The South African, 09- 16 December 2014, pages 1-16

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Rare elephant twin born in KwaZulu-Natal >>Inside >>

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Arts

| BEATING THE ODDS: Twin elephants were born to Curve and Ingani on 4 December. Will they both survive to adulthood?. Photo by Malcolm Thomson, General Manager, Pongola Game Reserve. Read more on page 3

Britain beats South Africa in violent crime, by far

No more female ejaculation — or spanking — in pornos, says UK government

Porkrock set to pounce on London: get your SKA takkies ready for Hog Hoggidy Hog

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| 9 - 16 December 2014 | thesouthafrican.com

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Editor: Deva Lee Production and Design: Andisiwe Juta Registered office: Riverbank House 1 Putney Bridge Approach Fulham SW6 3BQ. 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

The paper used to print this publication has been sourced from sustainable forests (farmed trees). Please reduce waste by recycling your copy or passing it on to others.

The printed opinions of advertisers and writers are theirs and not necessarily shared by Blue Sky Publications Ltd. Unless otherwise stated, copyright of all original materials is held by Blue Sky Publishing Ltd.

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Britain beats South Africa in violent crime, by far | South Africa might be one of the most dangerous countries in the world to live in, but according to the UN and European Commission, the UK can literally beat us up!

by Gerhard Jacobs Folks are so quick to point fingers at us for our crime rate, but if you take a global view of things, we’re not the worst. Ok, it’s nothing to celebrate, but the divide between us and them is quite big.

While SA records about 732 121 violent attacks per year, the UK

holds pole position at 1.158million — or more than two every minute.

The UK has the second highest overall crime rate in the EU. It has a higher homicide rate than most of our western European neighbours, including France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

The UK has the fifth highest robbery rate in the EU.

It has the fourth highest burglary rate and the highest absolute number of burglaries in the EU, with double the number of offences than recorded in Germany and France.

Britain was named as the most violent country in the EU. The analysis is based on the number of crimes per 100,000 residents. In

the UK, there are 2,034 offences per 100,000 people, leaving Austria in second place, and just to put it into perspective, South Africa in third place with 1609 crimes per 100 000 people. The US has a violence rate of 466 crimes per 100000 residents, Canada 935, Australia 92.

Pierre Korkie dies in botched US rescue, fourth South African killed in Middle East in a week | Just a week after the horrific death of South African aid worker Werner Groenewald and his teenage children, a failed attempt to rescue American photojournalist Luke Somers by US special forces resulted in the death of Korkie

by Gerhard Jacobs Early Saturday morning Pierre Korkie’s wife, Yolande, got the news that her husband would be released in a matter of hours. It seemed as if a 19 month saga involving Al-Qaeda had finally come to an end. The Islamic militants had kidnapped Yolande and Pierre in Yemen, and released her a few months ago.

A few hours later she was crushed by the news that 56 yearold Pierre had died in a failed US rescue mission, personally approved by US president Barack Obama. The rescue attempt was meant for US photojournalist

Seen our new website?

THE South African features a brand-new design on its website THESOUTHAFRICAN. COM. Keeping up with the latest news from Mzansi is now even easier with this userfriendly and stylish design.

Catch up with the latest sports news, read up on current events, find a recipe for dinner, learn about the latest events for the expat community and be in touch with your South African heritage more than ever before.

Luke Somers, who also perished in the operation.

Korkie’s death came a week after South African aid worker Werner Groenewald and his teenage children, Jean-Pierre, 17, and Rode, 15, were killed in Kabul, Afghanistan by the Taliban.

According to the charity Gift of the Givers, who helped secure Yolande’s release in January, Pierre’s release was guaranteed.

Earlier this week the organisation told Yolande that her husband would be home before Christmas.

“All logistical arrangements were in place to safely fly Pierre

out of Yemen under diplomatic cover, then to meet with family members in a safe country, fly to South Africa, and directly to hospital for total medical evaluation and appropriate intervention.”

Unfortunately, this never happened, and instead Korkie’s corpse is being flown home.

Educational charity worker Werner Groenewald and his two teenage children were killed in a Taliban attack in Kabul just over a week ago. The attack prompted the resignation of the city’s police chief, Gen Zahir Zahir, after a spate of recent attacks.

Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, claimed on Twitter that the compound was the base for a covert Christian missionary group, prompting their extermination by the Islamic terror group.

The attack happened at the offices of the Partnership in Academics and Development (PAD) in Kabul, where Groenewald worked, and lived with his wife Hannelie and two teenagers. Hannelie was fortunate — or unfortunate — enough to have been called out to the hospital where she worked earlier that morning.

Flying with your kids next summer?

Your flights just got cheaper | The cost of flying for kiddies will be reduced dramatically next year when airport departure taxes are scrapped in the UK. Find out if your children are eligible and what this means for your future travels

by Katy Scott From 1 May 2015, children under 12 will not have to pay airport departure tax, known as Air Passenger Duty (APD), when flying in economy class. Currently children pay the same APD rate as adults. What’s more, APD will be scrapped for all children (under 16) by 2016.

This means that on trips 2 000 miles or less, families would be saving approximately £13 in APD

(per child under 12). For longer trips, families could save anything up to £97.

Air Passenger Duty has been labeled the ‘poll tax of the skies’.

The Chancellor admitted that the charge, which was introduced as an environmental measure, has become a pure revenue raiser.

Currently the APD rate per passenger for travelling to South Africa is about £85.

Who doesn’t benefit?

The APD rate for children flying premium economy, business or first class will not be scrapped.

However, in 2015, under 16s will not have to pay APD in all classes of travel.

From May 2015, if the child turns 12 before departing from the UK, they will still have to pay APD. Children must be between ages 2 to 11 when departing (not when booking flights) in order to be eligible.

An area of confusion It is still unclear whether families who have already booked flight from 1 May will receive refunds.

EasyJet and BMI regional said they would refund APD to any customers who had booked tickets for children on or after the 1 May deadline. However, budget airlines which do not ask for children’s ages at the time of booking, will probably not refund automatically.

thesouthafrican.com | 9 - 16 December 2014 |

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Baby ellie twin beats the odds | Rare twin elephants were born last week at Pongola Game Reserve in Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal. Will they have a fighting chance at survival?

Planning to buy a house in the UK? Chances are you’ll save money | You could save over £4000 if you’re planning to buy a house in the UK. Happy days!

by Deva Lee One of the better offerings to come out of George Osborne’s Autumn Statement are the Stamp Duty reforms. Here’s an overview: Buying a house under £125k?

Sorry, this doesn’t do much for you. Rates in this band stay the same.

Forking out a little more?

A rate fall of 2% applies on the

portion up to £250k; 5% up to £925k then 10% up to £1.5m.

Even more larney?

You save 12% on anything above that. These percentages only work in your favour if you’re in the middle bands — houses that cost more than £937k are actually going to be more expensive than previously.

Overall, it’s good news. On average, home buyers will be saving £4500.

WE WILL TAKE YOU HOME/ONS DOEN DIE GROOT TREK HUIS TOE...

| Curve with her twin baby ellies. Photo by Malcolm Thomson, General Manager, Pongola Game Reserve

by Katy Scott On 4 December 2014, Curve and Ingani gave birth to twins in Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal. This would be an otherwise normal occurrence if Curve and Ingani were not African elephants, and if scientific evidence did not suggest that there is less than one percent prevalence of elephants twinning.

