Capital Life

Capitallife Pretoria’s Premier Lifestyle Magazine

Jacaranda Festival Bold Bosch Art

Gautrain is Moving Get into Golf

2010 | issue two

Sir Herbert Baker Moyo Fountains

“In this area alone one could spend a lifetime with what’s on offer to the visitor.”

WE LIVE

20 50 68

Itumeleng Success Story Sunnyside: On The Up? People of Pretoria

WE TEACH & RESEARCH

30 38 54 56

– page 60

Supplementation: The Why, What and How Continuing Education at University of Pretoria Curious About Curro Hazeldean A Greener Life

WE VISIT

ontents

22 28 60

Hazel Food Neighbourhood Market Moyo Restaurant Review Thailand Experience

“The menu as presented is a trip around the continent, with a wide variety of traditional yet contemporary African cuisine on offer.” – page 28

WE PLAY

16 36 40 66 74

Jacaranda National Arts Festival Africa Umoja at The State Theatre Bicycle Safety Get Into Golf The Outsider’s Guide to Making Friends

WE TRADE, GROW & GIVE

34 42 44 46

Gautrain Gathers Momentum Rising Star at Rosslyn Nissan The T-Show Under The Hammer: Auctioneering

There are pockets of visible growth and large-scale investments on particular city blocks that hold enormous potential. – page 50

ON THE COVER

WE ADMIRE Sir Herbert Baker’s Buildings Cornelius Bosch Breaks Boundaries Colour Me Bentley

The Mother of Rooibos: Dr Annique Theron

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L E A D E R S I N P R E M I U M C A R R E N TA L S

Pretoria’s Premier Lifestyle Magazine

2010 | issue two

ur Drives and Tours Airport Transfe rs, Chauffe Self-driv e Rentals ,

Letter from the Editor Capital Style: City Trends Education Captured: Photo Essay Social Capital: City Vibe Human Capital: The City Speaks

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N a t i o n a l C a l l C e n t r e : 0 8 6 1 1 0 0 1 0 8 | F a x : 0 8 6 5 1 7 2 9 6 1 | e m a i l : i n f o @ S LV. c o . z a

CAPITAL ISSUE two COVER.indd 1

page 10

2010 | issue two

WE SHARE

4 6 72 78 80

9 9

P r eto ri a ’s P r e mi e r L i fe st y l e M ag az i n e

Boekenhoutskloof – A Vote of Excellence

Capitallife

“The Glass Bird” is part of a series of oil paintings called “Cities of Glass.” It looks back into the history of art “through the looking glass,” with some recognisable imagery borrowed from that time, plus some new themes added. It is presented in a manner that also is reminiscent of stained glass windows, where the images stack together in compartments that eventually form a whole, in the same way that we remember events. – Cornelius Bosch Capitallife

8 10 26 49 64

Jacaranda Festival Bold Bosch Art

Gautrain is Moving Get into Golf

Sir Herbert Baker Moyo Fountains

2010/04/21 9:17 AM

People are overly impressed with titles. Take mine, for example: Editor of capital life Magazine.

Wow. Yoh! Jislaaik.

Seriously? I know it’s a cool job with loads of perks, but the editing in itself is really not the “be all and end all” of the job description. I have noticed that a title can be very deceiving. From what I’ve experienced in the last month, it seems that people have the distinct “Devil Wears Prada” idea about my job. Hold onto your horses folks, and trust me: it is a far cry from the sky-scraper stilettos and the army of personal assistants that Meryl Streep indulged in while portraying that particular role.

Let me bring the Editor title down to size, so that you can appreciate the human connection that we are striving for at capital life. I am responsible for aligning a magazine that is inclusive and interesting. And just to banish the idealistic notion that we “do this for that loving feeling,” there is a strong incomegenerating component that cannot be overlooked when creating a premier lifestyle magazine for the people of Pretoria and the Greater Tshwane area. The primary objective as the Editor is to make sure that style, grammar and fluidity is carried through the magazine in a vast array of articles, features, advertorials and editorials. ‘Nuff said.

I always try to edit from someone else’s perspective. Firstly, I read the article from the writer’s perspective. Then I read the article from person X’s perspective.

The writer is always impassioned with his/her chosen topic. The writer always feels that they have something useful to contribute to the general community, and that their point of view – whether biased, objective or downright ludicrous – is valid.

Person X, on the other hand, reads these articles for a number of reasons, which range from being interested or knowledgeable about the topic at hand, to wanting to be entertained, to wanting to feel included in the greater “community of discourse” that revolves around us daily.

I then come along, with my little purple pen, and attempt to keep the writer’s ego in check by respecting their views and opinions.

However, the main task is to ensure that the editing is balanced while keeping the tone and enthusiasm of the writer alive, so that Person X feels the energy from the words of the article as they bounce off the page and slip into the mind. An astute editorial team then comes into the fray, and further examine word choice, validity, relevance and general appeal of the articles, so that we are left with a cohesive, comprehensive, colourful magazine for you to savour.

So at the end of the day, I am your writing servant. I am your “go-to-grammargirl,” I am the one with the purple pen. I am not THE EDITOR. I am a woman who edits in order to produce a product that is valuable and enjoyed by our community.

I am using skills to make ends meet. I am exchanging time for money. But here’s the difference between me and some others out there – I love my job, not my title.

I know that the title lends itself to criticism or praise, depending on which way the wind blows, but more importantly, I know that it comes with a responsibility.

So, what’s your title, and how are you utilising it to make our community a better place?

Much love and happiness, Claire Pienaar

editor’s letter

cultureShock

Publisher Chapel Lane Media Tel: +27 (0)82 452 8110 Managing Editor Charl du Plessis charl@chapellane.co.za Tel: +27 (0)82 452 8110 Group Editor Tanya Goodman tanya@chapellane.co.za Tel: +27 (0)82 671 2762 Editor Claire Pienaar claire@chapellane.co.za Tel: +27 (0)82 372 8054 Assistant Editor Lauren Ettin lauren@chapellane.co.za Tel: +27 (0)83 886 1698 Advertising Sales: Zélna Perez-Sánchez zelna@chapellane.co.za Tel: +27 (0)82 374 7333 Gizela van der Sandt gizela@chapellane.co.za Tel: +27 (0)82 578 3181 Alwyn Dormehl alwyn@chapellane.co.za Tel: +27 (0)84 580 8284 Design & Layout Liesel van der Schyf VDS Design Studio liesel@vdsdesign.co.za Tel: +27 (0)82 336 7537 Printed by Business Print, Pretoria capital life is published by Chapel

Lane Media. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Chapel Lane Media or its Editors. 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.

Copyright © 2010. All copyright for material appearing in this magazine belongs to Chapel Lane Media and/ or the individual contributors.

All rights reserved.

Lobola or Mahadi in Sesotho, meaning “bride price” is a traditional Southern African custom whereby a man pays the family of his fiancé for her hand in marriage. The custom is aimed at bringing the two families together to foster mutual respect and indicate that the man is capable of supporting his wife. Traditionally, the Lobola payment is made in cattle, as it represents a primary source of wealth.

However, most modern urban couples have switched to using cash. How much does Lobola cost? Well, from a few head of cattle, to R75,000, depending on qualifications and other societal classifications.

The process of Lobola negotiations can be long and complex, and involves many members from both extended families. Unfortunately, the custom also has negative effects, in that creates a financial barrier for younger, less established men looking to take a bride. This tradition is still greatly adhered to, even though the process of Lobola has been criticised as being a method of subjugating a woman, as she is “treated as a commodity or possession,” instead of as a human being. When I asked a young friend of mine if she felt like a commodity when Lobola was paid for her, she explained that she’s proud to be part of her society’s tradition, and that the exchange of cash between the families cemented her partner’s commitment to take care of her to the standard that she had been accustomed to in her father’s house.

you loved uS In Summer… you WIll FInd uS SenSATIonAl In AuTumn And WInTer!

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Spectacular balmy weather · Affordable seasonal accommodation · Sensational Food · Family friendly activities · Wildlife ancounters · Inspiring nature experiences · World class sporting events

Book your sensational seasonal break away now and you stand the change to

win a family holiday for four or a romantic stay for two.

Visit www.plettenbergbay.co.za for details and sensational seasonal offers.

A chic new lifestyle store that promises you understated elegance and originality,

Cinnamon

is a boutique

lifestyle and décor haven for those who tire of the massproduced furnishings that appear around every corner.

With a penchant for quality and a passion for sustainable, community-based projects, Cinnamon brings you the best décor ideas that Southern Africa has to offer. Cinnamon Lifestyle and Design is open at Shop No. 6 at the Monument Park Shopping Centre. Contact +27 (0)12 346 4571 or email

style

capital

Glacéau vitaminwater is a great tasting active lifestyle beverage that is available from selected Woolworths, Dischems, Vida-e Cafes and Kauai stores. It is available in six fabulous fruit-flavoured variants. From May 2010, you can expect to see a different spin on the already tongue-in-cheek label copy. Vitaminwater also has the FIFA Fever, and will be launching a few colourful South African characters to give additional “flavour” to the quirky bottles. This power-packed drink has been everywhere, from David Tlale’s latest fall collection fashion show to the BMX World championships. Get yours today.

Words: Claire Pienaar Images: Cinnamon Lifestyle and Design, Pure Sub-Urban Delicacy, Tshwane Metropolitan City Council, Glacéau vitaminwater.

amorie@inovision.co.za.

The

City of Tshwane’s Tourist Bus is a convenient method of transport for tourists who

want to see and experience the main attractions in Tshwane. The bus guides tourists to more than 40 destinations within the city, including sites such as the zoological gardens and Freedom Park, as well as shopping malls.

Tourists are able to hop on or off at any of the stops and professional tour guides are on board to provide further information. The bus operates from Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm and on Saturday from 8:00am to 2:00pm. Tickets can be purchased directly from the bus driver or from the bus information office on Church Square (south-eastern corner of the square) at R60 for adults, R50 for people over the age of 60 and R30 for children, with children under age 2 travelling free of charge. For more information, contact +27 (0)12 358 1430.

Walk into

Li-bel, on a tree-lined street of Sunnyside,

You can rely on

Bam Express

and feel like you’re entering a whimsical, sweet-smelling,

for door to door shuttle service, with a smile.

country jewel box. The décor of red and white, together

From personal tours to safaris, Bam Express

with the eclectic mix of furniture, including twig chairs

will make your journey their priority. Bam

and furnishings that are produced by the owners, well

Express is situated at 301 Saron Street in

complements the small contemporary menu of

eight

Garsfontein, so call +27 (0)12 998 7234 or

items that changes daily, depending on availability of

+27 (0)72 219 2176 to book a shuttle service

local produce. As the chef doesn’t have a deep freezer,

that is reliable and affordable.

you can be assured that everything on your plate is fresh.

Open 7 days a week, from 7:30am to 3:00pm, with décor items for sale, a small market on Friday mornings, and jazz on Saturdays, it is well worth the visit. Cash only. Call +27 (0)12 343 8277 for more details.

Sir Herbert Baker’s

Buildings ofBO LDNESS

H

erbert Baker had a profound influence on the architecture of our entire country.

Born in Kent, England, he arrived in the Cape colony in 1892.The story goes that at his uncle’s request, he visited his brother Lionel in the Cape to enquire about his success as a farmer. He also used the opportunity to investigate the possibility of settling there himself.

Baker was invited to a dinner function where he met the then-Cape Prime Minister, Cecil John Rhodes.

In 1893, Rhodes commissioned Baker to remodel his house, Groote Schuur, after it burnt down. Restoring the house was the first step for Baker in building a relationship with Rhodes. At the core of this relationship was the idea to create a distinctive style for South African architecture.

The Union Buildings, with their unique architectural design, form part of Baker’s legacy in Pretoria. These imposing buildings on Meintjeskop, overlooking the capital, are one of Pretoria’s landmarks. They are the highlight of Baker’s achievements in South Africa.

The Union Buildings are semicircular in structure, with a central colonnade enclosing an amphitheatre from which two wings extend to the east and west. The buildings symbolise the reconciliation of Afrikaans and

Many imposing public buildings that reflect

the capital’s

past have been erected over

the years. The architecture of many of these buildings has been

influenced by the English architect, Sir Herbert Baker.

Words: Wilhelmina Bekker; www.wikipedia.com Images: © Sarel van Staden

we admire

English-speaking people after the Anglo-Boer War, following the establishment of the Union of South Africa and are the symbolic seat of the government of South Africa.

The Pretoria Station was also designed by Baker. It was commissioned as a government project to create national identity and unity and was built with surplus funds that the Transvaal Colony was not willing to surrender when the Union was formed.

The Reserve Bank on Church Square, a third Bakerdesigned building in Pretoria is created out of granite and sandstone in a post-World War I neo-classical style. It has three floors above ground level and two below. The building's lofty main hall is surrounded by a gallery, which rests on black granite pillars covered with black Belgian marble. The building was later enlarged by the architectural firm Gordon Leith & Partners.

Baker received a knighthood from the Queen Mother of Elizabeth II in 1926 and was elected to the Royal Academy of the Arts in England. He also had conferred on him the Gold Medal of the Royal Institute of British Architects and he received honorary degrees from the Witwatersrand and Oxford Universities.

Baker returned to England shortly before World War I started. Here, he was responsible for the design

of South Africa house on Trafalgar Square in London.

This beautiful building, which houses the South Africa’s embassy, is surely one of the most beautiful embassies in England.

He was responsible for designing more than 25 buildings in South Africa. His architecture also allowed him to work on various buildings in India, the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Australia and Kenya. Sir Herbert Baker died in Kent in 1946 and is buried in Westminster Abbey. 

Bosch

breaks

boundaries

When I ask Cornelius Bosch why

he paints, he replies with an off-the-cuff remark: “I can. It’s part of my God-given ability and I’d like to expand it as far as possible.”

Boorfontein (1200 x 900); oil on canvas

we admire

Words: Claire Pienaar Images: © Paula Beezhold

Cornelius Bosch and his sculpture of The Matador

A

s I walk into his Buffelsdrift home that serves as his think tank and studio, I realise that this man is at peace. He is friendly, engaging and very eager to serve me tea. Now, I enjoy the odd cup of tea, but with Bosch, tea is not just tea. It is an experience that flows from the heart to the mind as easily as tea is poured from pot to cup. He is conversational, and I don’t mean in the usual “arty-farty” way when artists try to get into your soul while bearing theirs to all and sundry. No, Bosch thoughtfully answers my questions, and hints at more. He is comfortable in his own skin, and he seems content with his lot. This is refreshing for me, and I realise that he’s living out his passion, on his own terms. How many people are lucky enough to experience that kind of life?

Bosch has always had a flair for the arts. He studied graphic design at the Johannesburg College of Art, and during his twenties he worked in galleries and became involved in the international art scene. In his early

thirties, while based in Graskop, Mpumalanga, Bosch commenced his profession as an artist. He painted seven days a week during the early years. He confesses that he entered the “world of South African art through the back door.” His first shot at carving out an artist’s career was by painting for the commercial market, with his primary subjects being dramatic landscapes and expressionistic flower arrangements. Focusing on this market has definitely paid off, as every piece of art that he’s ever painted has sold.

Reflecting on this part of his life, Bosch remembers it as a period when he simply did what he needed to do to get the ball rolling. He is proud of his commercial work and in a fleeting comment, remarks that he has not only perfected the flowers in the bowl subject, but that his landscapes are so South African, he can hardly be expected to paint any other type of landscape. As I walk through the studio and revel in the colour and the depth with which the man paints, I am inspired.

I imagine that no-one can do these scenes better, because no-one has painted more of them.

Over the last 20 years, Bosch’s art has matured, as have his customers. He feels that he can now “take (his) art to where (he) knows it can go.” There is a genuine excitement in the market for Bosch’s new work. His recent exhibitions have emphasised the beauty of nudes, as well as the expressions of black

we admire

Details from Dream (1100 x 1100); acrylic on canvas

and white on paper. While Bosch has also ventured into the creation of glass products, and his logos are used on high-end bedding for exclusive hospitality establishments, Bosch is adamant that he does not want to move into merchandising.

Bosch is a self-professed colourist, and he is able to shift in and out of his vibrant pallet for the sake of the imagery that is created in his darker contemporary works. The theme of his “Industrial Cathedral� range of art, for example, plays on a constant re-affirmation of a theme that has come to inspire him. In this series, Bosch views what he calls the Industrial Cathedral as the core structure of our time. By this, he intends to draw attention to how work has become our central identity, to such a degree that people have begun to worship the world of work and everything they do and dream flows from this misplaced deification.

