PHOTOGRAPHS GRANT PITCHER
W W W. S M D G R O U P. C O . Z A 35 Moffat Drive, Ballito 032 946 5600 / 032 946 1391
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Home to premium Swiss watch brands, the newly redesigned Arthur Kaplan store in Gateway offers you an unmatched, luxurious shopping experience. Shop G045 Gateway Theatre of Shopping. Tel: 031 566 6741 www.arthurkaplan.co.za
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Crystal Chandelier KLCH-8004/12+6
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Welcome to Zimbali Resort Life and our winter 2016 edition. It’s another beautifully designed glossy issue, which serves as a reminder of just how fortunate we are to live in this unparalleled paradise in KwaZulu-Natal. We will shortly present you with another superb opportunity to join the Zimbali family, with the completion and handover of our R400 million Zimbali Suites development.We take great delight showing you how we have combined the luxury of living in an exclusive, serviced suite in close proximity to the five-star Fairmont Hotel within the iconic Zimbali Coastal Resort. Built to exceptional specifications and contemporary design aesthetics, the Zimbali Suites will reward their owners with a dream home-from-home leisure experience and investment opportunity. Zimbali Suites is indeed a significant development milestone for us this year and we are working hard on our future development pipeline, which includes the Zimbali Ocean Club and Zimbali Lakes Resort projects. These multibillion ventures will contribute significantly to the expansion of much-needed investment in the region and will assist with the challenges faced in growing the economy. Our doors are always open and we look forward to welcoming you to lifestyle opportunities beyond compare.
Published by The Creative Group CEO, THE CREATIVE GROUP Shaun Minnie shaun.minnie@thecreativegroup.info
EDITOR Michelle Snaddon michelle.snaddon@thecreativegroup.info
Werner Burger, CEO, IFA Hotels & Resorts CONTRIBUTORS
Mark Peddle
Kelly Adami, Candice Botha, Charleen Clarke, Richard Holmes, Gigi Lafontaine, Iga Motylska Terence Steenkamp
ART DIRECTOR Lucia Viglietti
COPY EDITOR
ACCOUNTS AND FINANCE
Kirsty Wilkins
Nicolette Lubbe
PRINTING Paarl Media
ADVERTISING SALES WESTERN CAPE Michèle Jones Sales and Marketing Manager
michele.jones@thecreativegroup.info +27 (0)84 246 8105 GAUTENG Yvonne Botha Key Account Manager
yvonne.botha@thecreativegroup.info +27 (0)82 563 6685
ADVERTISING BOOKINGS AND SUBMISSIONS Jackie Maritz Operations Manager
jackie.maritz@thecreativegroup.info +27 (0)78 133 5211 CAPE TOWN Old Castle Brewery, 6 Beach Road, Woodstock, 7925
Michelle Snaddon
+27 (0)21 447 7130 +27 (0)87 828 0423
EDITOR ZIMBALI RESORT LIFE
DISCLAIMER The publisher of this magazine gives no warranties, guarantees or assurances and makes no representation regarding any goods or services advertised within this edition. © The Advertising Joint Venture. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from the publisher. The publishers are not responsible for any unsolicited material.
www.thecreativegroup.info
COVER PHOTOGRAPH: L AR PH OTOG RAPH Y PHOTOGRAPHS: SU PPL I ED
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t’s always such a pleasure to curate each issue for you to enjoy around a crackling fire or on a balmy afternoon in the soft winter sunshine. This time, it’s all about lifestyle: we take you behind the scenes into the just-complete Zimbali Suites apartment on page 22. And if you’re looking for the quintessential beach home, ‘Cool, Calm, Collected’ on page 14 will provide plenty of inspiration from interior designer Michele Throssell’s moody colour palette. Read more about her style in the interior designer profiles, along with Yvonne O’Brien and Ruth Duke (page 33), where they each share invaluable advice. If sleek cars are your thing, we’ve been test driving four of the most luxurious in beautiful parts of the world for you (page 42). We’ve also found an equally interesting road trip to do right here in KZN. Combine your next journey here with a polo weekend and discover a country escape where gourmet meals and fresh air will make a night’s stopover feel a week away. Finally, we think you’ll enjoy reading ‘Life Through a Lens’ (page 70), a fresh approach and insight into the photographic culture in South Africa today – it’s a must-read if you’re looking for some upand-coming works to invest in for your home or corporate space.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Please recycle this copy of ZIMBALI RESORT LIFE once you’re done reading it.
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14. CO O L, CA L M , CO L L ECT E D The house: couple Greg and Mariette Kamstra’s Zimbali holiday home. The interior designer: Michele Throssell. The inspiration for the new look: the family’s love of spending time outdoors
22. TRO P I CA L H EAT The Zimbali Suites development takes its decor inspiration from its setting in Zimbali Coastal Resort
33. AS K THE DESIGNE RS Three interior decorators chat inspiration, patterns and design cues
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At home with perfection. Created with simple, clear forms.
bulthaup cape town Living Kitchens (Pty) Ltd 47 Somerset Road, Green Point Cape Town 8005 Tel. +27 (0)21 419 5445
bulthaup johannesburg Living Kitchens (Pty) Ltd 9 Kramer Road, Kramerville Johannesburg 2148 Tel. +27 (0)11 262 5257
www.livingkitchens.bulthaup.com
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CONTENTS
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42 . T H E G O O D L I F E Take four luxury cars, from the Porsche 218 Boxster to the Ferrari 488 Spider, find four of the world’s most scenic routes, then let them loose...
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5 4. ZEITG E I ST O F T HE P L AT E Cooking over hot coals, traditional techniques and chefs telling stories are just three top food trends for 2016 – what else has made our watch list? 10 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E
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62 . H O O K E D O N OA K L A N DS The family-run Oaklands Country Manor near Harrismith makes for a polo-filled adventure or a gourmet stopover on your journey between Joburg and Zimbali
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70. LIFE T HRO U GH A L E N S Photography reflects South Africa’s tendency towards social documentary in the visual and literary arts – but there are also some unique new styles and approaches emerging 1 2 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E
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The only difference from home is waking up in a different continent KLM presents its new World Business Class. With Dutch Design at its heart, it offers the perfect mix of comfort, individuality and personal space. The full-flat seats with smart privacy screens provide 207 centimeters of horizontal space. Together with the personal attention of our crew, the new WBC has all the comforts of home. Except home doesn’t bring you to the other side of the world. Visit klm.co.za
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ZIMBALI COASTAL RESORT
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calm, collected TEXT KE LLY A DA MI P H OTO G RA P H S LA R RATTRAY
THIS ARTICLE FIRST APPEARED IN CONDÉ NAST HOUSE & GARDEN
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family getaway is given a fresh new look with natural inspiration and a contemporary colour palette
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With an update of their much-loved Zimbali holiday home as the ultimate goal, Joburg couple Greg and Mariette Kamstra approached interior designer Michele Throssell for her input. ‘We just loved the way she had done a few of our friends’ houses and knew she’d be the perfect fit for us,’ says Greg. The family of five enjoy spending time outdoors – surfing, kiteboarding and swimming – and so the redesign of the house needed to take this into account, while providing a comfortable space in which to relax and unwind. ‘They love to entertain and have fun, so our initial focus was to create an amazing bar area, which then informed our design decisions throughout the openplan living space,’ says Michele. ‘Greg and Mariette allowed us a lot of freedom to create a space that was simultaneously glamorous and practical.’ To create an atmosphere of calm and relaxation, Michele used a muted colour palette inspired by nature. In the living areas, earthy greens mixed with deep blues and an array of naturals subtly bring the outdoors in by reflecting the colours of the surrounding landscape. In the bedrooms, soft pastels and a mix of natural textures speak of luxury and comfort. ‘We consciously incorporated natural materials and elements because it helps to ground the design and make the spaces feel less intimidating,’ she explains. Thanks to an abundance of natural light throughout the home, Michele was able to experiment with moody colours and still achieve a sense of lightness – but she was also careful not to overdo it. ‘We made sure to balance the darker tones in the fabrics and wall colours with bleached timber and bright white ceilings as well as pops of colour in artwork and objects to avoid the space being dark or oppressive,’ she explains. ‘Mixing materials such as timber, glass, metal and mirror also helps to amplify and reflect light.’ With three teenage children, the Kamstras know how to have fun and wanted this to be reflected in their home. What better way than with an interactive blackboard in the kitchen space? ‘Instead of hiding the evidence of life, we chose to expose it,’ says Michele. ‘The blackboard, ideal for leaving messages and writing shopping lists, has already become a graffiti wall for visitors.’
