The South African, Issue 530, 3 September 2013 by The South African

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3 - 9 September 2013

Issue 530

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SA GOVT COULD BE SPYING ON YOUR EMAILS - LEGALLY

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| The passage of SA’s new ‘ Spy Bill’ complements last year’s Secrecy Bill to vastly expand the Zuma government’s legal powers of surveillance. Are we more watched than US citizens?

FOR ONLY

549

BY STAFF REPORTER

THE Spy Bill complements last year’s Protection of State Information Bill (known as the Secrecy Bill) to create a formidable legal framework for the unfettered surveillance of South African and international communications and individuals by the Rainbow Nation’s spooks. These powers – snooping into foreign electronic communications without a warrant, a mandate to protect a vaguelydefined ‘political stability’, the right to classify information without explanation – would be alarming enough for a trusted organisation. The intelligence services, however, are not among the gems in the South African state. As far back as 2006, then-Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils’s Ministerial Review Commission into his own department uncovered a culture of abuse of Constitutional rights as well as a general context of overly broad mandates and rather vague constraints on the power of the spooks. In this worrying climate, the Spy Bill has failed to generate the depth and breadth of organised political opposition inspired by the Secrecy Bill. And yet, properly understood, its menace to South Africans’ fundamental right to privacy is no less real. One clause in the Spy Bill allows snooping on any news service emanating outside South Africa, without the inconvenience of a warrant. If more South Africans understood that this effectively provided for unlimited state snooping on their social network accounts, including Skype calls, it is unlikely that the

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SETTING SAIL: Crowds estimated in excess of 120,000 lined the banks of the Thames on Sunday to cheer on the colourful pageant to mark the start of the Clipper 2013-14 Round the World Yacht Race. ‘Invest Africa’ was the only African boat. Read more on page 2.

law would have passed without mass protest on a scale equal to, or even surpassing, the Secrecy Bill. What is certain is that the two laws combine to devastating effect: both criminalising the possession of classified information and providing the legal means by which the state can discover who is talking about such information in their emails, Skype calls and social media correspondence. As the Mail and Guardian’s Phillip de Wet has reported (“Spy Wars”, 21 June 2013), Ronnie Kasrils

asked during his time in Intellgence whether “anyone should be surprised…that with the enormous technological ability that any developed country has today, would you be surprised about revelations relating to prying into foreign countries, into one’s own citizens, never mind foreign citizens? The ability is there.” In political terms, governments are by definition paranoid organisations: it is their job to anticipate, and seek out evidence of, threats to Continued on page 2

INSIDE:

p3 | Nelson Mandela, ‘critical but mostly stable’, released from hospital p5 | SA vet Dr Will Fowlds talks rhino conservation in London

p10 | Protect yourself from ‘dirty wifi’

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SA government grants itself sweeping surveillance powers over citizens Editor: Heather Walker Production: Brett Petzer & Jackie Lampard 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, A Laird, J Durrant, N Durrant and R Phillips Printed by: Mortons of Horncastle Ltd

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Heather Walker

Heather Walker is the editor of The South African newspaper and TheSouthAfrican.com. She hails from Johannesburg and studied Journalism and English literature at Rhodes University. She has lived in London for five years, where she indulges her love of musicals, art galleries, good books and tea. Follow her on Twitter: @heathervalerie

Continued from front page the welfare of their own citizens and to the country as a whole. We expect governments to spy, we expect them to do it pre-emptively, and we expect them to use all the leeway and leverage that the courts allow to do so. As is often said (by intelligence agencies, if not by their supposedly grateful public), we only know the intelligence community by its failures. When agencies like the NSA succeed, bad things don’t happen; the only news in their breakthroughs is what was averted. This system, of course, entirely depends on the spooks’ being

accountable to ordinary courts. In South Africa, in contrast, almost everything about the spies are secret, down to the broadest indications of their budgets, mandates and powers. Moreover, this mindset of structural paranoia is tied to a different time, when information was physical – on paper, on index cards, in the posts – and a new dispensation must be negotiated for the email era. Soberingly, South Africans of this century must realise that a file more thorough than most KGB dossiers exists right now in their name inside Google, and that, for the millions of international South Africans now

using social networks, it is we who minutely document our own lives. All South African telecommunications companies must, at their own expense, provide a way for the state to monitor communications on their networks when ordered to by a court. Rumour has it that the secretive National Communnications Centre (NCC) can listen in on any phone call at any time. This status quo has risen steadily in public profile, and climbed in the priorities of ordinary South Africans, in the years since Kasrils left office in 2008. The extent of spying on South African citizens by the South African

state remains at best foggy, and the passage of the Spy Bill, as well as the evolving culture of secrecy under the Zuma administration, does not bode very well for the future of transparency in the field. We are a Constitutional democracy, but we are also the country in which Chumani Maxwele, the jogger who gave President Zuma’s motorcade the middle finger in 2010, found himself handcuffed, thrown into a police cell for a night and a day. Governmental assurances that there’s nothing to worry about are thus cold comfort in the decade of Assange, Manning and Snowden.

South African team sets sail from London in Clipper Round The World Yacht Race

| Eight of the South African entrants on one of the fleet of twelve ocean racing yachts are from The Sapinda Rainbow Foundation, a youth initiative who are part of Nelson Mandela’s children’s charity by STAFF REPORTER

THE only African yacht in the world’s longest ocean race took part in a spectacular parade on the River Thames as the British capital waved off twelve 70-ft boats at the start of their 40,000 mile adventure from Tower Bridge. Crowds estimated in excess of 120,000 lined the banks of the Thames on Sunday 1 September to cheer on the colourful pageant to mark the start of the Clipper 201314 Round the World Yacht Race. Invest Africa was one of the fleet of ocean racing yachts that will face the ultimate endurance test. 18 South Africans will take part in the race, as will Sylvia Chahonyo, the first Kenyan to take part in the circumnavigation and Abdoulaye Tangara, the first ever Malian entrant who is a crew member of ONEDLL. Eight of the South African entrants on Invest Africa are from The Sapinda Rainbow Foundation, a youth initiative who are part of Nelson Mandela’s children’s charity. They were specially selected to participate in the Clipper Race and will form a relay with each team member completing one race leg each. During the race to 16 ports on six continents they will aim to raise £20 million to help realise the last major legacy of Nelson Mandela. There are nearly 450 million children in Africa, and only four dedicated children’s hospitals (one in Cape Town, one in Nairobi, and two in Cairo). Initiated by the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Trust has an immediate objective to raise funds to design, build and equip a children’s hospital that is comparable with the best in the world. This hospital aims to admit its first patient in November 2014. Speaking ahead of the Clipper Race departure, UK-based skipper Rich Gould said, “We are ready to race. Invest Africa are prepped and ready to go sailing. No nerves – just sheer excitement and determination at this point. We feel good.”

“I feel very good about our chances of success in the Clipper Race. I think we are ready and we’re certainly going to give it our best shot. Now, let’s go sailing!” Clipper Race chairman and founder, the legendary yachtsman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, congratulated the Sapinda Rainbow team on successfully completing their extensive three-week training programme in the UK. He said, “I have been involved in a wide range of youth initiatives and have seen what a difference going to sea can be, taking on new challenges and responsibilities in a team environment. I am really pleased that the Sapinda Group has taken the initiative to make this happen. It is wonderful to see these gutsy people set off on one of the greatest adventures left on the planet. “Departing from the iconic Tower Bridge in British capital London is something really special for the crews and skippers who have been building up to this moment for months. To see them return to London as accomplished circumnavigators in 11 months’ time will be a special moment,” KnoxJohnston concluded.

