Picking the seam
Making an impact
An opinion on test cricket’s new review system - PAGE 21
We investigate the Kusasa phenomenon - PAGE 4
THE
FRANSCHHOEK VALLEY
MONTH
February 2010
If it’s NOT in here, it’s NOT out there!
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Pearl Valley - the Real Winner
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
By the Staff Reporter
Scotland´s Richie Ramsay held his nerve in a sudden-death play-off with Shiv Kapur from India to win the 99th South African Open Championship at Pearl Valley Golf Estates in the Franschhoek valley in December.
tional Open and it will open a lot of doors for me.” Ramsay had made a strong start to the tournament with an opening 67, but a 75 in round
bogey on his card, failed to capitalize on a spectacular chip shot at the last when he missed an eight-foot putt that would have given him the win. In the play-off, both players missed the fairway with their drives but Ramsay hit a superb three-wood second, from 260 yards, to within 15 feet, with Kapur barely managing to punch out into the rough. This left the way clear for Ramsay, who pushed his first putt just short of the hole and had a formality tap-in to seal the victory.
“Many players, experiencing the valley for the first time, loved it and expressed disappointment only that they would not be here together again soon.” “If you’ve got two putts to win, you take them,” said Ramsay, who also predicts that Kapur will win soon on the European Tour. “He played some unbelievable golf there; a very steady golfer. He will become a very tough opponent in the next couple of years.”
An emotional Ramsay explained how he couldn’t put a price on the win. “To see my name up there with all those great names, like Gary Player and Ernie Els, it’s a lot to take in. It’s a huge honour to win South Africa’s naFebruary 2010
two saw him fade from contention. He fought back with a third round 68 and began the final round three off the pace from overnight leader Pablo Martin on 11-under. “I talk about the power of positive thinking,” said Ramsay. “I didn’t think about a low round. I just picked a shot and went for it. It was a day to play fearless golf.” Ramsay’s fearless approach delivered a bogeyfree seven-under-par 65 to set the clubhouse target at 13-under-par 275 and tie Kapur, playing two matches behind. Kapur, with a single
The Championship will return to Durban Country Club for its centenary edition in December 2010.
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no jazz on 25 december and 1 st januar y
On a day when any one of the top 12 players on the overnight leader-board could have won the second oldest national Open in golf, it was the 2006 US Amateur champion who closed out his first European Tour title at the first play-off hole, becoming only the seventh foreigner and first Scotsman to win this title.
LA BRASSERIE
13 DANIEL HUGO STREET FRANSCHHOEK
30 OCT 09 - 2 APR 10
Open winner, Richie Ramsay, teeing off on the 18th hole at Pearl Valley Estates
The 2009 event was the final staging of the SA Open by Pearl Valley. The past three year’s professional and successful hosting is not only a feather in the cap of Pearl Valley Estates but for the valley as a whole. Jack Hrad, GM-Operations, said “Members and Owners of Pearl Valley have been very proud to host the event and appreciated the praises of Tour Professionals and organizers for the entire experience the golf course, the estate, the organization, the enthusiastic crowds, and the off-course enjoyment of the Franschhoek valley and all that it has to offer. Many players, experiencing the valley for the first time, loved it and expressed disappointment only that they would not be here together again soon.”
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The smile stayed, but the magic disappeared for Spain’s Pablo Martin who, although clearly enjoying himself out there, struggled to a oneover-par 73 and a tie for sixth on 10-under-par 278 with Darren Fichardt, the top performing South African on the day, who carded a 66.
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from the editor
Dear reader... In last month’s editorial I touched on the possibility that we, as individuals, can have a material impact on global warming by eating less meat. I researched it a bit further and it seems to be so: Ice cores show that carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have remained between 180 and 300 parts per million (ppm) for the past half-a-million years but in the last few decades have risen sharply, to at least 380ppm. Natural emissions have always been balanced by natural absorptions but now slightly more CO2 is entering the atmosphere than is being soaked up by carbon sinks. Because of this, the environmental community has focused its efforts almost exclusively on abating carbon dioxide emissions. Domestic legislative efforts concentrate on raising fuel economy standards, capping CO2 emissions from power plants, and investing in alternative energy sources. Even recommendations to consumers focus on CO2 by encouraging us to buy fuel-efficient cars and appliances, and to minimise their use. Yet although it’s true that human activity produces vastly more CO2 than all other greenhouse gases put together, this does not mean it is responsible for most of the earth’s warming. Many other greenhouse gases trap heat far more powerfully than CO2 - some of them tens of thousands of times more powerfully. When taking into account various gases’ global
warming potential it turns out that gases other than CO2 make up most of the global warming problem.
Methane, for example, is 21 times more powerful a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide and is responsible for nearly as much global warming as all other non-CO2 greenhouse gases put together. Whilst atmospheric concentrations of CO2 have risen by about 31% since pre-industrial times, human sources of CO2 amount to just 3% of natural emissions. Methane concentrations, on the other hand, have more than doubled and human sources produce one and a half times as much methane as is produced naturally.
With methane emissions, therefore, causing nearly half of the planet’s human-induced warming, its reduction must be a priority. Methane is produced by a number of sources, (including coal mining and landfills) but the Number One source, worldwide, is animal agriculture producing more than 100 million tons of methane a year. And this source is on the rise; global meat consumption has increased fivefold in the past fifty years, and shows little sign of abating. About 85% of this methane is produced in the digestive processes of livestock and, whilst a single cow releases a relatively small amount of methane, the collective effect on the environment of the hundreds of millions of livestock animals worldwide is enormous. So if we wish to curb global warming over the coming half-century, we must look at strategies to address non-CO2 emissions and the strategy
which will have the most impact will be to reduce our consumption of animal products. If by going vegetarian we could eliminate one of the major sources of emissions of methane, by reducing our consumption of meat we could have a material impact on global warming. And it gives us, as individuals, an opportunity to make a difference whilst our politicians fail time and again to get consensus on reducing global carbon emissions. So look out for The Month’s call to valley restaurants to up their vegetarian offerings in the next few editions in the name of the environment. On a different note, we received this from Steve in Cape Town: “Just to let you and your team know how I enjoyed your strangely named newspaper which somehow arrived in my letterbox in Claremont. What a breath of fresh air compared to the daily press and weekend newspapers which are always full of politics, violence and general trash. I shall keep it to refer to and most definitely try to come out there more often as I no longer have a property at Theewaterskloof. This was a very good way of advertising to attract locals to spend more time in the beauty of our nearby surrounds.” That’s the aim of The Month – to attract people to the valley through creating interest and aspiration. So thanks for highlighting that, Steve, and enjoy the February edition! David
Everything to Play For The league remains wide open with just five matches to go after the second round of the 2010 Franschhoek Soccer Championships.
Group 1 saw two pretty-tight matches going the whole way with Pam Golding ‘Try Again’ and La Petite Ferme ‘Mighty Broth-
ers’ sneaking 3-2 wins apiece and Reuben’s ‘Franschhoek Pirates’ giving La Vie du Luc ‘Sea Lions’ a bit of a lesson in their 3-0 win. Reuben’s therefore top the group, level on points with the Seeff ‘Silver Stars’ who have also won both their opening matches. Group 2 is even tighter with four teams level on four points each after the Solms Delta ‘All Stars’ gave the French Connection ‘Eleven Attackers’ something of a going over and Tricky T ‘Evolution’ putting three past Col’Cacchio ‘Black Aces’. Steady wins for the Pearl Valley ‘King Pioneers’ and the Truckles Cheese ‘Peacemakers’ keeps them in the hunt but this group is wide open. Things are hotting up now with the next matches (on the 6th and 7th of February) crucial to the outcome. The pitch at eTyotyombeni has now been repaired and The Month would like to thank Ivan Goodman from The Ivy for his generous donation on behalf of all the teams and sponsors.
Minimum Distribution
Month fromThe the editor
February 2010
Valley Wine Farms 500 Guest Houses 500 Restaurants 500 Retail 500 Stands 800 Post Boxes 1200 Schools & Other 500 Housing Estates 800 Cape Town Shopping Centres 500 Southern Suburbs Post Boxes 3800 Hotels & Airport 400 Total
10000
In this issue: Pg.3 5 mins with James Stewart Pg.4 The Kusasa Phenomenon Pg.6 Not too far from here Pg.9 Full Steam Ahead! Pg.10 5 mins with Richard Carstens Pg.12 Question of The Month Pg.13 Property & Lifestyle Pullout Pg.22 The Hikes Page Pg.23 The Green Page Pg.24 The Symphony of Legacy Pg.25 ForExample Pg.29 Things to Do in the Valley Pg.32 The Social Page
Editor: David Foster 084 827 3986 david@themonth.co.za Sub-Editor: Brett Garner 083 260 0453 brett@themonth.co.za Photography: Lightworks Photography 021 876 4832 info@lightworks.za.net Layout and Website: Gravity Media info@gravitymedia.za.net CONTRIBUTORS Alan Saffery alan@saffery.org Paul Eccles paul.eccles@engelvoelkers.co.za Helen Naude lifestyle@fhfm.org.za Ed Flitters capehiking@gmail.com Michele Lupini michele@carsinaction.co.za
RESULTS GROUP 1 - JAN 16TH BUILD IT/HOME DEFENDERS LA PETITE FERME/MIGHTY BROTHERS WINELANDS EXPerience/FHK UTD LA VIE DU LUC/SEA LIONS
2-3 3-2 0-1 0-3
PAM GOLDING/TRY AGAIN ALLEE BLEUE/BOMBERS SEEFF/SILVER STARS REUBENS/FRANSCHHOEK PIRATES
GROUP 2 - JAN 17TH SOLMS-DELTA/ALL STARS PLUM DEVELOPMENTS/JR. CELTICS TRICKY T/EVOLUTION TRUCKLES CHEESE/PEACEMAKERS
3-0 2-3 3-1 2-1
FRENCH CONNECTION/11 ATTACKERS PEARL VALLEY/KING PIONEERS COL’CACCHIO/ BLACK ACES ELEPHANT & BARREL/SCORPIONS
2
Pearl Valley/King Pioneers await a corner in their second round match
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February 2010
The Month
An Accident Waiting to Happen
February 2010
MINUTES WITH . . . JAMES STEWART wondered “What if…?” Truth is we’ve been very busy with our individual careers and it’s only recently that we’ve been able to get together to collaborate. It is an unusual pairing, but it really works. It’s quite an intimate experience performing with just one other musician and our interaction with the audience is also very immediate.
By Jim Waite I love summers in Franschhoek. The hot, sunny days give license to many a local and tourist lass to dress down a bit and add to the beauty of the Franschhoek spectacle. I’ll admit one drawback though, it isn’t easy driving along the main road these days as the spectacle is often spectacular and a second or third glance puts me in danger of bumping over an errant tourist as he or she blindly crosses the road; colliding into a behemoth bearing plums or similar to the co-op or simply being slapped by my wife, the fitness junkie. “You don’t look at me like that!”
ing the hottest day of January was a mistake, or perhaps the absence of a yellow vest or a decent local accent did me in, but after two hours of trying I had to pack it in, head for the Gents and concede that it’s more work than I realised. The four rands and five cents in my pocket, the A4-placard-waving store-owner who made it clear that parking in Franschhoek is “free and safe” or the irate SUV-owner who could definitely see me in her rear-view mirror when she sandwiched me between her Jeep’s bumper and that of the delivery van behind me, were con-
TM: What can audiences expect from your performance?
Local musical legend, James Stewart, has teamed up with percussionist Barry van Zyl to perform a number of intimate performances aimed at the whole family, at Allora Restaurant in Franschhoek. Allora pride themselves on an offering of “casual sophistication’, and it’s a description of the duo that fits to a T.
she cries, appreciating the red hand-shape on my thigh. Yes, but you don’t look like that, I think. I say, “Look at what? I’m not looking at anything, my collar was tickling me.” I know I’ll be dragged out of bed the next day to water the flower beds or pick up after the dogs while she does ‘stretch and tone’ and I’d better say something complimentary or else. I have wondered if there is any merit in campaigning for a tram that runs up and down Huguenot. It will add character to the village and allow for lots of sight-seeing. I can picture the tour operator now, speaking into his mic as he points out the value to the Gastronomic Capital of SA, of ‘spaghetti straps’, ‘low-fat’ and a little ‘honey’. Sadly, the long summer days aren’t all sunshine and roses. With extra time to while away, I’ve discovered that idle hands waste money. I need to find a job! Or at least something that pays me to sit around the whole day doing nothing. With that in mind I decided to give carguarding a bash; after all, how difficult can it be to lean against a garden wall and say “I’ll watch you car, mate,” in Afrikaans, as I nod sagely and sway ever so slightly? Perhaps choos-
February 2010
tributing factors too. There must be an easier way to generate income than actually working for it. Speaking of hard work and hot days, I cycled to the Franschhoek Outdoor Festival on Saturday the 16th of January to see what all the fuss was about. Turns out the 600-plus riders who’d arrived for the MTB event were more prepared than I and I was sad to be prevented from entering the race as I didn’t have a helmet. I told the marshal that helmets are for ‘sissies’ and that I’d been riding since I was a kid. He said that things had changed a lot since I was a kid, waving something that the guy behind me called an ‘egg-beater’ and pointing at me with what I later learned was a ‘bomb’. I wasn’t sure that I’d be able to cycle the three blocks back to my house given my dejected state of mind and free-wheeled down to the Elephant and Barrel where a number of hard-core riders were comparing calf-sizes in the parking lot. Sod it, I thought, as I free-wheeled passed them to find solace elsewhere. Next year I’ll be more prepared. I’ll go away for the weekend!