OPENING SPREAD The home looks out onto views of the Indian Ocean; a Kurt Pio artwork acts as a focal point above the custom sofa in the family room 1. A grey corner sofa from Weylandts provides ample seating in the lounge, while a standing lamp by Woltemade and an artwork from Cécile & Boyd add pops of lightness 2. Loungers from Weylandts create a relaxing reading nook on the deck 3. This space is perfect for relaxing on the Rim Line sofa or the Dedon Wing Chair from Weylandts. The organic timber coffee table is from Oriental Concepts 4. A Meyer Von Wielligh server makes a statement in the entrance hall 5. The interesting mix of materials – the brass and timber coffee table by Goet and the hide rug from Ikhaya – create visual interest for the owners and guests alike
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6. Elitis wallpaper from St Leger & Viney creates a graphic backdrop in the dining room 7. An eyecatching chandelier from All Things Home adds a touch of glamour above the kitchen island
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‘We consciously incorporated natural materials and elements because it helps to ground the design and make the spaces feel less intimidating’ Michele Throssell, interior designer
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Known for her generous use of pattern and colour, which bring her designs to life, Michele went for a slightly different, more subtle approach in this Ballito home, opting to highlight the natural patterns in the materials used, such as timber with distinctive grains. To add a sense of drama and adventure, Michele selected wallpapers with strong graphics. ‘The tribal paper in the entrance is an organic, African take on a stripe,’ she says. Small architectural changes were necessary for opening up some spaces, such as the main bedroom. ‘We removed the wall between the bathroom and bedroom, and reworked the layout to create an open-plan suite with a generous walk-in shower and freestanding bath,’ explains Michele. ‘We used light marble on the floors and a lot of white and mirror to maximise light in the room. The use of screens was a way to zone the space without solid walls and also allowed us to introduce pattern in an architectural way.’ This home manifests a careful balance between a practical design approach and a comfortable, fun aesthetic, which is exactly what Michele was aiming for. ‘This is a youthful family with a strong sense of adventure. We wanted their holiday home to reflect this in a relaxed yet sophisticated way.’ Michele Throssell Interiors, michelethrossell.co.za, 032 946 0590
8. Scion ‘Wabi Sabi’ wallpaper brings a textural element to the main bedroom, while the four-poster from Weylandts adds structure. The custom-designed duco-sprayed SupaWood screen separates the room from the en-suite bathroom, which has been opened up to create a luxurious yet private space. The walk-in shower and floating cabinetry both add to the illusion of a larger area 20 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E
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ZIMBALI COASTAL RESORT
tropical HEAT T E XT CANDI CE BOTH A P HOTO G RA P H S LA R P HOTO G RA P HY
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With tropical influences from its Zimbali Coastal Resort setting, this apartment is an ideal pied-a-terre from which to explore the KZN North Coast - exactly the idea behind the Zimbali Suites development on Zimbali Coastal Resort. Built as an alternative to staying at the adjacent Fairmont Zimbali Resort for those who want to holiday regularly in the idyllic spot, owners here have the best of both worlds with access to the hotel’s facilities as well as the freedom of being in a self-catering apartment. Designed by Craft of Architecture (COA), the apartments in the Zimbali Suites take full advantage of their setting by maximising views and space to great effect. COA was also responsible for the interior design with the project overseen by Michela Penso. They have created elegant yet pared-back interiors with easy living in mind. ‘People confuse the amount of space with the quality of space,’ she says. ‘Small areas have as much ability to be luxurious as larger ones. It’s all about scale and definition. Keep it simple, but make it interesting.’ This philosophy has certainly been employed here, ensuring that the well-appointed living area makes use of clever design to create a feeling of spaciousness. A galley kitchen has everything necessary to whip up a gourmet meal. The slim-line handles, Caesarstone tops and timber accents give it personality while the cabinetry is sleek and white, keeping the look fresh and refined. A narrow window doubles as a splashback, beckoning more light into the living room and giving the chef an attractive view of the landscaped courtyard beyond. A wall-mounted server adjacent to the dining-room table enhances the sense of space and its drawers conceal additional storage – essential in a compact living area.
OPENING SPREAD, FROM LEFT The natural surrounds of indigenous bush and expansive sea views inspired the tropical tones of the apartment’s decor; natural textures such as this stone cladding combine effortlessly with hues reflecting the coastal setting; the accessories have all been selected to double up – these bottles make an ideal vase for a pair of strelitzias but would make as much of an impact by themselves 1. Patterned fabrics turn ordinary items such as scatter cushions into statement pieces 2. Concrete elements inject some contemporary cool, especially when partnered with geometric motifs and on-trend copper accessories 3. The comfortable dining chairs encourage guests to linger over meals, enhancing the relaxed, holiday feel of the apartment, while a floating server is a good solution for maximising space 4. The Zimbali Suites have been designed to take full advantage of Zimbali’s vista
The decor, too, was inspired by the Zimbali setting. The tropical coastline draped in lush green forest, botanical shapes and colours, and the mineral tones of the ocean informed the colour palette while the idea of the Zulu Kingdom inspired the copper tones and ethnic accents. In the lounge, a natural weave was chosen for the couch with a rich teal as a contrasting piping which, when paired with the sumptuous fabric of the curtains, gives the space a luxe quality. Tropical print cushions are elevated into talking pieces through the choice of an unconventional colourway of blues and gold while a herringbone-patterned rug and a mod lamp inject some cutting-edge cool. In keeping with the contemporary sensibility of the space, concrete accents contrast with the jewel tones. A statement lamp creates mood lighting in the evenings while sliding doors ensure that the room is flooded with natural light during the day. Just beyond the doors, a pair of woven chairs are the ideal spot for taking in the view over the indigenous bush to the Indian Ocean. In the bedrooms, patterned headboards in vibrant colours double as art. Chartreuse, a colour that sits comfortably in this tropical landscape, combined with crisp greens, deep teals and rich amethysts, make the bedrooms inviting spaces. The bathrooms have been designed to combine polish and practicality with timber shelving and mirrors, sliding open to reveal cabinets. ‘This is a retreat so the whole feel invites relaxation,’ says Michela. ‘Soft, lived-in weaves with bursts of fresh mineral colours instantly evoke a holiday feel. By using the landscape as inspiration, a seamless connection between the interior and the tropical surroundings is created.’ The accessories in the apartment have been chosen just as carefully as the furniture so that pieces are able to do double duty. Attractive vases could hold a bouquet of gorgeous blooms or stand alone quite comfortably, and wooden boards can be decorative or used for serving snacks. Practical items such as throws have been carefully selected to add to the design. The artwork, including a pair of graphic tropical leaves in gold, woven baskets and an intricately detailed mirror, is cast into relief against the neutral walls and adds the finishing touch to this sophisticated yet unaffected space.
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THE ZIMBALI SUITES DEVELOPMENT is an exclusive apartment block set in the lush, tropical surrounds of the upmarket Zimbali Coastal Resort just outside of Ballito in KwaZulu-Natal. One-, two- and three-bedroom sectional title condo units are available as affordable investments or as an ideal lock-up-and-go holiday home with access to all the services, activities and amenities provided by the Zimbali Coastal Resort and world-renowned Zimbali Fairmont Resort. An optional rental programme is managed on your behalf by a dedicated operations team. Furniture and accessories as seen in this apartment are available as a package. Terms and conditions apply. zimbalisuites.co.za
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‘By using the landscape as inspiration, a seamless connection between the interior and the tropical surroundings is created’ Interior designer Michela Penso
5. Gold accents in the artworks and contemporary lamp add a luxe feel to the lounge 6. A dressing table, which can double as a desk, is built into each bedroom – practicality is key in the design throughout this space 7. The plush headboard’s tropical print fabric is a standout feature in the main bedroom 8. In the second bedroom, the lush pattern on the headboard has been emphasised by drawing out the fresh colours in the accessories
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OCEAN DREAMING Situated within Zimbali Lakes Resort on KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast, Ocean Club Zimbali combines sophisticated residential opportunities with sea views, access to a multitude of facilities and a life of leisure and activity
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world-class oasis of stylish, comfortable living, Zimbali Lakes Resort is located right next to a proposed new 30ha lake on the northern banks of the beautiful uTongati River. It echoes the ethos and outstanding development principles of the adjoining Zimbali Coastal Resort – the magnificent sports club, hotels, restaurants and beach club, for instance, reflect its cutting-edge international style and elegance. Zimbali Lakes Resort will also include an 18-hole golf course, which will be integrated with the lakes and the rehabilitated landscape to make the most of the magnificent views. Ocean Club Zimbali is situated within this premium area on a prime parcel of elevated land with breathtaking ocean vistas. It includes three product offerings: one- and twobedroom suites, or studio apartments. All will be professionally operated by a world-class management company, with the design and decor following the impressive architectural reputation of neighbouring Zimbali Coastal Resort (but with more contemporary elements, including a Balinese/Indonesian aesthetic and African earthy tones). All plans will be evaluated to ensure the developments will promote low energy consumption. There is a strong sense of community at Ocean Club, with the focus on creating a welcoming experience in this secure new
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development. It’s here you can expect entertainment, friendship and support while feeling safe and cared for. Ocean Club Zimbali is also committed to protecting and preserving its natural surroundings in every possible way. Part of the charm of Zimbali Lakes Resort is its positioning as an active-lifestyle estate. All Ocean Club suites will have easy golfcart access to the amenities found at Zimbali Lakes Resort, including a restaurant, pool and lounge area, and a concierge. There is also a wealth of experiences and activities in the area, including a number of golf courses, beaches, uKhahlamba/Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site, Sibaya Entertainment Kingdom, deep-sea dolphin viewing, quad biking and microlight flying. King Shaka International Airport, Ballito and Durban are also only a short distance away, making this the perfect location on the Dolphin Coast – whether you invest here for business or leisure.