4 September 2013 First Wednesday with Peter Hain: The SA Chamber of Commerce welcomes Peter Hain - British MP and anti-Apartheid activist who grew up in Pretoria. To be followed by canapés and SA wine. Deloitte, 2 New Street Square, London 6 September 2013 Piano Recital - Ben Schoeman: Ben Schoeman is regarded as one of South Africa’s foremost pianists. He has won major prizes, including the first grand prize in the 11th UNISA International Piano Competition, Pretoria (2008), the coveted gold medal in the Royal Over-Seas League Music Competition, London (2009) and the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Music

(2011). This is a free concert of works by Bach, Haydn and Liszt. St-Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square 7 Sept 2013 Blue Blitz UK: Another Blue Blitz and an opportunity to meet new Democratic Alliance supporters and volunteers who are the key to the success of the DA.These events are an opportunity to meet and train new DA Abroad members and activists in preparation for next year’s election. If you’re interested in finding out a bit more about us and how you can get involved then please do join us! RSVP is essential. Please email contact@da-abroad.org to confirm Until 30 Sept 2013 Africa Entsha UK Tour: South African a capella quartet Africa Entsha are touring the UK over the next three months, including a return to the Edinburgh Fringe. At the heart of their shows are Zulu songs full of rhythm, style and spirit. Africa-entsha.weebly.com For more events and details: www.thesouthafrican.com/events

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‘Critical but mostly stable’ Mandela discharged from hospital

| After almost three months, Madiba judged well enough to recuperate at Houghton home amongst family by STAFF REPORTER

NELSON Mandela was discharged on Sunday morning from the Pretoria hospital where he received treatment for almost three months, South Africa’s Presidency has announced. The Presidency said in a statement on Sunday that Mandela’s condition “remains critical and is at times unstable”, but that his team of doctors were convinced he would receive the same level of intensive

care at his Houghton, Johannesburg home that he had been receiving in hospital. “His home has been reconfigured to allow him to receive intensive care there,” the Presidency said, adding, “The health care personnel providing care at his home are the very same who provided care to him in hospital. If there are health conditions that warrant another admission to hospital in future, this will be done. During his stay

in hospital from 8 June 2013, the condition of our former president vacillated between serious to critical and at times unstable. He has received full medical support and continues to do so.” Mandela has been treated by a large medical team drawn from the military, academic, private and other public health care sectors. During his stay in hospital, he received constant visits from family, friends and colleagues - and messages of

support from across the country and the world. “Despite the difficulties imposed by his various illnesses, he, as always, displays immense grace and fortitude,” the Presidency said. “We would like to wish him all the best as he continues his recovery at his home. We now call on all to allow Madiba and his family the necessary private space so that his continuing care can proceed with dignity and without unnecessary intrusion.” - southafrica.info

When it comes to fundamentals, SA is getting plenty right - Minister | According to Ministerin the Presidency, the 2012 development indicators show there’s much to be proud of in some areas. Aids infections have fallen along with crime, while life expectancy has risen by by YVONNE FONTYN

THE South African government appears to be on the right path, taking cognisance of the Development Indicators 2012 Report, released by Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane on 20 August. The report found that two million people were being treated for Aids and that life expectancy had risen from 56 in 2009 to 60 years. The crime battle continued, but Chabane indicated that the government was winning the war, with crime statistics down. There had been a reduction in unemployment, poverty and inequality, he said; three million homes had been built, there had been a significant improvement in water and sanitation services and the various government programmes were showing positive results. Regarding land reform, 59,000 claims had been finalised. Education was not performing at the same level as other countries that dedicated the same resources and this needed to be improved. Regarding health, the maternal mortality rate was still high. The Mail & Guardian newspaper and the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation held the Mail & Guardian Meeting of Great Minds Business Breakfast on 23 August, at which Chabane and a panel of experts reflected on the report. Chabane, who serves in the Presidency’s Department for Performance Monitoring and

Evaluation, said that with the sixth edition of the Development Indicators, as with the previous reports, quantitative measures were employed to track progress in implementing the government’s policies based on data sourced from research institutions in South Africa and abroad, government databases and official statistics. Results such as an increased number of matriculants indicated the tide was turning in South Africa. First up in the panel was Dr Miriam Altman, a commissioner of the National Planning Commission and the head of strategy at Telkom, who listed some of the most serious issues currently facing South Africans: the cost of living was out of step with what people were earning and as a result, poverty was rising. The purpose of the National Development Plan was to align earnings with cost of living. “You can only have social stability when people have adequate access to food, health services and transport.” According to Altman, economic growth was being held back by fundamentals such as labour unrest, a lack of faith in the rule of law, problems with energy supply, regulatory security and the skills shortage. Providing an educational perspective, Godwin Khosa, the chief executive of JET Education Services, said it was commendable that the government invested an annual 5% of gross domestic product in education. More teachers

had been absorbed into the system and the matric pass rate for 2012 was the highest in 20 years. He said it was insufficient to speak about inputs and outputs, however; there needed to be more focus on process and involving the parents. The report showed a clear improvement in teacher-student ratios, he added, from 1:33 to 1:30, though urban schools had benefited more than rural ones. The findings showed there were more girls in high school and efforts needed to be made to ensure more boys stayed the course to matric. Dr Khangelani Zuma, the executive director of the Human Sciences Research Council, spoke on health. Zuma said that the incidence of HIV had risen, according to the Development Indicators, but this could be because, with treatment, people were living longer. More women were accessing antiretroviral treatment than men and this was perhaps the result of prevention of mother-to-child transmission services. Maternity mortality figures were still worrying but immunisation rates were about 95%. A worrying factor, however, was the role of non-communicable or lifestyle diseases, said Zuma, with high levels of blood pressure being recorded among the over-60 population. Regardless of antismoking legislation, about 20% of South Africans smoked and many people were being exposed to cigarette smoke. The increase in people becoming overweight was more difficult to deal with, as diet was hard to regulate. However, moves could be made to regulate the advertising of harmful food products. Professor Urmilla Bob of the University of KwaZulu-Natal geography department said declining health and increasing poverty in the rural areas was a concern. Foreign policy had enabled more foreign direct investment and South Africa was contributing to peace and security in the rest of Africa, as well as growth. However, he said 85% of the land was still owned by 55 000 white farmers and it was important

that the government help to create jobs and a better environment for people to live in. To this effect, the National Development Plan should become an emblem and a goal, said Agbesi. In conclusion, he said the government should take a firm stand against xenophobia. During the question and answer session, regarding government

accountability, Chabane said that it was the first time in South African history that public servants had had to sign a service agreement with the president, and that there were now contracts for deliverables. “The president will do face-toface evaluations and assess the management progress in 158 departments,” said Chabane.

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Farewell to High Commissioner Dr Skweyiya

by HEATHER WALKER

DR Zola Skweyiya, whose term as High Commissioner ended last week, is headed back to Pretoria with his wife Thuthukile. On Wednesday evening South Africa House held a farewell function for the Skweyiyas, with diplomatic staff from several London embassies in attendance, including the ambassadors and high commissioners of Uganda, Cameroon, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Angola, Malaysia, Paraguay, Andorra and Bahamas.

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South African wildlife vet Dr Will Fowlds talks in London on rhino conservation | An inspirational personal account of Dr William Fowlds’s fight to save the mutilated survivors of rhino poaching, and how this is reshaping attitudes towards a conservation crisis.