This search for identity is carried through to another exhibition that Bosch has created. The Matador is present in sculpture and in paintings and is a metaphor for how we approach life. Life is the proverbial bull, we are the matadors; always in search of something else to control.

Bosch has not crawled into the world of twodimensional art and stayed there. He is aware of the viral marketing trends that engulf us through mediums such as Facebook, Youtube, and the like. He has embraced this new media and has placed his art in these spaces for everyone to see. By doing so, he has transcended the canvas to explore cyberspace and has, for example, created mini-movies of his Industrial Cathedral range, all filmed with his cellular phone. As I watch these mini-movies, the messages that I did not receive when viewing a motionless painting flood my senses. This is art, I think to myself.

Details fromThe Glass Bird (1800 x 1600); acrylic on canvas

The Poet (1100x1100); acrylic on canvas

Glass bowls

Bosch is moving with the times. His art captures the occupational struggle of our generation, and by selling over 14,000 paintings in his lifetime, he’s frozen in it, thereby securing an iconic place in South African art. There are several art galleries in and around Pretoria that carry art works by Cornelius Bosch.

Should you be interested in viewing the mini-movies, visit www.youtube.com and search for “Industrial Cathedral.” This link can also be accessed from Bosch’s own website at www.boschart.co.za  Matador; bronze

Pretoria’s Own

Art Festival Pretoria se Eie

Kunstefees There’s an excitement in the air, there’s an expectation that’s building up everywhere – the Jacaranda National Arts Festival is near.

Alle bobbejaantjies, sluip julle tandjies,

daar’s groot fees. Die Jakaranda Nasionale Kunstefees debuteer binnekort in ons hoofstad.

we play

N

a ‘n bietjie van ‘n issue met die bure oor die moontlike samedromming en laataand lawaai, skop die Standard Bank Jakaranda Kunstefees nou af in die verre noorde van ons stad vanaf 26 April tot 2 Mei. Die nuwe venue is in Zambezi Weg, skerp teenaan die N1, met ‘n eie area opsygesit net vir feesaktiwiteite. ‘n Smulmaal van produksies, kunstenaars, musikante en VIP areas vir die kulturele snobs tussen ons mere mortals staan reg vir ‘n helse makietie. En elke Jan Rap en sy maat is uitgenooi.

Met meer as 40 teater produksies, die behepte VIP funksies, skoonheidkompetisies en ‘n groot klomp kwaliteit stalletjies met allerlei ditjies en datjies, begin dit lyk asof hierdie fees die volgende groot ding in Pretoria mag raak, en ons dalk selfs van ons Gauteng bure in bob’jaansburg mag kry om noord te ry vir ‘n bietjie kultuur.

Woordvoerder vir borg Standard Bank, Hannah Sadiki, verduidelik dat hulle graag die fees wou ondersteun omdat kunstefeeste so deel geword het van die Suid-Afrikaanse landskap, en omdat die Jakarandastad en sy mense dit werklik verdien om ‘n geleentheid van hulle eie ter plaatse te geniet.

Maar, die fees se fokus is nie net op kultuur nie.

Die organiseerders het hulleself commit om ‘n fees op die been te help bring wat beide die omgewingsen die sosiale impak wat dit kan verwesenlik te ondersteun. Derhalwe is die hele fees ‘n groen fees.

Organiseerders Moonprint Productions sal toesien dat alle herwinbare material soos glas, papier, plastiek en blikkies tydens die fees versamel en verwerk sal word

Words: Claire Pienaar Translation by Charl Du Plessis Images: © Extreme Exposure

T

he first ever Standard Bank Jacaranda Arts Festival will take place from 26 April to 2 May 2010 in Zambezi Avenue, just off the N1, in its own designated area. A smorgasbord of productions, artists, musicians and culturally inclined elite will be assembling here to give this festival a creative edge, and we are all invited. With over 40 theatre productions, various VIP functions, a beauty pageant and a large array of quality stall holders, this looks to be the “next big thing” that hits the capital.

Hannah Sadiki from Standard Bank explains that when they decided to be the main sponsor of the festival, it was because “arts festivals have become a special part of the South African landscape, and the Jacaranda City and its people really deserve to have one of their own where they can enjoy the arts within Pretoria.” However, it’s not just the cultural landscape that will benefit from the Festival. The organisers are committed to creating an event that embodies the environmental and social responsibilities that are part of the capital’s landscape. The National Arts Festival for the capital city is therefore designed to be a green festival. Together with Moonprint Productions, the organisers will ensure that all materials – including glass, paper, plastic and tin – will be collected and recycled throughout the duration of the event, thereby

reducing the carbon footprint of the Festival.

So what can we look forward to at our very own Jacaranda Arts Festival? From Chris Chameleon’s Voila, to Ditsem se Watsem by Deon Coetzee and Vinette Ebrahim’s Miss Africa South, you can expect to be entertained. Other artists such as Koos Kombuis, Zane Meas, Nicole Holm, Danie Niehaus and Denver Vraagom will also share the limelight. A number of children’s productions are on the programme as well, to ensure that the Festival is family friendly.

The Festival’s highlights do not, however, stop at the main stage in the festival terrain. If you have an interest in astronomy, you could meet Hennie Maas at Fort Schanskop for an excellent narration of the stars and planets on Wednesday 28 April. A ladies’ morning is also planned at the Pretoria Country Club, with speakers such as Nataniël, Kevin Leo and Pedro Camara on 1 May. There are shows scheduled for all the local theatres in Pretoria, including the Brooklyn Theatre, Crawford College, the Groenkloof Normaalsaal, the Encore Theatre, the Lions Club, The Voortrekker Monument’s hall as well as the Pierneef Theatre.

For a large scale event that is environmentally conscious, secure, and jam-packed with popular productions and performances from South Africa’s favourite artists, every day promises to be a highlight.

The Jacaranda National Arts Festival is one more reason why the capital is definitely the place to be!

Tickets are available at Computicket or on the Festival website (www.jacarandakunstefees.co.za) where you can find information on the daily programme, directions, and more. 

ten einde die omgewingsimpak van die hele opskop te minimaliseer.

So, waarna kan ons alles uitsien op die program?

Ons eie Chris Chameleon se Voila, Ditsem se Watsem deur Deon Coetzee, en Vinette Ebrahim se Miss Africa South is ‘n paar items wat onmiddellik die oog vang.

Ander kunstenaars soos Koos Kombuis, Zane Meas, Nicole Holm, Danie Niehaus en Denver Vraagom het groot trekkrag, en ‘n hele aantal kinderproduksies op die program verseker dat dit ‘n affair vir die hele familie sal wees.

Die fees strek egter verder as net verhoogkunstenaars. Kom ontmoet Hennie Maas

by Fort Schanskop vir ‘n verhaling van die sterre en planete op Woensdag 29 April. Daar word ook ‘n dames-oggend beplan by die Pretoria Country Club, waar dames deur Nataniël, Kevin Leo en Pedro Camara op 1 Mei getrakteer sal word.

Vertoonings is geskeduleer vir alle plaaslike teaters in Pretoria, insluitend die Brooklyn Teater, Crawford College, Groenkloof Normaalsaal, Encore Teater, Lions Klub, die Voortrekker Monument se saal, asook die Pierneef Teater.

Elke dag belowe om propvol hoogtepunte te wees, jou groen gewete skoon te hou, en kwaliteit produksies deur van Suid-Afrika se voorste kunstenaars op die planke te bring. Hierdie fees is een verdere rede hoekom die hoofstad die plek is om te wees. Kaartjies is beskikbaar by Computicket, of op die Fees webwerf by www.jacarandakunstefees.co.za. Laasgenoemde is ook ‘n goeie plek om die daaglikse program te vind en jou week te begin beplan. 

Naomi Watts Annette Bening Kerry Washington Jimmy Smits and Samuel L. Jackson

Mother&Child EVERYTHING IS IN ITS PLACE...EXCEPT THE PAST

A FILm BY RODRIGO GARCÍA from executive producer

ALEJANDRO GONZÁLEZ IÑÁRRITU BABEL and 21 GRAMS

director of

EXCLuSIVE To CINEmA NouVEAu 7 mAY

WESTEND FILMS IN ASSOCIATION WITH EVEREST ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS A MOCKINGBIRD PICTURES PRODUCTION NAOMI WATTS ANNETTE BENING KERRY WASHINGTON JIMMY SMITS AND SAMUEL L. JACKSON MOTHER AND CHILD S. EPATHA MERKERSON CHERRY JONES ELPIDIA CARRILLO SHAREEKA EPPS CASTING BY HEIDI LEVITT, CSA MUSIC SUPERVISOR BARKLIE GRIGGS MUSIC BY EDWARD SHEARMUR COSTUME DESIGNER SUSIE DESANTO EDITOR STEVEN WEISBERG PRODUCTION DESIGNER CHRISTOPHER TANDON DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY XAVIER PÉREZ GROBET, ASC CO-PRODUCER JONATHAN MCCOY EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ALEJANDRO GONZÁLEZ IÑÁRRITU PRODUCED BY LISA MARIA FALCONE PRODUCED BY JULIE LYNN WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY RODRIGO GARCÍA COPYRIGHT 2009, MOTHER & CHILD PRODUCTIONS, LLC

Answer the question below & stand in line to win a set of double tickets,

including two coke & popcorn vouchers to see mother & Child at Cinema Nouveau Brooklyn mall.

Name any one of the female leads in MOTHER & CHILD?

Email your answer to nouveau@sterkinekor.com before the 7th may 2010.

Standard terms and conditions apply. www.sterkinekor.com

Edward’s success story Child Welfare Tshwane

The Itumeleng Shelter is a residential

facility in Sunnyside,

accommodating 18 boys under the age of 16, who have been working and living on the streets. A

drop-in service is also provided to

older boys where they can utilise the washing facilities and receive meals.

we live

Words: Wendy Hartman and Wilhelmina Bekker Images: © www.istockphoto.com

C

hild Welfare Tshwane has a long history of supporting children in Pretoria. Founded in 1918 as the Pretoria Child and Family Care Society, the first children’s home had 27 residents, laying the foundation for over 90 years of providing a safe home environment for children in Tshwane. The services of Child Welfare Tshwane have grown, and now include 11 centres, with numerous successful projects serving families and children in their own communities. One of these centres, the Itumeleng Shelter for homeless children, was opened after a needs assessment in 1993 identified a high prevalence of street children in Sunnyside. Two houses, and a subsidy for 18 boys were provided, and services now offered are for both residential and drop-in clients, including daily meals, assistance in securing an identity document, and washing facilities.

The story below is that of young Edward, one of the shelter’s success stories.

“I was born in the North West Province. My mother and I moved to Randburg where she worked as a domestic worker. We stayed there for a year and then moved to the township of Diepsloot, where I attended school from Grade 2 to Grade 8. I could not attend school further because my mother was unemployed and she could not afford the school fees.

“A friend told me that there was a shelter in Pretoria and if I got there I could go to school.

This sounded like an opportunity, as I was confident in my academic abilities and teachers approved of me, especially my behaviour. I wanted to be ‘somebody in life.’ I left ‘home’ for the capital city, and I eventually (luckily) ended up at Itumeleng Shelter.

“Peter and John were childcare workers at the time and Peter especially took interest in me after he noticed my eagerness towards school. He taught me life skills and told me that there was a prosperous life out there for me.

I was inspired by his message and started to read motivational books. At the end of 2004 I was moved to Child Welfare Tshwane’s Bramley Children’s Home in Groenkloof.

“Throughout all my experiences I have learnt that success is achieved and maintained by those who keep on trying. You need to take the first step in life towards something great.

I started seeing life differently, interpreting it differently. Looking back at where I came from, I have learned to live with the mindset that there is success out there and your upbringing or circumstances play no role in what you intend and plan to do today. What the mind

can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve – you can be whatever you want to be.

“I completed Grade 12 and left Bramley Children’s Home at the end of 2009 and am now working and studying parttime through UNISA. The children’s home has shaped me for the future and my greatest dream is to return as a very successful man.”

Child Welfare Tshwane’s core purpose is to protect children and ensure that they have the opportunity to reach their full potential. It provides comprehensive social work services from its community-based offices in Mamelodi, Eersterust, Elandspoort, Mid-City, Atteridgeville, Centurion and Olievenhoutbosch, while the Therapy and Adoption Unit in Sunnyside provides specialised services to all the community-based offices and the general public.

There are thousands of children in dire need of support in and around the capital city. Although Child Welfare Tshwane will continue striving to create opportunities for development and to create a safe environment for healing, the generosity of the people from the capital city is always welcome. For more information, or to get involved in Tshwane Child Welfare initiatives, call +27 (0)12 461 9236 or visit www.childwelfare.co.za. 

hazel food market

Who knew a gravel parking lot could be transformed into such a

vibrant, delectable corner of culinary delights?

Hazel Food Market is one of Pretoria’s most talked about neighbourhood food markets, and rightfully so.

Started in January 2010 by Retha van Hoven, the market owes much of its reputation to its commitment

to authenticity.

we visit

Words: Claire Pienaar Images: © Paula Beezhold

ESCAPE FROM MALL MANIA

I

t is unusual these days to find places and spaces of substance, but Hazel Food Market has managed to remain true to their vision, in part by insisting that all products are local and of good quality, that pricing is fair, and that there is very little repetition across vendors. For Retha, the idea of the market “was to create a place where people could sell goods and shoppers could buy food at lower-thanretail prices by buying straight from the producer.”

Retha also says that “it is imperative for the producer to be present at the market and be the one selling the goods as this enhances the atmosphere of the authentic food market.”

Indeed, a core of devoted vendors and buyers alike populate this market on a weekly basis, where you can stock up on everything from an assortment of specialty meats and cheeses to cut flowers and fresh, baked breads. Best of all are the options for a hearty breakfast or tasty lunch which you can purchase from the stalls and tuck into at any of the picnic tables throughout the space or take home to enjoy later.

Choices abound, whether you prefer ethnic homemade delicacies like Italian lasagne, French pastries, Greek mousaka or North Indian butter chicken. There are also home-grown specialities like fire-roasted whole chickens, lamb kebabs, filled pannekoek, or the more traditional bacon-and-eggs. Sweet treats are

always on hand – fancy cupcakes, syrupy koeksisters, and chocolate brownies. Top this off with a sparkling wine, ice cold beer or aromatic coffee and you’ve got a great way to mellow into the weekend.

If this isn’t enough, leave with any number of jars of pickles, olives or jams, tapenades and genuine pasta sauces, a loaf of bread and a rolled stuffed chicken and you’re set for dinner as well. 

Ed’s Favourites • On a Wing & a Prayer

The muhammara pesto with pomegranate, sweet peppers, nuts & spices or their chocolate chilli gluten-free torte • d.o.u.g.h

A divinely rich balsamic bleu cheese & roasted beetroot tartlet or succulent lamb-on-the-spit • Edge Catering

Melt-in-your-mouth feta & olive mix to use with pastas or as a tapenade • Italian Soda

Choc-full-of-health breakfast smoothie with fruit, yoghurt and granola

Where: 32 Pinaster Street, Hazelwood When: Saturdays, 8:00am to 1:00pm More information: Call +27 (0)83 554 5636, email info@hazelfoodmarket.co.za visit www.hazelfoodmarket.co.za

Candlelight Market for

Mother’s Day Saturday, 8 May from 5:00pm to 9:00pm

The Hazel Food Market has now begun a quarterly tradition of hosting a Saturday evening Candlelight Market.

The next Candlelight Market will take place in celebration of Mothers’ Day. Imagine an evening under the stars surrounded by a bustle of food stalls selling interesting and exotic food that make your taste buds quiver. A place where you can relax outdoors and choose the food you’d like to eat, a place where variety is the order of the day. To make it even more interesting you’ll find a myriad of stalls selling gifts, jewellery and decor items. There’s even a kids’ corner with a jumping castle, jungle gym and fun activities with caretakers to keep them entertained while you just chill and enjoy the live music.

TRAIN TOURS

2010

Why a train tour?

You sit back and relax. Walk in the corridors, meet the neighbours, rest when you want to and dine on board. No long driving, getting lost, speeding fines, increased petrol prices or looking for overnight accommodation.