‘Enjoy a life of luxurious leisure at Ocean Club Zimbali, the exclusive new real estate development that offers you an active and fulfilling experience’
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‘Ocean Club Zimbali strives to create a welcoming experience where likeminded individuals live in a vibrant new development that provides entertainment, friendship and support’ STUDIO SUITES Area range: 30m2 to 39.4m2 ONE-BEDROOM SUITES Area range: 46m2 to 59.2m2
ON-SITE AMENITIES INCLUDE • Restaurant • Reception • Concierge • Parking • Pool and lounge area • State-of-the-art security and gated community • Planned commercial and retail space • Golf cart access to Zimbali Sports Club and Beach Club
Zimbali Sales Centre | Zimbali Northgate Suites, Zimbali Coastal Resort, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa +27 (0)32 538 1205 | sales@oceanclubzimbali.com oceanclubzimbali.com
TERM S AND CON DI TI ON S APPLY
TWO-BEDROOM SUITES Total area range: from 73.5m2 to 88.9m2,
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HOLIDAY IN PARADISE Zimbali Rental’s extensive portfolio of self-catering luxury villas and exclusive apartments provides the chance of a lifetime to holiday in one of the most pristine getaways on earth
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Holidaying visitors will reap the benefits of a stay in paradise that is pure exclusivity
Zimbali Northgate Suites | Zimbali Coastal Resort, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa PO Box 130, Zimbali Coastal Resort, 4422 +27 (0)32 538 1351 | rentals@zimbali.co.za zimbali.co.za
TE RM S AN D CON DI TI ON S APPLY
f relaxing beside your own private pool while drinking in expansive sea views from your luxury villa sounds to you like the true definition of ‘holiday’, then set your GPS unit for Zimbali Coastal Resort, a protected tropical paradise on the balmy KwaZulu-Natal coast of South Africa. From beachfront homes to forest and golf course hideaways, holidaymakers are spoilt for choice with an array of the finest in luxury self-catering apartments and holiday houses for rent at Zimbali Coastal Resort, where many of the properties form part of their owners’ investment portfolios. Rental guests also enjoy complimentary access to a variety of five-star facilities and recreational activities that form part of the Zimbali offering, such as the estate’s 18-hole championship golf course and its endless stretch of secluded beach. Activity junkies will delight in nature trails that provide a chance to immerse themselves in the rich local flora and fauna of the estate’s private reserve, while culinary cravings are well catered for by a choice of dining venues. The Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Hotel, meanwhile, provides the perfect setting for de-stressing and rejuvenating the soul. And for business execs wanting to incentivise hard-working employees, there’s no beating a corporate golf or team-building break at Zimbali Coastal Resort. Above all, peace of mind is guaranteed by the experienced Zimbali rentals team, which is located on site to ensure your holiday is one from which lasting memories are made.
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PROFILES
Ask the DESIGNERS
We discover what inspires three leading interior designers who have curated many beautiful spaces in private homes and lodges across the country CO M P I L E D BY M I C H E LLE S NA D D O N P H OTO G RA P H S L AR P H OTO G RAP H Y, E LSA YOU NG A ND MA R K WILLIA MS
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What has inspired you on recent trips? I’m actually about to visit Istanbul. I’ve been wanting to go for so long and who knows, maybe it will influence my usual neutral palette – I love Ikats, Souzanis and that boho, eclectic look. Much of my inspiration comes from South Africa and local designers. I also enjoy Instagram because you can feel closer to your favourite designers and discover what they are doing or seeing on a daily basis. 011 465 5600, privatehouseco.co.za
YVONNE O’BRIEN PRIVATE HOUSE COMPANY Best known for her work at Londolozi’s five safari camps, Yvonne has spent the past eight years finetuning their interiors. But the bush isn’t her only focus: Private House Company now has stores in Joburg and Plett, both of which reflect her signature style. Tell us about your design cues for Tree Camp? The original brief was leopards, lanterns and Leadwood, although the recent refurb takes it one step further. I love the fact that you can enjoy ultimate luxury yet feel the simplicity of being in the bush. You’ve used patterns so beautifully – tell us more... I found a Christopher Farr fabric for the cushions in the living area [see opposite] and fell in love with it. I only recently found out that this design was by legendary British hotelier Kit Kemp, who was thrilled to see her pattern used in a bush lodge. The wallcovering [also opposite] was found on Pinterest and I had to track it down. I tried to find an alternative but once I had seen this design, I wanted nothing else. And the leopard artwork? All the photography featured here has been taken by the game rangers. I loved the clean white background of the picture [opposite] but it needed a wall of its own – for this reason, I stretched it onto an oversized canvas. What were the challenges? Refurbs are always tight. Sometimes you end up with 48 hours for a job, so precision is key. You’ve got no time to make a plan or rush out to a shop when you work in remote areas.
Yvonne’s words of advice • Always draw up a furniture floor plan. Don’t just hope it will all fit in. • Always measure twice for everything. • Go for less expensive fabric for the curtains but have them wellmade, not the other way around. • Use your strong patterns or expensive imported fabrics on smaller pieces such as a chair or cushions. You then have the flexibility to play around, change the scheme or take it out completely.
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PROFILES
MICHELE THROSSELL MICHELE THROSSELL INTERIORS
What inspired you on recent trips? I was bowled over by gorgeous organic ceramics I found on Pimlico Road in London. The new Elemental range from Porta Romana (portaromana.co.uk), inspired by the architecture, pattern and structure found in nature, was equally exciting. I also enjoyed the quirky and eclectic mix of old and new found at Nicholas Haslam (nicholashaslam.com). 032 946 0590, michelethrossell.co.za
Based in KwaZulu-Natal and a resident on the estate, Michele is no stranger to a number of Zimbali homeowners. Her trademark style has inspired many to commission an entire refurb of their beach homes. Tell us about this home. Our client bought this airy beach house fully furnished a few years back but it never really felt like it was their own. To personalise the space I mixed linear lines with curvaceous shapes, making it feel ultra-casual. I wanted them to be able to relax as a family, kick off their shoes and enjoy a more soulful space together. Why the move to paint several elements white? We wanted to create the feeling of items being bleached by the sun, just like pieces of faded driftwood. We nicknamed this project ‘pebbles’ after the palette of soft greys and whites we wanted throughout. How do you use texture in your interiors? I use it to create depth within a neutral palette, particularly in bedrooms. Here, luxurious felt and linen combines beautifully with chunkier knits and natural flooring without making it feel too rustic. How do you choose fabrics and wallpaper? I love to support local design so many of the prints are African-inspired. I often choose dramatic or patterned wallpapers on stairwells because they somehow break the stillness of the space without interrupting the organic flow of the whole house.
Michele’s words of advice • Don’t be afraid to use and mix colours or patterns - be bold and brave. • Explore opposites as they often attract: masculine versus feminine, raw versus refined, classic versus contemporary. • Lighting is a great way to create mood and update a home. Add some contemporary fittings to a dated interior and you can instantly lift the space. Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 3 7
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What inspired you on recent trips? In New York, I discovered the fascinating glass artworks by Brooklyn hipster Thaddeus Wolfe. He is a genius for his method of casting/moulding glass instead of blowing it. I’m also mad about Jaime Hayon’s work for Baccarat, his new lighting and ceramics. He’s multitalented and his graphic boldness and confidence is exciting. These guys are young and brave. I love that fearlessness! 082 928 2277
RUTH DUKE RUTH DUKE INTERIORS What were the design cues for your home? We wanted to feel completely connected to the Hawaan Forest (a World Heritage Site) onto which our home faces, so we had giant, full-height steel and glass sliding and stacking windows fitted on all the forest-facing rooms. I also particularly love the combination of glass and steel, off-shutter concrete and lots of timber. Which local designers and artists did you gravitate towards for the space? I love Laurie Wiid van Heerden, Tonic, Robin Sprong, Okha and Dokter and Misses. Tell us about your dramatic palette. I am known for my love of charcoals, greys and neutrals – but I also adore colour, and use it judiciously in a neutral palette. It is powerful with decor accessories: a cushion or fabulous throw, flowers, glassware and art can inject colour. These details can be updated inexpensively when you tire of the colour. What’s your most recent best buy? My favourite recent purchase was a bench from Wiid Design. I am still utterly mad about it two years later. And your beautiful glass collection? I have a collection of Guido van Besouw’s glassware, 1950s glass, Murano and glass paperweights. But I have a few dozen collections of various objects, picked up on my travels as well as locally.
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Ruth’s words of advice • Use a good architect and builder because bad design and construction are expensive and often irreversible errors. • Create a man cave/ lady cave for each of you in your home. It works for us. • Balance modern furniture elements with a few antiques to give the scheme a sense of provenance. • Start slowly when building a personal collection of good artworks. Student exhibitions are great places to start to source great affordable art.
