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Issue 471

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DOUBLE WHAMMY FOR OUR OSCAR Oscar Pistorius makes history for his Olympic selection – but should he run?

by STAFF REPORTER

scar Pistorius has made history by becoming the first double amputee to compete at both the Olympics and the Paralympics – but despite overwhelming support for his achievement, some still believe it will not be wise for him to do so. Blade Runner’s dream of competing at the Olympics became a reality after last week’s announcement by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) that he’ss one of 13 additional athletes on the Olympic squad. This brings the number of athletes to 125. Pistorius planned to run in the 400m, but was unable to record the required qualifying time 45.25 at least three times. He came agonisingly close during recent races in Benin and Belgium, and it seemed the dream was over, but he has now been included in South Africa’s 4x400m relay team. He will be joined in the relay team by William de Beer, Ofentse Mogawane and 400m hurdler LJ van Zyl. Pistorius will also be permitted to run the men’s

400-metre race, according to Sascoc Chief Executive Officer Tubby Reddy, although it is not yet certain whether he will do so. The sprinter was clearly elated when he posted on Twitter, “Today is one my happiest days of my life. Will be in London for both the Paralympic and Olympic Games.” According to South African sports writer Kevin McCallum, Pistorius’s selection was justified, and that sceptics who believed Oscar’s prosthetic legs give him an unfair advantage could be silenced by this question: If he is getting an advantage from the prosthetics, how come there aren’t other double-legged amputees running the same times he is? McCallum said Pistorius was indeed a ‘freak’ – “a freak like all other extraordinary athletes – like a Michael Phelps, a Carl Lewis – and therefore possessed of physical gifts not normally found in the general population.” McCallum added, “There is the emotional aspect of taking Pistorius to the Olympics and that may have played some part in Athletics South Africa

asking Sascoc for permission to allow him to compete in the 400m as an individual. He did not reach the second A qualifying time required, but he had posted the two fastest times by a South African over 400m this year and was part of the squad that won silver in the 4x400m at the world championships last year.” McCallum believes Blade Runner’s presence at the Games “will be the greatest public relations South Africa could wish for. He will, along with Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps, become the big-name attraction in London.” However, this star factor is exactly why some people believe he shouldn’t run at the Olympics. His friend Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson, Britain’s best known Paralympian, controversially claimed last year that the Paralympic event he competes in should be banned from disability competition so that the Paralympics is not undermined. Baroness Tanni, who won 11 gold medals, said if Pistorius can’t compete at the Paralympics because he is injured in the Olympics, his ...continued on page 3

INSIDE:

South African Property Monthly | p10 Moving back to SA and looking for a home? Or simply want an investment property? We bring you all the latest news, advice and properties for sale in South Africa.

London calling: The Cousin’s back in town | p9 Be prepared to laugh so much it hurts as Barry Hilton brings his Stand-Up Chameleon tour to London on Thursday. We chat to him ahead of the show.

Grape surprises at a Surrey vineyard | p16 Pining for the Cape Winelands? Why not visit a winery right here in England. They make wine here, you ask? Yes, they do, and the country’s biggest vineyard is only a short trip away.

| 10 July – 16 July 2012 | thesouthafrican.com

News

What’s on Editor: Heather Walker Production: Paul Christopher Daniels Publisher: Gordon Glyn-Jones Registered office: Unit C7, Commodore House, Battersea Reach, London SW18 1TW. Tel: 0845 456 4910 Email: editor@thesouthafrican.com Website: www.thesouthafrican.com Directors: P Atherton, J Durrant, N Durrant and R Phillips Printed by: Mortons of Horncastle Ltd

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Cape Town Opera presents Porgy and Bess Date: 11-21 July 2012 Venue: London Coliseum To mark 75 years since George Gershwin’s tragically early death, Cape Town Opera performs this exuberantly colourful staging of the great American songwriter’s immortal ‘folk opera’ Porgy and Bess. A jazzy fusion of classical opera and Broadway musical, boasting some of the most unforgettable melodies in the song repertoire – including ‘Summertime’ and ‘It Ain’t Necessarily So’ – Porgy and Bess is not only America’s greatest opera but the only opera fully to embrace the AfricanAmerican experience. Originally set among the teeming black community of Catfish Row, a run-down tenement in 1920s South Carolina, the opera tells of the

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crippled beggar Porgy’s desperate attempts to rescue the beautiful Bess from her twin dependency upon her violent lover Crown and the sleazy dope-dealer Sportin’ Life. Created to celebrate Cape Town Opera’s 10th anniversary in 2009, this vibrantly physical production brilliantly highlights the work’s universal and enduring message by shifting the action to apartheid-era Soweto. Tickets on www.eno.org

stage by Jimmy Cliff on songs including ‘Harder They Come’ and ‘Too Many Rivers To Cross’, before Ladysmith Black Mambazo take to the stage for a Graceland reunion, a UK first since 1987. “Graceland is considered one of the greatest of albums of all time,” said Hamish Dodds, President and CEO of Hard Rock International. “We look forward to welcoming Paul Simon to the Hard Rock Calling stage and celebrating Graceland’s 25th anniversary.” Hard Rock Calling takes place from 13 to 15 July 2012. The 2011 shows saw more than 150,000 music fans flock to Hyde Park for an unforgettable weekend of live music. Tickets £55 plus booking fee at www.hardrockcalling.co.uk

Paul Simon & Ladysmith Black Mambazo at Hard Rock Calling Date:15 July 2012 Venue: Hyde Park Paul Simon will headline the Hard Rock Calling festival in Hyde Park on Sunday 15 July 2012. Alongside other hits, he will perform groundbreaking masterwork Graceland in its entirety. He will be joined on

Please email your events to: editor@thesouthafrican.com

‘Robben Island Bible’ on show at British Museum Date: 19 July-25 November 2012

•

Venue: British Museum The original ‘Robben Island Bible’ on display at the British Museum as part of the exhibition, Shakespeare: Staging the World. The book is in fact a a copy of The Complete Works of Shakespeare that former Robben Island prisoner Sonny Venkatrathnam kept in his cell. Venkatrathnam disguised its cover with Diwali cards to prevent its seizure by prison authorities. He eventually passed it to 33 of his friends and fellow South African political prisoners, asking them to sign a passage that meant a lot to them. The ‘Robben Island Bible’ is one of more than 190 objects in the exhibition, more than half of which are lent from private and national UK collections, as well as key loans from abroad. Tickets: £14 and can be booked at www.britishmuseum.org

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thesouthafrican.com | 10 July – 16 July 2012 |

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How will you celebrate Mandela Day? Mandela Day encourages all participants to come up with projects in their communities

By NICOLE HOLGATE

the smallest difference. If you have a Mandela Day project you need volunteers for, leave a comment with contact details on www.thesouthafrican. com/news

continued from page 1... 400 metre event in the Paralympics then becomes for the guys in his class who can’t qualify for the Olympics. It would be just like the B-Olympics.” “The equivalent would be holding an Olympics for all the guys in the world who finished fourth in their national trials. It just wouldn’t have much credibility at all. “I know it is controversial but this is about protecting the Paralympics. I just feel sorry for other Paralympians in the same situation like SA swimmer Natalie du Toit who just doesn’t get the profile Oscar does and she actually swam at the Beijing Olympics. She has made the jump but doesn’t get the praise Oscar does,” said Thompson. What do you think? Add your comment on www.theouthafrican. com

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NELSON Mandela’s birthday has become the focus of efforts to improve humanity, one step at a time. Are you planning to give some time to a project? Now in its fifth year, Nelson Mandela International Day was inspired by Mandela’s address in London on 27 June 2008 when he purposely misread his speech to say “it is in your hands now” instead of the original “it is in our hands now”. A year later Mandela’s birthday 18 July, was formally recognised by the United Nations. It has become an international day of celebration and motivation for doing good, inspiring individuals to take action based on Madiba’s model. The Nelson Mandela Foundation has asked that every person takes time on Mandela Day to do something for their community. On 18 July, individuals and organisations around the world will do 67 minutes’ work in honour of the 67 years Mandela has given in service. Projects that have been organised in South Africa include a Habitat for Humanity Mandela Day ‘Build Week’ with the aim of building 67 houses. Companies, government departments and other entities have pledged projects, and more than 80 activities have been registered on the Mandela Day website. South African pupils will sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Madiba at 8am on 18 July and this call has been extended to people throughout the world to join in at 8am their time on 18 July. In London, The Cape Town Opera will be running a singing workshop for children from Thomas Buxton Primary School in Whitechapel. Cast members of the opera are about to open a run of Porgy and Bess at The London Coliseum on 11 July, and will be teaching the kids to sing the production’s iconic song ‘Summertime’. If you are inspired to hold your own event, there are a few guidelines to get you going. The focus is on the impact of your goals, regardless of how small a step you take. The official instructions say‘all that is required is an action that helps change the lives of people for the better’. The activity could work to create a sustainable and ongoing task that will benefit the community, whether it is through fundraising, an educational project, sporting endeavours or a one-off event. Madiba’s down-to-earth approach can inspire us all. If one man can achieve so much, there is no reason to not attempt to make even

Pistorius makes history – but should he run?

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| 10 July – 16 July 2012 | thesouthafrican.com

Comments

On “What's your favourite South African smell?”

On “The Rodriguez story: How they found Sugar Man”

Philippa Netscher: First rains, great smell. And a braai of course! Annie Stieglitz The sea at Sea Point in the winter! Laura De La Mare: The smell of the bush after a typical afternoon thunderstorm. Chantelle Herne: Fynbos. Nicolene Hulse Schnell: A thatched roof cottage. Shariefa Parker-England: My first thought right now is the smell of some boerewors on a braai. Mmmmmm. Deon Wyngaard: The smell of sea when you get off the train at Cape Town station early in the morning. I miss home. Debi-Nikita Rathbone-Rentzke: The smell of the earth after it has rained after a huge thunderstorm, just can't find that wonderful, mother earth smell anywhere else. I miss home too Deon. Andrea Phillips: Jasmine. Yvette Hugo: Thatched roof

The smell of a braai, the rain in the Karoo and fynbos are some of our readers’ favourite smells of home. Photo by Jon Mountjoy.

houses and a fire for a braai started with rooikrans or kameeldoring wood… that is what I miss! Tolene Vd Merwe: The wet karoo ground after a heavy (and very scarce) rainfall - nothing in the world smells better than hot, thirsty ground that has just had some refreshment. The smell of the Karoo bush after rain is HOME. Deborah Do Carmo: Well it's not the Sasol factory, that's for sure! Hayley Short: The earth and grass after the sky goes green and the heavens open in Durbs...

Nothing like an afternoon storm in summer!

Vicky Wilkinson The rain in Africa on the dust.

Jeff Allen: Rain on the fine sand in the Pilanesberg

N Van Der Poll The soil in the Karoo after a good rain.

Conrad Brand: Pieasangbrood, vars uit die oond! Atholynne Lonsdale: Rain on the dry land and the smell of boerewors braaing. Mmm getting homesick now... oh and also the smell of the bush - Kruger Park Joe Rios: Braai coals and burgers - from Woolies. Shaun-Robert Weldon Fynbos.