Come and travel to: • Namibia – 31 May to 9 June • Namaqualand Flowers – August and September • KZN & Durban – December •

Cape Town – from Pretoria and Johannesburg – Whole year round

• 7 Provinces Circular – Whole year round • Garden Route – May and October • Motorbike-on-Train to Western Cape – September and October • Motorbike-on-Train through Garden Route – November • Cherry Festival bus to Ficksburg – November • A host of other train tours throughout the year These train tours are comfortable, affordable, safe and secure, with great food & good accommodation.

Our tours are enjoyed at a leisurely pace, and are suitable for all ages.

It is still fun to travel by long distance train. For many older people it brings back good memories of ‘days gone by’, whilst the younger generation enjoys the new experience.

The opportunity to travel safely, comfortably & affordably by holiday train still exists in South Africa, either by Upmarket or Tourist Class trains. JB Train Tours (since 1975) hosts a variety of train tours, departing mainly from Gauteng to various destinations in Southern Africa.

Frequently Asked Questions about train tours in South Africa Q: How many tours does JB Train Tours host?

A: We currently host about 120 tours per annum, varying in 4 categories: Holiday, Sport, Art

Festivals and Ad Hoc train tours.

Q: Is it safe to travel by train?

A: Yes, the long distance overnight trains are very safe and various actions are put into place to

make sure one enjoys a good trip.

Q: How long are these train tours?

A: It varies between 5 to 10 days.

Q: A:

Does one sleep on the train every night?

No, you’ll travel overnight and sleep on the train, but when arriving at your destination you sleep in good hotels, lodges or guest houses. Accommodation and bus transport to excursions are included in the package.

Q: What about meals and bedding on the train?

A: Both are included in the tour package.

Q: Do I travel on my own?

A: No, experienced tour guides travel along, making life easier and more interesting.

Q: Can groups travel along?

A: Yes. Many groups (schools, clubs, churches, stokvels, etc.) make use of our services.

Q: Do you have more information on the tours available?

A: Yes, there is detailed information on the JB Train Tours website.

Q: A:

Why choose a train tour?

You can sit back, relax, and take a walk through the corridors of the train to stretch your legs, meet your neighbours in adjoining carriages, rest at will, and dine on board. There’s no need to drive, there’s no risk in getting lost, there’s no accumulation of speeding fines, there’s no stress of increased petrol prices and there’s no added expense for overnight accommodation.

For more information contact us today at: PO Box 17406, Sunward Park, 1470 Te l : 0 1 1 9 1 3 2 4 4 2 / 0 8 6 1 5 2 8 6 8 7 Fax: 011 913 0552 / 086 687 7344 E-mail: info@jbtours.co.za w w w. j b t o u r s . c o . z a

colour me

Bentley The new Bentley Mulsanne will be offered in no fewer than 115

“standard colours” and

that is just the start of the story, because the

only real limit on the colour of the car is the customer’s imagination.

we admire

W

Words: Claire Pienaar Images: © Bentley

hile my husband typically looks for the facts and figures about an automobile, I have little interest in these boring details. For me, the main attraction to a set of wheels is the two C’s: Colour and Cup-holders.

While you snigger at my simple little list, I view a car as an extension of myself. In effect, it needs to suit my personality, and it must play to my quirky need for a cup-holder, because refreshment while driving is paramount.

You can also imagine my excitement then, when Bentley recently divulged details about the exacting standards of craftsmanship and technology that are employed by their body assembly team to create the new Mulsanne’s distinctive, hand-crafted “hewn from solid” appearance. It’s all about the colour.

In fact, Bentley is taking colour so seriously that they’ve recently opened the new 4-door flagship in the paint facility at the company’s headquarters in Crewe, England.

Once the bare metal, pre-production Mulsanne body-shell arrives at the paint shop via the automated overhead gantry, it passes through a series of fullimmersion tanks, designed first to de-grease, then in turn to clean, condition, rinse, phosphate and passivate the steel and aluminium structure. At each tank, the shell is immersed before being tipped fore and aft to ensure that every single crevice is reached.

This results in pure colour coverage.

The body-shell is drained before it is lowered into an electro-coating tank, where power is increased to 320 volts, attracting particles-in-solution which deposit on the charged, metal bodywork to form, in conjunction with the phosphate, a hard protective shell of corrosion-proof zinc primer. From this point, the judgement and skill of Bentley’s craftsmen come

to the fore. A two-coat primer is applied by hand, ready for the colour-of-choice to be applied. Each primed body is minutely inspected, sanded – or flatted – using a combination of hand and power tools. Only when the primer coat is flawless will the colour basecoat be applied, again by hand, to achieve the optimum finish. Clear lacquer coats are then applied robotically followed by final polishing for a perfectionist finish and detailed inspection in the specialist bays created for the Mulsanne. Talk about a colour make-over.

Bentley’s craftsmen are eagerly waiting for the moment the Mulsanne goes into full production, according to Dave Walton of the Mulsanne bespoke paint shop: “We’ve been asked to match a paint finish to a cherished nail polish, to a 50-year old classic Bentley and on one occasion, to a shade of turquoise on a food mixer. And even with over a hundred ‘standard colours’ to choose from we’re looking forward to that first commission to create a bespoke colour from scratch and execute it perfectly.”

If colour is your game, get a pink flush in your cheeks and order a Bentley Mulsanne custom paint-job. 

destination A unique and evocative African experience.

Words: Lauren Ettin Images: Š moyo

destination for a sophisticated

we visit

M

oyo Fountains feels like more of a destination than a simple restaurant meal, in its first location in Pretoria amongst the greenery of the Groenkloof Nature Reserve. Our evening begins with a walk through the private guest-only lawns, along the firelit path under the stars. We are warmly greeted and led into the building, where the modern African ambience inspires the décor and the night ahead.

The menu as presented is a trip around the continent, with a wide variety of traditional yet contemporary African cuisine on offer. In addition, each month one nation is the focus – Ghana in April, Nigeria in May, for example – with the chefs from all the restaurants coming together to inspire each other and the new dishes. There is entertainment to boot, with dancers, singers, face painters that make one feel like you’ve left the worries of conventional life behind – albeit for the duration of a meal. Before dinner is served, we are invited to participate in the hand-washing ceremony, and as the amiable hand-washer trickles the warm water through my hands, with a song on her lips, I am welcomed into her world.

For dinner we have chosen a selection of dishes as if we’re travelling between countries, not courses. We begin with warm almond prawns (R80), sweetly scented and quickly devoured and move on to salty Knysna oysters (R19 each), slurped up in moments. For mains, the well-balanced menu includes game, fish, poultry, potjie, and vegetarian delights, but for us, having difficulties selecting just one dish, we choose the Pan African Seafood Platter for two, therefore, not having to make a decision at all (R515). The undisputed main of the night is the Ethiopian Ostrich Berbere (R150), a meat of sometimes ill-repute for it requires a delicate hand to cook to perfection, one of which our chef obviously has. Spiced with cloves, cardamon, ginger and cayenne pepper, and served with iab (a cooling lemon yoghurt cheese), the plate does several turns around the table.

Dessert for those with a sweet tooth is a dream. Moyo is famous for the traditional, home made melk tert (R35), baked as your ouma used to make it. A generous portion of chocolate mousse cake with a hint of cinnamon (R35), and a fruity moyo moja cake (R35) serve as a scrumptious end to the eating portion of the evening.

Moving out onto one of the several outdoor spaces, with low couches and low lighting, we enjoy our after-dinner drinks and cigars, as the live African music wafts through the doors into the warm night. With our view of the large, private lawn surrounded by trees, I can imagine the fun of their soon-to-be family Sunday picnics, the thrill of a children’s party, or the sophistication of an outdoor wedding on their grounds. If food is what brings you here, it’s moyo’s celebration of, and commitment to, the beauty of Africa and the industry of her people that’ll have you returning.

Call moyo Fountains at Groenkloof Nature Reserve +27 (0)12 341 5729 for reservations.

Open Monday to Sunday, with brunch on weekends. The restaurant seats 400 diners, and the private lawns surrounding this venue will accommodate events of up to 2,500 guests.

There is upgraded, secure parking and entrance control for patrons’ safety.  Ed’s giveaway: One lucky couple can win a dinner for two to the value of R200 pp (R400). Send an email to claire@chapellane.co.za with “moyo” in the subject line to stand in line to win this giveaway.

we research

The Why, The What, and The How

Supplementation is defined as the

act of taking vitamins, minerals, food concentrates and herbs on a regular

and ongoing basis to

boost the nutritional level of the body.

S

upplements can be used to balance out the body’s vitamin and mineral deficiencies or to add extra elements to bring about a physiological change. Supplementation generally is used to restore and maintain optimal health and wellness, prevent disease and slow down aging, not for one to “feel good” and have more energy.

The fundamental question to answer is “Do we really need supplementation?” This is a hotly debated subject among not only the “medical” community, but also the general public. There is evidence that it is prudent for adults to take vitamin supplements.

It is possible to extrapolate then that children may also require supplementation for long-term disease prevention.

Words: Dr Hein Badenhorst Images: © www.iStockphoto.com

S up p l

m e

a t t i on n e

Everyone, regardless of age, gender, race, country of residence or health status, should supplement on a daily basis to maintain health status, prevent ageing, and reduce the risk of chronic disease.

It is important to note that the term “supplement” does not include nutraceuticals, functional foods, sports nutrition or medical foods. These are all independent entities and are not considered to be supplements.

Why should we be supplementing?

• There is evidence that in the current environment, people are not receiving the optimal nutrition from food that is necessary for maintaining health and preventing chronic disease. This is evidenced by the increase in rates of heart disease, cancer, obesity, Type II diabetes and inflammatory diseases.

• Modern farming methods, genetically modified foods and soil deterioration have resulted in produce that has far less basic nutritional content than previously.

• The modern lifestyle of eating processed, convenient and fast foods and the method in which we cook our food leaves many with nutritional deficiencies, as well as being at risk for long-term chronic disease.

• Pollution of the air, water, soil (from pesticides and herbicides), food (colorants and preservatives) and the general environment exposes our bodies to increased levels of oxidative stress, which translates into our bodies needing additional antioxidants to neutralise free radicals and to prevent disease.

• Over-exercising is a modern stress that people are trapped by, thinking that excessive exercise will benefit their health. In fact, without adequate nutrition and correct supplementation, people actually increase the oxidative stress in their bodies and expose themselves to higher risk of chronic disease and accelerated ageing when exercising to the extreme.

• The ever increasing exposure to electromagnetic fields from wireless electronic devices we utilise on a daily basis add to our already existing oxidative stress and nutritional deficiencies, and this renders our bodies vulnerable to chronic disease.

The golden rule around supplementation is that it should be practised alongside optimal nutrition and lifestyle changes. One cannot eat and live poorly and then assume that supplementing will correct these imbalances.

With what should we supplement?

The most common comment during debates about supplementation is that supplementing with vitamins and minerals simply produces expensive urine. This argument holds water, but only if one is supplementing with synthetic or chemical variations.

Evidence indicates that synthetic or chemical supplements do not work and can, in certain instances, be dangerous to our health. People are bombarded with advertisements for supplements consisting of chemicals in thousands of forms promising all sorts of “healing” and “symptom alleviation,” however there is evidence that certified organic, whole plant concentrates should be used as supplementation.

How should we supplement?

Supplementation is a lifelong process that starts long before birth. Only an optimally healthy sperm and egg cell can produce an optimally healthy baby.

Supplementation is a daily process that needs to be practiced for a lifetime in order to have the best chance at optimal health and chronic disease prevention.

Before starting with supplements, visit an expert in this field and complete a preventative consultation.

Blood tests and genetic screening tests will determine what supplementation your body may need, tailored to your specific lifestyle.

It is imperative to administer your selected supplementation regularly and at the prescribed times, made easier by the use of vitamin organisers.

Store your supplements in a cool, dry place such as the refrigerator or bathroom cupboard.

Science has proven that no population group receives the correct nutrition to allow the body to heal itself. We all need to supplement daily with certified organic, whole plant concentrates to beat the odds of chronic disease and accelerated aging.

This habit is the best investment that you can make in your own health and wellness, which in turn is your biggest asset.  Description of Terms Synthetic or chemical supplements: fragments of whole vitamins which contain binding agents and fillers.

Whole plant concentrate: made from concentrated natural whole foods. The vitamins and minerals found within these supplements are not isolated or separated.

Oxidative stress: Reactive oxygen forms as a normal by-product of the body’s metabolism and has an important role in cell signalling. However, during times of environmental stress (e.g. UV or heat exposure), levels of reactive oxygen can increase dramatically, which can result in damage to cell structures. This cumulates into a situation known as oxidative stress.

Free radicals: highly reactive molecules found in our systems when exposed to oxidative stress, which can potentially damage our cells, blood vessels and DNA. Free radicals can be neutralized by antioxidants, produced by the body, and found for example, in fruit and vegetables.

Nutraceuticals: pharmaceutical form of nutrition.

category

Modern Mansion – Mooikloof, Pretoria Located in Mooikloof Equestrian Estate, this 1,500 square-metre, modern mansion exudes class and sophistication, yet offers a comfortable environment in which family and friends can mingle.

Room by room this home tells its own story of superb craftsmanship and design by award-winning Architect, Hein Viviers. Each of the five bedrooms has its own balcony, and three have en suite bathrooms. A formal lounge, wine cellar, bar, dining room, TV room, study, playroom, two kitchens, pantry, scullery, walk-in fridge, and separate laundry are just some of the features. All living areas have doors leading out into a picturesque garden and braai facilities are available inside and out.

Visitors are greeted by a stunning water feature and koi pond. Five garages plus two carports and a fully-equipped flat or studio round out the details. Only once in a lifetime does a unique home blessed with spectacular views and remarkable sunsets become available.

Asking price is R15 million. Web ref: 320923.

Visit www.privateproperty.co.za/vt/J11597.htm for a virtual tour.

Stately Thatch – Mooikloof, Pretoria Situated against a hill in Mooikloof Equestrian Estate, this 1,500 square-metre thatch home is designed for easy living and effortless entertaining on a grand scale. Enjoy sipping sundowners on the pool deck encompassing magnificent views or hosting guests in a large space that can function as a conference centre or leisure area. The home boasts five bedrooms, a large study, lounge, dining and TV rooms. Outdoor highlights include a Jaccuzzi, immaculate garden and a dam. Seven garages and generator add to your sense of security.

The large stand provides privacy and creates a feeling of space and tranquillity – a piece of paradise in the middle of suburbia.

Asking price is R15.75 million. Web ref: 323149.

Unsurpassed Views – Mooikloof, Pretoria This extraordinary Tuscan Villa (1,400 square metres) welcomes you with a double volume entrance and sweeping staircase. The home features five bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen, enclosed braai area and gym. Flowing entertainment areas include a cinema, steam room and wine cellar. With superb finishes, underfloor heating, aircons and gas fire places, this magnificent residence conveys an air of luxurious comfort. Outdoors, a stunning garden with a borehole and irrigation system with automatic fertiliser dosing system, swimming pool, and Jacuzzi offer numerous options for relaxation.

Asking price is R16 million. Web ref: 321521

French Beauty – Mooikloof, Pretoria This home offers everything your heart desires. The master bedroom with en suite bathroom has doors opening up onto a balcony overlooking a breathtaking garden with pool and pond. Kids have a separate wing with playroom/study and two spacious bedrooms with large bathroom to share. The guest wing offers two bedrooms, also sharing a bathroom. The beautiful kitchen, formal lounge and dining areas, TV room with entertainment centre, wine cellar, braai area and large patio all make this an entertainer's dream. A huge, self contained flat with own braai area is part of the offer.

Asking price is R16 million. Web ref: 324807

C o n tac t: L i e s l : + 2 7 8 2 3 7 7 8 8 5 7 V i s i t : w w w. r e a l n e t . c o . z a

Gautrain Gathers Momentum Using the best commuter rail technology, it is expected that Gautrain

W

hen Phase 2 of Gautrain’s development plan, which involves the Tshwane-based stations, is launched in 2011 it’s introduction will change life for many of us, offering convenient, safe and comfortable transport across our busy landscape. Many see Gautrain as inspiring a whole new lifestyle in which people work, seek entertainment and find places of residence along Gautrain’s route.

Gautrain has already become an important catalyst for a new high-density urban landscape and inner city rejuvenation.

The convenience of Gautrain will greatly benefit our time-poor society. It will only take 42 minutes to travel between Hatfield in Pretoria and Johannesburg’s Park Station with trains departing every 12 minutes during peak hours, and every 20 minutes off-peak. A dedicated bus fleet will service passengers travelling within a 10km radius to and from stations. The first train will depart daily at 5:30am and the last train will depart no earlier than 8:30pm. Gautrain fares will be lower than the cost of using a private car for the same journey, but more expensive than those of existing taxi and rail fares.

