Al Garhoud district, 4 km southeast of Dubai. The history of civil aviation began in Dubai in July 1937, when an agreement was signed for the establishment of a base for Imperial Airways’ flying boats (a fixed-winged seaplane able to land on water). Seven months later, there were four flying boats taking off from Dubai every week.

In 1959, the order was given for construction to begin on the airport which officially opened on 28th October 1960. The

airport had one airfield and an 1800 m long runway capable of handling aircraft as big as a Douglas DC-3.

In 1997, a huge expansion plan was launched. The extension on Terminal 2 was completed in 1998 to include a hotel, business center, health club, foreign exchange facility, dining and entertainment areas, internet services, medical center, post office and prayer room. Construction of Terminal 3 began in 2004 and opened in 2008. The terminal increased the airport’s annual capacity to a total of 60 million

passengers. The opening of Concourse 3, part of Terminal 3, in late 2011 is expected to raise the airport’s capacity to 75 million passengers.

On 2nd November 2011, Dubai International Airport released the Airport Pre-paid Card known as DXB Connect – the world’s first service of this kind. The DXB Connect card offers passengers travelling through Dubai International, a convenient and safe method to make airport purchases in local currency (AED).

The card is operated on the Mastercard network and is issued by Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank.

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PREMIER | STOPOVER

It offers global reach as it is accepted anywhere that accepts Mastercard. The card comes with a ready to use Esitalat SIM card, preloaded with AED25 credit, allowing travellers the convenience of having a local number on arrival. This package is also a world first.

What gives Dubai International the luxurious reputation it has acquired are the numerous exclusive services offered to passengers. In 2008, Dubai International Airport opened its VIP facility, Al Majlis. The facility offers arrival, departure and transit at a VIP facility separate from public terminals and all travel formalities are handled by a personal assistant (female personal assistants for families). It also includes coordinated airport and hotel transfers, limousine pick-up and drop off between aircraft and the VIP facility, special limousine delivery of baggage on request, special parking privileges at the airport (including airside parking) and a personal assistant for Duty Free shopping.

Ahlan Meet and Greet Services feature a group of highly trained staff whose aim is to look after guests. The service offers Meet and Greet on arrival, refreshments and relaxation at the Ahlan lounge as well as assistance with immigration and Duty Free shopping.

The Premium Meet and Greet includes a porter through the airport.

Executive Flight Services caters to passengers of special importance and is especially favored by celebrities. This service is the largest dedicated private aviation terminal of its kind in the Middle East. The EFS Terminal has its own immigration and customs sections and is is the only terminal in the Middle East to offer e-Gates for quick immigration clearance.

Meaning ‘Welcome’ in Arabic, Marhaba Corporate Services was launched in December 1991, exclusively to help passengers arrive in comfort and leave feeling relaxed. Their Meet and Greet and Assistance services will be sure to leave a lasting impression.

Dubai International Hotel is a five star hotel located in Terminal 1. The hotel offers

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341 rooms, two Health Clubs with swimming pools, two fully-equipped Business Centers and 14 restaurants and bars.

As well as being luxurious, this airport is also extremely busy. In 2010, the airport handled a record 47.2 million passengers, making it the thirteenth busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic, and the fourth busiest by international passenger traffic. The airport also handled a record 2.27 million tons of cargo, making it the seventh busiest airport in the world by cargo traffic.

Dubai is known for its luxury and wealth and you can be sure of this as soon as you walk off the plane and into the terminal. It makes me want to go to Dubai just to stay in the airport – that would be a holiday on its own!

Dubai International Airport: • • • •

Operator: Department of Civil Aviation.

Serves: Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Location: Al Garhoud, Dubai.

Hub for: Al Reis Cargo, Cargo Plus Aviation, Dubai Royal Air Wing, Emirates, Falcon Express Cargo Airlines, Flydubai.

• Elevation: 19m.

• Departing passengers: 47 181 000 passengers in 2010.

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Premier | Sommelier

Text: Lara Potgieter - Images Š Klienood, Creation Wines, Pax Verbatim

Why Viognier?

Love it or hate it, viognier has its loyal followers, even though some of the South African versions have not measured up to the French version.

This is, however, slowly changing.

