Indwe August 2014

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 AUGUST 2014

Ladies' Choice

Best of Jozi YOUR FREE COPY

contents

Features 33

Ladies of the Air SA Express Pilots

49

In the Eye of the Beholder I See A Different You

63

In Her Element Neha Dixit

91

Clink!

Celebrate with Champagne

120

22

Africa’s Very Own Evil Knievel Sick Nick

39

Airline Content 10

139

137

140

138

143

CEO Letter

SA Express Fleet

We Fly For You: Our Visions and Values

8

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Safety and Route Map

Flight Schedule

Passenger Letters

contents

Regulars

57

Slowveld Seduction Getting to Know Nelspruit

69

Trawling for Pre-loved Treasure

74

12

African Oases Lonrho Hotels

78

Beyond the Falls Game Reserve Hopping in Zimbabwe

Business 97

Search, Click, Holiday The Rise of E-Tourism

Events North, South, and In Between

18

Bits & Pieces Travel Tips & Gorgeous Goodies

20

Bites Restaurants & Taste Experiences

132

Gadgets Must Haves for Technophiles

134

Books New releases and Must Reads

Travel 22

Egoli Gals Local Ladies Recommend the Best of Jozi

39

Garden of the Gods Flower Viewing in Namaqualand and the West Coast

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107

Join the Dots LinkedIn: An Overlooked Branding Tool?

116

Passionate about People Fundi Dlamini

125

Honouring Future Business Leaders The Inaugural Maverick Awards

Motoring 102

A New Contender Infiniti Q50

115

Podium Perfection The New Volkswagen Polo Hatch

102 22

ceo LAST MONTH, over 126 countries worldwide commemorated Mandela Day as a global call to action for people to take up the challenge and follow in Madiba’s footsteps.

SA Express would like to thank all the passengers and staff members that participated in our airport activations as people pledged to continue to build a different world by taking action, inspiring change, and making every day a Mandela Day. Let us strive to be progressive by espousing Madiba’s three key pillars that formed part of his value system: freeing ourselves, freeing others of want and of deprivation, and serving every day.

From one Nobel laureate to another, South Africa also mourned the passing of writer and political activist Nadine Gordimer this July.

She will forever be remembered as a strong voice for democracy. Through her literary work and as a fearless spokesperson for human rights, the world was exposed to South Africa’s human struggles and was forced to act. In her words: “I used the life around me and the life around me was racist. I would have been a writer anywhere, but in my country, writing meant confronting racism.” Both Gordimer and Madiba fought for equality and paved the way for South Africans to enjoy the freedom they enjoy today.

As August is Women’s Month in South Africa, I would like to pay homage to the women of this country, as well as the women of SA Express who, on a daily basis, are contributing to the country’s economy. Even though we were pioneers of hiring the first female CEO in the aviation industry, as well as flying with the first all-female crew in the commercial space, much still needs to be done to attract more women to the aviation industry. That is why it is important for us to host aviation awareness days at schools, as well as to participate in programmes such as Take a Girl Child to Work. This year, we hosted 74 female learners to raise awareness of civil and commercial aviation as a career option among young people. Together with our female cadet pilots and cabin crew members, we shared knowledge and personal stories to inspire young women to also dream of a

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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 Indwe is published by TjT Media (Pty) Ltd Tel: +27 12 425 5800 Images © iStockphoto.com, 123RF & Shutterstock.com

career in aviation. In this edition, you can read more about our female pilots who are flying the SA Express flag high.

In closing, the new Minister of Public Enterprises, Ms Lynne Brown, delivered the department’s Budget Vote Speech to Parliament on 16th July. On behalf of all the employees and board members of SA Express, we wish to congratulate her on her recent appointment to the post of Minister of Public Enterprises for the Republic of South Africa.

In her budget vote speech, the Honourable Minister emphasised that the department’s role is to take care of the interests of the 54 million South Africans living in this country. Moreover, the Minister spoke about turning our economy around, growing it, as well as de-racialising it so that we give more people jobs and dignity by allowing them to put food on their tables.

Furthermore, skills development and training were high on the agenda. The Minister also reiterated that it is important for the private sector, labour and civil society to partner with Government to build the South African dream.

SA Express wishes Minister Brown a fruitful deployment, and we look forward to investing in a productive and cordial working relationship with the Department of Public Enterprises.