James is a world-renowned singer-songwriter and was recently approached by Yoko Ono to perform John Lennon’s classic ‘Imagine’ as the soundtrack to the upcoming Amnesty International television and film commercial. The song will be a featured download on the Artists for Amnesty site to raise awareness and will also be included on a compilation album featuring artists such as the Black-Eyed Peas, Maroon 5, Snow Patrol and The Cure. Barry van Zyl is an accomplished performer who has shared the stage with Peter Gabriel, Brian May, Jimmy Buffet, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Robert Plant to name just a few. Add names like Lenny Kravitz, Johhny Clegg and Nelson Mandela and you get a sense of how well-respected he is. The Month spent five minutes with James to ask him about the upcoming performances and his relationship with Barry. The Month: The pairing of a vocalist/pianist and a drummer is pretty unusual, how did the two of you end up with this particular arrangement? James Stewart: We’ve performed and worked together countless times over many years and have always enjoyed our time together. We have tremendous mutual respect for each other’s abilities and I guess we always
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JS: Honestly? Anything! We’ll do a number of favourites from The Usual and my own songs. We also have a few carefully selected covers that we deliver in our own way. Then, of course, there’s the fun stuff that Barry throws in that tends to make things a little unpredictable. He’s not just a drummer; he’s a ‘World Beat’ specialist. He’s always experimenting and trying out new things and producing new instruments from all over the world. Expect some pineapple shakers! TM: Why choose Allora as a venue? JS: It’s perfect for the immediate nature of our performance. We’re constantly feeding off each other and the crowd and it’s not unusual to have kids banging on Barry’s drums or giving me the beady eye. Allora have had something like this in mind for a while and it suits their strong family focus. TM: Having performed together as closely as you do, are there any quirks that either of you have that creates tension when you play? JS: Yes, we definitely have our own idiosyncrasies but it adds to the rapport and positive nature of our interaction; it’s not negative at all. It can be quite distracting to watch Barry play, he’s really cool - in a Café del Mar meets Buddha Bar kind of way. He’s a musician who really knows who he is, he’s not out to impress anyone – and that’s really distracting because it’s so unusual. He’s PE meets Cape Town with a bit of Durban thrown in for good measure. He says my tendency to improvise stuff that we’ve played together a lot is hard work. I tell him I’m improvising, but occasionally I’ve just made a mistake. I’ll look up and find him staring at me intently with his pineapples in his hands. See the Allora advert on page 11 for more information or call 021 876 4375 to make a reservation.
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February 2010
The Month
The Kusasa Phenomenon
By the Editor
The other day someone asked Doug Gurr whether he was still kicking a ball around with the kids at Dalubuhle School in eTyotyombeni. He relates this story to me with a smile on his face but it is clear he is more than surprised that people are unaware of how big The Kusasa Project has become in the last three years. So I took a drive with him to get an update of the project’s activities and see first-hand how The Kusasa Project has impacted the lives of the kids across the Valley – at Wes Eind, Dalubuhle, Groendal Primer, Wemmershoek and Franschhoek High as well as Bridge House School. To my embarrassment I realise I’ve not been up to Dalubuhle since 2008. The school has moved to the new government built facility at the top of the hill, where Groendal ends. In the office we meet Headmistress Lucy Mbenenge who shows us the picture of the first day of the school back in ‘96 – outdoors, a few chairs alongside the shacks, maybe 20 kids or so – and the plaque commemorating the opening of the new school building by Aesop Pahad in August 2008.
Doug recalls (co-founder) Dave Riordan seeing Ron Whytock from FRANCO with a load of oranges in the back of his car and asking him where he was going. Ron told him to get in and Dave helped distribute them to the kids at the school. Obviously touched by the need to get involved, Dave read some of the school kids a story and then called Doug who offered to come up and play soccer with them. He also ended up reading to them and from that inception The Kusasa Project has grown today to fund and administer a number of projects (see sidebar left) on which Doug comments modestly “It’s gone further than we ever thought.” When asked what the basic principles were, Doug noted that he and Dave agreed on a few simple ones: “The kids come first. Treat everyone with respect. Underpromise and overdeliver.” And of course their personal mantra in
way by The Kusasa Project, 65% are Afrikaans speaking. In three short years, 1000 kids in 12 to 15 classrooms benefit. An additional 500 kids benefit from the Literacy For All program as well as ad hoc initiatives such as Outward Bound, running races, clubs and field trips. “Reading has been The Kusasa Project’s way of getting into the school, but is has also been excellent for the kids because they have enjoyed it so much. It goes a long way to improve awareness and understanding of different cultures and had a positive effect on the greater community.” says Doug. Through a boyhood contact of Doug, Reed International (the UK based and largest magazine publisher in the world) donated funds to support a structured literacy program for every
Dalubuhle Headmistress, Lucy Mbenenge, pictured here with Doug Gurr
working in what can often be frustrating circumstances: “We don’t do ‘negative’!” Over 40 volunteers a week come to Wes Eind, Wemmershoek and Dalubuhle schools to read, run clubs and assist with Breakfast Club preparations and operations. A large number of students from these schools participate in various after-school clubs. The volunteers are a key to success in The Kusasa Project. Some are local people with a skill or interest in the village, some parents
“You can have a real impact here and change hundreds, if not thousands, of lives” from Bridge House School, others “Swallows” or retired people, but all keen to respond to the call to help, originally from Lucy who felt the kids would benefit from the extra exposure to spoken English. This was followed, once enough volunteers were recruited, by initiatives at Wes Eind – where the team was warmly welcomed by Lance Cyster and then Wemmershoek with the enthusiastic support of Deputy Head Chris Boonzaaier. Doug notes that a common misconception has been that it is the Xhosa children who solely benefit, and that while The Kusasa Project did start at Dalubuhle, once human and financial resources were available, the Afrikaans speaking children from Groendal and the surrounding farms and sawmill community were quickly made part of the focus. Indeed a look at the statistics shows that of the 1500 children touched in some
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grade 1 and 2 child in the valley and the South African NGO ‘Literacy For All’ (who have partnered The Kusasa Project in this effort) are helping train teachers to utilise books for every grade 3 child in the valley. Another project The Kusasa Project have funded is ‘Cool to be Me’. They have trained facilitators (ex-pupils from Wemmershoek and West End) to help 13 year-olds make the right decisions about the future; “whether they take the high road or the low road in life” says Doug. The Kusasa Project also sponsors 23 kids into Franschhoek High School on bursaries funded by Anglo/US media company Chello Media. Luckily Dave Riordan knew the Chello MD and the project was launched amid much fanfare at Cape Town’s Cape Grace Hotel and was attended by the then Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern. Perhaps the most important project is the Breakfast Club which now caters for 750 kids a day and served over 265,000 meals in Franschhoek since it began. In speaking to (Bridge House Prep Head) Melvyn King, the founders realised that a hungry child is in no state to learn. So with help from dietician Karen Protheroe a breakfast menu was crafted that was both affordable and nutritious. Locals, Wendy Crowther and Rene van der Westhuizen kickstarted the programme in July 2007 and now it’s a big operation in two schools and utilises five adult staff plus the entire grade 7’s who in turn, eagerly come in and help serve at 6.45am each school day. The community service element of the Breakfast Club is well understood and embraced by the kids, who compete to be able to help.
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February 2010
the Month Doug finds exposing visitors to the issues and the ease of assisting very impactful when done in person. “We had an English school here recently on a soccer tour, big, strapping 14 yearolds with all the fancy kit and shin pads and after they’d played our lot, half of them younger and with no boots, I invited them back to
Structured reading programmes are a big part of the Kusasa Project’s focus
Dalubuhle. It was a humbling, life-changing experience for them and when they went back they raised substantial funds for the project” says Doug. The Kusasa Project is a PBO (Public Benefit Organisation), which means donations are taxdeductible for South Africans, and everything they do must be for the benefit of the public. Another key direction for funds is field trips. “When you ask a class how many kids have been to Cape Town, you might find a handful. Perhaps a quarter have been to Paarl. Yet it’s so important to raise aspiration and create awareness of what’s out there, we have to get kids out of the class room - they need to see it with their own eyes” he says. Each year the kids participate in the Cape Town Big Walk; “Such a great atmosphere, a great leveller. At the starting line everyone is equal.” For the kids to feel proud when they moved to the new school premises in 2008, Kusasa suggested every child receive a new uniform. Dave and Doug held a meeting to ask the parents for a contribution. “It was quiet for a few seconds but then it dawned on everyone that it could be a moment of pride when they walked into that new school – an opportunity to change attitudes towards education.” The parents contributed substantially and The Kusasa Project made up the difference. Patient volunteers assisted with the task of measuring and ordering for 420 children!
February 2010
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The Kusasa Project team’s approach is nonjudgemental and it works. Liesl King and Sintu Quza, the only full-time employees of the organisation, have their hands full managing the myriad activities which require constant attention on a daily basis. Simply managing the variety and quantity of important relationships – with the school administrations, volunteers, supporters, the WCED (with whom they recently began a productive dialog), suppliers and of course, the children is an enormous task, but done with great energy by these dedicated people. The dual aim, to raise the level of aspiration and raise the level of life skills to create a broader awareness of the possibilities, is credible and achievable; to steer these kids down a positive rather than a negative road “which can so easily happen when you are trapped in a cycle of poverty” and create a brighter future. “We firmly believe this can be achieved in such a small, cosmopolitan community like Franschhoek. “You can have a real impact here and change hundreds, if not thousands, of lives” Doug says. Dave has, since leaving the Valley in 2008 to return to gainful employment, set up the UK arm of The Kusasa Project to help direct tax efficient donations to South Africa and to promote the aims and activities of the organisation to interested people in Europe – many of whom end up visiting Franschhoek and seeing first hand the work being done. As I leave Dalubuhle School, and promise myself to visit the other schools The Kusasa Project works with, I hope I can do justice to The Kusasa Project story and communicate to
Art is encouraged in the programme
the readership the power of the program and the extent of the good work the organisation, its volunteers and staff are doing in the valley community. And I have to chuckle as I recall those grade 7’s reading aloud – wasn’t that the beginnings of a cockney accent I heard there? Doug can be contacted on 072 610 7208 or info@thekusasaproject.org
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The Month
February 2010
Not too far from here... By the Staff Reporter De Mond Nature Reserve is 26km south-east of Bredasdorp on the south-western Cape coast. The reserve lies at the mouth of the Heuningnes River, between the coastal villages of Arniston and Struisbaai. Imagine the turquoise seas of the Caribbean, the blues and greens of the changing depth of
De Mond
duiker. The only notable predator is the caracal, which is seldom seen. Reptiles and amphibians are well represented, and visitors should be on the alert for puff adders, particularly in spring! It also has a rich and varied bird-life, making it ideal for birdwatching. The reserve is particularly important for the protection of breeding colonies of the threatened Damara and Caspian terns. The rare African black oystercatcher also favours the reserve because human disturbance is minimal. Blue cranes, also rare and endangered, occasionally breed in this area.
structure on the beach that carried a copper ball that reflected sunlight and warned skippers of the reef. The reserve is open daily from 07:00 to 16:00 and is worth every minute of the two hours it will take you to get there from the Franschhoek valley. The best advice is to pack the picnic and swimming gear and leave early - only stopping for breakfast in beautiful Bredasdorp – and spend the best part of the day there. And check for tortoises before you leave!
Replenish The view from the lookout point back over the mouth of the river and the ‘Indiana Jones-style’ suspension bridge
the water and add the peacefulness of a reserve that has parking for about six cars (and a sign that says, as you leave, ‘check under your car for tortoises before you pull away’) and you’l1 have a picture of De Mond. It’s a beautiful and very specially-preserved part of the world, where the river meets the sea and sand dunes abound.
“There’s a sign as you leave that says ‘check under your car for tortoises before you pull away” Prior to De Mond’s status as a nature reserve, the naturally shifting sand dunes were stabilised with indigenous vegetation planted by the Department of Forestry, adding to the already varied flora of the area. The vegetation is mainly coastal, ranging from dune milkwood forests to teeming salt marshes which sustain the estuarine environment. More inland, dune fynbos borders limestone fynbos heathlands, making for a fascinating composition of vegetation. De Mond supports several species of small mammals such as grysbok, steenbok and grey
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There is a R25 entry charge and guests are invited to spend a day on the 954 hectares reserve, perhaps taking a picnic under the trees alongside the river or even for a spot of fishing. The sheer size of the reserve and some fairly strict rules to minimise human interference, mean that you are unlikely to bump into too many people. For me, the attraction of walking part of the 7km Sterna Hiking Trail (which takes you on a circular tour of the reserve and begins with a crossing to the south bank of the Heuningnes River, by way of a swaying, woodand-cable suspension bridge worthy of Indiana Jones) and swimming back to base down the river was just too appealing, passing as you do the warm, saltbush shallows, countless schools of small fish and a myriad of life forms. There is just one cottage that sleeps six for overnight accommodation situated between the milkwoods and coastal fynbos near the entrance to the reserve, and provides views of the Heuningnes estuary and sea. Containing three bedrooms, it has two single beds in each room, electricity, hot water, a shower and braai facilities. Another option is to take on the four-hour De Mond to Arniston Trail, a one-way trek along the coast, past Waenhuiskrans cave, and nearby fish traps and middens once used by the Khoisan. There is also the remnant of an old shipping beacon near the ponit - a concrete
For more information go to www.capenature.co.za or call 0861 CAPENATURE
Dermal Fillers Botox ® Dr Tracey Garner 021 876 4622 The Ivy • Franschhoek
A scene typical of the Bredasdorp area
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February 2010
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MINUTES WITH . . . BICARA HAIGH NEWTON
Sunthing to Think About The Month recently received an SMS that read: “Wot shud I do in the sun?” Rather than responding with: “Use your imagination and a dictionary,” we approached Ronel Swart, of the Franschhoek Skin Care Clinic, for a more helpful answer.