Winemakers are cutting down on the use of oak when producing voignier and allowing the fruit to do the talking. Some may feel that the dominating flavours of peach or apricot is too much for them, but these flavours can magically unite with the right food combination. This month, Sommelier Neil Grant introduces us to three exceptional local versions.

Creation Viognier 2011 Creation has without a doubt made it onto the South African wine map in a very short time, considering how long it can take for a wine to mature.

The beautiful cellar in the Hemel-enAarde is a must-see for any wine lover.

It is this location that allows for the planting of grape varietals with awardwinning effect. The 2011 viognier is elegant, with hints of nectarine and peach. Again, due to the location of the vineyard, this is one viognier that shows a beautiful mineral note and integrated natural acidity that is not often seen in South African viogniers.

Pair this with a slightly aromatic Thai dish and you will fall in love with what viognier can do with food.

Tamboerskloof Viognier 2010 This wine is produced by Kleinood, which is located in the famous Helderberg region in Stellenbosch. Kleinood is not only famous for its wine, but also for the award-winning olive oil, De Boerin extra virgin olive oil. The Tamboerskloof viognier is a small production and is often hard to find. Viognier is often dark in colour, but the Tamboerskloof has a striking straw colour. It shows the typical notes of viognier – apricot and white peaches, with a fresh jasmine note also present.

This viognier is slightly fuller than the others, but it manages to retain all its beauty.

Pax Verbatim Rock Fountain Viognier 2010 This wine is produced by Richard Hilton who, after spending some years in Burgundy, decided in 2003 to make his own wine in South Africa. The wine is medium-bodied with a true elegance. Richard uses a small portion of oak to add to the complexity of the wine without going over the top. It has soft aromas of white peach, which could bring to mind the Bellini cocktail. Pax Verbatim viognier is filled with the smell of a garden that is in full blossom, and it allows for a lingering finish.

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PREMIER | TRAVEL

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Text: Nicola Weir - Images © Signature Life Hotels

PREMIER | TRAVEL

Enchanting African Adventure Th e r e i s a plac e in Afr ic a wh e r e le g e n d s ar e b o r n. A plac e wh e r e th e pe o ple love to e nc hant yo u with sto r i e s an d r ituals o f th e tr ad iti o nal S h i s hang e ni Le g e n d! S h i s hang e ni Pr ivate Lo d g e i s kn own f o r u n f o r g ettab le Afr ic an safar i s that evo ke myste ry, wo n d e r an d ab ove all e ls e, adve ntu r e!

Situated on a 15,000 hectare private concession of the world-renowned Kruger National Park, this legendary wildlife reserve has the deserved reputation for showcasing some of the finest game viewing on the continent. The perennial Crocodile River in the south and the country of Mozambique in the east form the borders for Shishangeni.

Shishangeni is comprised of three camps Shishangeni Private Lodge, Camp Shonga and Camp Shawu, each offering guests its own different experience. The lodge offers big five game viewing, superior service, excellent cuisine, and the best accommodation in Southern Africa. Shishangeni’s accommodation offering includes 22 individual chalets accommodating 44 guests, all luxuriously appointed with a private game-viewing deck, fireplace, outdoor shower and living area. Interleading rooms for families and mini bar are available upon request.

Shishangeni also offers guests an array of facilities including a library, swimming pool, indoor and outdoor dining area, wine cellar and a gymnasium. But with nature beckoning, more

exciting pastimes await guests than those that can be found indoors at the lodge.

Imagine taking in a magnificent sunset whilst you capture the moment of a pride of lions stalking their prey or possibly watching a buffalo or elephant strolling to a water hole. Or seeing a rhino, with its extraordinary horns and bad temper or a leopard with its remarkable speed and skill to hunt. Guests will have the chance to see and experience all of this and more as they enjoy early morning or late afternoon game drives in search of the ‘Big 5’ with an expert guide. Afterwards, return to camp to share your stories while you dine on traditional cuisine around a roaring boma fire under the stars of the African sky. Enjoy vivid storytelling by the local community including rituals that are still enacted today.

The Kruger National Park is home to more than 500 species of birds. Many of these are migratory birds like the African Hoopoe. This is also the home of the Giant Eagle Owl, the Largest of all the Owls. Birds to spot include Kingfishers, Storks, Shrikes, Weavers, Herons, Eagles, Vultures, Kites and many more. With

such a variety of species of birds this truly is a bird watching haven.

