The South African issue 608, 17- 24 March 2015

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You can’t take South Africa out of a South African INSIDE

DA’s Mmusi Maimane to speak in London pAGE 2

NEWS

Will you see a South African rhino on your next trip to South Africa? pAGE 4

FEATURE

Life’s a beach for the bulls on South Africa’s wild coast pAGE 6

ARTS

Sightseeing, shopping and eating in Milan pAGE 14

[●] HOMEBOUND: Homecoming Revolution is hosting a "Speed Meet" for African professionals who are interested to go home. Photo by Megan Richards. Read more on page 9

TRAVEL

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| 17 - 24 March 2015 | thesouthafrican.com

News

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South African expat child hit by a car, needs her granny By staff reporter Editor: Mareike Pietzsch 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

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A schoolgirl was struck by a car pulling a horse trailer last week while walking to school near Reading in the UK. The 8-year-old was hit in Winnersh at around 8:45am on 12 March on her way to school.

She was airlifted to hospital with various injuries. She is currently in hospital with a fractured skull and has been put in an induced coma.

Her mother is a South African single mother and is raising funds so that her own mother, the girl’s grandmother, can join her and help with her care. The girl’s mother still has to go to work and needs the support of her mother. All donations are welcome.

If you would like to donate, please go to GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/ou9k54

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. [●] Infographic by Reddit user DMan9797

Think tank launch guide to boost trade between UK and South Africa

By Belinda Liversedge

[●] Photo by readingchronicle.co.uk

| The UK is still the favourite destination for migrants from South Africa. But where are the rest of the world's migrants heading?

This map looks at the most popular destinations for each country’s migrants. The map was created by Reddit user DMan9797 using the UN’s Trends in International migrant stock: By destination and origin report.

Each country is coloured or labelled with the most popular destination for its migrants. For example, South Africa is pink, as pink represents the United Kingdom, meaning that the UK is the most popular destination for South Africans.

While the UK is the most attractive country for South

News

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| Exporting to South Africa will bring benefits to both countries, says Commonwealth Exchange (CX) at the launch of their new trade guide

World migration movements: Most South Africans migrate to the UK [map] By katy scott

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thesouthafrican.com | 17 - 24 March 2015 |

Africans, the Brits are not interested in moving to South Africa, and are heading off to Australia instead.

And that’s OK, considering the overwhelming amount of people coming in to SA from the southern parts of Africa (just look at all that dark green).

The United Kingdom is still a hot destination to set up camp for those from former British colonies such as South Africa, Australia and Kenya, but not so much for Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong, India and Pakistan.

Indians and Pakistanis are heading to the Gulf instead of to

their former British coloniser to look for work. The map indicates that Indians are making their way over to the United Arab Emirates and Pakistanis to Saudi Arabia.

There is no denying that the United States is the most popular destination for migrants across Brazil, Canada, Venezuela, Japan, Nigeria, Iran and Germany, but the same can’t be said about China.

Interestingly, Lithuania is the only Eastern European country still attracted to life in the UK. The dark blue colouring of former French-speaking colonies

in Africa, such as Algeria, Senegal and Cameroon, indicate that France is still the most popular destination.

It is important to mention that the map does not distinguish between different types of migrants or their varying statuses.

It therefore does not account for the thousands of migrant workers smuggled into Southeast Asian countries.

In some countries the census may not account for immigrants who have become citizens. In some countries, children born to migrant parents are still considered migrants.

South Africa was chosen as the first country to be the focus of a new trade guide, launched at a special event by young think tank, Commonwealth Exchange (CX) in partnership with South African Chamber of Commerce.

The launch event, to mark the first of a series of trade guides for Small to Medium Enterprises looking to export to Commonwealth countries, was held at the Ellwood Atwood Gallery in London.

Ralph Buckle, co-founder and director of CX said: “Tonight’s publication is aimed to create a level playing field for Commonwealth workers. We’re trying to break the taboo that says a lot of small businesses can’t trade, because of language or legal barriers. We want to point out these are not reasons not to export.”

Carol Freeman, Board member of the South African Chamber of Commerce, agreed: “South Africans are by nature entrepreneurs, good at climbing

these mountains. Working with SMEs is good for both countries.”

Discussions with various stakeholders, ranging from management consultants to small UK businesses with interests in Commonwealth countries, revealed there were indeed barriers to overcome.

“There’s a huge pressure to export more in the UK, but people are still a bit nervous,” said Peter Lindsay, who advises British companies exporting to countries perceived as far more corrupt and challenging than South Africa, such as Kazakhstan.

Mr Lindsay pointed out this nervousness was not merely fear of the unknown, but legislation such as the 2011 UK Bribery Act which aims to clamp down on corruption, something hard to monitor when you’re operating across continents. But, he emphasised: “Even countries perceived as corrupt can still do clean business. They just have to be more careful – and spend more money.”

There was confidence

elsewhere, however, and a feeling of youthful optimism in the air about the new possibilities of trading in the Commonwealth.

Jason Robinson of British AV specialist, Beatpixels, said skills in digital and production was at an all time high in South Africa.

He said that combining expertise of more established companies in the UK with fresh talent in South Africa was the way forward. A current project to create hologram statues of Nelson Mandela at his birth place museum was an impressive illustration. Notably, Mr Robinson, who has a South African partner, will find the path smoother, as the guide notes in its "tips for doing business" section.

Experts suggested that CX’s guide could be a boost to business. We look forward to seeing what projects will pop up between South Africa and the UK in the coming months. But with exports from the UK to South Africa down at £4.46 bn in 2014 compared to £5.37 bn in 2013, there could be a steeper mountain yet to climb.