February 2010
back of your neck and legs, your arms and ears and for those with a receding hair line - their heads. For the face and head, use a SPF of 40.
this centre, has something for everyone. People don’t all come to the village for the same reason.
2.Stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm
TM: Where do you source your diverse and almost eclectic merchandise?
3.Drink enough water 4.Use a face and body moisturiser 5.Exfoliate your face and body twice a week. This helps prevent dryness and will ensure that you keep a tan for longer 6.Don’t use perfume on exposed skin as it can cause pigmentation 7.Wear a wide-brimmed hat 8.Wear good sunglasses, which are wide at the sides
She answered as follows: Whilst being outdoors in Franschhoek is part of the big attraction of life or a holiday here, it is very important not to underestimate the damage the sun can do to your skin – even if you have a tan or dark pigmentation. Here are 10 points I think are worth noting: 1.Use a sun block daily. Apply it three times a day and remember to apply it to often neglected areas such as the February 2010
9.Put your feet up at night as it aids lymph drainage 10.Visit a spa or salon for a hydrating facial and or a body treatment Thanks Ronel, your advice will be sure to save us from being red-faced in the March edition.
Franschhoek Skin Care Clinic can be contacted on 021 8763543 or info@clarinsinfranschhoek.co.za
Bicara Haigh Newton recently opened her shop, Collectables by B, in the Place Vendome Lifestyle Centre in Franschhoek. Her motivation to open the store was quite simple; “I love shopping for gifts.” she says, “what could be better than owning a shop that specialises in them?” The Month met with Bicara at the Fizz Affair Champagne Bar, close to Collectables, to talk about her shop, gifts and ‘the next big thing’. The Month: What sets Collectables by B apart from the many gift shops out there? Bicara Haigh Newton: I’ve always wanted to open a gift shop that will offer everyone an opportunity to find a decent gift at a good price. TM: Is there a danger that because it doesn’t carry a wine or food theme, Collectables isn’t really relevant to shoppers in Franschhoek? BHN: No, not at all. Franschhoek, and even
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BHN: My family and I have been ‘sourcing’ gifts for years. Both my mother and motherin-law share my retail interest and are quite involved in the Collectables concept. Whenever I’ve met someone with something that I’ve thought would be relevant to this kind of shop, I’ve added them to my list of contacts. I won’t stock something that’s already here in Franschhoek. There are enough great items to go round; there’s no need to be competing within the Franschhoek community for the same market. I’ve got from painted Johannesburg slasto to spoons from the 14-year-old girl who was featured on K-TV... even Trollbeads! TM: Speaking of new ideas, what’s The Next Big Thing? BHN: Hmm. I think the FindIT Key Finders are going to be worth a look. Everyone loses their keys at some time, some of us more often than others. If you lose your keys you simply go to a transmitter, slide a tab and your keys magically give off a beep. The battery lasts for ages and the key finder has a range of up to 40m. So you’ll find your keys wherever they are in the house. TM: Thank you Bicara and good luck. See the Collectables by B advert on page 23
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February 2010
food and wine The Month food & wine
Sun Sets on the Solms-Delta Supper Concerts By the Staff Reporter The popular Rural Cape Summer Sunset concerts at Solms-Delta draw to a close in February with a veritable feast of Cape food, music, song and dance. On the 6th of February, 2010, Oom Jakobus and Tannie Hester Cloete will kick off the final month’s line-up. Born in Namaqualand, Jakobus first learned to play the sheepgut-string ‘ramkietjie’ and later, the guitar. He and his sister, Hester, will play and sing their original, traditional story-telling songs about his childhood in the Sandveld. His captivating stories are an intrinsic part of the musical heritage of the Cape. Cape Town Jazz-lovers will recognise the names of Hilton Schilder, Steve Newman and Errol Dyers, who promise an evening of pure enjoyment as they bring their own inimitable style of Cape vernacular music to the Winelands, on the 13th of February. The Cape Ghoema Entertainers, the “party part” of the Mannenberg Malay Choir, will be on stage on the 20th of February, with their exciting brand of local and traditional sounds and are guaranteed to have everyone on their feet in a celebration of song and dance. The UWC Production Band brings the concert series to a close on the 27th of February. This hidden gem showcases musical talent from all across our continent and kicked off the first part of the summer concert programme last year with their grassroots Afrojazz-gospel sounds.
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The colourful Solms-Delta Brass Band
The local Delta Bluestars, the Delta Langbroeke Band and the Delta Soetstemme will all add their own vibrant, musical talent to each concert, in a celebration of their own musical heritage. The Saturday supper concerts start at 18h00. The cost for an adult, including a lavish buffet supper catering for all tastes, is R150 and children; R65. For bookings contact Annalize 021 874 3937. February 2010
food and wine Full Steam Ahead! The Month
food & wine
February 2010
By a Visiting Contributor
As a repeat visitor to Franschhoek, I was surprised to discover that the little town now has another pub. I’m familiar with both the other establishments (Taki’s and The Elephant and Barrel - Ed), and while they’re quite different, I would have thought that the old adage “two’s company, three’s a crowd” would be a warning. How wrong I was! While the new pub, called the Franschhoek Station Pub, has the obvious parallels of wood-rich décor, a bar and beer, the similarities end there. I feel sure that rather than undermine the competition, this new pub has added something to Franschhoek that will bring even more visitors into the town.
My visit to The Station Pub was on an ‘ordinary’, albeit swelteringly hot, summer’s day. As it was early evening the pub was already busy and what struck me immediately was the very friendly rapport that seems to exist between the manager(s) and what I think was a mainly
offered. Marica explained that the pub’s menu will be increased in time, but I was happy to order a chicken and a rib basket respectively, for the two of us. With hindsight we could have settled for just one basket – especially given my ‘second Guinness’ faux pas. The food was good; my chicken wings, strips and potato wedges (something I’m still not entirely used to) cost a very reasonable R50. Hubby’s R60 bought him 400g of deliciously basted ribs that must be every Clean House fan’s worst nightmare. I was grateful that we’d left the kids behind for our trip. That was something else that really impressed me about the venue; it’s kid-friendly. I did wonder about the chance that someone may get brained on the Boules courts, but it didn’t happen while we were there - so I guess, what are the chances? The slide, jungle gym and sandpit are a clever touch and were used flatout by youngsters throughout our meal. It re-
Better Pick n Pay By the Staff Reporter
Pick n Pay’s move from the center of Franschhoek to the Franschhehoek Centre has been lauded by locals and repeat visitors alike. For anyone who ever experienced squashing passed an oncoming shopper in the aisles of the ‘old’ Pick n Pay, heaven has arrived in the form of oodles or air-conditioned space, product-laden shelves and a new Deli that can compete with any in one of the bigger neighbouring towns. I pinned down owners, Stuart Downie and Leigh Caurtnage, on a typically busy day for a five-minute summary of what the move has meant to them, their business and the valley.
Make a meal of it at The Station Pub
local crowd. Not bad for a place that’s barely been open a month. We chose to sit outside, as the bar area was a hive of activity and I really needed to get a little ‘me-space’. The noisy throng behind us made for a perfect background bustle that reminded me of our ‘local’ back home. I will concede that my husband needed the promise of a second Guinness to convince him that the large-screen TVs could do without our attention. No one should visit Franschhoek to be made a cricket widow. We were helped very promptly by a pretty waitress and also greeted by Marica who noticed that we were visitors to the town. The pub menu isn’t extensive – which is a compliment. We wanted pub food and that’s what we were
February 2010
ally strikes me as a family venue for the early evening. I can imagine that things get a little busier and adult-oriented the later it gets. All-in-all the pretty, old station building has been simply but appropriately decorated to retain a sense of authenticity, the food is good and well-priced, the South African beers were relatively cheap and the local wines on the wine list are worth a try. With a fair number of patrons the place has great atmosphere and the service delivery of the Station Pub team is top-class. Thanks for a good evening and another worthy eating-out option in your beautiful town. See The Station Pub advert on page 11
After the obligatory congratulations, I enquired about the effect the move has had for Pick n Pay and its customers? The answer was: “It’s a huge improvement.” More parking, increased shelf-space and the variety of stock have all been received positively. Having more space has meant that the deli, butchery and bakery are all far better than what was possible before. On the down-side the added expense of the new premises has meant some risk to the business. When I suggested that the risk is easily absorbed by pushing up prices, Leigh pointed out “our prices are governed by our franchise agreement as we buy from contracted suppliers who essentially give us all the same deal. Here and there we have a little latitude, but we can’t be much more expensive or even much cheaper than other Pick n Pays, as our margins are small enough to start with.” Stuart shared that foot-traffic is up 15%, month-on-month. In Leigh’s experience the response by local customers has the overwhelmingly positive. “We
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Leigh and Stuart, the owners of Pick n Pay
thought they’d be happy, but we’re inundated with good feedback,” she shared. When I asked whether there was anything that has caught them by surprise, she highlighted an increase in the spread of spending categories. “What we used to stock for a season seams to sell in a matter of weeks,” said Stuart. “It’s a good surprise to have to deal with.” I quizzed them about their preparations for the World Cup. While it’s too early to see the effects store-wide, Leigh revealed that they are definitely gearing up for the tournament. I asked Stuart about the impact that Pick n Pay has had on the village, expecting him to highlight ‘convenience’ as its biggest appeal. Instead he said “Our biggest contribution is that we employ a large part of the local work-force. We have 140 employees and that’s a lot. You know, we’ve grown over the years from a little shop to what you see here today. It’s amazing to know that we make a very real difference in the lives of so many people in such an important way.”
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February 2010
food and wine The Month food & wine
MINUTES WITH . . . RIChARD CARsTENs
Photo by Eddie Wilson
Free Wine Tasting | Open daily from 10h00 to 17h00 Tel: (021) 874 1611 | Corner of R45 and Klapmuts Simondium Rd, Paarl Visit our website to join our wine club: www.vnl.co.za
Well-known local chef, Richard Carstens, was recently appointed to head the kitchen at Reuben’s in Franschhoek. The Month caught up with him between services at the popular Franschhoek restaurant. The Month: Richard, welcome back to the Franschhoek valley. Give us a little of your chef-ing background and bring us up to speed with what you’ve been doing lately. Richard Carstens: Well, ‘92, ‘94, ‘95 I was at Chamonix, just down the road, where I met Reuben. He was a wine steward and started training with me in the kitchen there. After Chamonix I was at Franschhoek Country House’s Monneaux Restaurant, where I was the sous-chef. I went overseas for a while and
returned to the ‘old’ Grande Provence, when Count Riccardo Agusta still owned that. That was voted in the ‘Top 10’ at the time. Then I moved to Bijoux in the main road, that was also a ‘Top 10’ then to Natal in 2002 to work at at a place called Lynton Hall. You know, if Franschhoek is the ‘food and wine capital of South Africa’, Natal is a bit like the ‘Wild West’ of cooking. I thought I’d stay there six months, but ended up staying five years. I came back to the Cape in 2007, got re-married and when the investors pulled out of my restaurant, Nova, I got a call from Reuben and here I am. TM: Are we likely to see a major change of the Reuben’s menu given your well-known deconstructivist approach to food?
RC: No. Reuben’s is a brand, it has it’s own identity and there’s a measure of consistency in that. Reuben and I have been friends for years and I’m really here to help with the implementation of systems and to research new cooking techniques and conceptualise dishes. Essentially we want to “perfect” certain of our menu items. I’ll be working very much within the brand that Reuben has created.
or Asian ingredients we go further afield.
TM: How do you feel about being back in Franschhoek?
TM: As a chef, what do most like to eat?
RC: It’s almost as if nothing much has changed. When I left there were only a handful of wellknown restaurants in the village, now there are many, that’s changed. But everyone is still very food and wine driven. You don’t find this region’s strong food and wine culture anywhere else in the country. Suppliers are more ingredient and produce driven, which is great. We try to source a lot locally. Obviously for Japanese
TM: Tell us a little about your wife. RC: She’s a florist and is based in Cape Town, where she works for a company called Lush. It’s peak season at the moment and when things quieten down we’d like to look at settling in Franschhoek.
RC: I’m not a big red meat eater. I like Vietnamese-influenced dishes and my favourite is steamed rice with a ginger clam broth and an apple and fennel salad. It’s light and refreshing. We conclude the interview on a similar note as Richard heads back into the kitchen to prepare for his evening sitting.