Regards, Inati Ntshanga

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 | editor@tjtmedia.co.za Senior Designer Lindsey Steenkamp | design@tjtmedia.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 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 Design Your Life 6th – 10th August

100% Design South Africa, Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg The international design show, 100% Design South Africa, will run alongside Decorex SA this year, with one ticket covering both shows.The exhibition is set to be a design tour de force and will feature world-class design from leading South African and international companies such as Tonic, Marlan Teak, Black Fabrics, and Wiid Design. The exhibition covers design for the residential, hospitality, and office sectors and showcases the best in product design. Special installations and features include: 100% Office, in association with Visi magazine; 100% Lodge by Home Fabrics with Head Interiors, M Interiors and Karen Robert; and an exhibition of South African ceramicists called The Long Table, in association with House & Leisure magazine.There will also be an interactive theatre featuring guest speakers to look forward to. www.100percentdesign.co.za

The Language of Music 14th – 31st August 2014

Soulfoot, Nelson Mandela Theatre, Johannesburg SoulFoot is a multicultural show that comprises a truly world-class level of artistry across all genres, including energetic dance and visual arts, spell-binding acrobatics, fiery Flamenco, awe-inspiring juggling, and virtuoso musicianship and singing. With performers hailing from Africa, India, Brazil, the Middle East, Europe and South America, SoulFoot was created in order to share the universal language of music, and promises to be a toe-tapping visual feast. Tickets are available from the Joburg Theatre. www.soulfoot-the-show.com

Aug

Sept

19 – 14 th

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High Octane Entertainment Cirque Éloize iD, Montecasino, Johannesburg Enjoyed by tweens, teenagers, and adults of all ages, the internationally acclaimed Cirque Éloize iD combines circus arts and urban dance within a high-energy fusion of lights, sound, and incredible body movements.

This unique stage show features astounding acrobatic disciplines combined with hip-hop and street dancing to give a fresh and high octane spin to modern circus. This dynamic troupe from Montreal – also home to Cirque du Soleil – comprises of 14 performers who incorporate 13 circus disciplines, as well as urban dance. Founded in 1993, Cirque Éloize has performed in 440 cities around the world. iD is Cirque Éloize’s eighth original production. It was first staged in 2009 and has since been seen by more than 500,000 people in 50 cities around the world. Tickets are available from Computicket. www.cirque-eloize.com/en/shows/id

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Events South

A Feast of Flowers 28th August to 5th September

Wild Flower Show, Clanwilliam, Western Cape One of the highlights of Clanwilliam’s 200thYear Celebrations is its Wild Flower Show, which will take place in the town’s historic Flower Church. Visitors can experience the display of more than 400 species of freshly picked wildflowers, many of which grow nowhere else in the world, artfully arranged under one roof. This year’s theme is “Walk Together”, and flower enthusiasts are invited to get up close and personal with the area’s glorious wildflowers during the various guided walking tours on offer. For more information about the wild flowers and flower season activities, contact the tourism office on +27 482 2024. www.clanwilliamwildflowerfestival.co.za

Country Hospitality 31st August

Groote Post Monthly Country Market, Darling, Western Cape

Aug

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Round up the family and head out to the country to join the Pentz family in the gardens of Groote Post for their first country market. Guests can expect artisan foods, arts and crafts, homeware and décor, live entertainment, and lots of fun activities for kids. Local is lekker with a delicious selection of Darling gourmet produce on offer, including mushrooms, breads, cheese, olive oils and preserves, to enjoy at the market or to take home. Kids will love the rolling lawns, playground, tractor trips, and guided horse rides.

All Groote Post’s wines will be available for tasting and for purchase by the glass, bottle or case. The Groote Post country market will take place on the last Sunday of every month, starting in August. www.grootepostcountrymarket.co.za

For Hip, Happening Homes 4th – 7th September

Cape Homemakers Expo, Cape Town ICC, Cape Town Themed “Bold, Bright and Individual”, this year’s Homemakers Expo boasts seven exciting feature areas for visitors to engage with specialists and industry leaders in home improvement and design. The ever-popular DIY Workshop series will give visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with DIY professionals to learn practical “tricks of the trade”, while putting their personal signature touches to various novel home and décor projects. Visitors can also celebrate stylish living at inVOGUE and tantalise their taste buds at d’VINE Life, with everything from the finest boutique wines to delicious cheeses, tapenades and other gourmet goodies on offer. For more information, email expocape@homemakers-sa.co.za. www.homemakersonline.co.za