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WORLDWIDE TAX SOLUTIONS THE CHANGING FACE OF THE RHINO: A lecture by Dr William Fowlds Introduction from Bear Grylls Opening and closing words William Travers OBE and Virginia McKenna OBE JOIN Dr William Fowlds on 18 September as he hosts an inspirational lecture at the Royal Geographical Society, London, highlighting the plight of the rhino and his mission to protect these iconic creatures of South Africa and to raise funds for Tusk Trust and Born Free Foundation. South Africa has been gripped by a massive surge in rhino poaching in recent years. In 2007, 13 rhinos were poached. In 2013 it estimated that 900 rhinos will be poached with almost three rhinos being killed every day. Rhinos are poached for their horns which, according to some South East Asian countries, have healing capabilities and other medicinal uses and values. Modern science has, however, proved that the horn carries absolutely no medicinal value and is, in fact, made up of the same protein, keratin, which is found in human fingernails. Yet the demand for the product continues to increase and the situation is becoming more critical by the day. Current international debates aimed at bringing an end to poaching include; legalising the rhino horn trade, dehorning rhinos, stricter law enforcement, decreasing demand through bans (it’s illegal to trade in rhino horn through rules stipulated by CITES) or education, and an improved

consolidated and collaborative approach by all stakeholders, Dr Fowlds is a South African veterinarian and star of ITV1’s Safari Vet School. His day-today job includes darting lions, elephants and antelopes but last year he was called out to a harrowing situation, unlike anything he’d encountered before. Overnight, three rhinos had been illegally darted using veterinary drugs and the poachers had brutally removed bone, skin and horn with either machetes or axes, leaving the rhinos for dead. One rhino had in fact already died from its injuries but Themba, a male, and Thandi, a female were still alive when they were discovered the next morning. So began a gruelling, heartrending week of trying to save these two mutilated animals. Decisions had to be made whether to euthanise them straight away or give them a chance. Will was determined to try to save these rhinos. This is his story. Bear Grylls said, “As the world’s population explodes, the wildlife on all continents is affected and their numbers are dwindling. I have chosen to support the rhino in Africa as one such species as a symbol of all animals in trouble around the world. Will Fowlds’s story should be heard by all, his account of the tragic consequences of poaching and the hope that he holds for the future in his crusade to save the survivors of these criminal acts.” William Travers OBE, CEO of Born Free Foundation, an

international wildlife charity devoted to compassionate conservation and animal welfare, said, “There are possibly 30,000 wild rhino in Africa. As one of the continent’s most iconic species, it’s impossible to imagine their extinction. But it could happen. The Northern White Rhino is all but gone. The Western subspecies of the Black Rhino is no more. Now a wave of poaching is sweeping the creatures’ last strongholds including South Africa and Kenya, fuelled by demand from South East Asia for spurious, bogus medicinal products which apparently cure everything from cancer to hangovers.” The evening is hosted by Mantis, a family run collection of award winning, privately owned, five star properties around the world, and their educational arm, Worldwide Experience, whose roots are based in conservation and who are passionate about preserving and celebrating Africa’s wild nature. Following the lecture there will be a short auction, to raise funds for leading conservation charities TUSK TRUST and the Born Free Foundation, with lots including a luxury Mantis holiday. The charities will use the money to continue raising awareness for the poaching crisis and to help curb these attacks. Tickets for the event are £20 per person and include a drinks reception before the lecture. To purchase tickets please visit www.rhinolecture.eventbrite.co.uk

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Explaining car guards… | He simply looks at it; all territorial like for your car is one of a ‘harem’ of cars he looks at

GIVING a wine tasting to some lovely people out in Surrey. Pronounced ‘Surraaay.’ Delightful, phonetically clipped conversations and some yummy discoveries that many at the tasting have actually been to South Africa. Not lately says one – it has become far too dangerous and commercial to travel there, but with an appetite for banter, throws down the gauntlet like Lancelot at Athur’s court. ‘Clang!’ Convince me otherwise he says: Do not challenge a South African

I think, and imagine a head impaled on the Palace gates. I ask him what troubles him and I will happily allay his fears. Is it true he says, that all South African men have weapons – this Pistorius ‘thing’ seems to indicate such. Ummm. Everyone I know has a gun but I am not telling him that. ‘Utter nonsense’ I protest. We have burglar alarms, security guards, car guards, watch dogs and the odd ‘kettie’ but I ain’t telling him that either. Pffft…please! What about these ‘car guards’? What purpose do they serve other than taking your money? This is tricky but I endeavour to explain. Basically, I say, you go shopping, find a parking – a friendly individual chooses where you can park. He does a little ‘car park’ hustle with windmill arms and assists you to your bay like the man who parks a Jumbo Jet. You alight from the vehicle and he gives you a thumbs up. He is going to watch your car while you are away. He simply looks at it; all territorial-like, for your car is one of a ‘harem’ of cars he looks at. He does nothing else, just looks at it until you come back. When you do, he may not remember exactly which car is yours but that is purely academic, you will find it yourself. Once you have established that your car is actually still there, and has not been lonely (he has been there after all), you give him some change to thank

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| THE ANTIQUARIAN | This summer the ‘must see’ of the art world has to be the LS Lowry exhibition at Tate Britain

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by JEREMY ASTFALCK THE absolute joy in visiting London is being able to access some of the best museums in the world. This summer the ‘must see’ of the art world has to be the LS Lowry exhibition at Tate Britain. Running until 20 October 2013, this major retrospective has an entrance fee of £16 which has to be the best spent money of my trip. For anybody outside of the art scene the name Lowry may not mean much but when you step into this carefully choreographed exhibition the genius of the artist is hard to ignore. You are taken back in time to the harsh economic reality of 1930’s industrial Britain. The urban scenes with his “matchstick men” as his human figures present a unique view on the impact of modernisation and industrial growth. This art shows the impact of how the factory wastelands were shaping Britain and how the outlook had darkened for the worker in terms of them being just a small cog in a very large industrial process. The exhibition housed on the first floor covers three main rooms and is accompanied by very good

background explaining some of the insights Lowry had, when working. One of them is how people in his art, which by his own admittance “were strange creations”, fit into his urban landscapes. You have to stand in front of these works to feel the full impact and judging by how many people really took their time when looking, underlies his talent as one of Britain’s top artists. The Tate Britain was founded by Sir Henry Tate in 1897 and is

him for ‘looking’ after your car. It’s a service, a friendly gesture. South Africans are just friendly like that. In response to the following questions: Zuma obtained a life education which excluded biology, basic medical knowledge, accountancy and life skills. Malema – who is Malema? Theft is our national ‘benefit’ system and corruption is simply the buzz word of the month. Moving on … He was appalled at the exploitation of the people. Young girls dressed up in traditional costumes, bare breasted dancing for the tourists. ‘ Ah.’ I say. ‘ While you gather at the kraals waiting for a taste of the true ‘native’ experience, those girls are stripping their jeans, slapping on skirts, chatting on their iPhones and drinking Diet Cokes. Before the performance they are probably giggling about how they are going to perform to a bunch of ‘uMlungus’ who are stupid enough to buy into the entire spectacle. ‘Tell you what’ I say, sip this magnificent wine. Imagine you are in the most beautiful place in the world where the people are loveable, funny and more optimistic than you can imagine. So what if we dodge bullets, drive like hellions and make fun of our government? At least life is interesting! And we do not say ‘Surraaay’. We say ‘Eish!’ located on the bank of the Thames River in Millbank. Apart from the current Lowry exhibition for which there is an entrance charge the admittance to the rest of the gallery is free. There is a lot of other very good work on view including Jacob Epstein’s large alabaster statue of Jacob and the Angel and the Francis Bacon Triptych done in 1972. There is a riverboat service that links this museum to the other Tate (that being the Tate Modern) and the pick-up point is right outside on the river’s edge. This is called the Millbank Millennium Pier and on your journey to the Tate Modern you pass Cleopatra’s Needle and the Palace of Westminster containing Big Ben. Two great museums just a boat ride apart on the Thames makes for a very good cultural adventure.

