Indwe October 2014 by TJT Media Online

B LO E M F O N T E I N LUBUMBASHI

CA P E TOW N DURBAN E A S T LO N D O N GABORONE LUSAKA WINDHOEK NELSPRUIT P O RT E L I Z A B E T H

GEORGE HOEDSPRUIT JOHANNESBURG KIMBERLEY PIETERMARITZBURG RICHARDSBAY W A LV I S B A Y HARARE

Indwe October 2014

Wooden Wonders

SA's Unique Trees YOUR FREE COPY

gautrain

mandela Rhodes DPS advert

contents

Features 26

Building a Greener Future Eco-Friendly Architecture

Under the Sea Lewis Pugh Swims Again for Global Awareness

Turn Your Trash into Treasure The Art of Upcycling

An Expression of Excellence The Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old

101

Make a World of Difference Simple Steps for a Greener You

Winemaking’s Back-to-Basics Pioneers On the Quest for Healthier Wine

129

Wooden Wonders Appreciating South Africa’s Unique and Wonderful Trees

Kayaking for Conservation The TriWaters Tour

Instagreat Getting Happy Snappy with Gareth Pon

October 2014

Cover Image:

On the Cover One of the great things about travelling in South Africa is that no matter where you go, you’re bound to come across unique or intriguing flora; and it’s often our trees which make the landscapes we come across so strikingly beautiful.

Airline Content 12

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CEO Letter

Making SAX a Greener Airline

Meet the Crew

SA Express Fleet

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We Fly For You: Our Visions & Values

Safety and Route Map

Flight Schedule

Passenger Letters

contents

Regulars

The Best of the Bay The Lookout Villa

Your Private Sanctuary Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa

To the Moon and Back Namibia’s Skeleton Coast

Events North, South, and In Between

Bits & Pieces Travel Tips & Gorgeous Goodies

There’s No Place Like Sugar Bay A KZN Kid’s Paradise

138

Travel Safely Managing Health Risks While Travelling

Business

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125

Travel

Motoring

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120

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Bites Restaurants & Taste Experiences

Gadgets Must Haves for Technophiles

Books New releases and Must Reads

The Province of the Rising Sun Mpumalanga

Taking Durban to the World A Coastal Gem

An Unconventional Convention Destination East London

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Happy Spending Buy Experiences, Not Products

Make the Neighbours Green With Envy Eco-friendly Kitchen Renovations

The Best of Both Worlds Going Hybrid

Sporty Spice Mercedes-Benz SL 400 AMG-Line

Adding Cherries on the Top Lexus IS 350

ceo TRANSPORT as a sector impacts all aspects of our daily lives, be it air, road, rail or maritime. The connectivity and important role that transport plays in the personal, commercial and global trade space is at the heart of why South Africa observes Transport Month annually in October. As a strategic sector, transport has a positive impact on economic productivity and in “opening South Africa up” for business. The sector also attracts foreign trade, as the efficiency of key entry points and transport infrastructure are central in enhancing the appeal and ease of doing business globally. Without a doubt, South Africa is a major hub for air travel in the Southern African region, OR Tambo International Airport being the busiest airport in Africa in terms of passenger traffic. With more than 40 airlines operating at OR International Airport, it truly is the gateway of the African continent, connecting people and businesses domestically, regionally and internationally. As part of the airlift strategy, the strategic role of SA Express is to improve intra-African connectivity and expansion as guided by the vision of being a sustainable, world class regional airline with an extensive footprint in Africa. Last year, we strengthened our network by adding routes that connect: Johannesburg and Pietermaritzburg; Johannesburg and Nelspruit; as well as Cape Town and George. This is part of our strategy of connecting small cities with bigger metropolises to play an enabling role in economic growth by promoting business and tourism travel between these destinations. Furthermore, Africa remains our growth market, and we will continue to work closely with SAA as a regional feeder to serve the growing markets across the African continent. Though air travel is still the least popular mode of transport in South Africa, we are optimistic about attracting more people to travel by plane, as there are a number of airports throughout the country. The most common way of commuting in South Africa is still by road due to the high costs associated with flying. But it is worth highlighting the fact that the multiple benefits of flying far exceed those of travelling by any other mode. Not only will air travel get you to

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SA EXPRESS Divisional Manager Communications and PR Keitumetse Masike Tel: +27 11 978 2540 Email: kmasike@flyexpress.aero Customer Care Department Tel: 0861 729 227 Email: customercare@flyexpress.aero Twitter: @flySAexpress Facebook: SA Express Airways Reservations Support Tel: +27 11 978 9905 Email: groupsales@flyexpress.aero Group Reservations Tel: +27 11 978 5578 Email: reservationslist@flyexpress.aero Sales Office Email: sales@flyexpress.aero INDWE

your chosen destination quicker, it is also the safest mode of travel available. Furthermore, the extensive network of airports in South Africa ensures that diversions of flights and emergency landings are manageable. As a player in the transport sector and a state owned entity, SA Express plays a role in fulfilling Government’s developmental objectives, as well as facilitating socioeconomic development in our country. Our focus is mainly on skills development for previously disadvantaged people, so that they can be trained as pilots, technicians and apprentices. We will continue our work of exposing the aviation industry to all South Africans, as well as attracting young people to choose careers in the aviation industry. We also cannot ignore the environmental impacts of transport. Air quality, congestion, and noise are some of the negative effects of transportation. The airline industry is constantly working on cutting its climate change impact, emissions and noise. Our fleet includes Dash 8 Q400s, which are turbo prop aircraft. The turbo prop aircraft have many advantages, such as reduced carbon emissions (more friendly to our environment), reduced noise with Q Technology (Q stands for Quiet), outstanding passenger comfort and comparable flight speeds to jet aircraft (for improved cruise performance). In support of environmental sustainability, we hope that all South Africans will heed our “going green” call in this edition of Indwe. Regards, Inati

Images © iStockphoto.com, 123RF & Quickpic General Manager and Associate Publisher Letlhogonolo Sealetsa | nolo@tjtmedia.co.za Publisher Bernard Hellberg | bernard@tjtmedia.co.za Marketing and Communications Manager Pam Komani | pam@tjtmedia.co.za Editor Nicky Furniss | nicky@tcbmedia.co.za Senior Designer Lindsey Steenkamp | design@tcbmedia.co.za DIRECTORS Bernard Hellberg l bernard@tjtmedia.co.za Obed Sealetsa | nolo@tjtmedia.co.za Pam Komani | pam@tjtmedia.co.za ADVERTISING SALES Tel: +27 12 425 5800 National Sales Manager Bryan Kayavhu | bryan@tcbmedia.co.za +27 83 785 6691 Manager: National Sales & Business Development Chantal Barton | chantal@tcbmedia.co.za +27 83 459 3086 Senior Account Managers Nikki de Lange | nikki@tcbmedia.co.za +27 83 415 0339 Calvin van Vuuren | calvin@tcbmedia.co.za +27 82 5826873 Gertjie Meintjes | gertjie@tcbmedia.co.za +27 82 757 2622 André Scharneck | andre@tcbmedia.co.za +27 72 739 8855 Noel Sands | noel@tcbmedia.co.za +27 74 428 7604 DISCLAIMER: All material is strictly copyrighted. All rights are reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without prior permission from the publisher. Opinions expressed in Indwe Magazine are not necessarily those of SA Express.

Events North

Let Your Hair Down Doing Hair: Art and Hair in Africa, Wits Art Museum, Johannesburg Until 2nd November

This exhibition celebrates the creativity, individuality, and innovation in hairstyling and art, in South Africa and other parts of the African continent. It also explores the political, social, cultural, and economic implications of hair and hairdressing, and looks at how hair communicates information about age, religious affiliation, social status, political ideologies, and aspirations. Extraordinary objects that are used to protect, style and adorn hair, historical and contemporary artworks, barbershop posters, films and installations from the Wits Art Museum and other public and private collections have also been included. The exhibition is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue and an educational resource. Entrance is free. www.wits.ac.za/wam

Celebrate the Finer Things in Life 15th October

Stellenbosch at Summer Place, Hyde Park, Johannesburg Stellenbosch at Summer Place promises a magnificent taste trip down memory lane when it toasts the then and now of South Africa’s pioneering wine route through fine food, wine, music and art. Bringing the wonders of the Winelands to Hyde Park for one night only, is a stellar line-up of prominent winemakers and the most promising newcomers who will share their latest and yesteryear vintages with a glitzy crowd. More than 70 top quality wines will be paired to perfection, as five of the finest Stellenbosch chefs will create unique gourmet sensations to match the varietals. In tune with the back to the future vibe, the super talented Amazink All Stars will lend a soulful atmosphere with live music from the past and present to the evening. An evolution of the maestros will also be depicted through rare pieces from the Sanlam Art Collection, one of South Africa’s finest and most extensive corporate art collections. For tickets and more information contact +27 21 886 8275, or email events@wineroute.co.za. www.wineroute.co.za October

It's All the Rage rAge Expo, The Dome, Johannesburg Kids, teens, adults and everyone in-between will find their favourite games, gadgets, figurines, statues, comics and other unique collectibles at the rAge Expo this year. This is thanks to exhibitors like Game-Over, Hobby Island and Prima Interactive (the guys who’ll be showcasing the Disney Infinity 2.0 Marvel Super Heroes game), as well as Cosmic Comics, who will have the Kotobukiya Artfx+ Avengers figurines for sale, including Thor, Hawkeye, Hulk, Black Widow and Captain America. For lovers of magic cards and board games, Wizards Warehouse will be the ultimate destination, while gamers and technology addicts will find nirvana at stands like Syntech and Matrix Warehouse, where essential PC and gaming components will be on offer. www.rageexpo.co.za

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10th - 12th

Events South Pretty in Pink October

Pink Tea, Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa, Cape Town The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa will be serving a special Pink Tea in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, at a cost of R175 per person. An amount of R10 per person will be donated to CANSA (Cancer Association of South Africa) for every Pink Tea sold. The CANSA Pink Tea promotion will also be offered at The Oyster Box in Durban for R195 per person. Guests can look forward to a delectable array of delicious pink treats, including red wine pâte de fruits, forest berry cheesecake, ruby grapefruit cupcakes, strawberry mousse, and cream puffs topped with pink chocolate. These will be served with the finest selection of fragrant teas and coffees. There will also be a selection of delicate finger sandwiches available. The Twelve Apostles Hotel Pink Tea will be served daily between 10h00 and 16h00, throughout October. Contact restaurant reservations on +27 21 437 9029 or email restaurants@12apostles.co.za to book.

Strings Attached 1st & 2nd November

Cape Town International Kite Festival, Zandvlei Nature Reserve, Muizenberg Lift your spirits Beyond the Blue at Africa’s biggest kite festival, the 20th Cape Town International Kite Festival, proudly hosted by Cape Mental Health. This popular annual event attracts talented kiters from around the world, as well as thousands of festival-goers who come to see its amazing kite creations. With on-stage entertainment, kiting displays and competitions, as well as kite-making workshops, yummy food stalls and an eclectic market, it is healthy family fun in support of a very good cause. Cape Mental Health is a non-profit organisation which provides innovative and effective mental health services to people in poorly resourced communities in the Western Cape. www.capementalhealth.co.za

Nov

Ready, Set, Go! Cape Town Amazing Race, Kronendal Primary School, Cape Town The Cape Town Amazing Race is back this summer, and is set to raise funds to make a big difference in the lives of underprivileged children. Nonprofit organisation, Bright Start, is looking for fun-loving and passionate people to take part in the event, which will see teams of four racing by car between some of the best sites that the Mother City has to offer. Teams will be given clues to lead them to the pit stops, but in a twist on the reality TV show version of the contest, teams are also required to raise funds en route. The winning team must reach each pit stop, solve all the clues and, of course, have fun while doing it. Entry costs R1,000 per team of four and all proceeds will go to Bright Start’s Bus Campaign to raise R320,000 for a bigger bus to transport its expanding number of children to and from school and extra-murals each day. Contact +27 21 790 0458 or email info@brightstart.org.za for more information. www.brightstart.org.za

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Events In Between Adventures of the Silver Screen From 23rd October

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour, Select SterKinekor Theatres The South African leg of the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour 2014 will screen countrywide from 23rd October at selected Ster-Kinekor theatres. Hosted by Cape Union Mart, the festival brings the best of adventure and outdoor lifestyle documentaries to local shores.Travelling from remote landscapes and cultures, to up close and personal encounters with adrenaline-packed action sports, the 2014 World Tour is an exhilarating and provocative exploration of the outdoors as captured by some of the world’s finest outdoor filmmakers. Local filmgoers can look forward to highlights from a selection of adventure interests, including mountain biking, rock climbing, trail running, bouldering, snow skiing, stand-up paddling and base jumping. Ticket prices are the same as standard Ster-Kinekor tickets and can be booked online at www.sterkinekor.com. www.homemakersonline.co.za

Trick or Treat at the Beach 25th & 26th October

10th Birthday Halloween Celebration, uShaka Marine World, Durban Give your favourite little horrors a Halloween experience like no other when uShaka Marine World pulls out all the stops to make this Halloween a thrilling family experience in honour of the park’s tenth birthday. Families are invited to come trick or treating, and will be led by colourful Halloween characters through a spider and bat infested maze, to the Wreck Aquarium in the Phantom Ship, where the uShaka Sea World dolphins will put on a special show. This year, the dolphins and their seal friends will have to save Princess Phumzile’s Halloween Party when the evil troll Flogbottom casts a spell on her. There will also be a freaky fancy dress-up competition with fabulous prizes up for grabs for those with the best dressed and most scary outfits.Tickets are available from Computicket. www.ushakamarineworld.co.za

Pedal Power Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic, Pietermaritzburg to Durban

October

12th

Cycling enthusiasts from all around the country will be heading to sunny KZN for the annual “must cycle” Tsogo Sun Amashova Durban Classic 2014 from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.The main 106 km cycle challenge starts from the Pietermaritzburg City Hall at 06h30. Those cyclists who are not up for the main challenge, can take part in the 65 km route starting at 05h30 from Cato Ridge, or from Hillcrest for the family-friendly 35 km route.The finish for all the cycling events will be at the Suncoast Casino Towers. The Amashova is supported by full road closures, making it a safe event to ride for teams or individual cyclists while taking in the sights and embracing the warm support from the KZN crowds along the route. www.shova.co.za

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Bits & Pieces Must Have!

Eco Bedding Linen Drawer’s new Pure Linen range is produced from flax, which makes it a greener alternative to normal cotton or polyester linen, while still retaining a luxurious and soft feel. Flax is a natural product that is significantly stronger and longer lasting than cotton or cotton/polyester blends, while the plant itself requires far less irrigation than cotton does and its cultivation requires no toxic chemicals. Linen Drawer’s Pure Linen range comes in the following finishes: Classique white, Baroque Oxford white and Luxury Satin white, and is available online from www.linendrawer.co.za. All online purchases come with free delivery to anywhere in South Africa.

Trees for Life

Mountain Magic Gooderson Leisure has set out to become one of South Africa’s hotel groups of choice. The group’s portfolio is all about variety, and takes guests from the coast and majestic mountains, to the bush and historic battlefields. Gooderson Drakensberg Gardens Golf & Spa Resort boasts spectacular scenery and crisp mountain air, and is located within an 860 acre World Heritage Site, making it a perfect family holiday destination. It is also ideal for weddings, conferences, and golfing events. Activities such as hiking, horse riding, canoeing, and trout fishing are on offer, and guests can also enjoy a round on the Southern Drakensberg’s only 18-hole golf course. Due to the growing popularity of mountain biking, Drakensberg Gardens has also developed and custom built a 12 km mountain bike trail at the resort. Additional new attractions include a heated pool, a wedding gazebo, and new conference facilities.

www.goodersonleisure.co.za

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The Browns Plum Tree Project is a project aimed at providing fruit bearing trees in low-income communities. Every time a client purchases an engagement ring from Browns, Browns will purchase and plant a tree on their behalf. Through this project Browns has already sequestrated a total of 812 tons of carbon dioxide and created 55 hectares of urban forest thus far. “We are particularly fond of this project because it assists lower income families, and at the same time improves our environment. This great initiative gives couples the opportunity to give back to the community while celebrating their momentous occasion. The commitment sprouting from their love for each other transcends and touches the lives of communities in the form of food, shelter and clean air,” says Larry Brown, CEO of Browns The Diamond Store. www.brownsjewellers.com

Bits & Pieces

Knife to Meet You! Zwilling has created a classic of the future with their new Zwilling Pro knife series. The series was created in conjunction with Italian designer and architect Matteo Thun, and features a number of innovations. Thanks to their more pronounced curvature at the tip of the blade, for example, the cooking knives are ideal for rocking chopping, while the paring knives have been given a more multifunctional form. The result is safer, faster cutting for professional and hobby chefs alike. Zwilling’s specially forged Sigamorge blades are also ice-hardened for extra strength and flexibility. State-of- the-art grinding technology is employed to produce a wedge-shaped blade, offering optimum geometry and stability. The final step involves the hand finishing of the two-stage V-Edge, for sharpness that lasts. The Zwilling Pro series comprises a total of 23 different knife types, from cooking knives to Santoku knives. The range is available from Kitchen Passion stores nationwide.

www.kitchenpassion.co.za

Here's to Spring Spring is all about vitality, rebirth and reawakening to life’s little pleasures, such as toasting the season with Pongrácz Rosé, the luxurious Cap Classique with its captivating blush. Enchantingly dry, with a wonderful foamy mouthful of black berry fruit and delicate yeasty notes, this signature Rosé is the perfect taste partner for freshly made macaroons; a chic, mini indulgence for a lavish spring tea. Pongrácz Rosé is crafted in the time honoured French tradition whereby the delicate bubbles are created in every bottle during a process of secondary fermentation, referred to as Méthode Cap Classique in South Africa. Whether you enjoy a flute at a luxurious night spot or at an after work get together, Pongrácz Rosé is a stylish companion, especially on luminous spring days. www.pongracz.co.za

It's Electric! Botswana’s Chobe Game Lodge has welcomed a new addition to their game viewing fleet of 4x4s: Freedom3, the reserve’s first converted electric game viewing vehicle. Created by Freedom Won, this specially converted Electric Land Rover (originally a Defender 130” Pickup) boasts an 80 kW permanent magnet motor which delivers 600 Nm of torque. Freedom3 is capable of creeping along sandy rutted tracks and climbing rocky ascents, and boasts speeds of up to 120 km/h on open roads. Chobe Game Lodge intends to use Freedom3 for two or three game drives per day, as well as the daily commute to take guests to and from Kasane International Airport. In Freedom3’s off time she will be receiving a charge in the lodge’s dedicated Electric Vehicle (EV) charging bay, which will take two to three hours. The electricity used for this originates from the Victoria Falls Hydroelectric Power Scheme and is thus environmentally friendly. Thanks to Freedom3, the lodge will achieve substantial savings in diesel consumption, while guests can look forward to clean and quiet game viewing drives.

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bites Crazy About Coconuts Summer’s hottest new refreshment will soon be launched in South Africa, bringing with it a variety of benefits for even the most discerning of health fundis. CocoZone – 100% pure coconut water – is sourced from the tropical islands of the Philippines, is harvested from young, green coconuts, and is bottled on site to ensure a natural and consistent quality and taste. CocoZone contains no added preservatives, sugar or artificial sweeteners, and is gluten- and lactose-free. A single serving of CocoZone not only contains more potassium than two bananas (ensuring optimal muscle function, heart rhythm, and lower blood pressure), it also contains anti-aging properties and Vitamin C. In addition, it has been proven to be a more effective hydrant than water, making CocoZone a fabulously healthy, low-calorie alternative to sugary drinks and rehydrates. And it even doubles as an effective hangover cure! www.cocozone.com

Progressive Pesto Packaging South Africa’s favourite homegrown spread, Pesto Princess, has recently unveiled their new, more environmentally friendly packaging, which includes replacing their iconic swing tag labels with a label printed directly onto the jar. This has allowed the company to cut down on non-essential packaging as part of a larger project called #BeingGreen, to ensure that Pesto Princess treads lightly on the earth. Pesto Princess products are available at selected Pick n Pay, Checkers, Food Lover’s Market, Spar, and Melissa’s The Food Shop stores nationwide.