First successful penile transplant in the world performed in Cape Town | For the first time in the world, a penis has been successfully transplanted to a human being By staff reporter Doctors at Tygerberg Hospital in Bellville have successfully transplanted a penis to a human being. The procedure has been described as ground-breaking while the patient (who is not being named for ethical reasons) has been described as “sexually active” and “very excited”.

The operation was led by Stellenbosch University’s Division of Urology head, Prof Andre van der Merwe, on 11 December and lasted nine hours.

After three months, it has now been confirmed a success.

The 21-year-old patient had his penis amputated three years ago following a botched circumcision which put his life in danger.

The goal is for him to be “fully functional” after two years.

Prof Frank Graewe, head of the Division of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery at SU FMHS, felt privileged to be a part of the first successful penis transplant in the world. “It’s a

DA’s Mmusi Maimane to speak in London | DA’s Mmusi Maimane to speak at Homecoming Revolution’s Speed Meet Africa event By staff reporter Parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane is coming to London to be part of The Homecoming Revolution event, where he will be speaking on the 21 March.

Mmusi Maimane is the Parliamentary Leader for the Democratic Alliance. He is also the Deputy Federal Chair and of the Democratic Alliance. In March 2011, he was nominated W&Co Africa final:Layout as thehalf Democratic Alliance’s1 26/2/15

mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg.

Recently, Maimane took down president Zuma at the SONA debate. He criticised Zuma for breaking democratic institutions to fix his own legal predicaments and trampling Nelson Mandela’s legacy.

Mmusi Maimane is also going to be speaking at an event hosted by the DA Abroad Team on 23 March, where he will be sharing the DA’s vision for a South Africa governed 22:58 Page 1 by values.

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massive breakthrough. We’ve proved that it can be done – we can give someone an organ that is just as good as the one that he had,” Graewe told News24.

The donor was fashioned a penis from abdominal skin so that he could be buried with

something resembling a penis.

Nine more patients are expected to receive penile transplants, with transplantation now a possibility for issues such as penile cancer and severe erectile dysfunction, reported the publication.

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| 17 - 24 March 2015 | thesouthafrican.com

Feature

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Will you see a South African rhino on your next trip to South Africa? | Poached Rhino is a UK-based charity and the brainchild of Graeme Oliver, a British expat living in South Africa. Here’s how South Africans in the UK can help keep the big five alive

Eight snatches of wisdom to inspire every homesick soul | Being homesick is a universal experience in our global world. We’ve put together eight quotes that will make you smile about the adventure you’re on, or about to go on Travelling, exploring and living in another country is exciting. But on some days, it’s also a little daunting. We put together eight quotes that illuminate that everyone –

Poached Rhino is the sole UK charity dedicated to help stop the needless slaughter of the South African rhino by illegal poachers.

The charity is a non-profit organisation with a deliberately ambiguous name, explains chairman, Graeme Oliver.

“Poached rhino sounds like a Chinese take away because unfortunately, it bloody well is,” he says.

While arguably Poached Rhino sounds somewhat like the battle is lost, Graeme is adamant that the battle desperately needs rallying.

Graeme and his wife recognised the need to focus entirely on helping rhinos in South Africa, and as a result set up a charity to do just that. Graeme was born in the UK but spent his first four years running around barefoot in Pietermaritzburg. “I’ve got South Africa in my bones,” he says. “When I returned it was like coming home.”

Graeme and his wife have always been passionate about wildlife and originally supported WWF with donations, however they felt that the money was just going into a large organisation as opposed to helping a particular cause. This was part of the reason they decided to retire to South Africa and set up their own charity, both in the UK and in South Africa.

“I looked at what was happening with the UK charities, which are all doing a great job for ‘other wildlife’ but not ‘totally and wholly’ for the South African Rhino. I want to make sure the money goes directly to the right projects and ends up in the right hands.”

100% of the funds collected by

the average horn weighing approximately 5kg, it certainly is big business.

While this is a sad reality, Graeme is of the opinion that “If you don’t have a passion and you don’t try, then nothing will be done”.

While running Poached Rhino, Graeme has seen the situation change from elation to total devastation. Even though things are slowly moving in the right direction, the horrific news stories and photos on Facebook are evidence enough that there is still much that can be done.

Poached Rhino go directly towards helping South Africa’s rhinos.

“My goal is to motivate South Africans in the UK who do care and who are now living and paying tax in the UK. South Africans can do something to help, whilst knowing that all their money is going directly to help the rhino, and at the same time potentially reducing their tax bill by giving to our charity.”

Many have predicted that the rhino will be extinct by 2020, and Graeme reckons that if nothing is done in the next five to 10 years, the rhino will be completely wiped out.

“We have almost got to the tipping point where rhinos are being killed faster than they can breed,” he says. The big five could very soon become the big four, and South Africans in the UK, or any British citizens for that matter, who would like to visit South Africa in the near future,

will either have to visit the rhino in an enclosed space or miss seeing them entirely.

Poached Rhino found that many game parks in South Africa did not have security cameras, fences and 24-hour anti-poaching units to track their rhinos, as they did not expect that poachers would ever target them.

“It’s like a property without burglar bars and alarms, are you asking to be robbed?”

There is an abundance of NPO’s in South Africa raising awareness, to the extent that people are getting sick of hearing about the plight of the rhino. “People will talk about it, but not a lot of people want to get down and dirty.”

Sometimes it feels like a losing battle. “We may just end up with rhinos without horns, or rhinos in zoos. Every game reserve will be like Fort Knox.”

With rhino horn worth circa $ 100 000 per kilogram, and

What can you do to help stop the needless slaughter of rhinos in South Africa?

Well, you can donate to any project that appeals to you.

Poached Rhino gives money to various rhino projects in South Africa and is simultaneously looking to raise money to start their own orphanage and ‘School of Excellence’.