The emphasis on convenience is intimately connected with safety. State-of-the-art computerised technology will monitor every component of the rail system, including all stations, trains and the entire fleet of 125 buses dedicated to Gautrain commuters.

will become the

transport mode of choice for the upwardly

mobile citizens of Pretoria. Providing

an 80km rapid rail link between three of Gauteng’s most vibrant economic metropolitan areas – Ekurhuleni, Pretoria and Johannesburg – the Golden Train will

bring jobs to people and people to jobs.

we trade

A fully computerised rail signalling system will be managed from the operational control centre. Efficient signalling will prevent train-to-train collisions and ensure safe movements at switches and crossings as well as maintaining safe train headways. An automatic train protection system will monitor the trains’ speed, sounding an alarm should the driver exceed the posted speed limit by more than 3km/hr. At more than 6km/hr above the posted speed limit, the train’s service brakes will be automatically applied to slow the train. The system also has the ability to bring a train safely to a stop in the unlikely event that a driver is incapacitated.

Besides safety onboard, the security of Gautrain

Words: Barbara Jensen and Claire Pienaar Images: © Gautrain

For Gautrain, 2010 will mark its most important milestone: the commencement of Phase 1 operations on the section between Sandton Station and OR Tambo International Airport. Although the contractual completion date for Phase 1 is 27 June 2010, the Concessionaire (Bombela) and the Gauteng Province are negotiating to see whether it can be completed by 27 May 2010. Gautrain’s benefit to Pretoria will be most evident when the North Line to Tshwane and the South Line to Park Station are included in the train route, otherwise known as Phase 2.

Meanwhile, Gautrain’s progress has been “moving” for more than a year, and the people in the Pretoria area are eagerly awaiting their turn to be part of this revolutionary transport system.

For many, the opportunity to embark on a safe, efficient journey to Jozi without compromising on the quality of life that Pretoria has to offer, is a priceless one. 

and its passengers is maintained through access control, visible policing, closed circuit television cameras, and alarm systems, as well as through direct communication with authorities, such as the South African Police Services and the Gauteng Provincial Disaster Management Centre.

Even with convenience and safety as top priorities, levels of comfort are not compromised. Actual travel on Gautrain will be world-class in terms of smoothness and comfort, with the 24 trains operating on air suspension to ensure a satisfying journey, even at 160km/hr. Attractive, durable custom-designed upholstery plus a full suite of heating, ventilation and air conditioning features are integrated to enhance the total enjoyment of the journey. Gautrain has been made easily accessible for children, shoppers with heavy bags, and the elderly, plus the entire Gautrain system will accommodate mobility-, sight- and hearing-impaired passengers. Cleaning personnel as well as an automatic train washing plant will guarantee that trains are kept clean inside and out, even when operating at full capacity.

umoja Opening night at the State Theatre is

always a buzz. And when it is a homegrown creation, with a huge cast that has

A

toured the globe to international

acclaim, even better. Africa Umoja – The Spirit of Togetherness,

frica Umoja traces the roots of indigenous African music through to modern day kwaito, offering a compendium of rhythms and dance, from traditional music to the intricate steps of gumboot dancing and the smooth jazz of Sophiatown. There are also moments of reflection and sadness, lullabies for babies whose fathers are working in the city and the heart-rending songs of people separated by Apartheid. But overall, Africa Umoja is a loud, colourful and jubilant celebration of life that audiences from all backgrounds have found infectiously delightful and uplifting. As a reviewer for London’s Daily Telegraph exclaimed, “They dance like Demons, sing like Angels and drum like Magicians possessed!”

The story of how Africa Umoja came to be one of South Africa’s most popular productions, both inside and

running in Pretoria until 2 May, is one such production, and it will have you roaring

with applause from curtain to curtain.

Words: Tanya Goodman; Africa Umoja Images: © Africa Umoja

africa

we play

outside the country, is one of perseverance and triumph, not unlike the history of our nation. It started as just a dream for its co-creators, Todd Twala and Thembi Nyandeni. Todd grew up in a township outside Johannesburg, called George Goch. In 1968, Todd and her family woke up to a bulldozer at their front door during the time of the Group Areas Act and forced removals. They left and settled in Soweto, where she

own dance pieces, and performed in front of small audiences. Todd and Thembi returned to South Africa in 1982 and formed a group called Pals in Africa. While they pursued separate careers in music and television, Todd and Thembi continued to build their company.

Pals of Africa grew and they began to perform internationally again as Baobab, a name inspired by their long-time friend and fellow artist, Hugh Masekela.

met Thembi at school. The two immediately clicked, but although they lost touch with each other, their lives seemed to run in parallel as they both chose careers in the entertainment world as singers and dancers.

Todd began her theatre career in 1976 with Joan Brickhill and Louis Burke’s production of Meropa (then called Kwa Zulu), at a time when South African laws preventing black artists from performing in shows for white audiences were being relaxed and “tribal musicals” became hugely popular. Meropa toured locally and then internationally. In the meantime, Thembi was involved with Ipi Ntombi, the musical production, which she had also joined in 1976. Todd and Thembi met up again in 1978 while performing these productions in London’s famous theatre district, the West End. When Ipi Ntombi auditioned for new cast members, Todd tried out and was accepted, and from that day Todd and Thembi’s careers and future visions merged. For years they toured the world with Ipi Ntombi – from the West End to New York’s Broadway, across the United States, then back throughout Europe and Scandinavia, to as far down as Australia and New Zealand.

During the time Todd and Thembi were performing in Ipi Ntombi in America, they were given a few months’ break. They used this spare time to choreograph their

Baobab was doing well when Todd and Thembi decided to rename the show. They wanted to give it a name that represented what they were all about. The word umoja, meaning “the spirit of togetherness,” quickly came to mind. They also wanted to unite and empower as many underprivileged kids as they could, providing the children with the opportunities they had had.

Today they are doing just that. The 50 cast members of Africa Umoja come from a variety of backgrounds – most were street kids from Soweto and untrained artists from the townships. Now they are performing for kings and presidents to rousing ovations.

So, if you have long-lost friends soon to be knocking on your door for a free roof over their heads during FIFA soccer madness, and who might also be interested in a quick history of South African music and dance culture, book your tickets now. Or, do yourself a favour and take a night to revel in the rich rhythmic sounds that have emerged from and continue to flow through the lifeblood of your own country.

For more information on performances in Pretoria, visit www.statetheatre.co.za or book via Computicket.

Africa Umoja has a permanent residence at the Victory Theatre in Houghton where they will be performing during June and July. Contact the theatre box office on +27 (0)11 728 9603. 

Continuing Education

at the University of Pretoria niversities play an important role in society. They are the repositories of much of our accumulated knowledge across many disciplines; they offer an unfettered platform for further research and critical enquiry; and they actively support the development of new knowledge. In a country such as South Africa, where the deep scars of the lack of education for certain groups left significant capacity gaps in the workforce, there is also an expectation that academic institutions do not lock themselves away in

the ivory towers of pure theoretical pursuit, but rather roll up their sleeves with the rest of us to prepare citizens for active participation in the economy.

Against this background, it becomes evident that as a new society emerged after 1994, more and more adults and professionals were knocking on the doors of several of the University at Pretoria’s (UP is affectionately known as TUKS) faculties in order to better equip themselves for the task at hand. The university rose to the challenge by creating a worldclass establishment which, within 10 years, has grown into servicing more than 23,000 continuing education delegates annually.

Words: Charl du Plessis Images: Š CE at UP

U

Ten Years of Dynamic Growth

we teach The Board of Trustees: Professor Sibusiso Vil-Nkomo (Trustee), Professor Ntabiseng Ogude (Chairperson of the Board) and Mr Deon Herbst (CEO)

As the demand for continued

adult and

professional education grew at the University of Pretoria during the 1990s, an entity

a footprint that first engaged regional friends such as Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe, the DRC, Namibia, Lesotho, Zambia, Swaziland and Tanzania, now stretches as far afield as Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, the Ivory Coast and even Iraq and Syria with a multitude of programmes on offer. Involvement with other African countries has been further enhanced by the inclusion of programmes presented by the Centre for Human Rights and the Africa Tax Institute.

Several courses have been presented in the foreign host country, rather than at the excellent facilities on the University of Pretoria’s campus.

Broadly speaking, delegates can choose from a smorgasbord of either highly specialised courses, or participate in short courses aimed at general skill development in their chosen careers. Some longstanding programmes, such as Project Management and Senior Management Development, are very popular and have added great value for their alumni in their place of work. Specialised courses are typically designed for smaller groups with very particular and advanced requirements. Some interesting courses caught my eye: Epidural Anaesthesiology, Milk Goat Management, X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Tick Identification, Potato Pathology and more. Who knew that there were people working in these areas?

The short courses are more general and cut across economics, accounting, education, engineering, the health sciences, management disciplines, information and knowledge management and the built environment, among others. There is hardly a careerdriven person out there who would not find a course that could enhance their knowledge, skills, and workplace desirability.

After its first dynamic 10 years, CE at UP has not slowed down, and its almost 100-strong staff, under the capable management of CEO Deon Herbst and General Manager Hermien Dorfling, and guided by exemplary Board of Trustee Members Prof Ntabiseng Ogude and Prof Sibusiso Vil-Nkomo, are hard at work preparing for the important role the institution will play in preparing Africa’s citizens for the challenges of the future. ď ° For more information: Email: info.ce@up.ac.za Tel: +27 (0)12 420 5015 Visit: www.ceatup.com

was formed to deliver all continuing education

programmes for and on behalf of the university.

Ten years later, Continuing

Education at University of Pretoria Trust (CE at UP) has made an immeasurable contribution to the competency and capacity needs of both South Africa and the continent.

My mind boggled when first presented with this figure. That was until I started reading through the course catalogue that lists each and every programme and unit of study. There is hardly a field of expertise not on offer, with close to 500 courses in more than 20 fields of study regularly presented. Short learning programmes facilitated by CE at UP are fully recognised by the bodies responsible for the accreditation of Higher Education Institutions, and delegates receive full certification on successful completion of assessed courses.

In-house training courses have proven very popular since inception, and CE at UP has established an excellent reputation for developing quality training and specialised programmes, often in conjunction with reputable international partners. Clients serviced to this day include blue chip companies, government, and interesting enough, more than one thousand TUKS employees who sign-up annually for their own continued development. Demand for courses beyond in-house programmes was driven by at least two factors: the needs of the African continent, and the need for permanent programmes where individuals or units from multiple organisations could simultaneously sign-up and share their learning and expertise. From this trend an enormously successful open enrolment model has developed, where anyone with the drive and desire can choose their field of interest, independently of their own workplace training programmes, and sign up for scheduled courses throughout the year.

CE at UP has consistently enjoyed support from across our borders. In the first years, participation from several African countries was primarily in programmes presented by the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences. Today,

Bicycle

Safety Learning to Share the Road My doctor suggested more exercise to improve my health, so I started practicing for the Cape

Argus

Cycle Tour. Little did the doctor know the effect that sharing of roads in Pretoria would have on my blood pressure. Can we ever become a safe bicycling city?

Words: Charl du Plessis Images: © www.iStockphoto.com

B

ike lanes and “dooring zones” (the 1.2 metres of space alongside a parallel parked car in which a cyclist can be struck) are not going to help Pretoria get anywhere closer to becoming one of the world’s bike-friendly cities. We have potholes to fill before we build those cycling lanes, and when traffic officials are battling to cope with the general disregard for life-and-death types of laws already on the books, what can one hope to achieve by theoretically imposing fines on motorists who open their door onto a cyclist?

There are some options to making this city a friendlier place for cyclists. (Until that happens, my bicycle will stay safely at our beach house in the Cape, where we decided to leave it after our last Cycle Tour, rather than facing the gauntlet of inconsiderate and downright dangerous motorists on Pretoria’s roads again.)

Firstly, you could opt to just give up on using tar and get yourself an off-road bicycle. Even if you are not into hurtling down mountains and spending your free time talking about gears and gear, you can at least enjoy

we play

the occasional work-out in your neighbourhood. I tried this route, only to learn that even the toughest tyres are no match to the “dubbeltjies” (small thorns) in the area, so I’m now fitting expensive tubeless tyres that cost far more than what I paid for my trusted old fat-wheeler 12 years ago.

Secondly, there is safety in numbers. When I was still slogging it out on the long tarred roads east of Pretoria, I often encountered marker vans that followed their groups of cyclists. It’s a tough job; herding a pack of cyclists, taking abuse from other motorists and slower cyclists alike who would prefer the safety van to stay with them rather than with the front of the bike pack. But it is likely the safest option, as it places some buffer between the cyclists and the fastmoving demons on our outer roads. (It would be an interesting statistic to find out how much sand from the back of construction trucks is swallowed by city cyclists annually.)

One need not sign up formally with a club to develop this option. You could ride with a few friends and take turns driving the safety van, or ask your spouses if they are willing to rotate the driving duties.

The obvious benefit of joining a cycle club, however, is that you and your spouse can ride together, but more so is the fact that these regular marker vans have all the right safety lights, spare parts and the like that you may need to make it a far more enjoyable experience.

Plus, you make new friends.

Sponsors are progressively stepping forward to show their support for cycling safety by providing marker cars or vans. Autohaus Centurion is a great example of how the motoring fraternity can reach out to its cycling friends. Autohaus Centurion has put their name behind safe cycling in a big way, by making lead vehicles available for major events that Centurion Cycle Club is involved with, including providing seven safety cars for the upcoming Bela-Bela Cycle Challenge.

Surely, there must be many other companies in the city that could benefit from having their brand on the road while providing a safety net for some citizens?

The third option lies once again in numbers, but this time, directed towards educating the public about the common fear of all cyclists – inconsiderate or law-breaking automotive drivers. I was intimidated at first, until I realised that whenever I expressed my anger at road-hogs who placed my life in danger and they stopped to confront me, I had a helmet on and a

10kg steel frame in my hand to protect me. Not being aggressive by nature, I would have preferred some recognition by the motorist that had put my life at risk and was willing to learn how to avoid the mistake again. So, the tactic being proposed is one of mass education of motorists, starting perhaps with some of what the motorbike brigade has initiated with their “Think Bike” campaign.

Maybe if we staged more regular bike races in our own city and our neighbourhoods, motorists would develop a greater awareness of their two-wheeled neighbours. Let the manufacturers and retailers who sell us the latest, very expensive gear sponsor a few billboards on bike safety across the city. Is there not one entrepreneur in this city who could make money from a generic “Safe Cycling” riding shirt for any cyclist interested in supporting the cause?

Write letters to local newspapers. Start a blacklist of reckless motorists and get help from the authorities to approach those who violate the rules with bikefriendly information and education. Start an on-line geo-mapping collaboration, where all city cyclists can mark their close encounters with motorists and then publish the results in print on a weekly basis to publicly highlight the problem. Develop short case studies and distribute a simple pamphlet: on one side show the cyclists who have been killed or injured on the road, with their families and friends in happier days; on the other side, show the motorists and their stories of how their negligent driving and sentencing might have destroyed their and their families’ lives.

Hand these out regularly at the intersections leading towards popular cycling routes.

The reality is that unless cyclists come together and act en masse, there is no-one else out there who will try and solve these issues for us. And, like most things in this entropic world we live in, it will only get worse the longer we wait.

Author’s note: There are great resources on the Internet on biking safety. The sad reality is that little of these have any bearing on our own city. We still drive our cars to work. We think the rules of the road are for other people so we need not follow them. We do not enforce our own laws. And we lack that “small civility” of showing care and concern for those with whom we share places and spaces. Until that changes, look at how good some cyclists have it in their cities and drop your head in shame.... 

To invest in a quality bike, contact Centurion Cycles. Tel: +27 (0)12 663 8047; Address: Bazaruto Centre, South Street, Centurion.