Safia Bayat: The smell of Five Roses tea! Pieter: The smell of a veld fire. Khakibos ablaze. The smell of ozone just after a lighting strike. I know the devastation created by a veld fire and the damage caused by lightning – but living in Ireland where there are no veld fires and no khakibos or lighting, I miss these smells.

Mark: I am one of those South Africans that grew up with Rodriguez in the ‘70s and ‘80s and I still listen to Cold Fact regularly. I have it playing right now as I write this and the lyrics and emotions sends me back to my youth growing up in Johannesburg, South Africa. I can also attest to the fact that his music was indeed everywhere, everyone seemed to have a copy. It was so different, so poetic and Dylanesque and seemed to speak to us in those isolationist days. It is also so apt that it would be South Africans who kept this great musician ‘alive’ and Rodriguez deserves all the recognition and accolades that are long overdue to him. Spirit Of An Entrepreneur: Listen to Rodriguez’s message to his South African fans: search on Youtube for ‘Interview with Rodriguez South Africa’s musical hero’. Join the debate on www.thesouthafrican.com

thesouthafrican.com | 10 July – 16 July 2012 | Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thesouthafrican

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The Cousin comes to call…

1 2 3

We chat to Barry Hilton about his 30 years in showbiz and his show in London this week

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Africans, the rest were other nationalities. My shows are for everyone who understands English. Every morning I work for 10 seconds, which equals an hour a year. During this time I check the news for new material. It seems there has been a real shift to a more international audience for you? I’m an international comedian who happens to be South African and people love it, the accent the references, all of it. You just need to talk slowly and everyone will understand. I watched a show of me 10 years ago and Capies did not understand me because I was living in Joburg and talked too fast. Many Americans and other international comedians visit South Africa, so why can’t we do the same? International work is the way to go, not money-wise so much, but it is lots of fun! What’s the one item you always take on tour? My iPad with pictures of my children, and also pictures of my ex-wives to remind me why I have to tour. Who’s your favourite comedian? Richard Prior – I loved his animated deliveries. It was after watching one of his shows that I thought, I can do that. I also like Roy Walker. His sketch with Tommy Cooper is one of the funniest I have ever seen. I like most British comedians, especially Michael McIntyre. I hear you just received your Australian Maritime Visa which allows you to work Australian waters for the next three years. Being from the West Coast, that brought a picture to my mind of you in waders working the waters for fish and crayfish. Sorry, I suppose this refers to your contract with the cruise ships? What does the future hold for our Cousin? Yes, I’ll be working on the cruise ships, which is lazy work and I am already lazy. I want to enjoy life, be happy and work for as long as I can. Read the full interview on www. thesouthafrican. com Catch Barry Hilton in London on Thursday 12 July, Bournemouth on Friday 13 July. Tickets £20 on www.satickets. co.uk

n he w ng i ey on m m oa

by CONRAD BRAND AS I set up my laptop and Skype for this interview, I remembered the last time I saw Barry Hilton in London, almost six years ago. I thought how much had changed since then, but as soon as I saw his familiar face and that cheeky smile and heard 'Howzit boet', I knew I was speaking to the right man. How long are you here for? I'm in Europe from 8 July for 10 days. During this time I will do shows in London, Bournemouth, Ireland and Holland. Will you get time to see a bit of London? On my off days I will go to comedy shows, I call them comedy days. I have been to London many times. It is a wonderful, cosmopolitan city and different to any other city in the world. You can visit London a hundred times without seeing the same thing twice. I also love English beer, any kind! I will also see my three boys in the UK during this time. You are just back from a worldwide tour crossing Hong Kong, America, Mauritius and several African countries, then you're off to Australia and New Zealand in August. How do you motivate yourself to keep going after 30 years of performance and how do you keep your programme fresh? I wish there was a way to switch off, but I just love to work and to see fresh people enjoying my comedy every time. It’s lekker man! I am very blessed and lucky. I love working the crowds, from my new 1,000 seater Australian gig, to 200 people in a smaller venue. And it’s not only South Africans. Last year in London, I would say 60% were South

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| 10 July – 16 July 2012 | thesouthafrican.com Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews

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thesouthafrican.com | 10 July – 16 July 2012 |

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Dancing a fusion of ancient and modern African rhythms

South African choreographer and dancer Gregory Maqoma breathes new life into his Xhosa past in his show at London’s Southbank

by STAFF REPORTER AFTER rave reviews in Paris and sell-out performances at Sadler’s Wells with his company, Vuyani Dance Theatre, South African choreographer and dancer Gregory Maqoma performs at the Southbank Centre for one night only, on 17 July. Soweto-born Maqoma breathes new life into his Xhosa past in the piece called Exit/Exist as part of the Africa Utopia Festival. He summons up ancestors who have departed this world but who live on in him, linking the past and present in a unique blend of traditional movement and contemporary dance. He is joined on stage by four exceptional South African singers and Italian guitarist Giuliano Modarelli, performing songs by Simphiwe Dana, a singer and composer from Maqoma’s native province of the Eastern Cape. The performance is set against a rich visual landscape created by the Johannesburg-based artist Nicholas Hlobo. The show has been described as ‘A work of extraordinary depth and physical and musical deftness.’ Venue: Queen Elizabeth Hall, Date: 7.30pm, 17 July Price: £10 to £25. Tickets: purchase at www.southbankcentre.co.uk Other South African shows at Africa Utopia include: Arise and Shine, 20 July With a special live performance by South African poet Lebo Mashile, designer Tsemaye Binitie, Missla Libsekal of website Another Africa, poet and playwrite Inua Ellams and Christine Eyene of Dak’art Biennale are part of this ‘salon’, brought to you by ARISE magazine, the London-based global quarterly dedicated to celebrating the best of African fashion, music and culture. This event is free.

Paco Pena & Neo Muyanga: Misa Flamenca Africa, 20 July Paco Peña collaborates with South African composer Neo Muyanga to cross new musical and emotional borders, drawing on the deep emotional content of the African soul, the passion of Spain and the timeless, essential beauty of the classical choir. Tickets £10 to £36. Women, Inspiration & Leadership, 22 July Singer and activist Angelique Kidjo, South African poet

Lebo Mashile, Theo Sowa of the African Women’s Development Fund, founder member of the African Feminist Forum Jessica Horn and blogger Ms Afropolitan discuss women, inspiration and leadership. This event is free.

a new state of affairs – South Africa being involved in heavy science, I mean. We’ve actually got some pretty impressive names on our CV, and I’m not even counting the Christiaan Barnards ROB BOFFARD of this world. Take for example, Michael Thackeray. He’s a chemist from Cape Town, currently working in a scientific facility in the US, and he’s ace. His particular specialty, since you ask, is lithium ion batteries – an area of going concern in science right now. Then there’s Thebe Medupe, I write this about thirty seconds who is the founding director of after they’ve discovered the Higgs Astronomy Africa and probably Boson. Any moment now, basic one of the smartest men on the physics will change, and I will planet. What start walking he doesn’t on the ceiling. The Higgs Boson, know about Actually, hang apparently, gives things stars would just on, now they’re about fill one of saying it’s the mass. I always thought those miniature understanding that was what KFC did Coke cans you of basic physics get on planes. that will change. Tebello Nyokong, a professor at Drat. I was looking forward to Rhodes University, where I studied dropping loogies on people. (though not, regrettably, under If you’ve never heard of the her), has done massively important Higgs Boson, then I suggest you research into cancer treatment. stop what you’re doing, drop this She’s generally considered one of newspaper (or close your browser, the foremost scientific minds in whatever) and go and find Africa, let alone South Africa. someone else to explain it to you. These are just three of my I’ll be damned if I can. Can’t even favourites – there are meons more. begin to try. The Higgs Boson, And I don’t know about you, but apparently, gives things mass. I I get the sense that our impact on always thought that was what KFC the world of science is just getting did, but there you go. How it does, started. For now, all I can say is why it has been so elusive and congratulations to the team at why it took several kilometres of CERN, who discovered the Higgs. enormous laser-filled underground Nice work, chaps. tunnel to find it remain mysteries to me. All I know is that this is a particle that is totally amazeballs important. In all seriousness, this does actually have major consequences for science in general. South Africans can be shoehorned into this debate without a great deal of grunting. Right at the moment when interest in science is at an all-time high, we will be poised to become a major player with the construction of the Square Kilometre Array. I’ve written about this before, but if you missed that particular missive (and if so, why?) it’s an enormous array of dishes in the Karoo designed to stare deep into space and find things nobody else has ever seen. Jacob Zuma’s chastity belt, A Higgs Boson is produced following for instance. a collision of two protons. Believe it or not, this is not actually

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Doing it for the science!

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| 10 July – 16 July 2012 | thesouthafrican.com

Entertainment

London Recruits: The Secret War Against Apartheid “This is the story of the foreign volunteers and their activities in South Africa, how they acted in defiance of the apartheid government and its police” by STAFF REPORTER THE history of the Anti-Apartheid movement brings up images of boycotts and public campaigns in the UK. But another story went on behind the scenes, in secret, one that has never been told before. Ken Keable, Ronnie Kasrils and The Merlin Press invite you to a meeting at the House of Commons… with a story… This is the story of the foreign volunteers and their activities in South Africa, how they acted in defiance of the Apartheid government and its police on the instructions of the African National Congress. It tells of: • ANC banners that unfurled • ANC speeches that sounded through public places • Buckets that exploded and showered ANC leaflets • Transportation of weapons, communications, logistics • Helping ANC fighters to enter South Africa, and more Many volunteers were Young Communists, some were recruited from the IS, others were Trotskyists or independent socialists from the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the USA, they all volunteered and took amazing risks. Some paid a heavy price for their support. This is their untold story.

You are invited to the book launch of London Recruits: The Secret War against Apartheid, chaired by Peter Hain MP. Date: 7pm (doors open at 6.30pm), 11 July Venue: Committee Room 11, House of Commons (Cromwell Green entrance) Several of the Recruits will attend the launch. Royalties from this book will go to The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund www. nelsonmandelachildrensfund.com

with Steele

ANGIE STEELE

Hot ginger plums with honeycomb ice-cream A SHORT, sweet and sticky recipe that is done in just minutes. Use as a guideline – if plums just aren’t your thing, try nectarines or peaches instead and if there is no time for honeycomb, vanilla icecream will still do the trick.