“We need to look at the bigger picture with reference to children and education, biodiversity, conservation, helping the land where the rhino ‘roams’ which will result in creating awareness, jobs and saving other endangered flora and fauna.”

You can adopt and name a rhino, and no, not a cuddly toy. You can help sponsor a real, live rhino in South Africa and receive regular updates and pictures. This can be done remotely from the UK or on your next trip to South Africa.

“We are working with a number of travel agents where a ‘donation’ of any safaris or holidays booked will go directly to Poached Rhino.”

You can help support a project to create a Rhino DNA database

Community

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thesouthafrican

by Mareike Pietzsch

by katy scott

from cuddly Pooh Bear to world-famous authors – have experienced it.

Some of us are homesick for places we’ve never been to – and some of us are homesick for the very place we were born in.

which utilises DNA profiling techniques to combat poaching and strengthen rhino conservation.

It is common practice to run or cycle for a charity in the UK. “Although we do not have charity places available for the London Marathon on April 26th, we would really appreciate you helping and running for Poached Rhino.

Details are available on request.”

Your average small game reserve in South Africa housing two to five rhino would need over R1million a year to protect their rhinos.

“If there are any South Africans out there who would like to help us and stand up and be counted, then we would love to hear from you”.

“Please note these are our personal thoughts and views on a very, very sensitive, disturbing and emotional subject.”

If you feel moved to help, feel free to visit Poached Rhino here http://www.poachedrhino.org/

5

thesouthafrican.com | 17 - 24 March 2015 |

Original biltong

How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. ― Winne the Pooh

an expansion, a flowering, of what it means to be alive. ― Jonny Steinberg

I never realize how much I like being home unless I've been somewhere different for a while. ― Juno

He thought that he was sick in his heart if you could be sick in that place. ― James Joyce

It is a curious emotion, this certain homesickness I have in mind...

The emotion is Janus-faced: we are torn between nostalgia for the familiar and an urge for the foreign and strange. As often as not, we are homesick most for the places we have never known. ― Carson McCullers

Oh, London is a man's town, there's power in the air; And Paris is a woman's town, with flowers in her hair; And it's sweet to dream in Venice, and it's great to study Rome; But when it comes to living there is no place like home. ― Henry van Dyke

Maybe you had to leave in order to really miss a place; maybe you had to travel to figure out how beloved your starting point was. ― Jodi Picoult, Handle with Care That is what going home means for me...It is to surrender myself to a world so much bigger than I am and to the destiny of a nation I cannot control. In this surrender is

Homesickness is not always a vague, nostalgic, almost beautiful emotion, although that is somehow the way we always seem to picture it in our mind. It can be a terribly keen blade, not just a sickness in metaphor but in fact as well. It can change the way one looks at the world; the faces one sees in street look not just indeferent but ugly...perhaps even malignant.

Homesickness is real sickness. ― Stephen King, The Body

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| 17 - 24 March 2015 | thesouthafrican.com

Arts & Entertainment

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

Life’s a beach for the

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thesouthafrican.com | 17 - 24 March 2015 |

Arts & Entertainment

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bulls on South Africa’s wild coast

| Christopher Rimmer’s Amapondo series invites the viewer to reconsider the humble, gentle Pondo cattle by forging a new connection with them. These striking portraits possess a Zen-like quality and will challenge your every preconception by katy scott

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Along South Africa’s wild east coast, the Pondo cattle wander down to the beach each afternoon.

Shipwrecked sailors stranded on the Pondoland coast reported that they have been making these beach trips since the 16th century.

Multi-award winning photographer Christopher Rimmer studied and captured this fascinating habit in 2013 in his Amapondo series.

“I spent a long time observing these animals and, as resistant as I am to anthropomorphising, I could come to no other conclusion than: the bulls visit the beach daily because they simply enjoy being there.”

The cattle belong to the Amapondo people, a sub-branch of the Xhosa, who live in bright, thatched huts in Pondoland. In Xhosa culture, cattle represent wealth and prestige. The isiXhosa language has an extensive vocabulary to describe the cattle’s skin markings and aesthetic qualities.

“Their appreciation of their cattle has a spiritual dimension and the bull features prominently in Xhosa mythology and oral history.”

The cattle are kept in a kraal at night and released at dawn. They return around midday for milking, and shortly afterward, during the heat of the afternoon, they stroll down to the beach.

The cattle are much more animated when they are on the beach. “The young bulls will lock horns and play around with each other.”

On particularly hot days they will stand right in the surf zone. “The cattle will wade into the water till it reaches their lower abdomen.”

Second Beach in Port St Johns, the main location for the Amapondo series, is one of the most sharkinfested beaches in the world.

“I often wondered if the cattle were aware of the sharks… you could sometimes see large bull sharks in the water.”

While bulls, cows and calves head down to the beach together, Rimmer preferred photographing the bulls.

“I found the shape of their bodies and their size worked better for the kind of portraits I was trying to create. Bulls are less timid when it coms to standing isolated from the herd for a portrait or two.”

In many of the photographs, the bulls seem to make direct eye contact with the viewer. According to Rimmer, this challenges the viewer’s preconceptions, “Suggesting an emotional

[●] All photos by Christopher Rimmer

dimension that we, as the audience, may have chosen to ignore”.

But the bulls were never completely comfortable with being photographed. Once during the shoot, a bull arrived on the beach and ran full steam up the beach, bellowing to join the main group.

“I was amazed because I had no idea that bulls could move that fast and it was a salutary warning of the danger posed if they decided to charge.”

But as time went on, the cattle

became more used to Rimmer’s presence and seemed curious. “That is when we got some of the shots of them looking directly at us.”