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Making the best of it on the Island | In 1967, against the background of slowly improving prison conditions on Robben Island, Nelson Mandela’s first escape plan was foiled. He would be a long time still on the island

Nelson Mandela’s Living Legacy FROM 1967, prison conditions on Robben Island improved, with black prisoners given trousers rather than shorts, games being permitted, and food quality improving. In 1969, an escape plan for Mandela was developed by Gordon Bruce, but it was abandoned after being infiltrated by an agent of the South African Bureau of State Security (BOSS), who hoped to see Mandela shot during the escape. In 1970,

Commander Piet Badenhost became commanding officer. Mandela, seeing an increase in the physical and mental abuse of prisoners, complained to visiting judges, who had Badenost reassigned. He was replaced by Commander Willie Willemse, who developed a co-operative relationship with Mandela and was keen to improve prison standards. By 1975, Mandela had become a Class A prisoner, allowing greater numbers of visits and letters; he corresponded with anti-apartheid activists like Mangosuthu Butheleziand Desmond Tutu. That year, he began his autobiography,

South African book review:

Apocalypse Now Now

| Set in modern-day Cape Town, Charlie Human’s debut novel ‘Apocalypse Now Now’ will grab you by the hair and drag you headlong into a world you have never seen before by DAVID WILKINS “HERE are questions that run through your head when you find out that you’re a serial killer!” This fascinating line is the start of South African writer Charlie Human’s debut novel Apocalypse Now Now. Set in modern-day Cape Town, it tells the exciting, baffling horrifying and hilarious tale of Baxter Zevcenko and his introduction to the paranormal in a style reminiscent of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. A 16-year-old with little interest in school, young Baxter has a good deal on his plate. Running a porn business from his classroom means he can stand between two rival gangs about to launch into all-out war. Alongside this, Baxter must balance a brother on the autistic spectrum, a mom who insists on analysing his life, and a dying grandpa obsessed by giant shapeshifting killing crows. The last thing he needs right now is the word Siener flashing through his brain, strange dreams, pounding headaches and a serial killer on the loose. But when his girlfriend Esme disappears and he is accused of being a serial killer, his life soon spirals out of control, seeing him turn to former MK66 agent Jackson Ronin for help. With Jackson at his side, Baxter plunges headlong into a world of monster porn, zombies and yes, giant shapeshifting crows. Baxter’s life, will never be the same again! A dark story that reaches deep in the paranormal, Apocalypse Now Now is a gripping read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from page one, and hungry for more by the end of the novel. In

a style similar to that of the first ever novel on vampires (Dracula) Human uses a narrator (Baxter Zevcenko), combined with letters, newspaper articles and at times switches to a narrator with a totally different style. Human also uses moments of humour to prevent the story from becoming too dark and depressing and are enough to amuse the reader into going on. Although a fascinating read, the novel has a complicated plot that is sometimes confusing and frustrating. Similarly, its appeal is really to those interested in paranormal fiction – those looking for a simple read may want to give this book a miss. But those willing to delve into a well written-book will find riveting action scenes combined with wonderful descriptions of the Western Cape of South Africa. Apocalypse Now Now will grab you by the hair and drag you headlong into a world you have never seen before.

which was smuggled to London, but remained unpublished at the time; prison authorities discovered several pages, and his study privileges were stopped for four years. Instead he devoted his spare time to gardening and reading until he resumed his LLB degree studies in 1980.

KASH COWS

| 3 - 9 September 2013 | thesouthafrican.com

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Double bill: Nibs van der Spuy and Dan Patlantsky in London | Special double bill at Half Moon Putney and Green Note Camden featuring two of South Africa’s most celebrated musicians RESPECTED South African musicians Nibs van der Spuy and Dan Patlansky will share the stage at Half Moon Putney on Sunday 15 September and the Green Note Camden on Tuesday 17 September. Nibs’ spellbinding acoustic guitar style was first taken notice of, with his band Landscape Prayers, performing live and on their four highly acclaimed acoustic/ instrumental albums, between 1993 – 2003. His diversity as a songwriter, singer and finger stylist, reached a broader audience with the release of his solo albums Lines on my face (1999) and Flower in the rain (2002). Both these acoustic gems were nominated in best instrumental category at the South African Music Awards. Nibs’ versatility to cross pollinate various musical styles, from, African, Classical, Celtic, World, Maskanda, Indian and folk can be fully appreciated on his first international release, Beautiful Feet (2007), which received rave reviews from the London Guardian to the Sydney Herald. In only a little over a decade on the music scene, Dan Patlansky has become one of the busiest and most respected blues artists to ever come out of South Africa. After his debut, Standing at the Station, an independent album that amazed critics and garnered Dan a reputation as a Blues-phenomenon and his subsequent “Readers Choice” vote as “Best Blues Guitarist in Southern Africa” – Dan released a second album, True Blues which was produced and released

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Pianist), Snooks Eaglin, The Batiste Family and Rockin Dopsie Jr. While abroad, Dan performed live on both television and radio. Dan followed his first two albums with three more releases Real (2007), Move My Soul (2009) and 20 Stones (2012). His latest album Wooden Thoughts was released in May 2013.

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by EMI on the famed Blue Note label in 2004. Dan is one of the only South Africans to ever achieve “Blue Note” status. In 2006 Fender Guitars recognised Dan’s fiery playing and offered him an endorsement deal to promote Fender Guitars and amps. Dan is one of only six Fender endorsed guitarists in South Africa. In February 2005 and again in July 2006, Selwyn Miller, the New Orleans based manager of David Gates and Bread, Randy Crawford, and Petula Clark amongst others, brought Dan to New Orleans to showcase this amazing talent. In his time living in the City of the Blues, Patlansky performed at legendary venues such as Maple Leaf, Rock & Bowl and Checkpoint Charlie with many Blues giants such as Henry Gray (Howlin’ Wolf’s

Half Moon Putney 15 September: Tickets: £10adv/ £12 door Doors open at 8pm. Tickets available at the bar or via thehalfmoon. musicglue.com/events Green Note 17 September: Doors open at 7pm. Tickets £10 on www.greennote.co.uk

Pinot Grigio: Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris) is a white wine grape variety. It is thought to be a mutant clone of the Pinot Noir grape. The wines produced from this grape can vary in colour from a golden yellow to copper and even a light shade of pink. In South Africa, Pinot Grigios are lighter bodied with a crisp, refreshing taste of subtropical and stone fruit with some spicy notes. The Pinot Grigio style of Italy is a lightbodied, often very light wine that has little colour with sometimes fizzy flavours that can be crisp and acidic. Most Pinot Grigios are meant to be consumed early. The Pinot Grigio style of Italy is a light-bodied, often very light wine that has little colour with

sometimes fizzy flavours that can be crisp and acidic. Most Pinot Grigio’s are meant to be consumed early. Van Loveren Pinot Grigio 2012 Stellenbosch: A bright fruity wine displaying hints of tropical fruit and honey with pear and spice flavours. A well balanced wine with a crisp ripe finish. Sawinesonline.co.uk Flat Roof Manor Pinot Grigio 2012 Stellenbosch: A pale yellow almost light green colour with dried peach and apricot on the nose. Lovely stone fruit flavours with a burst of acidity. Enjoy on a summer’s afternoon or at a picnic in the park. kandlwinesonline.co.uk Stormy Cape Pinot Grigio 2012, Western Cape: A

refreshing Pinot Grigio that is light to medium bodied, with loads of zesty citrus flavours and hints of ripe stone fruit. A very exciting wine indeed. winedirect.co.uk Anthonij Rupert Terra del Capo Pinot Grigio, 2012: Lovely apricot and passionfruit aromas with a touch of dry grass adding complexity. Balanced peach and Melon flavours combines well to a richness and weight with some deftly handled wood influence. Balanced by fresh acidity. hamlinhousewines.se