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Events In Between 3rd – 7th

Expanding the Concept of Architecture The International Union of Architects World Congress, Durban ICC, Durban The International Union of Architects (UIA) World Congress will take place in Durban in August, making it the first time that the event will be held in Southern Africa. The theme of this year’s congress, “architectureOTHERWHERE”, aims to find the “in-between”, spatially, metaphorically and conceptually. UIA 2014 Durban will attempt to dissolve distinctions between the architectural profession and other built environment professions; between the building and the city; between South Africa and Africa; between design and making; and between the profession and communities. An impressive line-up of speakers, leaders in architectural innovation, thinkers, intellectuals, and all those involved in the making of cities, will explore these themes through a programme of key-note presentations, workshops and seminars. For more information or to register for the congress, visit www.uia2014durban.org

Bring the Bling!

5th September

Casual Day, Nationwide Casual Day celebrates its 20th birthday this year with the theme “Bring out the Bling”, and features “Dazzle Blue” as the colour for the year. So put on your dancing shoes and dress up, not down, for this year’s Casual Day. Casual Day is South Africa’s most successful fundraising project for persons with disabilities – last year it raised R24.8 million. Sponsored by The Edcon Group, Casual Day is the flagship project of the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa (NCPPDSA), which this year celebrates 75 years of service to the community of persons with disabilities. Casual Day also provides the country with the opportunity to show their solidarity with persons with disabilities, while at the same time enjoying teambuilding and camaraderie with fellow participants. It gives South Africans the opportunity to be creative and have fun, all while contributing to the betterment of society. Casual Day stickers are available from all Edcon stores, as well as from Absa, Game, DionWired, Checkers, Checkers Hyper, and Shoprite. www.casualday.co.za

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Bits & Pieces Must Have!

Think Pink

It’s been just over seven years since the 80-year-old Belgian spiegelpaleis, Victoria, arrived on South African shores and became the venue for Madame Zingara’s Theatre of Dreams. Since its inception, this unique dinner-cirque spectacular has completely transformed the concepts of both dining out and entertainment in South Africa. Offering a much-needed escape from daily life, guests are invited to leave behind the mundane, and escape into a magical world of glitter and stardust from their very first step into the whimsical world of the Madame. In the past seven years, there have been over 2,000 shows, 800,000 tickets sold and a whopping 3.2 million courses served. The current show, The After Forever Tour is currently playing at Montecasino in Fourways, and thanks to sold out shows will be extending its run until the end of the year. For bookings, contact 0861 623 263 or email boxoffice@madamezingara.com.

Brita jugs are now available in a range of pretty colours to add a splash of fun to your kitchen. We particularly love the Pink Marella Cool Filter Jug that boasts a slimline design which ensures that the jug fits into the side door of your fridge, a flip-top lid to make it easy to fill, and an intelligent electronic indicator to remind you when to replace the filter. Its 2.4 litre capacity is also ideal for smaller families. Brita jugs also significantly reduce impurities and unhealthy chemicals often found in tap water, such as chlorine and heavy metals, plus it tastes great and costs a fraction of bottled water.

www.brita-water.co.za

www.madamezingara.com

Service Excellence

The Luxurious Side of Wild Located in a game-rich private concession in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, Wilderness Safaris’ latest camp, Linkwasha Camp, will be the most luxurious accommodation on offer in the area. Linkwasha Camp has been designed to complement Wilderness Safaris’ other two properties in the concession, Little Makalolo and Davison’s Camp. Each camp caters to the needs and budgets of different markets. Linkwasha will offer seven en suite double or twin luxury tents and one family tent, accommodating a total of 18 guests. All rooms will include coffee- and tea-making facilities, small bar fridges, ceiling fans, and outdoor showers. Activities will make the most of the exceptional year-round wildlife-viewing opportunities the area has to offer, with regular sightings of large herds of elephant and buffalo, prides of lion, and an abundance of plains game and birdlife. The concession’s savannah grassland habitat is the ideal environment for walking safaris, as well as interpretative game drives led by highly experienced Wilderness Safaris guides.