Autohaus Centurion supports Centurion Cycle Club and safe cycling. Contact Eugene for special offers for Cyclists on 082 823 8081 or eugened@autohaus.co.za

we grow

C

raddock started his career at Nissan South Africa in 1988 as a student in Nissan’s student scheme, following his completion of a three year mechanical engineering course at Durban’s then ML Sultan Technikon. One of the industry’s first black engineering students, he worked his way through the ranks of design, process and value engineering, as well as project management. He also enjoyed a three-year secondment as liaison engineer at Nissan Motor Company Limited (NML), Nissan SA’s Japan-based parent company. Following a six-year break, during which he joined the telecommunications industry, Craddock returned to Nissan SA as General Manager of Quality Assurance before taking up positions as General Manager of Production and Plant General Manager in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

Craddock believes his experience will be an asset in his new position. “I’ve had the benefit of being a home-grown engineer having worked in a lot of different areas in Nissan. My overseas experience also includes visits to Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK to benchmark their management approach and philosophies.

Supporting that is my understanding of processes and systems and how best to Nissan South Africa has taken align those to Nissan’s strategy.”

A key challenge going forward is by promoting Neil Craddock to improving Nissan SA’s manufacturing Director of Manufacturing at Nissan South Africa (Nissan capacity and capability to meet the requirements of the National Automotive SA), effective from 01 April 2010. He is the Production and Development Programme (APDP) which comes into effect 2013. To meet the annual 50,000 unit target, the . company has embarked on an aggressive internal programme which includes structural alignment, hiring of new skills and systems modifications to better support logistics and supply chain management aspects of the business. The former Plant General Manager who currently oversees all aspects of manufacturing, facilities, maintenance and support at the company’s Rosslyn operation, will now also be responsible for supply chain management and production control-related functions. ”In order to ensure higher levels of sustainability we are focusing on our training and communication strategies with a view to producing a skilled workforce that is informed of the organisation’s vision and that understands the importance of the individual’s contribution in achieving targets and objectives,” says an invigorated Craddock, a key driver of the programme.

Although his appointment comes at a time when the automotive industry is still feeling the pinch, Craddock is upbeat about Nissan SA’s future. He is also buoyed by Nissan Japan’s belief in the SA operation’s ability to produce the quality of cars at the right productivity levels to support an international global market. 

Rising star

A T R O S S LY N N I S S A N

right direction

a bold step in the

Words: Claire Pienaar Images: © www.quickpic.com

first black Director to be appointed to the Board of Nissan South Africa

T-Show T

the capital’s pride and passion

he Pretoria Show has been the flagship event of the Tshwane Events Centre for more than 70 years with tens of thousands of people visiting each year.

From 2010 onwards, the event will be known as the Tshwane International Show, or T-Show, and will be adopting a decidedly international flavour as well as broadening its appeal to visitors of all ages.

The theme for this year’s show, taking place from 27 August to 5 September, is “Pride & Passion”.

E

minyakeni engu 70 edlule, I Pretoria Show isibenesasa elikhulu e Thswane, Events Centre futhi ivakashelwa abantu abangama khulukhulu minyaka yonke.

Kusukela kulonyaka ka 2010, I Pretoria Show isizokwaziwa njenge, Tswane International Show, phecelezi I T-show. I T-Show izobandakanya izinto ezizothandwa ababantu bazo zonke izinhlanga kanye nayo yonke iminyaka.

Kulonyaka I T-Show izoqala ngomhlaka 27

Words: Ben Rootman and Hanlie Retief Translation by Nonku Khumalo Images: Ricky da Costa

The

we grow “Pride”, because the show is now established as one of the leading events in the capital city, and “passion”, because the show is passionate about South Africa, the city of Pretoria and its people.

The T-Show has traditionally been one of the biggest agricultural expos in the country, and this year’s agricultural programme will continue to be prominent. In addition, more emphasis will be placed on making the T-Show a fun, family-friendly entertainment-filled experience, with fresh ideas from new exhibitors.

Exhibitions will be greatly varied, including displays of the latest off-road vehicles, camping equipment and extreme adventure choices for those who love the great outdoors. The infotainment (informing while entertaining) value of the T-Show is a huge draw-card for exhibitors who will discuss important messages on issues such as health, environmental matters, human rights, human settlement and more.

Other exhibitions will include cutting-edge technology that will appeal to those who keep up-to-date with the latest trends in social networking and viral marketing. For those with shopping genes, a lot of fabulous retail bargains will be available.

This year, offerings and entertainment designed to appeal to the younger generation are also being incorporated into the programme.

Many exhibitors use the T-Show as a platform to reach new customers. The show organisers actively support potential exhibitors, helping them to successfully market their products and register good sales figures. Growing the number of visitors to the event is a priority for 2010, making it a prime time to get involved. For more information about exhibiting, visit www.tshwaneshow.co.za. 

August kuya 5 September ngaphansi kwe sihloko sokuziqhenya (Pride) kanye nomdlandla (Passion).

Lesisihloko, Pride, ngoba lomcimbi yiwo omkhulu kunayo yonke lapha E Pitoli. Passion ngoba, I T-show I nomdlandla nge Mzansi Africa kanye nedolobha lase Pitoli nabantu balo lelidolobha.

Kusukela kudala, I T-Show ibinesasa elikhulu kwezolimo kakhulukazi lonyaka njengoba ungezukuba namehluko. Kulonyaka I T-Show izoba mnandi kuneminye iminyaka, izoba eyomndeni wonke kanye namasu amasha kwabe zombukiswano.

Kuzoba nemibukiswane eminingi ehlukahlukene njengezimoto ezintsha, kanye namathuluzi okungcebeleka ngaphandle ahlukahlukene I T-Show izobe ine (edutainment) ukufundisa kanye nokunandisa ngesikhathi esisodwa. Lelisasasa lokuf undisa nokunandisa yilona elibiza izihlwele.

Abezombukisano bazobe be nika imilayezo ebalulekile ephathelana ne zempilo, ezemvelo, amalungelo abantu, amalungelo ezokuhlala kanye nokunye okuningi.

Kweminye imibukiswana izobe ingeyeze technology ezojabulisa labo abathanda I technology yanamhlanje. Amathuba okuthenga azobe echithekile kulabo abathanda ukuzithengela.

Intsha izokwazi ukuzibusisa ngobumnandi obuzobe buyivululeleke.

Ababukise abaningi asebenzisa I T-Show njenge ndlela yokuthola abathengi abasha futhi bahehe nabantu kuze kunyuke intengiso. 

The Tshwane Events Centre The Tshwane Events Centre has the capability to host any national or international event. It can accommodate up to 10,000 seated guests at a conference or gala evening. With over 82,000m² of multi-purpose areas, all accessible from multiple entrances, the centre can accommodate 50,000 visitors simultaneously in style and comfort at large-scale trade and consumer exhibitions. Stateof-the-art infrastructure services include banking facilities, telecommunication services and wireless Internet access, top class catering facilities and accessible secure parking for up to 3,500 vehicles.

The open areas have also been rejuvenated to give the western corner a facelift.

Inezinga lokubamba imcimbi esezingeni eliphakeme kakhulu. Le Tshwane Events Centre ikwazi ukuhlalisa abantu 10,000. Lendawo engaphezu kuka 82,000m² ikwazi ukubamba imicimbi ehlukahlukene kanye nezivakashi ezingu 50,000 kanye nemibukiswano. Lendawo esezingeni eliphakeme kakhulu inezinto ezifana namabhange, i-internet kanye nezindawo zezimoto ezingu 3,500.

Lendawo ilungisiwe futhi isbukeka kangcono.

under the

Hammer One only needs to open the Friday and weekend newspapers these days to notice how auctions

have

grown as market-making mechanisms.

Yachts, businesses, antiques, residences and commercial properties, without the familiar sales price of regular advertising, now all vie for our attention as old

habits of buying and selling make way for the new.

we trade

Words: Charl du Plessis Images: © www.iStockphoto.com

I

recently received two rather interesting invitations that crystallised the growing sophistication of the auctioneering industry. The first was to attend a glitzy affair at the V&A Waterfront where a 51-foot luxury yacht, worth tens of millions of Rands, was to be the first in the country to go on the block for reasons other than liquidation, sequestration or as part of a deceased’s estate. The second invite was sent by a very polished public relations firm, inviting me to an interview with the Managing Director of a major national auctioneering outfit.

Two years ago, that would hardly have been seen as newsworthy, but nowadays auctioneering has become mainstream.

Auctions are no longer the sole domain of a bunch of burly farmer types hanging over the cattle fence on a Saturday morning, nor of a couple of flea-market traders hoping to pick up bric-a-brac from an estate where the kids have battled for years to get their aging parents to clean up the mess in their garage. Arguably, though, these old style auctions are where many of the players in the industry have cut their teeth. As one of Pretoria’s leading auctioneers admits to me: “Growing up in Greytown, my dad used to take me along to the auctions. That is where I grew my passion and knew that someday, I wanted to do just that for a living.” But, the changing landscape of the recent economic environment has grown the scope of goods that could fit this age-old market-making mechanism.

Suddenly, those that actually have “money in place,” to quote the auctioneer, can shop around for plenty of bargains. As they say, the rich will always get richer...

Auctions are fascinating. Good auctioneers know how to feed a frenzy and to make it a fun event, even for the casual observer. I would not suggest you plan the next family picnic around the auctioning of an industrial building in Silverton. Those kinds of auctions have a science and a theory of value behind them that are best reserved for the professionals and pocketed speculators. For starters, a buyer may need to have 10% on hand, and likely be expected to furnish guarantees for the balance within 30 days. Hardly time to go and fill out forms at the bank and wait for bond approval. There is a good reason why these top-end auctions are the domain of those with ready cash.

For the novice, rather start off with the more fun-filled loose-goods auctions, where you may observe not only the peculiar mix of stuff that some people collect in a lifetime, but also witness really outlandish human behaviour. Note how people tend to elbow in towards the pieces they hope to land. Spot the possible collaborators on the floor who work with the auctioneer in inflating

bids. See how several people buy things they really did not set out to buy, yet could just not resist amidst the momentum that the auctioneer created. Find yourself becoming just like them!

If you do have some funds ready and want to risk your chances as participant in the more serious property market, or else, feel your family under deadline to sell your home urgently for reasons other

than having the bank breathing down your neck, it is worth looking into the game. Be ready to lay-out the R15,000 odd required to advertise your property, and do not be fooled by whether buyers or sellers pay the auctioneer’s commission – as a seller, it ultimately comes out of your pocket.

If you consider buying a property, speak to a

bond originator beforehand and get pre-approval for your line of credit. Make use of the opportunity to view the property if the owner’s number is listed. And as a seller under deadline, remember that you can specify a reserve price and negotiate commissions.

Most of all, be aware of the fact that although anyone involved in transacting property must by law join the Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB), and is effectively underwritten by the Estate Agents Fidelity Fund, there is some risk in dealing with fly-by-nights. Sit down with the trusted names and discuss your options and your best strategy, and read the fine print carefully.

Finally, for a taste of the traditional, get your kids in the car and head out for a good cattle auction – it’s in our nation’s blood, and you will hear enough good quips from some of the characters to make the day memorable. Look at the Friday editions of the city’s daily newspapers to get a listing of auctions for each weekend. 

42 Years of Evolution of Van’s The Van’s Auctioneers group currently comprises of four branches based in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, the Free State and the Western Cape. The larger vision is to be a unique auctioneering firm that provides a specialist service throughout South Africa, enabling clients to enjoy seamless access to their wide range of assets.

In 1993 Phil Minaar, the owner of Van’s Auctioneers, head-hunted a person with the right personality and dynamics to move Van’s into a new era of technological change and development. Martin Pretorius, under Phil’s direction, cut his teeth in the industry and in 1997 he joined Phil as a partner. Together they have built Van’s into one of the most reputable auctioneering firms in the country, with an unbroken professional record that has stretched over four decades.

Van’s Gauteng has been operating business from Gezina for the past 35 years.

However, they will soon relocate to offices in Brooklyn that will become the new home of the auctioneering institution. A revamped logo that commemorates the firm’s trademark “ringing auction bell,” will serve to re-launch the Van’s brand.

Over and above the new image, Van’s have two new team members who joined the management team late in 2009. Gerard Harding, the ex-Northern Transvaal and Natal rugby prop is definitely no stranger to the industry as he has made his mark in the agricultural auctioneering sector. His knowledge of nature conservation, professional hunting and other agricultural industries will most certainly play a crucial part in strengthening Van’s vision.

Moses Moche has 30 years of experience in the field, mainly from his involvement as Deputy Sheriff of the former Odi district (now part of the North West Province) and as managing member of Maleka’s Auctioneers. Maleka’s Auctioneers has been working in association with Van’s for the last six years, and Moses makes his entrance to Van’s as a partner. Moses has an unquestionable understanding of South Africa’s rainbow nation, and his addition to the team is invaluable.

The Van’s staff is a team of well qualified, motivated individuals, with a collective experience of over 270 years of service in the auctioneering industry. Van’s Auctioneers are capable of handling any request, with a positive and confident attitude that will leave their customers satisfied. For more information, call +27 (0)86 111 8267 or visit them online at www.vansauctions.co.za.

we visit

Boekenhoutskloof receives a vote of Excellence

P

aradoxical to the winery’s discreet position tucked away at the far-end of the lovely Franschhoek Valley, Boekenhoutskloof has since inception been basking in the proverbial limelight, producing exceptional wines, ushering in rave reviews, and scooping prestigious awards, both locally and abroad.

Grape, an independent e-zine offering commentary and facilitating debate on South African wine industry-related issues, assembled a judging panel comprised of 26 wine commentators, independent retailers and highly regarded sommeliers. This composition made the poll plausibly indicative of industry perceptions across a variety of disciplines. In one of Grape’s polls, Boekenhoutskloof received the most nominations to be in the top five wine producers.

Cellarmaster Marc Kent has been instrumental in building the pedigree of Boekenhoutskloof. This brandbuilding has been premised on merit, rather than erudite public relations and endless competitions, always emphasising that “the quality lies in the second half of the bottle.” Named “Diners Club Winemaker of the Year” in 2007 (for the Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2005), the young, exuberant and self-assured Marc has come full circle as a finalist in the same competition almost a decade later.

In the last 12 months, Boekenhoutskloof was honoured to receive its 9th and 10th “Five Star” Platter rating for its stellar flagship Syrah and the winery’s Cabernet Sauvignon. It was also the only South African producer in the latest Robert Parker’s Buyers Guide to achieve his “Five Star” accolade (Outstanding Rating).

The latest edition of the International Wine Report also acknowledges Boekenhoutskloof as SA’s number one wine producer. With accolades now synonymous with the brand, Boekenhoutskloof is widely regarded as the leading producer of Syrah in South Africa. For further information on brands, individual wines and winemakers, please visit www.boekenhoutskloof.co.za.

winery, Boekenhoutskloof, was recently lauded as the “top South African winery” in a poll conducted by the

independent e-zine, Grape.

Words: Jacqui Jones Images: © Boekenhoutskloof

Acclaimed Franschhoek

Sunnyside?

p U e h t n o

L Some say that Sunnyside is on the brink

ong-standing blocks of flats, charming Victorian and Cape Dutch styled cottages, and a smattering of parks are mixed in with businesses, old and new. At first glance, however, for many of us driving down Esselen Street, the area still looks quite dingy. The perception in mainstream media of this neighbourhood too, is that it is rife with drugs and prostitution.

Speak to the locals, though, and you get mixed opinions – many who work and play in the area are optimistic.

Those who are fond of the area speak highly of intimate eateries like Li-Bel and Pipa’s Portuguese restaurant, the funky vibe of small street markets like the Friday morning cheese and meat offerings from the Cremalat Cheese market, and the trendy ambience of the Klaus Wasserthall art gallery known for its candles, pottery and changing exhibitions.

Look a bit further and you might make some other discoveries, like the best selection of vodka at Barclay Square because of the

of

revitalisation. This eclectic part of the inner city of Pretoria is perched in the favourable position of being close to our capital’s top universities, near to the diplomatic community and government offices, and within easy access of two Gautrain stations.

Words: Tanya Goodman Images: Tanya Goodman; Charl du Plessis

we live

proximity to the Russian Embassy or a new Eritrean restaurant serving authentic cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere.

There are certainly pockets of visible growth, including a small set of cafés and shops that have become popular institutions, and large-scale investments on particular city blocks that hold enormous potential.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), for example, opened the first phase of their strikingly modern campus in this neighbourhood in 2004 and has continued to expand. With an investment of R450 million, their commitment to the area is quite clear.

The DTI campus alone is over 50,000m2, and the newer Trevanna Campus will ultimately measure 60,000m2 when completed in 2011.