Ingredients:

For the plums: • 1 2 ripe plums, quartered and stoned • 2 50g castor sugar • 1 piece of ginger stem, finely diced • 5 0ml ginger stem syrup • 5 0g butter, cut into small cubes • 1 cinnamon stick • 2 oranges, zest and juice • 8 0g pistachio nuts, shelled For the ice-cream: • 1 50g castor sugar • 3 0g golden syrup • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda • 6 00ml double cream • 1 tin condensed milk

Method:

For the plums: • Pre-heat the oven to 200°C • Using a large mixing bowl, mix together all the ingredients and transfer to a lined baking tray. • Roast in the oven for roughly 10 minutes or until the plums soften

Cleese back to star in ‘Spud: The Madness Continues’ British comic actor John Cleese is back as The Guv in the second instalment of South Africa’s popular Spud films

by NICOLE HOLGATE WHAT baked potato is complete without cheese? And what Spud movie would be quite right without Cleese? The sequel to the deservedly popular Spud, titled Spud: The Madness Continues, will star British actor John Cleese as The Guv, alongside Troye Sivan in the title role of John ‘Spud’ Milton, who returns to boarding school older, wiser and with a new set of challenges to face. After the popularity of the original film many of the cast will reprise their original roles for the sequel, based on the next in John van de Ruit’s series of books. Spud is now in charge of the Crazy 8 Crew, while Jason Cope returns as malicious housemaster Sparerib,

COOKING

Tanit Phoenix as the seductive Eve, Jeremy Crutchley as headmaster Mr Glockenshpeel and Aaron McIlroy and Julie Summers as Spud’s parents. Spud 2 will also feature a cameo performance from comedian Rob van Vuuren. The producers have had a time of it casting the three prefects Anderson, Emberton and Death Breath, but filming is now underway in KwaZulu-Natal. And hopefully it will be screening on this side of the pond, as producer Ross Garland told Channel24, “The movie has also received significant international interest, with sales to the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Scandinavia, Turkey and the Middle East.”

The OPTIMIST KAREN DE VILLIERS

Tricky Mr Grey, very tricky

THE book with a photo of a silver tie on the cover is everywhere. Shhh, it’s got some racy bits in it but no-one will know because the cover is so discreet. It is, apparently, the most popular book on the planet. Harry Potter put to bed. Christian Grey is the new hero, the dream we poor fools lost out on, the man who should be president. Woman are fawning and getting hot and bothered about whipping and being tied up in the bedroom. This is ‘mummy porn’ as I have heard it called. And this is the part I love. Total strangers are asking me if I have read the books. I don’t ask them if they have Brazilians or swing from the chandeliers, but it is completely

Top South African chef Angie Steele shares her recipe for hot ginger plums with honeycomb ice-cream.

and the skin begins to split while the sugar syrup starts to bubble and thicken. • Remove from the oven; discard the cinnamon stick and place onto serving dishes with the honeycomb ice cream on the side. For the honeycomb ice cream • In a large pan, melt the sugar and golden syrup together and bring to the boil, cook through for roughly 3 minutes or until golden in colour. • Remove from the heat and add the bicarbonate of soda. • Whisk through he process, as it will grow in volume, be sure to use a big pan. • Once raised pour onto greaseproof paper, cool and allow it to set. • In a separate mixing bowl, whip the cream and the condensed milk

together until it forms soft peaks. • Break the honeycomb into small pieces and fold into the cream mix. • Place into a small container and freeze. • Serve when needed. Angie Steele hosts fun cooking classes at The Avenue cooking school in Putney. These include Dinner Party Demon to brush up those key skills to help you impress, and Ready Steady Date for single cooking with loads of laughs.

acceptable to ask me if I read porn. Normally, admitting to the latter would have you registered as some sex deviant, but in this case it’s alright. This is justified Mills and Boon romance with a bit of bondage and slapping. Not admitting to reading it is worse. That just makes you totally uncool and uptight. Has the label of ‘mummy porn’ somehow diluted the idea of porn? It’s insulting to any woman. Do women not realise how patronising this label is? So you can keep your mummy honey. If I want to read porn, I don’t need some jackass giving it a category; hide the hard stuff, but mummy porn can be found in the supermarket right next to the cereals and cotton wool. More confusing – the book (and I only got through the first one) is awful. It’s a collage of every chick flick scene, a couple of Anne Summers paragraphs and endless repetition. Multiple ripping of the silver foil – again and again until you want to rip his head off instead. Throw in some ‘You’ve got mail’ email banter, skip over the boring ‘she has friends’ scenario and get down to the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ and general groaning in between. Anastasia Steel (really?) is as likely to trap any powerful man as much

as a tiger catching a fly in Iceland. Super one-dimensional character. I had the urge to slap her a few times for being so weak and brainless. Bring back Jilly Cooper I say, at least Rupert Black had a delicious sense of humour. Christian Grey is more suited to the cast of Les Miserables. But as Bridget Jones would say, ‘Tricky.’ A part of me wants to be all liberal and say ‘Good on you Ms James’. Woman power and all that. But the other part feels slightly nauseous at the idea that so many women are sucked into this frenzy about a badly written book that talks about erections and thinks it’s manna. Are we that easy to play? Are our lives that starved of excitement or love? Have to have a little giggle though. Imagine the scenes playing out in bedrooms all over the country. Women rushing to B&Q to get the rope. Ann Summers having a revival. Babies being named Anastasia and Christian. And then THE MOVIE! After reading the book, I think I prefer the English weather to be my fifty shades of grey. Give me Mr Darcy from ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and I will read of true sexual tension and love. That is a fantasy worth having.

To book visit www. theavenuecookeryschool.com/ courses/angie-at-the-avenue or email angie@angiesteele.com For more of Angie’s recipes visit www.thesouthafrican.com/ entertainment/food-drink

thesouthafrican.com | 10 July – 16 July 2012 |

Entertainment

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FANIE os oppie jas

FANIE VAN DER MERWE

Oor ‘n universitêre uitdaging

EK is mál oor game shows, oftewel ‘televisievasvraprogramme’, soos Edwill van Aarde dit in sy keurige Afrikaans sou sê. Om bulderend die korrekte antwoorde op die aanvallige Anne Robinson van Weakest Link-faam se vrae te verskaf, gee my ‘n euforiese genoegdoening wat vir weke lank duur. Die hupstoot wat my selfbeeld daardeur kry kan waarlik net geëwenaar word deur my (minder gereelde) akkurate voorspellings van die identiteit van die CSI-moordenaar. Oukei, toegegee, om ‘n handvol van Me. Robinson se breinknopers agtereenvolgens te ontrafel is weliswaar nie die mees wetenskaplike metode om die omvang van jou algemene kennis te bepaal nie, maar ek verkies om dáárdie onbenulligheid te ignoreer wanneer ek impulsief ‘n meerderwaardigheidsgevoel ontwikkel jeens die Weakest Linkstommerikke wat kennelik minder Chappies-papiertjies as ek tydens hul kinderjare gelees het. Nou kyk, as man van die huis beskou ek dit nie net as my reg nie, maar inderdaad as my plíg om eienaarskap van die TV se afstandbeheerder te neem. My gewoonte om sonder ophou deur die kanale te blaai lei wel tot eindelose frustrasie vir my gade, maar ten minste kan niemand my daarvan beskuldig dat ek my verantwoordelikheid as man versaak nie. Dit is tydens een só ‘n kanaalblaaisessie dat my oog ‘n BBC-vasvraprogram met ‘n hoogdrawende titel vang - University Challenge. En gegewe my voorliefde vir vasvraprogramme, die feit dat ék immers óók universiteitsopleiding ondergaan het én boonop nooit van ‘n uitdaging af wegskram nie, voel ek my genoodsaak om sonder versuim die select-knoppie te druk... Op die skerm verskyn agt deelnemers wat regtig net, met alle respek, as gedrogte beskryf kan word. Elke gesig word deur ‘n dikraambril versier en elke kop word afgerond deur ‘n Einsteingeïnspireerde haarstyl. Die hele lot is geklee in uitrustings wat herinner aan modelle uit ‘n 1974-kledingskatalogus, terwyl die bleek, amper deursigtige gelaatskleure onomstootlike bewys lewer dat buitemuurse aktiwiteite maar laag op dié klompie se agendas is. Die agtstuks neem deel in twee spanne, met die een span wat die Universiteit van Oxford verteenwoordig en die ander die Universiteit van Cambridge. Baie

Oxford Universiteit. Photo by TEDizen.

soos die jaarlikse bootresies, maar vir studente sonder sportbeurse. Die emosielose aanbieder, Jeremy Paxman, roep beelde op van ‘n onderwyser op detensiediens – stug en afgetrokke, dog onberispelik toegewy aan die gewigtige taak wat op sy skouers rus. Na ‘n haastige keelskoonmaak val hy fronsend weg en ek spits aandagtig my ore. Van die eerste paar vrae verstaan ek geen jota of tittel nie. Dit bestaan uit woorde waarvan die betekenis my ontglip en teen die einde van die vraag het ek lankal reeds vergeet wat aan die begin gevra is. Maar die deelnemers is die ene konsentrasie. Die are hier langs hulle slape staan skoon bol soos die breinkrag ingespan word – ‘n aksie wat vermoedelik spruit uit die strafmaatreël vir onderpresterende deelnemers: vir ‘n ganse dag sal hy verbied word om ‘n boek te lees en sal hy instede gedwing word om in die buitelug te staan en ‘n bal rond te skop. Ek ken my sterkpunte en kernfisika is waaragtig nie een nie, maar ek stel myself nietemin ten doel om minstens ‘n raaiskoot te waag op die vraag in dié kategorie: “sometimes known by the name of its inventor, the Scottish physicist CTR Wilson, which apparatus consisting of a vessel fitted with a piston and filled with gas saturated with water vapour is used for tracking ionised particles?” My kop draai skuins soos ‘n hond wat ‘n ultrasoniese klank hoor. Ek’s nog besig om die enkele herkenbare fragmente in die vraag in ‘n logiese geheel te probeer saamsnoer wanneer die Oxford-liggie flits en die korrekte antwoord aangebied word: “an expansion cloud chamber” Maar natuurlik. Hoe kon ek so onnosel wees? Ten spyte van my powere vertoning tot dusver, skep ek moed wanneer Paxman die geskiedeniskategorie aankondig. Geskiedenis is immers my kos. Die Nazi’s? JFK? Martin Luther King? Gandhi? Nee-nee, die vraag handel oor die alombekende Romeinse ingenieur en argitek, Vetruvius. En weereens word ek die loef afgesteek deur ‘n Oxford-outjie met ewe veel puisies as breinselle. Ek slaag onverwags daarin om die land wie se onafhanklikheid

deur die Lancaster Houseooreenkoms bekragtig is, suksesvol weer te gee, maar met die volgende dosyn vrae is ek maar net weer terug by die ge-uhm en ge-a’ery. Dít terwyl die Oxbridgebrigade met ontstellende reëlmaat antwoorde verskaf waarop Paxman kopknikkend sy goedkeuring aandui. Ek staar oopmond na die TVskerm. My selfvertroue dobber op ‘n bittere lae eb. Waar krap hulle hierdie fratse uit? Is dit ooit wéttig om so baie van alles te weet? My laaste hoop berus op die musiekkategorie, waar daar van die deelnemers verwag word om ‘n uittreksel uit ‘n musiekstuk te identifiseer. Ek hoop heimlik om ietsie van The Cure of Green Day of The Stone Roses te hoor, maar die uitdaging word helaas aan ‘n klassieke komposisie gekoppel. En nie sommer Wolfie Mozart se Eine Kleine Nachtmusik nie. Nee meneer! Dáái’s mos musiek vir die gepeupel man! Gluck, Campioni, Rameau en Paisiello – dis húlle wat die antwoordliggies vervaard laat flikker. Wat ‘n ontspannende paar minute voor die TV moes wees, ontaard in ‘n folterende emosionele pyniging. Binne die bestek van 30 minute word die indruk wat ek van my algemene kennis gehad het sonder seremonie ontbloot vir wat dit is: ‘n waanbeeld. My selfbeeld lê aan skerwe en waar ek verwese en ineengekrompe teen die hoekie van die rusbank terugdeins, besef ek nogmaals dat mens nooit ‘n man op sy baadjie moet takseer nie. Agter elke onversorgde, eksentrieke individu skuil daar bes moontlik ‘n intellektuele reus en uiteindelik is dit jy, die spotter, wat met eier op jou gesig sit. University Challenge is toe glad nie ‘n uitdaging nie. Dis ‘n onoorkombare struikelblok. Selfs al het ek ‘n punt ontvang vir elke poging om ‘n antwoord te opper, sou ek maar ‘n fraksie van die wenspan se puntetotaal kon insamel. Nie dat ek bly kyk om te sien wie wen nie, want diep in die donker dieptes van my depressie skakel ek terstond oor na die Cartoon Network...want dáár behoort ek seker darem iets van te verstaan.