www.wilderness-safaris.com

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Marvellous Madame

The Gautrain’s airport service (Sandton to OR Tambo International Airport) recently competed with the best in the world on customer service, and was consequently awarded the Global AirRail Alliance Award (GARA) for customer service excellence in Oslo, Norway, in May 2014. The GARA awards are international awards dedicated to the air-rail industry, and recognise the best service providers of an enjoyable and stress-free journey between air and rail travel. Some of the finalists included Birmingham Airport (UK), Flytoget (Norway) and Canada Line (Canada). The Gautrain airport service has been operational for four years and is popular for its convenience, as it takes only 15 minutes from Sandton to the OR Tambo International Airport, and is also integrated into the airport terminal.

Protea Eternities The Browns Protea Diamond Eternities boast a continuous line of perfectly matched round brilliant diamonds. Like a bouquet of flowers wrapped around your finger, this interpretation of the classic eternity ring showcases each diamond in a four claw setting inspired by South Africa’s national flower. The Protea’s petals can be seen on both sides of the ring, protecting each diamond. Set in either platinum, 18ct yellow gold or 18ct rose gold, they can be worn on their own or stacked together to create your own signature look. The eternity ring also sits hand in hand with the Protea solitaire diamond ring, and is also available in five and seven stone options. www.brownsjewellers.com

www.gautrain.co.za

Tastings for Tweens Attention all kids! Next time Mom and Dad plan a trip to Lanzerac Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, be sure to tag along. Not only do the adults get to have fun, but now kids can too with the introduction of the Kids Choc and Grapetiser pairing. Tuck into three different flavoured chocolate fingers (white almond and apricot, pink rose geranium, and liquorice and fennel) followed by a sparkling red Grapetiser. The tasting costs R35 per child, and is available throughout the year to all children under the age of 18 years. And if you’re still hungry afterwards, be sure to pop into the deli next door for a delectable sandwich or platter.

For more information, email winesales@lanzerac.co.za.

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bites Pancake Pairings It is now pancake weather all year round at Delheim Estate in Stellenbosch, thanks to the recent introduction of decadent Pancake & Wine Pairings. The whole wheat salmon pancake is filled with salmon trout and cream cheese and topped with caper berry shavings. It is paired with the Delheim Pinotage Rosé, as the delicate floral and berry notes of the wine pair well with this lighter style of pancake filling. The hearty lamb shank pancake is paired with the aromatic Delheim Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine’s blackcurrant, spice, and dark chocolate flavours work wonders with the meaty pancake mouthfuls, ending with a rich and lingering aftertaste. The tasting ends with a delicious pickled pumpkin pancake, which shares the spotlight with the estate’s Edelspatz Nobel Late Harvest. The lovely sweetness of this awardwinning wine marries perfectly with the sugary acidity of the pancake. The Delheim Pancake & Wine Pairings are on offer seven days a week at the tasting room. Email orders@delheim.com for reservations.

Dining Deluxe Now available in South Africa, legendary Lodge Cast Iron Cookware has enabled chefs and campers alike to cook up a storm for over a decade. This tough American-made and seasoned cast iron range includes pans, skillets, Dutch ovens, and accessories, and is perfect for those who are passionate about cooking and the great outdoors. Lodge Cast Iron Cookware is available from Boardmans stores nationwide.

Hidden Temptations The green season in the Western Cape is the time to cuddle up during cold snaps with delicious soups and warming red wines, which is just what you’ll find at Hidden Valley Wine Estate, high in the hills between Stellenbosch and Somerset West. At the tasting room, guests can enjoy the Winter Platter for two with homemade soup, fresh ciabatta, meat, cheese and relishes, as well as a bottle of Hidden Valley Pinotage, all for R280. If the weather is good, why not go for a picnic? Picnic baskets (R300 for two people sharing) contain ciabatta, crackers, meats, cheeses and relishes, salad and nuts, olives and olive oil, as well as something sweet, plus a bottle of Hidden Valley red or white. Two other treats at Hidden Valley are the wine-and-olive tasting (five wines with olive oil, bread and olives for R45) and the chocolatier’s platter (five handmade chocolates to pair with Hidden Valley wines for R65). Email info@hiddenvalleywines.co.za for more information. www.hiddenvalleywines.com

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Egoli gals Local Ladies Re commend the Best of Jozi Images © Supplied,

Lungelo Mbulwana,

Text: Keith Bain Dylan Harbour & Ke ith Bain

In ce le br at io n of N at io na l W om en ’s D ay on 9 th A ug us t, w e si x dy na m ic Jo ha nn as ke d es bu rg w om en w he re to se e an d ex pe ri en ce a fr ac ti on of w ha t So ut h A fr ic a’ s bi gg es t ci ty ha s to of fe r.