31-year-old Curve (so named for the curve of one of her tusks)

has not let anyone near her babies since their birth at Pongola Game Reserve. She has being given enough space and a fighting chance to beat the mortality odds for the twins, as there is unfortunately very little chance of both twins surviving into adulthood. Elephant calves weigh about 100kg at birth. Although twins would probably be lighter individually, they would still need a great deal of milk from their mother.

Elephant specialist and retired Kruger National Park Project Manager, Dr. Ian Whyte explains that Curve needs a stress-free environment as “mortality of one of the twins usually occurs as the increasing demand for milk by two calves cannot be met by the mother and the less dominant of the two calves usually cannot gain access to its share”.

There are a very few records of twins being born to Asian elephants in Thailand and Nepal.

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A year later, sombre feelings are still rife after the loss of Madiba | There are a few days that will forever be remembered by South Africans. 5 December 2013 is one of those days

by Staff Reporter “Fellow South Africans, our beloved Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, founding President of our democratic nation has departed.

“He passed on peacefully in the company of his family around 20:50.

“He is now resting, he is now at peace.”

These were the words uttered by President Jacob Zuma.

Those words echoed throughout the democratic nation, Africa and the rest of the world bringing many together in mourning. His death was anticipated by many, the eventuality of it scared most.

Mbali Zwane, a resident from Soweto associated the death of Mandela to that of her mother and aunt. “Having lost my mother and aunt a month apart two months before, I was numb.

“I hadn’t come to terms with loss so to suffer another loss was inexplicable for those few moments of silence,” said Zwane who prepared herself for his death.

After seeing him on television during his birthday celebration, Zwane said she was assured that the victor deserved to rest in peace. “There was a time when my mother was extremely sick some years ago, to see her suffer like that tore me.

“It was at that time that I

realised that sometimes death is acceptable because it can end one’s misery, so I didn’t know when it would happen but I had prepared myself for it,” Zwane said about Mandela’s passing.

Zwane was on holiday and decided, with her friends, that they would cut themselves from the city life by leaving their phones off.

She heard the news of the passing of Mandela a few hours after it was announced.

Millicent Becket was coincidentally reading his book documenting his life at the time of his death. “When my daughter told me Mandela had passed away, I was emotionally numb. “I was reading Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom at that time and I felt connected to him,” Becket said.

It was almost as if the connection was cut. She said she suspected that something was wrong that evening. “Just before the end of the news, the anchor broke news that Mandela’s condition worsened and family flew to Johannesburg,” Becket said.

Through his book, Becket felt like she had gotten to know Mandela and would’ve wanted to meet with him. She recalls seeing Mandela in town when he met with executives of a bank. “He walked out of the boardroom and everybody was silent, it’s like his presence demanded that,” Becket said.

Zwane would’ve liked to meet

| Artwork by Patrice Murciano

Mandela and talk about jazz music and being black and brave.

Becket says she didn’t go to any of the memorials or viewings for citizens because she felt as if she knew him, through his book. A year later Becket says it still feels

like yesterday.

“All those feelings come back, sometimes I go back to be reminded of what Mandela stood for,” Becket said.

The world continues to mourn his loss. “The pain of loss never really

heal, you just learn to live with it,” said Zwane.

Words by Maxine Becket. See more of her work on her blog and follow her on Twitter @MaxineBecket.

No more female ejaculation — or spanking — in porn, says UK gov | So the UK government may have just banned your favourite porn and deemed your fantasies “life threatening”. What are you going to do about it?

by Katy Scott Earlier this week a number of sex acts were banned from content sold and produced in the UK. As of Tuesday, three acts were deemed “life threatening”: facesitting, fisting and strangulation.

The following acts were considered “unacceptable”: Aggressive whipping, caning, spanking, penetration by an

object “associated with violence”, physical or verbal abuse, physical restraint, urolagnia (“golden shower”), role-playing as nonadults, humiliation, and most interestingly, female ejaculation.

Now it should be clear that the above acts are still perfectly acceptable behind closed doors (as long as you’re not porn stars working for British pornography producers, that is). So if you are in the business, you can still shoot

or star in you videos abroad where the restrictions are less and the government has not got you by the balls.

And for those that simply enjoy watching a little whipping or facesitting (and invest in videoon-demand [VoD] online porn), well sorry for you, computer says no.

Perhaps you will be made to bury such yearnings (as one did before the birth of the Internet)

and you will find yourself typing, “Is it normal if I like to pee on my boyfriend?” into Google. (And yes, if you copy and paste that into Google as I just did, you will be reassured that thousands of people are as curious about such pee fetishes.)

Considering that Britain is the world capital of the search term “strict mistress”, I can imagine many Brits are upset with the recent restrictions. South

Africans, however, are more likely to search for “MILF”, “Indian”, “Ebony” or “Muslim girl blowjob”, which is actually quite cute and rainbow-nationy.

So in conclusion, nothing has really changed for the average porn viewer. If you were paying for your porn before you will just have to navigate your way around less legal sites where there are no limits on your fantasies and females are allowed to ejaculate.

thesouthafrican.com | 9 - 16 December 2014 |

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Five ways to beat the CLASSIC TRAVEL bitterness out of the UK winter | From warming yourself from the inside to finding the perfect roast, we’ve got you covered this winter. ‘Cause how can you be glum when there’s glühwein in your tum?

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Acton Metro - 31 The Vale, W3 7XA. Barkingside Superstore - 796 Cranbrook Road, IG6 1HY. Barking Superstore - Highbridge Road, IG11 7BS. Bethnal Green Metro - 361 Bethnal Green Road, E2 0AN. Brent Cross Hendon Way Superstore - Tilling Road, NW2 1LZ. Brixton Superstore - 13 Acre Lane, SW2 5RS. Bromley By Bow Superstore - Hancock Road, E3 3DA. Catford Superstore - 16-21 Winslade Way, SE6 4JU. Clapham Superstore - South London Hospital, SW4 9DE. Colney Hatch Extra - Coppets Centre, N11 0SH. Ealing Metro - Unit 20 Broadway Shopping Centre, W5 5JY. Edmonton Metro - 34-44 North Mall, N9 0EJ. Egham Superstore - 60-63 High Street, TW20 9EX. Elephant and Castle Metro - 326-328 Shopping Centre, SE1 6TB. Elmers End Superstore - Croydon Road, BR3 4AA. Finchley Superstore - 21-29 Ballards Lane, N3 1XP. Gallions Reach Extra - 1 Armada Way, E6 7FB. Hackney Metro - 180 Well Street, E9 6QU. Hackney Morning Lane Superstore - 55 Morning Lane, E9 6ND.

No matter how much fleece, down or wool you layer on your body this winter, for those of South African blood, winter in the UK can become unbearable. Here are a few ways to warm (and enjoy) yourself this winter.

Light up at the Kew Gardens Get your blood pumping with a one-mile stroll through the twinkling botanic gardens. Giant snowflakes guide you along your path as you encounter seasonal illuminations, giant light sculptures, a tunnel of lights and a garden of fire. Festive treats and Christmas rides are aplenty and, if you’re lucky, you will get to sit on Father Christmas’s lap and whisper sweet nothings into his ear at Santa’s Snowflake Grotto.

Skate ‘til late at Somerset House Skate in the hugely popular neoclassical courtyard ice rink by day (if your budget allows for it) and skate to the likes of house, hip-hop or disco, when DJs take to

the rink-side decks at night. Live entertainment, yuletide treats and late-night shopping for personalised gifts are on offer at Glad Tidings Tuesdays. For the frugal, there are free photography exhibitions in the surrounding buildings.