Business: News

| 10 July – 16 July 2012 | thesouthafrican.com Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews

THREE INSIGHTS INTO: Building business relationships How do you build, strengthen and maintain relationships with potential customers, partners and colleagues?

The Africa Utopia festival will be held at London’s Southbank Centre from 1-28 July, with free business talks on 20 July. Photo by Damian Cugley.

African business debates at the Southbank

by PAUL HARRISON WITH the economic environment more competitive than ever before, understanding how to build, strengthen and maintain relationships with potential customers, partners and colleagues

Three business talks and debates will be held at the Southbank Centre on 20 July as part of the Africa Utopia festival

by DANI PORTER AS part of its Africa Utopia Series, London’s Southbank Centre is hosting a day of free talks and debates on issues surrounding Africa and its perception by and relation to the West. These events on Friday 20 July are curated by Eritrean-born journalist and author Hannah Pool. A New Frontier, 20 July 11am – 12pm The first of these will be ‘A New Frontier’: How to do business in Africa, presented by UK Trade and Investment and aimed at sharing information with UK businesses that may be considering links with Africa. Chaired by a panel including The English Premier League and Standard Chartered Bank, the hour-long talk will provide insight for British businesses in to how to achieve success in Africa. China Loves Africa, 20 July, 11am – 2pm Straight after that, join Chair Funmi Olonisakin from the African Leadership Centre at King’s College London and panellists to debate the blossoming relationship between China and Africa. Is it for the good of Africa or a new form of colonialism?

Africa and the Technology Revolution, 20 July, 2.30 – 3.30pm The rise of technology and what it means for Africa will be debated during ‘Africa and the Technology Revolution’. Discussing the boom of technology and the impact of it for entrepreneurship in Africa will be Digital Producer at CNN, Stephanie Busri, Marieme Jamme of Africa Gathering and developing world mobile technology expert and founder of kiwnja.net, Idris Belle. The Africa Utopia festival runs from 1 to 28 July and will showcase the best of African music, theatre, literature, film, dance and fashion, co-programmed by the Southbank Centre and Baaba Maal, Sengalese singer and human-rights campaigner. The aim of the festival is to reveal the image of Africa as it really is, rather than the polarised view often adopted by the West. On what it hopes to achieve, Maal said, “Africa is all too often written off as an intractable ‘problem’ for the world to solve and I hope this festival will reveal just some of what Africa has to offer the rest of the world.” Details: www.Southbankcentre. co.uk

Kurt Won of SalesPartners UK

is paramount to achieving greater success in your business and career. So how do you do that? Paul Harrison sat down with business expert Kurt Won of SalesPartners UK to get his insights into business relationships. Tip 1: Do what you say you’re going to do Trust takes time to build up but trust can be lost in an instant. If you’ve promised to do something for someone, do it! It could be something as small as sending them an e-mail with information they need, or giving someone a call back. If you forget, call yourself on it, apologise and correct immediately. Tip 2: Be the Real You The current market trend seems to be heading towards more heartbased businesses, so don’t be

afraid to share your true beliefs and opinions. By being authentic, you’ll find that people will warm to you quicker. Also, know what you want and be willing to be direct with each other about your business intentions. Tip 3: Challenge their thoughts Be confident enough to challenge their thinking by asking questions and listening intently. I was introduced to an accountant recently, and during the meeting I challenged her thoughts around her self-value because I thought what she was worth much more than she was charging. She appreciated it and we continued with a stimulating conversation. People like to be challenged and thoughtprovoking conversations can lead to more stimulating business relationships.

Kurt Won advises Terry Loong on building her business relationships Dr Terry Loong is a London-based South African who is building her anti-ageing and preventative health business and had the following questions about business relationships. When it comes to finding a business partner: Be a friend first or be in business first? Great question. In my opinion, definitely business first. You have to assess if being in a business relationship with that person makes BUSINESS SENSE. Business relationships that start off friends first can create problems where one friend can’t hold the other accountable to their task because they fear they won’t be liked if they call the partner on something. The saying goes that business is a team sport, how do you find your perfect business partner? I think it’s naïve to think there is a perfect partner. Find a business partner who has a similar ethos

and mission to you. Also be very clear what you want in a business partner. Every business should have an entrepreneur (takes risk) and a business manager (avoids risk) to be successful. What happens if the business relationship has soured? How do I salvage the relationship? Be courageous to confront the issue. Confront doesn’t mean to be confrontational, it means being comfortable with asking what happened. Listen intently and ask a lot more questions to understand the situation. Acknowledge the other person’s feedback, and ask

Dr Terry Loong what would need to happen to avoid the situation again. Focus on the issue and not the person. For more information you can visit www.SalesPartnersUK.com If you have any other questions you would like answered, please email Paul@MOBIvation.com

JULY 2012 #80

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NEWS/TRENDS >>

Homeowners sell and opt to rent by STAFF REPORTER Tough economic times seem to be causing some homeowners to sell their houses and opt to rent instead, as consumers fight to keep the home fires going. And with about 15% of the population partly depending on rental income, the immediate future income looks strained as the smoothed year-on-year increase in rental income, according to the latest PayProp Rental Index, is the lowest in more than two years at 4.9% – below the projected inflation rate of around 6%. Currently most developing economies seem to be propped up by low interest rates that are unlikely to rise anytime soon – perhaps not even until 2014, says Mike Schüssler, chief economist at economists.co.za. In South Africa, the Treasury expects inflation to rise to 6.2% and GDP growth to slow to 2.7%. Schüssler’s expected figure for inflation is around 6% and GDP growth 2.4%. He

BAROMETER

SA house prices grew by 8.9% in June by DENISE MHLANGA South African house prices grew by 8.9% year-on-year (y/y) in June from 8.6% yearon-year in May, according to the June FNB House Price Index. The report notes that this is the highest y/y growth since June 2010. Writing in the report, FNB Home Loans property strategist John Loos explains that in real terms, as at May the index showed a mild increase to the tune of +2.7% y/y with consumer price inflation in that month having come in at 5.7%. This means that since the real “boom-period” house price peak reached in February 2008, real house prices (house prices adjusted for CPI inflation over the period) were 12.6% lower at May 2012, although in nominal

terms they were 15% higher than February 2008 as at June 2012, he says. Loos notes that compared to July 2000, real prices were 70.2% higher as at May 2012 and nominal price were 236.6% higher as at June 2012. The recent mild resurgence in house price growth comes largely as a result of a late2011 strengthening in the domestic economy after two weak winter quarters in 2011, he says. Loos says on a month-onmonth basis, the index shows that from a peak of 1.65% in January, seasonally-adjusted house price growth slowed to 0.82% by June. Loos went on to say that, “This slowing month-onmonth growth trend suggests that a peak in the year-onyear house price growth rate

should be reached soon.” Loos says the recent monthon-month house price growth slowing also appears to be reflective of a housing market that is tracking short-term fluctuations in the economy, and signs that economic growth in South Africa is slowing. Economic growth slowed mildly in the first quarter of 2012 and various global and domestic data point towards further slowing in the current quarter, says Loos. FNB says with a weakening economic environment, coupled with no new interest rate stimulus to date suggests that the recent slowing trend in month-on-month house price growth will continue in the near term translating into slowing y/y house price growth. - Property24.com

www.sapropertymonthly.co.uk

says they expect interest rates to stay low for the whole year. “We are fighting a hard battle against a possible recession. We are likely to win, but at a higher debt cost,” he explains. Over 2.9 million households rent, of which 1.6 million rent formal structures. Of this number, about 700, 000 households rent properties in the formal (suburban) market, up from 675,000 in 2010. More than 62% of all South African households currently own their lodgings – but this percentage has dropped in the last few years and is significantly lower than earlier in the decade when it was around 70%. This indicates that more and more former homeowners are now entering the rental market, says PayProp CEO Louw Liebenberg. To complicate matters further, nearly 10% of all South African households rely on rent for their bread and butter. About 5% use rent as supplementary income, adding up to around 15% of South Africans getting some form of income from rent. “On the one hand, tough economic times are making times tougher for tenants as they have to cope with increasing fuel, electricity and services costs, which has put pressure on landlords to limit rent increases to below inflation in order to retain paying tenants who are struggling with affordability.” On the other hand, landlords, for whom rental income is not necessarily a luxury, are biting the bullet as their income is not growing with their expenses, says Liebenberg.