A Nostalgic Treat Remember how much you used to love eating Sweetie Pies? Remember peeling back the foil to reveal the perfect, smooth dome of milk chocolate, biting through that delicious shell and licking out the whipped crème centre before starting on the choc-smothered wafer base? Fond recollections... which were all Sweetie Pie lovers had left after the treat was discontinued a year ago. But now you no longer have to make do with memories, because Beyers Chocolates is bringing back the original Sweetie Pie you know and love. The only difference is a new red foil wrapper, making it even easier to spot on the shelf. To celebrate the return of this South African classic, Beyers Chocolates is giving consumers the chance to win an entire year’s supply of Sweetie Pies. Simply visit www.facebook.com/SweetiePieOfficial and post a selfie of your enjoying the new Beyers Sweetie Pie. The most creative image wins. The competition runs until 31st October 2014.

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Building a Greener Fut ure

Eco-Friendly Architecture Text: Keith Bain Images ÂŠ Rob Duker & Deborah Rossouw

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Material Gains

reen architecture revolves around a philosophy of using sustainable energy sources and conserving energy, recycling building materials, and respecting the environment by considering the impact a building will have on the world around it. In many respects, it’s nothing new. But as the stakes for human survival increase, so too, does the multiplicity of solutions being put into action.

GREEN may be a mere buzzword for many of us, but architects and eco-crusaders are taking their role in changing the future very seriously. Many realise that our future depends on a radical rethink and tangible efforts to conceptualise our built environment according to different criteria. Most reliable sources say that buildings now account for just under 40 % of carbon emissions. Earlier this year South Africa saw its 50th Green Star certification by our own fledgling Green Building Council (www.gbcsa.org.za). This certification hints at growing respect for the need to build sustainably. The good news is that going green needn’t cost the earth and many of the solutions aren’t based on high-end, futuristic engineering, nor state-of-the-art materials. Some require a simple reconsideration of our most basic resources, reusing what we have, or even putting our faith in fast-growing crops that transform into excellent building materials.

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Imitating Nature Zimbabwean architect, Mick Pearce (www.mickpearce.com), is globally recognised for his prodigious use of biomimicry, which imitates nature to achieve more effective and sustainable architectural solutions. Pearce’s design of Harare’s Eastgate Centre – Zimbabwe’s biggest office and shopping complex – is a largescale example of using technology inspired by the self-cooling mounds of African termites. Opened in 1996, it replicates the termites’ ventilation system, creating energy-efficient cooling for the building without any conventional airconditioning. Instead, it uses passive cooling, storing heat in the day and venting it at night as temperatures drop. The ventilation system costs one-tenth of what conventional air conditioning for a building of its size might cost, and the building consumes 35 % less energy.

Cement is said to account for 6 to 8 % of global carbon dioxide emissions. Production of steel for reinforced concrete also has a major environmental impact. This suggests that cement should be used more sparingly, and that alternatives require urgent consideration. Capetonian eco-campaigner, Tony Budden, has long advocated for the use of hemp (www.hemporium.com) as an alternative building material. To demonstrate its potential, Budden built his own Hemp House in Noordhoek. Completed in 2011, Budden’s is the first African house built using industrial hemp, which is now being used fairly widely in parts of Europe where hemp is cultivated for industrial use. Not only does hemp have a speedy growth cycle, but it thrives on little water, and is ecofriendly. It’s also considered a “mop-crop”, meaning that it is able to purify and rejuvenate contaminated soil that has been depleted by other crops. Growing hemp generates very little waste, and what there is, is entirely biodegradable. The house was fashioned from a range of industrial hemp materials, including hempcrete, hemp plaster, hemp insulation, and hemp chipboard. A green alternative to concrete, hempcrete is a combination of hemp stalk chips, a lime-based binder, and water. It’s lightweight, yet strong, and possesses incredible thermal and insulation properties. When lime is added, the carbon in the hemp combines with the calcium in the lime, forming very hard calcium carbonate, similar to sea shells and coral. What’s more, hempcrete stores carbon, rather than emitting it into the atmosphere. Each ton of hempcrete traps the equivalent of 330 kg of carbon dioxide, acting as a “carbon sink”. It’s believed that building with hemp can save in the region of 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per house. Beyond its hemp construction, Budden’s house has a green roof, energy-saving LED lights, a solar geyser, proper insulation, and interior climate-control by means of thermostat-driven motors that automatically open and close windows. Budden reports that his winters have been warm and his utility bills extremely low. What he wants, though, is for the building model to be widely replicated. Industrial hemp-growing trials are currently underway in South Africa.

Passive Resistance In so-called “passive houses”, heat and energy loss is reduced by trapping solar heat along with the energy created by occupants and household devices. The trick, really, is to keep that heat inside and

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put it to use. Buildings functioning in this manner follow diurnal temperature changes so that the internal temperature remains constant. Typically, this is achieved by double-glazing (or even fourglazing) windows, ensuring that the building is extremely air tight with excellent insulation of walls, roofs, and windows. To ensure maximum insulation of No. 1 Silo at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town (www.vdmma.com), the entire glass façade is double-glazed for interior temperature regulation and to retard heat loss. This is but one of many measures taken to help make Allan Gray’s headquarters the country’s largest six-star green-rated building. The glass façade serves an energy-saving function by relying as much as possible on inbound natural light rather than artificial lighting. To optimise this, the sun’s path is tracked by automatic blinds. Many of its best design innovations, though, are based on practical reconsideration of available resources, such as using easily available cold seawater from the adjacent Atlantic to cool the building. Meanwhile, heat generated by the IT server room provides under-floor heating in the lobby. Traditionally a common source of so-called “sick building syndrome” elsewhere, conventional air conditioning at Silo No. 1 has been replaced by a system of displacement ventilation that circulates fresh air drawn directly from outside. Water management is another key issue, so there’s a grey water system that recycles used shower and wash basin water into the flush toilets.

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Don’t think it’s only big business that can afford to go green, though. In fact, budgetrestricted facilities and publically owned buildings must necessarily incorporate sustainable practices that not only reduce running costs, but will ensure long-term feasibility. Port Elizabeth’s Helenvale Multi-Purpose Community Centre, for example, incorporates both passive and active measures to ramp up sustainability, reduce carbon emissions, and conserve energy wherever possible. Measures include automatic management of lighting to reduce electricity wastage, rainwater harvesting, and “super-insulation” of walls and roofs.

Out of the Box For a school in Alexandra, Johannesburg, Architects of Justice (www.architectsofjustice.com) have designed a fantastical semi-permanent library, known as Seed (Supplementary Extended Education Device). It expands on the idea of repurposing disused shipping containers by stacking two of them perpendicularly to form a two-storey, cross-shaped structure. Books are kept in the ground-level space, with reading rooms upstairs. To enhance the structure, it was retrofitted with proper insulation, and mechanisms for cross-ventilation and passive cooling were added. This modular construction model means that it can be moved easily, while the ready availability of discarded containers makes it replicable, meaning libraries can be set up in multiple locations.

Sustainable Stays: Africa’s Greenest Hotel Adjacent to Cape Town International Airport, Hotel Verde (www.hotelverde.co.za) was designed to incorporate alternative strategies for reducing waste, and conserving energy and water. The list of solutions is inspirational. Water recycling: A grey water plant biologically filters and UV-sterilises used bath and shower water, that’s recycled for flushing toilets and washing cars. Rainwater harvesting: Rain water is collected in a 40,000 litre basement tank. Subsoil drainage water is also collected and used for outdoor watering and cleaning. Concrete reduction: Some 1,279 tons of concrete were spared during construction by inserting 100 % recycled polypropylene balls into concrete slabs. These balls displace concrete without compromising structural integrity and dramatically reduce the amount of concrete required, consequently reducing carbon dioxide

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emissions by over 100 tons. Geothermal air conditioning: The hotel uses a geothermal field, with piping that reaches 65 metres below the surface of the earth to warm the building in winter and alleviate excess heat in summer. Wind and solar energy: Three on-site wind turbines contribute renewable energy, while photovoltaic panels on the hotel’s northern façade and roof contribute solar power to offset grid power reliance. Ecological swimming pool: The hotel Eco Pool works as a living eco-system, utilising plants and organisms to keep the water clean and eliminate algae growth. Plant wall: A “living wall,” watered by drip irrigation, thrives inside the hotel, contributing to cleaner, better oxygenated air. Energy-recycling elevators: The hotel’s three regenerative drive elevators have motors that can act as generators and actually produce power. They recapture almost one-third of the energy used to operate them, which is distributed back to the building.

First Page: Conceived by The Matrix Urban Designers and Architects, the Helenvale Multipurpose Community Centre in PE incorporates sustainable elements such as rainwater harvesting, heat pumps, automatic light management, and super-insulation of roofs and walls. Third Page: Bright primaries are used to bolster the aesthetics of handsomely converted shipping containers, repurposed to create the Seed Library. Fourth Page: Spacious, airy design complements the greening initiates behind the design of Cape Town’s Silo No. 1 building. Previous Page Left: Eco-crusader, Tony Budden, stands in front of Hemp House, his Noordhoek home crafted from one of the greenest crops known to Humankind. Previous Page Right: Mick Pearce studied Zimbabwe’s termite mounds to develop an all-natural cooling and ventilation system for Harare’s largest shopping and business block. This Page: Living plant walls are just one of many greening concepts that have defined Hotel Verde as Africa’s most eco-friendly hotel.

The Province of

the Rising Sun

Mpumalanga

Text: Adam Cruise Images ÂŠ iStockphoto.com, Nicky Furniss & 123RF

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f a traveller drives from the west across the province of Mpumalanga, moving directly towards the morning sun, he or she will notice an endless landscape that sweeps over high altitude plains where Whydahs and Longtailed shrikes dance like string-puppets among the flaxen grass in the misty morning sunlight.

HERE AND THERE, far apart from one another, are small towns divided between farmland – which makes up a large part of the Golden Triangle, the country’s bread-basket region – and mining, which serves almost all of the nation’s energy requirements thanks to the rich coal belt that lies beneath the ground. This high country is so endless that the traveller might be forgiven, as the journey continues further east, for failing to notice a slight rise in altitude roughly halfway into the province. Here, around the town of Belfast, the altitude reaches a cool 2,5 km above sea level. This is where topperforming athletes train beneath gigantic purple summer thunderheads that

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rumble across an immeasurable sky, creating an aspect that matches the rolling lands below. Mpumalanga’s southern highlands around the town of Wakkerstroom are home to over 300 grassland bird species, the rarest being Rudd’s and Botha’s larks, the Yellow-breasted pipit and the majestic Wattled crane. And then, without warning, the undulating landscape changes dramatically and the traveller plunges down into Afromontane forests. These conceal gurgling brooks and cascading waterfalls that are home to fantastic African water monster myths. The silence in the sleepy towns of Dullstroom, Lydenburg and Ohrigstad, the one-time capital of a short-lived Trekker republic

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s e e f l i g h t s c h e d u l e f o r m o r e i n f o r m at i o n . Sa express connects you to Nelspruit

in the 18th century, is interrupted only by the whizz of fly-fishermen’s tackle over placid pools, and the gentle crunch of a hiker’s boot in search of solitude. The rocks here are ancient. At two billion years old, they are some of, if not the world’s oldest, from a time when Africa was still part of Gondwana. The Sudwala Caves are an excellent example of this prehistoric age. Remains of dinosaurs and our earliest ancestors who used the caves for shelter and for a fresh source of underground water are regularly discovered beneath the crystalline veneer of the cave’s floors and walls. More recently, the caves were the refuge for Swazi dissidents escaping the wrath of their king, as well as a secret arms cache for Boer fighters during the Anglo Boer War of 1899 – 1902. Alluvial gold was discovered in these parts in the 1870s, which sparked a veritable gold rush of rag-tag fortune seekers and rabble-rousers from all corners of the planet. Most of the gold quickly ran out, but the quaint mining towns of Barberton, Mac-Mac and Pilgrim’s Rest remain as a standing reminder to that wild and decadent bygone era. In Pilgrim’s Rest there is a graveyard where all the headstones, except one, face east. This lone headstone, which faces perpendicular to the rest, is engraved simply with a cross and the title “Robber’s Grave”. It is said that the deceased committed the heinous crime of stealing another man’s tent, in those days a crime punishable by death. Evidently, this punishment was not considered harsh enough, so the unfortunate soul got the added humiliation of having his grave orientated so that he would never again face the rising sun. The province’s ancient mountains and canyons conceal a Pandora’s Box of secrets. Some have been long discovered, like God’s Window that overlooks the Blyde River Canyon and the giant scoured-out rock pot-holes of Bourke’s Luck. Others are the stuff of legend, particularly the recent discovery of the introverted black leopard, an amber-eyed feline that prowls

the deep-forested gorges and remote peaks of the province. These cats have been spotted periodically, but the experts of the aptly named Black Leopard Lodge near Lydenburg are the most suited to afford the opportunity to see this elusive and rare cat. It’s not all about the outdoors, though. Mpumalanga is a gastronomic paradise. One can slowly slide off the escarpment winding from haute cuisine restaurants, like Summerfields Kitchen, Oliver’s Restaurant, and Orange and Salt, all the way down to the sweep of private game reserves like Sabi Sands, Mala-Mala and Londolozi, that if anything, increase the quality of fare on offer.

The hot sub-tropical savannah of the low country is almost exclusively the showcase of Africa’s wildlife. There are game excursions and adventures into the wilds to suit every budget. The conglomerate of private reserves is dominated in the east by the mighty Kruger Park, whose fame needs little introduction and even less expounding. Suffice it to say that watching a pride of lions satiating their thirst at a waterhole in the soft dawn light with the sun rising above the Lebombo Mountains that divide Mpumalanga from Mozambique, is unparalleled. is unparalleled.

Under the Sea

Lewis Pugh Swims Again for Global Awareness Text: Bronwyn Wainwright Images © Lewis Pugh

Human polar bear, Lewis Pugh, takes to the waters again to draw the world’s attention to the Seven Seas. “DURING MY SWIM in the Red Sea, I swam through a Marine Protected Area (a National Park in the sea), and experienced the sea as it was meant to be: rich and colourful, teeming with abundant life. It was simply breathtaking,” describes maritime lawyer and endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh. “But then, just two kilometres on, outside of the protected area, it looked like an underwater desert: no coral and no fish. If I had needed more proof that Marine Protected Areas really work, that was it.”

This stark contrast is the very reason Pugh pitted himself against the harshest of elements to become the first person to complete a long distance swim across each of the Seven Seas: the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Aegean, Black, Red, Arabian and North Seas. These waters make up some of the most polluted and overfished in the world, and the human polar bear’s latest mission is to draw global attention to the plight of the world’s oceans. Pugh earned the nickname “the human polar bear” when he took the icy plunge to swim in

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open water at the North Pole in 2007 to highlight the Arctic’s glacial melting. He has since become a leading figure in efforts to protect the world’s oceans. His 2010 swim across a glacial lake on Mount Everest also showcased the impact of climate change in the Himalayas. In August this year, Pugh’s Seven Swims in Seven Seas for One Reason campaign called on governments to take action in line with the United Nations mandate to its members to set aside at least 10 % of the world’s oceans as effective and well-managed Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by 2020. UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director, Achim Steiner, explains: “The establishment of Marine Protected Areas is a critical component of global

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efforts to reverse the degradation of our oceans.” He adds that land-based pollution, poorly managed coastal development, overfishing, and climate change are all major threats. “But these can be reduced if governments work together and set ambitious targets.” Such an undertaking is immense, and so it is no surprise then that this campaign was Pugh’s most ambitious and complex expedition one to date. With a support team of over 200 people, Pugh set off to complete a 10 km swim in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Monte Carlo, Monaco, where overfishing is a major threat. He was met by Prince Albert II as he finished, who took a particular interest in the campaign and asked Pugh to become an ambassador of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. The

foundation has donated millions to various environmental projects since its inception in 2006. “It’s clear how passionate he (Pugh) is about the ocean – he has done a great deal for the maritime environment,” Prince Albert said. Just two days later Pugh arrived in Croatia to swim 15 km in the Adriatic Sea, followed by a 10 km stretch in the Aegean off Athens. The Aegean Sea is home to the monk seal, of which the numbers in Greece alone have plummeted to around 200 seals – around half of the remaining world’s population – due to hunting and entanglement in fishing nets. This makes it one of the most endangered mammals in the world. Pugh’s swim here was for an animal on the brink of extinction, and called for better co-operation and protection of the species. His fourth swim took Pugh to the Black Sea, which is almost entirely enclosed by land and is being destroyed by heavy pollution. “It was like a washing machine

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with big waves and swell that made for tough swimming conditions,” he recalls. “I am grateful to five Turkish swimmers who took turns to pace me over the 10 km, and who share our vision for more Marine Protected Areas in this part of the world. Currently, only 2.4 % of Turkish waters are set aside as Marine Protected Areas. I urge all the countries around the Black Sea to protect it more. It’s such a beautiful part of the world and a crucial ecosystem.” Having completed the Red and Arabian swims thereafter, Pugh and his team headed to the North Sea for the seventh swim, where he took to the water for a 60 km long endurance test which he described as exhausting. “Throughout each swim, I thought about the 200 people who helped us to put the campaign together, and no matter how tired I was, I simply could not let them down.” His efforts out of the water were equally immense. Pugh met a number of key policy makers en route and will be having follow-up meetings with them in the months to come. The campaign’s message was also shared on social media by numerous environmental organisations, from the World Economic Forum to Greenpeace. “We had fantastic support. Before we even started the expedition, Desmond Tutu came to my final training swim in Cape Town. King Abdullah of Jordan provided us with a boat and a naval escort on our swim in the Red Sea. We had little children coming down to swim with me in Croatia. I had Turks joining me for my swim in the Black Sea. The interest and enthusiasm of ordinary people was just wonderful,” he recalls. Pugh already has his next feat in mind. “I am putting together an expedition to follow the humpback whale migration along the east coast of South Africa. They are under threat from oil and gas exploration.” Pugh and his team will tell their story in the hopes of persuading the South African Government to increase our Marine Protected Areas to protect this beautiful creature.

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Taking Durban to the World Text & Images © Durban Tourism

Durban is a natural paradise known for its gorgeous coastline, nearby sun-kissed beaches and subtropical climate, situated on the eastern seaboard of Africa. The city is built around one of the busiest ports in Africa and is a premier lifestyle and events destination, at the cutting edge of worldwide trends in destination marketing. The city focuses on providing visitors with a unique set of experiences that go beyond the beach and into the realm of Durban’s diverse culture, urban lifestyle, and scenic diversity.