thesouthafrican.com | 3 - 9 September 2013 |

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Access to Internet – a human right, a government headache | Access to the Internet is being viewed not as a privilege of the rich or first world, but as a crucial means to global development and education. In this light, the costs of the SA government’s slow rollout of ICT policy are becoming clearer - and they are huge been pushed back to mid-2015,” he added. Minister Carrim has committed to increasing internet penetration and finding ways to reduce the cost of communications. Carrim is our fourth communications minister in four years and has come under intense scrutiny so early in his appointment because of the

by KATE FERREIRA

IN July 2012, the United Nations’ Human Rights Council (UNHRC) unanimously backed a resolution that declared Internet access and online freedom of expression a basic human right. And according to a report by the Global Information and Communications Technology Department of the World Bank and IFC published in 2010, access to mobile services and inexpensive fast Internet assists development across all levels of the economy and society, plus economic growth of 1.3 percentage points is apparent for every 10 percentage-point increase in high-speed Internet connections. Access advocates argue that projects like the white space initiative being run in the Western Cape by Google and its partners have already demonstrate the potential that opening the spectrum to data uses has. Even more white space will become available after the switch over to digital

broadcasting. “Switching over to digital broadcasting will be the quickest way to increase the white spaces spectrum, because digital television uses less space on the frequency spectrum than analogue broadcasting technology does,” Mitchell Barker, CEO of WhichVoIP.co.za said in a press release distributed 13 August 2013. “This was supposed to have happened in South Africa already. The original deadline for migrating from analogue to digital was […] 2008, but due to frustrating legal delays, the new deadline has

Rand takes direction from Dollar by COURTNEY HUMPHRISS

The Rand has continually weakened against the Dollar and the expected US data being released throughout this week may have a stronger impact on the Rand and cause it to weaken further. USD unemployment rates will be released on Friday and this will be a contributing factor to the outlook of the Dollar. On Thursday, we will see the European Central Bank’s (ECB) decision to increase, decrease or maintain interest rates. Changes in the rates will impact the market considerably whether the rates are lowered or increased so this data would be important to pay attention to. We also see the Reserve Bank of Australia’s Rate Decision early this week which might affect interest rates and affect the market for the Australian dollar. It is an exciting week for all of the Rand’s major trading currencies compared to the rather flat trading news last week. GBP/ZAR is currently trading at

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have to confer with a wide range of stakeholders and ensure that we work in a less fractious and more consensual manner. By the standards of middleincome developing countries we are lagging behind in the ICT sector. There is no reason we cannot move with due expedition,” he added.

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highs of 15.94 and lows of 15.80. The Rand seems to have gained a bit of ground on the Pound this week from the 16.20 GBP/ZAR of last week to 15.84 of this morning. With all of the key currency data being released this week, we will see if the Rand manages to stabalise against major currencies or if it embarks in another free fall. GBP / ZAR: 15.84 EUR / ZAR: 13.46 USD / ZAR: 10.18 NZD / ZAR: 7.95

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failings of his predecessors. He recently admitted that the department was “highly challenged” and that the country couldn’t afford slow progress in IT infrastructure roll-out. “We were just not meeting targets and we were behind,” admitted Carrim following his appointment. “We have to move quickly. We

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White space internet: exploiting the gaps in spectrum | White space

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internet provision is finally a reality with simultaneous trials now occurring in the US, Europe and even in South Africa, and the first commercial ventures in the arena have started too. What are the benefits and limitations of the tech and where to next? by KATE FERREIRA WHITE space technology – using the unused gaps in the broadcast frequency spectrum to carry data – is not a new idea. In fact, it has its roots in 2006/7 and has been a matter of debate and ongoing regulation in the US since 2008, which in “technologytime” seems a very long time ago. But it wasn’t until this year that the first commercial white space network came online, in a rural area of Northern California called El Dorado County. And now tech giants like Google and Microsoft are hoping regulators from other

countries will consider following in the US’s footsteps and opening up the spectrum for this use. The tech does require devices to transmit and receive wireless signals, but the financial barriers to entry are (relatively) low, unlike wired technology which can cost up to $20,000 per mile in low density areas. Like TV and radio signals, white space signals travel further and cope better with obstacles like hills, water, trees and walls, meaning that white space could be of particular use in rural areas. There are usually less competing broadcast signals in rural areas too. Furthermore, the switch from analogue to digital has made even more space available as analogue signals occupy more space than digital. In South Africa, Google is running a six-month trial to test and demonstrate the potential of white space technology, with a view to proving its efficacy to regulator ICASA. The project is supplying internet access in the form of wireless broadband to 10 local schools (in Cape Town), and monitoring the provision. Google and its partners in the trial –

including the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Tertiary Education and Research Network of South Africa (TENET) and of the local telecoms regulator, ICASA – state the aims as: Demonstrating that white space can deliver internet without impacting on TV reception Increasing the awareness and understanding of the potential for this technology in South Africa and internationally. Microsoft has also recently launched a year-long pilot white space project in Limpopo. UK regulator Ofcom has announced trials using the unlicensed, “unoccupied” spectrum, and there are many European-based trials underway too. The technology is not seen as a competitor to traditional wired and wireless broadband but as a complementary product that will open up networks further as demand from consumers increases. According to the European Commission, globally there will be over 7 billion mobile devices (including phones and tablets) connected to the Internet by 2015.

The lure and threat of dirty wifi | Some things are too good to be true – free open unsecured wifi in public spaces can be a trap for unsuspecting mobile workers

by KATE FERREIRA THE cost of connectivity in South Africa remains high, so the opportunity to jump on unsecured, open wifi networks during business travel or conference-type situations still holds major appeal for many local businesspeople. But unsecured networks can also pose a major threat to data security, and the risk and potential loss is increased in the case of company-owned laptops and devices. The Mobile Workforce Report (Q2 2013) produced by technology firm iPass collates data from over 1,100 mobile workers around the world, and touches on issues such as Wi-Fi, mobility and how these aspects of the modern workplace affect the lives of the mobile workforce. The report reveals that 40% of mobile workers work from airplanes or coffee

shops, while 29% work on public transportation. These are prime spots for digital eavesdropping. Not all wifi networks are created equal and unsavvy users see strong signal and zero password networks as their gain, not realising that many of these types of networks are specifically unsecured to lure users onboard. From there worms and viruses can be passed on, keylogging scripts installed and communication intercepted. When a mobile worker compromises a company device in this way, he is also potentially opening his entire work network to the same critical vulnerabilities. Leaving your Bluetooth on and discoverable is another way that conference goers leave themselves open to attacks. Companies with mobile workers can reduce the risk

by educating their staff and providing excellent anti-virus and anti-malware software on all company machines. Providing mobile wifi devices or 3G cards means no need to jump on unsecured networks too. Three tips for staying secure If you print or share data wirelessly in the office, be sure to disable sharing when you leave the confines of the building. When you connect to a wifi network and the Windows prompt asks you to define it as home, work or public, choose public to disable sharing. Keep your anti-virus software up to date. This software only protects you from the latest threats if it has the latest info to work from. Enable SSL connections – like banks and payment portals use – on your Gmail and Facebook accounts. Do this by changing settings to always use “https”

thesouthafrican.com | 3 - 9 September 2013 |

Business

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London family business bottles the South African entrepreneur spirit

| It’s all hands on deck for a new family-run South African nail product company in London STEVE de Klerk and his motherin-law Louise Moolman, formerly of Port Elizabeth and now living in London, have involved their whole family in their recently-launched company Beauty of London, which sells a range of gel nail polish products direct to salons across the UK. The company’s marketing and sales director Steve moved to London ten years ago with his wife Sacha. After falling into direct marketing, which he didn’t enjoy much, he moved into account management, ending up as a senior account manager. He lives in Wimbledon with Sacha and their two-year-old son and four-year-old daughter. Managing director Louise came to the UK three years to go back to university. Having worked as a project manager in South Africa, she did a post-graduate course in surveying in Aberdeen before settling in Mitcham with her husband Theo. Louise previously had a handmade soap company and the nail business idea sprang from that after she was introduced to a similar product by a relative. “Before we decided on this product we tried samples from many manufacturers. This nail gel came out tops. We import it from the United States, where it’s a patented market leader. It’s a wellestablished product, something nail technicians can actually rely on,” she explained. She added, “After doing some research, what I found shocking was the astronomical margins, how much these products cost the salons, and how many come from China. Some people say they produce a product in the UK but have just swapped a label.” They’ve been testing the product in various salons and believe they can offer the nail industry a top end professional product at a market driven price. “In these bearish times we understand the battle that nail technicians face. We offer a range of affordable products without compromising on quality. Because we bottle locally we are able to