Dieu Donné - Lager than Life By the Staff Reporter
True to the non-conformist nature of the Cross of Lorraine which features in their logo, Dieu Donné was the first vineyard in the Cape Winelands to open a micro-brewery to complement its wines and cuisine. By bringing in malt from Caledon, hops from George and yeast from overseas, Dieu Donné produces a British-style Ale, a German-style Pilsner, a Weissbier and an Irish-style Stout, available on tap at the restaurant and downtown at Crépe and Cider. Pure spring water (sourced on the farm) is used in the process and all Dieu Donné beers are 100% maltbased, making them ‘more full-bodied and flavour-driven’ than normal. The beers are brewed in accordance to the Reinheitsgebot (the Bavarian Purity Law) - literally a ‘purity order’ which regulates the production of beer in Germany. In the original text, the only permissible ingredients were water, barley, and hops. The law has now been repealed but many German beers continue to declare that they abide by the rule to reassure customers. The result is micro-brewed beer containing no preservatives and only once it comes
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into contact with oxygen does it begin to oxidize and breakdown. The German-style Pilsner is part of the lager beer family, made from mainly barley malt and has a clean refreshing flavour. The German Weissbier is a wheat beer, sweet in comparison to other beers, and has a slight banana flavour
which comes from the yeast. The British-style Ale offers a nice balance between bitter and sweet and has a rich copper colour with complex flavours and fruity aromas. The Stout has a dark rich colour with hints of coffee flavours and its name means ‘brave’ or proud. If you’d like to find out more, Dieu Donné does a Micro-Brewery Tour for R35 per person including the Micro-Brewery Tasting, an extensive talk on the brewing process and a 350ml Micro-Brewed Beer of choice. Call 021 876 3384 or go to the site at www.dieudonnerestaurant.co.za.
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NOW OPEN FOR LUNCH, DINNER & WINE TASTINGS! Thursday Sushi Nights (pre booking essential)
For reservations phone: Tel: (021) 867 0963 Fax: (086) 500 7031 info@freedomhillrestaurant.co.za or visit www.freedomhillrestaurant.co.za
February 2010
Tourism News
the Month
February 2010
Cape Town Tourism’s PR campaign
Some of the participants’ comments posted on the Internet after the race include: Cape Town Tourism has partnered with three international public relations agencies to proac- “What a nice race! Essentially followed the tively represent the Mother City abroad. The same route as the Tour de Vino MTB (long appointments are aimed at meeting the current route). I have done the 43km and enjoyed it. Thanks to the Lions Club and PPA for a well demand for accurate information in the run up organised event! (and well marked)” to the 2010 FIFA World Cup and will assist in shaping and managing realistic perceptions “I also survived the 40km in 3h47, I was dead of destination Cape Town and Cape Town as afterwards, that second mountain was too a Host City in key European source markets. much for me. It was the most technical ride I The public relations partners are: have done to date, the section down over the jeep track above the dam was pretty scary. It - MTA Tourism Leisure - UK was also the most flats/cut-tyre breakdowns I - Kleber Public Relations Network - Germany, have seen in a race. It was a great race and I’ll Austria and Switzerland be back next year”. - World Wide Tourism (formerly known as Tourism Africa) - Netherlands, Denmark, The 2nd Inter-Winelands Sports Day: Norway, Sweden and Finland 31st January 2010 Most countries who have staged mega-events The Inter-Winelands sports day aims to bring warn of tourism slumps after the fans go home wineries in the Winelands of Stellenbosch and Cape Town Tourism has mandated all and Franschhoek together to compete in a their PR partners to adopt a sustainable out- fun-filled day of sport. The festival is run on look, focusing on the legacy potential of the a non-profit basis and all funds generated will World Cup rather than simply on the event it- be used to ensure a fun and safe sports day for self. In Lianne Burton’s (Head of Marketing at all involved. Teams may include members from Cape Town Tourism) article ‘Make 2010 a love different wineries from the same district. affair, not a one night stand’ she indicates that Sydney, for instance, experienced a staggering The programme for the day is in the table below:
-Make restaurant and hotel reservations -Take / place food and drinks orders -Take down client details -Give directions and -Supply information about your town and its activities decline in visitor numbers in the three years after hosting the Olympics in 2000, with ‘greed’ being singled out as a key factor and a painful lesson learnt.
A number of sponsorship opportunities exist. For more information or to take part in this fun-filled day please email Darielle at events@ franschhoek.org.za
The Franschhoek Lions/Porcupine Ridge Mountain Bike Challenge was held in Franschhoek on the 16th of January 2010. Approximately 650 mountain bikers flocked to the event on the day.
Alliance Af Française is presenting a beginner’s course in French aimed at the tourism sector, in Franschhoek. Participants will learn to:
The Franschhoek Lions/Porcupine Ridge Moutain Bike Challenge
February 2010
Beginner’s French for tourism in Franschhoek
Duration: 14 weeks When: 15 Feb – 31 May Time: Mondays from 3:15pm to 4:45pm Cost: R1400 Contact Carmen at office@franschhoek.org.za for more information. Jenny Prinsloo CEO: Franschhoek Wine Valley and Tourist Association
-Greet people
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February 2010
of the month The Month question
With the approach of the World Cup gathering steam, I decided to tour the main street in search of signs of World Cup fever. While there is a fair amount of uncertainty and speculation about the effects of the event, everyone is gearing up for it to a greater or lesser extent. I started at Winelands Experience, now in their new offices at Place Vendôme. Werner, the recently appointed sales and marketing manager, is already geared up for the event. “We’re looking to offer an improved transfer service to and from the airport, matches and a couple of local safari parks. We’ve added refreshments to the service we offer to those travelling with us and we’ll be available on a 24-hour basis during the tournament.” I ask him if they’re getting as much rest as possible before the event, as they’re likely to be run off their feet. He doesn’t hear me as he’s busy co-ordinating a World Cup-related outing. Impressed, I head across the road to Manic Cycles. I approach owner, Geddan Ruddock, whose extremely brown arms hang from lily-white shoulders; a sign that he’s back on the sponsored cycling circuit and obviously putting in the miles. I ask him about his World Cup preparations. “I’m watching my diet and doing a fair amount of road work,” he says.
“No, I mean business-wise,” I try again. Turns out that Manic Cycles have already brought in extra bikes to take care of the busy rental market and will soon stock a variety of branded World Cup merchandise, including shirts and souvenirs. “I would have loved to host a couple of spinning classes with the French team, but sadly they won’t be around. Who knows, we may have a surprise or two!” Noticing his English supporter’s shirt, I thank him and head to the pub next door. Hanno Lourens mans the bar at The Franschhoek Station Pub and as it’s 11am, he’s hard at it, serving beer to a couple of desperate young women. “We’re going to have a stack of Vuvuzelas,” he beams, “we’re going to be partying all the way!” He says he’s a little worried about being able to keep enough stock, but he’ll store beer in his flat if he has to. I suggest that the party will be all the way to his flat soon. The pub will also have a number of braais available to patrons and outdoor-viewing of the games
is being arranged. I amble out of the pub wondering about the wisdom of having braai fires close to the TV and soon find myself passing by the Info Centre/Logo Store. I pop in to see what they’re up to. “Oh we can’t say too much just yet,” says Cameron, “but there’s some exciting stuff. The FWVTA is putting together some great offers and there will be quite a number of events. I think you’ll be able to read about it in The Month in March.” Impressed that he’s ahead of me, I lift my camera for a picture. “It’s really exciting,” he continues, “and it’s all going to end with a big party at the Bastille Festival on the 17th and 18th of July, so you’re going to need to put on some dancing shoes.”
I leave, mindful of the inappropriateness of my shoes for dancing and notice the Havaianas slip-ons outside Peacock Blue. They have air-con so I step inside to find Georgia Schoeman and make small talk about the World Cup and the world of fashion. “We’re going to stock loads of jumpers and raincoats,” she smiles. “There’s Team Havaianas, which I see you’ve already noticed, supporters’ shirts and knitwear. We’re going to focus on subtle motifs, flags and branding. Quite classy really.” It’s what I’d expect from her and she in turn is expecting many, many people. She points out that most of her retail focus will be on menswear. Most
yes! We’re making lots of these,” he says, holding up the soccer player, “whole teams in fact. And I’ve started with these (working) wire radios. They’ll have lots of soccer branding, balls, team logos etc.” He’s brutally honest when he adds that he plans to make “good money” in the winter. He’s even planning to keep his stall
emanating from the establishment catch me off-guard and I’m keen to see if Tim Adams is feeling OK. “I love this stuff,” he says, upping the volume a notch. “We’re looking forward to the World Cup,” he nods. “We’re going to make lots of money!” Is he having me on or is this just his honest side, I wonder? “Expect
open late into the night. “All I need now is for Mr M (Robert Maingard, the developer) to give me some good space. You know; something for the small fish.” He doesn’t stop smiling for a second and I’m soon on my way with pictures, his business card and a wire soccer ball.
daily strip-shows, soccer players signing autographs, the place will be open late. But I’m taking time off to go to Europe. It’ll be nice and quiet there.” Sensing my confusion he smiles and says, “You need a good coffee! Seriously, we’ll stay open late and treat the period as we do the busy summer season.” I ask about a picture for the paper. As he calls the waiters together, he says “Take one of the people that matter.”
At the Franschhoek Photolab I ask new owners Richard and Charlene Waite about their plans. “It’s difficult to predict really,” says Richard. “We’ll have to have more PCs – that’s for sure.”
I cross the road for what I hope will be the last time. Reuben’s Dakota wing is calling. At the entrance I bump in to Josephine, his feisty sommelier. I tentatively ask her about how Reuben’s is gearing up for June. “Well, you know, we can’t stock up on meat and things. It’s too early for that. So we’re making sure that our staff are all properly trained and able to offer the professional and speedy service the many tourists are going to demand from us. We’re expecting it to be like Christmas all over again
As we speak the steady stream of internet users ensure that Richard gets maximum value from his high-speed ADSL line. He points out that getting stock during the competition is likely to be difficult, so they’re starting to stock-up already. “We’ll stay open late, as we do in season; probably until 8pm.” Across the road I stop at Essence, mainly because the stirring sounds of fine classical music of the men are likely to focus on the bikini advert in her ladies’ store, Indian Summer. As she laughs, I quickly take her picture and head up in the direction of the monument. Outside the Standard Bank, where construction of the first of a number of new shopping areas is in full swing, I notice a diving wire-and-bead soccer player being admired by Prince and Jabulani of Live Wire Art. Impressed by the street vendor’s skill I ask Prince if he’s also going to tap-in to the World Cup phenomenon. “Oh
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– but for longer. Everyone needs to know what their role is, how to do their job and how to offer excellent service. Can I offer you something to drink?” I accept and call it a day. At least the soccer players will have half-time. February 2010
PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
February 2010
Place Vendôme Lifestyle Centre
ALCHEMY Purveyors of fine collectables… Alchemy’s collection is identified by exquisite findings of fine linen, imported candles, designer clothing and intimate wear. Inspired by imagination, fantasy and seduction (which will arouse curiosity in our luxurious and decadent collections) and our appetite for rare pleasures, compelled Alchemy into being. We wish to share our passion for hidden treasures from around the world and bring a more vibrant way of living into being, a refuge for those weary of the mundane offerings that surround us.
SILK ‘N WOOD
At Alchemy, imagination is greeted with passion and we humbly invite you to lose yourselves in our subtle, yet sophisticated offerings. Collectables by B, a new generation concept store in Franschhoek, is a treasure trove of gifts and collectables that have been sourced from all over the world. Owner-run, this unique experience offers visitors an extensive choice of gifts and one of a kind items. The choice of trinkets, key finders, jewellery and numerous other interesting objects will hold visitors’ fascinations and will ensure that they return time and time again. Collectables by B: T : +27 (0)21 876 3430; M: +27 (0)83 290 7469 E: info@collectb.co.za
PISTACHIO DECOR The jewel in the new Place Vendôme centre’s crown has to be the beautiful and elegant new interior and design emporium “Pistachio Décor” filled with a collection of exciting furniture, antiques, mirrors, accessories, elegant light fittings and original art to add a unique touch to your home or solve that difficult gift dilemma. Sourced from around the world, Pistachio Décor is setting trends with luxurious contemporary textured rugs, a fusion of fibre and color in pure wool silks and a variety of natural fibres. Whether your taste is classic or contemporary, smart or relaxed, whatever the style you have chosen, it’s the place to come for well-designed, well-made pieces for every room from armoires to armchairs, consoles to cushions. At Pistachio, let your imagination go where it will!
February 2010
These timeless Indian classics made from solid Burmese teak captured the hearts and imagination of the owners of Silk ‘n Wood. Inspired by the colours and textures from India, the concept for the shop was to import and showcase some of these fascinating pieces. A browse through the shop is not to be missed, with the most exquisite pieces of furniture, scarves and jewellery on display. A must see for any discerning buyer.
CAFÉ VENDOME With the veritable plethora of Deli’s, Café’s and bakeries being promised to Franschhoek, the newest and arguably most stylish of these is Café Vendome. With an emphasis on exquisite cakes, pastries and confectionaries, whether you have a sweet or savory tooth, the daily selection will not leave you unfulfilled. No expense has been spared in creating a chic interior with its chandeliers, gleaming polished surfaces and intense colours of the imported gold gilt and velvet chairs. A daily selection of delicious savory delights will include breakfast, light lunches consisting of gourmet open sandwiches, designer savory pastries and a selection of light and fresh salads to compliment the vast assortment of cakes and pastries. The true essence of café society is captured whether seated outside at a table overlooking the elegant surroundings of manicured gardens or the opulence of the glass enclosed patisserie. A perfect place to enjoy that leisurely coffee whilst browsing through the news of the day. Bon appetit!