Considering that around 77% of these landlords receive less than R3,000 per month for their properties, it is clear that not only the top end of the property market is affected. Generally, he says one could argue that the lower end of some of the formal rental market starts at about R1,000 per month. However, as it is unlikely that RDP house rentals can be advertised by estate agents, it is being estimated that, other than the 400,000 houses that rent for more than R3,001 per month, there are only about another 275,000 houses for rent in the formal market. About 26% of all households have a second home, but a large number of these are in rural areas and are generally not rentable. The average rent in South Africa was R5,178 per month, which is slightly more than the February figure of R5,172 per month. Using nominal rental income of R5,178 per month, the gross returns on a medium house (using Absa medium price of R968,600) would be 6.42%. Using Absa’s average small house price (currently R666,900), the gross return is 9.32%. This means the average gross rental return between medium and small houses is 7.6%. This average drops to under 6.3% when estimated municipal charges and other minor factors are taken into account. “This is at least a little higher than leaving money in the bank, and rents do improve slowly over time, and one could also get a capital gain,” says Schüssler. - Property24.com

JULY 2012

<< NEWS/TRENDS

Interest cut would help home market by STAFF REPORTER With the cost price index (and inflation in general) likely to continue to stay below the 6% upper limit (it is already at 5.7%) and with South Africa’s economy now feeling the effects of significant reductions in exports to Europe, the South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will ‘almost inevitably’ find itself able to reduce its interest rates so as to stimulate economic growth, says Bill Rawson, Chairman of the Rawson Property Group. “A cautious move by the MPC would be to cut the rate by 0.25% in the very near future but as I read the signs now Gill Marcus is likely to be a lot bolder,” says Rawson. “Certainly in the housing development and marketing sectors we are hoping for an initial 0.5% cut followed by a further 0.5% cut before the end of year.” In residential property such a move is now sorely needed, says Rawson, especially as one now sometimes gets the impression that the government is not aware of how severely the National Credit Act has hit homebuyers, particularly those at the lower end of the scale struggling to get bonds. “The state’s repeated statements about creating a home-owning nation are beginning to ring a little hollow.” Just how serious the

situation is, says Rawson, has been shown by the latest Korbitec figures on bonds: the number awarded in May 2006 was just over 60,000. In recent months that figure dropped to an average of around 17,000, with an all-time low of 9,000 in May. There are, he adds, as yet no signs of a pick-up on the horizon. “The truth is that if even one bank was able to operate without such strict observance of the National Credit Act regulations, it could double its bond awards overnight and in my view this could be done without seriously affecting its risk profile.” Instead of going for longterm loans, says Rawson, the banks are currently focusing on short-term, unsecured loans - which he and others regard as a dangerous tactic. “This policy was at one stage adopted in the UK but proved too risky.” Rawson also comments that among South Africa’s businessmen, most are highly socially aware. There is now genuine concern as to the lack of accountability that state and provincial authorities have in spending hard-earned tax money. “This is typical of many emerging countries where the newly elected politicians, having never been involved in work creation, are only too adept at wealth distribution – to no good effect.” - Property24.com

Property News Highlights

Durban housing market on the up

House prices continue to grow

The greater Durban metropolitan housing market is showing signs of stability and steady growth says Samuel Seeff.

South African home prices grew by 6.5% year-on-year in May, according to the latest statistics released by ooba.

Seeff says over the past two years, they have seen some stability in both sales volumes and prices - Property24.com

The report reveals that the average house price rose to R869, 088 from R816, 317 a year ago. - Property24.com

STOP PRESS: New London Office: Call Jeff Watts 0207 224 4455 m: 07767 862608 e: jeff@lipadi.com

JULY 2012

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SIMONSTOWN

R3 995 000

TZANEEN

FAMIlY HOME WITH SPECTACUlAR YACHT BASIN VIEWS! Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 Garages 2 WEB 264175 Charming family home. In sought-after Simonskloof. Separate entrance ideal for a guesthouse opportunity. Priced to sell and the best value right now. [O] +27 21 786 5393 BRETT M COOPER +27 72 277 3308 | GERHARD OOSTHUIZEN +27 79 719 0460 simonstown@seeff.com

SOMERSET WEST

R 7 995 000

ERINVAlE GOlF ESTATE - MAJESTIC HElDERBERG MOUNTAIN VIEW EXECUTIVE’S HOME lOCATED IN PRIME AREA IN THE PICTURESQ Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3 Garages 2 WEB 268583 Erinvale at its best! Meticulous, North-facing home with excellent entertainment flow, double volume & private pool area. [O] +27 21 851 4141 AlETTA STEYl +27 84 867 2788 swest@seeff.com

HERMANUS

FROM R5 490 000

Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 4 Garages 2 All bedrooms en-suite, modern kitchen, style full interiors with lots of light complimenting th garden to finish of this luxurious property. Corner stand of 3450m². [O] +27 15 307 7677 NICOlA STRYDOM +27 82 447 1512 tzaneen@seeff.com

THESEN ISLANDS

R2 750 000

POSITION! POSITION! POSITION!

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Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 2,5 Garages 2 WEB 267092 Seafront at it's best! Choice of 3 superb townhouses and 1 penthouse. Central town, upmarket finishes, spectacular views! Rental investment opportunity. [O] +27 28 312 3732 JANE DAY +27 84 792 1548 hermanus@seeff.com

Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3 Carport 1 WEB 260266 Cosy home, close to town and huge selection of excellent restaurants. It includes a granny flat, lovely covered patio and remote jetty. [O] +27 44 382 5919 SUE ABERNETHY +27 82 573 3353 | WENDY EVANS +27 83 461 9312 plett@seeff.com

R5 300 000

HYDE PARK

R17 000 000

MARVEllOUS FAMIlY HOME - lOTS OF ACCOMMODATION Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms 4 Garages 4 WEB 268925 A large family home with lots of potential, 4 reception areas, an enormous gourmet kitchen, pool, tennis court and a self-contained cottage. [O] +27 11 784 1222 GEORGE PAPADOPOUlOS +27 84 454 1834 | CORINNA lOWRY +27 82 652 8891sandton@seeff.com

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BEACHY HEAD - PRIME POSITION Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 Garage 1 WEB 267402 Private & secluded on Beachy Head, with your own direct private access to Robberg beach gives this property more value than most on this already sought-after stretch of prime land. [O] +27 44 533 0311 AlET OllEMANS +27 83 657 5678 plett@seeff.com

Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 Garages 2 WEB 268913 Exquisitely appointed cluster. Indoor/outdoor living. Flowing entertainment areas, heated pool, established garden. Double volume entrance & central garden atrium. [O] +27 11 784 1222 DOUG MCMEEKING +27 82 549 1248 | GARETH ROBERTSON +27 79 318 6733 sandton@seeff.com

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The relocation of the De Beers Aggregation Process from london to Gaborone sees a number of International companies in the Diamond Industry and peripheral businesses setting up offices in Gaborone. This is your chance to get in on the action by acquiring the right property at the right time! smart move. Commercial, Industrial, Agricultural, Tourism and Retail. +267 39 39 372 or enquiries@seeff.co.bw or web www.seeff.co.bw

LIFESTYLE >>

Creating a luxury spa bathroom

Follow our tips to create a luxurious spa bathroom in the comfort of your own home. Photo by Unique Hotels Group.

by ANTONELLA DESI Are you in desperate need of some me time so that you can recharge your energy levels? Perhaps transforming your bathroom into a serene spa is the answer.

Declutter To create a sense of serenity, it is imperative that your bathroom be well organised and that there is sufficient storage space for all your sanitaryware essentials – this will not only lessen

your anxiety, but it will help create an instant calming effect. You can clear out your clutter by installing a vanity that offers ample storage space or use beautiful wicker baskets to create extra storage facilities. Another way to take care of a messy bathroom is to create various storage solutions for different bathroom functions. For example, instead of having towel racks and hooks located around your bathroom, rather install a heated towel rail – this will not only store your towels in one neat spot, but it will also dry them and ensure that you have lusciously, warm towels on hand whenever you need them. Clever and attractive storage solutions contribute to a chic and practical space where you can relax and focus on the things that matter, says Kate van Niekerk of Tile Africa. Get inspired by nature Take your inspiration from nature by bringing natural elements into your bathroom to help you restore your sense of serenity. For example, if you like the seaside, why not create a colour combination of turquoise, white and beige – colours inspired by the beach. For a more dramatic effect, choose a ladybird-inspired colour palette comprising black and red. Your fixtures and accessories can also resemble nature – use a wooden vanity or freestanding bath on a wooden base, sandstone cladding used as a feature wall, a stone basin, or choose natural stone listelli as an interesting choice of border. Alternatively, you can add natureinspired images in the design of your

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bathroom, such as printed glass splashbacks or shower screens. If you’re looking for a slightly simpler way to include nature in your spa bathroom, increase the green factor with the inclusion of plants, both large and small. Indoor plants contribute to making a space appear airy and bright. When it comes to placement, try to protect your plants from the shower spray and direct streams of water as this can damage their leaves. Appeal to all the senses Spas don’t just appeal to your sight and touch; they also soothe you with sounds. Keep a CD player in your bathroom and play calming music whenever you dip into a relaxing bath. Another great addition to any spa bathroom is to ensure that it smells wonderful – burn incense, include some pot pourri, scented candles, or fragrant oil burners to ensure your spa bathroom smells as good as it looks. You could also include some sumptuous soaps, creams, bath salts and bubble bath for added luxury to truly complete the in-house spa experience. Light the way Melissa Davidson from The Lighting Warehouse says different forms of lighting can be used to completely transform the look and ambience of a bathroom – from a bright and functional area to a softly lit, relaxing spa-like space. In fact, a cleverly designed lighting design can offer you the best of both worlds. If you are completely redoing your bathroom, you will need to plan your lighting so that the electrical work can be done during the building stage. Walls may need chasing, to allow wires to be concealed. However, if you are working with existing electrics, you can still use them to your advantage by changing the types of light fittings you have. Added luxury And of course, what would any spa-style bathroom be without a spa bath? Jasmin Kraneveldt from Bathroom Bizarre says no longer just a utilitarian space, today’s bathroom can be a place of luxury and convenience – and installing a sumptuous spa bath is the best way to achieve this. Kraneveldt says today’s spa and jetted baths use the healing power of hydrotherapy to revitalise tired muscles, and maintain and restore health and well-being. Spa baths are a great stress reliever – their jets gently massage tired muscles as you soak in the tub, allowing you to get out of the bath feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, she says. - Property24.com

JULY 2012

<< ASK THE EXPERT

Legal rights for liquidated property development I

s a purchaser bound to pay for a property if the developer is liquidated?

o answer this question it must be established at what stage the development is at the time of liquidation. If the land is not yet registrable Section 26 of the Alienation of Land Act 1981 prohibits a seller (developer) from receiving any payment until the property is capable of being registered. There are however two exceptions. Firstly, a purchaser can pay the purchase price to an attorney or an estate agent who

Nicola Strydom, Seeff Tzaneen

must retain the moneys in his trust account until the property becomes registrable. Secondly, if the purchaser is given an irrevocable and unconditional guarantee by a registered bank or insurer in terms of which the bank or insurer undertakes to repay the amount paid by the

purchaser if the property is not registrable. Should the seller become insolvent, any amount the purchaser has paid to an attorney or an estate agent in trust, or which was guaranteed by a bank or insurer, is immediately repayable to the purchaser. The rights of the purchaser are therefore protected. If the land is registrable As a general rule, liquidation does terminate a contract. The trustee of the insolvent’s estate however has a choice to either repudiate or enforce the contract, whichever is more beneficial to the creditors. If the trustee repudiates the contract, the purchaser has a concurrent claim for any payments that he has made. He will share in the proceeds of the sale of the assets of the insolvent estate. If the trustee elects to enforce the contract, the purchaser will be liable to pay the purchase price against transfer of the property in his name. Chapter II of the Alienation of Land Act however provides that, if the purchase price is payable in two or more instalments over a period exceeding one year, the trustee does not have the choice whether to repudiate or enforce the contract. The purchaser must decide whether he wishes to enforce

Transferring a UK mortgage C an you transfer a UK mortgage to South Africa, in other words: take out a loan here and buy in SA?