offer competitive pricing. We support British business by sourcing products and packaging materials locally as much as possible. Our company ethos is about being local where possible, reliability, affordability and honest good service to our clients. We also mix our own colours so we are able to respond to trends faster and have even mixed a few custom colours at special request,” said Steve. Beauty of London’s advanced gel polish applies like ordinary polish and has no drying time as it cures under an LED lamp in 30 to 60 seconds. It is said that with proper care, if applied correctly, it will last more than two weeks – so we put their claims to the test. Louise applied a gorgeous orange-red colour to my nails and after two weeks it was still impeccable

and chip free. The polish soaks off in only 10 minutes and the removal process (done by a skilled professional) will not damage the nail plate. The launch collection has 24 of the most popular colours chosen by nail technicians and women who regularly have their nails done. Their second colour collection launching in October will have 48 colours. The colour names follow an English theme including High Tea, Queens Guard, War of the Roses and Black Cab. In addition to gel polish, cleanser, oil and bond and prep they also sell tools and supplies. Although proudly British, Beauty of London has a strong South African flavour. “We are using South Africans friends who are make-up artists, our logo has been designed by a graphic designer in SA. We’ve also roped in the entire family. Even though Louise’s husband has nothing to do with the business he’s lending his expertise as a project manager. My wife Sacha, a part-time photographer specialising in baby photos, is doing our design and photography. Her sister Genevieve Rogel assists with media while Genevieve’s husband Damian does our IT,” Steve told us. www.beautyoflondon.com Tel: 020 8286 1292

Business

FOOD & DRINK NO1 SOUTH AFRICAN SHOP Lots of lekker stuff for a taste of home. Including fantastic biltong, droewors and boerewors. 5 Marlow Drive, St Catherines Hill, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 2RR. The shop is about 2 miles north-west of Christchurch town centre and 6 miles north-east of Bournemouth town centre. There’s loads of free parking and the shop is easy to get to from the A338. Tel: 01202 496041 10’ish to 6pm 7 days a week. www.no1southafricanshop.co.uk

| 3 - 9 September 2013 | thesouthafrican.com

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THE CHICHESTER BILTONG COMPANY www.biltongcompany.co.uk The best of British from a friendly bunch of South Africans who made Sussex our home. But there was one thing we couldnt live without from our native land..Biltong! So we made our own using traditional recipes handed down through generations. We only use the finest prime British beef! Get our “readers 10% EXTRA FREE” offer by using the VOUCHER CODE ‘SA10’ CRUGA Home of CRUGA biltong. Cruga’s factory shop offers a full range of South African and Zimbabwean groceries plus boerewors, droewors and of course biltong. Tel: 01908 565 432 Email: biltong@cruga.com Web: www.cruga.com Address: Tilers Rd Kiln Farm, Milton Keynes, MK11 3LH CAMBRIDGE & VILLAGES Toft Shop – Village Shop & Post Office With a South African section selling all your favourite tastes from home! Pop in and pick up your treats – Biltong; Boerewors; Koeksisters; Rusks; Sweets; Chips; Groceries etc. Web: www.ToftShop.co.uk Tel: 01223 262 204. CB23 2RL

THE AFRICAN CORNER Three miles off Junction 26 of the M5 in the centre of Wellington, Somerset, TA21 8LS. A family run business for your Padkos. Biltong, Boerewors, Droewors, Rusks and other Nik Naks. Pull in if you’re in the West Country or find us online at www.theafricancorner.co.uk and we’ll come to you. Email: theafricancorner@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 01823 619184

LIMPOPO BUTCHERS We believe in small, well run family businesses, where quality is the number one priority. Come and try our delicious traditional recipe biltong, drywors, and boerewors, as well as aged beef steaks, chicken flatties, and succulent lamb. 9 Horn Lane, Acton, W3 9NJ Tel: 020 8993 8823 www.thesaffashop.com

SAVANNA Good friendly customer service is Savanna’s core principle. Our standards are high, and our rapidly-expanding network of shops are clean and bright and well-laid out, with friendly first-rate staff. Find us at: 20-22 Worple Road, Wimbledon London SW19 4DH Call us at: 0208 971 9177 Online: www.thesavanna.co.uk wimshop@thesavanna.co.uk

CHICHESTER BILTONG COMPANY BILTONG doesn’t get any better than this ! Arguably the best and most authentic South African biltong in the UK. WE ONLY USE ORGANIC SPICES. Our FINEST range has no e’S , gluten, sugar or preservatives. Use promo code SAFFA10 for 10% EXTRA FREE. www.biltongcompany.co.uk / 01243 699 722

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ST MARCUS One of the most amazing emporia the capital offers to the carnivorous gourmet. People have been flocking to St. Marcus for their amazing range of Biltong & Boerewors Visit us at: 1-3 Rockingham Close, Priory Lane, off Upper Richmond Road West, Roehampton, London SW15 5RW Call us at: 0208 878 1898 Online: www.biltongstmarcus.co.uk sales@biltongstmarcus.co.uk

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BILTONG DIRECT Biltong Direct, in the business of making superior South African meat products since 2004. Online or from our shop (directions on website – www.biltongdirect.co.uk). Retail and wholesale sales. We manufacture Biltong, Droewors, Snap Sticks, Boerewors & Gluten and MSG free products, offer quick dispatch and a 100% Satisfaction guarantee. Call 01268-685728

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Gold Medal Winners for Beef Biltong and Boerewors 1998. Triple Crown Winners 2010 Ostrich * Kudu * Springbok * The South African 1-3 Rockingham Close Priory Lane, Roehampton London SW15 5RW 21c Holmethorpe Avenue

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SNOGGY’S Our staff pride themselves on the level of personal service they offer. We have the best matured steaks top class cuts at very affordable prices. We season your meat for free and even offer cooking advice and ‘take home’ cooking instructions. We look forward to seeing you soon! www.snoggys.com snoggyswebsite@gmail.com

KALAHARI MOON The Southern African Shop in Bristol. Wide range of stock including excellent boerewors and biltong. Centrally situated, friendly service. Connecting South Africans. Tel: 0117 929 9879 Address: 88 - 91 The Covered Market. st Nicholas Market, Corn Street, Bristol, BS1 1JQ Email: Info@kalaharimoon.co.uk Website: www.kalaharimoon.co.uk

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thesouthafrican.com | 3 - 9 September 2013 |