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Injabulo Injabulo means delight, joy and pleasure in Zulu. This is what we hope your experience shopping at Injabulo Clothing will be. We stock the finest local designs and most of our clothing is manufactured in South Africa.
Our men’s range incorporates casual shorts and t-shirts and our ladies range extends from casual gear to relaxed evening wear. Freehand dyework, artisanal stitching and other handwork set us apart from your more traditional clothing stores. Visit us for clothing that is fun, funky, slightly unusual and affordable.
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PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
February 2010 THE DINING ROOM
Winelands Experience
The Dining Room was established with Franschhoek’s wine and dine culture in mind. We supply everything from tableware, dining accessories, cutlery, glassware, crockery and linen as well as various gift ideas. All our products are sourced and imported with superior design, quality and luxury in mind. We stock a variety of brands namely Georg Jensen from Denmark; Price’s – famously known for the luxurious candles they have handmade for over 100 years; silverware from Portobello Road in London, as well as local designers such as Diana Carmichael for exquisite tableware and legendary crockery from Noritake and Royal Porcelain. Glassware is supplied by Riedel which is the choice of all the best winemakers for tasting and beautiful and fun colourful tableware from notorious London designer Nina Campbell. If it is more than tabletop items you want - we even supply furniture for your dining room!
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Based in the gorgeous wine producing area of Franschhoek and servicing the entire Cape Winelands region, Winelands Experience not only offers you magnificent Cape Winelands tours - they will expose you to everything you will need to experience a truly unforgettable Cape Town holiday. FIZZ AFFAIR Elegance and sophistication was the dream in creating the stylish and romantic mysticism of the Fizz Affair champagne and wine bar. A passion for black and bling is mesmerizingly captured in the reflections of mirror, crystal and sparkle. Deliciously opulent, Fizz Affair is designed to capture the hearts and imagination of the vibrant local community and the discerning international traveller. Whilst showcasing the ‘Crème de la Crème’ of the local wine industry, the selective menu offers the best Cap Classiques, red and white wines and imported Champagne either by the glass or the bottle. Fizz Affair is a delightful way to enjoy your visit to Franschhoek with a chilled glass of bubbly pre-lunch or to begin the evening with pre-dinner drinks at the most glamorous bar in the Cape before dining at the wonderful selection of award-winning restaurants… Cheers!
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Winelands Experience invites you to sample the award-winning gourmet restaurants, feast your eyes on the panoramic views of the Cape Winelands, tee off on manicured Cape golf courses and spend indulgent evenings in a range of guest houses and boutique hotels before embarking on the finest of all Cape Winelands tours. Come and visit our new office at Place Vendôme.
February 2010
PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
February 2010
FRANSCHHOEK & THE WINELANDS DOUG GURR DIONNE GURR SHELLY SCHOEMAN OFFICE EMAIL
072 610 7208 072 460 2586 083 301 8833 021 876 2100 winelandsint@pamgolding.co.za
FRANSCHHOEK
R5.95 MILLION
Bedrooms
4
Bathrooms
3
Parking
4
WEB ACCESS 1012913
CAPE COUNTRY. This beautiful farm-style home is located on Deltacrest Equestrian Estate. Offering spacious open-plan, double volume living area with fireplace, dining room and kitchen with scullery. Lovely shaded patios with views of the vines, mountains and manicured lawns make this a truly desirable home.
FRANSCHHOEK
Bedrooms
4
Bathrooms
R3.79 MILLION
3
Garages
2
WEB ACCESS 1006619
DUFF COTTAGE. This immaculate family home offers open-plan lounge/dining and family room with cosy fireplace, kitchen, scullery and large walk-in pantry. There is a spacious master suite with private lounge, 2nd bedroom and full bathroom, with 2 additional bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs. A heated indoor pool, charming garden all located on a quiet corner plot with lovely mountain views.
FRANSCHHOEK
R2.995 MILLION
FRANSCHHOEK
Bedrooms
3
Bathrooms
R3.69 MILLION
3
Garages
2
WEB ACCESS 465948
VINES, VIEWS, VALUE. Located in the secure La Petite Provençe Estate. This bright family home has entrance foyer, TV room/library with fireplace, lounge with fireplace, dining room, office, kitchen/scullery and guest loo. There is an undercover entertainment area with pool and easy to maintain garden. Double garage.
FRANSCHHOEK
R1.85 MILLION
WEB ACCESS 1011380
WEB ACCESS 1010287
VILLAGE GEM. Charming and delightful cottage in the heart of the village. 2 Spacious open-plan living areas, dining room, study nook and modern
RARE VILLAGE PLOT. PRICE REDUCED. This 800 m2 residential plot offers one the ability to design and build your dream home. Located in a quiet part of the Village with
kitchen. Folding/sliding doors open to the pool and pretty paved garden with lovely mountain views. A double garage and laundry
lovely mountain views. One of Franschhoek’s few remaining plots.
Bedrooms
2
Bathrooms
2
Garages
2
complete this gem.
www.pamgolding.co.za/franschhoek Contact ooba today. Call us on 0860 00 66 22.
February 2010
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February 2010
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PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
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February 2010
PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
February 2010
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February 2010
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PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
February 2010
VACANT LAND
LODGE HOME ON WATER
4 BEDROOMS - ENTERTAINERS’ DELIGHT
Build you dream home by purchasing vacant land directly from the developer. Plots range between 500m² and 2800m² and are situated to ensure uninterrupted views over fairways and water features.
This lakeside home is the ideal lock up and go property, with off course living, mountain views and loads of birdlife. This open plan home is great for a weekend getaway.
The lounge, designer kitchen, dining room and enclosed patio lead to the the pool area. The ground floor houses a guest suite with en-suite bathroom, full domestic accommodation and three garages.
BEST IN FAMILY LIVING AN IDYLLIC FAMILY ENVIRONMENT IN EVERY SENSE, PEARL VALLEY GOLF ESTATES’ PROMISE OF A CAREFREE EXISTENCE STANDS FIRM. ONCE YOU ARRIVE, THERE’S A WHOLE LOT OF LIVING TO BE DONE To arrange a viewing – WITH A WORLD OF ADVENTURE AND ACTIVITY FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY, WAITING TO BE EXPLORED. | T +27 21 867 8000 | E properties@pearlvalley.co.za | W pearlvalleygolfestates.com
contact | T +27 21 867 8000 | F +27 21 867 8096 | E properties@pearlvalley.co.za | W pearlvalleygolfestates.com
Valley Property Sales Set to Strengthen The Month QP 18 January 2010 h.indd 1
2010/01/20 16:44:50
This month we show data from the Deeds Office for property sales in July, August and September 2009. To date we have not seen any registrations for October onwards. There may well be additional sales yet to be processed.
Over the last twelve months we have seen 34 full title properties sold in Franschhoek at an average price of some R4.6million, equating to an annual value of some R158million, some 60% down on the previous twelve months.
more recent stats, it is likely to become clear that the market is strengthening. For more information contact Paul Eccles at Engel & Voelkers on 021 876 4485
Franschhoek Office · Tel. +27(0)21 876 4485 · Fax. +27(0)21 876 4970 Franschhoek@engelvoelkers.co.za Finest Real Estate - worldwide at www.engelvoelkers.co.za
or e-mail paul.eccles@engelvoelkers.co.za
It is however notable that present sentiment in the market is extremely positive. Once the Deeds Office release the
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February 2010
PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
February 2010
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February 2010
PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE
BMW International Polo
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Sheer Driving Pleasure
JOY IS SPORTING PEDIGREE AND IMPECCABLE STYLE BMW International Polo at Val de Vie Wine & Polo Estate South Africa vs. Italy Saturday, 27 February 2010 17h00 Hospitality packages available from www.circa.co.za
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February 2010
the Month
February 2010
‘Mulligans’ for the Top Players An opinion on the use of technology in cricket By the Editor If ever we needed confirmation of ‘player power’ creeping up on us lowly cricket spectators, the Review System is it. And, as is always the case when either administrators think they can play, or players think they can administrate, it’s a total disaster.
Before the current series versus England, most test-playing countries were for the increased use of technology. As local valley hero and ex-player Dave Rundle says, “As cricketers, all you want is a fair decision. You’ll never get
“If the umpire is as deaf as a post and as blind as a bat at least it’s the same for both sides” 100% correct decisions but the review system improves the decision-making from 70% to 85%.” Is that fairer then? Fairer on the players, perhaps, but fairer on the spectators? If going from 70% to 85% slows the game down by 10%, why not go for 95% and ‘call us when you’re sure’. I’ll go put the kettle on. As one online blogger put it “Since the reviews, rather than the cricket, are now the cornerstone of the sport, when there is a particularly contentious decision why not suspend play for a couple of days - maybe even a week - and examine it from every angle? Get scientists involved; the ICC will want a say, perhaps the February 2010
European Court of Human Rights and almost certainly the UN too. It’s imperative we get these things spot on, and the spectators and the speed of the game are of no consequence, so let’s just stop playing until we know absolutely we’ve got the right decision. That stuff about it ‘only being a game’ and the rub of the green and ‘everything evening out in the end’ is potty. The sport is bigger than that now: these decisions are a matter of life and death.” Frankly, I side with (on certain issues) Andy Flower, the England coach, who said beforehand “I can’t say that I am enjoying the review system that much but it is here to stay for the series so we will deal with it as well as we can. I don’t like the questioning of the umpires and the delay as players discuss whether or not to question an umpire’s decision. I personally prefer the old style where the umpire makes a decision and you just get on with it. It was nice and simple - but the new system just seems to be leading to more and more complications.” Or the (very unhappy) Chairman of the ECB who said of the ‘Smith-nick’ referral in the final test; “We were told the volume would be turned up for reviews. Consequently we lost a referral and our other play is impacted by having one less. I think it’s thoroughly unsatisfactory and I’m not happy. Until the technology is applied correctly we are better off with our oldest method. If the umpire is as deaf as a post and as blind as a bat at least it’s the same for both sides.” With which Rundle concurs to an extent; “You can’t have half the technology. You need hot spots and everything.” But hold on a minute! The introduction of the review system was to get more decisions right, right? When England used up their final review with an LBW appeal against Mark Boucher, ‘Hawkeye’ replays confirmed it should remain an on-field call (Not Out) with the graphics showing the point of impact being marginal. Then, however, moments before lunch, de Villiers got caught off an inside edge off Sidebottom that was given not out, but England had no reviews left to challenge the call. So a bad decision goes uncorrected. How is that improving things? And there is certainly a statis-
tical bias here. When an incorrect decision is overturned it goes straight into the statistics as ‘improving the decision making’ but a bad call that goes uncorrected through a lack of challenge just gets left out. And it gets worse. Andy Flower (again) exposes the hypocrisy of the whole thing with a single statement: “If it wasn’t such a serious match for us I would have found it amusing” he said of the Smith-nick controversy. What does that mean? It’s okay in the first test when we are still feeling out each other or when Australia get a bad call, or when the number 11 is given out, but not when we consider it matters to us. Either every case matters from all teams and all batsmen in all tests, or not at all. So it is basically Mulligans* for the top players - whose wickets matter. Right? At one point in the series commentator Daryl Cullinan said “Morne has asked for the review because in his mind he got a good stride in and he thinks it might have being going down leg.” What nonsense! Morne asked for the review because he could. There were two wickets standing and two reviews left. He asked because he had nothing to lose by doing so. What he believed was going to happen didn’t come into it. The bottom line is that we have technology BECAUSE the players cheat by claiming dropped catches and not walking when they know they’re out and cheating is being endorsed by the players who take no responsibility for themselves. They want the umpires to make all the decisions because they themselves don’t trust each other to be honest and now even that’s not good enough – technology must decide. The usual reasoning is that players’ careers are on the line here, so we MUST get the right
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decision. Do me a favour! It’s their fault! And now the spectators must suffer. What happened to the good old days when walking was considered honourable? Doesn’t it matter anymore? Is it all about the win? Is the dishonest winner a sign of the times - like the athlete on steroids?
“You may as well praise a man for not robbing a bank.” So here’s my suggestion. The Umpire’s decision is final and technology should be used only in hindsight to determine whether players are honest or not. And if we, as spectators, are prepared to pay to watch cheats win at all costs to make us feel better about ourselves - then it’s a sad reflection on modern society. My heroes are the honest ones like the golfer Bobby Jones who, in the final playoff of the 1925 US Open famously called a penalty on himself when his ball moved in the rough as he was setting up to play his shot. The marshals discussed among themselves and questioned some of the gallery, asking whether anyone had seen Jones’ ball move. Neither they nor anyone else had witnessed the incident but Jones called the twostroke penalty on himself, not knowing that he would lose the tournament by one stroke. When he was praised for his gesture, Jones replied, “You may as well praise a man for not robbing a bank.” *A ‘Mulligan’ is a golfing term for an opportunity to re-play a bad shot and, by the way, no-one remembers who won the 1925 US Open
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The hikes Page
February 2010
Cool Kogelberg By Ed Flitters, Cape Hiking
As I stripped off and plunged into the cool, clear river, I reflected on the splendid hike I had just completed and how lucky I am to be able to spend my days taking visitors into the stunningly beautiful mountains of the Western Cape. The Kogelberg Nature Reserve, managed by Cape Nature, is about 90km south-east of Cape Town and just a short drive from the coastal town of Kleinmond. The reserve is clearly signposted from the R44 and a 4km gravel road leads you through private property to the car park and the start of this hike. This area is amazingly unspoilt and isolated, which is probably why it remains one of my favourites, and never ceases to amaze clients whom I take hiking there. The reserve itself covers 18000ha and is home to over 1600 plant species, including the rare Marsh Rose and sev-
the river narrows, and sunbirds and sugarbirds can be spotted in the proteas. We are heading more or less north-west and after another 10 minutes we reach a wonderful swimming spot where wooden steps lead down to a small sandy beach. It’s almost too early for a dip, but I guess if you have children with you they might already be tugging at your shirt sleeves and enthusing about the cool refreshing water. The Palmiet is deep here and perhaps 30m wide, so the water is slow-moving and there is no danger from currents or underwater branches. The path is lined with gorgeous yellow leucospermums and Mimetes with their pink and red-tipped leaves. The flowers are not as striking as they were in September/October, but the frequent patches of brilliant white everlasting flowers stand out sharply against the vivid pink heather. Watch out too for the tiny blue and pink geophytes, which seem to pop
spent the rest of his life hiking and collecting flowers), turn left onto the Jeep/mountain bike track which will take you back to the car park, or simply retrace your steps along the Palmiet River, much the easiest and coolest option on a hot February day. On the way home, you can call in at the Harold Porter Botanical Garden or, if it’s refreshment you seek, the lovely Laura will spoil you with scones, cakes and all sorts of drinks at Café Jack in Betty’s Bay. Sit on the balcony, stare out to sea and reflect on how lucky you are to have hiked in the Kogelberg Reserve.