he short answer is no. I can’t see a UK bank being willing to mortgage a property in SA, except perhaps if it has an operation / branch in SA that would handle the whole transaction locally. An option might be to secure another type of loan in the UK – or perhaps take out a home loan on a UK property - and then bring the money into SA through the Reserve Bank in order to buy a property here outright. However to do that you will need to have funds in the UK to keep up the monthly repayments on your loan or you could risk losing the UK

JULY 2012

property and / or having a judgment taken against you for unpaid debt. So before you make any decisions about this, I would strongly recommend that you consult the international finance expert at your own bank.

the contract. If the purchaser proceeds with the contract, the trustee must transfer the property to the purchaser against payment of all amounts still owing by the purchaser. If the purchaser elects not to

enforce the contract, the trustee can sell the property and the purchaser is entitled to be compensated before any other creditor out of the proceeds of the sale of the property. The contract must however have

been registered in the Deeds office. If the contract was not registered, the purchaser is merely a concurrent creditor. Nicola Strydom Licensee: Seeff Tzaneen www.seeff.com

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Trade & Investment

Indigenisation “could damage Zim banking sector”

Critics say Zimbabwe’s Indigenisation Act is damaging to the economy as it’s putting off badly-needed foreign investment in the southern African state By STAFF REPORTER ZIMBABWE’S banking sector could be hurt if foreign banks are forced to surrender more than half of their shares under the controversial Indigenisation Act, an analyst has warned. The Indigenisation Act is championed by President Robert Mugabe and Indigenisation Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, who claim that it is necessary in order to address economic inequality. However, critics say it is damaging to the economy as it is putting off badly-needed foreign investment in the southern African state. There have also been concerns that it is being used by Mugabe’s Zanu PF party to gain votes for the country’s elections, pegged for next year.

The banking sector was thrown into the spotlight this week as senior government officials clashed over indigenisation rules which force foreign-owned banks to cede 51% of their shares to local blacks. Foreign-owned banks operating in the country include Barclays, Stanbic and Standard Chartered. The troubles kicked off after the Ministry of Indigenisation issued an ultimatum for the shareholding move, saying one year is the “maximum period a business may continue to operate before it attains the minimum indigenisation and empowerment quota.” In response, Reserve Bank (RBZ) Governor Gideon Gono hit back, saying any attempt to force banks to do so is illegal. “There is no law that provides for arbitrariness

on the part of anyone and/or expropriation of banking assets in Zimbabwe yesterday, today or tomorrow,” he said in a statement. However, the Indigenisation ministry says banks will not be excluded from the quotas which apply to various sectors, including mining. Economic analyst Masimba Kuchera said,“If the plans go ahead, the banking sector will unfortunately be in for some shock, which it cannot absorb because the RBZ has no funds to be the lender of last resort. It’s a very sensitive sector that needs to be handled with utmost care as it operates on goodwill and trust.” “I think that despite the fact Kasukuwere is trying to force the issue through, Gono is likely to win this battle,” Kuchera

explained, “The indigenisation law is not a super law which supersedes all other legislation. It is at par with other acts of parliament and I think Gono’s argument is sound in the sense that licences for banks have never been denied to those who want to invest in them.” The announcement targeting the foreign financial institutions has caused a deep split at senior levels of government between Kasukuwere and Gono, who argues that the banking sector

should be handled differently under the rules. The country’s banking sector is considered sensitive, critics say, and needs to be handled cautiously, especially as two locally owned banks, Genesis and Interfin, closed recently. Initially the Government had announced that it would pay the foreign firms for the ceded shares from a sovereign fund, however this pledge was questioned after it was revealed that there was no funding to do so.

Nigeria in $4.5bn oil refining deal By STAFF REPORTER LEADING African crude oil producer Nigeria has reportedly entered into a preliminary agreement with US-based company Vulcan Petroleum for

the construction of six modular refineries. The deal is valued at $4.5bn. Nigeria, which has oil refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna, currently relies on

imported fuel because of the poor condition of the four state-owned refineries. A Trade Ministry spokesman said, “The Federal Government on Monday signed [an] agreement with Vulcan Petroleum Resources Limited and Petroleum Refining and Strategic Reserve Limited to build six modular refineries in Nigeria.” Two of the refineries are set to be ready within a year. Nigeria has already entered into similar deals with Chinese investors to build three greenfield refineries. The Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, signed on behalf of the Federal Government. The vice president of Vulcan Petroleum Resources, Jim Mansfield, signed on behalf of the investors.

Robert Mugabe is backing the indigenisation drive. Photo by Jesse B. Awalt.

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| 10 July – 16 July 2012 | thesouthafrican.com Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews

DA presents alternative economic policy in London Dr Wilmot James MP presented the DA’s economic growth strategy for South Africa to the Breakfast Indaba in London

by STAFF REPORTER SOUTH Africa’s Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Wilmot James MP, presented the party’s economic growth strategy to the Breakfast Indaba in London last month. Dr James said he really enjoyed the event. “I love meeting so many energetic and interesting entrepreneurs. Made me proud to be a South African,” he explained afterwards. Here are some of the key points from his speech: Creating jobs Breaking down barriers to entry in the job market requires a wideranging, multi-faceted programme of reforms. The DA’s policy proposals in this area focus on creating incentives that encourage businesses to hire more people and also ensuring the delivery of highquality education and training so that job-seekers have marketable skills.

National Consumer Commission, and increase their powers • Slash red tape so that it is easier for new entrants to start new businesses and grow • Create an environment that is conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship

Promoting economic inclusion Proposals aimed at inclusive growth cover the following areas: financial incentives to enhance Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, legislative changes to make it easier for poor and low-income households to own their own homes and other assets and additional state assistance to expedite land reform and broaden ownership in the agricultural sector.

Deepening trade and investment Core proposals in this section that aim to facilitate the expansion of South Africa’s international trade and direct our resources towards growth-enhancing investments include: • Dramatically simplifying and reducing the number of documents and procedures required to import and export goods • Opening additional consulates in high growth developing countries • Increasing infrastructure investment to 10% of GDP • Moderating government wage bill increases

Enhancing South Africa’s competitiveness Breaking down the barriers that keep the cost of living high, and protect economic insiders from competition from new and innovative entrepreneurs, will require a range of policy interventions that challenge established interests. It requires that we: • Increase budget allocations to the competition authorities and the

Ensuring sustainability for future generations • Adopting a transversal approach to environmental management through integrating permitting and planning • Separating Eskom’s different

functions to encourage competition and maximise efficiency • Investing in water storage and distribution infrastructure upgrades and expansion • Implementing climate change adaptation programmes.

Rand starts strong but falls by Friday

It’s the end of the tax year!

THE South African Rand traded between 8.07 and 8.17 to the US Dollar during the period between 2 and 6 July 2012. The South African Rand also traded between 12.63 and 12.81 to the British Pound during the same period. The Rand started the week at a month high against the Dollar; this was mainly due to positive news from the Euro zone. The

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Rand continued to firm against the Dollar on Tuesday, setting a 7 week high at R8.06. Dealers indicated that further news from the Euro will be needed to push the Rand through the key R8 level. By Tuesday afternoon the Rand had strengthened against all major currencies amidst an expected interest rate cut by the European Central Bank on Thursday. "The Rand has improved a lot in the last two-and-ahalf days and a lot of it has to do with the fact that Friday was year-end for a lot of companies in South Africa so there's been a lot of repatriation of foreign currency accounts and balances," said Ion

de Vleeschauwer, chief dealer at Bidvest Bank. Following the ECB’s announcement to cut interest rates, the Rand continued to weaken against the Dollar, but had strengthened against the Euro and Stirling. The continued uncertainty in Europe as well as poor results of the US job data led the Rand to end weaker against the major currencies. The Rand started the new week under pressure alongside other emerging market currencies on Monday due to a weak global economic outlook. GBP / ZAR: 12.63 EUR / ZAR: 10.81 USD / ZAR: 8.13 Correct at 8.20am UK time on Monday 9 July 2012. Compiled by Ruth Laatz-Reineke

Note: The above exchange rates are based on “interbank” rates. If you want to transfer money to South Africa then please register/login or call us for a live dealing rate. Make use of a Rate Notifier to send you alerts when the Rand exchange rate reaches levels you are looking for. Brought to you by

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Legally Speaking: Visitor in transit

: My South African parents are flying to Turkey later this year and will do a quick one-day stopover in London in order to visit me. Do they need to apply for a visa for the time they are in London?

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: It sounds as though your parents might have to apply for the visitor in transit visa. In order to come to the UK as

a visitor in transit you will have to arrive in the UK, pass through immigration control and then leave the UK again within 48 hours, to a final destination outside the Common Travel area (Ireland, the UK, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands). Your parents are welcome to contact our South African affiliate office for assistance with this type of visa.

JP Breytenbach Director of Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants Ltd info@bic-immigration.com or www.bic-immigration.com

thesouthafrican.com | 10 July – 16 July 2012 |

Business: SA Power 100

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Michael Prestoe-Smith

Director, Prestoe Smith Consulting - employee relations specialists BULLET BIOGRAPHY Born: Durban Education: • 2011 - CIPD - Chartered Member • 1987 - University of Stellenbosch Graduate, School of Business - Industrial Relations Development Program • 1984 - Cape Technikon Diploma in Industrial Relations • 1976 - Natal University B Com, incomplete due to National Service call up (never returned to finish it!) Career Trajectory: • January 2012 – present, Director, Prestoe-Smith Consulting • 1995 – October 2011, Director, MS Consulting, Durban, KwaZulu Natal • January 1988 – March 1995, Financial Manager, then HR Manager, Coca Cola South Africa in Cape Town • 1982– 1987, Financial Manager, Kwa-Zulu Transport, Mkuze, Northern Zululand

by IRENE MADONGO What led you to set up your own practice in London? I decided that I needed international experience. There was not much more to achieve in my consultancy in Durban and I felt I needed new challenges in my continuing professional development. Market research I carried out revealed that there were few consultancies here specialising in employee relations and which could offer bespoke retainer services to clients. Further research indicated there was also a need for proper, credible advice on SA employment legislation and the effects on UK companies wishing to invest there. Hence an added service to provide such advice was the next logical step. Was it easier to do so in South Africa

than it has been here in the UK? Most definitely! This sort of business is a very personalised type of service with one having to gain the trust and confidence of potential clients. Coming from a vast network in SA to absolutely zero was daunting and a serious challenge to overcome. Added to this was the lack of understanding of the synergy between UK and SA Employment Law, resulting in an understandable hesitancy to engage my services. Your work involves advising UK firms keen to set up businesses in South Africa about labour issues. What are some of the main issues that clients approach you about? Primarily there is concern around what effects BEE initiatives and political interference would have on their business venture. Secondly whether the productivity and quality output versus cost of labour can justify the investment, especially in light of the perceived difficulty in dismissing underperforming employees. How is the South African labour market perceived by these firms? Not very well, I am afraid. Irresponsible comments from trade

union officials, and some political figures, do more harm than good. The power of the trade unions is another major concern, especially not being able to hold them and/ or their members accountable for damage to property during industrial action. Productivity of blue collar workers and the shortage of skills is also often mentioned. You also deal with industrial disputes. Any interesting cases that come to mind? I was called to an engineering client of mine in Pinetown to address an illegal and violent strike. Non-striking employees were being assaulted and property damaged. Attempts at speaking to the striking workers to engage them in talks were met with threats of violence. At one point whilst delivering an ultimatum to the workers to return to work, I was manhandled into a fence, pushed, shoved and spat on for what seemed an eternity until the police bundled me to safety. Failing to comply with my ultimatums resulted in their summary dismissal, and after being told of this they marched off to the city centre and staged a ‘sit in’ at the CCMA, demanding reinstatement. After the police forcibly removed them from the CCMA, they promptly marched off to do the same thing at the Labour Court further up the road! Many months later the Labour Court awarded in our favour. Nobody can say that employee relations in SA is boring! What would you say are the main skills you need to have in this field? A key ingredient is to have the ability to make connections between management and employee capability and behaviour, and how this affects the performance of an organisation. A strong influencer who can effectively