For those wishing to enjoy their favourite sport in these unique and beautiful surroundings, Skukuza Golf Course is a magnificent course situated inside the Kruger National Park. The 9 hole, Par 72 is unfenced which means a game viewing adventure is sure be included in this harmonious close-to-nature golfing experience.

Guests staying at any one of the three camps can also book a range of relaxation massages at each of the camps. The lodges have a team of therapists that offer treatments including aromatherapy massages, indian head massages and foot massages. The treatments can be done in the privacy of one’s bedroom or on the room balconies.

For more information on Shishangeni or to make a booking, call +27 13 735 3300 or email reservations@shishangeni.com.

Alternatively, contact Signature Life Hotels central reservations on +27 31 312 6250 or visit www.signaturelifehotels.com.

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Text: Simon Dingle - Image © Peter McFarlane

PREMIER | BUSINESS

To The Edge of the Universe SKA project set for a decision in early 2012, but can SA really take it on?

In South Africa we like things that “put us on the map”. Among our very favourites so far have been Nelson Mandela, the FIFA World Cup and lots of teenagers who worked on rubbish trucks in the UK until the visas dried up. This week it was also announced that Table Mountain has been voted as one of the new seven natural wonders of the world, pending review.

We may have another big deal on the way, too, and that’s the Square Kilo-metre Array (SKA) that we’re hoping will be assembled here instead of that desolate penal colony in the South Pacific. This is a global science project that will have an estimated cost of about R15 billion. A decision on which country will host it, is expected in February 2012.

Adrian Tiplady, the South African SKA team’s RFI and “site characterisation manager” says that the goal of the SKA is quite simply to build the biggest and best radio telescope ever made.

It will then be used to provide insight into the formation and evolution of the first stars and galaxies, the role of cosmic magnetism, the nature of gravity, and possible life beyond Earth.

Having it in South Africa is like being awarded the world cup of science.

The telescope is a large array of small radio dishes. It’s core will be located in a radio reserve in the Northern Cape. The Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act of 2007 – I bet you didn’t know we had one of those – protects this area against future radio interference.

Remote stations will be spread throughout Namibia, Botswana, Madagascar, Mozambique, Zambia and further afield to Ghana, Kenya and Mauritius, making this an international undertaking. And it will be assembled using

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technology that doesn’t exist, yet. “We’re basically designing the SKA for technology that will be available at the time of construction,” explains Tiplady. “For example, we’re looking into developing a supercomputer that will need to be around 100 times more powerful than any supercomputer that exists today.”

According to Tiplady, IBM has already shown interest in the project and has indicated that the construction of such a supercomputer is definitely possible. In addition, the Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC), at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is currently upgrading its computing power in anticipation of the SKA. Building super powerful computers aside, another question is whether SA has the bandwidth to handle all the data that the SKA needs to transmit. The information generated by remote sites has to reach a central point near Carnarvon in the Karoo. Tiplady says the project will operate on its own private network, but it will also make use of existing fibre optic infrastructure. “The proliferation of fibre optic networks throughout Africa and new undersea cables are having a huge impact on bandwidth on the continent,” he says.

And then there’s the power requirement.

Based on the current SKA model, it will need

105MW of power, which is equivalent to what most medium-sized towns require. The majority of the power will be used up by the SKA supercomputer and a piece of hardware called the correlator. The local SKA team says it will most likely use power from the grid, but will consider making use of renewable energy if the technology has matured by the time the SKA is in operation.

It turns out South Africa has good experience in this kind of thing with the Karoo Array Telescope, or MeerKAT, that we’re currently building providing the ideal training ground in preparing for the SKA. So when we’re awarded the project next year, we’ll know what to do with it. And if Eskom lets us down, perhaps we can figure out how to power the thing using Australian tears.

Copy courtesy of Finweek.

Call 086 010 3911 to subscribe.

Reviews: books

NEW

BOOKS! Monkey Business

Walking With the Wounded

Mike Nicol

By: Mark McCrum

She was 28 years and was a bride for just twelve days. On a honeymoon to Cape Town she was murdered in an alleged township hijacking. But was it a hijacking or a hit? Soon her husband was in the frame with two gunmen and the fixer.

Monkey Business records the murder of Anni Dewani and the incredible aftermath as told by a chorus of family, friends, lawyers, spin doctors, reporters, bloggers, politicians, cops, psychologists and even a kinky sex worker.