The Chef

Andrea Burgener Andrea’s Melville restaurant, The Leopard (leopardfoodcompany.co.za), was voted South Africa’s top bistro in 2013’s annual Eat Out Awards. Known for her imaginative and eclectic approach to cooking, she’s also written a cookbook, Lampedusa Pie (Macmillan), and another is on the way in 2015.

“How to describe The Leopard? Hmm... noisy, busy, hopefully cosy, ramshackle, and mismatched. Although my cuisine is mixed up, the word fusion gives the wrong idea. I like the term “mongrel food”. Lots of the city’s food is mongrel, and aren’t they the best dogs? I am greatly influenced by the food from the Chinese, Indian and Pakistani, and Portuguese parts of

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town. I like The Dosa Hut in Fordsburg (+27 11 492 1456) and Shun Dek in Cyrildene (+27 11 615 7168) for dim sum.

The best Japanese food is at Japa in Rivonia (japa.co.za).

“When I’m not cooking, I have a family to raise. We live close to Zoo Lake, so rowing on the lake with a picnic on board, and feeding ducks and geese as we go, is a favourite.

I also love visiting the tiny rooftop market at Bamboo in Melville (bamboo-online.co.za) on Saturday mornings.

Below the market, Love Books (lovebooks.co.za) has the city’s most intelligently (and lovingly) curated book selection. Across the road, I buy old crockery at The Odd Plate, and I visit Superella next-door for genius clothing in a store that’s also the designer’s studio.”

The Writer:

Caroline Wanjiku Kihato Caroline is a researcher, academic, and freelance writer. Her new book, Migrant Women of Johannesburg: Life in an In-Between City (Wits University Press) examines the vital role played by women in the development of African cities like Johannesburg.

“I moved to Joburg from Nairobi in 1994. In many ways they’re similar cities; not in terms of infrastructure, but because of something invisible. I think they’re soul mates. They’re both edgy cities, not necessarily easy to live in, but similar in the way people interact. Johannesburg’s energetic force is its unpredictability. You’re never quite sure what’s going to happen here.

“The centre of the city is an exhilarating place with an incredible density of Art Deco buildings. My favourite is Cornerhouse (77 Commissioner Street), a gorgeous example of old school glamour in the heart of ‘new Joburg’. There’s a history of wealth and modernity here, yet there are also signs of a very different sort of life. The street traders, for example, and the ways in which people make sense of the streets in ways that aren’t modern at all. There’s always something that disrupts

your ideas about what a city should be. I like that kind of unpredictability. That exhilaration.

“I like to visit Maboneng (mabonengprecinct.com), where I can satisfy my love of Ethiopian food and coffee at Little Addis Café (+27 82 683 8675). There’s also the Ethiopian Quarter downtown on Jeppe Street, with several places to eat. There’s a Mozambican-Portuguese spot in Rosettenville, Parreirinha (+27 11 435 3809), that’s been around for almost 40 years. It’s in an old police station and they serve the best seafood in town.

“For a treat, I head downtown and get my hair done by one of the ladies on the street. When you visit the city, and you see these women hairstylists, sit down and ask one of them to do yours, whether you have a wash or want braiding. It doesn’t matter what kind of hair you have, do it! Doing someone’s hair is very intimate. We end up talking about relationships, love, boyfriends, husbands.

It’s weird, because I have very few of these conversations elsewhere, even with my friends. So you’re in a very public space having an intimate conversation with a total stranger, and that’s exhilarating.”

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The CEO

Annabell Lebethe Annabell is CEO of the iconic Market Theatre (markettheatre.co.za), situated in the Newtown Cultural Precinct.

“You walk into this space and you get the sense of time and history. I love it because you see South Africans in all their shapes and sizes, colours and hues, and many great performers from TV, stage, and film. Right now [until 17th August], we have Athol Fugard performing in his play, The Shadow of the Hummingbird.