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STRAPPROFILES HEADER
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FAIRMONT HERITAGE PLACE ZIMBALI Dreaming of owning a private beach villa for family holidays? Fairmont Heritage Place Zimbali offers the perfect solution to second-home ownership with a membership concept that takes care of absolutely everything, five-star style
coastal forest and along the pristine beaches, while avid golfers have access to the renowned 18-hole Tom Weiskopf-designed championship golf course. Fairmont Heritage Place also offers exotic international exchange opportunities, as membership allows you to book international destinations and holidays in a portfolio of Fairmont Heritage Place private residence clubs and Fairmont Hotels, Raffles and Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts around the world. In addition, when joining Fairmont Heritage Place Zimbali, owners automatically become part of the by-invitation-only Fairmont President’s Circle Club, a giltedged membership offering preferential treatment and discounts at Fairmont’s legendary hotels around the world. One of the most rewarding aspects of this exclusive ownership is that it is transferable, keeping the legacy alive and allowing members to share this unrivalled holiday lifestyle with generations to come.
Zimbali Sales Centre | Zimbali Northgate Suites, Zimbali Coastal Resort, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa +27 (0)32 538 1205 | cathy.humphreys@ifahotelsresorts.com
The Fairmont Heritage Place Private Residence Club, Zimbali is your key to a legacy of luxury and a lifestyle investment that may be handed down from generation to generation
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magine an exclusive membership to Fairmont Heritage Place Zimbali, the only internationally branded private residence club in South Africa. Imagine unlimited access to five-star facilities with a guaranteed minimum of 21 nights. It is all yours as an exclusive member of Fairmont Heritage Place, a premium membership concept that is the perfect solution to second-home ownership and the burdens associated with a traditional holiday property. Each of these beautifully appointed Indonesian-inspired coastal villas at Fairmont Heritage Place offers a home from home and a haven of luxury and relaxation, especially for you and your family. Members have access to world-class amenities, including hotel chefs and the five-star concierge service, all from the privacy of their own home. In addition, there are numerous exclusive dining experiences to enjoy, the Willow Stream Spa, private ocean-side beach club, swimming pools, tennis courts and a kids’ club. Nature lovers can spend hours walking trails through
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THE
GOOD
life
T E XT T E RE NCE STE E NKAM P AND CHA R LE E N CLA R KE P H OTO GRA P HS SU P P L I E D
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GREAT DRIVES MAIN IMAGE The highlight of the Atlantic Road is its eight bridges that twist and curve, rising over the ocean like a lithe contortionist. It’s definitely a case of form over function: the bridges are works of art towering over the ocean INSET IMAGE Handcrafted and stitched to perfection, Bentley’s interiors are an ode to luxury
The best cars deserve to be experienced on the world’s most scenic routes. We’ve chosen four exciting newcomers to the automotive fray and paired them with must-visit places
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GREAT DRIVES
Bentley in Norway RISE TO THE CHALLENGE ON THIS SPECTACULARLY BEAUTIFUL BUT DANGEROUS ROUTE IN ONE OF THE WORLD’S SAFEST CARS: THE BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT
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BEST ROUTE TO DRIVE? The 55km route along the Trollstigen Mountain Road in the mountains just off the west coast of Norway is famous for its 11 hair-raising hairpins, steep gradients and plummeting inclines. Known for its air of mystery, this legendary route, opened in 1936 and now on Unesco’s World Heritage List, is also known as ‘The Troll’s Path’. Once safely through this wonder of engineering, head for the world-famous 8.3km Atlantic Road linking the towns of Kristiansund and Molde, rated by The Guardian as the ‘best road-trip in the world’. WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? Plenty of blind corners and those hairpin bends. They’re extreme, to put it mildly. In fact, vehicles longer than 11.8m are banned because the route is impossible for them to navigate. But as one of the world’s safest cars, the new Bentley Continental GT is a pleasure to drive along this challenging route. It’s available as a two-door, fourseater coupe or convertible and with a V8 or W12 engine matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s fitted with every imaginable safety feature, which is a good thing as this is the fastest Bentley ever. X-FACTOR? It represents everything Bentley knows about building grand tourers and more – not to mention the suberbly handcrafted interiors. The latest engines are more powerful and economical than before. You can also choose from a wide range of paint finishes, even customising your own if you would prefer – these include metallic, solid and satin-finish paints.
4. 1. & 2. Driving the Bentley Continental GT on Norway’s most scenic route, grand tourer style 3.This GT Speed boasts a new rear diffuser design to further differentiate the performancefocused members of the Continental family 4. Set your quilted seat (heated if you wish) to massage your lower back as you negotiate hairpin bends, plus enjoy the larger gear lever paddles incorporating tactile knurled metal embellishers as you put the fastest Bentley ever through its paces
FAST FACTS The Bentley Continental GT has a more muscular exterior design and striking new 20in and 21in wheels. The 6.0-litre twin turbo W12 engine howls with delight as the GT hurls into the hairpin bends, then blasts out, enjoying each and every one of those 467 kW of power (did we mention the 820 Nm of torque on tap?).
BOUTIQUE HIDEAWAY Stay at the Storfjord Hotel, located in Glomset, heralded as one of the country’s top destinations since it opened in 2006. You can expect gourmet menus featuring locally foraged and sourced ingredients. storfjordhotel.com
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The Guardian rates the breathtaking Atlantic Road as the ‘best road-trip in the world’
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GREAT DRIVES
Porsche in Portugal PORTUGAL IS KNOWN FOR ITS OUTSTANDING ROADS, AND FEW VEHICLES ARE AS SUITED TO ADVENTURING IN THIS WELCOMING EUROPEAN COUNTRY THAN THE NEW PORSCHE 718 BOXSTER
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Porsche allows buyers to configure the car almost infinitely. Fancy orange paintwork paired with a blue leather interior? Your wish is their command
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BEST ROUTE TO DRIVE? The N247 that winds
more, Porsche allows buyers to configure the car almost infinitely. Fancy orange paintwork paired with a blue leather interior? Your wish is their command.
through the spectacular Sintra Cascais Natural Park. Spanning 14 583ha across four biospheres, the park is the perfect backdrop to one of the best driving routes in Portugal and is a short 30-minute commute from Lisbon Portela International Airport.
FAST FACTS The 718 Boxster houses a 2.0-
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? A brace of turbo-charged, flat-four engines. In a quest to improve efficiency without sacrificing the effortless performance synonymous with the Porsche brand, they’re smaller than the scintillating powertrains that went before. But don’t fret; the new engines might not sound quite as soulful, but performance is stronger than ever and fuel economy has improved considerably. It’s a win-win.
X-FACTOR? On a twisty road such as the N247, the 718 Boxster proves why Porsche remains at the forefront of vehicle dynamics. At once a stirring sport car, dial back its settings and lower the canvas roof, and it morphs into a comfortable cruiser, plus there’s enough luggage space for a weekend jaunt. What’s
5. A signature design feature of the Porsche 718 Boxster, the glossy trim strip between the rear lights houses neat 3D Porsche badging 6. Don’t be fooled into thinking the Boxster is a compromised sports car. Underneath that sculpted rear deck is a decent-sized boot that supplements the one in front 7. Occasionally, the road surfaces in Portugal match the crumbling old buildings, but the Boxster is a dynamic masterclass that takes them in its stride
litre engine that develops 220 kW and 380 Nm, enough to see it hit 100km/h from standstill in a mere 4.9 seconds. Even faster still, the 718 Boxster S boasts a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol with a variable-geometry turbo that improves the engine’s response at low speeds. The result: 257 kW, 420 Nm of torque and a 0-100km/h sprint time in a 911-rivalling 4.4 seconds. Paying nearly R1 million for a roadster with an engine no bigger than the one in a VW Golf might appear absurd, but there’s no doubt this is the best car in its class.
BOUTIQUE HIDEAWAY Sintra Boutique Hotel overlooks the historical centre and National Palace, has comfortable and cosy rooms, and the breakfast is delicious. sbhboutiquehotel.com Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 4 7
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GREAT DRIVES
Ferrari in Italy AS YOU’D EXPECT, THE RESIDENTS OF FERRARI’S BIRTHPLACE KNOW THE MEANING OF ‘THE GOOD LIFE’. THE 488 SPIDER FEELS RIGHT AT HOME AMONG EMILIA-ROMAGNA’S WINE FARMS AND CHARMING TOWNS
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allowing the performance to overwhelm the vehicle (or the pilot).
X-FACTOR? Emilia-Romagna’s roads are littered with tight bends, the perfect environment in which to test the 488 Spider’s Side Slip Angle Control 2 function. In short, in a corner it monitors a number of vehicle functions and allows the driver the slide to rear wheels in a controlled (and safe!) fashion before reigning it all in and slinging the car at the next bend. It works a treat. FAST FACTS The best turbo-charged engine on the market, bar none, the 3.9-litre flat-plane crank V8 has two turbos that pump the engine full of air, unleashing 492 kW. That figure bests the Enzo Ferraris, which just a few years ago was the Italian brand’s flagship hypercar. Considering the 488 Spider is the Prancing Horse’s second-tier sports car (and there are two models above it in the pecking order), such progress is staggering. The price for such excellence? Depending on the exchange rate, R5.6 million.