While DTI and other government offices are newcomers at this lower end of Esselen Street, some others involved in development include the 27-year-old Mid City Properties, with their building on the corner of Jorissen and Johnson that hosts College Campus and an office block on one side, and the Mid City Corner retail and office space development, due to open in November 2011, on the opposite side. Meanwhile, the recently renovated Sunnypark Shopping Centre, complete with key tenants such as Woolworths and Truworths, a NuMetro theatre and a range of restaurants plus the Holiday Inn Express, is catering to the upwardly mobile growth in the area. The Sunnypark refurbishment, completed in 2009, is estimated at R350 million and was managed by Zenprop, the property developers responsible for Maponya Mall in Soweto.

Despite these efforts at upliftment, the task remains a tough one. The remarkably quaint street of Gerard Moerdhyk, for example, which is home to the Breytenbach Theatre and a row of cottages perfectly suited to becoming upmarket restaurants, pubs, bookshops and the like unfortunately seems to be deteriorating. It was very quiet the day we visited, with trash visible along the street and hardly any pedestrians. Though the illustrious theatre still hosts performances from time to time, the rest of the tree-lined avenue is becoming increasingly dilapidated.

Gentrification has, however, made its mark and you will find a multi-cultural mix of people from foreigners and diplomats to students and government employees; those with money and those without. At its best, Sunnyside is a vibrant neighbourhood with a true Afropolitan flavour, a microcosm of South Africa. 

ed’s Suggestions Li-Bel Café – Corner Jorrisen and Johnson Streets Tel: +27 (0)12 343 8277 Pipa’s Portuguese Restaurant – 95 Jeppe Street Tel: +27 (0)12 341 3728 Klaus Wasserthall Gallery – 88 Celliers Street Tel: +27 (0)12 344 5797 Breytenbach Theatre – 137 Gerard Moerdyk Street Tel: +27 (0)12 440 4834

design by: www.spiritlab.co.za

we teach

In January

2011 Curro Hazeldean High School will open its doors and all Grade 8 to Grade 11 learners will move to the

brand new, modern campus. relationships are also regarded as priorities in the life skills programme.

Curro Hazeldean High School offers each learner the opportunity to reach their optimum potential in academics, sport and culture. Dr Dey, Rector of the Hazeldean campus, says: “Academics is our priority, but education will always be our core business. Curro’s entire focus is on excellent academic tuition as well as quality coaching in sport and culture within a balanced lifestyle. The school is registered with the Independent Examination Board and learners are benchmarked against the best international standards. Curro competes against top schools in sport and culture and we believe that we are competitive within a good spirit of excellence.”

Curro’s educators are all bilingual and well qualified, but most importantly, they all love children. If you are looking for quality, affordable private education, Curro Hazeldean High School is a strong option to consider. For more information, please contact the Registrar at adminhazeldean@curro.co.za, or call +27 (0)12 809 0714. 

curious about

Curro Hazeldean

The existing Curro Hazeldean Campus

Words: Lanie van Kradenburg Images: © Curro Hazeldean

C

urro Hazeldean Private School is currently situated in Hazeldean, Pretoria, adjacent to the Silver Lakes Golf Estate, and up till now, has been a primary school with 700 learners (Grade R to Grade10). From next year, however, the high school will formally move to their new campus, where building operations have already started.

Curro Holdings is the parent company of all Curro Private Schools which are situated in Durbanville, Langebaan, Hazeldean and Roodeplaat. New schools are currently being built in Witbank (Bankenveld), Serengeti (Kempton Park) and Hermanus. The Curro vision is to establish new private schools and to back each with a solid management team experienced in the field of education. This creates the sustainability needed to ensure the ongoing level of excellence in teaching the leaders of tomorrow.

The over-riding principle that governs Curro Schools is the constant striving towards excellence in education by helping learners to master the curriculum content creatively. The curriculum content acknowledges the ever-changing world we live in, and Curro guides learners about how to apply the knowledge they have gained to “real world” situations.

Curro is a Christian-based educational institute that promotes and fosters positive values and norms.

Mutual understanding and respect for educators, parents and learners are core values. Conflict management, decision-making and time management, as well as positive thinking and solid teacher-learner

SILVER LAKES GOLF ESTATE San-Karin Jacobs

082 254 2504

sankarin@remax.net

G O L F

SILVER LAKES SILVER LAKES

Exclusive Mandate

E S T A T E

In a January 2009 edition of Finweek Magazine, Silver Lakes was voted number 1 with regard to safety and security out of 28 suburbs throughout 6 of South Africa’s cities.

R 5 450 000,00

R 5 300 000,00

TIMELESS QUALITY AND ELEGANCE! This luxurious home boasts 3 sensational bedrooms with the main bedroom offering a splendid en-suite bathroom. Additional bathroom upstairs. Guest toilet. 2 large studies. Spacious living area with family room, dining room and lounge.

Exquisite kitchen. Garden is natural splendour with water feature, well manicured garden and view of golf course.

Staff quarters. 3 Garages. www.remax.co.za - Web ref: 3002 917 85

GRAND LIVING IN AN EXCLUSIVE ESTATE! This state of the art home offers 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, with the main room boasting an en-suite bathroom. When walking through the entrance it tumbles into the many living areas such as a family room, dining room, and lounge. Entertainment areas of this home are upstairs with a bar overlooking the pool. Patio leads out onto immaculate garden. BONUS: A connected unit with separate entrance from the house offers bedroom, lounge, bathroom, kitchen.

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SILVER LAKES Exclusive Mandate

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R 4 850 000,00 A QUAINT ABODE TO RETIRE TO! Cosy 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom. Open plan living area. Braai/patio. Manicured garden. Security is denitely a highlight of this perfect home. www.remax.co.za - Web ref: 3002 598 51

SILVER LAKES

GRACIOUS HOME WITH PANORAMIC VIEW! Magnicent luxurious home on golf course, boasts 4 north-facing bedrooms, 3 bathrooms with 2 being en-suite. The architectural structure of this master piece was designed to provide spacious openplan living areas with a seamless ow. Extraordinary kitchen, scullery. Study. Immense play room, 3 garages, staff quarters, UFH, heated pool, patio/braai. 1280m2 stand, picturesque garden, balconies with spectacular view over golf course. www.remax.co.za - Web ref: 3002 837 82

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ULTIMATE TRANQUILLITY. Dream home with main bedroom downstairs overlooking pool, manicured garden, gazebo. 2 bedrooms upstairs, sharing 1 full bath. Four living areas. Sliding doors leading to garden/braai area. 2 Garages. Staff quarters. www.remax.co.za - Web ref: 3002 111 26

Practical Tips For Doing Your Part

Words: Charl du Plessis Images: Š www.istockphoto.com

Greener A

life

we research

Congratulations South Africa. You have just landed a massive

amount of international debt to build the world’s next dirty electricity plant, just a few short months after seeking praise for your role at the Copenhagen Summit. And to top it all off, Eskom will be milking our pockets to pay for their polluting of our environment. So, to stave off that hopeless, punch-drunk feeling this article offers some practical ideas on how you can contribute to the greening of our shared environment.

RECYCLING Driving home through our neighbourhood the other night, I was struck by the number of garbage cans outside each home, and felt very proud to see the results of my wife’s insistence on us recycling. It meant that we had only one can outside our yard, compared to the average of three or even more outside many other homes. Even better, it was an extremely simple change to our family’s daily routine. After searching for a local recycling company, we signed up for free. Outside our back door, I placed three large bins which hold the provided recycling bags for paper, plastic, and for cans and glass. In our scullery, we made space next to our indoor garbage can for a small recyclables container, for those items that accrue throughout the day.

As our kitchen is cleaned, the container is regularly emptied into the bins outside till Thursday collection time. And that happens like clockwork every Thursday, as our recycling company is a private outfit unaffected by strikes.

It’s easy to get our kids involved – our four-year-old knows the word “recycle,” and he and his big sister are planning a worm composting project with Mum to eradicate the need for any garbage removal from our household. Pity that I cannot qualify for a discount from our local council for fewer garbage can pickups…

CHEMICALS & CLEANERS The Internet is filled with recipes for making your own, environmentally-friendly detergents, herbicides, pesticides and cleaning products.

And each and every one is emphatic that it is also cheaper to go this route. The reality is that you are likely paying mostly for the packaging and expensive marketing campaigns of the familiar household brands you conveniently drop into your trolley each month. Try a general household cleaner of 1/2 vinegar, 1/2 water and a few drops of lemon grass oil. Put it in a spray bottle and it works like a charm.

ODDS & SODDS Replace light bulbs with long-life models.

Close the tap when brushing your teeth. Replace old appliances with new energy-efficient models.

Freecycle by finding someone who could use the stuff you are about to dispose of. Bring your own canvas shopping bag and say no to plastic bags. Use both sides of every sheet of paper. Install low-flow toilets. Avoid styrofoam.

Buy rechargeable batteries. Cut down on meat consumption (your doctor and environmentalist neighbour would agree). Consider a green funeral.

Stop using nail polish. Refuse straws in restaurants and cafés. Use wood-ash from your braai – rich in several minerals such as potash (potassium carbonate), phosphate, iron, manganese, boron, copper and zinc – in the garden as fertilizer and in your compost (note that it increases PH of soil). Educate your household employees on laundry load sizes and water temperature (most detergents now only require cold water, and vinegar or baking soda prewash mixes will remove the worst stains beforehand).

Recycle grey water from laundry straight back into your garden.

Wash because it is dirty, not because it was worn once.

STOP HOGGING THE ROAD You are impressing the wrong kind of people by driving that monster 4x4, and you are paying dearly for it’s consumption. Join a lift club, get a bike (hmmmm, given the way people drive in our city, make it an off-road variety) and start planning how the Gautrain will feature in your life next year. Consider trading in your high-consumption vehicle for a more fuelefficient one, or even a hybrid car once they hit the market. Earn your weekly Sunday treat of ice-cream in an environmentally friendly and fun way – take a walk to the corner Spar (and remember that our much abused concept of Ubuntu suggests you greet your neighbours along the way.) Offset your family and business travel by sponsoring a tree for every 5,000 km of your travel. There are many lower-income neighbourhoods that need the greening help and NGOs who can facilitate your contributions.

we research

HOME HEATING & COOLING We assume good weather in Pretoria, but then crank up our heaters all winter and air conditioners all summer. Even if you are not concerned about the environment, it still makes economic sense to cut down your electricity consumption with a few simple strategies: paint your house with light colours; ensure you have proper insulation in the roof where most heat escapes and most cold sneaks in; plant trees in strategic spots to offer shade in summer while not blocking the sun in winter; in summer open the windows and switch to fans rather than air conditioning; hang your clothes out to dry in the sun; and draw your curtains and blinds on winter nights and summer days. Most of all, get an electricity audit (call Dr Theuns Verster on +27 (0)73 334 8753) to see where you are using or wasting most energy, and also turn your geysers down to a still acceptable temperature. As a longer term solution, consider installing solar geysers which may save as much as 30% of your total household power consumption.

GET CLOSE TO THE SOIL Ever thought of designing your garden with food plants instead of the dainty little thingamajigs your garden centre sells you at a huge cost, only to die after gobbling much water, nutrients, space and labour? Citrus trees offer great colour and fragrance. So do herbs, and they also combat some insect problems. Replace your creepers with beans, peas and cucumbers, and the fast-growing and always-giving granadilla. Red, shiny tomatoes do well for large parts of the year. Why border with ornamental cabbage if you could plant and eat the real thing and have the same visual effect. Pumpkins grow like crazy and the leaves make a tasty local delicacy – if not for you, send some home with the gardener who helped you work the soil. Tall mielies can form a traditional hedge in summer when you prefer not to have your neighbour glance at you in your swimsuit. Fruit trees love the Pretoria climate, as do avocadoes, bananas and mangoes in the warmer micro-climates of our city. Most of all, you now have the perfect excuse to recycle organic waste from your kitchen, rather than waiting for gasguzzling trucks and striking workers to collect.

There is much joy hidden in your own backyard. Watch the birds return to your garden. Witness the absolute awe and profound sense of achievement that a young child gets from seeing their seeds poke through the soil, or from picking tomatoes from the seedling they helped plant only a few weeks ago. And if you have limited space, invest in a few good plant containers (choose clay over plastic or asbestos/cement types), or speak to your neighbour who might have a whole backyard lying fallow. Sharecropping is also a solution – one party gives the land and water, and the other provides the labour and seed. There is a reason why they say that South Africans all have a little bit of soil under the tips of our nails – we have always been close to our land.

To become a good global citizen, sign-up on the web for daily green tip listserves, and encourage your friends and colleagues to do the same. Most of all, think green. Being earth-friendly is an easy lifestyle change with social and economic gains, now and into our future. 

Tourism in exotic Thailand has seen an interesting shift away from the traditional group travel concept towards

engaging visitors in action-driven experiences. The strong emotions evoked by activities that require active participation, rather than passive observation, tend to leave the traveller with more meaningful and durable memories.

Thailand is eksoties, maar eerder as die tradisionele groepstoerisme-benadering waar groot volumes reisigers op ‘n onpersoonlike manier blootgestel word aan plekke,

verskuif die klem toenemend na ervaringstoerisme. Reisigers word aktief betrek om nuwe dinge te ervaar en te leer, wat sterk emosie-belaaide herinneringe met blywende trefkrag opbou.

Words: Wilhelmina Bekker Translation by Charl Du Plessis Images: ŠWilhelmina Bekker; Santiburi Golf Resorts; Thailand Tourism

t hailand

we visit

O

ur visit to Bangkok kicked off with a BANG, as we checked into the centrally located Amari Watergate Hotel. All our jet lag was shopped away in the immediate area in no time, as the favourable Rand/ Bacht exchange rate of 1:4.2 makes this area one of Thailand’s many shopping paradises. After dragging back more and more bargains to our hotel rooms, we enjoyed a morning train ride out to Lampang’s historic station, where traditional horses and carriages awaited us for a slow trip through the old town. A great hint at many good things to come.

Shane Beary of Track of the Tigers, a local adventure tourism outfit, hosted our group for this portion of our visit, and he stood ready with a packed, fun-filled program. The Pang Soong Lodge, an outdoors adventure and environmental training centre caters to both the young adrenaline-oriented adventurer and to us more stable and circumspect types and it was evident that Shane had made some sterling adjustments for our type of group.

Or so we thought. After a stop-over at the Lampang Elephant Conservation Centre, where we experienced our first elephant show, and where one group member even had an elephant paint her a picture, we were ready to get down and dirty on the adventure side of things.

Awaiting us was a nature walk, with several routes of varying difficulty to choose from, all terminating at a beautiful waterfall, with several smaller water miracles along the way.

Shane judged our group to be the most comfortable with the intermediate route, described as “easy to medium ease.” It sounded like a walk in the park. The chosen route ended up proving to be more realistically called “tough to downright impossible,” with broken nails, scratches and swellings received as badges of honour. But, if it was action we wanted, we sure felt we were experiencing Thailand.

O

ns besoek aan Thailand het afgeskop in Bangkok, waar ons vir een nag in die lieflike Amari Watergate Hotel gehuisves sou word. Dis sentraal en ideaal vir die besigheidspersoon. Ons aandag was sterk gefokus op ons inkopies omdat die Rand/Bacht wisselkoers van 4,2 dinge so goedkoop maak. Ons het in Lampang afgeklim by ‘n pragtige ou treinstasie en is daar ingewag deur tradisionele perdekarre wat ons stadig deur die dorpie geneem het. Dit was ‘n onvergeetlike ervaring – en nog net die begin van alles wat op ons gewag het.

Shane Beary van Track of the Tigers, ‘n avontuurtoerisme groep, was ons gasheer en het ‘n vol program vir ons reg gehad. Ons het tuisgegaan by die Pang Soong Lodge, ‘n buitemuurs- en omgewingsopleidingsentrum vir skoolgroepe en avonturiers. In die program word ‘n onderskeid getref tussen die jong avonturier en die gesoute avonturier, en Shane het beslis aanpassings gemaak vir die behoeftes van ons groep.

Ons eerste ervaring was by die Lampang Elephant Conservation Centre, waar ons ‘n olifantvertoning bygewoon het en daar selfs ‘n skildery deur ‘n olifant vir ons geteken is – van ‘n olifant met ‘n kleintjie! Daarna is ons op ‘n staptoer. Daar is drie staproetes om van te kies, met verskillende moeilikheidsgrade. Aldrie die roetes bring jou uiteindelik uit by ‘n asemrowende waterval met kleiner watervalle hier-en-daar langs die staproete.