Travel

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Beijing state of mind | China’s capital is becoming a doorway to the Orient for many visitors who come to explore a lively metropolis with an ancient history

by SARAH WARD BEIJING is a schizophrenic city. On a good day, the sun shines down on the hutongs, skinny alleyways crowded with bicycles and washing lines, and the city is illuminated as a series of terracotta walls and monuments that rise up unexpectedly; but on a bad day, a cloud of industrial smog so thick as to be impenetrable can make it hard to navigate. This is something modern Beijing has become notorious for, and that locals have become accustomed to, but it should not be a reason to forgo a visit. Once the home of emperors and concubines, Beijing is now populated by officials and China’s young and glamorous; the epicentre of China’s rebellious and progressive rock music scene as well as the CCP headquarters. Time Out Beijing is a useful resource if you want to go out, and international DJs and musicians pass through the city on a regular basis. Mao Livehouse, Dongcheng District, is to the eye little more than a corrugated iron shed, but to the ear, it’s one of the best venues in Beijing, hosting touring groups and obscure local acts. Karaoke (KTV) is China’s most beloved form of night-life and there’s one on nearly every street, so if you want to be your own DJ and spend the night with friends in a padded cell, leave your inhibitions at the hotel and down some baiju, rice wine that sends your body well out of synch with your head, and get singing. Expect to write off the next day. Beijing is a photogenic mix of parks where elderly people practice tai chi and willow trees grow beside boating lakes (the Beihei Park is particularly lovely); sculptural modern architecture, and frenetic markets selling silk, gemstones, ancient scraps of embroidery, and ceramic Mao busts by the thousands. Panjiayuan Flea Market is one of the best for souvenir shopping, but remember to haggle. Walking is the best way to see Beijing, which is set out on a grid system and relatively easy to get around. When necessary, take the subway which is quick and easy to use. If your feet are sore after a long day of sightseeing, you can always try reflexology: an ancient form of foot massage supposed to revive not only tired feet but any other part of your body that might be ailing. There are 30 Liangzi Foot Body Massage Centres around the city, but if you can’t find one of these, look out for signs with elaborate and scientific diagrams of feet.

On the outskirts of the city, the Great Wall winds its way across the horizon, a Wonder of the World in different states of pristine and disrepair, as if to fulfil the needs and imagination of each visitor. Mutianyu is most tourists’ destination of choice: there is a cable car up and down, and the stones though worn, are not worn totally smooth. Beyond Mutianyu, remote and harder to reach, are the more secretive parts of the Wall. Overgrown by wildflowers and bramble, these ramparts slope at steeper angles, footholds are haphazard and it’s a climb just to reach the Wall let alone to make your way across it. The silence and serenity of these sections is fantastical, and are well worth the sweat. Designed to keep out Ghenghis Khan and his invading army, the Great Wall protected China from the corrupting influences of external cultures, and there is a sense of national pride in the elegance of what it has preserved, increasingly threatened by Americanisation and the demands of rampant tourism. China was out of bounds to foreigners for 20 years until the opening up policies of the 1970s, and it is hard not to be captivated by a sense of mystery in Beijing, with its ghosts of former selves: erased, rebuilt, and erased again. From the 798 Art District in Danshanzi, Chaoyang – former East German factories taken over as exhibition spaces by the modern art crowd – to the Forbidden City, once a dynastic palace, now a Mecca for those visitors enamoured by the antiquated. In this city of paradoxes, the more you explore, the less you understand. Those in pursuit of the spiritual without the time or money to take a train to Tibet, should make their way to the Lama Temple. Built in 1694, China’s largest Tibetan Buddhist temple is an elaborate golden labyrinth that unravels like an M.C Esher design, full of pilgrims and sculptures, tapestries and clouds of incense. The area surrounding it is home to many of the city’s Buddhists, and it is where vegetarians will find an array of monastic restaurants. Aspiring Dharma bums and those with an eye for iconography and turquoise jewellery could spend hours browsing local stores. At night trashcans are set alight with paper prayers, “hell bank notes”, offered to the deceased. Night MarketIt is possible to eat for cheap in Beijing and the best way to do this is to try the street food, of which there is a diversity, from that which you’ll be familiar with – spring rolls and sugar cane – to the virtually inedible: live scorpions on sticks. Donghuamen night market is a spectacle in itself, so take your camera. Yang rou chuan’r, lamb kebabs, from Xinjiang province, are a good bet; there are impromptu barbeque stands set up across the

city, where you choose your skewers and they will be deep-fried and cooked for you with lots of spices, completely different from the burnton-the-outside, raw-on-the-inside amateur grilling at home. For those with a sweet tooth, check out the candied fruit cocktails, impaled on a kebab stick and widely available. If you’re concerned about hygiene, avoid the meat options and stick to vegetables and tofu. Look for restaurants with pictures on the walls you can point at if you can’t read the menu, but second guess everything – if it looks like intestines, it probably is. Perversely, restaurants with menus in English are often less interesting, so hole-in-the-wall places, although they don’t look like much, can be more authentic. Cuisine from all corners of the world’s largest country is available in Beijing and if you’re feeling adventurous, this is an irresistible opportunity to taste the infamous spices of Sichuan Province, or yak cheese produced in Yunnan. Roast duck restaurants are commonplace in Beijing, and you can identify them from the racks of carcasses rotating in the windows. Accommodation is equally varied, with everything from budget backpacker hostels to boutique five star hotels. If you choose carefully, your nights could be spent in an ambient Chinese dream: luminous red lanterns and traditional furniture; and are likely to have a bilingual receptionist on the front desk who can help you with directions. ‘Sitting on the City Walls Courtyard House’, DongCheng District, is particularly good: clean, comfortable and in a central location close to Tiananmen Square. Staying in a courtyard hotel such as this will give you an insight into what Beijing might have looked like before much of it was demolished in anticipation of the 2008 Olympics, when there were more hutongs and less high rise blocks. www.english.visitbeijing.com.cn/

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| 3 - 9 September 2013 | thesouthafrican.com

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Baby Proteas end fifth after win against Wales in world youth netball champs

| Glasgow win boosts world ranking of SA’s Rio hopefuls by four places BY STAFF REPORTER

DESPITE a disastrous third quarter, the SPAR Baby Proteas netball team snuck a narrow 54-48 win against Wales at the World Youth Netball Championships in Glasgow, Scotland on Saturday. That saw them ending fifth in the tournament. Off to a good start, the SPAR Baby Proteas were playing well as a team. Knowing that it was their goal circle play that had let them down in previous matches, they were focused on consistency and accuracy under the post, as well as turning over balls. “We knew that Wales didn’t miss, so we needed to turn balls before they went into the circle” said coach Dorette Badenhorst after the game. “There is still room for improvement in our goal circle, but I think the girls played very well today.” Despite leading by a number of goals in the first and second half, ending half time with a score of 3023, it was some changes in the third quarter that almost cost the South Africans the match. “It was a tough game” said Badenhorst, “I made some changes in the third quarter and they didn’t work.” Wanting to rest wing attack Izette Lubbe, Badenhorst changed around player combinations, but this negatively impacted the rhythm of play and allowed Wales to gain momentum and score a number of goals, ending the third quarter just one goal behind at 37-38. Further changes again changed up the game, as the SPAR Baby Proteas got their game back in a gutsy final quarter, eventually stretching out the lead to end off on a 54-48 win. “I am happy with fifth

place” said Badenhorst. “We drew a tough pool, but we played well. I do still think we can play in the top four in the world, and give Jamaica and England a go!” Netball South Africa President Mimi Mthethwa said that she was happy with the team’s overall performance; “We are very pleased,

and coming here we have at least achieved one of our goals; improving our ranking from ninth to fifth. “Playing in a tournament like this is a good platform not only to work on different combinations, but to prepare the players for matches against the toughest teams in the world.”

Two silvers for Van Dyk at Para Worlds | Hand cyclist chased Italian frontrunner for gold at Para-cycling worlds in Canada BY BRAD MORGAN

SOUTH African Paralympic star Ernst van Dyk raced his way to two silver medals at the 2013 Para-cycling Road World Championships, which took place in the Canadian town of Baie-Comeau from 29 August to 1 September. Competing in the hand cycling H4 time trial, he pushed Italy’s Alessandro Zanardi and his custom-made bike all the way before eventually settling for silver. Van Dyk trailed by nine seconds at the first interval and ultimately finished just over 14 seconds back, but a comfortable minute and 15 seconds clear of Tim de Vries of The Netherlands, who picked up the bronze medal.