DURBAN and KwaZulu-Natal as a whole have a unique offering for the benefit of the African market, including golden beaches, warm Indian Ocean waters and year-round warmth. Durban’s key offerings, like uShaka Marine World, the Moses Mabhida Stadium, its beach experience, and world class shopping malls are just some of its unique selling points. Direct flights introduced by SA Express into Africa provide the springboard necessary for taking existing and prospective new business dealings between KwaZulu-Natal and Lusaka and Harare. This is an exciting prospect, and one which brings with it the opportunity for hugely intensified trade relations, as well as a brand new platform for quick and affordable tourist travel. SA Express’ commitment to linking Durban directly with a host of SADC countries has created endless new possibilities, both for the province and for the airline’s business and tourism communities in regional destinations. Visitors coming from landlocked countries now also have an easily and quickly reached coastal destination at their disposal for the

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ultimate beach experience. As an economic hub, the city focuses on its six main business sectors, with tourism as one of its main focus areas. In terms of GDP contribution, the city has emphasised its confidence in the growing tourism sector in the city. With a strong economy underpinning the city, Durban has received a lot of attention from both local and foreign investors hoping to have a chance to be a part of both Durban’s, as well as Africa’s, future potential. The city’s investments, such as the billion rand upgrade of the Beachfront Promenade from uShaka Marine World to Blue Lagoon, was a catalyst for players in the hotel industry (such as Tsogo Sun) to invest in the upgrade of their own products on the beachfront. This shows increased investor confidence in the city, and indirectly supports the city’s investments and tourism initiatives. The city recently launched its new Smart Cities Campaign, a documentary that forms part of the National Geographic Campaign in Washington. The

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International Accolades CNN voted Durban as one of the world’s top ten most underrated cities. The recently published Master Card Global Destination City Index has predicted that Durban – with its important and busy seaport – will be this year’s fastest growing city in

Fascinating Facts • • • • • • • • • •

In 1962, Nelson Mandela was captured and arrested in the town of Howick and thus began his 27 years of incarceration. Mandela returned to KwaZulu-Natal to begin a new journey when he chose to cast his first vote as a free man in Inanda, Durban, in 1994. The world’s oldest and largest ultra-marathon, the Comrades Marathon, takes place here. The world’s tallest bungee swing is located at the Moses Mabhida Stadium (Guinness Book of Records, 14th May 2011). The city is home to the largest shopping mall in the Southern Hemisphere, the Gateway Theatre of Shopping, which features a skate park designed by Tony Hawk. Durban’s Aliwal Shoal is considered to be one of the world’s top diving sites. Durban Harbour is the ninth largest harbour in the world, and the busiest container port in Africa. The spiritual leader of the Indian independence movement, Mahatma Ghandi, began his political journey in Durban. Durban is one of South Africa’s top surfing destinations. The rickshaw was brought to Durban in 1893 by the sugar magnate Sir Marshall Campbell. Rickshaw pullers have been operating in Durban for more than 100 years. The fifth largest aquarium in the world and the biggest in Africa – uShaka Marine World – is in Durban.

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see flight schedule

Africa and will be the second fastest growing tourism city of the 132 cities surveyed worldwide. The African Business Review called Durban “South Africa’s Brightest Beacon”. Durban has also made it to the Top 21 List and is a strong contender to become one of the next “New 7 Wonder Cities of the World”. The Durban ICC was voted “Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conferencing Centre” at the World Travel Awards for an unprecedented 13th time, while the city of Durban was awarded “Africa’s Leading Meetings and Conference Destination”. This title provides global recognition and raises the profile of the destination in the international meetings industry. These accolades once again re-affirm the status of the Durban ICC as one of the top convention centres in the world with Durban as a global destination of choice. The city of Durban is an elegant, mature and ambitious city. It is a trendsetter in offering a great lifestyle, speckled with adventure activities, and blessed with natural beauty while being an astonishingly liveable city. Whether you are here as a business delegate or a leisure traveller, Durban exudes a warm African flavour that will capture your heart forever. For more information, visit www.durbanexperience.co.za.

Sa express connects you to durban

World’s Smart Cities Programme will feature up to 18 of the world’s most liveable cities; cities capable of adapting and thriving with this growing urban trend, providing the best cities in which to live, visit, study, and do business. Another very successful component is the city’s focus on securing major conferences, through the Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau, a partnership between the province and city. In addition to the benefits of thousands of delegates attending a convention in the city, many visitors extend their stay to experience other areas in the province. One recent success was securing the World Routes Convention in 2015. This will bring together the largest range of airlines, airports, civil aviation authorities and tourism authorities from all corners of the world, some 4,000 delegates who can directly influence new global routes and truly assist in putting KwaZulu-Natal and Durban firmly on the global map.

Make a World of

Difference Simple Steps for

imperial select

a Greener You Text:

Lesley Stones Saving the environm Image © 123RF ent may seem like a daunting task, but it thought and the odd only takes a little ex small action by each tra of us to make a wor ld of difference.

WASHING MY HANDS at a public basin recently, I watched in astonishment as a woman yanked out five paper towels to dry her hands. That was four more than I needed, and her hands were no bigger than mine. It made me realise how we chew up our resources without a thought for whether we really need them, and how a little less abuse could save the environment a lot more pain. This woman’s simple excess was causing five times more damage through the use of paper and trees and the production processes of manufacturing and delivering hand towels. It wasted money for the hospital where the basin was, and created unnecessary landfill waste. Yet it is all so easy to avoid with just a little thought. And once you start that thinking process, you will come up with ideas that look a little something like this:

In the Home My cleaner puts the washing machine on four times a day, sometimes washing just one pair of jeans at a time, and she puts it on a full wash cycle even if there are only three pairs of undies spinning around. This wastes water and the electricity needed to heat

it, and pumps unnecessary detergents into the sewage system. Yes, my whites are white, my reds are red and my blues unsullied, but larger loads on a shorter washing cycle would work just as well. Recycling is probably the biggest and simplest impact we can have on the environment. Many suburbs now have Mondi collecting plastic, glass, tins and paper separately. If your suburb doesn’t, separating them out yourself and taking them to the recycling station feels quite therapeutic. Take recyclable bags to the supermarket by keeping some folded in your handbag or in your car. Energy-efficient cooking sounds like a schlep, but adapting your normal methods just a little can cut energy consumption. Cook using a saucepan or casserole dish that’s not too big for the job, so you need less water and therefore less heat. Always cook with the lid on your pans, because cooking without lids can use three times more energy. Pressure cookers are an ingenious invention, giving fast results and saving fuel. Eskom is forever telling us to switch off our geysers, but it’s easy to forget. Or worse, to only remember that you switched it off when you’re dying for a hot bath. But once you get into the habit it becomes exactly that – a good habit.

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The same applies to pool pumps and leaf sucking gadgets. Do you really need a sparkling leaf-free pool in winter when you have no intention of sticking even a toe in the water? Don’t leave the tap running while cleaning your teeth, and switch off the shower for the moments when you are applying shampoo. Better still, entice your partner into sharing a bath with you to make getting clean more frisky.

In the Garden My father was clearly a man way ahead of his time, because he had a compost heap decades before it became trendy. It is easy and rewarding to do. Kitchen scraps go in, and nourishing, diseasefree compost comes out. It takes a while, but your vegetable patch will thank you. So will your wallet and your health when you start growing your own broccoli, tomatoes and spinach. Your kids might complain, but get them involved in the planting process, and perhaps then they will happily eat their home-grown greens.

At the Office Car pooling is a great way to cut down your carbon footprint, as well as to boost office camaraderie. Instead of sitting alone hooting at the car in front of you in frustration, chum up with a colleague and have a good natter on the way to work. Or juggle your working hours to avoid rush hour so you save personal time and use less petrol through stop-start driving. Recycling is as important in the office as it is at home, so if your office doesn’t have recycling bins, start the conversation. Ask whether you really need to print out the reports and emails you are dealing with. If you must, print on both sides of the paper and use the draft mode on your printer. If you are giving a presentation with a slide show, do the participants really need a printed copy too? Email it to them instead. Literally go green by installing some real plants. They add natural beauty to an office and improve the quality of the air, which is especially important in new eco-friendly buildings that are tightly sealed to conserve energy. When you get a coffee from the machine, use your own mug rather than a disposable polystyrene cup. Think how many millions of plastic cups are used for just a few minutes, then tossed away, taking years to disintegrate. It’s just another example of how a few seconds of thought can make a big difference every day.

An Unconventional Convention Destination East London

W Text & Images © Premier Hotels

ith panoramic views of the azure Indian Ocean, the East London International Convention Centre (ELICC) has placed East London and the Buffalo City region on a firm footing as a competitive conference and incentives destination.

POSITIONED on East London’s Esplanade, the East London International Convention Centre (ELICC) has magical views of the Indian Ocean, and is only a 15 minute drive from East London Airport, the Industrial Development Zone and all major industries, presenting a fresh alternative to conferencing in South Africa. Facilities include a 580 seat auditorium, an exhibition area offering shell schemes, 18 multifunctional conference rooms capable of seating 850 ballroom-style and 2,100 cinema-style, as well as executive boardrooms, a press room, restaurants, bar and coffee bar. The ELICC’s specialised services incorporate a range of technical services, including state-of-the-art audio visual equipment, drop down screens, Crestron touch panel interfaces, and IT services. The ELICC has hosted boxing world title fights, major conferences, as well as many annual corporate functions and events. Fully secure, the complex includes undercover parking and is close to adjacent hotels. “I have always believed that East London makes for the perfect convention destination, and the ELICC presents the most up-to-date convention and meetings centre available nationwide,” says Premier Hotels & Resorts MD, Samuel Nassimov. In addition, the conference centre’s proximity to both the Premier Hotel ELICC and the Premier Hotel Regent means that conference goers have on-site accommodation and top class hotel facilities to make for a seamless conference experience. The Premier Hotel ELICC is also the city’s most luxurious hotel, with facilities including a spa and gymnasium, rim-flow swimming pool, fine dining restaurant, WiFi, business centre, public and VIP lounges, on-site parking and 16 hour room service from 07h00 to 23h00 daily. Decorated in a contemporary style, the spacious hotel rooms – from Deluxe Rooms to Bedroom Suites – offer unsurpassed sea views. And if relaxing at the hotel isn’t enough, guests can take a stroll down to the nearby beaches or enjoy a round of

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golf on superb golf courses, while museums, game reserves and spectacular scenery present an opportunity to explore both the uncrowded Sunshine and Wild Coasts. Only 30 km from East London, the Mpongo Private Game Reserve is a luxurious and eco-friendly piece of Africa that has remained authentic, idyllic and wild. With its rolling hills, plateaus and river valleys, this 3,500 hectare reserve will appeal to keen ecotourists and, being so close to the coast, offers a complete beach and bush experience in the Eastern Cape. Apart from free-roaming hippo, elephant, buffalo and leopard (lion are kept in a separate area), the reserve also contains giraffe, antelope, warthogs and all manner of African wildlife, including significant bird sightings. Mpongo Private Game Reserve offers luxury accommodation which includes chalets and lodges, all equipped with private fireplaces, en suite facilities, African décor and world-class service, while guests are able to see big game from their lodge decks, thanks to the new conservation-friendly boundaries the park has introduced. Mpongo’s game rangers are expertly familiar with the breathtaking habitat, allowing close contact with the wide array of game on the reserve, and taking guests on unforgettable nature drives, walks and horse rides into the heart of the bush. Apart from the ELICC, other Premier properties include Premier Hotel Regent, Premier Hotel King David and Premier Hotel ELICC in East London; Premier Hotel Cape Manor on Cape Town’s Atlantic seaboard; Premier Hotel Knysna – The Moorings; Premier Hotel Pinetown and Premier Hotel Edwardian in KwaZulu-Natal; as well as Premier Hotel Pretoria, Premier Hotel Midrand and Premier Hotel OR Tambo Airport in Gauteng. Visit www.premierhotels.co.za, or email info@elicc.co.za for more information, or contact Central Reservations on 086 111 5555/043 709 5200.

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Wooden Wonders

Appreciating South Africa’s Unique and Wonderful Trees

Text: Will Edgcumbe Images © Nakkie van Wyk Photography

ne of the great things about travelling in South Africa is that no matter where you go, you’re bound to come across unique or intriguing flora. Being a country of such varying ecosystems – from deserts and mountains, to forests and a hundred biomes in between – it’s often our trees which make the landscapes we come across so strikingly beautiful.

ALTHOUGH we might not travel to a particular place to see the trees themselves, appreciating and understanding a little more about them when we come across them makes for a richer travelling experience. So wherever you go, keep your eyes open – you never know what you’ll see.

The Glorious Quiver Tree The next time you find yourself in the northern Namaqualand or Richtersveld regions of the Northern Cape, it would be a great shame if you were only

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on the lookout for wild flowers, although the Quiver tree is hard to miss. Growing up to six metres tall, the Quiver tree (or kokerboom, as it’s known in Afrikaans) is really a species of aloe and is one of the most striking plants endemic to South Africa. Their bark is a golden colour and looks not unlike it has been iced onto the trunk by a baker. The branches reach upward, away from the heat radiating off the ground, and end in thick rosettes of succulent leaves, and in winter bloom with striking yellow flowers. There is a forest of Quiver trees at Gannabos Farm between the towns of Nieuwoudtville and Loeriesfontein, which is a must-visit if you’re in the area.

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The Mighty Yellowwood No list of great South African trees would be complete without mentioning the Yellowwoods of the Tsitsikamma area of the Garden Route National Park. The park’s indigenous rain forest is home to 116 types of massive trees, including the aged and giant Yellowwood, which is also South Africa’s national tree. Sadly, many of the largest specimens estimated to be more than 1,000 years old were felled by loggers before the trees were protected. Nevertheless, a walk through the forest here is still enough to make one feel pretty puny, and the forest is large enough to still harbour a few furtive (and rarely spotted) elephants. The Big Tree of Tsitsikamma is just a short drive from Plettenberg Bay, and shows just how mighty the forests in this area once were. Towering above the canopy, this Yellowwood is estimated to be between 600 and 800 years old, and stands 36.6 metres tall, with a trunk circumference of 9 metres. The tree is a short walk from the N2 on a forest boardwalk, and well worth stopping to see.

While you’re in the Richtersveld, keep your eyes peeled for the mysterious north-leaning Halfmens (Afrikaans for “half human”) plant. Growing up to four or five metres tall, this plant has an extremely narrow trunk which ends in a single distinct rosette of leaves, and from a distance looks like a person trudging slowly away. A Khoisan legend has it that when they were driven south from the Kalahari Desert, some people turned to look back in sorrow, and the gods took pity on them, turning them into “half men” looking forever northwards towards their homeland.

The Ghostly Fever Tree Driving through northern KwaZulu-Natal, one can’t help but notice the lovely Fever tree. Found in low-lying, swampy areas, next to rivers, around lakes and in shallow pans where surface water collects, the Fever tree is famous for its lime green flaking bark, which at times takes on a luminous tinge. While they’re striking as individuals, seen in a large cluster or forest they’re quite otherworldly. Their name can be attributed to early pioneers, who thought the tree caused fever because people living and travelling through the areas where the tree grew tended to get sick. They didn’t yet know that the swampy areas so ideal for the trees were just as ideal for malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Ndumo Game Reserve, on the northern border of the

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province, is home to a beautiful Fever tree forest on the banks of the Pongola and Usutu rivers, and is a treat for birders with more than 400 species recorded there.

The Elephantine Baobab A tree so big that it can form its own ecosystem by supporting a whole host of creatures, the Baobab is in many ways the most African of trees, instantly iconic and unlike any other tree in the word. The baobab is colloquially known as the upside-down tree, because when it is bare of leaves, its branches look like roots. But it’s the sheer girth of an ancient baobab which is its most striking aspect. With trunks as much as 10 metres in diameter and with heights of up to 30 metres, they’re true giants of the botanical world. Their life spans also dwarf our own, as they are able to live for well over 1,000 years, with some individuals estimated to be over 3,000 years old. You can find them spread throughout Limpopo province, and there’s nothing like seeing them dominating the skyline in the Kruger National Park. The Sunland Baobab in Modjadjiskloof, not far from Tzaneen in Limpopo, is estimated to be the widest baobab in South Africa, if not the world. The trunk has a circumference of 33.4 metres, and over the aeons has hollowed to such an extent that the owners of the tree have been able to create a bar inside. It is certainly a unique place to down a cold one.

Instagreat Getting Happy Snappy with Gareth Pon Text: Lisa Witepski Images ÂŠ Gareth Pon

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here you see an empty room, Gareth Pon sees emotion waiting to happen. That’s the talent that earned him the title of Best African Instagrammer at this year’s inaugural African Blog Awards.

GARETH LAUGHS when he recalls his initial reaction to news of his win: a tweet saying “Oh yay!” The media made much of this response, but the truth is that Gareth was caught unawares. “My intention has never been to win awards, but to explore what’s around me,” he says. This curiosity is something that has driven him from an early age. Blessed – or cursed, as he quips – by a propensity to get bored easily, Gareth experimented with different mediums from childhood, first trying his hand at sketching, then painting, and then building models. He put aside his studies in fashion design when he found he couldn’t stomach the brutality of the industry, and instead dabbled in architecture, a discipline he had been introduced to by his father. He ultimately tired of this, too, and then signed up at the Open Window School of Visual Communication. Here, he finally found something that he could commit to, heart and soul: photography and film. “It’s a good rock and a hard place to

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be caught between: Film is about capturing the before and after of a story, photography is about capturing the moment itself,” he says. It was around this time that he started playing with Instagram. The medium was a natural extension of his passion for photography, as he was always on the lookout for the next great shot; for that little detail that encapsulates a much stronger statement. Best of all for someone who is continuously seeking the next challenge, it requires a mindshift. Swinging between the

control of traditional photography – which is all about apertures and shutter speeds – to the “anything goes” of Instagram takes a different kind of discipline. It wasn’t long before Gareth was meeting up with similarly enthralled friends on Instameets, occasions which simply fuelled his enthusiasm. A self-described people’s person, he loves the fact that Instagram is the first social media platform where online followings usually give way to offline relationships. He tells of people who have made friends and met spouses through Instagram, adding that as much as 80 % of

the work that comes his way has its origins on the platform. He also values Instagram’s instantaneousness. Post a picture, and you’ll know immediately whether people think it’s clever or corny, which is valuable feedback for someone who’s interested in seeing how far he can push things (especially the abilities of a tiny mobile device to convey stirring images). Finally, there are the opportunities for connection that Instagram offers. It’s an incredibly personal medium, Gareth comments. Since you’re photographing and sharing snippets of your day, it’s inevitable that a bit of your character is revealed. “Most of the time, I feel like I already know the people I follow before I meet them,” he notes. That’s saying a lot, given that, as the founder of the South African Instagram Community, he meets with as many as 200 keen Instagrammers – aged between eight and 70 – at regular Instameets. He relishes these encounters, viewing them as a unique way to get to know his city. As you walk through the old, dilapidated buildings or other settings that serve as venues for the meet-ups, you get a sense of what it must have felt like to live and work here, he comments. It’s like walking on the bones of history itself. And there’s no better way to explore a foreign city, especially if you’re wishing to avoid the tourist traps and get an authentic feel of a place. Gareth admits that he’s had to put balances in place, or he’d click away his days. Mondays are therefore usually Instagram-free, but on a “good” day he can take up to 100 pictures. And if he’s exploring with purpose, he may take up to 1,000 shots. These aren’t just random snaps either, as he always seeks to find the emotion in a moment. Whereas many Instagrammers stick to tried and trusted images that will earn likes (think misty forests or dazzling sunsets), he goes out of his way to extract the essence of an instant. Browse his feed (http://instagram.com/garethpon), and you’ll find pictures of anything from a discarded fridge against a textured wall to a close-up of an intriguing face. To others, they might be little more than pictures, but to Gareth, they’re opportunities for growth and exploration, windows to let his creativity shine through.

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The Best of the Bay

The Lookout Villa Text & Images © Plettenberg Hotel

lettenberg Bay is one of South Africa’s most popular beach destinations, and with good reason. The pristine white sands, crystal-blue waters, lush forests and majestic mountains beckon discerning travellers from all over the world. And the most enviable address in this renowned resort town is undoubtedly that of The Lookout Villa at the five-star Plettenberg Hotel.