Watch your fingers!
The unspoilt beauty of the Kogelberg Nature Reserve
eral endangered species of Mimetes. There are leopards in these mountains, and the river is home to the Cape Clawless Otter, whose meal remains (which include the endemic freshwater crab) can be found scattered along the banks of the river. There are many fabulous hikes which start from here, but the one I have chosen for this month, quite deliberately given the intense heat of February, is the Palmiet River walk, which is about 8-10km long and takes 3-4 hours, depending of course on how often you choose to swim and snack along the way! Starting only 20m above sea level by the cluster of huts which make up the Cape Nature Centre, and surrounded by towering mountains, we can just make out the Palmiet River to the north. To our right is the Perdeberg (650m) and to our left the mighty Platberg (910m); small in comparison with many hills in the Cape, but don’t forget that these peaks are rising from sea level! A dusty track through the bracken takes us quickly to the turn-off for the longer and steeper Kogelberg and Harold Porter trails, but we continue another 150m until we find a small sign “Palmiet Trail” pointing off through the undergrowth to the right. Keep your eyes peeled for a huge tortoise that likes to hang around here in the grass; he can be quite aggressive too, so watch your fingers! After 15 minutes we reach the river itself, and the sandy track picks its way over grey, waterworn rocks. There is a small rapid here where
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out of the sand on their fragile, slender stems. Apart from the odd rise and fall, the track is almost totally flat and rises only 10m over 5km. After an hour we reach another rocky area right by the river, which is a superb spot for a snack, a drink, or cooling one’s toes! Only 500m to our left is a jeep track which doubles as a mountain bike trail, but the fynbos is so dense that it remains invisible throughout, its exist-
ence only recognised by the occasional sign for “Emergency Exit” pointing off the trail. After about an hour the river widens to about 50m and the entire valley opens up to reveal a playing field of beautiful white everlasting flowers. 30 minutes later we cross a tiny stream flowing in from our left and, after scrambling up a sandbank, reach a pristine white beach, which would not look out of place in the Caribbean. There are more swimming opportunities here, preferably to the right of the small rapids, and for many this will be a fitting end to a superlative hike but, if you continue along the path for another 20-25 minutes, you will reach the point where the Palmiet, Dwars and Louws Rivers converge. Here at the gravel road, you can turn right and push on another 8km to Stokoe’s Bridge (named after an eccentric Englishman who came to the Cape in 1911 and
Striking flowers abound
“My father considered a walk among the mountains as the equivalent of churchgoing.” - Aldous Huxley Ed Flitters, Cape Hiking
Dipping more than toes in the Palmiet
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February 2010
The Green Page
February 2010
Behind the Scenes at Spier By the Staff Reporter
Spier wine farm outside Stellenbosch is well known for its environmentally-friendly approach, but its recent performance at the 2009 Veritas awards, where it broke records with five double-gold and six-gold wins, finally has the critics sitting up and taking notice.
A wastewater treatment plant. This closed-loop system receives up to 250 000 litres of wastewater per day from the hotel, restaurants, wine cellar and farm. The water is cleansed using the best of green engineering techniques. The treated water irrigates the estate’s gardens and grounds. It would take a river 350 kilometers long to purify what Spier’s effluent plant can do in one day. Spier has begun introducing biodynamic farming practices that are rehabilitating the soils on its lands, and is implementing a bold biodiversity plan that seeks to re-establish the richness of its land’s unique flora.
Spier helped establish a land reform project and support 13 previously disRecycling is key in Spier’s environmentally-friendly approach advantaged farmers on a Right from the start, the Enthoven family, who section of land leased from the Stellenbosch bought the farm in 1993, recognised that Spier Municipality. operates in a rapidly changing world. Climate change, as well as South Africa’s history of so- A vermiculture programme converts organic cietal inequalities, compelled them to focus on waste from the restaurants into nutrient-rich building a business that balances prosperity compost which is used on the farm and is also with social and environmental imperatives. available to the public. For Spier, the transition to a business focused on sustainability issues has been a journey. “We have tried lots of things - some work, some don’t,” says CEO Andrew Milne. “What’s important, though, is to keep focused, and keep learning.” Milne says that one of the key challenges is not to lose sight of what is critical commercially. “Spier is a premium wine brand, and quality is key,” he says. “The same applies to our hotel and conference facilities; we offer a luxury experience.
In 2004, Spier began to overhaul its supply chain to ensure that a significant share of goods was procured from local and BEE businesses. Over time greater emphasis has been placed on developing new enterprises, leading to the creation of a laundry and transport company, among other small businesses.
“These goals are intended to stretch us as an organisation, and inspire us to become more innovative in our approach to business,” says Milne.
“Rather than detracting from this focus, in many respects our sustainability approach adds significant value to our wine brand and guest experience,” he says. “The trick is to find the holy grail of the modern age: balance.”
Spier’s ambition should serve as a wake-up call to other wine estates, especially those in the Franschhoek valley that are associated with tourism. Apart from the compelling need to look after the planet and its people, there is huge commercial cachet in being a business that takes its environmental and social responsibilities seriously. And if, like Spier, you manage to get the balance right, your wine could even end up tasting better.
In the early years, Spier initiated a number of projects, including an eco-friendly renovation of the government primary school at nearby Lynedoch. It contributed to founding the Sustainability Institute, an international learning centre affiliated with the University of Stellenbosch that focuses on the study of ecology and communities. It also supports businesses that focus on green technology, and initiatives concerned with redressing past inequalities. In 2003, Spier decided to bring more structure to its approach to sustainable development, and appointed a director of sustainability - a pioneering step at the time, especially for a small business in the wine industry. One of the director’s primary tasks was to define a set of key indicators to measure the business’ performance against financial, environmental and social criteria. Today, the operational team takes full responsibility for Spier’s triple bottom line performance and reporting so as to ensure its sustainable approach to business is integrated into everyday operations. Because Spier has been focused on this approach for some years, it boasts a wide range of ‘sustainable’ initiatives, including: February 2010
Spier already recycles all its wastewater, but it also wants to minimise its consumption of outside water, as well as ensuring the embodied energy in any new buildings on the estate is as low as possible.
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Spier employ the best of green engineering techniques
Spier’s efforts have been recognised. In 2004, the hotel was one of the first in SA to receive Fair Trade in Tourism (FTTSA) accreditation. Spier was also the first SA winery to receive accreditation from the Wine Industry Ethical Trade Association (WIETA). The estate has set itself challenging goals for the future such as achieving significant reductions in water and energy usage. “We have big plans, like being off the national electricity grid by 2020, recycling 100% of our waste, and putting 25% of our land into conservation by 2017,” says Milne. www.themonth.co.za
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February 2010
Finance & Investments
The Symphony of Legacy Louis Venter, head of Citadel Trust, explores the harmony of the four stages of estate planning. A symphony has a simple structure of four movements and only very rarely does a composer veer away from the four movements with
Silo 1 - Trust assets: Assets you have transferred into trust during your lifetime fall outside of your will. Therefore, the trust deed should contain the framework within which your trustees must function. You must leave behind rules and logic, so your
Silo 4 - Pension assets: Substantial wealth is hidden in pension, provident and annuity funds. Pension funds you can do little about, but the transfer of defined-contribution provident and annuity funds should be considered carefully. It is important to un-
3rd Movement: The twist in the tale: You and your wishes
Once stock has been taken of your family tree and your four asset silos, your wishes should be applied. It seems obvious that the assets in the silos should go to the people in the family tree - but in what form, and have you supplied the logic to all four silos? For example, what if you have covered in your will what needs to happen if your family dies in a family calamity, but not considered what will happen to your trust assets? The risk profile of your descendants is also important when considering whether to leave assets in trust for them or not. Minor heirs need special attention, as someone will have to manage the inheritance for them and you’ll have to appoint guardians.
4th Movement: Conclusions and endings: The consequences of your wishes and implementation
The last step in the process is for the estate planner to explain the consequences of your wishes, like liquidity and Estate Duty. The person needs to ensure that your wishes are correctly documented across the asset silos; that all alternatives have been discussed; and that everything forms an integrated and understandable harmony. Then, you need to make peace with your mortality and ensure that all of the documents get your golden signature – as without it, all is worthless. And with that, the conductor and the orchestra can take a bow, only to return in two years’ time to do it all again. any success. On the contrary, those four movements make for the most rewarding musical experience known to us. Then again, the basic structure of the symphony belies the infinite set of minutiae and complexities contained within its simplicity. But without the structure, the symphony would be complex, hard work to play and even harder work to listen to. Context is the cure for complexity, and your estate planning is no different. An estate planner also needs to visit four stages regularly and each stage must be independently examined and dealt with within the integrated reality of the entire plan, and changing circumstances.
1st Movement: Setting the scene: You, your spouse and your family
The key area to be considered is your marriage and direct family. Your marital regime determines what you have to bequeath and your spouse is usually your primary heir. Inheritances to your spouse are also incentivised by the State in that what is left to your spouse is Estate Duty-free. Then you need to consider your parents, children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. This is the structure in which you are going to devolve your estate. You cannot see far into the future, so the longer the effect of your estate planning must last, the more generic it needs to be.
2nd Movement: The plot thickens: You and your assets
Your assets are housed in four silos and each should be considered separately and then integrated.
trustees can deal with trust assets as closely as possible to what you would have done. Silo 2 - Indirect estate assets: Indirect assets are best described as ’assets within assets‘. These are assets you own indirectly, because you own the legal entity within which they reside. Examples are your interest in close corporations, companies and partnerships. However, you cannot dictate what should happen to the assets within CCs and companies; only to your interest in those entities. Let’s say you own shares or a member’s interest in a company or CC together with business partners. Each partner’s, shareholder’s or member’s death has a consequence on the others. You should incorporate each scenario into your estate planning, because as your estate needs to be paid out its share, so do each of the other partner’s estates if they pass away. No-one will ever be in a better position than you are, to figure that out. Silo 3 - Direct estate assets: Everything you own will be dissolved in accordance with your will. These assets usually do not create problems, but you will pay Estate Duty on them at some point, so give a lot of thought to whom you will leave them. With some clever planning and sound drafting, you can maximise every opportunity that exists in the Estate Duty Act. The Estate Duty should be calculated and the effect of that payment on the estate’s liquidity dealt with in earnest, because problems with liquidity can lead to delays in the administration of any deceased estate. Remember: this is not difficult to figure out and the only time you have to put these plans in place is during your lifetime.
derstand what will happen to these funds on your death.
Citadel is an authorised financial services provider. Member of the
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February 2010
Finance & Investments
ForExample
February 2010
By the Staff Reporter
In recent months there has been a plethora of television adverts encouraging viewers to sign up with any number of online Forex Trading companies. The world of foreign exchange was traditionally reserved for accountant-types, with large desks at the back of busy offices, hidden behind a customary green lampshade and popping Maalox to counter-act the persistent effects of stress. Yet today, trading currencies has become quite ‘sexy’. In this first part of a novice’s exploration of online Forex trading, I’ll ask some basic questions, trade some ‘play-play’ money and, within the next few months, hopefully make a small profit.
Griede* for some basic advice. I suggest to Ferran that it seems that people make money from trading in currency without actually spending their own money, so I ask him how this works. “If you mean how do you trade $50000, when you only put down $5000; the answer is ‘gearing’. Basically, if markets are fairly liquid (and the currency markets are the most liquid in the world) they operate ‘on the margin’, which means your brokerage (AC Markets) will ask you to stump up enough money to cover your potential loss. Since markets rarely move more than a fraction of a percent over the short term, a $50000 trade may risk, at most, $5000. Hence, it seems that you’re trading with money I had hoped to do a little trading in the odd day I have time off or on the weekends, “Should I buy and sell on a daily basis or should I wait for a week or a month?” I enquire. “It depends on the trade and the approach that you take. If yours is a ‘fundamental’ approach, you will end up taking a longer term view than, say, a ‘technical’ trader who will look to profit from, for example, repeat patterns of behaviour he spots in the short-term moves. Remember, though, that it costs you each time you trade whether you pay commission or just the ‘double’ – the difference between the bid and offered price.” Again, no hard-and-fast answer.