As there was no predictable rhythm to the animals being on the beach, it was often challenging for Rimmer to photograph them.

One of the shots was taken early in the morning. “The fog was beginning to lift off the water and there he stood, an Nguni bull with lovely markings creating a complete and perfect on the wet

sand. These are the moments that consolidate my endeavours as a photographer.”

The Amapondo exhibition is moving around the world from gallery to gallery. One day Rimmer received a call from his printer who said there was a problem with one bull they were using on a poster.

Rimmer waited for him to detail a technical flaw.

“It’s pissing,” his printer said curtly. “I’ve just put it up on the big screen. I’m sorry to have to

be the one to break this news to you but your bull is pissing in the water.”

Rimmer has a new regard for the humble, gentle creature. “I’m inspired by how their lives and our lives are intertwined and how long that relationship has endured… I admire how gentle they are and how wonderful they look in the finished photographs.”

In his series portraits, which possess an almost ethereal quality, Rimmer invites the viewer to reconsider the animal

and forge a new connection with it.

“The protagonist… is a living creature whose flesh we eat, whose skin we wear and whose bones we boil down to make glue and yet, here is the same animal perhaps experience a certain joy at its own existence.”

The Amapondo series will be on show at the Jan Royce Gallery in Cape Town in June. Rimmer’s work will also be available on request by contacting Jan Royce gallery.

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| 17 - 24 March 2015 | thesouthafrican.com

Food

Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews

Cooking with Chef Petrus | A treat for your mother | Mother's Day has come and gone but there is no reason not to celebrate our mothers everyday. This delicious and easy to make recipe will make every mother’s heart crumble

9

thesouthafrican.com | 17 - 24 March 2015 | Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thesouthafrican

Homecoming

Homecoming recruitment event happening this week in London Messages from prominent South Africans on why you should consider returning home to South Africa | We are the brain gain company for Africa, introducing African professionals to employers and relocation services so that going home becomes a possibility. We host worldwide “Speed Meet” events and our next one is taking place in London from 20 - 21 March. Come join us!

“I have never regretted coming home. It has been the most phenomenal quarter of a century to have been a cartoonist. I think there are amazing opportunities despite the new mayhem that exists. It is an amazing country to be in,” - Zapiro

“The few problems we face are being tackled head on and should be seen as opportunities for your value add as returning sons and daughters of South Africa, bringing global wisdom with you,” - Public Protector Thuli Madonsela

“Wherever you are as a South African, you can make a difference to this beautiful country. Join us to make our country bloom,” - Mmusi Maimane

“There’s a great opportunity to make a significant contribution to our continent and to shift how the world sees and how Africa sees herself,” - Lira

“I suppose it is very corny to say, but you can take a South African out of South Africa but you can’t take South Africa out of a South African,” - Pieter Dirk-Uys

“Sometimes we lose perspective. We go to other places and forget how great it is here. My message for you is come home guys, the sun is shining,” - SA comedian Nik Rabinowitz

“Wherever you are as a South African, you can make a difference to this beautiful country. Join us to make our country bloom,” - Dr Mamphela Ramphele

“Come home and have a braai in the sunshine on any day of the year. Do it for others but mainly do it for yourself,” - Graeme Codrington

by Petrus Madutlela This week’s recipe is ideal for treating mothers to a welldeserved breakfast in bed on Sunday. Make her day with smoked salmon and poached egg, drizzled in honey and mustard dressing, a cuppa coffee and her favourite magazine. I’d like to wish all of the hard working Mums out there a very happy and belated Mother’s Day! Ingredients 8 slices of smoked salmon 4 eggs 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar

4 thick slices of fresh bread 2 tablespoons olive oil Honey-mustard dressing 2 tablespoons mustard, wholegrain 4 egg yolks 3 tablespoons honey 3 tablespoons sherry vinegar 200 ml vegetable oil Salt and black pepper, to taste Method 1. To make the dressing, add the mustard, egg yolks, honey, seasoning and sherry vinegar in a large bowl. Whisk thoroughly.

2. Gradually pour in the oil whilst continuing to whisk, until the dressing is fully mixed &

emulsified.

3. Poach the eggs by bringing a large pan of water to the boil.

Add the vinegar then lower the heat so that the water is simmering. Use a spoon to stir the water, to give a whirl-pool effect, then add the eggs one at a time. Cook each for around four minutes. Remove the eggs using a slotted spoon.

4. Drizzle olive oil over the bread slices.

5. Serve two salmon slices and an egg on each thick slice of fresh bread. Finish with a drizzle of dressing.

“Return to South Africa - not only for the climate, for the lifestyle and for the beauty of our mountains, beaches and game reserves - return to your homeland because we need you to help us to build a new and better South Africa,” - Former President FW de Klerk

“I want to be part of the generation that takes South Africa forward and enables it to become one of the most competitive countries in the world,” - Pumela Salela

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| 17 - 24 March 2015 | thesouthafrican.com

Homecoming

Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews

Time is running out to register for Speed Meet South Africa! | Are you a skilled South African professional in the UK interested in what’s going on back home?

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Whether you are thinking of returning home or not, Speed Meet South Africa offers a little snippet of home.

Not only will you encounter exciting career opportunities with top South African employers, but the event offers a fantastic networking opportunity as well as valuable insights into business, property and schools back home.

Taking place at the Olympia Conference Centre in Kensington on Friday 20th and Saturday 21st March, attendees will also hear inspirational speeches from Thuli Madonsela (Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential for 2014), Mmusi Maimane (DA Parliamentary Leader) and stories from South African homecomers – warts and all.