“We’re next door to MuseuMAfricA (+27 11 833 5624), where there’s currently a fabulous exhibition entitled Rise and Fall of Apartheid (riseandfallofapartheid.org), which runs until 2015. If you walk across Mary Fitzgerald Square, there’s the Worker’s Museum (+27 11 832 2447), and further south there are all sorts of niche cultural spaces: Moving Into Dance (midance.co.za), which offers open dance classes; the Bus

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Factory (+27 11 492 3696), which is now an art gallery; and the Market Photo Workshop Gallery (marketphotoworkshop.co.za), where photography is taught and exhibited; as well as the Bassline (bassline.co.za), a live music venue for younger crowds.

“I also love the Wits Art Museum (wits.ac.za/wam) in Braamfontein which was converted from a university parking garage to become a gallery for its prestigious collection.

There’s also an excellent restaurant in there.

For pre-show drinks, or a meal, we have the Market Bar & Bistro (+27 11 022 5708); or there’s Sophiatown (sophiatown.co.za) on the Square. In the city centre, I love Anka’s Kitchen in Marshalltown (+27 11 492 1440).

She does traditional African food, like mogodu (tripe) and curries and stews served with pap, samp, and rice. At 44 Stanley in Milpark, Vovo Telo (vovotelo.co.za) serves lovely fresh-baked bread, and I love Koi (+27 11 447 2440) in Rosebank for delicious Asian food.”

The Hotelier

Hannia Weber Hannia is the creator and owner of ilali House (ilali.co.za), an intimate guesthouse in Parkwood with individually designed bedrooms and suites, filled with great South African art. “ilali is near several Jo’burg art galleries. Within walking distance is the excellent Goodman Gallery (goodman-gallery.com), where the exhibitions always make me feel poor and inadequate. It’s worth popping into David Krut Projects (davidkrutprojects.com), a working studio with small-scale exhibitions which also has a branch at Arts on Main in Maboneng. Further along Jan Smuts is South Africa’s oldest commercial gallery, Everard Read (everard-read.co.za), a repository of important artworks for over a century – I’m forever finding another room that I’d forgotten about, so I can visit again and again. Across the road is the gallery’s newer sibling, Circa (circagallery.co.za), which is something of an architectural showpiece, with

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fascinating exhibitions.

“One of the city’s must-sees is Constitution Hill (constitutionhill.org.za). This includes the Constitutional Court (constitutionalcourt.org.za), which has a collection of artworks and a free ‘Art and Justice Tour’ on the last Thursday of every month. Another special spot is the Nelson Mandela Bridge. My heart skips a beat every time I cross it.

“Some days at lunchtime I only have one thing on my mind and that’s Shayona in Mayfair (shayona.co.za), and then I simply have to drive out there. It’s a vegetarian restaurant with a take-away section where you can choose from the pots of curry and dahl. Their coconut, coriander and chilli balls are superb.

“When I really need a steak, I go to The Local Grill (local-grill.co.za), and another favourite is Stelle in Parkview (stellerestaurant.co.za) – their artichoke ravioli is to die for.”

The Jazz Sensation

The Tour Guide

Jo Buitendach Jo is an archaeologist and founder of Past Experiences (pastexperiences.co.za), a company specialising in walking tours of inner-city Johannesburg and Soweto.

“Our tours primarily explore inner-city life, with a major focus on art. Our graffiti tours are particularly exciting and happen in collaboration with some of Jozi’s most respected street artists. Our tours are all on foot or using public transport; the idea is to meet locals and see how ordinary people live. In the city, the Johannesburg Art Gallery is fantastic. It has a huge art collection, spanning old and new, and includes my favourite Joburg artist, Mary Sibande. To buy art, there’s the Artist Proof Studio (artistproofstudio.co.za) in Newtown, a printing workshop with lots of young printers and artists. On Saturdays, there’s the very vibey Neighbourgoods Market (neighbourgoodsmarket.co.za) in Braamfontein.

“For a more underground atmosphere, I like the Fordsburg Night Market. It’s an Eastern market and goes till late on Saturdays with lots of delicious Pakistani street food. One stall does incredible bean bunny chows and they sell freshly squeezed sugarcane juice. I also get my hair done and have my eyebrows threaded in Fordsburg – I go

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Melanie Scholtz

to The Rose Beauty Salon on Crown Road. They do a head massage and paint mendi on your hands. It’s a pamper session in a different cultural context.”