Glug down some glühwein There is nothing better than getting merry around Christmas on a steaming mug of glühwein. For an authentic mulled wine, the Bavarian Beerhouse is your best bet, because, being German, they aren’t allowed to get it wrong! For a more vintage experience try The Salisbury in Convent Garden – their glühwein is based on a homemade recipe.

And, if you’re feeling ambitious, try making it yourself by throwing some cheap red wine, sugar, cloves, cinnamon, orange and lemon together.

Turn your moping into moving Instead of locking yourself indoors to avoid the chilly Christmas cheer outdoors, get active and work off your

Christmas lunch a couple of weeks in advance. Join a park run, a free weekly, 5km timed run, at a park near you. Join a free walking tour, or, explore London on a “Boris Bike” by picking up a bike from a docking station and pedaling away. You don’t even have to drop off the bike at the same docking station (which is a win if you’re trying to save money).

Find the perfect roast pub lunch Whether you’re a lamb, pork or beef person, South Africans will always be meat snobs. Chewy, grey, over-cooked meat just won’t do.

For the full, affordable experience (including an after-lunch scrabble game) try The Charles Lamb in Islington where the Sunday Roast is best accompanied by a “bloody good Bloody Mary”. Or if you fancy carving your own meat at the table with a group of friends, give the Old Red Cow a go. Be sure not to miss the opportunity to wash down your roast with a selection of their fine craft beers.

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*Subject to agent hours of operation and local regulations. **Excludes Public holidays. Tesco Personal Finance Plc is an agent of MoneyGram International Limited in the provision of money transfer services. MoneyGram, the Globe and MoneyGram Bringing You Closer are trademarks of MoneyGram. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. MoneyGram International Limited is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority. © 2014 MoneyGram.

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| 9 - 16 December 2014 | thesouthafrican.com

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From a mother’s mouth: June Steenkamp’s book on Reeva is gut-wrenching | An utterly heart-wrenching, brutally honest account of the June and Barry Steenkamp’s version of events surrounding the death of their daughter Reeva Steenkamp. The book challenges any reader to be dry eyed thoughout, and you are left knowing Reeva a little more intimately. Arguably the most honest book to come out of South Africa in years

by John Cole-Morgan At long last the world gets to read the intimate words of the mother of Reeva Steenkamp.

The “unlawful killing” of Reeva

by Oscar Pistorius has been worldwide news ever since he “mistook her for an intruder” on the morning of Valentine’s Day 2013. June and Barry Steenkamp searched “to find some comfort from being able to think our daughter died without suffering, without any notion of what was about to happen to her, but everything points in the opposite direction".

It is sadly not an unusual story for a woman to be killed by her partner in South Africa. Some 1000 a year are killed this way, or to quote Reeva’s own words “one woman every eight hours” is killed in South Africa by domestic violence. But none of these woman were killed by a worldfamous superstar. None of those families were subjected to the public scrutiny that Reeva’s family was.

Within hours of Reeva’s death being made public, Oscar Pistorius was stripped of sponsorship after sponsorship, and worldwide speculation of arguments and

murder flew as fast as Twitter and Facebook could upload every different opinion. All the while June and Barry sat in complete disbelief that this could possibly be happening to the child they love so much. A daughter with the world at her feet, Reeva had every dream of success. All ripped away from the world with four quick fired fatal shots.

Reeva: A Mother’s Story starts off telling the account of Valentine’s Day 2013 from sunrise to sunset. Truths only discovered much later in the story are filled in at this point, leaving the reader wishing it had happened that way for the Steenkamps — that they could know from those initial days what exactly had happened, instead of having to wait months for the truth. Paintings made by Reeva in her youth reveal new meaning to the Steenkamps, whilst June tells the story of Reeva’s life through photographs and stories about her daughter. June agonisingly recounts Reeva’s funeral, where people claimed Reeva as a best friend, while she had no idea who they were. Her daughter, so loved by so many, sent love into the world and touched so many lives, making the death even more upsetting for everyone.

June next tells the story of Reeva’s life, of the little facets of Reeva that made her so very loved.

You are left feeling honoured to have known such an intimate part of Reeva’s life, shared by the person that loved her most.

It’s tear-jerking stuff seeing the cute child staring at you through sunglasses and the dorky teenager with an awkward awareness of herself. The tale of Reeva’s life is changed with this book and given a truth, an honesty and a love that is needed after all the focus on Oscar during the trial. A tweet from a Joburg resident June quotes read: “This case #OscarTrial has lost sight of the real Victim #Reeva Steenkamp, she has become the `intruder’ and #OscarPistorius the Victim. So sad.”

This book corrects that notion so eloquently.

The next section of the book is those agonising days of the trial.

The stories of how June coped with the relentless intrusion from the world’s media, to the moment Oscar finally acknowledged her in court, to how she actually got through each and every agonising moment.

June also speaks of the cracks that formed in her marriage, how the couple later pulled together, and are now stronger than ever which is some joy the world certainly wishes for them.

Finally, the days of the verdict and the final thoughts from June end this honest account of a family’s most horrific time.

The highlights of the intimacy of this book lies in June’s matter of fact manner in which she shares these traumatic moments in her life, all the while maintaining the integrity of a daughter she loved so much. June reflects on every aspect of the trial, and every kindness shown to her by people from all around the world — from the ANC Women’s League, to Princess Charlene of Monaco, to the elderly man that sent June R150 to buy Reeva her favourite coloured roses.

June says she could see that “people are kind”, and it is heart warming to know that kindness did help them in so many ways.

The Steenkamp family kept very tight lipped throughout the trial of Pistorius. June sat stoically through those agonising days of the trial surrounded by friends and loved ones, yet inches from the man that in so many ways ruined her family.

Mistake or murder? This remained the question for the entire world,

and the strain affected every person involved in varying degrees. No doubt exists that the failing health of Barry was not helped by the strain the trial and stress of his daughter’s death. June tells a story where Barry had a stroke at the breakfast table after reading a newspaper article about the upcoming trial. Had the family not been through enough to have to endure that as well?

The story of the trial and the verdict were so well publicised, it would not do the book justice to repeat that. But the reaction of June to each agonising day is difficult to read. After all was said and done, June says: “The trial phase is over, but we don’t have closure. With this verdict, there is never going to be. How can there be? She’s not coming back. I was asked what an appropriate sentence would be, but I didn’t want to consider that.

It won’t make my daughter come

back. He has to live for the rest of his life with the knowledge of what he has done inside his heart. He was a man who had status, and now he has pity. He looks haunted. He may have won the court case, but he isn’t a winner long-term. He has to live with what he did forever.”

After reading this book you are left in awe of the strength of the Steenkamp family. Their faith is the cornerstone for this, and it leaves you in awe of the forgiveness and understanding they have for the man who killed their child. Their love for Reeva is never ending.

In what is likely an attempt at closure, June has set up a charity in honour of Reeva called the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation, which will set up shelters to help and empower women.

June describes it as “a project to undertake in her memory, but one sustained by the love and support of so many people”.

7

thesouthafrican.com | 9 - 16 December 2014 |

Food

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Suid Afrikaanse wyn in die En-Primuer mark | Wat is En-Primeur (EP)?

by Louis Holtzhausen En-Primeur is waar ‘n wyn invoerder/ verspreider wyn verkoop wat nog nie gebottel is nie. ‘n Klient betaal ‘n bedrag per bottle (wat die invoerder voorstel of wat die klient gereeld koop) terwyl dit nog in vaatjie is.