Employers include: KPMG, Deloitte, Foschini, Accenture, Mace Group, Partners in Performance, Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, Ipreo, GSK, Africa Health Placements, Dimension Data, Mediclinic, Prodigy Finance, Africa Practice, Jacobs Matasis, LelapaFund, CSIR, Alexander Forbes and Gauteng Department of Health.

Schools within the ISASA group will provide you with advice on the South African schooling system, while relocation services White & Co and Doree Bonner will answer all your questions on the logistics of moving back.

Pam Golding will showcase properties from their expansive portfolio across the continent and

advise on the best areas to buy and invest.

Angel Jones CEO of Homecoming Revolution comments, “Our message to the skilled South African diaspora is don’t wait until it gets better, come home and make it better. There are very real career opportunities back home and we need people to return with a sense of commitment and passion to build our country into the success it deserves to be.”

Entrance is complimentary but capacity is limited and filling up fast. Pre-register now and stand a chance to win a four night, allinclusive luxury stay in the Masai Mara with & Beyond.

Register now at www. homecomingrevolution.com/ speed-meet-africa

Comments from attendees

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thesouthafrican.com | 17 - 24 March 2015 |

Homecoming

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thesouthafrican

Why I brought my family back to South Africa | My wife, two daughters and I moved as a family to London in 2008 to get my business going in the UK

by Graeme Codrington My business wanted to grow its UK and European operations and as one of the founding partners, I was asked if I would move across and help in getting it going.

Obviously 2008 was a rough time from a business perspective due to the financial collapse, but over the next few years we built up the business really nicely.

We lived in Wimbledon (little South Africa) and absolutely loved our time in London but after four-and-a-half-years, we decided as a family to go back to South Africa.

We decided to make the big move for four key reasons.

The first is for family - SA is home. The more we travelled internationally and the more we lived in the UK, we realised we were South Africans travelling internationally and living in London. We decided that if we felt this way, we may as well be in South Africa.

The second reason is lifestyle.

You can really live in South Africa. I have travelled all over

world and South Africa has the best weather and best lifestyle.

Given the amount of money you earn and what you can afford to do with that money, I think there very few countries that can beat South Africa in terms of that lifestyle.

From a business perspective, I think it’s a very clever decision – Africa and sub-Saharan Africa in particular is the last frontier of economic development in the world. What’s happened in South East Asia in the last 25 years is about to happen in Africa, and if you see pictures of Seoul 30 years ago you could be looking at Mombasa and Lagos today.

The third reason is that we were concerned for our daughters’ education. You can get good and bad education anywhere in the world and if you can afford it, you can always get better education. But the UK education system is not the same as South Africa, especially in terms of the out of classroom activities. We also wanted our daughters to be South African in their characters.

There is really something special about being a South African that maybe you don’t recognise when you’re in South Africa but you do recognise it in other South Africans around the world: a sort of go getter, a resilience that probably emerges out of our context but is definitely a gift we can give to our daughters.

The last reason is we genuinely wanted to make a contribution.

In South Africa, the difference you can make in someone’s life can change their family and the course of history. You are literally five minutes away from these opportunities everywhere you go and as a family, that’s the way we want to live, we want to feel we aren’t just living our lives but also making a difference.

Moving home does come with its challenges but the good outweighs the bad.

Although the infrastructure environment can be slightly challenging, it’s all about recognising that you’re living in a developing country. People who complain a lot about SA’s infrastructure haven’t travelled much because every developing country is developing.

I don’t want to sound like I’m not taking things seriously and being too idealistic, but I think that’s part of the charm of SA. You don’t live in a place where everything is sorted and everything just works – another word for that might be boring.

You live in a place that is developing and growing. The danger, of course, is if it doesn’t develop. But we are certainly seeing lots of development.

Africa stands at the frontier of something exciting, but we need human capital – passionate, committed people who can contribute their skills.

In South Africa, we know what the problems are. The pessimists who sit on the sidelines are very biased. They don’t see us in the context of the world or in the context of a developing nation.

We are a beacon of hope to other developing nations. There’s so much potential to do so much.

I encourage pessimists to get off the sidelines and get into the game. Individuals can make a difference and they need to.

Come home and have a braai in the sunshine on any day of the year. Do it for others but mainly, do it for yourself.

LOOKING FOR A BETTER WAY?

[●] Photo by Facebook.com/ Homecoming Revolution

“A few of my fellow Africans at Oxford University attended the London Expo on Saturday and had extremely positive experiences.”

– Jonathan Reader “I'd like to commend you for a successful and engaging event; the ambience was lively and lovely. Right from the registration stand one could experience that 'Homecoming' welcome, the volunteers were amazing, very congenial and helpful.”

– Ayo Ojo “I enjoyed the Homecoming Revolution last Saturday - and you may well have another South African heading south soon! All good wishes.”

– Mari Cairns “I am a South African national who has been living and working in the UK since 1996 and I feel it is time to return home. I recently attended the Home Coming Revolution Expo at Olympia in London. Thank you very much for organising such a wonderful event. I found it very inspiring and informative.”

– Victor Khureya “First time attending the Homecoming Revolution expo. Thoroughly enjoyed the Expo and I now look forward to coming back home to share my skills and knowledge with my fellow Africans.”

– Nqobile Hlope

Mace is an international consultancy and construction company providing integrated services across the full property and infrastructure life cycle.

We are expanding across sub-Saharan Africa and can offer dynamic careers in the following areas: • • • • •

Programme management Project management Cost consultancy Construction management Facilities management

To find out more about how a career at Mace could work for you, please contact: Bongi Masondo, HR Business Partner bongi.masondo@macegroup.com www.macegroup.com/careers

“WELL DONE!!! Congratulations team Homecoming Revolution, you did very well and the feedback I heard from attendees and stand holders was very positive so well done! ” – Elvina Quaison ART-150219-HS-HCR_advert v2.indd 1

06/03/2015 10:30:14

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Homecoming

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Over 300 years experience in removals Moving home and starting a new job should be a relaxing and pleasant experience; choosing White and Company and Stuttafords as your International remover will put you in safe hands.