BEST ROUTE TO DRIVE? Pick any one and squeeze the Ferrari’s loud pedal. The Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy is blessed with inspiring routes framed by picture-perfect farms and valleys. One of the most prosperous areas in Italy, it’s also the home of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Ducati, so driving for the sake of enjoyment is part of the regional consciousness.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? The gold standard of supercars. The 488 Spider is everything you’d expect from a Prancing Horse: intoxicating, stimulating, mellifluous. Is there another car brand with such a clear vision and respect for its heritage? Despite being able to race to 100km/h from a stationary point in just 3.0 seconds before topping out at a hair-raising 325km/h, it stays true to its forebears by not
8. On the Emilia-Romagna region’s hairpins, the Ferrari 488 Spider’s complex electronically controlled suspension keeps tight control of the vehicle, without sacrificing driving thrills, of course 9. Resplendent in Blu Corsa paintwork, unique to the Spider, the vehicle’s hard-top roof folds in just 14 seconds at speeds of up to 45km/h
BOUTIQUE HIDEAWAY Stay among vineyards on a working wine farm at Borgo Conde Wine Resort. Choose between double rooms, suites or exclusive villas that offer a view of the Predappio valley before dropping off your bags and visiting the winery for an informative tour and a taste of the produce. Then work off the kilojoules with a cycle tour of the region or try truffle hunting. borgoconde.it
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The ride is wonderfully supple, smoothing the worst road scars without allowing the 2.5 tonne body to wallow and discomfort its fortunate occupants
BEST ROUTE TO DRIVE? Clarence Drive between Gordon’s Bay and Rooi-Els has long been a favourite with locals escaping the city to experience soul-revitalising views of False Bay. Punctuated by secluded beaches from where whales are spotted calving in springtime, Clarence Drive is twisty, perfectly surfaced and quiet if you catch the sunrise on a Sunday morning.
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Rolls-Royce in the Cape
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT? Lavish comfort and superlative refinement. Revered British brand Rolls-Royce’s latest luxe-mobile may be doggedly traditional, but on Clarence Drive it feels bang up to date. The ride is wonderfully supple, smoothing the worst road scars without allowing the 2.5-tonne body to wallow and discomfort its fortunate occupants. Meanwhile, the creamy 6.6-litre V12 engine’s basso profundo accompaniment is ever-present and never jarring. The Dawn is as cultured as they come. X-FACTOR? At about R10.5 million, you would
NO NEED TO TRAVEL ACROSS THE GLOBE TO DISCOVER DRIVING BLISS. AN HOUR OUT OF CAPE TOWN, THERE’S A SPECTACULAR ROAD THAT SUITS THE ROLLS-ROYCE DAWN TO A TEE
rightly expect the best materials and construction methods. As such, the Dawn is infinitely configurable. Fancy seeing that gorgeous cabin trimmed with planks from your favourite tree? No problem. Rolls’ designers will fashion strips from the wood and then send you the hefty bill. What’s more, the six-layer cloth top emulates the roofline of a coupe and allows the cabin to be quieter than the Wraith on which it’s based. At 120km/h, you might just hear the jewel-like clock on the dashboard ticking the time away. Another neat touch is the umbrella contained in each of the forward-open coach doors.
FAST FACTS It can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 10. In true Rolls-Royce fashion, the Dawn combines overt design features (note the Spirit of Ecstasy standing proud at the edge of the contrasting silver bonnet) with an air of overall class
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11. The expertly trimmed cockpit may contain all the latest infotainment and safety tech, but these systems are discreetly hidden behind metal and wood-trim panelling
a mere 4.9 seconds, not that a Rolls owner would care about something as crass as performance.
BOUTIQUE HIDEAWAY The Glass House in Rooi-Els is a glass-and-wood-encased mansion perched on the seafront that can be rented per night or for extended stays. The whole house opens up to unparalleled views of False Bay and Clarence Drive across a massive wooden deck and swimming pool. perfecthideaways.co.za/ Details/Rooi-Els Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 49
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CULINARY DELIGHTS
THE VINUM BAR, ABOVE OSA
‘Seeing how the French, the Spanish, the Italians and other cultures relate to food made me view cuisine more as a lifestyle … It really helped to round out my background coming from a young country like South Africa … Our travels provided me with much more of a feel for what and how I cook’
31 DEGREES
OSA’S MEAT THALI
Dean Uren, executive chef, Fairmont Zimbali Lodge & Resort
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CAPTION EXECUTIVE CHEF DEAN UREN
RED SNAPPER FROM CORAL TREE RESTAURANT
The Fairmont Zimbali Resort offers a full range of culinary experiences, from a quick dash to the deli to signature dining in style
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ne of the most enjoyable aspects of staying at the Fairmont Zimbali Resort is the exciting mix of dining options it offers, many of which boast magnificent ocean views. Guests may dine at the fine restaurants and soak up the casual ambience, or simply relax around the pools and enjoy the balmy ocean breezes and a meal outdoors. For discerning diners, contemporary OSA is the hotel’s signature restaurant, offering a modern twist on unhurried traditional fare. This elegant two-storey supper-clubstyle venue has the classy Vinum wine bar upstairs, which is perfect for pre-dinner drinks. Having whet their appetites, guests can then head downstairs to partake of a sublime meal, paired with wines from OSA’s outstanding South African wine list. At the pool, guests can take a break at Ayoba. This is the place to be if you are a tequila fanatic. Pop in and you’ll find the premium line of Don Julio tequila. Innovative bartenders, who attend the Brandhouse World-Class Cocktail programme, will put together one of their latest creations for you.
Ayoba’s signature cocktail is the famous Corona margarita. Equally tempting is chef’s new take on the classic pulled pork, Ayoba’s most popular dish, now served with a Mexican twist. Just ask for the Taco Cordero… Bite, situated next to the main swimming pool, was designed for coffee connoisseurs to enjoy a specialty Java, home-made ice cream or a cocktail under the patio umbrellas. Picnics are as easy as pie, with fresh salads, sandwiches and tasty treats ready to go, it’s all wonderfully relaxed for families. The Coral Tree, located within the resort, offers breakfast and dinner as well as speciality buffets on weekends and special occasions. Meals can be enjoyed on the terrace, but small parties can also arrange to dine in secluded indoor or outdoor areas. Try the deliciously light Acapulco prawn salad with prawn tails, avocado, feta, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, croutons and a tangy mango dressing (also served at Ayoba), or the Salt Rock snapper – freshly caught, it’s pan fried and served with roasted lemon and vegetables. But the final touch has to be the tempting tiramisu. Dalchini, at lobby level, creates a lasting first impression on guests. It serves Africanor Indian-inspired afternoon tea daily. For those in need of a cocktail or a glass of wine, snacks and light meals, 31 Degrees provides a relaxing spot to sip and nibble.
OSTRICH BURGER FROM BITE
AYOBA’S TACO CORDERO
Fairmont Zimbali Resort Zimbali Coastal Resort, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa +27 (0)32 538 5000 | zim.dining@fairmont.com | fairmont.com/zimbali-resort Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 51
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HOTEL CONDOMINIUMS The opportunity to invest in sectional title condominiums at the Fairmont Zimbali Hotel Condominiums comes with a guaranteed return on the purchase price for the first three years
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deally located, the condominiums have expansive views of the Indian Ocean and the magnificent resort swimming pool, which is nestled among beautifully landscaped indigenous gardens and water features. As part of the 154-room Zimbali Resort Hotel, they offer an investment opportunity for those who love the five-star hotel lifestyle but enjoy the convenience of creating a world-class holiday experience, knowing that their investment will earn its keep for the rest of the year. Spacious and comfortably appointed, the units are fitted with modern conveniences and technology, making time spent at the resort memorable and relaxing. Condominiums are purchased on the basis that they will be made available to the hotel. The hotel determines the room rate, books the accommodation and is responsible for ensuring that occupancy is as high as possible. Anyone looking for a sound property investment in a reputable five-star environment, with the ability
to utilise the facilities personally and receive a return will see the benefit of investing in the condominiums. An agreed number of nights are allocated annually for personal use, including access to Fairmont Zimbali Resort’s and the greater Zimbali Coastal Resort’s five-star facilities. Because the revenue is pooled, the units are continually generating returns. The hotel has a ‘blackout’ of 30 nights per annum, and the rest of the year is banded into high, medium and low season. Owners have access to all seasons, within certain limitations. Rentals are managed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, a Canadian-based international management company that operates some of the most prestigious hotels in the world. The advantages of this management structure is global brand presence, word-class hoteloperating skills and access to a market of international guests who typically are willing to pay a higher room rate.
Location and brand –supported by the reputation of the estate and the stability of the hotel owner – are vital
BENEFITS AT A GLANCE n Condominium owners share of rental pool revenue guaranteed at 8% of purchase price per annum for the first three years. This protects investors from occupancy variables n Participation in the rental pool of the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is mandatory. n Levies are deducted from the rental pool income share. n An agreed number of nights are allocated annually for owners’ personal use. n Zimbali Coastal Resort products boast a proven record of capital growth.