It may seem a little unrelated to life in the beautiful Franschhoek valley, but a cursory investigation has revealed that there are a fair number of local Forex and commodity traders here. If the TV hype is to be believed, there’s easy money to be made and what better place to spend it than right here on our very own doorstep? Not knowing where to begin, I jump straight in and sign up with AC Markets for a ‘practice account’. AC Markets promises tax-free returns and, as I’m intent on making wads of cash, this seems like a good enough reason to put my faith in them. Added to that they don’t charge commission or a fee for trades and they promise me as much support as I can stomach from a real consultant who is willing to phone daily if necessary! In fact, no sooner had I posted my details when Radek, based in Switzerland, called to welcome me to the network and assure me of his personal attention and support. Five or six half-hour calls later he feels like an old friend and chats easily about life in Franschhoek and the importance of trading “aggressively, but with caution.” As a novice I have some fundamental questions that concern me so I turn to old friend Ferran
February 2010
you don’t own. In reality, you are risking the money you put up and brokerages have sophisticated ways of calculating that risk.” That seems reasonable, but I’m beginning to find the concept of ‘risk’ a little unsettling. The promise of good returns, though, is enough motivation to keep going. AC Markets send me ‘heads-up’ emails daily. With news about the world markets they are meant to help me trade intelligently. They do little more than overwhelm me and highlight my ignorance. I ask: “If I read that the US is facing job-cuts, what is the likely effect and which currencies should I buy?” Ferran replies, “Currencies are, of course, relative measures. So if one country is facing job cuts and this leads to a drop in overall demand, that could equally affect the countries with which they trade and, subsequently, their currency.” I was hoping he’s say “Buy Yen.” But it’s more complicated than that. “There’s an expression in the market”, he adds, ‘buy on the rumour – sell on the fact’. Often once the news is out, a positive ‘market indicator’ can result in a negative response and this is generally because traders have positioned themselves ahead of the indicator and take profit when the news comes out.”
It seems that at times it’s a bit of a gamble, and yet some people are making a lot of money. How do they do this consistently, I ask. “Practice. You wouldn’t expect to become an expert dentist overnight, yet Forex program salespeople like to give you the impression that you can become a successful trader in no time. It takes many years of garnered experience to understand yourself and the other players in the market; how to control your fear, your greed – your emotions. Since it is essentially a ‘zerosum game’ those that profit do so at the expense of the inexperienced.” This answer takes me by surprise. I was prepared for the need to learn something, but the idea that trading means competing with other traders to make money at their expense, sits uneasily – mainly because I fear I’ll be the one to get ripped off! Is there a system I can follow that will guarantee that I’ll make money, I ask? “Yes. If all your readers send me R100 I guarantee I’ll make money. As I’ve said above, if one wins one loses. So you need to pitch yourself against the other players. Are there systems that make money? Sure, during certain market phases. If the market is trending and you are in a program that follows trends, it will keep you with the market and should pull you out when the trend turns. However, when markets consolidate, trend following programs are a bit of a disaster.”
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Despite my fears I still want to try, and after all online Forex companies are willing to ‘give’ me money; surely I can’t lose more than I have or they give me? Ferran responds: “Like any good business model the key is to identify a strategy and stick to it. If you are easily swayed in your beliefs, trading is probably not for you. Like any ‘geared’ market, you can lose more than you put in so, the answer is the same as the one to the question ‘How do I invest in Hedge Funds?’ - Carefully…” Informed but not entirely scared off, I’ll continue to read my Forex emails daily and attempt to make a handful of trades each week. So far so good (see my ‘Progress Summary’ below). If you have any queries or good advice about Forex trading, feel free to drop The Month an email or SMS 34995 (start your SMS with the word ‘Month’). * Our local Forex expert as asked to remain anonymous given the volatile nature of the currency markets and his unwillingness to be held responsible for any losses incurred as a result of his advice. No doubt had he been able to guarantee success, he’d want us all to know who he is!
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February 2010
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The Month
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February 2010
Road Test:
The motoring page
February 2010
Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE
Stat Sheet Mercedes-Benz S65L AMG
Whilst Mercedes-Benz reports no changes to its revised S65L AMG’s 450kW 1000Nm 6-litre biturbo V12, which it claims can rush to 100km/h in just 4.4 seconds and is limited to 250km/h (although they can lift that to 300 if you ask very nicely), it somehow managed to achieve a 3% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Which is good.
It’s lucky then that the S65L now includes a feature called ‘Attention Assist’ to make sure you’re always wide-awake driving it, while the Pre-Safe Brakes are now linked to the proximity radar to create an invisible crumple zone in the event of an accident.
Driving the S65L takes a bit of getting used to. It’s not that it’s unwieldy, its 2 minute 7.9 second Kyalami lap-time makes that clear. It’s just that it is so fast.
so the novelties are a bonus. The only other aspect we find worthy of comment beyond the car’s gargantuan ability to devour fuel, is that it now only comes as a limousine. Which really is quite odd. You see, the best place in this car is without doubt behind the wheel, so why bother with all the cool stuff in the back? Unless of course, you really want to spoil your chauffeur, if and when you’re unfortunate enough not to have the time to actually drive the beast.
It’s a mission to launch it effectively and requires a balancing act of note to perfect. But it ran a 4.5 second 0-100 on our kit down the Valley (4.9 in Jo’burg) and punished the quarter mile in 12.7 seconds at 189km/h (13.1 sec at 183km/h) and demolished our standing start kilometre in 22.0 seconds at 248km/h. That’s ridiculous for a two-and-a-half-ton limousine, isn’t it! Especially when the car was hurtling into the jaws of quite a sturdy northwester. One certainly needs to get one’s head around that blinding overtaking acceleration – floor it and it warps the environment – 80-120km/h in just 2.4 seconds (2.6 sec) and 120-160 in 4.6 (4.3 sec). It demands attention in just about any traffic situation.
February 2010
There are quite a few other changes too, but in reality Merc never had to do much to the S65L,
Engine: 5980 cc biturbo DOHC 36 Valve V12 Gearbox: 5-speed automatic, RWD Power: 450kW Torque: 1000Nm Tested 0-100km/h: 4.6sec (Reef 4.9sec) Tested 0-400m: 12.7seconds @ 189km/h Kyalami Hot Lap: 2:07.9 Claimed Urban Fuel: 14.8/100km Claimed Emissions: 355g/km Warranty: 2-years Service Plan: 6-year/120 000km Price: R2 100 000
Words: Michele Lupini Images: Kalf van Zyl
Read about how the S65 AMG shapes up to BMW’s new 760Li and the Porsche Panamera Turbo in Cars in Action’s March issue on sale at now at the Franschhoek Pick n Pay or BP from mid-February
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February 2010
The Month
Bridge House News
The transformed college staff room
- German; Edoardo Gambardella - Italian; Abigail Goschen - Afrikaans and Abigail Goschen - English. Bridge House Parents Care About the Teachers Whatever the system of assessment that is used to rank school leavers, it is only as good as the teachers tasked with delivering the curriculum and examining the candidates. Bridge House
generously donated their expertise and some beautiful furniture, transformed the College staff room into a comfortable, tranquil and contemporary space for the teachers to relax in during break times. Bridge House is Building! The Bridge House Prep School staff room will get the same treatment as the College staff room once the custom built offices, scheduled
Melvin King, Head of Prep, back in the trenches on the first day of school
Bridge House Matric Results Bridge House Matrics have maintained a 100% pass rate and a 100% subject pass rate since the first class wrote Matric in 1997. Like many independent schools all over South Africa, except for some in the Western Cape, Bridge House writes the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) exams. The IEB is an assessment agency independent of State and Provincial examination boards. The IEB, nevertheless, operates within the constraints of national legislation and the provisions of the national quality assurance body, Umalusi. The excellent standards of the IEB assessments are established and maintained by a highly professional set of examining and marking panels that include top educationalists, who keep abreast of best practice locally and internationally. Many teachers from Bridge House serve as moderators, examiners and markers for the IEB. The tight control of operations, the strict adherence to deadlines and the meticulous attention to detail, ensure that the candidates receive the best possible attention. Forty of the forty two Bridge House students achieved a Bachelor Degree pass and 86% of all the subject results were above 60%. Bridge
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House results were consistently above the national IEB averages. Franschhoek resident, Abigail Goschen, who achieved seven subject ‘As’ with three results above 90%, was the top student. Four students came in the top 1% in five subjects nationally. They were: Jordyn Critchfield - Maths Literacy; Bastian Belke
Teachers are well-qualified, dedicated and committed and in turn the parent body at Bridge House cares about its teachers. During the holidays, the Bridge House Parents’ Association in collaboration with parents, Kim Smith and Chris Weylandt from Weylandt’s, who
Bridge House top student, Abigail Goschen
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for completion by Easter, are finished. When they returned to school this term, parents and pupils were astonished to find the building already well on the way, and one or two familiar faces rolling up their sleeves.
Past pupil, Sean Jacobs, wows the crowd at La Brasserie
February 2010
the Month
Things to Do in the Franschhoek Valley By Winelands Experience WINE & CHAMPAGNE With love being in the air this month, there can be no better place than Franschhoek to lavish affection on your partner or spouse. The enchanting landscapes, Cape Dutch architecture and lush lavender fields, combined with awardwinning vineyards and restaurants serving Cape fare and European cuisine make us the place to be whether you’re a connoisseur of wine, or love! With so many spectacular wine and dine ven-
February 2010
6pm and 8pm, where the focus will be on their Chardonnay, and also their harvest festival in March. Details of these events at Mont Rochelle are available from Marika on 021 876 2770. Also take a look at their website – www. montrochelle.co.za
If you have any special events in March or offers of interest to ‘The Month’ readers, then please contact Werner Smith, Sales & Marketing Manager (werner@winelands.travel) or Alan Saffery, General Manager (alan@winelands.travel) at Winelands Experience.
loons, sports and racing cars and commercial vehicles. However, this museum doesn’t just host the vehicles of yester year; it is also home to the rare Ferrari Enzo supercar, which will be put through its paces with four lucky spectators chosen to witness its fierce power from the passenger seat during the FMM Concours & Time Trail Event. Visitors will be able to distract themselves from these splendid machines and sample fine wine from the estate, as well as tuck into something delicious from the farm’s
The cellar at Mont Rochelle
2010 World Cup Bookings By the Staff Reporter
Fizz Affair Champagne Bar at Place Vendôme
ues to choose from, establishing a new venture in town and attempting to differentiate yourself from the competition is no easy task. However, ‘Fizz Affair’, the recently opened champagne bar at Place Vendôme Lifestyle Centre does just that – its romantic mysticism creating a special atmosphere for that special person. See the Place Vendôme advert on pages 13 and 14.
deli, enjoy musical acts and special guest appearances.
Fizz Affair is open daily from 10h00 to 20h00.
Tickets are available exclusively through Computicket and will be strictly sold in advance. For more information on the event, please visit www.fmm.co.za or call 021 874 9000. The museum is open daily from 10h00 to 16h00 Tuesday to Friday and 10h00 to 15h00 Saturday and Sunday. Entrance costs R60.00 for adults and R30.00 for children ages 3 to 12 years old.
MOTOR ENTHUSIASTS
FINE DINING & ACCOMMODATION
Staying on the theme of love, why not veer off towards Franschhoek Motor Museum to indulge your or your partner’s passion for cars? This exclusive museum, located along the R45 in the grounds of the L’Ormarins wine farm, will host the FMM Concours and Time Trial on 27th and 28th February. A highlight of the 2010 Franschhoek calendar, this event will welcome such South African motorsport legends as Giniel de Villiers and Sarel van der Merwe, who will be performing special runs around the circuit.
Franschhoek offers many outstanding lodging and dining experiences at some of South Africa’s finest and most renowned wine estates, hotels and restaurants. Among the best is Mont Rochelle, an elegant manor house hotel, located on the Dassenberg Road, offering 16 elegant bedrooms and six luxury suites, each individually decorated with a classic elegance and providing guests plenty of privacy on terraces overlooking the valley. The mouth-watering menu and wide choice of wines combined with the astounding location overlooking the whole valley makes it no surprise that Mont Rochelle is one of ‘Eat Out’ magazine’s award winning restaurants and hotels. Mont Rochelle is a destination for the whole family with activities such as horse riding, hiking and fishing all on offer. If you combine these outdoor pursuits with the hotel’s great cuisine and comfortable accommodation you’ll leave with some of the best memories Franschhoek has to offer. While husbands or boyfriends enjoy a day at the Motor Museum, ladies should treat themselves to a visit to Mont Rochelle’s wellness centre for some pampering or relaxation in the splash pools and jacuzzis.