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| 17 - 24 March 2015 | thesouthafrican.com

Contact:

Advocate Thuli Madonsela Keynote Speaker Come and listen to one of Time Magazine’s Top 100 influential people for 2014. Our Public Protector, Adv. Thuli Madonsela is an incredible defender of our beloved constitution and South Africa’s voice of reason.

“The few problems we face are being tackled head on and should be seen as opportunities for your value add as returning sons and daughters of Africa, bringing global wisdom with you.”

Even if you’re not ready to return immediately, come and find out about exciting careers, property, schools and relocation services. The event also includes top speakers, inspirational case studies and practical workshops.

Entrance is complimentary, but capacity is limited.

Register now at www.homecomingrevolution.com/speed-meet-africa

An African love story | I fell in love at the age of 43. Not that responsible love which I know, or that infatuated love which I also know. But I fell in love in that real love way

by Rosalie Clark When you can see someone for who they are – flaws and virtues – and love them anyway, that's when you know that real love is irrational. My best friend, for whom life has been a rough road, whimsically said to me, “Tell me about love…” I said, “It is crazy.

It doesn’t make sense at all. But it feels so good.”

I have just spoken to my dad’s cardiologist. Dad is 86 and his time is short. He was admitted into hospital yesterday for further tests. I lived in Sydney for 15 years, and I would pray that I’d somehow be able to spend significant time with my parents before they died. I moved back to South Africa two years ago in January 2013.

I think I was tricked.

My life in Sydney was established. Although I am divorced from my Australian husband, my relationships were good. My two Australian children, aged 15 and 13, were in good private schools, and I had a supportive network of friends.

I was in my last year formation as a Minister of the Word in the Uniting Church in Australia. My vocation was planned and I loved congregational ministry. But I was increasingly pulled to Africa and globalised Africans. What is our African identity? Who are we in the world born at this time? And what can we uniquely contribute – both to Africa and the new countries we find ourselves in?

Part of our nuclear family plan was that both children – in Year 10 – would attend a South African school for a year so that they could connect with their South African heritage and family. And so it was that my son and I arrived in Pietermaritzburg for a year in 2013. My son attended St Charles College, and I connected with the Methodist Church of Southern Africa seminary.

And then the plan went pearshaped.

At Easter, my ex-husband and my 13-year-old daughter visited us from Sydney. On her return she decided that she wanted to come study in South Africa too.

The decision was not easy – but we managed to get her a place in Grade 8 at Epworth High School and she started in July 2013. The focus then turned to my son at the end of the year. Now that his sister was here until the end of 2014, should he stay in South

Africa for matric or return to his Sydney school as was the initial plan? Being a boy prone to taking commitments seriously, he decided to return to Sydney and his school friends.

And then at Easter 2014, my exhusband, my 16-year-old son, and my mother-in-law visited us from Australia. The day before they were to leave, my son announced that he wanted to reverse his decision and complete his schooling in South Africa. Again the decision was not easy – but we managed to negotiate between his Sydney school and St Charles and he returned two weeks later to Pietermaritzburg to pick up the life he left three months before.

My children are very happy, and they are thriving. The schools have engaged them in ways their private schools in Sydney did not. And assured of both parents’ support and love, both children (who only knew Australia) have chosen South Africa. And now, in matric, my son is thinking of TUKS or Stellies for varsity next year. My son says there is a freedom here that wasn’t there in

Australia.

And South Africans are fun.

They are full of character.

Belonging to a wider family is good. And it is real here. You can feel life.

Would I have rationally chosen this for my children? Probably not. South Africa is challenging!

But as I said, real love is crazy.

Yes… back to the love story.

I am in love with South Africa – but in a real way. It is not a responsible love or an infatuated love. I can see South Africa’s flaws and its virtues. It is a crazy place. It makes no sense to live here. It is completely irrational.

But it feels so good.

And just when you think that there is no special someone in this love story, I was surprised last year to fall in love with an old boyfriend I hadn’t been in contact with for 25 years. In fact, he was the boy I took to my matric dance. After living in the UK for 10 years, he also chose to return home four years ago.

There’s an African love story for you.

thesouthafrican.com | 17 - 24 March 2015 | Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/thesouthafrican

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Sightseeing, shopping and eating in Milan | A long weekend in Milan is always a delight but with blue skies, a light breeze and just the right amount of tourists, a visit to Italy in early May is just about the most perfect trip you could do

[●] Photos by Phensri Rutledge/ Pixabay

by Len Rutledge There are statues to the left, belfries to the right, gables and pinnacles wherever you look.

Few cathedrals in Europe can compete in size or flamboyance with Milan’s lacy edifice in Piazza del Duomo. Inside it's equally impressive. The interior

size is gigantic and soaring pillars divide it into five naves. Entry to the cathedral is free, but we pay to visit the roof of the cathedral where an architectural forest awaits us as we gaze over the city and surrounds.

Early May is perfect for a weekend trip to Italy: with blue

skies, a light breeze and just the right amount of tourists.

Sightseeing, shopping and eating and drinking are all on our itinerary and the city delivers as expected.

Gazing around the enormous Piazza del Duomo, my wife and I are convinced that we need go no further than this to have a great weekend. Within a few hundred metres there are: three museums to the south, the huge Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping centre to the north, exquisite restaurants and three excellent hotels in walking distance.

Milan is not a overly scenic city but it makes up for this by providing a lifestyle and visitor experience that includes everything from the delicate Lombardian culinary specialities to a great fashion scene, a surprising cultural art and opera enthusiasm, and an edgy contemporary art scene.