Melanie (melaniescholtz.com) is among South Africa’s most acclaimed jazz vocalists, with five albums under her belt and an extensive international touring schedule.

“I only recently moved to Johannesburg, but I have always loved its energy. I don’t know the city well enough to dish out advice on where to eat and drink, but one spot that resonates with me is The Orbit in Braamfontein (theorbit.co.za). It’s a jazz bar and bistro, where I am already a regular. It’s great after rehearsals – watching great musicians perform gets my creative juices flowing. I first performed at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz (joyofjazz.co.za) in 2010. It’s a great music event where there’s less chance of running into the “jazz police”, as it’s more about getting the music to the people than delivering jazz only in its purist form. At this year’s festival (25th – 27th September, Sandton Convention Centre) I’ll be performing in Jazz Divas with Sibongile Khumalo, Tutu Puoane, and Gloria Bosman.”

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businesswomen across sectors, in order to foster economic empowerment of women.

• Mainstreaming: To facilitate the consideration of women and gender issues and interest across all sectors.

The mainstreaming agenda will be anchored through the following pillars:

The Newly Mandated Department of Women in The Presidency

Minister of Women in the Presidency Susan Shabangu

Text & Images © Department of Women

O

n 3rd July 2014 President Jacob Zuma signed a proclamation establishing the Department of Women (DoW) and located it in The Presidency, reaffirming the country’s commitment to the Beijing Platform of Action.

He also abolished the former Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities (DWCPD).

WHEN ANNOUNCING his new Cabinet on 25th May 2014, the President mandated the Women’s Ministry with championing the achievement of women’s socio-economic empowerment and human rights.

The Aim of DoW To lead, coordinate, and oversee the transformation agenda of women’s socio-economic empowerment, rights and equality through mainstreaming, advocacy, monitoring, and evaluation. The priority of the Ministry is to ensure that women’s socio-economic empowerment and human rights are mainstreamed across all sectors of society.

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Focus in the Next Five Years • Human rights and social empowerment of women: To raise awareness and educate sectors and communities on women’s human rights, as a basis towards socio-economic empowerment of women.

• Equality: To work towards the realisation of the 50/50 parity principle for gender equality across political, public, and private sectors, as well as promoting the establishment of a pool of potential female leaders.

• Women’s Economic Empowerment: To invest in women’s economic empowerment, creating a direct path towards gender equality, poverty eradication, and inclusive economic growth.

• Partnerships: To forge ties with professional

• Monitoring and Evaluation: DoW will play an overseeing role by introducing monitoring and evaluation tools to keep both the government and private sector accountable when it comes to the mainstreaming of gender. The Department will work closely with the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, to align our monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure mainstreaming of gender in reporting.

• Research Agenda: The DoW will push a strong research agenda to allow us to look at gaps in the implementation of existing legislation that has resulted in the derailment of the empowerment of women, and thus the attainment of gender equality.

The research findings will allow the department to make the necessary policy recommendations.

• Gender Responsive Budgeting: Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) is a key enabler to unlocking female empowerment and realising gender equality. A radical change is needed to ensure that all parties in the public and private sectors – including NGOs – implement GRB in all their planning, programmes, budgeting, and expenditure processes.

In the next five years, the priority of the Ministry is to ensure that women’s socioeconomic empowerment and women’s rights are mainstreamed across all sectors of society through: • Monitoring the extent to which social and economic circumstances of women are improved.

• Promoting, advocating for and monitoring women’s empowerment and gender equality.

• Promoting the understanding of differential circumstances of women and men in society and the impact of seemingly neutral decisions, plans, laws, policies, and practices on either gender through capacity building on gender mainstreaming and responsive gender budgeting.

• Facilitating and monitoring capacity building

and skills development for women to participate meaningfully in all areas of the economy and the workplace.

• Standardising of accountability with regard to the implementation of gender mainstreaming by both public and private sectors.

The cornerstone for DoW’s future remains the Women’s Charter of 1954, which informed the development of the 1994 Women’s Charter for Effective Equality. The charter called for: the enfranchisement of men and women of all races; the right to vote and be elected to all state bodies; the right to full opportunities for employment, with equal pay and possibilities of promotion in all spheres of work; equal pay for equal work; equal rights in relation to property, land rights, marriage, and children; and the removal of all laws and customs that denied women such equality, among others.