Wanneer die wyn gebottel is word dit dan uitgevoer en aangestuur na die klient toe. Die neiging is om ‘n persentasie te spaar (gewoonlik 10-30%) voor die wyn op die rakke land. Hierdie wyne wat alreeds betaal is le in vaatjie vir ‘n verdere 6-18 maande voor dit gebottel word.

Om dit makliker te maak: Mnr. Smit betaal A&B wyne £10.00 ‘n bottle vir Chateaux Nkandla in Maart 2014 vir 12 bottles.

Hy sal sy wyn vroegste onvang November 2015. Teen die tyd wanneer hy sy wyn onvang is die prys per bottel alreeds £12-15.00.

Dis die idée. Die romantiese neiging van die sisteem.

Maar my Jirriekie tog wees net versigtig. Allles is nie so maanskyn en rose soos wat dit lyk nie…

Wat in ag geneem moet word is invoerbelasting (£2.00 ‘n bottle) en dan BTW op die oorspronklike prys wat betaal is (invoerbelasting inkluis) wanneer die wyn oor 2 jaar afgelewer word.

Sodra die wyn aankom in die Verenigde Koninkryk , kan jy kies om dit óf in “bond” te hou (en dus die bogenoemde koste vermy tot tyd en wyl van aflewering ) of by die handelaar by wie die wyn gekoop is, te hou . Jaarlikse stoorplek is tans sowat £9 ‘n kis of ‘n deel daarvan .

Waar jy ookal jou wyn stoor , ONTHOU om dit te verseker vir die vervangingswaarde.

Bordeaux is by verre die grootste verskaffer van die En-Primeur sisteem in die V.K en oor die laaste paar jare was daar groot opskudding in die wyn bedryf wat Bordeaux betref. Die En-Primuer sisteem is in gedrang en daar is ‘n klomp wyn invoerders wat baie ongelukkig is met die huidige sisteem.

‘n Paar faktore soos die onlangse oeste wat nie die mas opgekom het nie, het baie mense vertroue laat verloor in die sisteem.

Die wynmakers het hulle pryse hoog gehou en glad nie aangedui dat hulle die knie sal buig nie.

Die Verre Ooste wat onlangs oopgemaak het as ‘n mark het ook nie gehelp nie. Die verswakte Amerikaanse dollar het die EP aankoop pryse in die VSA in 2011 tussen 30% en 50% laat styg.

Wyndrinkers het ander plekke gaan uitsoek en daar is nou (nie onlangs nie!!) EP wyne beskikbaar in Australie, die VSA en vele meer.

Suid-Afrika? Nog nie. Maar met die potentiaal van nuwe wynmakers in onse land dink hierdie skrywer dis net ‘n kwesssie van tyd.

Maar ‘n groter rede, wat ek glo, is dat die hele doelwit van die EP sisteem vergete was en die feit dat primere doel van die moderne sisteem deur geld en blatant seinigheid gedryf is, kan ‘n pad oopmaak vir ons. Kyk ek myself het in wyn geinvesteer en is nie skaam om my hand op te steek en se ek self het geld uit dit gemaak.

Maar my bliksem man, ‘n grap is ‘n grap en jy maak nie ‘n sambreel in ‘n man se hol oop nie!!

Voorbeeld: Ch. Pontet Canet 2009 – vrystelling prys £800.00 ‘n kis. Twee weke later selfde kis £1200! Belaglik.

In die verlede was die EP sisteem ‘n gellentheid vir wynliefheebers om wyn te koop voor dit vrygestel word. Wanneer die wyn op die ope mark beskikbaar was, het die wat EP gekoop het ‘n paar pond gespaar en ‘n lieflkike wyn in die Kelder gehad. Op hierdie beginsil, en slegs hierop, glo ek dat Suid Afrikaanse wynmakers ‘n groot kans het om ‘n impak te maak op die wynbedryf in die VK. As ek aan Piet Promises sou voorstel dat, indien hy vandag £10.00 ‘n bottle Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2014 koop in die vaatjie en na 18 maande sy wyn kry en ‘n verdere £4.00 ‘n bottle moet betaal, wat na invoerbelasting en BTW toe gaan, sal hy seker frons.

As ek selfs verder gaan en vir hom se dat daai selfde bottle wyn op die rak hom £18-£22 sal kos, dink ek sal hy anders kyk na my voorstel.

Ek glo rerig die tyd is reg vir die groot Suid Afrikaanse wyn produseerders om na hierdie benadering te kyk as nog ‘n voetslag in die VK se mark.

Ons is besig om sleg te verloor teen die ander nuwe wereld wyn produseerders en met die aanstel van Luara Jewel MW, van Tesco na Wine Australia toe, dink ek nie dat WOSA veel gaan doen om daai golf te stop nie……

Koop in Vaatjie, drink met genot.

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See more of Matt’s articles on TheSouthAfrican.com

Chef Petrus' recipe for honey glazed parsnips | It’s less than three weeks to countdown to Christmas! In the month of December I’m featuring festive dishes that will help you with ideas and planning for a special menu

by PETRUS MADUTLELA Honey roasted parsnips are a delicious must have accompaniment on the big day.

This recipe will also work well for carrots, wedges of sweet potato or chunks of cauliflower.

Ingredients 1 kg parsnips 2 tbsp olive oil 3 star anise 3 cinnamon sticks 4 cloves garlic, unpeeled and slightly crushed using the edge of a large knife Salt and pepper 60 g butter 1 tbsp sherry or balsamic vinegar 2 tbsp honey Method 1. Pre heat the oven to 170 degree C fan, 190degree C std oven, gas mark 5.

2. Peel the parsnips, I like to leave them whole, but halve any

large ones length ways. Blanch in boiling water for 5 minutes.

3. Drain and transfer to a large baking sheet or roasting pan. The veggies must be in a single layer in the pan, or they’ll be soggy, steaming rather than roasting.

4. Drizzle with olive oil, season well with salt & pepper. Toss to combine.

5. Sprinkle over the star anise, cinnamon and garlic cloves.

Roast for 30 minutes.

6. While the veggies are roasting, make the honey glaze.

Melt the butter in a saucepan, stir in the honey and vinegar and heat until the mix is just bubbling.

7. Remove the roasting pan from the oven, turn the parsnips over and drizzle the honey glaze over the parsnips.

8. Return to the oven for another 10 minutes, until tender and golden. Timing depends on the size of the parsnips and what else you have in the oven, so keep an eye on them!

8

| 9 - 16 December 2014 | thesouthafrican.com

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| Photo by Adrian Steirn

Celebrate South Africa’s greatest icons this Festive Season | The impactful 21 ICONS project is now available as a limited edition coffee table book, Together we are better, an opus of powerful portraits of South African icons that chronicles their lives and legacies in a beautiful print offering that reflects our country, its tapestry and, above all, its people by staff reporter It took three years to complete the collection and the instant classic celebrates the lives, achievements and extraordinary contribution of some of South Africa’s greatest citizens by showcasing their individual stories and unique portraits.

Published by Quivertree, the glossy-paged hardback offers exclusive access to the remarkable figureheads featured in the first season of the 21 ICONS series; including FW de Klerk in the lotus position, Phillip Tobias and Nadine Gordimer before their passing, Desmond Tutu with a tutu, and Nelson Mandela’s last official photographic portrait.