LUXURIOUSLY outfitted and overlooking the breathtaking bay, this three-bedroom, family-friendly villa offers guests the opportunity to enjoy Plettenberg Bay’s magical sunsets and awe-inspiring marine life from the privacy of a five-star home away from home. The Lookout Villa marries contemporary African design with a simple, fresh seaside palette, its soft sand and ocean colours, natural lighting and textures evoking the sense that the villa is a mere extension of the surrounding natural elements. An open-plan lounge and dining room, a well-stocked galley kitchen, access to a private swimming pool and garden, air conditioning, flatscreen televisions, satellite, WiFi access, DVD players, a full housekeeping service, parking, and every other modern convenience one would expect from a five-star hotel make The Lookout Villa the perfect base for those who appreciate the finer comforts in life. Small personal touches, such as a bottle of wine to welcome you, luxurious bathroom amenities, romantic turndowns with sparkling wine for honeymooners, and tea and coffee delivered each morning, further set the villa apart. The five-star, owner-managed Plettenberg Hotel is set on a rocky headland, and offers guests some of the best views of the bay. Beautiful finishes, warm service and luxurious comfort are evidenced throughout not only the villa, but also the hotel’s other 36 individually decorated rooms and suites.

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The Plettenberg’s renowned SeaFood at the Plettenberg Restaurant offers top-class dining experiences, from delicious breakfasts to lazy poolside lunches and unforgettable dinners. Designed by The Collection’s award-winning Relais & Chateaux Grand Chef Peter Tempelhoff and Executive Chef Grant Parker, the menu places great emphasis on fresh produce from sustainable local suppliers, offering guests a true taste of the bay. The place to be seen in Plettenberg Bay, the hotel’s Sandbar offers a striking blend of sophisticated design elements in a spectacular natural setting, exuding the glamour of a bygone era. Fresh Wellness Spa at The Plettenberg offers luxurious body treatments with top-quality products derived from South Africa’s rich natural resources. Although The Lookout Villa boasts its own private pool and sundeck, villa guests are also welcome to enjoy the hotel’s two infinity pools, which merge visually with the ocean and stunning vistas beyond. With all this on offer, The Lookout Villa at The Plettenberg Hotel provides the perfect private escape within a renowned seaside destination. A formidable combination, if ever there was one. For further information and reservations call +27 21 794 5535, email reservations@collectionmcgrath.com or visit www.collectionmcgrath.com/plett/

Turn Your Trash

into Treasure The Art of Upcycling Text: Julia Lamberti Images © iStockphoto.com

Instead of throwing away old or used items, why not convert them into something new? We explore the concept of “upcycling” and how it can benefit your home, your pocket and the environment. Indwe 73

The Upside of Upcycling Many of us are familiar with the recycling process, but not everyone is aware of the practice known as upcycling. The term “upcycle” was first coined in 2002 by Michael Braungart and William McDonough in their book Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things, and the concept has grown in popularity in the 12 years since its inception. While recycling generally involves breaking down original material and making it into something else, upcycling refers to the reuse of an object in a new way, without degrading the material it is made from. Both practises are undeniably important for the environment but, unlike recycling, upcycling does not pollute the air or water, or consume energy. In addition to its positive impact on the planet, upcycling can also save you money, get your creative juices flowing, and it is surprisingly fun and easy to do.

How to Upcycle At Home The beauty of upcycling at home is that, instead of tossing common unused household items in the bin, you can re-purpose them in smart and imaginative ways. For example, unused glass bottles and jars can be washed and decorated to create beautiful flower vases, stationery containers or candle holders. Old glass bottles can also be used as unusual looking light fixtures, lamps or outdoor lanterns when correctly wired and cleverly positioned throughout your living space. Or why not poke holes in the bottom of a few halved plastic cold drink bottles and use them as containers for potted plants, seeds or succulents to be enjoyed indoors or on your patio? An empty milk carton can also be used to create a green centrepiece for your dining area or coffee table. Simply cut off the top of the carton, wrap it in rough linen tied with rustic cord, fill it with soil and place a plant in the centre of the container. If tangled wires and cords are a problem in your home, your unused brown toilet paper rolls can be used to separate and organise each cable. Just place a number of cardboard rolls upright in a box and store individual cords within each roll. Your old CD boxes can also be used to store and organise rolled cables and cords. Another handy idea to help avoid crumpled plastic bags taking up unnecessary cupboard space, is to use an old tissue box as a plastic shopping bag dispenser. Empty tissue boxes also often boast beautiful printed designs and can thus be used to make gift boxes, home-made cards or bookmarks. Or why not cut the top of a tissue box off and use it to stylishly store items in your home or office?

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Timber crates and boxes are also very versatile because they can be used as side tables, shelves, display units, or magazine racks. Simply decorate with wallpaper or paint and position on your floor or wall, according to your taste and requirements. Another delightful DIY idea is to revamp old picture frames with a can of spray paint or tiny decorative objects like beads or buttons. You can also frame attractive prints, wallpaper, small objects, flash cards or magazine covers to add colour and interest to a room, without spending loads of money. A host of other innovative upcycling ideas can be found on the Internet or in books and magazines. The key is to always keep your eyes and imagination open for fresh inspiration.

An Industry Inspired There are also commercial enterprises profiting from this growing trend in the global green movement, and an increasing number of companies are becoming dedicated to transforming unwanted trash into useful objects like handbags, books, notebooks, kitchenware and a multitude of other products. An eclectic range of clothing companies around the world are also inspired by sustainable manufacturing methods, and work to either repurpose old clothing into fresh and fashionable new pieces or to utilise excess materials from other manufacturers as source materials for unique and chic accessories and garments. Production of these upcycled fashion pieces tends to be limited and companies are thus often able to command a higher price for each unique item. Certain interior design firms are also specifically geared towards converting old and unused pieces of furniture or household items into beautiful new statement pieces to dazzle even the most discerning décor fanatic. The interior of a home can thus be designed around re-purposed furniture pieces for a less costly and completely original look.

Preserving Our Planet’s Future It is estimated that South Africans throw away over 560 million tonnes of rubbish every year, and that each one of us can produce up to three kilograms of waste a day. Upcycling not only reduces the alarming amount of material disposed of, but can also save and generate money in the process. So take a peek around your home to see what disregarded items can be transformed into new treasures, and try to actively support local companies who make upcycling their mission. This will not only help you make your home look fresh and fabulous today, but can also assist in ensuring a greener and more gorgeous planet in the future.

Your Private Sanctuary

Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa Text & Images ÂŠ Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa

estled in the lush suburb of Morningside Manor in Sandton, Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa is recognised as one of the most beautiful, romantic and exclusive hotels in South Africa.

VILLA Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ESTE on Lake Como in Northern Italy and Easton Manor in Surrey, England, were the inspiration behind the Palladian architecture and general design style of the hotel, which is characterised by a timeless classicism infused with modern facilities. It therefore comes as no surprise that Fairlawns has been awarded numerous accolades, including: Best Luxury Wellness Spa 2014 in South Africa, Diamond Diners Club Wine List of the Year Award for 2014, and the Best Luxury Hotel Spa for 2013 at the World Luxury Hotel Awards. The original Courtyard Suites, built on the site of the old equestrian stables, were completed in 1998. Four years later the decision was made to extend the hotel by adding a Premier Wing, comprising a further six Premier Suites and a palatial Presidential Suite. The meeting and banquet centre, Balinese spa and fully equipped gymnasium followed. Each suite, no matter what the theme, is opulent and spacious, which are the trademarks of Fairlawns. From bespoke furniture to unique architectural details, the

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finished product is a labour of love, and it shows. The hotel launched its Private Villa Residence, as well as its new Victorian Tea Lounge as part of its 2014 expansion plan. Fairlawns accommodates both local and international guests, whether for corporate or leisure travel, all of whom seem to regard the hotel as their private sanctuary when in Johannesburg. Apart from the marvellous cuisine on offer in the Terrace Restaurant, which is open to non-resident guests, the Balinese spa is also available to day visitors who want to enjoy any of the varied treatments and packages on offer. The private Bali-inspired spa gardens, with the sound of running water and birdsong, are a true restorative for the soul, even if only for an hour or two. Golfers are also well catered for, as Fairlawns has a partnership with a nearby country club, which offers two world-class golf courses. For more information, contact +27 11 804 2540/1/2, email reservations@fairlawns.co.za or visit www.fairlawns.co.za.

To the Moon and Back Namibia’s Skeleton Coast Text: Keri Harvey (www.keri-harvey.com) Images © Keri Harvey and Namibia Wildlife Resorts

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t’s a place of wild, brooding beauty. Endless surreal sandscapes ribbon along the Namibian coastline north of Walvis Bay to create the mysterious, mist-shrouded Skeleton Coast. It’s a place that’s as close as you’ll get to being on the moon without leaving earth.

The skeletons of ships, whales, planes and oil drilling rigs are just some of the twisted carcasses to be seen along the seemingly serene, but treacherous Skeleton Coast. It’s not a place to wander alone, to run out of fuel or to go off track. It’s lonely and hauntingly beautiful, but commands deep respect, otherwise it will swallow you whole. What is for sure is that it is completely unique in its ethereal atmosphere, and the ultimate destination for those who love solitude and places out of the ordinary. Like a vast sand shard, this desolate coastline stretches from the Ugab River in the south 500 km to the Kunene River bordering Angola in the north. Those uncomfortable with

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quiet may suffer a little distress at the vastness and silence of this place, and at the mostly monotone landscape and endless swathes of sand. Civilisation back in Walvis Bay may suddenly be appealing, only to realise later how rare and moving it is to be completely alone, when all around the world heaves with chaos. Well, that’s how it was for me the first time I visited the Skeleton Coast. It was much more enjoyable in retrospect. Now it’s one of my favourite places on the planet, and the closest you’ll get to stepping onto the moon in Africa. The 200 km or so trip from Walvis Bay to the Skeleton Coast Park gate becomes increasingly arid as you drive the literal salt road northwards.

Useful Contacts

Namibia Tourism Board: Contact +27 21 422 3298, email namibia@saol.com, or visit www.namibiatourism.com.na. Namibia Tracks & Trails offers superb guides for tailor made trips. Email jockel@namibia-tracks-and-trails.com, or visit www.namibia-tracks-and-trails.com. Terrace Bay: Contact +27 21 422 3761, email ct.bookings@nwr.com.na, or visit www.nwr.com.na.

Constructed by simply pouring dissolved salt over compacted sand over and over again, the road is always shrouded in icy white fog tumbling in from the cold Atlantic. Just south of Henties Bay, at Die Walle, lies the recently wrecked Zeila. “The ship was heading for India, but never left Namibia,” says guide Brian Schaefer. “In 2008 it was being towed from Walvis Bay to be used as scrap metal, but broke loose during a storm and beached here. So now it’s not going anywhere.” Henties Bay is legendary among fishermen, but was actually only established in the late sixties, by a rhino hunter no less. He was looking for water and found drinking water here. Later he returned for a holiday and brought some friends with him, and now the town is a permanent settlement named after him. And the fishermen come from near and far to catch cob and more here. It’s blinding driving through the glare of white fog, so we stop north of Henties at a vast lichen field bedecked in 50 shades of green. Fog is an elixir for lichen. The tiny, delicate, prehistoric looking plants need just a whiff of moisture

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to flash bright green. They’re expert survivors and also only grow in zero pollution, so we know that the air here is absolutely pure. Further along the salt road, Cape Cross heaves with 200,000 lazy seals. They’re draped across rocks and sand, and the ocean is bubbling with them as they swim and dive for fish. They carpet the coastline here in living fur, and a public walkway enables close views of the seal colony as they sleep and grunt through the day. Two skull cut-outs signal the entrance to the Skeleton Coast Park. “This is it,” smiles Brian, as we hop out of the vehicle to sign in at the park gate. Now officially inside the Skeleton Coast Park, the road ahead continues straight and featureless. “Welcome to the moon,” says Brian, focusing intently on the road ahead. The wreck of the Southern Cross can just be seen through the cool fog curtain and is a ghostly presence. A little further along lies the wreck of a big dream. Ben du Preez and Jack Scott firmly believed oil lay beneath the sands of the Skeleton Coast, but after drilling a kilometre into the earth,

First Page: The Zeila beached near Henties Bay in 2008, and has already diminished in size due to the pounding Atlantic. Second Page: The official welcome to the Skeleton Coast. This Page: Endless deserted beaches are what make the Skeleton Coast unique and a coastal wilderness like no other in southern Africa. Next Page: The massive seal breeding colony At Cape Cross extends quite a way up and down the coast.

see flight schedule S a e x p r e s s c o n n e c t s y o u t o W a lv i s B ay

they found none. Their rusty oil rig is now slowly and silently being reduced to a desert skeleton of a different kind. A time warp awaits us in Terrace Bay. With its wild frontier atmosphere, it’s like the last stop before stepping off the earth. The small collection of modest holiday cottages for hire by intrepid fishermen and souls seeking solitude is also blanketed in icy fog today. “The sun never shines on this coast,” smiles Brian, “except maybe for a few days in December.” But as he speaks, a ray of sunshine pierces the fog blanket and we feel kissed by rareness. And for a moment it’s warm.

Aller-retour sur la Lune

La Côte des squelettes namibienne Texte : Keri Harvey (www.keri-harvey.com) Images © Namibia Wildlife Resorts & 123RF

’est un lieu d’une beauté sauvage et troublante. Les paysages de sable surréels et sans fin qui ondulent le long de la côte namibienne au nord de la Walvis Bay (baie de Walvis), profilent la mystérieuse et brumeuse Côte des squelettes. Vous ne trouverez nulle part sur Terre un endroit qui puisse se rapprocher plus de la Lune.

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DE NOMBREUX squelettes de bateaux, de baleines, d’avions et de plateformes pétrolières sont parsemés le long de la côte perfidement sereine, telles des carcasses difformes. Il n’est pas recommandé de s’y promener seul, de s’y perdre ou d’y faire une panne d’essence. C’est un endroit désolé et d’une beauté envoûtante, qui mérite le respect au risque de vous engloutir. Son atmosphère est on ne peut plus unique et impalpable, et c’est la destination ultime pour les amoureux de la solitude et des lieux hors du commun. Comme un fragment de terre recouvert de sable, cette côte sauvage et perdue s’étend sur près de 500 km, allant de la rivière Ugab au sud jusqu’à la rivière Kunene au nord, à la frontière de l’Angola. Ceux que le silence met mal à l’aise risquent de ressentir une certaine angoisse face à l’immensité et au silence de ce lieu, et face au paysage plutôt monotone que forment ces vastes étendues de sable. L’idée de retourner à la civilisation à Walvis Bay peut sembler séduisante, mais on ne réalise que plus tard combien il est insolite et bouleversant de se retrouver complètement seul alors que le chaos règne dans le reste du monde. C’est certainement ce que j’ai ressenti la première fois que j’ai mis les pieds à la Côte des squelettes. Quand je regarde les choses avec du recul je me rends compte que c’était en fin de compte un vrai plaisir. C’est devenu

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un de mes endroits préférés au monde et vous ne trouverez pas en Afrique un lieu qui puisse plus vous évoquer la Lune. Sur les 200 km qui séparent Walvis Bay de l’entrée du Parc naturel de la Côte des squelettes au nord, les paysages de la route du sel se font de plus en plus arides. Cette route est faite de nombreuses couches de sel dissout qui recouvrent du sable compacté, et elle est toujours enveloppée d’un brouillard blanc glacial qui vient de l’Atlantique. Juste au sud de Henties Bay à Die Walle se trouve l’épave du **Zeila** qui s’est récemment échoué. « Le chalutier était en route vers l’Inde mais ne quitta jamais la Namibie, » explique notre guide Brian Schaefer. « En 2008, lors d’une tempête, alors qu’il était en train d’être remorqué pour être mis à la ferraille, il fut séparé du remorqueur et s’échoua sur la plage. Il n’en bougera jamais. » Henties Bay est un lieu légendaire parmi les pêcheurs, mais le village qui fut découvert en 1929 par un chasseur de rhinocéros, ne fut développée à proprement parler que vers la fin des années 60. Ce chasseur cherchait de l’eau potable et en trouva. Un plus tard il décida d’y retourner pour y passer des vacances et y emmena quelques amis. Le coin devint une petite ville qui porte maintenant son nom. Les pêcheurs viennent de loin pour pêcher la morue et les nombreux autres

Contacts utiles Office du tourisme namibien : Contactez le +27 21 422 3298, ou envoyez un email à namibia@saol.com, ou visitez le site www.namibiatourism.com.na. Namibia Tracks & Trails (Pistes et Chemins de randonnée en Namibie) vous propose des guides formidables pour des voyages sur mesure. Email jockel@namibia-tracks-andtrails.com, ou visitez le site www.namibia-tracks-and-trails.com. Terrace Bay : Contactez le +27 21 422 3761, ou envoyez un email à ct.bookings@nwr.com.na, ou visitez le site www.nwr.com.na.

poissons qui s’y trouvent. Conduire à travers le brouillard blanc est éblouissant et l’on décide donc de faire un arrêt au nord de Henties Bay, dans un champ de lichens paré de toutes les nuances de vert imaginables. Le brouillard agit comme un élixir pour les lichens. Ces plantes préhistoriques, délicates et minuscules, deviennent d’un vert lumineux au contact de l’humidité. Ce sont des expertes en survie qui ne peuvent pas pousser dans un lieu pollué et l’on sait donc que l’air est absolument pur. Un peu plus loin sur la route du sel se trouve Cape Cross, qui héberge une colonie de 200 000 phoques paresseux. On les trouve étalés sur les rochers et sur le sable, l’océan constamment en effervescence, regorgeant de phoques nageant et pêchant. Le littoral est littéralement recouvert de fourrure vivante et une passerelle publique permet aux visiteurs d’admirer de près la colonie de phoques qui somnolent et grognent tout au long de la journée. L’entrée du parc naturel de la Côte des squelettes est signalée par deux découpages en forme de tête de mort. « Nous y sommes ! » dit Brian en souriant, alors que l’on se dirige vers l’entrée pour s’inscrire. Nous sommes maintenant officiellement à l’intérieur du parc national de la Côte des squelettes et la route qui nous fait face est

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droite et monotone. « Bienvenue sur la Lune, » dit Brian, dont les yeux ne quittent pas la route. On distingue vaguement l’épave fantomatique du Southern Cross à travers le rideau de brouillard froid. Un peu plus loin se trouve l’épave d’un rêve déchu. Ben du Preez et Jack Scott croyaient dur comme fer qu’ils allaient trouver du pétrole sous les sables de la Côte des squelettes mais après avoir foré à un kilomètre de profondeur ils durent abandonner. Leur plateforme pétrolière rouillée se trouve maintenant à l’état de carcasse d’une nature différente de celles que l’on trouve généralement dans le désert. À Terrace Bay nous entrons dans une autre dimension temporelle. C’est comme la dernière étape avant d’arriver au bout du monde, une sorte de frontière sauvage. On y trouve un petit regroupement de modestes chalets de vacances qui se louent à des pécheurs intrépides et à des touristes recherchant la solitude, et il est aujourd’hui recouvert d’un brouillard glacial. « Le soleil ne brille jamais ici, » dit Brian avec un sourire, « à part peut-être quelque jours en décembre. » Alors qu’il nous parle, un rayon de soleil transperce la couche de brouillard et l’on se sent choyé par la nature. Pendant un instant on sent même la chaleur du soleil.

There’s No Place Like Sugar Bay Text: Peta Lee Images © Sugar Bay

f you thought fabulous summer camps for children existed only in the USA, you were wrong. Think Zinkwazi, on KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast: endless beaches, endless summers, and endless activities for kids. No wonder the camp hosts children from around the globe.