Read interviews with other SA POWER 100 achievers... on our website: TheSouthAfrican.com/Business/SAPower100 Hendrik du Toit Chief Executive Officer of Investec

engage role players at grass roots level as well as top management. Not to be afraid to say it as it is and to challenge when necessary to ensure management take responsibility for their actions and the subsequent consequences. In terms of employee relations, what are the main changes on the landscape compared to when you started out back in the 1990s in SA? Back in the ‘old days’ employee relations was new to most organisations, with many changes to employment legislation coming with the change of government. There were no precedents to follow and it was a learning curve

Dr Zola Skweyiya South African High Commissioner to the UK

for us all. It was a case of ‘us and them’, win at all costs and very confrontational. Gradually this tactic became less effective as it was frowned upon at the CCMA and Labour Courts. It also did not show a bona fide attempt at creating harmonious working relationships. Over time this has evolved into a more participative and collaborative style of engagement from both sides. What does your practice hope to achieve in the years ahead? To become the consultancy of choice offering effective solutions to ER concerns. To also further develop the link with potential investors in SA.

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Business: Careers

| 10 July – 16 July 2012 | thesouthafrican.com Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews

THE GRAFT IS GREENER

Brian Francis | Brian owns Identiteit, an online business that specialises in personalised and corporate promotional merchandise by PAUL HARRISON

Born: East London, South Africa How long in UK: Since March 2004 Job: Director of Identiteit Background: Seven years in the Royal Logistics Corp with the British Army and prior to moving to the UK I worked for Mercedes Benz South Africa. Motto: If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right - Henry Ford

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What do you do in your job? Since leaving the British Army I started Identiteit, an online business that specialises in personalised and corporate promotional merchandise. As director I’m responsible for the day-to-day running of Identiteit, ensuring that she delivers her designs and stock on time as well as making sure she gets noticed on social media sites.

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What is the most exciting thing about your job? The end product when I’ve turned the impossible into the possible and the customers’ jaw-dropping facial expressions when they see their final design. What is the most challenging thing about your job? Starting out in what’s believed to be a recession, with minimal startup and massive competition – but I love a challenge.

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| 10 July – 16 July 2012 | thesouthafrican.com

Travel

Grape surprises at a Surrey vineyard

If you’re looking for a quick, cheap and relaxing break from city life why not visit the historic town of Dorking. Fancy some wine? Make a stop at Denbies, Britain’s largest vineyard, while you’re there.

Denbies Vineyard and Box Hill in Surrey provide a vine day out away from city life in a short, affordable journey system that moves slowly through the Winery, revealing the secrets of winemaking, from fermentation to bottling. After viewing the bottling process the tour descends into the cellar, where a guide answers any questions you want to know and then adults are invited to taste the famed wine. Depending on your choice of tour these will be either three sparkling or three still wines, while children can enjoy a freshly squeezed grape juice. When the tour is over, take a stroll around Denbies visitor centre and gift shop before heading for the cartrain outside. Ascending onto the ridge behind Denbies, this outdoor tour stops along the way with the guide pointing out the geographical oddities and sights of the area, including the house on the facing slope where the first ever television broadcast was made by John Logie Baird. Peer down at the vast vineyard and across to Leith Hill and Box Hill as you ascend and marvel at the vastness of the plantation, while learning the history of the vines from an astute

by JONATHAN WALDHEIM WANT to escape the hustle and bustle of the big smoke? Love wine but can’t get away for more than a day? Only 40 minutes from London Waterloo and Victoria, the historic town of Dorking offers the picturesque landscape of the Surrey Downs as well as Denbies, Britains largest vineyard. Upon arrival in Dorking, take a short stroll along the valley between the North and South Downs, and into the Denbies visitor centre. Denbies is not only a living, breathing vineyard that produces the famed Surrey Gold white wine but is also a bona fide visitor attraction, offering an indoor winery tour and an outdoor exploration of the vineyard. The winery tour begins with a spectacular introductory film shown on the Denbies 360 degree panoramic cinema where the history of the vineyard is thoroughly explained in a captivating manner. Following the screening, visitors are then ushered on to Denbies’ very own ‘People Mover’, a monorail

guide. When the tour is over, head towards Box Hill, following the intricate network of trails that runs through Denbies and the surrounding area. The short yet steep ascent is worth every minute when the incredible view across the valley becomes clear. Run by the National Trust, the Box Hill Centre at the top of the hill has a wide variety of leaflets indicating various trails and events for adults and children as well as a café should an afternoon snack be in order. Wander through the woodland on the hill or sunbathe on the grassy slopes, enjoying this cheap, easy escape from the city. Denbies tours: Classic tour: £9.50 Sparkling Tour: £12.00 Child Tour: £3.00 Details: www.denbies.co.uk Get there: South-West trains and Southern Trains run services from London to Dorking with up to five trains per hour servicing Dorking Main station

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thesouthafrican.com | 10 July – 16 July 2012 | Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thesouthafrican

Zimbabwe Community

Six Zimbabwean Olympic athletes qualified so far The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee is planning a series of welcoming events for its qualifying athletes in London

by NICOLE HOLGATE LONDON can look forward to welcoming six Zimbabwean athletes to the Olympic Games this summer, and potentially 14 more could make the final cut. The six qualifiers are swimmer Kirsty Coventry, Micheen Thornycroft and Jamie Fraser MacKenzie (rowing), Gilbert Mutandiro, Cuthbert Nyasango and Wirimayi Zhuwawo (marathon). The Chairman of the Zimbabwe Diaspora Olympic Support Network, Knox Chitiyo, told The Zimbabwean that he is looking forward to the team’s arrival and providing

them extra support throughout the games. He is also The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee Representative in the UK, and is planning a welcoming party, tentatively on 26 July, with a series of other events to take place over the following two weeks. “It looks like it could be a very exciting few weeks because, although our primary purpose is providing support for the Olympic team, we’re really trying to promote Zimbabwean sport and culture in the build up to the games as well,” Chitiyo said. Ngoni Makusha, one of the country’s strongest hopes for the games, has ruptured

Zimbabwean women share their stories In 1990 a few women writers formed Zimbabwe Women Writers to promote women’s writings in the country. It now has 600 members and 56 branches

by JENNIFER MUNRO WHEREVER there is injustice, human rights abuse and oppression there is always a strong community of writers with plenty of material to write about. Zimbabwe is no exception, and its women are particularly gifted in the literary department. In 1990 a few women writers formed Zimbabwe Women Writers (ZWW) to promote women’s writings in the country. It now has 600 members and 56 branches in both the rural and urban areas throughout the country.

Since 1994, the exclusively female membership has published three anthologies in Shona, Ndebele, and English. Numerous other works have also been published, a more recent one being Women of Resilience: The Voices of Women Ex-Combatants, a collection of recollections of women who participated in the war to liberate Zimbabwe, which was published in 2000. The stories are told by nine women, mostly ex-combatants, about their war experiences.

One of them, Marevasei Kachere, joined the war at the age of 15. By 1976, she and other villagers had been forced to live in a keep (protected village) by the government. She escaped to Mozambique, to Tembwe camp where she received military training. She was caught in a military raid in November 1977 in which she was badly wounded. Kachere then carried arms to the comrades in the front. After the ceasefire in 1979, she could not find a job, even though she attended dressmaking and other skill training courses. She married and went to live in Karoi, but that did not last long. She then went back home with her three children to live as a communal farmer. Kachere’s story gives us an idea of what kind of war the women had. They speak about what made them join the war, what life in the camps was like, how they lived through the fighting, what difficulties they faced after independence, and how they now feel about the events they experienced. The editors of the book say: ‘Women tend to explore, perhaps naively, the underbelly of the war, the small unpleasant details of the day-to-day horrors, and consider their capacity for endurance’. The book reveals many non-glamorous aspects: hunger, makeshift shelters, horrible toilets, fleas, disease, suspicion, internal violence, friends’ deaths, missing family, gender inequality, sexual harassments, etc. The ZWW editors conclude, ‘It is time for us to consider what a country would be like if the agenda and the priorities were governed by women: would war be a priority? Whatever you are fighting for, in the end it’s just a matter of removing one regime and replacing it with another similar regime’. Not all the women felt this way though. Mavis Nyathi said, ‘It pains me when you see people castigating ex-combatants. People do not seem to realise the sacrifice that they made. Sacrificing their lives, leaving their parents, and going to fight for the liberation of the country is not a joke. It was a great sacrifice.” The book can be purchased from Amazon.