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CONDOMINIUM REVENUE MODEL TOTAL HOTEL ROOM REVENUE
LESS MAINTENANCE RESERVE AT 5% OF TOTAL REVENUES
TOTAL ADJUSTED ROOM REVENUE
HOTEL REVENUE CONDOMINIUM REVENUE ALLOCATION (= 35.7% OF TOTAL ADJUSTED ROOM REVENUE)
CONDOMINIUM OWNERS 25% (AMOUNT RECEIVED IS A MINIMUM OF 8% OF PURCHASE PRICE IN THE FIRST THREE YEARS)
HOTEL SHARE 75%
LESS LEVIES & RATES
LESS OPERATING EXPENSES
NET OWNER’S RETURN
LESS FIXED EXPENSES
TERM S AND CON DI TI ON S A PP LY
LESS OPERATOR MANAGEMENT FEES
NET HOTEL’S RETURN
Zimbali Sales Centre | Zimbali Northgate Suites, Zimbali Coastal Resort, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa +27 (0)32 538 1205 | sales@fairmontzimbali.co.za Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 53
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ZEITGEIST of the plate
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FOOD TRENDS
Microscopic magic, traditional techniques and chefs telling stories look set to be some of the culinary trends of 2016 T E XT RI C H ARD H OL M ES P HOTO G RA P H S PAO LO TE RZ, iSTO CK BY GET T Y I M AG ES AND SU P P L I E D
THIS PAGE Gaggan Anand is blowing apart conventional notions of Indian food with his ground-breaking molecular-inspired cuisine. Arresting orbs of raita are the opener on his 10-course degustation menu Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 55
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FOOD TRENDS
‘People are looking for something fresher, something unique, something braver. The chefs who stand out are the ones putting their personality on the plate’ Abigail Donnelly, food critic and Eat Out editor
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From back-to-basics in food preparation to the ‘new fusion’, and from pop-up restaurants to unusual dining experiences, ‘People are looking for something fresher, something unique, something braver,’ says Abigail Donnelly, food critic and editor of Eat Out restaurant guide. ‘The chefs who stand out are the ones putting their personality on the plate.’
a multicourse menu isn’t merely a meal, it’s a journey. ‘Food is most definitely about the experience as a whole, not just what’s on the plate,’ says Scot Kirton, executive chef at La Colombe and the S.Pellegrino Chef of the Year at last year’s Eat Out awards. In Tokyo, chef Yoshihiro Narisawa – number eight in the world – ferments and bakes bread at the table as part of a nature-inspired menu tempting diners to ‘fall under the spell of the season’, while in Modena, Italy, Massimo Bottura tinkers with textures in ‘Five Ages of Parmigiano Reggiano’ at the acclaimed Osteria Francescana.
WHERE THERE’S SMOKE Don’t be surprised if it’s a woodpile, not tech wizardry, you spot in the kitchen. Top chefs are blending old and new technology, switching off the induction plates and stoking the humble wood fire to infuse dishes with the subtle scent of smoke. At Asador Etxebarri in Spain’s Basque country, Victor Arguinzoniz has turned cooking over an open flame into a fine art and his charming countryside restaurant has climbed to number 10 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Whether it’s tuna belly, Galician beef or slivers of bacalhau on the tasting menu, it all receives a kiss of carefully selected woodsmoke from Arguinzoniz’s grill. In the Hemel-en-Aarde valley near Hermanus, chef Eric Bulpitt is also using a wood fire in his kitchen at The Restaurant at Newton Johnson, while David Higgs’ new Rosebank eatery is another to watch: expect smoke, flame and a sense of theatrics.
THE EAT-OUT EXPERIENCE Chefs hoping to make a name for themselves are increasingly turning dinner into a multisensory experience. Fine dining isn’t only about the food:
POP GOES THE CHEF
1. & 2. International chefs such as Gaggan Anand are redefining the notion of fine dining by bringing heritage, personality and a sense of playfulness onto the plate 3. & 4. & 5. Locally, the likes of La Colombe’s Scot Kirton and Margot Janse at Le Quartier Français – both award-winning – are doing the same in a South African context, redefining traditional ingredients through their adventurous cuisine
Blame it on itchy feet, renovations or an eye for new markets – top chefs seem to like nothing more than packing up their knife-roll and heading for pop-up pastures new. René Redzepi has taken his Noma team to Sydney, London and Tokyo for sold-out pop-up stints and Heston Blumenthal transported The Fat Duck experience Down Under while his acclaimed Berkshire restaurant was being renovated.
COCKTAILS GO NATIVE If bartenders such as Luke Whearty have their way, diners’ adventurous palates will also begin to embrace that pre-dinner drink at the bar. ‘It disappoints me sometimes that people will travel to the other side of the world, walk into a bar and order a negroni,’ says Whearty, head bartender at Outrage of Modesty, Cape Town’s new speakeasyZ I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 57
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FOOD TRENDS
style cocktail bar. ‘I’d like to see other bars in the world follow our lead and start to focus on native ingredients [that] give cocktails a sense of time and place.’ Behind the bar at Outrage, Whearty has incorporated everything from locally crafted vermouth to traditional amasi (fermented milk), made on-site, to place his creations in a uniquely South African context.
As sommeliers become the new rock stars of the restaurant world, so wine lists are becoming ever more adventurous
MICROBIAL MAGIC Talking of fermenting, expect to see microbes taking centre stage on fine-dining menus worldwide. ‘The food world is in the middle of a resurgence of oldworld preservation techniques,’ notes Kirton. ‘I see a lot of smoking, curing, fermentation and pickling happening in 2016.’ Redzepi has long incorporated lactic-acid fermentations on the Noma menu, while on Boschendal farm outside Franschhoek, executive chef Christiaan Campbell displays his towering jars of fermenting cabbage and garlic in the open kitchen at Werf Restaurant. Can you tell the difference between your kimchi and your kombucha? Time to start learning.
ASIAN ON THE RISE? Along with fermented dishes from the Far East, the Asian influence on fine dining is still enormous, says Donnelly. ‘A lot of chefs are veering away from the richness of European styles and looking instead for zest and zing.’ A fascinating example of this new fusion is to be found in Bangkok, where Kolkata-born chef Gaggan Anand blends the street food of his hometown with his time in the kitchens alongside Spaniard Ferran Adrià. The result? A whirl of progressive Indian cuisine that earned Gaggan’s eponymous restaurant the title of Asia’s Best in 2015.
SUSTAINABLE GOES MAINSTREAM A menu brimming with grass-fed beef, sustainably sourced seafood and local produce was once the exception in the world of fine dining; today it’s the rule. Rolled up with the sustainable ethos is a commitment to nose-to-tail and root-to-tip cooking: upscale Manhattan restaurant Eleven Madison Park dishes up unloved lobster legs and cauliflower stalks, while pig’s tails done sous-vide are a hit at Cape Town’s Pot Luck Club.
GET ADVENTUROUS IN YOUR GLASS As sommeliers become the new rock stars of the restaurant world, so wine lists are becoming ever more adventurous. Lists are leaning towards wines lighter in style that perfectly reflect the terroir. Bythe-glass offerings are on the rise, too: Untitled at New York’s Whitney Museum of American Art is a stellar example with its so-called ‘Untitled Pour’. ‘It’s a rotating selection of unusual wines by the glass, moderately priced,’ explains Lloyd Jusa, head sommelier of the Saxon Collection. ‘It’s a fun way to showcase up-and-coming producers and neat off-thebeaten-path regions, or unexpected expressions from classic regions.’
CRAFTY SPIRITS Riding the wave of the craft beer revolution, expect to find savvy barkeeps and sommeliers pouring up a range of handcrafted spirits. Big brands are out, small batch is in. The most exciting local offering comes from the world of gin, with a crop of small producers turning out unique, idiosyncratic bottlings infused with indigenous botanicals. Look out for options such as Wilderer, Inverroche, Musgrave and Hope on Hopkins on your favourite cocktail menu.
END OF THE TIP?
A HAPPY ENDING Long considered an afterthought, or left to a junior chef toiling in a corner, desserts are slowly being given their due in top-tier kitchens. ‘I’d like to see chefs get more involved with desserts,’ says Donnelly, who rates Margot Janse’s ‘Granadilla, Chocolate, Buchu’ dish at Le Quartier Français in Franschhoek as one of her most memorable dishes of 2015.
6. & 7, At Osteria Francescana in Italy, chef Massimo Bottura plays with textures in his ‘Five Ages of Parmigiano Reggiano’ 8. & 9. David Higgs’ new restaurant in Rosebank, Joburg, plays on the theatrical with its use of live-fire cooking
Will the service charge in high-end restaurants come to an end this year? Perhaps not, but chefs worldwide are increasingly leaning towards service being included in the cost of your meal. In a bid to even out the pay gap between wait-staff and kitchen hands, restaurateurs including Tom Colicchio and Danny Meyer have toyed with no-tipping policies at their restaurants across the US. The downside? Expect menu prices to rise by up to 20% to compensate.