THE LATE, great Raymond Duncan, American artist, philosopher and brother of famous dancer Isadora, once said: “A lot of parents pack up their troubles and send them off to summer camp.” Indeed they do. In the US, there are some 15,000 of these camps spread across the country, and for American kids, it’s a way of life and an essential part of growing up. Quite why the concept isn’t equally popular in this country is inexplicable. It was a question former Cape Town attorney Zoe Ellender asked herself some 15 years ago, when she felt the need to escape the

confines of a legal office and launch a new career. Her soul-searching and research were the catalyst for what is, today, one of South Africa’s best kept secrets, despite the fact that it is on speed dial for hundreds of European and American parents. Sugar Bay Resort, set in 16 beautiful – and secure – acres of rolling sugar cane hills, with private access to the Zinkwazi lagoon and waterfront, is a holiday camp many seven to 17-year-olds imagine exists only in Hollywood movies. “It’s modelled on the American camps,” says director and founder Zoe. “I spent a full year

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researching them, and speaking directly to youth counsellors and others who worked there, and picked the best of the best ideas on which to model Sugar Bay Holiday Camp.” The place is astonishing. With its idyllic location close to endless beaches, along with KwaZulu-Natal’s exquisite great weather all year, combined with extraordinary facilities, it’s no wonder thousands of children return time and again to this incredible venue. Interestingly, she says: “The numbers of South African students poached every year to go and work in American camps are incredible. They are known as the hardest working in the world, and are hugely popular in the States. I realised, when I was doing my business plan for Sugar Bay, that I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel – just copy what worked over there. And employ top-rate, highly trained staff and camp counsellors.” Zoe and her husband, Nic, a former engineer, designed, built and now run the camp, which opened its doors in 2001. Since then, thousands of children have happily passed through. “They come from all over: from America, from Taiwan, from Europe – and of course, South Africa.” So what does Sugar Bay offer? Everything, it turns out. Whether children enjoy arts and crafts, adventure sports, soccer, hockey, paintballing, BMX biking, kayaking, swimming and surfing, paddleboarding, fabric painting, origami, card making, drumming, skateboarding, ballroom dancing, or drama, there are more than 100 activities from which to

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choose. But then, when you have up to 200 children at a time, you need options! The big question, for many parents, is how safe will our little poppets be here? Well, probably safer than leaving them at home or dropping them at the mall. “We have a full time staff of 50 and employ counsellors on a ratio of 1:3 over and above our permanent staff. So, for example, for 200 children we employ 70 counsellors. They are incredibly professional, and we make sure they sleep in the cabins with the kids. The children are supervised 24 hours a day, and we have strict rules about things like never having fewer than three people in a room at a time: for example, two kids and one staff member, or two staff and one child. “That is one of the rules I borrowed from the American camps, and it works brilliantly, and protects everyone. And obviously, no girls are allowed in the boys’ cabins and vice versa, or on the boardwalks approaching them.” If you’re worried little Johnny might be out of his depth in the ocean, fear not. Zoe herself is a fully trained lifeguard instructor. “We have our own team of lifeguards. Campers must do a swim test in our heated pool when they get here, on which they’re graded. They then wear a certain coloured strip on their rash vests so we can identify what grade swimmer they are, and spot them in the water. Certain grades can’t go deeper than kneeheight, for instance, and we also teach them water and current awareness. We also position one lifeguard in the water beyond the deepest child, and they aren’t allowed

beyond him. Then if you’re doing a body boarding or surfing class, for example, you will also have a lifeguard in the water with you, apart from the instructor.” The children also don’t just wander down to the beach willy-nilly. The camp is securely fenced and patrolled, with electric fencing, closed circuit cameras and security guards. “When we take them to the beach, it’s an organised excursion.” Incidentally, Sugar Bay is the only South African organisation of its kind which belongs to the American Camping Association (ACA), and thus adheres to international safety procedures as recommended by the ACA, the same body that regulates all US summer camps. Sugar Bay, Zoe adds, “is a fun place to be”. “No one is forced to do anything. You choose your activities: If you don’t like water sports, there are various other options. We have the best counsellors in the world, I think, and they are amazing with the kids. “The children love that they can choose to do an introductory class in any of our top ten most popular adventures, or advance through the different levels to earn a certificate at the end of the week. It’s a huge achievement for many of them when they receive these.” The camp welcomes children from around the globe. Holiday programmes include all local and most international school holidays. Holiday weeks start on Sundays, and they encourage stays of two weeks or more. For more information visit www.sugarbay.co.za.

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An Expression of Excellence The Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old Text: Nicky Furniss Images © Glenfiddich

“When it gets to 18 years old, that’s the start of connoisseurs’ territory and that’s where you need to give the whisky a little more respect. Sit up straight, put on a tie, choose your company well and talk a little posher!” explains Ian Millar, Global Brand Ambassador for Glenfiddich. With the recently released Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old available in South Africa this month, we have a feeling a lot more suits and ties will be donned around the country.

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GLENFIDDICH’S decision to add a 26 year old whisky to their line-up finds its inspiration not only in this family owned company’s pride in sharing its exceptional whiskies with whisky lovers around the world, but also thanks to a little competitive rivalry. “We did have a 30 year old in the market, but nobody else did, so it seemed like a bit of a waste,” explains Ian. “We had the opportunity because we had the whisky, and because we had the whisky it seemed only appropriate to start looking at why we’ve got a 30 and why we don’t operate at a 25. So we refocused and now we have a 25 year old in duty free and a 26 year old in domestic markets. This means that we can now take on our competitors at the same age statement that they have enjoyed for some time. We’ll give them some competition… They’ll enjoy it; it’ll keep them on their toes!” And if early reviews of Glenfiddich’s latest expression are anything to go by, they certainly will be. Unlike most whiskies, which are matured in a combination of American oak and European oak casks, the Excellence 26 Year Old was matured exclusively in American oak bourbon casks, making it the first single malt from the Speyside distiller to use bourbon casks throughout the entire maturation process. “American White oak is grown in flatter lands than Spanish oak, and is exposed to more extreme temperatures. It has less tannins – so less of that peppery bite – and it’s very sweet because it has lignin, and when you char the casks that lignin breaks down and creates vanillin, which gives you that toffee, vanilla, caramel sweetness,” explains Ian. “American oak is good because it better showcases the naked flavour of an individual distillery. European oak, because it is previously used for sherry, can tend to overwhelm the flavour of the whisky, as 65 % of the flavour comes from the oak that the whisky is matured in.” The result is a whisky with a light, but beautifully intense flavour. It boasts a delicate floral nose with hints of spice and vanilla sweetness on the palate. “The 25 Year Old has been matured in a combination of European and American oak, but with the 26 Year Old we wanted to create something completely different. After

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26 years exclusively in American oak it has a lovely grapefruit citrus, grassy flavour on the palate, without the peppery bite of European oak. It’s light, it’s delicate and it’s delightful,” says Ian. It also looks the part, as it is packaged in an opulent purple presentation box and finished off with an oak stopper reminiscent of the bourbon casks in which it was matured. While the 26 Year Old is certainly at the pinnacle of whisky sophistication, Ian maintains that whisky lovers are guaranteed of a special experience whatever bottle of Glenfiddich they choose to sample. “Anything that has the Glenfiddich name on it will come with an expected reliability,” he says. “So if you open any bottle of Glenfiddich, it doesn’t matter what expression it is, you know that you’re going to get something good.” Likewise, any bottle of Glenfiddich comes with a distinct sense of status which comes from the renewed emergence of a strong whisky culture around the world, as well as an appreciation of single malts. “If you stand at the corner bar with a big, chunky glass of whisky, you’re making a statement. If you stand at the corner bar with a fluted glass with shrubbery and umbrellas hanging out of it, you’re also making a statement!” says Ian. “Status comes from what you choose as you walk towards the bar. I would be happy to order my whisky on the way to the bar – ‘I’ll have a Glenfiddich, 15 please’ – and I don’t care who hears me because I am proud to ask for

How Best to Enjoy Your Whisky Ian recommends holding the bowl of your whisky glass in your hand for several minutes first, to warm the whisky before eventually nosing and tasting it. “Temperature has a huge influence on flavour, so the warmer it is – just like a red wine or a cognac – the more flavour and aroma you get. The colder it is, the more contracted and ‘locked up’ it is. By warming it up you’ll release more aroma and flavour, and in so doing you’ll also get rid of some of the sharper notes you get in younger whisky,” says Ian. But does this mean that you can never enjoy your whisky on the rocks? Not necessarily, says Ian: “Whisky can become more palatable for the younger palate if it is served with ice, plus in many countries around the world, it’s so hot that you may actually need it. We would just recommend sticking to a 12, 14 or 15 year old whisky if you’re using ice, while the older expressions should be enjoyed neat.”

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that. Whereas if I want a vodka, I may wait until I am at the bar and then whisper it to the bartender and ask him to make it look like a whisky!” So the next time you’re out on the town and wanting to impress those around you, don your best outfit, stand up a little straighter, and say in your poshest accent: “I’ll have a Gelnfiddich 26, please”. Glenfiddich Excellence 26 Year Old has a recommended retail price of R4,200 and will be available in luxury whisky retail outlets and premium establishments nationwide from this month.

Winemaking's Back-to-Basics

On the Quest for Healthier Wine Text: Keith Bain Images © Keith Bain, Reyneke Organic, & Eben Sadie

Eschewing modern conventions, the mavericks of contemporary winemaking aren’t really doing anything new. Yet their back-to-basics approach may be at the forefront of the industry’s greener, more health-conscious future.

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ONCE UPON A TIME, it all came down to soil and climate. Nature determined which kinds of grapes grew where, and also, ultimately, what flavours would come from the juice that was squeezed from them and then fermented. But 200 years of industrialisation and modern technology have wrought considerable changes in the way farms are run and how wine is produced. Soil management and irrigation means grapes are grown in regions they wouldn’t naturally occur, and a gamut of cellar practices enable winemakers to chemically manipulate virtually any aspect of what goes into a bottle of wine. While this mainstream approach has followed the demands of the market, it’s by no means the only story. Not all winemakers follow the dictates of conventional winemaking, and there are plenty of mavericks who prefer a more nuanced, back-to-basics methodology. Take Swartland-based winemaker, Eben Sadie. Revered by some as a winemaking prodigy, others regard him as anarchic. Yet his wines speak of a thoughtfulness and care that’s sometimes lacking in the broader industry. Sadie, who abandoned mainstream winemaking in 2000, likes to think of himself as someone who’s learning as he goes, gleaning knowledge about soil and grapes from the kinds of wine they produce. He believes that’s very different from trying to force the grapes to produce the types of wine demanded by consumers. His approach is low-tech and low-yield, and he says that most of his work as a winemaker happens in the vineyard. By contrast, says Sadie, most modern, industrialised winemaking is about science and manipulation, with most of the work happening in the cellar, where even bad grapes can be chemically “fixed”. Most conventional wine, says Sadie, is engineered, rather than crafted. These allowable cellar processes would astonish most wine drinkers. There are over 90 possible additives (from fish derivative and egg proteins to tannin powders and sulphur dioxide) that are permitted in commercial winemaking. Startlingly, none of these – with the exception of sulphites – are legally required to be mentioned on bottles, as there’s some kind of loophole that sets wine apart when it comes to food and beverage labelling. Aside from what’s added, explains Sadie, there are various oenological processes, ranging from micro-oxygenation to dealcoholisation, that can be used to make a wine look, taste, and smell the way it’s expected to. Sadie describes how, in the 1980s, local winemakers became celebrities as large, fancy cellars emerged, shifting focus away from the vineyards. And he describes how the business of winemaking took over from the art of winemaking: “Some Zurich-based MD appoints a marketing manager from a London business school. Together they work out that South African Chardonnay will be big in America. So they make you plant single varietal Chardonnay in the wrong soil. Because that’s what sells. That is a very good recipe for failure, yet that’s how 90 % of the wine world works. It’s down to the bottom line: Most wine-farmers plant what Excel spreadsheets tell them to plant.” In this model, says Sadie, the winemaker has usually pre-

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determined the wine’s flavour profile. Chemistry and technology make it possible to correct imbalances, fix flavours, alter textures, remove tannin... Just about any imaginable variable can be adjusted (or masked) before bottling. But Sadie says this approach has nothing to do with the real origins of wine. “Wine, properly made, is a representation of a particular place and time. Vineyards are the real key, not the cellar.” It was this realisation, after working with conventionally made wine in the 1990s, that convinced Sadie to distance himself from that world. “In 2000, I realised that whatever greatness there is in wine comes from another place. It does not come from the hand of man. It comes from the relationship you need to have with your vineyards, your environment, with the people who live and work around you.” It was an epiphany that encouraged him to go back to basics. “Over the years we have designed a cellar practice and vinification protocol that’s as basic as it gets in the world,” he says. His focus has been on creating wines that are an honest expression of the region where his grapes grow, returning to pre-industrialised practices, when it was all about the region and the soil and the grape stock, without meddling or using chemical interference to enhance, change or preserve the wine. Several of Sadie’s contemporaries consider his influence evangelical, but does this “hands off” approach mean that Sadie is producing healthier wines? His neighbour, Craig Hawkins, who spent two years working with Sadie before taking up the reins at Lammershoek, says the “natural winemaking” approach definitely produces a healthier wine, not least because fewer chemical additives mean fewer hangovers. Hawkins says he first tasted the difference

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while sampling wine from the barrel in the Loire Valley. The winemaker was a Japanese woman making all-natural, unfiltered wine from organic vineyards. Hawkins was struck by the freshness and energy of her wines, qualities he says are often stripped back in conventional winemaking, where a wine’s unique characteristics are often misconstrued as flaws. It’s that energy that Hawkins wants to see expressed in his own wines. Achieving that, he believes, is a process that starts with how the grapes are grown. It’s why he’s steadily moving from organic towards biodynamic farming. To Hawkins, and the small “natural winemaking” fraternity to which he belongs, proper winegrowing practice means no irrigation and no chemicals. He’s interested in healthier soil (fertilised by farm animals) and prefers lower-yield vines, suited to smaller-scale winemaking. And, like Sadie, Hawkins has a low-intervention cellar practice. Grapes are picked, sorted, and crushed by hand (or foot) and there are virtually no mechanical processes. Whereas conventional fermentation is frequently kickstarted by yeast inoculation, Hawkins relies on ambient vineyard yeasts to get the job done. It requires more patience, but this is about letting Mother Nature do her job. Aside from moving the must and grape juice between fermentation tanks and barrels, he says his job is to nurture and keep watch with minimal meddling. The only “additive” is a minimal quantity of sulphur dioxide, usually introduced during bottling, to prevent the wine from spoiling. Hawkins explains that South African industry standards set the legal limit on sulphur content at 150 mg per litre of wine, but he adds only a fraction of that. Long at the forefront of the biodynamic wine farming movement is Ryneke Organic, where achieving sustainability and making efforts to reduce carbon

footprints have also spurred back-to-basics, holistic farming methods. Johan Reyneke began transforming his family’s Stellenbosch farm into an organic one back in 1992, and it went on to become the country’s first biodynamic vineyard and winery. Like Sadie and Hawkins, Reyneke believes that rather than breaking new ground, this is really a return to the way winemaking used to be, before chemicals and technology took over. Reyneke’s synergistic farming approach precludes the use of herbicides, pesticides and systemic fungicides. So, rather than spraying the vineyards, companion plants that out-compete weeds are planted between the vines. These plants are also good for the soil, performing the nitrogen-fixing that conventional farming achieves with chemical fertilisers. Meanwhile, the farm’s ducks take care of snails that would otherwise be treated with toxic chemicals that ultimately leach into the grapes. So, not only do these measures serve the environment, but they have considerable knock-on effects for the quality of wine produced, and the health of the wine drinker, too. And since the earth is being kept alive, rather than being deadened with chemicals, farmers like Reyneke, Hawkins and Sadie believe the energy in the soil ends up in the wine, via healthier grapes. This, ultimately, is what wine was to begin with: a gift from the earth, revealing Nature’s goodness in an astonishing, drinkable form. The winners of this year’s Nedbank Green Wine Awards, which celebrate excellence in sustainable, environmentally sound wine farming practices, will be announced on 16th October. Visit www.greenwineawards.com for more information.

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First Page: At Lammershoek, Craig Hawkins prepares to taste from the barrel; as far as he’s concerned the winemaker’s job in the cellar is to keep careful watch, rather than interfere with natural processes. Previous Page: Johan Reyneke began transforming the family farm over two decades ago, steadily improving its eco-credentials to become the country’s first biodynamic wine farm, where every element – from healthy soil to happy cows – forms part of a cycle that serves sustainability, and a healthier output of what goes into the bottle. This Page: Eben Sadie says he makes wine according to what the soil and climate tell him makes sense, not what the demands of the market dictate; that way he works in harmony with nature, and with the character of the grapes.

T h e B e s t of Bo th Worlds Going Hybrid Text: Bernard K He

llberg

Images © Quickpic In dw e ta ke s a lo ok at ou r fa vo ur it e hy br id te ch no lo gy ca rs .

The Toyota Prius Seventeen years have elapsed since the world’s first commercially produced hybrid car, the Toyota Prius, was launched. It was to be another three years before the South African public was exposed to this quirky-looking hybrid with its upright stance and unique features. As the first of its kind, the Prius (Latin for “before”) quickly gained acceptance among the Hollywood

glitterati who bought the car to demonstrate their ecological awareness. As a low-emission vehicle, the Prius also endeared itself to its owners with its excellent fuel consumption figures, which are in the region of just 4.7 l/100 km. To this day, despite not selling in vast numbers, the Prius remains an iconic technology-leader in the “cleaner air” car environment.

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BMW ActiveHybrid 3 Arguably BMW’s most popular model, the 3-Series was the logical choice for a battery transplant/add on. The result: A car that’s heavier, without being slower or thirstier. The question remains, however, whether it is really cost-effective to pay nearly R700,000 for a car that is hardly more fuel efficient than a top-notch turbodiesel.

With its 225 kW of power from its linked 6-cylinder engine/lithium-ion battery, the ActiveHybrid rewards its owner with fuel consumption figures in the order of 5.9 l/100 km, as well as a (nearly) tax-cheating 139 gm/km CO2 figure. Also not selling in great numbers, the ActiveHybrid 3 is an exclusive buy for the status conscious.

Toyota Yaris 1.5 XR Hybrid As the most economical car I’ve ever driven, the Yaris Hybrid shares its technology with its pioneering Prius sibling. During the initial launch of this model, journalists were set the task to complete 148 km in under 100 minutes. The result was a sensational fuel economy figure of 1.67 l/100 km – an unofficial record which has yet to be beaten in our country. Priced at R277,300, the Hybrid Yaris is the most

affordable hybrid currently available in South Africa. Conventional cars with mere 36-litre fuel tanks will certainly raise eyebrows, given our relatively long distances between cities and towns. However, driven in a conventional manner, the Hybrid Yaris will achieve figures of under 4.0 l/100 km, giving it a Pretoria to Beaufort West range of 900 km from this tiny tank, which is a remarkable achievement.

Lexus CT 200h By using Toyota’s conventional 73 kW, 4-cylinder petrol engine, and mating it to twin electric motors, this leading Japanese carmaker has served notice that it’s serious about hybrids. Although not cheap at R408,500 (for a mid-size four-seater), the CT 200h

displays the personality of a larger luxury car, while sipping fuel at a rate of just 4.1 l/100 km. In EV mode, the CT200h is completely emissions-free, and is so quiet that the car has had to be fitted with an audible signal to warn pedestrians.