My wife and I love art and so the next stop is the nearby Ambrosiana Library and Picture Gallery, which was founded in the early seventeenth century, and was only the second public library in Europe. The gallery contains a remarkable collection of art including works by Botticelli, Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci.

Ambrosiana has inspired us and we walk the half kilometre to the Brera Picture Gallery.

This is one of Italy’s finest galleries with works by Lombard,

Venetian and other artists. The Brera started as a warehouse for artworks Napoleon looted from churches, monasteries, and private collections. There are masterpieces from Raphael, Signorelli, Titian, Tintoretto, Caravaggio, and Canaletto, and great works by twentieth century artists too.

Most Milan visitors have heard about Leonardo’s Last Supper and have this on their to-do list.

At most times during the year, you have to make reservations ahead of your visit and only 25 people are admitted at any one time. After many restorations in the last years, some say that all that is left of the original Last Supper are a few isolated streaks of fading colour.

The city has several interesting museums worth visiting. Several of these are situated in the Castello Sforzesco, which is an ancient fortress north of the city centre. The original construction on the site began in the fourteenth century. The castle was then developed in the following two centuries into one of the biggest citadels in Europe.

My favourite museum, however, is some distance south of here. The Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology is a vast complex where I could easily spend a whole day. It is the largest museum of science and technology in Italy.

15.000 technical-scientific

and artistic objects make up the Museum’s collections, representing the history of Italian science, technology and industry.

Perhaps the most interesting section is the Da Vinci Gallery which displays copies and models from the Renaissance genius.

If you ever doubted Leonardo’s ability, this museum will put you straight.

Via Montenapoleone, located in the fashion district, is one of Italy’s great shopping streets but we quickly realise that most prices are out of our reach. It appears that service here depends on how much the salesperson thinks you plan to spend.

We have more success in a shopping district near the Brera Museum. This is one of Milan’s most charming areas, teaming with intimate cafés and restaurants, modern art galleries, shops, antique stores and students. We loved the pedestrian-only Via Fiori Chiari and Via Madonnina, lined with bric-a-brac, clothing and leather stores.

Navigli, a district of canals once used for commerce, is a picturesque area home to artist’s studios, craft shops, jazz clubs, bookshops and restaurants. It is a good nightlife spot as well.

It’s a good idea to steer clear of the touristy restaurants around the Piazza del Duomo, the fashion district and those within sight of the Castello Sforzesco as these are designed for those who don’t

[●] Photos by Phensri Rutledge/ Pixabay

know the city and will serve food that is overpriced and of less than perfect quality. Away from these areas, almost any cafe will provide a relaxed, affordable and healthy lunch or dinner.

If you go, just remember…

At least five airlines have direct

15

flights from London to Milan with a two-hour flight time.

Expect to pay around £200 a night in a four-star hotel, £130 in a three-star property and under £100 for some good hotels in less central positions.

For further information read my e-book Experience Northern Italy.

16

| 17 - 24 March 2015 | thesouthafrican.com

Business

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Children born from unmarried parents may still have a claim for British citizenship

by Breytenbachs BIC is delighted to be able to inform clients that there is a very exciting change in the UK Immigration law coming into place on 6 April 2015.

Before 1 July 2006 a child could only obtain citizenship through his or her father if the parents were

ARE YOU

married. The law was however changed on 1 July 2006 to allow a person to acquire citizenship through his or her father, irrespective of whether the parents were married, subject to proof of paternity of course.

That change however was not made retrospectively applicable,

www.bic-immigration.com or info@bic-immigration.com

SERVICES

Rand on back foot against the Euro

BRITISH

| The Euro was at its lowest point since April 2013 last week

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Check your eligibility NOW.

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by 1st contact The Rand fell to fresh lows against the US Dollar this week bottoming out at USD/ZAR 12.48.

This came after the USD index reached its highest level in more than a decade as speculation heightens around when the Federal Reserve will next raise short-term interest rates.

Interest rate increases have been eagerly anticipated in the US market as investors keenly look for positive signals relating to US economy strength. The result has left many emerging market currencies strained, as investors find it less attractive to borrow

US Dollars to fund EM asset purchases.

Concerns regarding the ongoing Greek bailout negotiations and the launch of quantitative easing in the Eurozone may have weakened the Euro against many of its peers.

This being the case, the Rand was unable to hold its ground and ended last week on the back foot against the Euro. The Euro was at its lowest point since April 2003, closing at EUR/USD 1.06. The Euro is down 12 per cent this year against the US Dollar and many traders expect it will fall to parity with the greenback.

Looking ahead, all eyes will be on the US Fed interest rate

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

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decision as economists expect a rate hike. This would result in increased market volatility along with added pressure to emerging market currencies.

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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

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

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.

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

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| Illegitimate children of British fathers born before 2006 are now able to claim British citizenship meaning individuals born before July 2006 still did not benefit.

In essence it meant if you were born before July 2006 and your father was a British citizen, he could not pass on citizenship to you unless your parents were married.

This is being rectified now as the new provisions will create a registration route for those born before 1 July 2006 who would have become British citizens had their parents been married.

It therefore no longer matters whether or not your parents were ever married to each other, you may still have a claim for British citizenship through your father, and an especially strong claim if your father was born in the UK, or naturalised to become a British citizen.

For more information, or to apply to register as a British citizen under these circumstances, please contact your BIC consultant today.

17

thesouthafrican.com | 17 - 24 March 2015 |

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| 17 - 24 March 2015 | thesouthafrican.com

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Five insider tips for your move back to South Africa | It’s all very easy to read every flimsy article on the internet about what to do and what not to do when moving from one country to another. Here are five valuable things to think about before you move

Yes, we all know about packing sensibly and making sure you’ve got your passport in your bag but what about the more detailed stuff?