The museum offers visitors the opportunity to learn about over 100 years of motoring history in the country. With more than 220 vehicles in its collection, it exhibits more than 80 displays at a time, ranging from models such the 1911 Ford to the 1965 Porsche and other exotic sa-
The award-winning winery will be hosting the annual Tastings 101 on 9th February between February 2010
According to a national survey launched (and repeated monthly) by Capeinfo.com, more than two thirds of accommodation establishments will charge more than their current peak season rates during the 2010 World Cup. Of the 250 responses available at the time of going to press: 10% were charging more than double their current peak season rate, with Durban having the most establishments charging three or more times their standard rates; more than half had received no bookings yet and almost a quarter had done no form of World Cup marketing.
people off.” Le Quartier is one of the establishments that will keep its standard peak season rates during the winter World Cup. She shares that Le Quartier has had some bookings for the World Cup period but that there isn’t an overwhelming demand for accommodation, yet. She suggests that it is disappointing that Cape Town and the Winelands are not hosting a single team and that Green Point Stadium has not had the best draw visa-vis matches, so the number of supporters could be less than expected. It is clear from speaking to her, that for many hotels and guest houses in the Franschhoek valley, the
Sometimes is pays to follow the leader
The Franschhoek Wine Valley and Tourist Association suggests that “most Franschhoek accommodation establishments are charging current summer rates for the World Cup. A few are charging current rates plus 10%.” It goes on to say that, “according to Booking.com. the average room rate for booked rooms in Cape Town for the World Cup is R1966 per room with an average length of stay of 6 nights.” The Month approached Susan Huxter, wellrespected owner of the award-winning Le Quartier Francais to make sense of what seems to be a co-ordinated approach to pricing within the FWVTA membership. “There hasn’t been any directive about pricing,” she revealed, “but there has been wide-spread consensus that we won’t be going out to rip
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value of the World Cup lies not in the period of the tournament itself, but in the potential to generate great coverage and repeat business in the future. To that end, the approach to offer value-for-money is foremost in her thinking. She goes on to point out a number of positive spin-offs for tourism such as the once-off opportunity to market Franschhoek as a destination to visitors who may otherwise never have considered visiting here or the chance to share the rich cultural mix that characterises South Africa. It’s encouraging that the responsible pricing-approach of the valley’s establishments promises that the World Cup will be an experience of a lifetime rather than an expense that needs a lifetime to pay off.
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Local News
February 2010
StreetSmart in the Winelands By the Staff Reporter StreetSmart SA, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the social integration and upliftment of street children, is well-known to diners in the Franschhoek valley. Their little cards, which are proudly displayed on the tables of Franschhoek’s finest, will soon be prominent at restaurants in the Stellenbosch and Paarl Winelands; giving them the opportunity to plough back into the community. StreetSmart was launched in Cape Town in 2005 under the patronage of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and has raised more than R2 million through the 46 participating restaurants (including several restaurants in Franschhoek who signed on in 2008). StreetSmart expanded into the Stellenbosch region in December 2009 with six restaurants joining the programme. The new StreetSmart restaurants include Rust en Vrede, Wedgeview Country House & Spa, Overture, The Big Easy, Bodega and Jordan Restaurant. “One of the great aspects of this program is that the money raised in Stellenbosch will be allocated to local street children charities. It is an easy, no-effort process for restaurants to run and diners feel good about helping out,” said Nic Dupper of River Manor Boutique Hotel and Spa. Together with Johan Swanepoel, of the same establishment, Nic spearheads the StreetSmart Stellenbosch committee. In the Paarl area, Glen Carlou, on the R45/Klapmuts road recently signed up with StreetSmart as well.
Restaurants participating in the StreetSmart initiative raise funds by adding a R5 donation to each table’s bill. This donation is voluntary and diners have the option to donate more, or not at all. All funds raised go to the StreetSmart beneficiaries, who spend the funds on education, skills training and family reunification programs. The result is that street children are empowered to live a viable life in society. While StreetSmart is still in the process of evaluating potential beneficiary organisations in the winelands, all the funds raised in the area will go towards uplifting the lives of local street children thereby ensuring that every cent raised by winelands restaurants gets ploughed back into their community. “We are excited and delighted to witness the growth that StreetSmart SA is experiencing. Not only are we expanding in terms of restaurants and location, but we are reaching more street children who are in desperate need of help, shelter and education,” said Margi Biggs, Chairperson of StreetSmart SA. Restaurants wishing to participate can log onto www.streetsmartsa.org.za, where easy-to-follow steps will be provided. For more information or to make a donation contact, StreetSmart at Tel: 021 418 0621, email streetsmart@eqweb.co.za or visit www.streetsmartsa.org.za.
Behind the Mic with Helen Naudé of Franschhoek FM
Just the other day this was still a brand-new, out-of-the-box-shiny-unused year. If 2010 were a car, it would already be second hand. I’m going to stay with the newness thing for a while, though, and look at all the fresh, unused year-time left with eager eyes. We intend improving Franschhoek FM, thereby your listening pleasure, in this time. Nice prospect, don’t you think? Better local radio. Top topic in the news when I got to the studio in January was, as usual, the heat. I know that this is summer and that it is supposed to be hot, but Mother Nature seemed determined to surprise us by her nonchalant ability to push the mercury up to 40 degrees just because she could. The upside of broadcasting in summer is that the studio is air-conditioned to preserve the valuable equipment, and by extension the good humour of the announcers. Talking of heat, Gerrit Valentine of the Fire Protection Services came to the studio for some fiery talk. He explained how firebreaks work and should be made, and what the responsibility of a land owner is in the case of fire. He said firebreaks don’t stop fires, they simply provide access to the fire for personnel and vehicles. The interesting thing is the insurance pay-out implications of a fire on your land or starting on your land. Apparently insurance companies expect landowners to belong to a fire protection service and look unkindly upon those who do not. Members have to have firefighting equipment on hand, training is provided for staff and they have a good information system. We spoke about the recent fire on the moun-
dosages and is exacerbated when poison is not correctly mixed or applied. He also rubbished a letter which appeared in the press questioning the harmful effects of pesticides. Apparently it was written by someone from a pesticide manufacturing company. My medical mode extended to a studio interview with Doctor Shelley Hellig about things that thin your blood and things that thicken your blood. There is this idea that one needs vitamin K2 (yoghurt is a good source) to absorb calcium in one’s quest to avoid osteoporosis. It is popularly known that vitamin K1 is necessary for blood clotting, does vitamin K2 then not also have some thickening effect? What then happens when it is recommended one take a small daily dose of aspirin to avoid clots? Doctor Hellig went through an interesting explanation of the different paths of clotting in our physiology and the different medicines
FHS Ready for 2010 By the Staff Reporter
The Franschhoek High School staff were recently introduced to their new head, Jan Cilliers, at a working lunch at Café BonBon, in Franschhoek. Cilliers has been in the teaching profession since 1985, where he started off as a teacher in Milnerton. He was head of department at Table View and was then promoted to head at Albertinia High School. He sees
similarities between Albertinia High and Franschhoek High. In particular, he feels, the fact that the schools are both combined schools will aid him in his work in Franschhoek. His experience of working with learners from grade one to grade 12 should stand him in good stead, he suggests. He concedes that Alberiania is “more Platteland,” however.
Franschhoek High School staff start the year at BonBon
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He has close ties to the winelands, having studied in Stellenbosch, and his wife, a Franschhoek High Old Girl, has joined him on staff at the school, as a teacher. Cilliers is excited about the challenge and the opportunity of ploughing back into the Franschhoek community and is committed to ensuring that Franschhoek High offers the best education to every learner that it can. Like his predecessor, he feels that the school plays a vital role in producing responsible, values-based citizens. He would like to see the school’s premises returned to their former glory, but concedes that it will be a challenge to finance the maintenance and improvements that are needed. He’s upbeat and ready for the challenge, and we look forward to being a part of the school’s growth in the year ahead.
tain above the village and he said large numbers of people were keen to help and had to be turned away or “crowd-controlled” so as not to hamper operations. I was fascinated by the helicopters scooping water from a private dam and he said although one can refuse firefighters access to your dam, it seldom happens. Previously The Month published excerpts of an interview with Jurgen Schirmacher who is the spokesperson for TATIB (the air that I breathe). He managed to fit in a chat with me at Franschhoek FM before jetting off to Scandinavia where he is to present a talk. I find some discomfort in discussing the negative effects of pesticide spraying, while knowing that farmers need a spraying programme to ensure marketability of their harvests. I also do not doubt that they mean no harm and that spray drift is unintentional. Jurgen assured me that he does not blame the farmers for the ills that befall people due to pesticides in the air that they breathe. TATIB believes the problem starts with the manufacturers of poison, continues when sales-people advise on unnecessarily big
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they require, and then sang the praises of the lowly Disprin. She again emphasised that when one knows you’ve had a heart attack or stroke to take a Disprin immediately. Big warning, do not give Disprins to children 12 years or younger. Their livers are not mature enough to deal with it and you could cause severe damage. We’re aiming to do a more comprehensive discussion on clots, which will touch on that pesky deep vein thrombosis suffered on aircraft, on the 10th of February. I hope you’ll make a note. We’re keeping our eye on the news so as not to miss the possible unexpected good results of Cop 15, the next presidential wedding, the fate of the Seli1, the re-appearance of Tiger Woods, or the next controversy in Franschhoek. If you would like to discuss any of these or other matters in the studio, please drop me a line or give me a call. Stay tuned! Helen Naudé lifestyle@fhfm.org.za February 2010
the Month
The Last Writes
classifieds
By the Sub Editor
They Say Franschhoek will introduce a tweaked version of that great British tradition, the Changing of the Guard. The devil’s in the detail, they say, and the following small differences will charactertise the Franschhoek version: For Her Majesty’s Guards expect to see property developers, who will wear, not a busby, but a simple hat, fashioned from rolled-up, plainly bogus, building plans. The developers will not need to pass any sort of fitness test to qualify for the honour of being elected to the position of guard, as the incumbents are generally thought to be fit-for-nothing. At midday, on the busiest day of each month, the guards will symbolically relieve each other of their positions of watch, at what will be called Buckingthesystem Palace, on the site of the old Huguenot Hotel. Locals will be allowed to hurl insults at the guards at any stage during the ceremonial activities but may not engage with them at any other time. No date has been fixed for the inaugural changing of the guard, which will be known locally as the Changing of the Gard. But, in the words of Douglas Malloch, The biggest liar in the world is They Say.
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responsible development and wants to uplift Franschhoek’s diverse communities. An email shortly before our interview from a possibly well-meaning local warned of his ‘charm’ and it was certainly evident at all times in the interview. Some would suggest that the proof of his pudding, however, lies in the “sudden and inconsiderate” demolition of the near Heritagestatus Huguenot Hotel, or the once “dodgy sewerage works” beyond Le Franschhoek or his “insensitive” attempt to erect a “monolithicstructured” shopping centre in the heart of the village, until he was “caught out” by his foes.
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They are, of course, entitled to their opinions and when I asked him whether the animosity experienced would cause him to stop his development plans, he simply said “No.” He suggested that some things are “like paying the dentist, it’s not something you look forward to, but it has to be done.” As a relative newcomer to the valley, I find forming a definite opinion about the person and work of many in the valley practically impossible. I just don’t know people well enough
February 2010
Tel 021 876 2743
10 Fabriek Street, Franschhoek Cell 083 649 7995 · roubaix@adept.co.za
Cleanout! I buy second hand kids toys, books, clothes and baby stuff. Will collect. Call 082 801 4473
TO LET - Mont View Building
The Month and Franschhoek’s community paper and advertiser, the Franschhoek Tatler, met with prominent local developer, Robert Maingard in January to talk through some of the concerns raised by residents that relate to Mr Maingard’s various developments in the village. A cursory count reveals that Lavender Farm and the related Lavender deli; the site behind the Standard Bank; the adjoining site (which housed the old Huguenot Hotel) and that extends behind Nedbank and the old Pick n Pay and Build It sites, all bear his name. He owns other properties too, but the four sites mentioned are all being developed at present with an eye on the Wold Cup. Tatler editor, Siegfried Schäfer and I bombarded Mr Maingard with questions, which he answered with a measure of seriousness and frivolity and the occasional expletive for good measure. We asked him about his view on development in general, his ability to ‘get things done at provincial and local council level’ which few can emulate (if at all) and his assertion that he is intent on preserving Franschhoek, while making it accessible to young professionals and their families.
and I just don’t have enough of the facts about the many developments, proposed or otherwise, in the valley. And this is where I feel we’ve all missed a trick. Knowing each other well in a small town is not an option, it’s a prerequisite for the town to grow responsibly and predictably and in such a way that the needs of all are at least considered, if not in some way taken into account.
Shop (1) Shop (2) Shop (3)
104m2 75m2 59m2
Available: 1 February 2010 Contact Jannie Lourens: 082 5777 714 Rita Lourens: 076 3003 25 or apply at Franschhoek Lighting: 021 876 3599
It highlights the concept of Proudly Franschhoek touched on some months back in this column. I can’t help but feel that Franschhoek needs a team-leader who will draw the community together, someone who will extol the virtues of best practice and interact with those who don’t measure up to help protect and promote Brand Franschhoek. Someone who knows us and our business well enough to help when needed or simply celebrate our success. In short, we need to find the chair of Proudly Franschhoek. I’ll start with anyone who actually enjoys paying the dentist.
From his answers he appears to have a genuine interest in the village, is concerned about February 2010
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February 2010
the social page social
clockwise from top left: Bridge House past-pupil, Danielle Davenport, performs at La Brasserie with The Cape Dutch Connection. Autograph-hunter, Reuben Riffel, congratulates Richie Ramsay on winning the SA Open at Pearl Valley Estates. One of the 650 cyclists completing the Franschhoek Lions/ Porcupine Ridge MTB Challenge on the 16th January in Franschhoek. New owners of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty, Franschhoek, Danie and Bev Malan, pictured here at their welcoming party. Pablo Martin at the SA Open, in good spirits despite a final round score of 73 that saw him slip from 1st to 6th place.
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February 2010