In a generous and beautifully written forward, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu says: "Inspired by Madiba's great legacy, photographer and filmmaker Adrian Steirn, together

with creative director Harriet Pratten, established the 21 ICONS project when visiting South Africa from Australia.

Today, they too call our glorious country 'home'. Like many global friends of our nation, they have joined hands with us in an extraordinary commitment to supporting the journey of building South Africa. Through his special lens, Adrian captures not only the wonderful faces of men and women who inspire others, but also the essence of Ubuntu latent in the spirits, smiles and efforts of these people."

Steirn’s pictures display an intimate exchange of energy between a photographer and his subjects and ensure that the legacy of these iconic South Africans is preserved for future generations and not confined to memory or history books.

The exquisite volume has a

profoundly global message that celebrates the innate goodness in humanity as embodied by these icons whom make South Africa great.

"Our hope was to capture, in a holistic and immersive manner, the lives of the people it features ... to ensure that the charm, humility and sincerity of South Africa’s most remarkable people came through," Pratten writes in the introduction to the 21 ICONS book.

"By making accessible the personal stories of those whose work has improved the lives of many, the goal was to show the way forward for a new generation of socially conscious and active citizens."

This intriguing visual narrative can be purchased from www.kahalari. com and is sure to be a much treasured gift for friends and family, both locally and across the globe.

‘Tis the season to be jolly, go forth and do good!

9

thesouthafrican.com | 9 - 16 December 2014 |

Arts & Entertainment

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Get your SKA takkies ready for Hog Hoggidy Hog | Take a healthy dose of punk and ska, add a pinch of traditional African rhythms and top it off with a healthy dose of good vibes and general mayhem. Mix this all together and you have the unique concoction that is Hog Hoggidy Hog

by Staff Reporter The South African ska punk pioneers have been cultivating their sound for close to two decades leaving a trail of smiling faces and empty whiskey bottles behind them wherever they go.

The Hogs are an institution in their own country and, over the last few years, have thankfully started exporting their sound to the rest of the world. After four successful European tours and due to popular demand, the band has once again set its sights on the UK. On 18 December, Hog Hoggidy Hog will be bringing the magic of porkrock to London, this time at the Fighting Cocks in Kingston.

But that is not all, opening the bill on the night will be fellow South Africans, Delayed, as well as local heroes, Anonymous Tip. Plus it is a completely free show.

South African expats and native Londoners alike are already in agreement that this will be a night not to be missed. Be there and be witness to the experience that is Hog Hoggidy Hog. Details Date: Thursday 18 December; 19:30 Venue: Fighting Cocks, Kingston Tickets: Free!

| Photo from Shadi's personal website

Lerato Shadi performs in London | Catch Lerato Shadi in her performance of Makhuba from 9 December. She will be performing in the window of the Iniva gallery in London by katy scott South African artist Lerato Shadi uses her body to probe assumptions around transition and transformation in her latest performance piece entitled Makhuba.

She describes the performance as a “narrative about the future and that places my process in a space between thinking and writing. It’s something I often dwell on; the different lives you give your thoughts when you speak, write or perform”.

Makhuba follows on from Seipone, a work Shadi performed in 2012 where she wrote about her past.

| Photo by Kurt Sassenburg

Other interesting works by Shadi include Hema, where she blew up 792 balloons in six hours and allowed them to fall down a stairwell.

In Mmitlwa, Shadi rhythmically wraps her entire body in masking tape before ripping it off again.

Shadi will perform Makhuba from 9 – 16 December, 10am to 4pm at Iniva’s Rivington Place’s street facing window.

On 12 December, Shadi will be “in conversation” from 6.30 – 8.30pm. This event is free but places are limited, advance booking is required on http:// www.iniva.org/

Two nights in London for folk legend Nibs van der Spuy | Nibs van der Spuy is happy to be returning to London to play a collaboration show with Piers Faccini

by Staff Reporter In a collaboration show with Piers Faccini, Nibs van der Spuy will be performing two shows in London.

Nibs says of Piers: “I met Piers Faccini while attending the Pistoia blues festival in Italy in 2006. He was opening up for Ben Harper and what a revelation he was. With just a guitar, harmonica and the most exciting voice since Jeff Buckley, he held this Italian audience of 4000 strong in the palm of his hand. Since then as fate has it, we were both on the same bill at the Blues and Roots Festival in Byron Bay, Australia where are paths met again and a lifelong friendship began. We have toured South Africa together, I have played many a show in France with him

and I have had the privilege of him playing on some of my albums, namely; A Bird in the Hand and A house across the river. I am also featured on his highly acclaimed, Two grains of sand album.

This will be their first ever London show together.

Nibs will be performing songs from his latest anthology album, Crossing Borders, Driving North as well as songs from a new album he will be recording in December, which will be titled Natalia.

Crossing Borders, Driving North spans a creative and diverse body of work from his nine highly acclaimed solo albums.

His virtuosic acoustic guitar style and mesmeric whispering voice have attracted a worldwide following for its folk, World and African overtones. He has

been nominated seven times at the South African Music awards, performed with the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra and shared stages across the world with the likes of Ben Harper, Bonnie Rait and Taj Mahal, Kelly Joe Phelps and Crosby, Stills and Nash. In 2012, Nibs recorded the critically acclaimed, “In the shade of the wild fig”, with long time friend and collaborator, Guy Buttery.

Catch Nibs before he settles in to record his new solo album.

Details The Half Moon Putney Date: Monday 8 December Tickets: ttp://www.halfmoon.co.uk/ events/6700 Green Note Date: Tuesday 16 December Tickets: http://www.greennote. co.uk

10

| 9 - 16 December 2014 | thesouthafrican.com

Travel

Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews

| The city of Geneva hugs its eponymous lake

Why a sneaky trip to Geneva is worth your while | Geneva is the obvious choice for a magical winter holiday, and getting to Geneva just got easier thanks to Eurostar.

What treasures are there to uncover in the Swiss city this Winter?

by Katy Scott On 14 December, the first few Eurostar passengers will whizz from London St. Pancras to Geneva via Lille in a record six hours 18 minutes. Instead of switching stations in Paris (which can be a lengthy process) passengers will quickly transfer onto a TGV Lyria train at Lille, cutting their travel time down by nearly an hour.

The new year-round service to Geneva will operate on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, so a sneaky weekend at the foot of the Alps would not really be possible.

The new route does offer easy onward connections to other Swiss cities including Aigle, Brig, Martigny, Sion, Sierre and Visp, so a longer holiday is probably the better option.

But there’s a reason Eurostar has made Geneva more accessible – their market research has revealed it to be the most desirable destination for travellers from the UK. Haven’t been to Geneva?

Want to know what the fuss is about?

Well the pictures say it all. The city lights bounce off Lake Geneva at night and cafés spill out onto cobblestone streets. The old town is filled with ancient charm, and it is as if some higher being has gently sprinkled icing sugar on the surrounding mountain peaks.

A modern city too, Geneva is filled with upmarket restaurants, lakeside terraces, rooftop cocktail bars and a host of clubs because, believe it or not, Geneva has quite a wild nightlife.

If a holiday in the slopes is what you’re after, Geneva is the obvious choice. Les Carroz, La Clusaz and Le Grand Bornand are the closest ski resorts from Geneva airport, just less than an hour away.

| Montblanc, Lake Geneva

| Geneva street scenes , downhill to west of Cité (old hillside city)

But for real Christmas spirit, stay put in the Swiss city The 14 December will see hundreds of people jump into the freezing lake (with fantastic costumes, Santa hats and all) and compete in one of the largest swimming races in open waters.