a tendon and will not be able to participate in the long jump or 100m. Many of Zim’s medal hopes now rest on the shoulders of seven-time Olympic medallist Coventry. The celebrations will be heartfelt, however, and Chitiyo said, “It will be a

place for networking between Zimbabweans and athletes, a platform to celebrate our successes, and we would love Zimbabweans in the UK to come along and meet our athletes there.” www.thesouthafrican.com/zimbabwe

| 03 July – 09 July 2012 | thesouthafrican.com

Sport

TEAM SA @ THE OLYMPICS Marc Mundell | Race walker

By NICOLE HOLGATE MARC Mundell secured a place at the London Olympics in the 50km race walk, by setting a new personal best and South African record in Russia last month. Surprisingly, not every day is about training, as he explains. “I’m still employed at University Sport South Africa as sports co ordinator, although I am training intensely.” “It’s always a bit of a struggle, but I thrive on juggling lifestyle and events, and it’s been one of the things I’ve grown to appreciate.” Marc has always been very competitive, and says competition is part of South African culture, but he ultimately thrives on the opportunity to compete, “whether it’s running or drinking a beer fastest.” He is ecstatic to be heading to the Olympics, saying “It’s a dream and a long time coming. I’ve been looking forward to it since I was a young boy, and hopefully it will open doors.” Marc isn’t nervous about the challenge ahead. “The reason I participate in sport is to present my best internationally. I enjoy a lot of sports, such as cycling, mountain biking and off-road running.” Most important, he feels, is the healthy, active lifestyle, and the fact that international competitions allow

you to see the world. Marc’s extensive experience in sport hasn’t influenced his decision to compete in race walking: he found it presented the most opportunities, and so studied in Pretoria to continue training with his coach. He is also literally following in his father’s footsteps, who took up race walking after he had became injured and was unable to continue running. Marc is keen to secure the future of his sport: “I would strive to have a legacy of more people involved in race walking, as a result of 2012. A new generation of young athletes would be most beneficial.” He is also pleased that his Olympic qualification involved a personal best, and his aspiration would be to improve on that, and also to qualify for both the 20km and 50km events by the Rio 2016 Olympics. His main aspiration is to improve in the 50km. Although an increasingly successful athlete, Marc is confident about his future as a manager. “My personal philosophy is that I will be a better manager than an athlete. Something I would strive to achieve is to provide up-andcoming athletes with opportunities, in many cases opportunities I never had growing up.” He is not set on coaching any particular sport either. “Sport is a vehicle: each is unique, but they have the common element of perseverance. I enjoy being involved in high performance

sport. While growing up, I read a significant number of autobiographies, just to find out what makes sportspeople tick. Muhammed Ali, Lance Armstrong: the sport was irrelevant, it was the motivation to be better that inspired me. I take inspiration from a variety of sports and want to see people achieve as highly as they can.” In terms of the future he has no thoughts of stopping either career path. “I would like to keep going, to Rio 2016, and then I want to do an MBA in the next two years or so, either full or part time, to prepare myself more for the working world. I’m looking at different roles in the media, potentially as an announcer or host.” Although he is the record holder in Africa, he admits his time is 20 minutes behind the world’s best. All he really hopes for at the Olympics is to begin a legacy. “For me it’s important to improve the level of race walking and set a new standard for athletes to aspire towards. It’s not about the medal, although hopefully by 2016 in Rio, I will be in a position to compete for one.” You can cheer Marc on in the men’s 50km race walk on Saturday 11 August between 9am and 1.20pm – it’s free to attend. Spectators will be encouraged to line the route through London which starts on the Mall. www.thesouthafrican.com/sport

“Olympic effect can’t be measured in financial terms” By HEATHER WALKER WITH the Olympics only weeks away, and the South African community in London excited to welcome our athletes to the Games, the SA Business Club held an engrossing Olympic panel discussion at Deloitte in London. It featured Caroline Rowland (founder and executive creative director of New Moon Creative Agency), Lungi Morrison (UK Country Manager of SA Tourism), Gillian Sanders (London-based South African triathlete) and Sally Ormiston (programme director,

London 2012, Deloitte LLP) and was chaired by Geoff Johnson (founder of SA Business Club and SA Charity Golf Day). Rowland, whose company created the film that formed part of London’s Olympic bid, was credited by The Observer as being one of the 10 most influential people in securing the Games for London. She said that being part of the bidding process was an immense privilege, “This will be a historic Olympics – London is the only place to host the Olympics three

times. This was an incredibly competitive bid as the five cities competing for the Games; Moscow, New York, Madrid, Paris and London, are possibly the five coolest cities on the planet! It was important to decide what our unique selling point was. The fact that we had hosted it before was important. The last time we hosted it, the 1948 Games, was a ‘rescue’ Games after World War Two. No other cities were prepared or could afford to host it. So the Olympic movement owed the UK for bailing it out.”

The SA Business Club Olympic panel: Sally Ormiston, Caroline Rowland, Geoff Johnson, Gillian Sanders and Lungi Morrison.

Johnson asked the panel whether, everything considered, it was really worth it to host the Olympics. Ormiston’s response was, “Britain certainly wouldn’t have made the bid had we known what the economic environment would be like today. There have been various predictions of the Olympics’ economic effect on the country but it’s very hard at this stage to put a sensible figure to it. However there have already been some positive spin-offs such as the regeneration of east London. The important thing is that we don’t treat it as a golden bullet to cure all our problems.” Rowland believes the Olympics is about much more than money. “It’s not just a sporting event. Yes, one part of the Olympics is intensely commercial in terms of branding etc. But the other part is almost religious. The non-believers are those involved purely in the commercial side. The believers

are those who live the Olympic values – the athletes, coaches, volunteers etc. The Olympics is a demonstration of human spirit. Its benefits shouldn’t be measured in terms of profit, but in terms of strength of character.” In terms of balancing commercial interests with Olympic values, Ormiston pointed out that we wouldn’t have the Olympics without the sponsors. As far as competing in the Olympics went, Sanders said that often athletes’ biggest challenges were not physical, but financial. “It’s a bit embarrassing how much of South Africa’s Olympic budget is actually allocated to the athletes. I have to fund everything apart from some travel expenses. Britain’s cycling budget alone is more than South Africa’s entire Olympic budget. If you equate budget with number of medals won, you can see why South Africa hasn’t done that well in the past.”

thesouthafrican.com | 10 July – 16 July 2012 | Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thesouthafrican

MIND THE RUCK ROB FLUDE

Guess who’s back? BACK in more ways than one. AFTER a five-week hiatus from my column - much the same as the Super Rugby tournament took a break - I’m back in print and ready for the second half of what is turning out to be a great sporting year. You see, I had the small matter of negotiating my way on the big bird halfway around the world and back to South African Expat HQ, London, for another stint here. It’s been a crazy last month;

Sport

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due to the changing structure of packing up our little house in the sports section and my rugby Melbourne, moving in the rain, commitments finding a home elsewhere, it for our dog, My weekly column for would be best covering for to give me carte my boss while this paper will now blanche on all he was on encompass all sport, sporting matters! leave, turning not just rugby... giving Brace yourselves! 30, crashing With that in with various me carte blanche on mind, this edition friends before all sporting matters! of my column is departing, a more relaxed, farewell after informal version looking ahead farewell, becoming an uncle to what we can expect in the next for the third time, and winging few months. Naturally, Super my way to summer in London Rugby continues, and the Stormers (it can get quite cold and wet in are well-placed now for another Melbourne during the winter) with final, with the Bulls and Sharks renewed aspirations for attracting occupying places 5 and 6 and thus some Vitamin D...only to find in contention for the playoffs. Vitamins G & W - Grey & Wet! That is great news for South Such is life. African rugby, as after the success Be that as it may, it’s great to be of the England test series, Heyneke back and to see friends and family Meyer has some good problems again. What I can also reveal is on his hands when it comes to that after some discussions with selecting a team for The Rugby the editor, my weekly column for Championship. Might we also see this paper will now encompass all a return to the side for Ballstealer sport, not just rugby. We feel that

Extraordinaire, Heinrich Brüssow? I hope so, though I do understand Meyer’s logic in omitting him recently. I am incredibly eager for the South Africa versus England cricket series to commence. I have splurged on tickets in anticipation on the Proteas capturing both the Test and One-Day series and with it the number 1 ranking in both formats. I spent all day at Lord’s on 29 June watching the Aussies get whacked by England in the first one-dayer. I hopped off the

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are a team from Northern England. It’s going to be a cracking tournament and one not to be missed! All details on how to enter a team can be found at www. trytagrugby.com Meanwhile, Late Summer Tag Rugby registrations in London and Reading are now open. Late Summer competitions all commence this week and are expected to break the current record season (Early Summer 2012) participation figures of 142 teams! Leagues will take place at

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by STAFF REPORTER THE team at Try Tag Rugby have now opened registrations for the third annual London Tag Rugby Championships, which will take place on Saturday 18 August at the East London Rugby Club in West Ham. The 2012 London Tag Rugby Championships will be the biggest and best to date, with overseas teams confirmed, an easily accessible venue on the tube network and an onsite bar and BBQ. There will be a party atmosphere and a DJ lined up to whip the London Tag Rugby community into a post-game frenzy! Teams will take part in mixed and men’s competitions across two divisions. There will be a Champions League (to crown the best mixed and men’s teams in London) for any teams which made an A Grade Grand Final throughout 2012 (or equivalent outside of London), and a social grade open to all other teams. Each team that takes part will get a guaranteed 90 minutes of game time. Already confirmed for the mixed Champions League are Ireland’s 2011 Champion team, the Bircroft Panthers. The Panthers are also entering a team in the mixed social grade, as

plane, dropped my bags off at my flat and went straight to the ground. Didn’t waste any time I tell you! The Olympics is also high on the agenda, and one I hope you all are going to attend in some form. It is essentially a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have it in one’s hometown, and the atmosphere is going to be unparalleled. Finally, thanks to a few readers for the messages of support and well wishes. Now that I am settled in I will respond to you.

29/03/2012 14:14

SPORT

10 July – 16 July 2012

TEAM SA @ THE OLYMPICS: MARC MUNDELL

NEWS FOR GLOBAL SOUTH AFRICANS

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www.thesouthafrican.com

PROTEAS EYE NO1 TEST RANKING Smith’s team hopes to topple England

by WESLEY MCKAY he South African cricket team has arrived in England looking to dislodge their hosts as the world’s top testplaying nation. The Proteas begin the series only one point behind England in the ICC test rankings and will be looking to come out on top after the three-match series beginning on 19 July. Proteas captain Graeme Smith said he hoped the side would be rewarded for their consistency by taking the top spot from their inform hosts. “We’ve been touching the top of the ranking for a long time now” said Smith. “We’ve been top two or top three for a long time and are now very close to the pinnacle. We come here with a degree of quiet confidence. We have performed well away from home for a period of time now.” Smith and team will be looking to hit the ground running after a long winter break. The Proteas have not had much competitive cricket in the last few months and will need to raise their game if they are to defeat their hosts who have been in scintillating form recently, having not lost a home test series since 2008 when they lost to South Africa. Gary Kirsten’s team arrived in England via Switzerland where

they attended a training camp, which included biking and hiking in the Swiss Alps. "We scaled a few Alps and it was three or four of the toughest days physically that the guys have had in their careers," added Smith. "It was a good three days in terms of breaking down mental barriers and getting the mental confidence to come away and to perform on tour in England." South Africa’s preparation will not be helped by the current wet weather affecting the United Kingdom with heavy rain making cricket grounds across the country unplayable. They’ll hope their first match against Somerset, a two-day game in Taunton, goes ahead without any disruptions this week. The Proteas had their first out field training session on Sunday afternoon when a gap in the clouds appeared following days of heavy rain. Although outdoor training has been rare, the Proteas have been training diligently away from the field, something the coach Gary Kirsten has been impressed with. “I’m very happy with where we are, we put in a lot of hard training during our camp in Switzerland and the few days that we have been here (England), the guys aren’t letting up; they want more. In terms of where we’re going with our training and preparation we are

Proteas captain Graeme Smith is very happy with where his team is and hopes they will be rewarded for their consistency.

right up there,” said Kirsten. Proteas Squad for Npower test match series: Graeme Smith (captain), Hashim

Amla, Mark Boucher, Marchant de Lange, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel, Alviro Petersen,

Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Jacques Rudolph, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe. www.thesouthafrican.com/sport

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