Na ‘n kort stappie deur die bos saam met Shane (volgens die brosjure die “maklike” roete) is ons oorreed om vir die middeweg te gaan – klaarblyklik met ‘n “maklike-tot-medium moeilikheidsgraad.”

Maar, die roete wat ons uiteindelik gevolg het, was “uiters moeilik tot onmoontlik” en die vele skrape en littekens aan ons lywe was genoeg bewys! Party van ons moes maar van ons waardigheid afskeid neem,

Shane rewarded our brave effort by having traditional Thai body and foot massages on the menu upon our return to base, topped off with the most delicious Thai cuisine that would justify a trip on its own, and would become another hallmark of our visit over the rest of the week.

The next day we were off for yet another outdoor adventure. The gibbon is the most vocal of primates, which should have told us something before we found ourselves perched on a narrow ledge on the highest tree one could imagine, ready for an experience aptly named Flight of the Gibbons. The first step was to be harnessed, helmeted and humoured by an exuberant team of guides, before readying ourselves to jump from slender ledge to ledge, at what felt like miles above the ground. Shrieks of panic gradually gave way to shouts of joy in another very memorable experience.

The last stop on this leg of our trip was at Chiang Mai for another major shopping excursion. One could buy a suitcase and fill it up with custom-made clothes tailored to your specification within one day, and at prices that totally belie the good quality of material and craftsmanship.

Chiang Mai sits at quite an elevation and is surrounded by high mountain peaks and a myriad of small towns and villages in the valleys where the river meanders towards lower ground. In this area alone one could spend a lifetime with what’s on offer to the visitor: historical temples and the ancient city; a zoo visit to meet the famous pandas; ecotourism in every conceivable expression; elephant shows; Thai cooking classes; micro-flights and hot air balloons and health and wellness escapes at the multitude of spas and massage centres. And then there is golf. Thailand has a great variety of exquisite golf courses and offers a paradise for the fanatical golfer.

Of course, a trip like this was just an appetizer for the many more delights of Thailand. Follow-up visits are already being planned for the near future. Hope to see you along the way. 

maar wat ‘n ervaring!

Ons beloning was die tradisionele lyf-envoetmassering wat Shane agterna reggehad het. Die onvergeetlike maal wat hulle die aand (en vir die res van ons verblyf van drie dae daar) vir ons voorgesit het in egte tradionele Thai-kultuur, het wondere verrig met die aptyt wat ons die middag opgewek het.

Die Flight of the Gibbons-ondervinding het nie teleurgestel in sy belofte van adrenaliengolwe nie. Al gillende het ons vanaf ‘n baie nou platformpie (wat aan die hoogste boom moontlik geheg was) tot ‘n ander nou platformpie gespring, waar ander spanmaats ons ingewag het. Die sterk harnas, ‘n spesiale helm op die kop, sterk kabeltoue en uiters bekwame gidse met ‘n wonderlike sin vir humor het ons gehelp om ons vrese te besweer. Die gille van benoudheid is stelselmatig vervang met gille van genot! Die ervaring was gou verby, maar beslis nie gou vergete nie!

Ons laaste stop op hierdie deel van ons program was in Chiang Mai en hier het ons ‘n ander vorm van die ervaringstoerisme beleef: ‘n Koopervaring! ‘n Pretorianer kan heeltemal mal raak hier, want met die wisselkoers in jou guns kan mens sommer ‘n nuwe tas koop en dit volmaak . Jy kan ook binne een dag ‘n nuwe pak laat maak volgens jou mates.

Die stad is omring met hoë bergreekse. Die magdom van distrikte en klein dorpies wat langs die plat, vrugbare valleie teen die oewers van die rivier versprei is het die potensiaal van ‘n magdom van ervaringe wat ontgin kan word. Historiese tempels en die antieke stad; dieretuinbesoeke om die beroemde Pandas te sien; ekotoerisme in al sy vorme; olifantskoue in ‘n magdom van olifantkampe; kooklesse op die Thai-manier; avonture in beweging (mikrovliegtuig- en warmlugballonritte); gesondheid -en ontspanning in die vele spas en masseersallonne; en dan natuurlik gholf. Thailand, met sy groot verskeidenheid pragtige gholfbane is ‘n paradys vir die fanatiese gholfspeler.

Ons het nog nie Thailand se ervaringstoerisme in geheel ontgin en die ervaringsmoontlikhede in totaal uitgeput nie. ‘n Volgende besoek is op die boeke en hopelik is dit nie te ver in die toekoms nie. Hoop om jou daar te sien! 

The Mother of Rooibos

Dr

Annique Theron

A

ffectionately known as the Mother of Rooibos, it is easy to see why this woman is loved and respected by women and mothers all over South Africa. I assisted Dr Theron when her autobiography was written in 2009 and the following are extracts from some of the questions I posed over a period of time.

Gerda Potgieter (GP): What were the defining moments in your life?

Dr Annique Theron (AT): In 1968, I was struggling with an allergic baby daughter, who was incapable of keeping down her food. One morning, as I was feeding her Rooibos tea, I discovered it had a calming effect on her.

After monitoring her condition a while longer it became apparent that the tea contained anti-allergic qualities. This discovery changed my world dramatically and has inspired me to help others.

GP: In discovering these qualities of Rooibos tea, what was your immediate plan of action?

AT: From the beginning it was my desire to share this discovery globally with mothers of babies who were suffering from a variety of allergies.

Over the years, I strove to gain all the knowledge I could on how to best utilise the full potential of the plant’s unique properties, not only for babies and their ailments, but for allergies and ailments encountered across a broad spectrum of age groups.

recently. Her contribution to the health, wealth and well-being of individuals and communities is immeasurable. Her discovery of the anti-

allergic qualities of Rooibos tea, and the successes that followed this remarkable discovery, continue to play an important role in the lives of many individuals.

WORDS: Gerda Potgieter IMAGES: Merwelene van der Merwe

Dr Annique Theron celebrated her 81st birthday

we admire

I started my own business around the Rooibos tea concept in 1970 to help those in need. It soon began to flourish and that enabled me to expand the business by adding several skin care products.

This provided me with the opportunity to offer other female entrepreneurs an opportunity to gain financial independence by starting their own businesses. I am proud to say that the business model has continued to be dynamic and attractive to those with an entrepreneurial spirit.

GP: In a nutshell, describe yourself and the activities related to your discovery.

AT: I am a mother of four wonderful children and a grandmother to seven grandchildren. My children have played important roles in the business as well.

I enjoy writing, and over the years I have written poems, a number of short stories for a women’s magazine, books on allergies and health care, beauty

manuals, and also recipe books that utilise the ingredient of Rooibos tea. The Africon award, bestowed upon me in 2005 for contributing to the enhancement of Afrikaans in a democratic South Africa, is something very close to my heart.

I am an entrepreneur at heart. In my business endeavours I remain focussed on utilising my own successes, achievements and skills to empower women, to effectively facilitate change and to create opportunities for others. I’ve always done what has given me inner satisfaction and that is why I believe I live a charmed life. As a matter of fact, at my age, I’m in my prime, having the time of my life!

GP: What is that one thing that inspires and motivates you?

AT: My unconditional love for people in general motivates me and drives my passion.

GP: What do you value most in life?

AT: I value honesty, sincerity, and integrity most in life. I do not compromise on these values.

GP: What is your personal inspirational message to our readers?

AT: Live life to the full and make time for the important things. Life is about living with spirit. It is about inspiration and action. We all have a purpose in life and that is to grow into a valuable human being, to increase your knowledge of humanity and yourself. 

Dr Annique Theron’s Achievements • Discovered the anti-allergic qualities of Rooibos tea in 1968, prior to which it had virtually no status. She ensured publicity for her discovery and the value of Rooibos, boosting the tea industry to new heights.

• Launched Wonder Slim – a slimming product – in 1970. Her determination to continue with the research into the benefits of Rooibos Tea spurred her to create a platform for the sale of this vital commodity and thereby generated the much needed resources for her research.

• Developed her first skin care products in 1974 and launched the first three products in 1976. Some of the products have, over the years, received a number of awards.

•

Obtained an MBA-degree and later a PhD degree, at the age of 72, from the Commonwealth Open University. Her thesis, “Holism: A Paradigm for Dialogue Between Two Worlds of Healing: Conventional Medicine and Alternative Treatments,” is based on her decades of experience.

AWARDS AND MEDALS: • Entrepreneur of the Year Award by Johannesburg Business Women’s Club, 1989 • Merchant of the Year Award by Old Mutual and the Afrikaanse Handels Instituut, 1990 • Gold Medal for the discovery of anti-allergic qualities of Rooibos tea by the World Intellectual Property Organisation, Geneva, 1997 • Gold Medal as Best Woman Inventor of the Year by the World Intellectual Property Organisation, Geneva, 1997 • Pretoria’s Citizen of the Year, 1997 • Afrikaanse Taal en Kultuur Vereniging’s (ATKV) Icon of the Year, 2005 • Centurion of the Year – Centurion Business Chamber, 2008

get into Golfing

Golf is a game played for the sake of an

individual’s sense of achievement, as well as for the social relationships that are forged on the golf course. It has often been said that golf

is a great equalizer, and that

the golfing green strips one’s perceptions away to

reveal the core ability of aligning one’s limbs and mindset to being successful.

we play

Words: Morné Botha Images: © www.iStockphoto.com

a better posture over time by enhancing reflexes and improving general body tone.

However, the mental benefit of golf is what differentiates this game from other sports. The mere fact that one experiences the fresh air of the outdoors means that the heart rate is elevated to supply more oxygen to the brain, thereby releasing positive endorphins that make one feel happy. The natural light also aids in favourably influencing one’s disposition. Combined with the mood enhancement one experiences from these “happy hormones” is the sheer sociability of the game. Golf provides an alternative to a typically sedentary lifestyle which comes from being office-bound in the week or perched in front of the television set over weekends. The social aspect of the game allows for a time-out, enabling you to free your mind from the pressures of work and everyday life. Even if you mix work with golf, what better way to form bonds of trust and camaraderie with colleagues or clients.

But golf need not be a solitary sport, nor one that is directly tied to your professional life. Playing golf is also a fun way to increase quality family time. In a typical round of golf, parents and children can work on their own strengths and weaknesses in a supportive environment, where the emphasis is on the activity, not the result. With beautiful surroundings, fresh air,

T

he benefits of playing golf are manifold. In essence, it is not a sport that requires major physical exertion and is, therefore, a good starting point for people seeking to commit to a healthy, active lifestyle.

At a basic level, the game increases hand-eye co-ordination, fine motor skills and balance. Many health professionals and lifestyle coaches are of the opinion that taking 10,000 steps per day will maintain a lean physique. The average 18-hole round of golf involves approximately 11,948 steps, making golf a healthy lifestyle choice at any age. Moreover, golf loosens joints and expands the muscles’ range of motion by lengthening the tendons and ligaments in the joint capsules, thereby creating a more flexible body. Lastly, it contributes to building

and the presence of wildlife that is a feature on the greens of most golf courses in the Pretoria area, it can become the ideal “family getaway” over a weekend.

The game of golf is not a sport that can be learned overnight, and the earlier one learns the techniques, grips and body positions, the easier the game will become. In order for golf to be optimally enjoyed, it needs to be practised in a disciplined fashion. The end result of playing the game for long enough, is that one’s self-confidence is boosted, as are the virtues of patience and delayed gratification.

Kick-start your family’s development and appreciation of golf by getting out onto the green at the next possible opportunity. For more information on how to get your golfing game into first gear, call Morné Botha on +27 (0)83 277 8607 or visit www.golflessons.co.za to book an appointment. 

people of

Pretoria se mense

we live

While some people might be of the opinion that the people of the capital are simply not as adept at normalising interracial and multiracial relations as some communities in other areas of South Africa, it is evident that the capital is moving toward

greater respect and acceptance

for the various races and cultures that are represented in Pretoria and the Greater Tshwane area.

Words: Sydney Curtis Translation by Charl Du Plessis Images: © www.istockphoto.com; Tables by South African Institute of Race Relations

G

iven that we are host to so many different communities and cultures within Pretoria, we ought to appreciate and honour these differences and the positive qualities they bring to our melting pot.

A recent study by the South African Institute of Race Relations offers an interesting portrait of our capital. The City of Tshwane is the second largest metro in Gauteng, both in terms of the population

Hoewel sommige mense reken dat Pretoria ietwat stadiger as ander stede is om met

ons veelrassigheid vrede te maak, blyk dit nietemin dat die groter hoeveelheid van ons stedelinge stelselmatig ‘n groter respek en aanvaarding vir die diversiteit van Pretoria en die Tshwane area aan die ontwikkel is.

M

et soveel gemeenskappe en kulture in Pretoria, behoort ons die verskille en die positiewe aspekte wat elke kultuur bydra tot ons reënboognasie te waardeer en te eerbiedig.

Onlangse navorsing deur die Suid-Afrikaanse Instituut vir Rasseverhoudinge skets ‘n interessante prentjie van ons hoofstad se veranderende samestelling.

Tshwane is die naasgrootste metropolitaanse area

Demographics

City of Tshwane

Poverty ratea

28%

Deprivation indexb Number of households

1.9 c

686,640

Population

2,345,906

— Male

49.3%

— Female

50.7%

— Aged 0-14

25.0%

— Aged 15-39

47.5%

— Aged 40-64

23.1%

— Aged 65+

4.4%

— African

74.6%

— Coloured

2.0%

— Indian

1.3%

— White

22.1%

— Rural

10%

— Urban

90%

Dwelling occupied Formal

66.8%

Informal

26.8%

Tradional

0.5%

Hostel/other

5.9%

in Gauteng, beide in and its contribution to Employment terme van bevolking en the economy. The capital African 46.8% ekonomiese krag. Die has a population of Coloured 51.8% amptelike bevolkingstal 2,345,906 million people.

Indian 59.1% van 2,345,906 miljoen Of the total population, White 68.6% mense bestaan uit ‘n the male gender makes up 49.3% manlike bevolking, 49.3% of the population, African unemployment 21.4% en gelukkig maak vrouens with the female gender Coloured unemployment 17.3% die ander 50.7% op. Ons accounting for the larger Indian unemployment 9.3% het ‘n jong demografie, 50.7%. The 15 - 39 age White unemployment 3.6% met 47.5% van ons mense group is described as the 26.7% African NEAd wat in die 15-39 jaar bulk of the population, 23.5% Coloured NEAd ouderdomsgroep val. totalling 47.5%.

The d Met betrekking tot die majority of the city is 28.0% Indian NEA sensitiewe rassekwessie, d made up of Africans 23.5% White NEA merk ons dat swart at 74.6%, with whites Afrikane by verre die representing 22.1%. The grootste rassegroep uitmaak, met 74.6%, gevolg deur other minorities in the City of Tshwane include the wit (22.1%), Indiërs (1.3%) en gekleurd (2%). In 1998 Indian (1.3%) and Coloured (2.0%) communities. het 1,298,346 swart burgers Tshwane tuis genoem.

In 1998, Tshwane was home to 1,298,346 Africans.

Tans is die getal 1,574,043, wat vertaal in ‘n positiewe By 2008, the number had grown to 1,574,043, which groeisyfer van ongeveer relates to a 21% positive 21% vir die rasssegroep. growth rate for the total Employment by industry In teenstelling het die wit amount of Africans living Agriculture 1.8% bevolking se getalle ‘n in the capital. Whites, on Mining/quarrying 0.4% -7% negatiewe groeisyfer the other hand, totalled getoon deur vanaf 536,439 in 1998 and have Manufacturing 11.5% 536,439 in 1998 te daal decreased to 499,091 in Electric, gas, water 0.7% tot die huidige 499,091.

2008. This translates into Construction 6.0% Polities het ons a negative growth of -7% Wholesale/retail trade 11.7% stad hulle steun in die for the white population in Transport/storage/communication 3.5% volgende manier tydens the capital.

Financial/insurance/real estate 18.4% die laaste algemene Politically, according Community/social/personal services 16.4% verkiesing toegevoeg: ‘n to the 2009 National ANC meerderheid met Election results, the Private households/other 29.7% 61.07% van die stemme, inhabitants of Pretoria gevolg deur die DA wat as and the Greater Tshwane amptelike opposisie verkies is met 24.90%. COPE het Region displayed their party loyalty as follows: the 7.75% steun ontvang en ander partye gesamentlik ANC received a 61.07% majority, with the DA elected 6.28%. as the official opposition with 24.90% of the votes.

Nouja, wat maak ons met al die diversiteit?