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10. Luke Dale-Roberts brought his boundary-breaking cooking style to Gauteng in 2016 11. Lloyd Jusa, award-winning sommelier at the Saxon Collection, wants you to leave the well-trodden path when it comes to selecting wines 12. Cape Town’s Outrage of Modesty focuses on local flavours and ingredients in its canon of cocktails 6 0 | ZI M BA L I R ESORT L I F E
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WANDERLUST
‘Polo is highly addictive – it’s an adrenaline rush. It’s one of the world’s most dangerous sports and that’s what makes it so thrilling’ Simon Tully, Oaklands Country Manor marketing manager
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OAKLANDS COUNTRY MANOR IN THE KZN MIDLANDS EMBODIES EVERYTHING ABOUT THE LAVISH SPORT OF POLO IT’S KNOWN FOR TEXT IGA MOTYLSKA PHOTOGRAPHS SUPPL I ED, GETTY I MAGES
It’s another misty morning in the verdant Midlands. This is how days begin in this part of KwaZulu-Natal: slowly. From the jagged outcrop of Happiness Rock, mist rolls towards Oaklands Country Manor, which is curled atop Van Reenen’s Pass like a napping cat. Polo ponies graze along the white-post-and-rail fence that runs past the oak plantation towards the estate. This boutique country manor, located midway between Johannesburg and Durban, makes for an ideal weekend of stick-and-ball, combined with fine dining in an idyllic country setting. The Tully family’s six dogs welcome guests as though they are members of the clan. Caroline became a Lady and Oaklands’ heiress when she married Sir Hervey James Hugh Bruce-Clifton, a former major in the British Army. After his untimely passing, her two sisters and brother joined the Oaklands family, each adding their expertise. Executive head chef Kathy Romer-Lee was chef to the Dahl family when Roald
OPPOSITE & THIS PAGE Oaklands Country Manor offers horse riding, outrides and polo year-round. Children can learn how to ride in the training arena and there are well-marked trails around the estate, while adventurous riders can explore the trails in the surrounding area. The most popular include the Happiness Rock, Escarpment and Vlei rides
was penning Revolting Recipes. While Annie Barnard takes charge as hotel manager and brother Simon Tully is the marketing manager. As the province’s oldest stud farm, Oaklands has an intriguing history. Bob Hall, a British millionaire, bought it for his actress wife in 1860. Later it was owned by a clairvoyant until Transvaal cricket captain David Dyer called it home. Today, Kathy runs her kitchen with a farm-to-fork philosophy. What isn’t grown in her vegetable garden is sourced from neighbouring organic farmers. She mixes in some of Dahl’s magic into the epicurean dishes on her seasonal, gourmet menu. Last year, Caroline launched her fermented foods range, which will soon be on sale at their gift shop. It’s this honest, farm-style food ethos that upholds the highest quality, which has garnered Oaklands ‘The Best Country-Style Eatery in KwaZulu-Natal’ at the 2015 Eat Out awards. Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 63
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1. Oaklands Country Manor looks out over the well-stocked bass dam 2. & 3. Executive head chef Kathy Romer-Lee
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runs the kitchen with a farmto-fork philosophy, what she doesn’t grow herself is sourced from organic and sustainable farmers
4. The Bruce Suite looks out onto the gardens and polo fields 5. Fancy lunch for two at the stables?
But Oaklands is best known for its biannual polo tournaments, frequented by South Africans and Brits each April and October – the next, the Fuimus Cup Polo tournament, will be held here from 28 to 30 October. Ten teams of four players may be hosted at Oaklands. Even if you’re not a polo player, you can cheer from the sidelines with your binoculars in one hand and a glass of artisanal gin in the other. Join in the half-time tradition of divoting, which involves stomping on the earth the horses and mallets have kicked up, before returning to your gourmet picnic lunch to watch the rest of the game. Caroline hosts some of the country’s top polo coaches, who can teach beginners the rules of the game, how to handle a mallet and the proper riding style. Meanwhile more advanced players visit for stick-andball lessons followed by practice chukkas (the sevenminute-long segment of a polo match) – often the Tully family (all of whom are seasoned riders) join the fun. After a few games, retreat to the Last Post Pub, where you can jubilantly clink your glasses in celebration of your successful ride-offs and goals against the other team, and savour their assortment of fine South African wines. The pub is well-known, even among locals, for its extensive collection of school and polo club neckties that hang from the wooden rafters. Each is accompanied with an entry in the ledger that describes its origin or previous owner. Soon they’ll have more ties to add to their collection as polo is steadily growing across South Africa, with many young players learning to play the game of kings, as it is known. In February, they hosted their first polo clinic for first-time players, in conjunction with Inanda Club in Joburg. ‘Polo is highly addictive – it’s an adrenaline rush,’ Simon explains. ‘It’s one of the world’s most dangerous sports and that’s what makes it so thrilling. It’s also a challenging sport as the level of skill needed is high.’ Guests often learn how to gallop in the training arena before going on an outride around the estate’s perimeter, past the three dams where you can fish for bass on a catch-and-release basis or go canoeing or bird-watching. Keep a lookout for the white-winged flufftail, rare Rudd’s lark and wattled crane, which are endemic to this region. You’ll never bore on a visit to Oaklands as there’s much to do – from mountain biking (the longest trail is 80km) and hiking to tennis, table tennis and volleyball. Take your clubs for a warm-up round at the nearby Harrismith Golf Course. But it’s not only the homely ambiance, polo and fine dining that attracts visitors. The region’s historical highlights include the battlefields of the Boer War, where Winston Churchill – who was a journalist stationed in South Africa at the time – acted as a message courier to and from Spion Kop, where Mahatma Gandhi served as a stretcher-bearer in the Indian Ambulance Corps and South Africa’s General Louis Botha, alongside other generals, led the Boers to victory. To delve further back in history you can visit the San rock art nearby. And, when you come to play the sport of royalty at Oaklands Country Manor, make sure to hang up your tie afterwards and see if you can find it on your next visit.
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Little black book Oaklands Country Manor, Harrismith The manor has 17 suites that can sleep 34 guests, each with a fireplace and spacious verandas that look out onto the gardens and polo fields. 079 529 2314; 082 608 2469; webenquiries@ oaklands.co.za; oaklands.co.za Three Trees at Spioenkop, Ladysmith Three Trees (above) is only an hour’s drive from Oaklands. Read more about their guided historical tours opposite in our Insider’s Guide. 036 448 1171, 082 379 1864; threetreehill.co.za; reservations@threetreehill.co.za
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Getting there & day trips Oaklands is on the Schaaps Drift Road, Van Reenen, about 30km from Harrismith. If you drive the N3 route frequently, you might want to try the scenic De Beers Pass as an alternative to Van Reenen or take the beautiful back road between Ballito and Pietermaritzburg via Wartburg. Book a Battlefields tour Three Trees Hill Lodge, set against the Drakensberg and run by dynamic owners Simon and Cheryl Blackburn, is the place to start a tour of the KZN battlefields. Explore the Drakensberg Head off at dawn with a picnic for lunch to soak up the magnificent mountain scenery at Cathedral
Peak. Alternatively, if you’re the active type, you might enjoy All Out Adventures (alloutadventures.co.za), set in spectacular surroundings just off the R74. Discover Clarens Set aside about two hours to drive via Golden Gate Highlands National Park to the characterful village of Clarens and soak up the views along the way. Known as an artist’s haven and with over 20 galleries to browse, it’s worth leaving Oaklands early to fully enjoy this round trip. Tailor-made itineraries Contact Lance van den Heever-Liebenberg at Marmalade Toast: 011 054 9277, 072 775 4336 or marmaladetoast.co.za.
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ZIMBALI VACATION CLUB IFA Hotels and Resorts introduced the first-ever, exclusive Zimbali Vacation Club at the tranquil Zimbali Lodge, perched up on a hillside with magnificent views overlooking the golf course and sea – the ideal family holiday destination
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Zimbali Vacation Club has always been a sought-after holiday destination for families and couples who love its privacy and tranquillity Zimbali Sales Centre | Zimbali Northgate Suites, Zimbali Coastal Resort, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa +27 (0)32 538 1205 | sales@zimbalivacationclub.co.za zimbalivc.com Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 69
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Life through
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Fresh approaches punctuate the photographic landscape with fanciful maxed-out versions of everyday life T E XT G I G I L AFO NTAI NE P HOTO GRA P H S SU P P LIE D Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 7 1
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The sociopolitical edge cuts deep in Modisakeng’s work, but as a subtext that informs his minimalist, hewn-down iconography
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n both the literary and visual arts, South Africa has a strong tradition of social documentary, with gritty realism and political reportage eclipsing aesthetic experimentation or ‘art for art’s sake’ at every turn. Photography is no exception and, in the current heated political climate, documentary photography is a mode of truth-telling that’s both crucial and ascendant. Yet some fresh styles and approaches are starting to slip through the cracks. This is Mzansi less sure of its own social and gender parameters trying on something different to see how it fits. One artist in particular took last year’s FNB Joburg Art Fair by storm with his intense, striking auto-portraits. It was no surprise when, a few months later, he was announced a Standard Bank Young Artist for 2016. Mohau Modisakeng is a multidisciplinary artist who has ventured into film, installation, performance and photography to highlight the position of the black body within the violent context of South Africa’s past and present. He grew up in Soweto during the era of hostel violence on the mines and uses his body as a kind of ‘historical barometer’ to draw attention to the plight and politics of black migrant labourers. The sociopolitical edge cuts deep in Modisakeng’s work, but as a subtext that informs his minimalist, hewndown iconography and staged portraiture, which has an intense mythical quality about it.