Porsche Cayenne'S Hybrid When prestige carmaker Porsche gets involved in the world of hybrid design, it becomes clear that this technology is more than a mere passing fad. Looming on the horizon is the Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid, with a V6 engine producing 306 kW to which the electric motors have contributed 70 kW. It’s hard to

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believe that a sports SUV such as the Cayenne, with its top speed of 243 km/h and 0-100 km/h sprint figures of 5.9 seconds, will still be capable of combined fuel consumption figures of 3.4 l/100 km. At the same time its CO2 emissions per kilometre is a seriously low 79 grams, which is significantly below the tax threshold of 120 gm/km.

Mercedes-Benz Even the world’s oldest carmaker has joined the stampede towards alternative energy sources. MercedesBenz has boldly used its E-class, as well as its top-ofthe-range S-class to showcase its achievements in terms of hybrid propulsion. The S400 Hybrid, while not quite as fuel-friendly as

the Cayenne, nevertheless does quite well for such a heavy vehicle. Average fuel consumption is a very reasonable 6.8 l/100 km with the same result (in seconds) for the 0-100 km/h sprint. This 3.5-litre V6 – as a non-hybrid – will probably guzzle fuel at the rate of 14 l/100 km, almost justifying the higher price.

Honda Jazz Hybrid/CR-Z Hybrid Auto With more than 20 years of hybrid vehicle development behind them, both models feature Honda’s integrated hybrid assist system, with an electric motor combined with a conventional petrol engine. In EV (electric vehicle) mode, both Hondas

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– like most other hybrid cars – can provide a limited cruising distance without consuming a drop of fuel. But all this comes at a price, and the Hybrid Jazz, for instance, will cost at least R60,000 more than the petrol-only equivalent.

Happy Spending Buy Experiences, Not Products Text: Gareth Ochse/Finweek Images © 123RF

I read recently of a presentation by Dr Miriam Tatzel, of Empire State College in the US, who shared an overview of consumer behaviour and happiness at the American Psychological Association’s annual conference. Her work examines the link between consumerism, happiness and even the environmental impact of our buying decisions. She found that the same things that benefit our happiness probably also help us to improve the environment. Consumerism Isn’t What it Says On the Can While we regard an increase in consumer spending as a good thing for the economy, it’s not such great news for the environment, or for our individual levels of satisfaction. Consumerism is a preoccupation with getting and spending, leading to insatiable wants. It’s underpinned by a belief that economic and social prosperity depend on growth in consumer spending, and that’s why so much of our economic policy supports consumerism. However, there are two major downsides: • Consumer appetites are draining the planet: The production of all that bling and those electronics we demand is leading to a degradation of natural resources, global warming, increased pollution, and the exploitation of cheap labour. • Despite what you may think, all of that spending isn’t making us happy.

Why Doesn’t Spending Make Us Happier? Happiness doesn’t come from having more money to buy possessions, living in luxury, or being admired by others for what car you drive. Instead, research has shown that the following factors contribute to happiness: competence, autonomy, meaning, pleasure, engagement, and relationships.

None of these are fuelled by money or materialism.

Don’t Buy Things, Be Happy If you want to be happy, you need to have a low level of materialism, as materialism undermines your wellbeing. Once on the “hedonistic treadmill” (the human tendency to get used to what we have, no matter how nice it is, and strive for more) it’s hard to get off, but getting more doesn’t meet our needs or sustain happiness levels. Research also shows that less materialistic people are happier and more satisfied with life. “The larger the gap between what one wants and what one has, the greater the dissatisfaction,” said Dr Tatzel. “Less materialism equals more happiness.” Part of the solution is to be thrifty and frugal. Thrift means conserving money. Frugality is about conserving resources as well as money. Frugal people are generally more satisfied with life. Happiness Comes from Doing, Rather Than Having While buying things might not make us happier, spending on experiences instead might do the trick, as this leads to longer lasting happiness. So change your activities rather than your material circumstances, as this brings more lasting happiness and is probably better for the environment. Experiences live on in memory, are incomparable, are often shared with others, are more central to the self, part

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of our biography, need not be resource intensive, can be free, and are most likely better for the environment. All of these are part of the reason why travel incentives work so well.

How Much Money Do You Need to Be Happy? There’s no doubt that a poor person will be a lot happier and be able to lead a far higher quality of life with a boost in their income. However, the happiness that comes with extra income apparently tapers off at levels of about $75,000 (around R750,000). Anything more makes no difference to happiness.

What About the Society You Live In? Research using the Gini coefficient, a measure used to indicate income inequality, finds that more equal societies are happier. Lower inequality leads to a happier society, less materialistic outlooks (i.e. more attainable standard of success), and fewer work hours. So, ideally, you want to live in places where the rich and the poor aren’t too far apart. Unfortunately, this won’t be happening in South Africa anytime soon.

Your Personality Happiness isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about our personalities, too. People who cultivate their talents and relationships to find satisfaction may be less likely to rely on things and purchases to make them happy. Trying to keep up with the Joneses only leads to misery. One needs to be intrinsically motivated: Cultivate one’s talents more than money, and cultivate relationships more than admiration. You also need to have an independent (versus an interdependent) sense of self, and not really care about what others think of your possessions. Take your satisfaction from yourself, rather than others.

What This Means for Entrepreneurs My take on Dr Tatzel’s research and its implications for entrepreneurs is that we should find more motivation in the experiences and learning we have as entrepreneurs than anything material it allows us to buy or accumulate. We should find satisfaction in our own journeys, and not compare ourselves to how others are doing (materially). We should also build businesses that offer people experiences rather than products, because people will remember these for a long time and feel more happy about them than they ever did about their old iPhone or perfume. If we get this right, we’ll consume less of our planet and leave more of it for our children to enjoy. It’s worthy of some thought. Your happiness depends on it. Copy courtesy of ‘Finweek’. Call 0860 103 911 to subscribe.

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Sporty Spice Mercedes-Benz SL 400 AMG-Line Text: Bernard Hellberg Images © Mercedes-Benz SA

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ith the introduction of the new SL 400 AMG-Line to the local collection of luxury coupé/cabriolets, the Mercedes-Benz star shines brightly over one of its most iconic series, beefing up the marque’s “everyday” sports car credentials.

MERCEDES-BENZ is no stranger to the world of sports cars. Straddling a fine line between supercar and user-friendly city sports car, the SL has brought driving joy to millions during its illustrious 60-year history. The SL-Class roadster family is now available with a new entry-level derivative engine – a 3-litre, six-cylinder biturbo system with an output of 245 kW and 480 Nm of torque – while keeping the level of luxury as high as one usually expects from the Mercedes brand.

The SL’s cabin remains a study in the use of fine materials that have been perfectly finished, with great attention to detail. The interior boasts distinctive Mercedes style and character with a touch of individuality to the seats – with their characteristic horizontal fluting – and the three-spoke AMG sports steering wheel in black napa leather. The SL 400 is every bit an SL: From its classic radiator grille with large Mercedes star, across its long, dynamic bonnet, and extending to its compact cabin and squat, muscular haunches.

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The standard-specced Intelligent Light System (ILS) boasts five different lighting functions that are tailored to typical driving and weather conditions, and are activated depending on the driving situation. These not only make for great visibility, but also give the SL it’s very characteristic face. The typical Mercedes curved sidelights and horizontal strip daytime running lights in the far ends of the bumper feature LED technology and create a sense of drama. The SL 400 focuses Mercedes’ attention on marrying driving enjoyment with more frugal fuel use. With the standard ECO start/stop function and the evergreen 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission configured to curb unnecessary consumption, the SL 400 achieves a combined figure of just 7.3 l/100 km. To achieve such substantial fuel savings while not affecting the car’s sportiness, the SL 400 AMGLine combines a direct injection system with sprayguided combustion (of up to five injections per power stroke through its Piezo injectors) with rapid multispark ignition (MSI). Simply put, the multi-spark system generates up to four sparks per combustion event by rapidly recharging and discharging (within one millisecond) on each combustion cycle. This creates what Mercedes term a

“plasma”, which creates a larger spatial expansion than conventional ignition. On top of this, the rapid-fire multi-spark system will change both the timing of the sparks and the combustion period to suit driving style and engine operating conditions. The result is a surprisingly agile performance, as I experienced in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands recently. Being the smallest capacity SL by two litres, it is a relief that the 3-litre SL retains its ability to thrill. Steering the car through the winding roads around Nottingham Road highlighted just how nimble the suspension system with Adaptive Damping System is on this car. Pushing the SL hard did reveal some moments of lighter than expected steering feel, but for most applications – and most drivers – the fully automatic suspension damping will entertain any demands as it adjusts to the road conditions. The driver also has the ability to choose the sporty or comfortoriented basic damper setting. With a standard price of R1,212,600 (including VAT, but excluding emissions tax) the SL 400 AMG-Line is a polite introduction to the world of Mercedes-Benz luxury sports cars. Its very respectable acceleration numbers, fuel usage and high level of luxury make it a serious contender in this segment.

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Make the Neighbours Green With Envy Eco-friendly Kitchen Renovations Text: Property24.com Images © iStockphoto.com

Going green is about more than simply switching off lights when you’re not in the room or taking your empty glass bottles to the local depot. There are strategies for almost every aspect of our lives, it’s simply a matter of choosing the “level of green” you want to achieve. When it comes to creating your perfect home environment, there are endless possibilities, and with these tips from Property24, renovating your kitchen can mean creating a gourmet haven while simultaneously doing your bit for the environment.

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The Paint There is nothing like a fresh coat of paint to breathe new life into outdated décor and design. With the move towards healthier living, there has been significant investment in creating nontoxic products such as paint, without limiting the choice of colour and style. Choosing lowVOC (Volatile Organic Compound) or zeroVOC paint is not only a positive move for the environment, but it’s also healthier and safer for your family.

The Cabinets Materials traditionally used for kitchen cabinets are also likely to contain harmful VOCs. Fortunately, there are now a number of more eco-friendly alternatives such as aluminium or hardwood cabinets. Alternatively, shop around for low-VOC wooden cabinets, which are becoming easier to find as the demand increases.

The Countertops There are plenty of options for countertops that are eco-friendly, durable, and suit every style. Whether you are after clean and minimalist concrete or granite, or if it’s a country style that you are looking for with a tiled or wooden countertop, the key is to make sure that the sealants used are non-toxic, while still being durable. Another option is to make use of reclaimed or recycled materials which can be affordable and offer a unique touch to your home.

The Appliances

mean that you have to be stuck with a huge electricity bill each month, and renovating a kitchen is the perfect time to shop around for energy-efficient appliances. Fridges, ovens and stoves that require less energy are now available from some leading manufacturers. The benefits of this method of going green will soon outweigh the cost of the upgraded appliances as electricity bills become more manageable. Apply the same theory to your light fittings and light bulbs and reducing your energy usage will not limit your culinary adventures to daylight hours.

The Old Faithfuls Along with reducing energy usage, a kitchen upgrade is also an ideal opportunity to streamline some of the green strategies you may have already been using. While a compost bin can be an unsightly addition to a kitchen and add unpleasant odours, a built-in countertop compost bin can be hidden and well sealed. This means sending those natural offcuts to compost is as simple as wiping a counter, and there is no need to see or smell the bin, which can then be easily emptied into the outdoor compost heap when you are ready. Recycling is another simple way of doing your part for the environment, but it is also something that can take up quite a bit of space in an average kitchen. Creating under-counter bins means that there is a dedicated area for this material, and ensuring they are easily accessible will allow you to separate the various types of recycling material immediately. If you are looking for more ideas on how to create a more sustainable home, visit Property24.com.

Having electric lights and appliances doesn’t

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sanbi

r o f g Kayakin

n o i t a v r Conse Tour The TriWaters ainwright Text: Stuart W lied Images ÂŠ Supp

Franz Fulz

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The largest continuous water body in South Africa runs west from the source of the Vaal River until it merges with the Orange River, and eventually flows into the Atlantic Ocean, just below the Namibian border. However, despite this 2,500 km stretch of water serving as a source of life for generations, few of the communities dotted along its banks know how to care for this precious resource on which they depend.

t may seem crazy to think of paddling 2,500 km from the Vaal River into the Orange River and finally to the Atlantic Ocean. But when three guys from different parts of the world decided that they needed something big if they were to raise awareness and funds for water conservation, 2,500 km of backbreaking kayaking seemed fitting.

Ok, That’s Far, but Why Should We Care? Unicef and who published a global report in 2013 that reveals that more than 768 million people do not have access to safe drinking water. The repercussions are unthinkable to those of us who open the tap without a moment’s thought. Yet, if we don’t learn to care for our rivers, many South Africans could join this number. According to the South African Department of Environmental Affairs, aquatic ecosystems are more endangered than any other ecosystem in our country. Only 26 % of rivers remain intact, while 54 % are critically

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Troy Glover

Brett Merchant endangered, and more than 50 % of our wetlands have been destroyed. Frightening statistics such as these have motivated a Canadian teacher, a South African engineer, and an Australian “happy-go-lucky bloke” to take on a mammoth adventure in a bid to put things right. From January to March 2015, the trio plan to kayak the full 2,500 km from the source of the Vaal to the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way and as part of the TriWaters Tour, they will be giving talks at schools and riverside communities to promote water conservation and river awareness. They hope not only to raise awareness for water conservation, but also to educate and create sustainability within the communities.

So, Who Are These Three Blokes? Expedition leader, Franz Fulz, was born and raised in Ermelo, Mpumalanga. After school, he left his hometown to pursue his studies and a career in engineering. More than a decade later, he returned to find that mining had largely replaced farming in the area. “The Mpumalanga Highveld is the headwaters for many of South Africa’s major rivers, including the Komati, Crocodile, Olifants, Usuthu, and the Vaal. These rivers are all ‘born’ almost within walking distance of Breyten, close to my hometown. The landscape has undergone major changes, and so too the natural water systems,” explains Franz. “Some research into the impact of mining,

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agriculture, and municipal water systems shows that South Africa is heading towards a major water crisis.” It was with this realisation that Franz decided to reach out to fellow adventurers across the globe. “I decided that although our rivers are under stress, it is not too late. There is still time to make a change for the better!” He is quick to add that the team are far from anti-mining or anti-establishment. They suggest that such commercial operations should be performed responsibly to ensure a sustainable supply of fresh water in the future, as South Africa’s water and thus food sovereignty depends on this. He connected with the young Australian on the team, Brett Merchant, via Facebook. In 2013, Brett completed a source-to-sea expedition of Australia’s longest river, the Murray. “I’ve never been to Africa before, and completing the Murray expedition has reinforced my belief that water is such a finite and precious resource that must be conserved for the future. The agriculture and mining reliance on both the Murray and Vaal/Orange river systems is heavy and, at current rates, isn’t sustainable. Raising awareness of this is what the expedition aims to do, and I’m hoping we can make a real difference in people’s minds.” Brett is a mining consultant and brings insight into the mining industry, one of the biggest challenges in water conservation. His passion for water conservation and a career in mining may seem at odds with each other on a trip such as this, but it might just be a vital component to finding a solution that allows for all involved to benefit from the water systems in South Africa.

Troy Glover of Wemindji, Canada, is an environmental advocate and teacher with a background in aquatic biology. Like Franz and Brett, Troy is an avid paddler and spends much of his spare time on the icy waters of James Bay, the Southernmost part of the Arctic Ocean. His background in conservation and education will ensure that their message remains in the hearts and minds of those the team encounter. He’s looking forward to the unpredictable and says: “What I love about travelling is the uncertainty of what is to come. I know I will learn a great deal from those who live beside this river every day, and I look forward to being able to share my experience with them.”

What’s Their Plan? Beyond creating awareness, the TriWaters Tour also aims to raise funds for the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA). Their mission is to promote public participation in caring for the Earth and to create fair, sustainable management of resources. The team will also be teaching adults and children about the mini-SASS (Stream Assessment Scoring System), which allows communities to monitor the health of the ecosystem by simply counting insects in the water. The team is hoping to raise in excess of R300,000, a drop in the ocean of what is really needed to solve a global concern of this kind. For more information or to get involved, head to www.triwaterstour.com or follow the adventure on their Facebook group and Twitter (@Triwaterstour).

Tactical Taxiing Making SA Express a Greener Airline Text: Lesley Stones Images © SA Express

SA Express has become the first airline in the country to adopt a new method of taxiing after landing that burns less fuel and cuts fuel emissions.

THIS SIMPLE but unusual method of using only one engine to taxi off the runway to the terminal after landing, cuts the amount of fuel burned by an average of 20 litres on every landing. A flight from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein typically uses 1,000 litres of fuel, so saving 20 litres is a reduction of 2 %, helping SA Express to become a little greener. It’s also good for the balance sheet. Turboprop Fleet Manager, Captain Alan Macaulay, expects this simple tactic to save the airline about R5 million every year. “The primary reasons to do it are to save fuel and to cut our carbon emissions,” says Macaulay. “We save about 20 litres of fuel every time

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an aircraft lands, and with the number of flights we operate per day and per year, that runs into millions of litres and reduces our carbon emissions enormously.” SA Express operates a fleet of both jets and propeller planes. The jet engines are too high for the passengers to see, so people are probably not even aware that one engine is being switched off once the plane has landed. But there is a chance that passengers on the prop planes will notice and worry that something is wrong, Macaulay says. “On a prop plane, stopping one of the propellers is a fairly visible thing, so we want to let everyone know why we are doing it,” he says. The new initiative is beginning to catch on around

the world after aircraft manufacturers extensively tested the single-engine taxiing technique and declared it safe. “Some other operators around the world started doing this a while ago, but we took a more conservative approach and waited for all the evidence to come in. Now the aircraft manufacturers have looked at all the risks and analysed the effect on all the components, and Bombardier, the manufacturer of our aircraft, has endorsed this programme,” Macaulay says. SA Express has also done its own trials to make sure it works in this environment and that the crews are comfortable with the policy. “None of our rival airlines has pursued this yet, so we are proud that it makes us a greener airline. We are doing all sorts of things in an

attempt to save fuel, and this is one new change that will have a very tangible result,” Macaulay says. Flights to Gaborone will not switch off an engine on landing, because the airport terminal is right next to the runway. “In that case there is nothing to be gained, but our flights landing in Hoedspruit, Kimberley, Bloemfontein, and Johannesburg have fairly extended taxi times, so the saving is quite significant,” Macaulay says. No departing planes will taxi on only one engine from the airport to the runway, as the pilots have too many other things to focus on, Macaulay says. Good news for passengers is that the planes will still taxi at the same speed upon landing, so there will be no delays.

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Meet the

Crew Text & Images © Supplied

ave you ever wondered who is flying the plane when you travel on SA Express? Or wanted to know more about what a job as a cabin crew member is like? Well, now’s your chance! Every

month we will introduce a few members of our SA Express family, because by getting to know them, you become part of the SA Express family too.

Brandon Nathan

Line Check Captain of Standards Length of Service at SA Express: Employed for 16 years with SA Express. Please tell us briefly what your job involves: My duties are to: Fly the line on a day-to-day basis; conducting line flying under supervision for new crew members coming onto the CRJ fleet; carrying out line checks for fellow crew members; flying as a co-pilot when needed; and keeping the Flight Standards Manual current and up to date. What is your favourite part of your job? My favourite part of my job is completing any challenging task, such as dealing with bad weather (low cloud and fog or late afternoon thunderstorms) with little or no delay to our passengers. What do you like about working for SA Express? SA Express as a company is a very professional outfit that looks after the needs of its employees superbly, with the emphasis on safety and an all-round friendly, efficient working environment. Have you ever had any funny incidents or encounters while on the job? Recently, just after we started the engines and were being pushed back onto the taxiway, we received a

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warning light in the cockpit and our attention was diverted from the normal operation of telling the ground crew member to unplug his headsets. After rectifying the problem on the aircraft we requested taxi clearance and started taxiing, only to hear the ground engineer screeching that he was still plugged into the aircraft! What could have been quite a dangerous situation turned out to be quite funny after the dust had settled.