This is an extraordinary story of four soldiers, each a hero of recent conflicts who has suffered devastating injuries, who take on a challenge that an able-bodied athlete would baulk at: A four-week trek, unaided, to the North Pole. The expedition – conceived as a way of demonstrating how remarkable servicemen and women are and to raise funds for the rehabilitation of injured soldiers – will see the adventurers cover 300 miles of frozen Arctic Ocean, navigating vast swathes of ice rubble and pressure ridges as well as dangerous open water ‘leads’. And all the time, they’ll be keeping their eyes peeled for the notoriously aggressive Polar Bears that roam the landscape. Pulling in excess of 100kg each, and with every step fraught with risk, the participants’ resilience will be tested to the limit. Each of the men tells their personal story in this book, along with that of the extraordinary expedition itself including the rigorous training, the meticulous preparation, and of course, the final, awe-inspiring voyage across the ice.

Then Julie Myerson It was 09h22, the moment when everything stopped. First there was the burning air, then came the darkness, the fire, and finally the frost. Now, in a frozen, wasted London, a woman – uncertain even of her own name – is fighting to stay alive. Along with a small group of fellow survivors, she takes refuge in an abandoned skyscraper. But spectres stalk the empty offices and endless corridors, and soon visions of a forgotten world emerge – a world even more traumatic than the desolate present.

Water, Stone & Legend – Rock Art of the Klein Karoo Renée Rust Few travellers passing through the relentless expanse of the Karoo take in much beyond the band of tar stretching ahead of them through the endlessness.

Yet the ancient land hides a treasure trove of rock art: the scorched peaks at its southern edge contain countless overhangs and caves lavishly decorated with hand prints, animals and strange creatures – half-human, half-fish. In this fascinating book, archaeologist Renée Rust and photographer, Jan van der Poll, trace the relationship of San rock art to shamanistic rituals and to stories and legends that still circulate in the Little Karoo today.

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The Race

By: Clive Cussler It is the early years of the 20th century, air travel is in its infancy, and newspaper publisher Preston Whiteway is offering big money to the first flier able to cross America in less than fifty days. He is even sponsoring one of the candidates – a barnstorming woman flier named Josephine Frost – and that’s where Isaac Bell comes in.

Frost’s violent-tempered business magnate husband, Harry, has just killed her lover and tried to kill her and now he’s on the run. Bell tangled with Frost ten years before and knows that Frost has access to thieves, murderers and thugs in every city in the country. He knows that if he takes the case, Frost will be after him too.

Top 10 of Everything 2012

By: Caroline Ash This bestselling Top 10 annual is back, with over 700 updated lists and brand-new feature spreads revealing exactly who or what is the best, worst, richest, deadliest, or simply biggest of almost everything in more detail than ever before. There are a lot — of books on the market that can tell you who’s number 1 - but what about how big the margin is between 1st and 2nd place?

Or where does 5th come in? Was number 10 really that far off the mark? “Top 10 of Everything 2012” answers these questions and many, many more, with brand new and updated lists and over 7,000 of the most intriguing facts about history, science, sports, music, movies, nature, people and places.

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REVIEWS: MOVIES Machine Gun Preacher

COMING SOON Footloose A new take on the classic 1984 film. City kid Ren McCormack moves to a small town where rock ‘n’ roll and dancing have been banned after a tragic accident resulted in the death of five teenagers. Ren’s rebellious spirit shakes up the populace. Opens in cinemas 30th December 2011.

J Edgar

Starring: Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan and Michael Shannon Directed By: Marc Forster Opens: 20th January 2012 Action Crime

Machine Gun Preacher tells the true story of Sam Childers, a former drug-dealing criminal who undergoes an astonishing transformation and finds an unexpected calling. Gerard Butler delivers a searing performance as Childers, the impassioned founder of the Angels of East Africa rescue organisation in Golden Globe nominated director Marc Forster’s moving story. When ex-biker-gang member Sam Childers makes the decision to go to East Africa to repair homes destroyed by civil war, he is outraged at the horrors faced by the region’s people and children. Ignoring all warnings, Sam breaks ground for an orphanage in the middle of territory controlled by the brutal Lord’s Resistance Army, a renegade militia that forces children to become soldiers before they even reach their teens. Determined to save as many as possible, Sam leads armed missions deep into enemy territory to retrieve kidnapped children, restoring peace to their lives – and eventually his own. An explosive, real-life tale of a man who has rescued over a thousand orphans.