“This is a huge improvement from the London Paralympics, where I was fifth and one minute and 40 seconds behind him [Zanardi],” Van Dyk told the Road to Rio website. “He looked a bit shaken. I was only nine seconds behind him after the first lap, but he started after me, so his team was feeding him my splits so he could control the damage. Watch me next year!” In the road race, Van Dyk and Zanardi again battled it out for the gold medal, and although the South African was edged out in a sprint for the finishing line, both men finished in the same time of 02:03:32. Dutch competitor Jetze Plat took third, three seconds behind the leaders.

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Wandsworth’s In2Touch Social World Cup 2013 ‘The best touch rugby tournament of the year!’ BY STAFF REPORTER

THIS past Saturday, teams from around the UK converged on King Georges Park in Wandsworth to take in part in the 7th Annual In2Touch Social Touch World Cup. The format follows that each team entering into the tournament is allocated a country to play as and come dressed up in as that country. This makes for a most entertaining spectacle as teams who normally would play as Gurus, Hot Custard, Ralph Wiggums Wingmen in a normal league are all given countries such as Austria, Egypt, Turkey amongst others to dress up in fancy dress. Once again the weather turned up to play its part and all the teams were able to showcase their talents under cloudless skies and also work on their late summer tans when not playing. The referees were suitably attired in Superman, Batman, Bat Girl and Super Girl outfits, to ensure that the teams knew what they were up against if they stepped out of line! The teams were divided into three pools and each team had 4 pool games before the quarter finals. Austria, Sweden, Ireland, Egypt, USA, Australia, France and South African all advancing into the quarter finals. Whether it was the hot conditions or the local refreshments that began to take their toll, teams

who earlier in the day looked as though they would be in contention come the final games seemed to drop off the pace a bit which resulted in a final never before seen in any world cup competition to date, South Africa versus….. AUSTRIA! With the Austrians resplendent in local yodelling attire and the South Africans dressed up as the Big 8….it was a really closely contested affair with the Austrians eventually triumphing and in so doing claiming their first Word Cup title after many attempts. The hot action on the fields culminated in the after party and an amazing evening in GJ’s in Wandsworth, where our very own piano man kept the songs flowing until the DJ took over to keep all of those folk still standing, rocking until the early hours of the morning. This is undoubtedly the best and most social touch tournament in the UK, with most teams returning year after year to enjoy the fun social atmosphere. This years tournament again did not disappoint! Fancy Dress Winners:Sweden ‘Ikea/aekI’ - Biona Organic Passda Basilico Best Team Spirit Award: Fiji – The Try Hards Most Social Team: Samoa – Touch Us If You Dare

The Big 5: Exclusive ticket offer for SA Saracens fans | The Big 5 deal gives SA fans a steep discount

on their choice of five Saracens games a season BY STAFF REPORTER

EXCLUSIVELY on offer to South African Saracens fans, The “Big 5” is a ticket deal that offers the opportunity to view South Africa’s finest specimens in their natural surroundings. The Big 5 deal gives South African fans the opportunity to select the five Saracens rugby games a season at Allianz Park that capture their imagination and benefit from a heavily discounted ticket deal. Fans do not need to select the games in advance, but need only call the Saracens ticket office before the game, and have the match deducted from their prepurchased 5 game allocations. The Big 5 Ticket Prices are as follows (prices: Adult/Concession/ Under 16): Platinum £265/£265/£265 Gold £189/£125/£105 Silver £149/£99/£89 Bronze £125/£85/£79 Red and Black £99/£65/£59 Getting to Allianz Park to view the Big 5 is easy, if you are coming from South London, the train to Mill Hill Broadway takes 60 minutes from Wimbledon or 30 minutes from London Blackfriars

and the free Saracens shuttle will bring you to Allianz Park. Should you be coming on the underground, the free Saracens shuttle also runs from Mill Hill East and Edgware underground stations on the Northern Line. For more information or to see the Big 5 contact Saracens supporter services: Phone 0203 6757200 Email – Tickets@saracens.net

Final Winners: Austria – London Gurus. Why not join us for the Late Summer and Autumn leagues, with 16 venues around England from Clapham Common and Regents Park to St Albans and Manchester, with over 600 teams playing in the London leagues alone and over 1,000 teams playing country wide, touch rugby is taking the nation by storm. For more information or if you would like to register for an O2 Touch league or competition, go to www.in2touch.com/uk or e-mail info@in2touch.com or call the London office on 020 85420827

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3 - 9 September 2013

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MINNAAR WINS MOUNTAIN BIKE CHAMPS FOR BURRY AND MADIBA

| An enthusiastic Maritzburg hometown crowd with vuvuzelas and horns supported the downhill champion with the proudly South African helmet BY STAFF REPORTER

SOUTH Africa’s Greg Minnaar gave a big home crowd what they had been hoping for on Sunday, the final day of 2013 UCI MTB & Trials World Championship, when he blasted to victory in the men’s downhill race at Cascades MTB Park in Pietermaritzburg. Only France’s Fabien Barel in 2004 and the USA’s Greg Herbold at the very first World Championships in 1990 had previously won the downhill title on home soil. Minnaar did it in his home town. “I have to thank South Africa for backing me. People travelled from far and wide to be here,” he told the media after successfully defending his World Championship title and capturing the prestigious rainbow-striped jersey for a third time. Minnaar dedicated his win to South Africa, the late Burry Stander and to Nelson Mandela. “As a South African you can’t wish for more. This was for them and for Burry and for Madiba.” The South African superstar led at the first split, but was just down on Mick Hannah, who was in the hot seat, at the second split. The crowd was in a frenzy and the hometown boy was not going to let the opportunity of becoming a world champion in his home town pass him by.

With bells, vuvuzelas, horns and cheers urging him on, he dug deep. With the finish in sight, he punctured, but that became evident only after he had finished as he maintained his speed down into the bowl at the finish, firing across the finishing line just 0.396 ahead of the powerful Australian. It wasn’t over yet, however, as Steve Smith, the winner of the last World Cup event in Canada and World Cup standings leader Gee Atherton were still to come. Smith, though, crashed out early on his run and his challenge was over almost before it began. That left Atherton, a big and smooth rider, much in the mould of Minnaar, as the only man who could end the South African fairytale. At split one, he trailed Minnaar by 1.536 seconds, but was still in contention. When the timing board showed he was 4.399 down at the second split the crowd roared, and when the Great Britain star came into sight of the finish and Minnaar’s time was out of reach the Cascades MTB Park went crazy. It wasn’t long before Minnaar was swamped. His band of close friends, the One Life Crew, led the way, lifting him up and tossing him into the sky, his South African-themed helmet bobbing clear above the masses below. Describing his helmet at

the post-race press conference, he explained that it had been based around former President Nelson Mandela. “Madiba is an inspiration for all of us South Africans,” he said. “As a country, we have been through a lot and he has definitely pulled us through some rough times. ” Minnaar admitted he had “a terrible practice” on Sunday morning, but after his chiropractor worked on a troublesome right hip, he felt better and ready to race. After getting through the technical sections high up in good shape, the course began to bite. “I was empty,” Minnaar revealed. “I really had to dig deep to get through that middle section.” Near the bottom, he said, “My legs were on fire. They were burning. I could hardly breathe.” Thankfully, at that point, he was within reach of the electric crowd awaiting him along the lower reaches of the track. On the last rocky section, he suffered a puncture, but he kept charging. Hannah, second in the 2009 World Cup in Pietermaritzburg, the fastest qualifier in 2011 before he crashed out in the final, and third in 2012, finished as the only other man to crack four minutes and picked up the silver medal, while his fellow Australian Jarde Graves took the bronze. Great Britain’s Rachel Atherton won the women’s downhill final.

Greg Minnaar in action in his hometown of Pietermaritzburg, KZN

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