Seabe Rampa First Officer

Length of Service at SA Express: Two and half years office based and two years as a pilot. Please tell us briefly what your job involves: My job involves providing my Captain with as much information as possible prior to and during the flight in order to operate in a safe manner according to our standards manual. What is your favourite part of your job? The actual flying and landing of the aircraft; I enjoy the challenges that come with that. What do you like about working for SA Express? They provide opportunities for us to grow in the company through hard work. What would people find surprising about

your job? The amount of theory and study involved in the job. Most people think that all we do is fly. Have you ever had any funny incidents or encounters while on the job? Yes, the first few times I had to speak to passengers, I would get so nervous at times I’d end up mumbling.

Andre Wesley Basson Junior First Officer

Length of service at SA Express: One year and eight months. Please tell us briefly what your job involves: Assisting the Captain in the safe operation of the aircraft while ensuring the passengers’ comfort and safety. What is your favourite part of your job? Flying the aircraft. What do you like about working for SA Express? It is a very family orientated working environment. Have you ever had any funny incidents or encounters while on the job? When Johannesburg Tower greets crew from other countries in Afrikaans, the “Afrikaans” attempt is usually laugh-inducing.

Chantell Engelbrecht Flight Attendant

Length of service at SA Express: Six years. What is your favourite part of your job? Meeting new and interesting people every day, and being able to travel to exciting destinations. What do you find most challenging about your job? Weather is the most challenging part of my job, because we can only get a true idea of the weather conditions during the flight. This creates an unforeseen challenge that must be dealt with at that specific time. What do you like about working for SA Express? I like working for SAX because of their core values, which are: safety without compromise; customer satisfaction above all else; speed and reliability; and above all striving for continuous improvement. This is a reflection of the values that I set for myself in my own life. Have you ever had any funny incidents or encounters while on the job? Once, when we came in for landing at Hoedspruit, we had to do a turnaround because a family of warthogs with their little ones was busy crossing the runway, much to the excitement of the tourists on board en route to their safari expedition.

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Travel Safely Vaccines for International Travel*,† Infection

Regions Where the Vaccine Is Recommended

Comments

Hepatitis A

All developing countries.

2 doses ≥ 6 months apart; complete protection for 6 – 12 months after the first dose and for life after the second dose.

Managing Health Risks While Travelling Text: Sanofi Pasteur Images © 123RF

Hepatitis B

All developing countries, particularly China.

Recommended for extended-stay travellers and all healthcare workers.

Influenza

Year-round in the tropics, April through September in

Recommended for adult travellers to these destinations.

the Southern Hemisphere, October through April in the Northern Hemisphere.

Also recommended for people travelling to any destination in large groups.

Japanese Encephalitis

Rural areas in most parts of Asia, particularly in areas with rice and pig farming.

Three doses over 28 days. Not recommended for pregnant women.

Meningococcal Infections

Northern Sub-Saharan Africa from Mali to Ethiopia (the meningitis belt). Required for entry into Saudi Arabia

The risk is higher during the dry season (December through June).

during Hajj or Umrah. Throughout the world, especially in crowded living situations (such as dormitories). Rabies

All countries, including the US.

in remote areas). Does not eliminate need for additional vaccinations after the animal bite for added protection.

The benefits of travel are many, but in order to truly enjoy your next holiday, it pays to be prepared, to practise general health precautions, and to ensure that your required travel vaccinations are up to date.

Recommended during pregnancy only if risk of infection is high. Typhoid Fever

DEPENDING on the travel destination, travellers may be exposed to a number of infectious diseases. The risk of becoming infected will vary according to: the purpose of the trip and your itinerary within the area; the standards of accommodation, hygiene and sanitation; as well as your own behaviour. In some instances, disease can be prevented by vaccination, but there are some infectious diseases, including some of the most important and most dangerous, for which no vaccines exist. General precautions can greatly reduce your risk of exposure to infectious agents, and should always be taken for visits to any destination where there is a significant risk of exposure, regardless of whether any vaccinations or medication have been administered. The modes of transmission for different infectious diseases are: • Foodborne and waterborne diseases • Vector-borne diseases

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• Zoonosis (diseases transmitted by animals) • Sexually transmitted diseases • Blood-borne diseases • Airborne diseases • Diseases transmitted via soil Travellers intending to visit a destination in a developing country should consult a travel clinic or medical practitioner before their journey. This consultation should take place at least four to eight weeks before the journey and preferably earlier if long-term travel or overseas work is envisaged. However, last-minute travellers can also benefit from a medical consultation, even as late as the day of travel. The consultation will include information about the most important health risks (including traffic accidents); will determine the need for any vaccinations and/or antimalarial medication; and will identify any other medical items that you may require.

Recommended for travellers at risk of animal bites (such as rural campers, veterinarians, field workers, people living

All developing countries, especially in South Asia (including India).

Pill form: One pill taken every other day for a total of four pills. Protects for five years. Not safe for pregnant women. Single injection form: Protects for two years and is thought to be safer for pregnant women than the pill form of the vaccine.

Yellow Fever

Tropical South America and tropical Africa.

Although this infection is rare, vaccination is required for entry into many countries. Not safe for pregnant women.

*In addition to the listed vaccinations, vaccinations for measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, polio, pneumococcal disease, and varicella should be up to date. †All recommendations are subject to change. For the latest recommendations, see the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov).

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Innovation in Research Support

University of the Free State’s Postgraduate School Text & Images © UFS

The benefits of postgraduate study are well documented, and universities compete to attract the cream of international and South African students to their postgraduate programmes. The Postgraduate School (PGS) has established itself as an innovative and distinctive advantage offered by the University of the Free State (UFS) to postgraduate students. DURING her inaugural lecture at the opening of the School in 2011, Prof Maresi Nerad from Washington University in Seattle said: “Five years from now, the school would have taken the lead in preparing graduate students to be world citizens and intellectual entrepreneurs.” After three years, the school is exceeding expectations in terms of promoting excellent postgraduate education at the university. The school’s Researcher Capacity Development Programme offers not just opportunities to develop research skills and transferable competencies such as writing funding proposals and project management, but also focuses on the personal and social development of students. Both staff and students attend its numerous workshops which concentrate on research design and methodology, academic writing, and being a world-class scholar. In April 2014, the school launched a mentoring programme for high-achieving honours and master’s students, which is aimed at developing their leadership and academic skills. The programme includes subjects such as career planning, critical thinking, academic communication skills, and leadership qualities. Students are expected to complete their studies within tight timeframes and to increase their research output, which places both themselves and their supervisors under tremendous pressure. The school therefore also empowers and supports supervisors with supervisory training by international experts such as Prof Harry Wels

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from the Netherlands and Prof Gina Wisker from England. Apart from training opportunities, emerging researchers participate in popular monthly discussions on supervision practices, policies, and the challenges supervisors face. The school is also a one-stop shop for many inexperienced supervisors, guiding and supporting them on issues related to their students’ research and other supervision challenges. The postgraduate journey can be a very lonely one, working late at night, reading and writing, having little contact with the rest of the university community. The school actively reaches out to off-campus postgraduate students through social events, a monthly newsletter, and regular email and social media communication. Our Facebook page and blog are frequented by followers in 31 countries. Regular helpful hints for postgraduate students on issues such as writer’s block, how to avoid plagiarism, and how to make the most of your research supervision have a growing following. This integrated and constant communication helps to create a stronger sense of connectedness to the UFS Postgraduate School, and many students testify to the motivational value of these social support networks. Under the leadership of Dr Henriëtte van den Berg, Director of the School, the UFS’s Postgraduate School has become a warm and welcoming space where future researchers are inspired to reach for the stars and to build the competency to fulfil their dreams.

Adding Cherries

on the Top Lexus IS 350

Text: Bernard K Hellberg Images ÂŠ Quickpic

With Lexus, Toyotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s luxury division, now comfortably selling more than 100 units per month, the increasingly popular IS 350 range has been given enhanced buyer appeal with a number of stylish, yet subtle, additions. Indwe 147

THESE ENHANCEMENTS include fitting the fog lamps with LED units, converting the conventional CD player to a DVD unit, and adding a rear sonar as a safety feature. Apart from these added features, the 2015 models also include Siri Eyes Free technology from Apple (compatible with iPhone 4S and 5) and heated and ventilated front seats (for the F Sport). The interior also gets the “classy” treatment with revised interior trim, including a sophisticated piano-black colour on the window switches and instrument panel. This third generation of Japan’s most popular sports sedan will continue to enjoy the 227 kW produced by the all-aluminium, 3.5-litre V6 linked to a superb eight-speed automatic gearbox that integrates advanced G-force Artificial Intelligence (G-Ai) to choose gears intuitively. The driver, however, may override this near-perfect system by bringing the paddle shifters into the equation. Although a genuine sports sedan, the IS 350 offers luxury sedan creature comforts, beginning with interior trim such as dual-zone climate control with touch-sensitive switches, Bluetooth audio, and automatic phone book transfer. The HD radio system adds a vehicle information display and complimentary traffic and weather data. These next-generation IS models exemplify the brand’s mastery of advanced passive and active safety technology. All IS models are superbly safe vehicles, thanks to ten airbags, Vehicle Dynamics Management, ABS brakes with EBD, and traction control with vehicle stability control. The 2015 IS models can also be equipped with a pre-emptive Pre-Collision System (PCS) which incorporates adaptive cruise control. Other advanced safety features include an automatic high beam headlamp system, lane departure alert, blind spot monitor, and a standard tyre pressure warning system. In terms of the car’s construction, the 2015 IS range continues to lead the field with an ultrahigh tensile steel body structure that

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makes use of laser screw welding and adhesive body bonding that provides that uncannily rigid handling “feel”. In a market where it competes directly with the German “Big Three”, as well as Nissan’s luxury Infiniti, the Lexus IS 350 plays in a market segment where luxury, safety and build integrity, not to mention resale value, are all taken as a given. For this very reason, then, it makes sense that Lexus designers have also identified the car’s exterior appearance as a focal point for prospective buyers. They were obviously looking for an aggressive stance in order to portray a muscular image which signifies power and luxury and, in order to achieve this, the 2015 model has been widened by some 12 mm, while the vehicle itself has been lengthened by 75 mm. Even the spindle grille features a more three-dimensional design, enhanced by the stylish appearance of the HID headlamps. But it’s only when one takes a closer look at features such as the way in which the body panels fit, and the impeccable excellence of the paint finish, that one becomes aware of Lexus’ almost fanatical approach to quality. Quite clearly, Lexus has no desire to be “as good as”. They want to be better than the opposition, and the team behind Lexus has realised that a vehicle of this stature is the sum of many total parts: exterior looks, superb engine and drive train, ultimate comfort and safety, as well as that elusive pride-ofownership component which goes hand in hand with the ultimate purchase. Having driven the Lexus, in this case the IS 350 F Sport, over many hundreds of kilometres, I can personally vouch for this car. It is virtually without blemish or defect and gives credence to the old saying that it is not the destination, but rather the journey. The IS 350 is one of only a select number of cars that is capable of doing the Pretoria to Cape Town run in one day while delivering its occupants in a relaxed and refreshed manner.

gadgets

At the Heart of Running TomTom’s recently released Runner Cardio GPS sports watch boasts a built-in Heart Rate Monitor, eliminating the need for a separate chest strap. The Runner Cardio makes it easy to train in the optimal heart rate zone. Runners can select one of five intensity zones to match their training goals, and will receive alerts to tell them when to speed up or slow down. Runners can see real-time heart rate, distance, pace and other essential running information at a glance, while running. The Runner Cardio accurately measures heart rate with a Mio® optical sensor, which monitors changes in blood flow by shining light through the skin. The TomTom Runner Cardio is available at selected retailers for a recommended retail price of R3,799.

Internet for Everyone Classifieds giant Gumtree has partnered with Project Isizwe to bring free WiFi to lowincome communities across South Africa, starting with a large roll-out in the City of Tshwane in Soshanguve, Mamelodi and Atteridgeville. The initiative plans to create capacity to connect over one million people in the municipality from August 2014 via 219 “Free Internet Zones”, with even greater capacity planned for 2015. Each of the Free Internet Zone (FIZ) locations will allow users with WiFi enabled devices such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers to access free internet without any logins or passwords. A fair usage policy limits users to a data cap of 250 MB per device per day, and prohibits access to certain sites to protect against abuse of the free service. However, once the cap has run out, users will still be able to access a specialised content portal known as Tobetsa – which includes access to Gumtree’s portal for job seekers and educational information. Project Isizwe and Gumtree plan to shortly roll out the same initiative at eight low-income schools in Atlantis and Robertson in the Western Cape, thereby connecting 20 000 people, before expanding further across the province. www.projectisizwe.org

Advanced Projection A-tek’s new Xsories projector, X-Project WIFI, has all the great features of a traditional projector, just made better. The X-Project WIFI allows you attach it to almost any device (USB and external hard drives, PC or MAC, the Internet, smart phones and tablets, action and digital cameras, handheld gaming devices, as well as SD/MMC memory cards) to project photos and videos just about anywhere. The X-Project WIFI also has the ability to connect to any WiFi network, allowing you to use WiFi hotspots to your advantage. The X-Project WIFI has dual functionality, in that it can be used for both professional and entertainment purposes – take it to the office for business presentations, and then use it at home to enjoy watching movies with friends. The X-Project WIFI comes in three different sizes, with a remote control to make your viewing easily accessible, and is available for R8,499.99 at Incredible Connection stores nationwide. www.a-tek.co.za

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books Don’t Film Yourself Having Sex: And Other Legal Advice for the Age of Social Media By Emma Sadleir Tamsyn de Beer

In the digital age you can get into serious legal trouble at the click of a button.The shift from passive Internet user to active digital citizen has brought about unprecedented levels of online interaction, creation and connecting. But as people begin to share more and more about themselves and their lives on social media, they are finding themselves getting into trouble for what they say and do online. Emma Sadleir and Tamsyn de Beer, who together run one of South Africa’s leading social media law consultancies, point out the social traps and legal tangles that you could find yourself facing as you navigate the murky waters of the digital age. In a fun, witty and easily accessible way, this ground-breaking book details the legal, disciplinary and reputational risks that you, your company and your children face online.

Must Read

The Race to the Truth By Emma O’Reilly When Emma O’Reilly joined the US Postal cycling team in 1996, she had no idea she would become a central figure in the biggest doping scandal in sporting history. Yet when Lance Armstrong, starting his comeback from cancer, signed for US Postal, it was Emma, the only woman on the team, who became his personal confidante. This is the definitive inside story of that time, and of the enormous repercussions that resonate to this day for Emma, Lance, and the sport of cycling. Emma had the strength to break cycling’s omertà by speaking out against the culture of doping. She thought she would be one of many whistleblowers,doing what she believed was right.Isolated and shunned by the sport she loved, however, her reputation was systematically destroyed.And yet she had the courage to bounce back, and remarkably, to forgive those who made her existence a living hell.This is the ultimate memoir of truth and its many consequences.

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Africa's Ultimate Safaris By Ian Thompson & Shirli Carswell After 20 years of travelling the African continent on filming and guiding expeditions, and having gained a wealth of knowledge and experience, Ian Thompson and Shirli Carswell, partners in the Wildside Safari Company, have compiled a unique coffee table book entitled Africa’s Ultimate Safaris, which represents some of the best safaris Africa has to offer. This is a photographic summary of the ideal ways in which to experience a safari in Africa, showcasing some of the most beautiful and wildest destinations the continent has to offer. Each of the ten chapters features a pictorial and scripted experience dedicated to one of Africa’s ultimate safaris, from the migration in the Serengeti to the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. Each chapter has a beautifully illustrated map of the area.

Airline information SA Express fleet Canadair Regional Jet 200 BER Manufacturer: Bombardier Maximum cruising speed: 474 knots/545mph/879kmph Engines: Two General Electric CF34-3B1 Range: 1,662miles/3,080km Maximum altitude: 41,000ft/12,496m Seating capacity: 50

Crew: Two pilots, two cabin crew Wing span: 69ft 7in/21.21m Overall length: 87ft 10in/26.77m Overall height: 20ft 5in/6.22m Maximum take-off weight: 51,000lb/23,134kg Minimum runway length: 6,295ft/1,919m

De Havilland Dash 8 Series Q400 Turboprop Manufacturer: Bombardier Maximum cruising speed: 360knots/414mph/667kmph Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150A Range: 1,565 miles/2,519km Maximum altitude: 25,000ft/7,620m Seating capacity: 74 Crew: Two pilots, two

cabin crew Wing span: 93ft 3in/28.42m Overall length: 107ft 9in/32.83m Overall height: 27ft 5in/8.34m Maximum take-off weight: 64,500lb/29,257kg Minimum runway length: 4,580ft/1,396m

Canadair Regional Jet 700 Manufacturer: Bombardier Maximum cruising speed: 473 knots/544mph/875kmph Engines: Two General Electric CF34-8C5B Range: 1,477m/2,794km Maximum altitude: 41,000ft/12,496m Seating capacity: 70 Crew: Crew: Two pilots, two

cabin crew Wing span: 76ft 3in/23.2m Overall length: 106ft 8in/32.51m Overall height: 24ft 10in/7.57m Maximum take-off weight: 72,750lb/32,999kg Minimum runway length: 4,580ft/1,396m

SA Expressâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; aircraft are made by Bombardier Aerospace

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We fly for you About us SA Express is a fast-growing airline business operating primary and secondary hubs between domestic and regional destinations within Southern Africa. Our objective of improving intra-Africa travel is in line with South Africa’s mandate to increase aviation’s contribution towards sustainable economic growth and job creation. The flexibility and reliability presented by the airline’s FACT principle (Frequency, Availability, Competitive rate and Timing of flights) affords both consumers and service providers a unique and convenient service. The FACT principle is important to us as it enhances the country’s prospect as a preferred air travel destination and major trade and tourism capital. Our vision is supported by the airline’s aspirations and strategy. Also underpinning this vision is our set of core values and unique selling propositions that drive profitability. Vision To be a sustainable world-class regional airline with an extensive footprint in Africa. Purpose A sustainable, integrated regional airline connecting secondary and main airports.

Core values Safety first We never compromise on safety, no matter what. Customers Our customers are our

most important investors.

Partners We partner with people across all operations. Speed & Quality We deliver with speed without compromising on quality.

Improvement We strive for continuous improvement. Simplify We keep it simple.

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Safety Information Special services Special Meals Passengers with special dietary requirements are provided for through the following special meals: kosher, halal, Muslim, Hindu, low-fat and vegetarian meals. Orders for special meals should be placed at the time of making flight reservations. The airline requires a minimum of 48 hours’ notice prior to departure in order to assist with confirmation of requests. Passengers requiring special attention Requirements for unaccompanied minors (passengers under the age of 12 years) or passengers requiring wheelchairs should be stated at the time of making the reservation. Owing to the size of the cabins on our aircraft types, the airline is not in a position to carry stretcher passengers or incubators. Cabin baggage SA Express will accept one piece of cabin baggage not exceeding a total dimension of 115cm and 7kg in weight. For safety reasons, cabin baggage must fit into approved stowage spaces: either the overhead luggage bin or under the seat. Owing to limited storage space in the aircraft cabin, cabin baggage may be placed in the Skycheck at the aircraft for hold stowage.