Dolphin Tale

As the face of law enforcement in America for almost 50 years, J. Edgar Hoover was feared and admired, reviled and revered. But behind closed doors, he held secrets that would have destroyed his image, his career and his life. Leonardo di Caprio gives the performance of a lifetime as he ages from his twenties to his seventies in this film. Opens in cinemas 27th January 2012.

Margin Call Set in the high stakes world of the financial industry, the film is a thriller that revolves around the key people at an investment bank over a 24-hour period during the early stages of the financial crisis. The film examines how those in know confront decisions that shape our global future. Opens in cinemas 13th January 2012.

Martha Marcy May Marlene

Starring: Ashley Judd, Harry Connick Jr. and Morgan Freeman.

Directed By: Charles Martin Smith Opens: 8th January 2012 Family Drama Dolphin Tale is inspired by the amazing true story of a brave dolphin called Winter and the compassionate people who banded together to save her life.

Swimming free, a young dolphin is caught in a crab trap, severely damaging her tail. She is rescued and transported to the Clearwater Marine Hospital, where she is named Winter. But her fight for survival has just begun. Losing her tail may cost Winter her life. It will take the expertise of a dedicated marine biologist, the ingenuity of a brilliant prosthetics doctor, and the unwavering devotion of a young boy to bring about a groundbreaking miracle – a miracle that might not only save Winter but could also help thousands of people around the world. The real Winter, who plays herself in “Dolphin Tale,” today serves as a symbol of courage and hope to millions of people who have been touched by her remarkable story.

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Haunted by painful memories and increasing paranoia, a damaged woman struggles to reassimilate with her family after fleeing an abusive cult. She seeks help from her estranged older sister Lucy and brotherin-law, but remains unable and unwilling to reveal the truth about her disappearance until her memories trigger a chilling paranoia that her former cult could still be pursuing her. Opens in cinemas 27th January 2012.

Fly Paper Tripp (Patrick Dempsey) walks into a bank to get some change and ends up as a hostage to two bank robber-teams.

In an almost Sherlock Holmesian way he has to solve this Agatha Christie inspired mystery and win the girl’s (Ashley Judd) heart. But not everything is at it seems, and there are many twists and turns in this comedy. Opens in cinemas 27th January 2012.

Events to Diarise Rock the River SA New Year’s Festival 2011/12

31st December – 2nd January Cape Town Ostrich Ranch Escape the madness of the surging inner-city crowds and spend your New Year’s party with friends at this exceptional music festival. Now in its third year, Rock the River SA Festival continues to provide an exciting alternative to conventional New Year’s Eve parties – allowing participants to enjoy live South African music in a safe and natural environment. This year’s Rock the River SA New Year’s Festival will take place at the Cape Town Ostrich Ranch and more than 100 acts are expected to attend. This includes the Main Stage, the Electro/Dubstep/D&B stage and a third stage for Metal/Goth/ Hard Rock and Punk. Tickets are available at the gate, Computicket, www. rocktheriversa.co.za, from participating bands, as well as Shoprite, House & Home, Checkers and Checkers Hyper.

Il Divo and Orchestra in Concert

7th – 11th February 2012 Venues Nationwide IL DIVO, the world’s foremost classical crossover group have announced a massive 4th world tour for 2012, set across six continents. The first leg of the tour will see this phenomenal quartet; Carlos Marin, Sebastien Izambard, David Miller and Urs Buhler perform in South Africa on 7th February at the Grand Arena, GrandWest, Cape Town; 10th February at the Big Top Arena, Carnival City Johannesburg; and at the Superbowl Sun City on the 11th February 2012. For pre-sale opportunity and VIP tickets visit ildivo.com. The tour is presented by Big Concerts and SABC3. Tickets at Computicket.

The Veuve Clicquot Masters 2012 Bigger, Better and more Fabulous!