The stuff that is essential to know before the wheels of your plane hit the runway? Take a look at our five insider tips for moving back to South Africa. And take a few notes.

Where exactly?

So where are you thinking of moving to? Obviously Cape Town and Johannesburg are the two of the most popular places to settle.

However, it’s worth noting that although Johannesburg is a thriving business centre that offers more accommodation space for your money, Cape Town is a better choice if vineyards, breath-taking mountain views and beaches are more your thing.

Property If you’re looking for property to buy or rent, it is advisable that you hire a real estate agent to handle your situation. Not only will they help you find desirable accommodation, but they will also help you settle into your new home once contracts have been exchanged by providing extra services such as establishing your water and electricity connections. It’s a useful support to have if you’re new to the area. And according to experts at The Economist, South Africa has one of the top performing housing markets in the world.

Costs and bills If you're leaving for sunnier climates in South Africa, it's worth noting that South Africa can still get a bit chilly during July and August, and thunderstorms are quite frequent from November through to March. Plus if you're looking to save on energy bills by moving to a warmer climate, do be aware that some countries charge more

than others for electricity and gas supply anyway. Find out about your specific destination and perhaps contact someone there to work out the monthly costs.

Health insurance One of the most important things to have before you move to South Africa is health insurance. South Africa boasts one of the most impressive standards of healthcare on the continent but most healthcare professionals request immediate payment. We recommend choosing a health insurance that specialises in providing cover for those who have newly arrived in the country.

Johannesburg is known throughout South Africa as being one of the best cities for public and privately run hospitals.

Visa rules There have been some recent changes to immigration policy in South Africa. Among these changes are that in some cases the word ‘visa’ replaces the word ‘permit’, meaning if you have a visitor’s permit or a work permit, they will now be known as a visitor’s visa or work visa. This is to draw a clear distinction between long-stay permanent residence permits and short-stay visas. To obtain any kind of visa, you will need to have a radiological report, police clearance, the cash equivalent of your airfare home and a routine medical.

These tips are just the tip of the iceberg (all puns intended). Do make sure you leave no stone unturned before you embark on your life-changing journey to the Rainbow Nation.

Oh and good luck. It’s going to be amazing.

This article was brought to you by Seven Seas Shipping www.sevenseasworldwide.com Shipping specialists to South Africa

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Touch rugby heats up with Clapham Common Sunday Winter Touch | Clapham Common Sunday Winter Touch is halfway through and it’s heating up. Get involved with In2Touch, either as a spectator or as part of a league...

By in2touch

By Michael Spicer

19

thesouthafrican.com | 17 - 24 March 2015 |

What are you up to on Sundays?

Come down to Clapham between 12pm and 3pm to watch some sizzling hot touch in action on a fine Spring day.

With England and Scotland touch international representatives playing for many of the teams, top class touch and phenomenal skills are always on display. But social touch is also the order of the day in a friendly supportive environment and a trip to our local pub after the games.

Last week down at Clapham in the 2015 winter league traditional rivals Chillis and Hot Custard were locking horns in an extremely tight contest with Custards edging a five - two revenge win after losing earlier in the season. Both teams have a mens and a mixed team and are arguably the top sides in the Sunday League.

Most touch teams love to play in touch tournaments all over the country during the Spring and Summer periods as well as the awesome European/International tournaments. There are even tournaments in Orlando, Florida that fill up quickly with the amounts of teams wanting to play.

These tournaments are a great way

to bond with your team and see all the sights at the same time!

There are plenty of upcoming leagues to get involved in such as the Late Winter Active Touch Season, which is an indoor sport and is a mix between Touch, Netball, Ultimate Frisbee and Football. You can also get involved in our short four week league in Clapham Common, the April Shootout League. There are also our O2Touch Spring and Summer leagues taking place at seven different venues across London on Mondays – Thursdays from 19:00 – 21:00 at venues such as Clapham Common, Clapham/Wandsworth Common, Putney/Wandsworth, Regents Park, Hyde Park, Surrey Quays and Richmond.

If you would like to know more about our current or upcoming touch leagues and any other details like costs, etc. in London then you can either email us at tracy@in2touch.com or have a look for more information including venues, costs, game times, etc. at www.in2touch.com/uk

Sport page 18

Five insider tips for your move back to South Africa

page 19

Touch rugby heats up with Clapham Common Sunday Winter Touch

17 – 24 March 2015

Sharks back to winning ways

[●] Raymond Rhule of the Cheetahs and Cobus Reinach of the Sharks in action during the Super Rugby match between the Cheetahs and the Sharks at Free State Stadium on March 14, 2015 in Bloemfontein.

P Photo by Johan Pretorius/ Gallo Images/ Stringer

By saru

The Cell C Sharks scored an impressive bonus-point victory in Bloemfontein as the three other South African Vodacom Super Rugby sides in action in round five faltered.

The Emirates Lions could not emulate their win from last weekend as they came up against a Crusaders side hitting their straps in Christchurch on Saturday morning, with the Cantabrians running out comfortable winners (34-6).

On a sunny Cape Town afternoon, the DHL Stormers’ impressive four-match winning run came to a sudden end as they were beaten 28-19 by the Chiefs, who outscored their hosts by three tries to one. The home team dropped from first to third on the

standings.

But in the final match of the weekend, the Cell C Sharks ended a mini-slump with a good 27-10 victory over the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, which saw the team from Durban move into the top six on the log.

It was the Durbanites’ first try-scoring bonus-point away from home in a local derby in almost three years.

The Vodacom Bulls had a bye while there were yet again more away victories (four) than home wins (three).

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