Santa will arrive with gifts for the

little squealers.

No matter how old you get, sledding will always make you feel like a child again – complete with pink cheeks and tumbles in the snow. Sledding hills are lit until late and usually free to use. And if you really want to bring the magic to your (or your child’s) Christmas,

| Sledding hills in Geneva are lit until late

authentic sleigh rides are a must.

After a long day in the snow, a sauna, hammams or spa session will restore feeling to your bones.

L’Usine Opéra and La Mer spas offer both gym facilities and relaxing treatments, while couples can enjoy a “La Vie en Rose” pampering session at After the Rain

Urban Day Spa. If you want to spend a night out on the town, be careful, Geneva is filled with posh, overpriced clubs. For an alternative live music experience try L’Usine, a factory transformed into a club with a bar, restaurant, theatre and cinema. It’s one of those places where anything goes.

11

thesouthafrican.com | 9 - 16 December 2014 |

Business

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Moby-Duck, and the dangers of shipping your goods internationally | 1st Contact can ship your goods to your desired destination and pay your tax rebate to any account worldwide by 1st contact In 1992, a shipping container carrying 30,000 toy rubber ducks, turtles, beavers and frogs was lost at sea. These ‘Friendly Floatees’ have been floating around for more than 20 years, teaching us a thing or two about oceanic currents - as well as the risks of shipping your goods internationally.

Known as the ‘Friendly Floatees’, these familiar plastic toys (which are dominated by the yellow rubber duck) have been tracked by oceanographers and other devotees for more than 20 years. Travelling in various patterns and washing up on the shores of Hawaii, the Gulf of Alaska, Canada, Iceland, Australia and the southwestern coastline of the United Kingdom, the floating ducks have given us a much deeper understanding of ocean currents, as well as the way pollution is wreaking havoc on our seas.

Today, it’s not uncommon for these floatees, which have developed a cult following in their own right, to go for hundreds of Pounds on eBay. Curtis Ebbesmeyer, a retired oceanographer and floatee enthusiast, has a website that allows people to send in pictures of the plastic ducks, frogs and other toys that they find on beaches all over the world.

Ebbesmeyer started his research shortly after the container was lost, and was able to locate the exact point at which the ship’s journey began. He has since tracked the rate of progress on the constantly circulating current, or ‘gyre’, which runs between Japan, south-east Alaska, Kodiak and the Aleutian Islands.

“We always knew that this gyre existed. But until the ducks came along, we didn’t know how long it took to complete a circuit,” he says.

“It was like knowing that a planet is in the solar system but not being

able to say how long it takes to orbit. Well, now we know exactly how long it takes: about three years” The toys have also been immortalised by author Donovan Hohn in his book, Moby-Duck.

The book chronicles their journey, explains what the ducks have taught us about ocean currents, and lays bare the truth about the vast numbers of containers that fall off cargo ships, never reaching their destination. After all, this was not the first time a container has been lost at sea - in fact, there are estimates that as many as 10,000 containers are lost every year.

Most of these incidents will never make the news, even though some of them involve the loss of expensive goods like furniture, tech items and even classic automobiles.

This obviously begs the question: What about household contents being shipped back home after a stint working and living overseas?

John Dunn from 1st Contact Shipping says the issue with containers falling off ships is more common than we might think, and is one of the reasons why fly-by-night operations should be avoided at all costs.

“If you consider how many containers are being transported across the sea at any given point, there’s always the distant chance that something could fall overboard.

Unregulated shipping companies make this worse because they don’t offer you recourse if your belongings are lost at sea. No matter who you choose, make sure the company reimburses you if disaster strikes.”

With over 25 years’ experience, 1st Contact can ship your goods to any major destination and pay your tax rebate to any account in the world.

Take advantage of their double discount deal when you claim back your overpaid tax and ship your goods home - you’ll get 10% off an already competitive price.

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| 9 - 16 December 2014 | thesouthafrican.com

Business

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Make Christmas wishes come true

The ABCs of Offshore Investing | If you’re an investor looking to allocate capital for the next 10 years, you may want to consider investing offshore. Here’s why:

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MoneyGram, the Globe and MoneyGram Bringing You Closer are trademarks of MoneyGram International Limited. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. MoneyGram is available at 44 Debenhams stores via the money Travel bureau.

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Quick Overview in the long term, South African Equities have delivered better returns than any other market in the world, which leaves investors questioning what the next decade holds. The current average priceearnings ratio (P/E ratio) of South African companies is 19 times, compared to a 55 year average of 12 times. Theoretically, the P/E of a company tells us how much investors are prepared to pay for each Rand of earnings a company makes.

What is important to remember though, is that these past performance figures are not indicators of future performance.

A sound analysis of the underlying criteria of what produced these returns, and the status of the current market, is essential when it comes to the allocation of capital.

Before going offshore, look at your current exposure There are a number of reasons why an investor may look to invest offshore. These may include the fact that Global Equities offer better value than Local Equities, the volatility of the Rand, and the fact that offshore investments may offer Return Optimisation and Inflation Protection.

That’s not to say that one should simply switch existing investments or randomly allocate new funds to offshore investments. It’s crucial to first assess your current exposure (from an asset allocation and manager perspective), understand current market conditions and remember that a major negative of offshore investing is the restriction it places on income drawing ability – making it paramount that your income needs are considered when planning offshore allocation. What’s more, liquidity (which is how easy

it is for you to get your money out and into cash) is also reduced the further away the investment is, and therefore capital requirements are best met from local assets.

Construct your capital allocation plan Now that an overall picture is established, it’s time to review the market conditions to see how best to allocate funds, decide which investment avenues to pursue and consider the allocations made by fund managers. It is a process best done with the help of a professional.

Beanstalk is an online investment service that caters for asset swap as well as direct offshore investments.

They give professional, independent advice based on a straight-forward online process, and there are no upfront fees and a very low 0.5% per annum thereafter.

Set up a profile at www.beanstalk. co.za or email them on help@ beanstalk.co.za for more information.

Does my landlord need to check my immigration status? | Based on the new UK legislation, landlords cannot provide residency to illegal immigrants and will be penalised for doing so by breytenbachs I have heard that landlords will now be expected to check one’s immigration status before renting property.

Can you please tell me more about this? Since 1 December 2014, landlords in the West Midlands (Birmingham, Walsall, Sandwell, Dudley and Wolverhampton) are required to check a tenant’s right to rent. Under the new legislation landlords will face penalties if they rent property to illegal immigrants.

The new measures will apply to landlords of private residential property and new tenancy agreements. Landlords will not need to check the immigration status of existing tenants. In most cases a right to rent check just means checking that a prospective tenant has certain documents, such as a passport or biometric residence permit. Photocopies of these documents will have to be kept by the landlord, as prove that the check has been carried out.

This legislation is expected to be rolled out to other areas in the UK

in the near future.

Please feel free to contact your BIC consultant for more information. www.bic-immigration.com or info@bic-immigration.com

13

thesouthafrican.com | 9 - 16 December 2014 |

Business

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Are you in the festive mood yet | Well boohoo to the haters and hooray to the jingle bell junkies; I say let’s switch on the Christmas lights, hang Santa Clause up on the pine tree (which makes a joyous mess that eeevryone avoids cleaning up), and blast Boney M’s Feliz Navidad from our home sound systems

How British are you… really?