25th February 2012 Val de Vie Wine Estate The second Veuve Clicquot Masters, one of the most sophisticated events on the South African Polo calendar, is set to take place at Val de Vie Wine and Polo Estate outside Cape Town. The prestigious Champagne House sponsors some of the world’s biggest polo events, and the 2011 Veuve Clicquot Masters was their first foray into African polo. The 2012 Veuve Clicquot Masters is set to grow in size, drawing in crowds dressed to impress for a stylish day of polo. Utilising Val de Vie’s world-class polo fields and luxurious club house facilities, VIP guests can expect a glamorous day out filled with champagne, gourmet canapés, haute couture, and of course, thrilling polo. Tickets available online through Webtickets.

Oakfield Bridal Expo

21st – 22nd January Oakfield Farm, Pretoria The Oakfield Farm Wedding Venue is renowned for slick co-ordination, and the Annual Bridal Expo held in January each year continues to celebrate its uniqueness. Visitors will be welcomed with Oakfield’s latest edition of the Inspired Bride magazine and will have the chance to enjoy extraordinary prize give-aways; exquisite fashion shows and the Chef’s classic choice of menu and many more attractions. Gates open at 10h00. Tickets are priced at R150 per car (max four passengers) and will be available at the gate.

The J & B Met

28th January 2012 Kenilworth Raceway, Cape Town J&B’s unique heritage is the inspiration behind this year’s Made Different theme which calls on supporters to challenge the status quo and to break the rules of fashion. Make your outfit from something truly different, wear what traditionally should not be worn, but whatever you do, make sure you do it differently. Regarded as South Africa’s most prestigious horse race and Cape Town’s premier social event, the sponsorship is the largest Justerini & Brooks undertakes anywhere in the world. The race showcases 16 of South Africa’s top horses who compete for the R2.5 million stake over 2 000 meters. Tickets are available through Gold Circle offices, designated tote outlets throughout the country, at the Kenilworth Racecourse or from webtickets. Call +27 21 7001600 for further ticket information.

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The 4th Annual Cape Town International Tattoo Convention Southern Ink Xposure 27th – 29th January 2012 V&A Waterfront, Pavilion Conference Centre, Cape Town

Southern Ink Xposure - the biggest tattoo event in the southern hemisphere will be proudly marking its fourth anniversary in January 2012. It was back in 2009 that renowned tattoo artist Manuela Gray realised a dream of putting together an international tattoo convention on South African soil. Over the last four years, this event has grown, attracting nearly double the number of attending overseas artists alongside South Africa’s most incredible ink-smiths. The popularity of the week-long series of events including collaborative art events, exhibitions and music concerts has resulted in ever-more successful international tattoo conventions. In 2012, Southern Ink Xposure will again bring the best in global tattoo culture and lifestyle to the V&A Waterfront Pavilion over the last weekend in January 2012. Visit www.capetattooconvention.co.za for more information.

Tickets available at Computicket.

FINAL THOUGHTS

MICHAEL VLISMAS

I fear

we may have gone

to the dogs.

“Then we bought Toffee, a Cocker Spaniel with a face of angelic innocence that belied its Satanic heart.”

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I used to think of myself as a dog person. But I am now four years into the life of a mutt that has convinced me our next pet will be one of those rocks with a face on it. Toffee is the Hound of Hell. And what makes it worse is that he is the third such psychotic pup we have raised.

So the problem either lies with us or the dogs, and being higher up on the food chain than they are, I’m going to blame the dogs. First we had Achilles. He was a Great Dane. Clearly, it was a spectacular attack of the stupids that led us to bring this animal into our lives. He started out as the most delightful little puppy that could fit in your hands. Within a week he could eat your hand. Within two weeks, he looked you in the eye. Within three weeks, I was wondering whether we could slap a saddle on him and ride him.

Unlike the Greek hero of the Trojan War, Achilles was the great god of food.

He would eat an entire bag of dog food in one sitting. So when my mother-in-law mentioned she was nervous about the security of her home, we were only too happy to donate to her an animal that used to guard castles back in the day.

Then we bought Toffee, a Cocker Spaniel with a face of angelic innocence that belied its Satanic heart. Toffee barks at everything, including water. He barks at the rain. He barks at the lightning. He barks at the echo of his own bark. And he loves nothing more than to bark incessantly at a Hadeda that, in its own natural stupidity, loves to sit just high enough on the wall and stare down at him.

I have consulted widely on the subject in an attempt to stop him. According to one website, “Your barking dog is not stupid”. I beg to differ. Books have been written about “bark training your dog”, and they all assume that we have the time to play dog whisperer. For heaven’s sake, I’m far too busy trying to whisper two kids to have time to bark train my mad mutt.