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OPENING IMAGES These three portraits form part of Lakin Ogunbanwo’s intriguing series – from left, Lakin Ogunbanwo, Are You Tying, Are You Lying (archival ink-jet print on Hahnemühle photo rag, Whatiftheworld) 1. Mohau Modisakeng’s powerful autoportraits such as this one – Untitled (Metamorphosis 11) – earned him the status of Standard Bank Young Artist for 2016 (Whatiftheworld) 2. & 3. Justin Dingwall’s portraits, including Mob II (2015, top) and The Vulnerables (2013, bottom), aim to counter negative perceptions of albinism (Lizamore & Associates)
Similarly striking, although less politically engaged and more lyrical in mood, is Justin Dingwall’s Albus series (see opposite), which also drew a lot of attention at the most recent FNB Joburg Art Fair. Dingwall began this project with ethereal portraits of Thando Hopa, a legal prosecutor who uses her visibility to address the negative perceptions surrounding albinism, and went on to photograph young model Sanele Xaba. His stated aim is to get beyond the negativity and taboo associated with albinism, by establishing a sense of intimacy and vulnerability/courage and ‘beauty in difference’ through his images. Like Dingwall, Paul Samuels works across visual art and fashion, creating his own projects in between shooting commercial campaigns. The images he shot of model Hauwa Dauda for South African designer Marianne Fassler’s RESORT15 Collection are dizzyingly lush in their high-contrast combo of maximalist prints and brightly coloured backdrops. Samuels exports some of the techniques he applies to fashion shoots to his documentary projects, such as his portraits of former 31 Battalion soldiers, to introduce a slightly surreal, hyperreal aspect. Another fresh presence at last year’s FNB Joburg Fair was Tony ‘Zipho’ Gum, who won audiences over with her identity-swapping African studiostyle portraits and her pop-forward Coca-Cola experiments, in which the beverage appears
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as a ubiquitous prop no matter what persona or headdress Gum chooses to adopt. ‘I’m inspired by [director] Wes Anderson’s choice of colour, specifically in The Grand Budapest Hotel,’ Gum told Vogue magazine, who took a quick interest in her shape-shifting pop-diva self-portraits. ‘My favourite movie moment comes from [Edward Scissorhands in] Tim Burton’s suburbia scene, when Edward Scissorhands and his mother drive through the highly stylised neighbourhood. In both the films, these incredible directors have made my love for pastel grow fonder. Rockers is [also] brilliant; it’s a 1978 Jamaican film by Theodoros Bafaloukos that I discovered on Instagram.’ Whether they associate with a more fashioncentric, pop-cultural ethos or the weightier conceptual territory occupied by art-school graduates, the younger generation of photographers seems to employ the key tactic of cultural identityswapping and the adoption of staged fictive personae. Take the work of 2014 Standard Bank Young Artists Hasan and Husain Essop, whose work has been exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Dakar Biennale in Senegal and the Helsinki Art Museum, and as part of the exhibition ‘Disguise: Masks and Global African Art’ at the Seattle Art Museum. ‘Inspired by Hollywood’s visual language and tactics, we create our own narratives to highlight a multicultural clash between religion and popular cultures,’ say the twin brothers. Their work is in great demand internationally and has been bought by none other than Elton John. Also in global ascendancy for his signature black-and-white photographs is Musa N Nxumalo, whose new series Siyakubona Penelope (‘We See You, Penelope’) was launched by SMAC Gallery at the 2016 Cape Town Art Fair. Thematically, the series referenced strong and spirited black South African female characters, drawing inspiration from iconic books such as The Cry of Winnie Mandela (2004) by Njabulo Ndebele, Living Loving and Lying Awake At Night (1994) by Sindiwe Magona and, in his own words, ‘various other characters that are not necessarily in books, but are familiar and present in current township settings’. Nxumalo staged domestic scenes with a touch of 1940s and ’50s glam, focusing on his hometown of Soweto, to create a historical narrative into which he introduced his protagonist, Penelope – a representation of a woman familiar both in Nxumalo’s family and township society. ‘We’re currently … selecting photographs from [Nxumalo’s projects] Alternative Kidz and In/ Glorious for the upcoming exhibition ‘‘New Photography from Africa’’,’ says SMAC’s Marelize van Zyl.
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Documentary photography is a mode of truthtelling that’s both crucial and ascendant
A SPIRIT OF HOSPITALITY The shift towards more fictive, hypothetical modes in photographic practice has no doubt been influenced by an opening out of South Africa’s domestic art scene to embrace new curatorial and creative forces from across the continent and further afield. For a long time, the traffic remained outward
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bound, but in more recent years a welcome spirit of hospitality has begun to infuse South Africa’s staunch nationalism, with local galleries now representing artists from other cultures and countries. Internationally acclaimed Zimbabwean-born artist Kudzanai Chiurai brings a dose of florid high-octane social satire to the Goodman Gallery stable, while Whatiftheworld gallery in Cape Town has just staged a solo exhibition of spectacularly serene yet dandyish self-portraits by Nigerian artist Lakin Ogunbanwo. Ogunbanwo, 27, is self-taught – he practised as a lawyer before getting into photography in Lagos. He was introduced to the gallery by Roelof van Wyk, who was behind the Johannesburg Pavilion at last year’s Venice Biennale. Meanwhile, the team at SMAC first met Kenyan artist Cyrus Kabiru in mid-2014 through artist Ed Young, whom they also represent. The two met on set in Nairobi while shooting the Guinness Black advert. ‘At that stage … African contemporary production in all the creative fields was on the rise and there was a lot of crossover between the various fields – art, fashion, music, film. The industry at large, especially in art, took notice,’ says Marelize from SMAC. ‘Cyrus Kabiru was the one young artist, in our opinion, whose work and approach to “making” – combined with his positive outlook towards the future – exemplified this new movement.’
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4. & 5. Tony ‘Zipho’ Gum illustrated the power of a digital platform when she rose to fame on Instagram, launching her photography career via a series of superstyled selfies that spoke to a millennial generation 6. Paul Samuels, Matoka Matteus 31 Battalion series of portraits (Lampost Productions)
Kabiru was recently showing as part of ‘Unorthodox’, curated by Jens Hoffman, at the Jewish Museum in New York, which ended in March 2016. After many years of entrenched separateness, the doors finally seem to be opening for artists from other African countries – even in Cape Town, which is often fairly critiqued for its racism and insularity. The recent exhibition ‘Fantastic’, curated by Nomusa Makhubu and Nkule Mabaso, is one recent example of a new spirit of transnational artistic exchange bringing fresh artistic modes and approaches to the Mother City. The exhibition was part of an interdisciplinary colloquium hosted by Michaelis Galleries and the Centre for Curating the Archive that sought to reignite critical thought about the fantastic in contemporary art and visual culture. In addition to South African artists, it featured female artists from Botswana, Ethopia, Nigeria, Zambia and – all depicting collisions between the ‘real world’ and the ‘spiritual world’ in visually exciting new ways. Although documentary realism remains the dominant tenor in South African photography, contemporary practice seems to be opening up to more fictive ways of representing ‘the real’. For viewers who appreciate the power of fantasy, visual shapeshifting and formal experimentation, there’s no doubt that it’s a snap, crackle and pop moment for lens culture in South Africa.
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After many years of entrenched separateness, the doors finally seem to be opening for artists from other African countries
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7. (PREVIOUS PAGE) Kudzanai Chiurai’s Revelations VIII (ultrachrome ink on Innova photo fibre, 2011, Goodman Gallery) 8. Standard Bank Young Artists Hasan and Husain Essop’s work has been exhibited internationally, with this entitled Silat Mulut (2014, Goodman Gallery) 9. Musa N Nxumalo is in global ascendancy, with work including Lindiwe ‘Landypanda’ Sangweni (2), part of the In/ Glorious series (2015, SMAC) 10. Kenyan artist Cyrus Kabiru’s Kubwa Macho Nne Tom and Jerry (2015, SMAC)
Gallery guide Christopher Moller Gallery 021 422 1599; christophermollerart.co.za Goodman Gallery 011 788 1113 (JHB), 021 462 7573 (CT); goodman-gallery.com Lizamore & Associates 011 880 8802; lizamore.co.za Paul Samuels via Lampost Productions 011 788 2609; lampost.co.za SMAC 021 422 5100 (CT), 021 887 3607 (Stellenbosch); smacgallery.com Whatiftheworld 021 447 2376; whatiftheworld.com Z I MBA L I R ESO RT L I F E | 7 9
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PHOTOGRAPH: SU PP LI E D
‘Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own’ Charles Dickens
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