My Monthly Magnetic Calendar Sensational Kids

Gift Lady Christmas Hamper

by Gerhard Jacobs

Gift Lady 'Be Merry' Share Box

Since the decolonisation of the British Empire, certain legal loopholes have opened up, allowing South Africans to become Brits. (Although, let’s face it, you’ll never really be a Brit.)

The folks over at Philip Gamble & Partners gave us five key point to consider. If any of these apply to you, you may be eligible for the big red book: • Born to a mother who was born in the UK before 1983.

• Born before 1983 who has a

World's first known Rainbow Loom Dress bidorbuy

By staff reporter Now there’s no way the antiChristmas rebel in you can continue to fight the festive feeling after all that or the thrill of shopping for Christmas favours for that matter. Let alone the convenience of shopping for them online and seeing them arrive on your doorstep just on time, if you’re able to place your order right about now that is.

Still campaigning against Christmas? Why not crack open a cold one, pop a few corks and snack on the decked out stretches of tables decorated with plenteous platters of pan peanuts and raisins, mebos, Beacon All Sorts sweets, and spicy slangetjies. Not to mention nibble away at the endless supply of Nik Naks and flings… which, I might add, are almost always ‘only for the kids’ to eat and enjoy. But needless to say, this rule is instantly revoked and all gets gobbled up by the grownups. If you’re looking to give an edible gift for a loved one back home in South Africa this Christmas then it’s worth hauling through the many Christmas hampers of nom nom treats that www.giftlady.co.za has to offer.

If smaaklike snacks won’t sway you, then I must profess that you’re a real stubborn conquest whom I’m yet to convince. We can assume that with turning that brutally awakening age when you’re faced with having to acknowledge all sorts of truths; like that Santa Claus is just some beer bellied uncle with a well groomed beard whose lap you’re allowed to sit on only until the age of 10 -- any older than that then I’m

| Think you’ve got a lot of Brit in ya? Well, if you do, then getting your UK citizenship might be easier than you think… if you know the right people of course

afraid you might be suffering from some serious in denial brew.

So maybe Santa never did bring you that Barbie doll or Ferrari remote control car, or any other ‘made in China’ toy that you so desperately wanted for Christmas.

All because the long listed letters your folks ‘posted’ for you, never did reach Santa, and now you know why. And as tradition goes, the same sensationalised Santa comes to life and is stowed upon our kids.

Why? It doesn’t really matter why.

What matters is that you, as much as it pains you to dress up like the old guy and go all alias sporting the trademark cotton wool stubble (especially if you’re a Mom), find that teddy that your toddler demanded from Santa for being such a good child this year. www. sensationalkids.co.za can come to your rescue; easily sift through the virtual shelves of educational toys that are fun to play with and improves learning for all ages.

Now it’s possible that today you’re dating the Barbie and driving the Ferrari, or you’re the Barbie driving the Ferrari, whichever it is -- BOOM! Big ups to you; and hopefully, in this day and age you too are accustomed to all things techy and online friendly.

If not, haai sies man! It’s about time you jump on the bidorbuy bandwagon and solve all your gift purchasing hang-ups.

If the hubby is hooked on cars and thinks he can take it apart and put it back together, he may have lost his bearings altogether but bidorbuy can supply. Want to get down on one knee? They have the jewelry and you can hide it under the Christmas

tree!

Always wanted to give auctions a go but never could find the time to? Well now you can without compromising on your busy schedule, simply scroll through www.bidorbuy.co.za to start bidding. Discover the young South African woman who is retailing online, a loom band dress she made herself out of a whopping 29,744 loom bands! Loom bands are the entire craze these days and have made their Chinese inventor a multi-millionaire.

You could buy the rainbow loom bands dress as a Christmas gift for someone with a personality just as colourful. The dress is up on auction on bidorbuy, with the bidding starting from the piddling R40, 000. (By the way, the opening bid is with a reserve, which means that the seller absolutely won’t part with the dress for less than R48, 000; I was able to calculate this because, as bidorbuy rules of the site say, the reserve can’t be more than 25% of the publicly stated opening bid.)

I can’t promise the gift will go down well with the giftee, but it’s sure to be remembered. Besides, you’ll be giving the young lady selling it a great Christmas gift: according to a report in local media, she plans to use the proceeds of the sale to get a boob job.

With one gift, you’d be doing two good deeds; so if you are convinced – go and place your bid!

So show Santa just who’s the boss this Christmas!

parent born after 1949 – as long as that parent a) was British, or b) had a parent born in the UK. • Born in South Africa after 31 May 1962 but before 1983, with a UK-born grandparent.

• Born after 1948, where the parents were married before 1949 and with a Paternal Grandfather born in the UK. • Born between 2 March 1970 and 18 April 1980 in (Southern) Rhodesia, with a grandfather born in the UK. Tick these boxes? Well then you might be eligible for UK citizenship. Pretty neat huh?

SA’s persistent shortfalls leave the Rand more susceptible to instability | As history would have it, December has never been a month for constancy by 1st contact The Rand strengthened against the US Dollar on Monday 1 December, closing at USD-ZAR 10.99, compared with the previous Friday’s close of USD-ZAR 11.06.

Rand appreciation against the Dollar occurred in line with Dollar weakness against all of the major crosses, with the biggest move seen against the Pound (0.5%), while commodities were all up on the day, reversing some of the previous Friday’s losses.

A strong Dollar trend was seen on Tuesday 2 December, causing the Rand to fall to a session low of 11.1325; furthermore government bonds were also heavily sold. South Africa's persistent deficits on its budget and current accounts have made the Rand more vulnerable than other emerging currencies and, historically, December has never been a good month for stability.

On Thursday the Rand strengthened against the US Dollar, closing at USD-ZAR 11.20, compared with Wednesday’s close of USD-ZAR 11.22.

Rand appreciation against the Dollar occurred in line with Dollar weakness against most of the major crosses; the Dollar strengthened against the Pound, but weakened against the Euro and the Yen. The

Rand strengthened against most of the major crosses; the exception was the Euro. Commodities were mixed on the day. Copper and platinum were up 1.4% and 0.9% respectively. Gold was down on the day, falling by 0.3%. Brent continued its decline and fell by 0.4% on Thursday.

Early on Friday the Rand was within reach of three-week lows against the Dollar, assisted by bad news from government power provider, Eskom. Towards the afternoon the Rand slumped to a six-year low against the Dollar after US employment figures exceeded expectations and sent the US surging. The stronger-than-expected jobs data could mean higher Fed rates, extending the Dollar rally and reducing relative returns on the Rand and South African bonds.

GBPZAR @ 17.7053 USDZAR @ 11.3518 EURZAR @ 13.9677 GBPUSD @ 1.5597 GBPEUR @ 1.2304 Brought to you by

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| 9 - 16 December 2014 | thesouthafrican.com

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SERVICES

SA SHOP DIRECTORY

BREYTENBACHS BIC specialise in entry clearance applications as well as applications submitted in the UK, so please contact us without further delay at info@bic-immigration.com or visit our website for the contact details of our offices.

23 Austin Friars London, EC2N 2QP, United Kingdom Phone: +44 (0) 207 442 2160 www.bic-immigration.com or info@ bic-immigration.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

SA SHOP DIRECTORY

WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

Sales Assistants Assistant Managers Part-time & Weekend Assistants

Use accountants that do more than ‘crunch’ the numbers... let us help grow your business Company formations and Secretarial Services Business planning and development • Management support • Team training and development • CFO/FD Services • pay only for time required by your business • Compliance Services • Accounting Services • Profit improvement programs • Taxation planning • Personal and Corporate • Contracting solutions

Call Exceed UK now for a no obligation discussion on +44 (0) 870 060 0996. www.exceeduk.co.uk

The Springbok Café The Springbok Café offers traditional South African food, wine and beers served with a smile in a friendly atmosphere. All this plus the option to grab your favourite S.A. groceries before you leave after relaxing and kuierring with us for a while.