Then, after watching Marley and Me with the kids, we suffered a fit of compassion and took a trip to the SPCA to rescue some poor soul. Instead, we went home with a Pug crossed with a Fox Terrier and with a little bit of Tasmanian Devil in it too. But I’ve told you about her before.

I have a friend who is the exact opposite. Every dog he gets he trains to perfection. They would rather die than eat the food he has put before them but told them not to touch until he says so.

You get guys like this. Men who make things like this look simple. I’ve seen them before. I’ve been fishing with guys who, after a day on the water, still smell as fresh as they did at 6am. They can wear white shirts and not get a spec of dirt on them.

I, on the other hand, look like I’ve wrestled alligators in the Louisiana swamps. And that’s after only taking my rods out the boot.

I’ve seen them at campsite as well. Guys who effortlessly put up their tents or caravans and are having a beer with the fire lit before you can say, “Is that a black mamba?” I’m usually the guy who appears to be fighting with his tent, strangling myself in the guy ropes. So I have to whisper my dogs into shape. Heaven’s knows that if I don’t, the next trip to the SPCA will be to book myself into a cage.

WINE LIST

OUR LOUNGE Bidvest Premier Lounge has always prided themselves in the selection of wines that they offer their guests. A new wine selection was recently put together to ensure that the Premier Lounge continues to offer an exceptional array of wines. A new wine list will be selected every four months and will be available for your perusal in the Premier Magazine.

01 Moonstone Premier Vintage 2005: The red partner to the Moonstone exclusive range has been blended for the discerning wine drinker and from grapes selected at the historically rich farm, Vergenoegd. The bottle-aged blend comprises a magical combination of five grape varieties – Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Touriga Naçional, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. This is a serious red wine. Rich and full-bodied, this wine holds depth of flavour that keeps on giving. Subtle notes of vanilla, cloves and spice ensure that this wine continues to evolve in the glass from the first to the last sip. From hints of black olives to tobacco with a slight minty note – this wine will have you searching and it will continue giving you more to explore. If you enjoy a fuller, richer red wine, this is the one for you.

02 Moonstone Sauvignon Blanc: A Sauvignon Blanc is perfectly suited to the airline lounge environment, offering a soft and accessible wine with a slightly lower alcohol content and well-integrated flavours, which are ideally suited to the lighter meals served in the lounges. This wine is produced from grapes grown in Elgin, only seven kilometres from the ocean, and these conditions have contributed to this wine’s great character. Easy on the eye, this wine shows its true varietal characteristics with a pale green colour. An attractive array of fresh fruit aromas leap from the glass, where one can pick up hints of fresh lemon, melon, guava and spring floral notes. On the palate, it carries hints of tropical fruit, followed through by clean mineral notes with a dry and refreshing finish.

03 Granite Ridge Reserve Shiraz 2010:

On first appearances this wine seems easy and fresh however on the palate it gives heaps more. On the nose it takes us back to childhood with fun candy floss flavours and floral notes. Clean refreshing acidity with a vibrant finish of lemon, citrus and pink lady apples.

05 The River Garden 06 Excelsior Chardonnay Merlot 2010: 2011: This Chardonnay is elegant and soft on the palate. The nose bursts with floral tones of jasmine and geranium, a prelude to what it offers on the palate. One sip brings to mind the elegance of jasmine, and the balance of melon and apricot.

A light and elegant wine with an approachable personality. Because of the purity of the fruit in this wine, it is surprisingly refreshing for a South African Merlot. The nose shows spice and sweet fruit as it is packed with raspberry, black current and black olives. The oak plays its part in rounding this wine off, but does so with grace.

07 Cape Atlantic Pinotage 2008: A superb red-fruit appearance with hints of vanilla and sweet spice on the nose. This wine is extremely approachable as the softer tannins give way to flavours of mulberry, raspberry and blackberry on the palate. This is a fine example of a modern-style of Pinotage – the true South African grape.*

*Only available in international Premier Lounges

An approachable wine that does not jump out at you with loads of ripe red fruit. Instead it is restrained and perfectly balanced.

It shows traces of black pepper and liquorice on the nose. On the palate it is silky with that perfect touch of oak. There is a fine line between too much or too little, and this is just right.

04 Pearlstone Chenin Blanc 2011:

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