COPE received 7.75% of the votes, and other parties Vir party hardekoejawels beteken dit waarskynlik of made up the remaining 6.28% of the vote. terug bed toe of bos toe! Vir die res van ons mense What does this mean for the diverse people of wat reeds vrede gemaak Pretoria? It means that het met die konsep in the mix of what makes Household access levels van ons reenboognasie all of us tick – from No watere 5.3% beteken dit dat daar Shoshanguve parties on ‘n verskeidenheid van a Sunday afternoon to No electricity 8.8% e kulturele ondervindings Mamelodi Jazz events 11.3% No sanitation op ons deurdrumpel is wat during the week, or exotic No refuse disposal 10.0% ons nog nie ervaar het nie: dinners before the theatre No computers 71.4% Shoshanguve partytjies op to evenings at a bushveld No internet 87.2% Sondae middae, Mamelodi bar, and even a Saturday No postal facilities 44.3% se geroemde jazz klubs, afternoon at Loftus – No telephone 75.2% eksotiese kosse rondom there are happenings die binnekringe van die in our community that No cellphone 16.7% stad en voorstede, en remain unfamiliar to many No radio 25.9% teaters of die Bosveldkroeg of our colleagues and No television 25.9% om mekaar se idees fellow city-dwellers. We No refrigerator 29.2% te beleef. Nooi ‘n paar are many communities;

we live

anderskleurige kollegas not one. And in the fear Health saam na ‘n Saterdag op of sharing each others’ Medical aid coverage 24.6% Loftus om te wys hoe ons experiences, we are TB cure rate 65.0% blou bloed kan kook. Ons missing out on a lot of 10.2 Male condom distribution ratef is vele gemeenskappe, nie fun.

26.8% HIV prevalenceg net een, en in die vrees van If you have the h die onbekende mis ons uit inclination to step out of 62.4% Proportion tested for HIV op baie plesierigheid wat your familiar zones, there Nevirapine uptake rate (pregnant 86.5% HIV+ women) ook ons samesyn in die is plenty to do. Explore Nevirapine uptake rate (newborn stad kan vergemaklik. the Central Business 102.6% babies of HIV+ women) Indien jy nuuskierig District with a camera in Immunisation coverage <1 yeari 90.0% is om bietje uit jou hand and find amazing Immunisation drop-out rate 2.0% voorstedelike gemakzones old buildings, enjoy te beweeg, is daar so great ethnic food, and baie om te ondervind in experience the hustle and die stad. Gryp ‘n kamera bustle of a road like Bloed Crime and security rates (per 100,000 people) en gaan kyk weer na Street. Or, take pleasure in Murder 28.1 die kleurryke geboue the cosmopolitan flavour Residential robbery 71.6 en geskiedenis van ons of our international Business robbery 41.9 binnestad. Geniet die city by attending a Rape 81.6 etniese kosse wat oraloor performance at the State opgdis word, en ervaar die Theatre or sipping a geroesmoes van ‘n Bloed cappuccino at an outdoor Straat. Delg diep in ons kosmopolitaanse karakter met restaurant near Embassy row. Remain forever ‘n aand by die Staatsteater, met ‘n draaitjie voor of na young and enjoy the student vibe that Sunnyside die tyd in ‘n restaurant in die diplomatieke distrik. Hou and Hatfield have to offer. Or, walk through the jou lyf jonk in die studente-atmosfeer van Sunnyside established parks of Brooklyn and Muckleneuk, en Hatfield, of geniet inhaling the history of die groen gebiede van the birth of the city as Transport to work or school Brooklyn en Muckleneuk you amble along. Shop till Proportion using public transport 18.7% se parke en van die you drop at any one of the Car 32.3% zoologiese en botaniese shopping malls in Pretoria Minibus taxi 13.3% tuine verder Noord.

East and enjoy the Bus 11.9% Oraloor kan jy die storie lushness of the Zoological Train 7.2% van die stad se geboorte and Botanical gardens en groei inasem, en mens further north of the city.

Bicycle/motorcycle 1.8% kan trots voel oor alles wat In all these places, we can On foot 33.6% die stad reeds bereik het be proud of our heritage en oor waar dit heen op and excited about our pad is. shared future.

Social security recipients Ons is die mense van We are the people of Child support grants 8.3% die hoofstad – leef dit uit the capital, and we ought Old age pensions 2.8% met trots.  to celebrate it! 

Source: Health Systems Trust, District Health Barometer, 2009; The Gaffney Group, Local Government in South Africa 2007-2008, 2009; The Gaffney Group, Local Government in South Africa 2008-2009, 2010; South African Institute of Race Relations, Local Government and the Poverty Challenge, 2009; Stats SA, Community Survey 2007, 2008; National Education Infrastructure Management System (NEIMS), Department of Education a. The poverty rate is the proportion of households in the district with a monthly income below R800 per month in 2007. b. The deprivation index is a composite measure derived from a set of demographic and socio-economic variables. These variables include children below the age of 5; female-headed households; household heads with no schooling classified as unemployed; households living in a traditional or informal dwelling; households without piped water in the dwelling or on site; households using a pit or bucket latrine or with no form of latrine; and households without electricity or solar power for cooking, heating, or lighting. Scores between 1 and 5 are given by municipality, with 5 indicating the highest level of deprivation. c. Some 340,606 out of 824,371 households in the metro had a monthly income of R800 or less. d. NEA is the Not Economically Active population which includes people who are not classified as employed nor unemployed. e. The figures represent the proportion of households who do not receive the service from their local authority. f. The male condom distribution rate is the number of condoms distributed via public health facilities by the Department of Health in a year to men 15 years and older. g. HIV prevalence amongst antenatal clients tested for HIV who test positive. h. This indicator measures the proportion of women who attend antenatal care that are tested for HIV. i. Immunisation coverage measures the percentage of children under one year old who have received immunisations.

education captured

Aerial view of The University of South Africa (UNISA).

In this edition of capital life, our

reader photo section is a photo essay by Sarel van Staden highlighting a few of Pretoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education institutions.

we share

Administration Building, University of Pretoria at dusk.

Old Art Building with Human Sciences Building in the background, University of Pretoria.

Each month, one of our aspiring photographer-cum-readers of capital life will be showcased in the magazine.

The theme for this edition is â&#x20AC;&#x153;History captured.â&#x20AC;? Please send your high-resolution images of Pretoria and the Greater Tshwane Area to thecapital@vdsdesigns.co.za.

Please ensure that images submitted to capital life are high-resolution. capital life reserves the right to publish these images in our magazine at any stage and the photographer will be credited accordingly.

The Outsider’s Guide

to finding friends

in PTA

I

started my adventure in Africa months ago, intending to travel and return home.

But after getting in touch with some of my family roots, and

having fallen in love with the capital, I’ve decided to stay

For those with an artistic bent After spending my days in the office at my computer, I love the release of doing something a bit more creative in my free time. I’ve gone from making my own jewellery (there’s no better conversation starter than someone asking me where I bought my ring), to sitting at a potter’s wheel, to using a 800°C kiln while learning to fuse glass. For me, it’s one of the easiest ways to meet people since while my attention is focused on the task at hand, I enjoy some general classmate chatter, and soon feel like I’ve known my fellow artists forever.

Scrapbooking and card making classes www.scrapbookcompany.co.za Art classes www.friedcontemporary.com/artcourses.html Photography classes www.photocollege.co.za Mosaic classes www.artangels.co.za Pottery classes www.rhodahenning.co.za www.elzapottery.co.za

Words: Lauren Ettin Images: © www.istockphoto.com

and learn what this city has to offer.

Along with my excitement is a bit of the normal accompanying loneliness as I haven’t yet met many new friends or established any networks. Here’s my plan to meet new people while exploring the city.

we play

For those who like some friendly competition I think the most obvious place to start is by joining a sports team. I’m not all that athletically inclined, so this can be a bit intimidating, but there are many individual sports to try including dance, yoga and other classes at the gym. That being said, rugby and cricket are so ingrained in the national psyche, and so far removed from the sports that I’m familiar with (I haven’t met many people interested in ice hockey here…) that I think I’ll see what the obsession is about.

And competition doesn’t have to be relegated solely to physical endeavours. There are many other games to play, including bridge and chess.

For those who like to eat and drink One of the things I find most exciting about a new place is exploring the culture through food and drink – in fact, I’m pretty obsessive about it. And in a country like South Africa, with such a strong and diverse heritage, there is a lot to try (biltong, boerewors, koeksisters…). I’ll be starting at the lovely and friendly morning markets, all of which sell local delicacies. As I devour what I can only imagine is a heaping plate of food at one of the shared picnic tables, I’m hoping to strike up a conversation with both the purveyors and beneficiaries of the wares for sale. In order to be able to replicate these recipes at my soon-to-be dinner parties, I’ll be taking a cooking class. But no meal is complete without its complementary drinks, and South Africa has much to offer. A few wine tastings later and I’m sure there will be even more people interested in joining me around the table to taste other local luscious liquids.

Markets • Irene Village Market, Jan Smuts Avenue, Irene. Second and last Saturday of the month, 9:00am - 12:30pm • Pretoria Boeremark, Pioneer Open Air Museum Pretoria Road, Silverton.

Saturdays, 5:00am - 9:00am • The Hazel Food Market, Pinaster Avenue, Hazelwood. Saturdays, 8:00am - 1:00pm • The Rosemary Hill Farm Market, 257 Mooiplaats, Kungwini. Second and last Sunday of the month, 9:00am - 2:00pm Cooking classes www.steynsculinaryschool.co.za

Sports clubs www.actionsports.co.za www.glenwoodsquash.co.za www.velo.co.za (cycling) www.fap.co.za (soccer) Health clubs www.virginactive.co.za www.curves.com www.planetfitness.co.za www.weighless.co.za Dance classes www.studioofmotion.co.za (Pretoria & Centurion) www.dancestudio.co.za (Centurion) Bridge clubs www.ngbu.za.net Chess clubs www.pretoriachessclub.co.za

Lions’ Club www.lionspta.co.za Rotary Club www.rotaryhatfield.org.za Churches www.3ci.co.za www.crcpretoria.org.za Synagogues www.jewishweb.co.za Birding www.blng.co.za

For those with a specific interestS join a group or start your own Want to meet like-minded people? Join an established service organisation. Perhaps you would like to start or continue your spiritual journey – there are many local congregations that welcome new members. Or spend some of your free time volunteering – from health care, to education, to animal welfare, there are always organisations looking for a dedicated set of hands to help. Or if you have a passion or a hobby and can’t find people to share it with, visit www.meetup.com where you can join an established group, or start your own.

And lastly, if you’re looking to meet a single to share any of these activities with, romantic or otherwise, most online dating sites have a section dedicated solely to friendship.

Bonsai www.pretoriabonsaikai.org Old cars www.pomc.co.za BMW motorcycles www.bmwclubs.co.za Toastmasters www.toastmasters.org Online dating sites www.perfectstrangers.co.za www.datingbuzz.co.za With all these wonderful things going on, and not enough time to try them all, I’ll at least end up having some interesting conversations. I’m going to say yes to every invitation I receive, and be friendly and open-minded. And I think I’ll meet the most fascinating people in the most unexpected places... 

06-2 CAPITAL MAG Trading Hours_18 Mar PATHS.indd 1

we support

2/24/2010 4:16:52 PM

A train ride to Cullinan is something the whole family can enjoy! Experience the magic of a real steam train as it takes you through this old mining town.

Once you arrive, sign up for a mine tour, visit the craft shops, or tour the museums. Braaifires are provided with every trip, but you are also welcome to have lunch at one of the restaurants. Contact +27 (0)12 548 4090 or email sales@friendsoftherail.com.

social capital A guide to Pretoria’s happenings – from movies to shows, to sports to events.

capital life seeks to provide our readership with an up-to-date social pages section in every edition. If you are interested in marketing a note-worthy event, please email claire@chapellane.co.za.

The Parlotones are currently the biggest selling band in South Africa and have performed over 200 shows in 2008 across SA, UK and Europe. They will be at the Barnyard Theatre in Menlyn on 24 and 25 May. Get more information at www. thebarnyardtheatre.co.za.

events to diarise The Intimate Scenes Print Collection is on exhibit until the end of May 2010 at the Pretoria Art Museum, on the corner of Johan and Schoeman streets, Arcadia. The Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm, Wednesday 10:00am to 8:00pm, and Sunday noon to 5:00pm. Call +27 (0)12 344 1807 for more information.

Sand and Water, at the Brooklyn Theatre on

Silence, Beauty and a Cup o’Tea. Uta Widera-Kleinsorge’s works are on display with the Pretoria Association of Arts until 5 May at 173 Mackie Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Pretoria. The gallery is open from Tuesday to Friday, 9:30am to 5:30pm and on Saturday from 9:30am to 1:00pm. Call +27 (0)12 346 3100 or email artspta@mweb.co.za for more information.

Rugy@Loftus is as exciting as ever with the Vodacom Bulls up against the Crusaders on 7 May 2010 at 7:10pm. Visit www.thebulls.co.za for more details.

On 15 May the Ghost Boozters tour guides will tell tales that will make the hair on your neck stand up, while they take you in a luxury coach down the roads of Pretoria to the exact locations of the killers and their victims. Contact +27 (0)82 603 9837 for more details or visit www.computicket.com

Words: Lauren Ettin Images: © www.istockphoto.com

Nianell will be performing songs from her new album, May 1. To book tickets, visit www.computicket.com.

The Awesome 80’s Concert Tour, sponsored

by Jacaranda 94.2 and Big Concerts, will showcase

Spandau Ballet and special guests Alphaville.

the newly re-formed 80’s heavyweights

The Tour will feature some of the biggest hits that defined the music of the 80’s. Do not miss this one-night-only event on 2 May at the Big Top Arena, Carnival City. Visit www.computicket.com for more details.

Safari Garden Centre’s DesignEx 2010 Garden Show will provide you with some garden and outdoor landscape inspiration.

The show is on until June 27.

For more information visit www.safarigardencentre.com

Barry Hilton

is performing at the Barnyard Theatre in Menlyn

on 3 May at 8:30pm. You can see the king of comedy for just R130 per ticket.

Visit www.thebarnyardtheatre.co.za for more details.

Why not try drumming by moonlight in the middle of the city in the serene venue of Fountains Deck Restaurant. Bring your tablas, congos, bongos, djembes or rent a drum from the organisers then just let rip, discover the rhythm and enjoy yourself. Belly dancing, fire dancing and gumboot dancing are also on the programme. A fully stocked bar and a well-priced menu as well as various stalls will be available. Plan to camp over and enjoy a 4km hike and family braai on Sunday. The property has a beautiful river running through it, a children’s playground and lots of grassy space among the trees. For more information visit www.trifusion.co.za

we share

human

capital

By the people, of the people, for the people Capital Life interviewed some of the city’s inhabitants to find out what their favourite places are.

Name: Trisch Barnard Age: 26 Profession: Interior Architect What is your favourite restaurant in Pretoria? Ritrovo Where do you typically go to hang out? I enjoy Irene Mall and generally driving around Pretoria at night.

What’s your favourite building in Pretoria? Projectworks’ offices at day (it is really beautiful and unique)… and at night, Freedom Park.

Name: Laila Ncwana Age: 23 Profession: Student... Expert economist in the making!

What is your favourite restaurant in Pretoria?

I love Spur... I know, I’m actually a 10 year old at heart.

Where do you typically go to hang out? My natural habitat would definitely be Hatfield Square but I enjoy playing pool at Stones and Zanzu is a cool spot as well.

What’s the best golf course in Pretoria? My golfing knowledge starts and ends with Tiger Woods... but I hear the Pretoria Country Club golf course is a “delight to play.”

Name: Sakkie Burger Age: 30 Profession: Director at Actsol What is your favourite restaurant? Pachas in Brooklyn Where do you typically go to hang out? Menlyn Square What’s the best golf course in Pretoria?

Pretoria Country Club.

Name: Papa Boachie-Yiadom Age: 25 Profession: Business Analyst What is your favourite restaurant in Pretoria? Baobab in Menlyn Shopping Centre Where do you typically go to hang out? Cool Runnings in Hatfield, Jack Budha in Mamelodi, FTV in Brooklyn What’s the best store in Pretoria? The Nike Factory just off Atterbury; the Fruit & Veg City store in Equestria.

In this section, we seek the opinions of our resident capital readers concerning Pretoria and Greater Tshwane. If readers have a question they would like us to pose, please drop an email to claire@chapellane.co.za with subject line: Human Capital

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