The Springbok Café` Ltd, 1 East Reach, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3EN, 01823 254966,thespringbokcafe.co.uk 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 and 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

South African managed and owned We are looking for the right blend of skills to come and join our wonderful, growing and hardworking team. We invest in, train and develop our staff at The Savanna.

Please email your C.V. to us at natalieg@thesavanna.co.uk or call 07921 823 427 for an application form.

Susman’s Best Beef Biltong Co Ltd If you’re missing home give us a call, supplying you with all your favourite South African products and more. Phone: 01273 516160 Fax: 01273 51665 Web:www.biltong.co.uk Email:sales@biltong.co.uk Cambridge and Villages Toft Shop – Village Shop and 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

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 the finest herbs and spices and 100 percent British grass-fed beef! Our FINEST range is also gluten, sugar, msg and preservative free. For 10 percent EXTRA FREE use code SAFFA10 in the shipping instructions box at the checkout. www.biltongcompany.co.uk / 01243 216196 FOODS4YOU Whether you like to create an incentive program for your employees or corporate gifts at special times or throughout the year.

Foods4U – Corporate Services Division is there to assist and help you maintain your critical internal and external business. sales@foods4u.co.uk Unit 22 / 24 Manford Ind. Estate, +44 (0) 87 00 33 2130, Manor Road, Erith, Kent, DA8 2AJ. 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

Functional and Conditioning Training Holistic Studio 40 Broadway Court Wimbledon SW19 1RG

Tel: 079 5665 6960 Email: info@crsfitness.com www.crsfitness.com

thesouthafrican.com | 9 - 16 December 2014 |

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Hot Custard and Forde’s Falcons trade blows in a battle royale | London Touch Rugby Teams bring their Christmas cheer to the league

By in2touch Fantastic late autumn weather allowed for awesome Touch action on Sunday at Clapham Common.

The dark grey skies, fun in the mud and torrential elements of the previous week had disappeared.

Blue sky, sunshine and soft conditions underfoot made for a Sunday of perfect touch and another great league day out.

The teams are bringing their Christmas cheer to the league each week, and with two weeks left, it proves to be a very close race to the finals. Hot Custard wowed everyone with their annual ‘Hot Custard Pantomime’ which took place at G.J’s in Wandsworth. It was written and choreographed by John Boyes and Bridget McNamara who have the privilege once a year to create their masterpiece.

Marc Desmeules, the Venue Manager said, “Hot Custard and Forde’s Falcons were locked horns in a battle royale, trading blows like heavy-weight boxers, with one exchange of touch downs after another. Great set-plays and team transfers from both squads were on show, but with a man down after

a sending off, Forde’s Falcons ran out of steam and Hot Custard took the spoils with a 6 - 4 victory.”

Both teams are in the first Mixed Division and are playing off on Sunday in the semi-finals to see who goes through to the final. Both teams also have England Touch Players that are training for the upcoming Touch World Cup taking place in Australia in April 2015.

Forde’s Falcons are coached by Noel Forde; Noel is the England Mixed Opens Coach as well as one of their players. He has taken the Mixed Open team to great victories in the past and is looking to get fantastic results in the World Cup next year.

There are new leagues coming up early next year in January 2015, the new indoor Active Touch leagues at Canary Wharf on Mondays and Wandsworth on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as the Sunday Winter League at Clapham Common starting in February 2015. If you are interested in joining these leagues then send an email to tracy@ in2touch.com or have a look on www.in2touch.com/uk for more information.

Sport

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Hot Custard and Forde’s Falcons trade blows in a battle royale

NEWS FOR GLOBAL SOUTH AFRICANS www.thesouthafrican.com

9 – 16 DECEMBER 2014

Blitzbokke are now the 2014 Dubai Sevens champions

| Dubai has not delivered much success for the Springbok Sevens Blitzbokke lately, but this weekend they rocked the park and won in style, with the men’s team beating Australia 33-7! The Blitzbokke are now the 2014 Dubai Sevens champions and they climb to second spot on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series league table

by Myak Homberger Ahead of this weekends Dubai Sevens tournament, the Blitzbokke were coming to terms with some costly mistakes in the first leg of the series that saw them come fourth in the Gold Coast. But great change can happen in a short space of time and, along with their talismanic captain Kyle Brown back from serious injury, it was all go. Brown commented before the start of Dubai tournament: “During training at Stellenbosch you could see the guys were determined. The intensity is definitely there, and as individuals we are all looking to give something extra for the team.”

After clinching fourth place at the Gold Coast in October, the Blitzboks are now just two points behind Fiji, who lead the standings on 39 points. The teams now head to South Africa for Round Three of the World Series next weekend at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. South Africa are the defending Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens champions.

The Springbok Sevens conceded a paltry seven points on match day two, while collecting 101 points against Argentina, series champions New Zealand and a resurgent Australia.

Earlier on Saturday, the Blitzboks thumped Argentina 40-0 in their quarterfinal clash. Later they were in outstanding form against traditional rivals New Zealand in the semi-finals, scoring four converted tries without conceding a point (28-

| BLITZBOKKE IN DUBAI: Werner Kok during the final rugby match of the Dubai leg of IRB’s Sevens World Series on 6 December. Photo by World Rugby

0) to secure their spot in the Final against the impressive Aussies who defeated Fiji in a thrilling semi-final that went into extra time.

Afterwards, both the Springbok Sevens coach and captain praised the defensive efforts of the team, which paved the way for a commanding title victory in the famous desert city.

Brown, who made his comeback in Dubai after missing the Gold Coast because of a shoulder injury, said his team put in a much improved performance on match day two.

“We knew we did not play our best rugby in the Gold Coast and probably not even yesterday, but we got the ball rolling, which was

important. I think our defensive efforts were simply outstanding and it’s great to play in such a committed team,” said Brown.

Powell, who led the South Africans to Commonwealth Games gold in July, was equally pleased.

“We tried to play with variation and the guys really bought into the plan. The players deserve the credit

for an outstanding display,” explains the Blitzboks coach.

He added: “We are not the biggest team on the circuit, but we are very physical and don’t stand back for any team in the tackle. Our form at the breakdown area was very good and we really took our scoring opportunities well,” according to Powell.

South Africa turned on their full attacking power in the second to score four tries after Australia restricted them to just seven points in the first half (7-7). Kwagga Smith scored in opening stanza while Philip Snyman, Seabelo Senatla (2) and Ruhan Nel added three tries after the restart.

They started their quest for a Cup final place with a comprehensive 40-0 demolition job of Argentina.

Speedster Senatla scored a hattrick while there were also tries by Cecil Afrika and debutant Warrick Gelant.

Livewire Smith also scored a first half hat-trick in the Blitzboks’ 28-0 semi-final win over traditional rivals New Zealand. They led 21-0 at halftime. The South Africans suffocated NZ with first time hits and then recycled their turnover possession with speed and accuracy.

We sealed a thoroughly deserved victory after a lightning break from substitute Cheslin Kolbe.

The 16 teams now fly to South Africa for Round Three of the World Series in Port Elizabeth, the Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens.

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