We Fly For You SA Express Airways prides itself on aiming to offer incomparable service standards. In addition to building on our motto to express excellence and consistently striving to provide the best service, we know that “you” is the most important word in our airline. SA Express proudly launched its new brand on 2 December 2009 at OR Tambo International Airport. The new brand is set to ensure that it’s distinctive and positioned to build awareness and affinity in the domestic and regional markets. The new proposition “We Fly for You” is set to position SA Express as a premier intraregional African brand. The main objective of the re-brand is to ensure that SA Express is distinctive yet still aligned to the country’s mainline carrier. SA Express’s unique positioning as an airline that provides a bespoke, personalised travel experience was the rationale behind the proposition “We Fly for You”. The new brand mark is in line with the symbol and colours of the national flag, encouraging national pride. The new brand will be applied to all brand touch-points throughout the operation as well as the staff uniform.

Skycheck This is the airline’s special hand-luggage facility that assists with in-flight comfort, speedy boarding and disembarking. When boarding one of our flights, simply place any hand luggage that will not be required during the flight on to the Skycheck cart at the boarding steps of the aircraft. Your hand luggage will be waiting for you as you disembark from the aircraft at your destination. Baggage liability Valuable items such as cameras and accessories, computers – including laptops and notebooks – mobile telephones, perfumes, aftershaves, colognes, legal and company documents and legal tender – including cash, credit cards and cheques – bullion, leather jackets, all types of jewellery and any other items with a value in excess of R400 must be removed from either checked-in or Skycheck baggage as the airline is not liable for loss or damage to these items. Verified baggage claims are settled on the basis adopted by IATA (International Airlines Transport Association): payment of US$20 per 1kg of checked-in luggage, to a maximum of 20kg ($400).

Awards SA Express has won the AFRAA Regional Airline of the Year Award at the end of 2009, and the Allied and Aviation Business Corporate Award. Our airline was also the recipient of the Annual Airline Reliability Award from Bombardier at the end of 2007. Other previous awards include the International Star Quality Award, which indicates our commitment to service excellence, while our prominence as one of the top 500 best managed companies is proof of our success as a business. Onboard service The airline’s onboard service is unique and offers passengers a variety of meals or snacks. The airline pioneered its unique meal-box concept, and meal choices are frequently updated and designed using balanced food criteria: appearance, taste and nutritional value. Passengers can also enjoy a wine and malt service on specified flights as well as refreshments on all flights. Our customers can expect a safe, comfortable, quality air-travel experience, with the added benefits of frequency, reliability, on-time departures and unmatched value for money.

Health regulations Health regulations at certain airports require that the aircraft cabin be sprayed. The spray is harmless, but if you think it might affect you, please cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief. Remain seated As a safety precaution, passengers are requested to remain seated with seatbelts fastened after the aircraft has landed, until the seatbelt sign has been switched off by the captain. Portable electronic equipment The use of personal electronic devices (PED’s) will apply to all domestic and regional flights on the CRJ700/200 and DH8 Q400.

Passengers will be permitted to use PED’s such as cell phones, e-readers and electronic tablets in flight-mode.

Cellular telephones Cellular telephones may be used on the ground while passenger doors are open. Cellular telephones, smartphones or any device with flight mode must be switched off as soon as the cabin doors are closed and when the senior cabincrew member makes an announcement on the public-address system. Laptop computers Laptops with CD ROM and DVD drive, handheld calculators, electric shavers and portable personal listening devices may not be used on the ground during taxi but may be used during the flight when the seatbelt signs are switched off and with permission from the captain. Should circumstances dictate otherwise, a public-address announcement cancelling this concession will be made by a crew member.

Prohibited equipment Portable printers, laser pointers, video equipment, CB/ AM/FM/FHF/satellite receivers, two-way radios, compact disc and mini-disc players, scanners, remote-controlled toys and power converters are prohibited for use at any time. Safety pamphlet Read the safety pamphlet in the seat pocket in front of you and take note of your nearest emergency exit. Smoking In accordance with international trends, smoking is not permitted on board any SA Express flights. Seat belts Please fasten your seat belt whenever the seat belt signs are illuminated. For your own safety we suggest that you keep it fastened throughout the flight. Important When in doubt, please consult our cabin crew.

For your comfort and security, please comply with the above safety regulations at all times while on board

Route map SA Express: Johannesburg Bloemfontein Cape Town Durban East London Gaborone George Hoedspruit Kimberley

Lubumbashi Lusaka Harare Port Elizabeth Richards Bay Walvis Bay Windhoek Pietermaritzburg Nelspruit

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Flight schedule Johannesburg - Bloemfontein Flt SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA

No 1001 1003 1003 1005 1011 1013 1017 1021 1023

Dep 06:10 08:00 08:00 11:20 13:50 14:55 16:45 17:55 18:30

Arr 07:10 09:05 09:05 12:25 14:55 16:00 17:45 18:55 19:35

A/C DH4 CR2 DH4 DH4 DH4 CR7 CR7 DH4 DH4

No 1403 1403 1403 1405 1407 1413 1409 1411

Dep 07:15 08:30 08:30 09:10 13:15 15:00 17:30 18:45

Arr 08:45 10:00 10:15 10:40 14:45 16:30 19:00 20:15

A/C CR8 CR7 DH4 CR2 CR2 CR7 CR2 CR7

Johannesburg - George Flt SA SA SA SA SA

No 1501 1503 1503 1505 1509

Dep 07:20 08:55 08:55 11:25 15:25

Arr 09:10 10:45 10:50 13:15 17:15

A/C CR7 CR7 CR2 CR7 CR7

Johannesburg - Hoedspruit Flt No SA 1225 SA 1227

Dep 10:15 12:15

Arr 11:20 13:20

A/C DH4 DH4

Johannesburg - durban Flt No SA 1285

Dep 12:20

Arr 13:30

A/C CR2

No 1101 1103 1105 1107 1113

Dep 06:50 09:20 13:10 14:25 16:20

Arr 08:00 10:35 14:25 15:40 17:30

A/C dh4 DH4 DH4 DH4 DH4

No 1453 1455 1457 1457 1459 1459

Dep 07:10 10:00 17:50 17:50 19:35 19:55

Arr 08:45 11:35 19:25 19:45 21:15 21:30

A/C CR8 CR8 DH4 cr7 cr8 CR7

No 1201 1203 1207 1213

Dep 06:00 08:30 13:15 16:55

Arr 07:15 09:45 14:30 18:10

A/C DH4 DH4 DH4 DH4

Johannesburg - Richards bay Flt SA SA SA SA

Johannesburg - Port Elizabeth Flt SA SA SA SA SA SA

Johannesburg - Kimberley Flt SA SA SA SA SA

Bloemfontein - Johannesburg Flt SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA

No 1024 1002 1004 1004 1006 1012 1014 1018

Dep 06:20 07:40 09:35 09:35 12:55 15:25 16:30 18:20

A/C DH4 DH4 CR2 DH4 DH4 DH4 CR7 CR7

Johannesburg - kruger Flt SA SA SA

No 1231 1237 1237

Flt SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA

No 1412 1404 1404 1404 1404 1406 1408 1414 1410

Dep 06:40 09:15 09:50 10:50 10:30 11:10 15:30 17:00 19:40

Arr 08:20 10:45 11:30 12:30 12:10 12:40 17:00 18:30 21:10

A/C CR7 CR8 DH4 DH4 Cr7 CR2 CR2 CR7 CR8

No 1502 1504 1504 1506 1510

Dep 09:45 11:25 11:25 14:10 17:50

Arr 11:35 13:05 13:15 15:50 19:30

A/C CR7 CR7 CR2 CR7 CR7

No 1226 1228

Dep 12:00 13:55

Arr 13:00 14:55

A/C DH4 DH4

No 1286

Dep 17:15

Arr 18:25

A/C CR2

No 1102 1104 1106 1106 1108 1114

Dep 08:25 11:10 14:55 15:00 16:10 18:15

Arr 09:30 12:25 16:10 16:10 17:25 19:30

A/C dh4 DH4 DH4 DH4 DH4 DH4

No 1460 1454 1456 1458 1458

Dep 06:10 09:20 12:45 20:00 20:45

Arr 07:45 10:55 14:20 21:35 22:40

A/C cr7 CR8 DH4 cr7 DH4

No 1202 1204 1208 1214 1214

Dep 08:05 10:30 15:05 18:40 18:40

Arr 09:20 11:45 16:20 20:00 20:10

A/C DH4 DH4 DH4 DH4 DH4

Dep 15:30

Arr 16:35

A/C DH4

Arr 14:10

A/C CR7

Dep 06:00 06:00

Arr 08:00 08:00

A/C CR2 CR2

Flt SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA

No 1761 1763 1765 1765 1767 1767 1767 1775 1775 1783 1779

Dep 07:10 07:55 09:20 09:55 11:05 11:55 11:55 13:30 14:30 16:30 18:10

Arr 08:05 08:50 10:15 10:50 12:00 12:45 12:45 14:25 15:25 17:20 19:05

A/C DH4 DH4 DH4 DH4 DH4 DH4 CR2 DH4 DH4 CR2 DH4

Johannesburg - Lubumbashi Flt No SA 1797

Dep 09:20

Arr 11:45

A/C CR7

Flt SA SA SA SA SA

No 1081 1083 1087 1091 1091

Dep 06:00 08:00 13:15 16:15 17:15

Arr 07:45 09:30 15:00 18:00 18:45

A/C DH4 CR2 DH4 CR2 CR2

Flt SA SA SA

No 1232 1238 1238

Dep 07:35 16:30 16:30

Arr 08:35 17:30 17:30

A/C CR2 CR2 CR2

pietermaritzburg - johannesburg Flt SA

No 1278

Dep 17:05

Arr 18:10

A/C DH4

No 1702

Dep 14:45

Arr 16:55

A/C CR7

windhoek - Johannesburg Flt SA SA

No 1734 1732

Dep 09:15 09:15

Arr 11:15 11:15

A/C CR2 CR2

walvis bay - Johannesburg Flt SA

Gaborone - Johannesburg Flt SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA

No 1762 1764 1766 1766 1768 1768 1768 1776 1776 1784 1780

Dep 08:45 09:25 10:45 11:25 12:35 13:10 13:10 14:50 16:05 18:00 19:45

Arr 09:40 10:20 11:40 12:20 13:30 14:05 14:05 15:45 17:00 18:50 20:40

A/C DH4 DH4 DH4 DH4 DH4 DH4 cr2 DH4 DH4 CR2 DH4

Lubumbashi - Johannesburg Flt SA

No 1798

Dep 12:30

Arr 15:00

A/C CR7

bloemfontein - CAPE TOWN Flt SA SA SA SA SA

No 1082 1084 1088 1092 1092

Dep 08:15 10:30 15:40 18:30 19:25

Arr 10:15 12:15 17:40 20:30 21:10

A/C DH4 CR2 DH4 DH4 CR2

CAPE TOWN - east london

kruger - Johannesburg

CAPE TOWN - bloemfontein

Johannesburg - walvis bay Dep 11:55

Richards bay - Johannesburg Flt SA SA SA SA SA

Port Elizabeth - Johannesburg Flt SA SA SA SA SA

Flt No SA 1733 SA 1731

Kimberley - Johannesburg Flt SA SA SA SA SA SA

A/C CR2 CR2 cr2

Johannesburg - Gaborone

durban - Johannesburg Flt SA

Arr 07:15 16:00 16:00

Johannesburg - windhoek

Hoedspruit - Johannesburg Flt SA SA

Flt No SA 1701

George - Johannesburg Flt SA SA SA SA SA

Dep 06:15 15:00 15:00

johannesburg - pietermaritzburg

East London - Johannesburg

SA EXPRESS RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE, SUSPEND OR AMEND THIS PUBLISHED SCHEDULE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFICATION EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO OPERATE AS PER THE PLANNED SCHEDULE

158 Indwe

Arr 07:25 08:45 10:40 10:40 14:00 16:30 17:35 19:20

Flt No SA 1277

Johannesburg - East London Flt SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA

Flight schedule

Flt SA SA SA SA SA SA SA

No 1361 1363 1363 1371 1371 1371 1375

Dep 06:00 08:00 08:00 13:30 13:30 16:00 17:20

Arr 07:55 09:25 09:55 14:55 15:10 17:30 19:15

A/C DH4 CR2 DH4 CR2 CR2 cr2 DH4

CAPE TOWN - george Flt No SA 1533

Dep 10:45

Arr 11:35

A/C dh4

east london - CAPE TOWN Flt SA SA SA SA SA SA SA

No 1362 1364 1364 1372 1372 1372 1376

Dep 08:25 10:25 10:45 16:00 16:20 18:00 19:45

Arr 10:25 12:25 12:25 18:00 18:00 19:40 21:45

A/C DH4 DH4 CR2 DH4 CR2 CR2 dh4

george - cape town Flt No SA 1534

Dep 12:05

Arr 13:00

A/C CR2

SA EXPRESS RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE, SUSPEND OR AMEND THIS PUBLISHED SCHEDULE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFICATION EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO OPERATE AS PER THE PLANNED SCHEDULE

Indwe159

Flight schedule Cape Town - Hoedspruit Flt No SA 1241 SA 1241

Dep 09:30 09:40

Arr 12:10 12:20

A/C CR2 CR2

CAPE TOWN - kimberley Flt SA SA SA SA

No 1151 1157 1155 1155

Dep 05:50 12:50 15:55 15:55

Arr 07:20 14:20 17:25 17:25

A/C CR2 CR2 CR2 CR2

CAPE TOWN - port elizabeth Flt SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA

No 1801 1805 1807 1813 1813 1819 1821 1821 1823

Dep 06:00 09:00 10:10 13:00 13:45 15:00 16:00 16:30 18:30

Arr 07:30 10:30 11:40 14:30 14:55 16:30 17:30 17:40 20:00

A/C dh4 dh4 DH4 DH4 dh4 DH4 DH4 CR2 DH4

Passenger Letters S

Hoedspruit - Cape Town Flt SA

No 1242

Dep 12:45

Arr 15:20

A/C CR2

kimberley - CAPE TOWN Flt SA SA SA SA

No 1152 1158 1156 1156

Dep 08:10 15:10 17:55 17:55

Arr 09:50 16:50 19:35 19:35

A/C CR2 CR2 CR2 CR2

port elizabeth - CAPE TOWN Flt SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA

No 1802 1806 1808 1814 1814 1820 1822 1822 1824

Dep 08:00 11:00 12:10 15:00 15:25 17:00 18:00 18:10 20:30

Arr 09:40 12:40 13:50 16:40 16:45 18:40 19:40 19:30 22:10

A/C DH4 DH4 DH4 DH4 CR2 DH4 dh4 CR2 DH4

Good day I recently placed an order for a low fat meal on a flight from Durban to Port Elizabeth when booking my ticket online. I totally forgot about it, however, and once we were airborne, the friendliest air hostess came up to me and said: “Mr Fourie, your low fat meal as requested.” Amazed, I looked at her and thought to myself: “How on earth does she know what seat I selected at the self check-in at the airport? She must be a magician?” I fly on a weekly basis with numerous airlines, but this time it felt like I was the only person on board SA Express. Thank you, most kind air hostess, and thank you to the pilot for landing the plane so gently that I even forgot we were in the air. Your company motto of “We fly for you” is not just a saying, it’s a fact! Thank you. Jacques Fourie Congratulations to Jacques Fourie, who wrote our winning letter this month. He has won a High Sierra backpack valued at R995.

Dear South African Express

Cape Town - Walvis Bay Flt No SA 1721 SA 1721

Dep 08:00 11:15

Arr 10:10 13:25

A/C CR2 CR2

durban - East London Flt SA SA SA SA

No 1301 1303 1305 1309

Dep 06:00 08:30 12:00 16:50

Arr 07:05 09:35 13:05 17:55

A/C CR2 CR2 CR2 CR2

durban - Port Elizabeth Flt SA SA SA SA SA

No 1330 1334 1336 1340 1348

Dep 06:00 09:15 11:55 13:35 17:40

Arr 07:20 10:35 13:15 14:55 19:00

A/C CR2 CR2 CR2 CR2 CR2

durban - CAPE TOWN Flt SA SA SA SA SA

No 1850 1852 1854 1858 1854

Dep 06:10 08:00 13:40 15:35 16:30

Arr 08:25 10:15 15:55 17:50 18:45

durban - lusaka Flt No SA 1601

Dep 10:10

Arr 13:00

durban - Harare Flt SA SA SA

No 1611 1613 1611

Dep 10:20 13:55 14:00

Arr 12:45 16:20 16:25

A/C CR2 CR2 CR2 CR2 CR2

A/C CR2

A/C CR2 CR2 CR2

walvis Bay - Cape Town Flt SA SA

No 1722 1722

Dep 10:30 14:00

Arr 12:30 16:00

A/C CR2 CR2

East London - DURBAN Flt SA SA SA SA

No 1302 1304 1306 1310

Dep 07:35 10:05 13:35 18:25

Arr 08:35 11:05 14:35 19:25

A/C CR2 CR2 CR2 CR2

Port Elizabeth - DURBAN Flt SA SA SA SA SA

No 1331 1335 1337 1341 1349

Dep 07:50 11:05 13:40 15:35 19:55

Arr 09:05 12:20 14:55 16:50 21:10

A/C CR2 CR2 CR2 CR2 CR2

CAPE TOWN - DURBAN Flt SA SA SA SA SA

No 1851 1853 1855 1859 1855

Dep 09:05 10:45 16:30 18:15 19:15

Arr 11:05 12:45 18:30 20:15 21:15

lusaka - durban Flt SA

No 1602

Dep 13:40

Arr 16:30

Harare - durban Flt SA SA SA

No 1612 1612 1614

Dep 13:25 17:00 17:00

Arr 15:50 19:25 19:25

I recently flew from Johannesburg to Lubumbashi, in the DRC. While Lubumbashi is not the most pleasant airport to go through, I found the experience with SA Express helpful and comforting. Your seats are spacious and I especially like your meal boxes – I had both the breakfast pack and on return, the lunch pack. The food is good, the packaging is efficient and the box format is sensible, with divisions to keep silverware and small items from falling, as often happens with tray service. But best of all are your staff. They are friendly and welcoming, without being ingratiating and false. They are professional and businesslike, without losing that all important personal touch. I am not sure how you lost my luggage between Johannesburg and Lubumbashi, but it is forgiven, since on the way back you were able to check my luggage all the way through to New York. I will fly with you again and look forward to the experience. Sincerely Clare Nolan

A/C CR2 CR2 CR2 CR2 CR2

A/C CR2

A/C CR2 CR2 CR2

Do You Have Something to Say? Let us know what is on your mind by sending an email to customercare@flyexpress.aero.

Letters may be edited, shortened or translated from their original language.

The writer of the winning letter in the October edition of Indwe will receive a High Sierra Brody backpack valued at R1,095. T

Outdoor luggage brand, High Sierra, has recently launched in South Africa. This robust travel luggage will inspire your everyday adventures in life, whether you’re out enjoying nature or doing daily urban activities. The range offers a wide assortment of active outdoor gear, urban backpacks and rugged luggage. The High Sierra Brody backpack features an extra-large multi-compartment design with a fully padded Cushion Zone compartment that fits most 16.4” laptops. High Sierra is available at leading luggage stores nationwide. For a stockist near you, call +27 31 266 0620.

SA EXPRESS RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE, SUSPEND OR AMEND THIS PUBLISHED SCHEDULE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFICATION EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO OPERATE AS PER THE PLANNED SCHEDULE

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Indwe 161

Africa’s Talent Revealed

St. James near Cape Town on a lovely summer’s day by Ilse Gerlach

The tallest planted trees in the world in Magoebaskloof, Limpopo by André Cilliers

If you think you have what it takes, send your photos (1MB each), details of where they were taken and your contact details to nicky@tcbmedia.co.za, with the words “Indwe Photo” in the subject line. We can’t wait to show them off!

162 Indwe