Black people voted for the first time during the general elections held in South Africa on 27th April 1994. All citizens of all races and genders voted, except for those who exercised their right not to vote. Women like Charlotte Maxeke and the other stalwarts ululated in their graves as one of the aims of the Women’s Charter of 1954 was realised.

In 2013 we commemorated a centenary and paid tribute to the stalwarts of 1913, led by Charlotte Mannye Maxeke, and in 2016 we will celebrate 60 years of the Freedom Charter, and pay tribute to the 1956 heroines led by Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Sophie De Bruyn, Rahima Moosa, and many more. This year, as we celebrate 20 years of democracy, we are also celebrating 60 years of the Women’s Charter.

Tools to Move the Women’s Agenda Forward • Embark on a strategic realignment and restructuring exercise.

• Review the status, role, location and sustainability of the National Council Against Gender Based Violence (NCGBV) to strengthen efforts to eliminate GBV. • Advocate that more of the processing of the Restitution of Land Claims by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform be allocated to women.

• Review and finalisation of the Women Empowerment and Gender Equity Bill.

For more information, contact +27 12 359 0224, email info@women.gov.za or visit www.women.gov.za.

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Ladies of the Air SA Express Pilots Text & Images © Supplied

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one are the days when you could automatically assume that the person flying the plane you were travelling on was male.

In fact, there are increasingly more women employed as airline pilots every year, with a fair share of these ladies of the air to be found at SA Express, which has also prided itself on encouraging gender equality on the flight deck. We chatted to a handful of these SAX pilots to find out more about what it’s like to take to the skies every day.

Romy Dippenaar What inspired you to become a pilot?

I started off my career in aviation as an air hostess with SAA. I then became an instructor and trained cabin attendants. It was during

that time that I decided to move on and obtained all the required pilot’s licences to become a professional pilot.

Is it still very much a male dominated profession, or are things changing in your opinion?

In my opinion, there will always be more male than female pilots, and not because of any male domination. Flying an aeroplane and taking responsibility for its passengers is just not everybody’s cup of tea. That can be said for most women and for many men as well.

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How long have you been working for SA Express?

I joined SAX in February 1994 and was one of the first six pilots who were trained, more than 20 years ago.

Do you have a favourite memory or experience of your time with the airline?

I have many. Through the years we have had many “firsts”, including the first flight to many of our destinations that we fly to regularly today. I was lucky to have been able to do a lot of those flights!

What do you love most about your job?

I love all aspects of “on time, uneventful, safe flights”, as that translates into happy passengers, which is our main aim.

What advice would you give to girls who aspire to follow in your footsteps?

Firstly, make sure that is what you really want to do, as the perceived “glamour” is just that: perceived.

Work hard, and you will reach your goals!

Amanda Kandawire What inspired you to become a pilot?

I fell in love with being a pilot from my very first flying experience. It was a trip down to the Eastern Cape to see my grandparents. From then on I was hooked.

Is it still very much a male dominated profession, or are things changing in your opinion?

The female demographics in the industry are growing. The growth is very slow in my opinion, but the more exposure younger girls get to the industry and the concept of “female pilots”, the more likely they are to choose this career path,

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and only then will the stigma of a male dominated industry start changing.

What is the most challenging part of your day?

The days can be long. Weather and airline pressures can be stressful. But the most challenging part is keeping all these aspects in check and remembering that, above all else, safety comes first.

Do you think being a female pilot gives you an edge in any respect over your male counterparts?

I think because we are a minority in the industry, we always feel that we have a point to prove just so that we can be treated as equals. So I don’t necessarily think it gives us any edge over male pilots, but we tend to want to be on our A game all the time, whereas they may not feel that they need to prove anything based on their gender.

Do you have a favourite memory or experience of your time with the airline?

Yes, a flight I did to Kruger (National Park) with my father on board. He spent the flight in the cockpit on the jump seat. Having had the privilege to fly my dad is by far my proudest moment.

What do you love most about your job?

Sipping tea at FL250 while watching the sun set – it’s the most spectacular view ever, and I never get tired of it.

What advice would you give to girls who aspire to follow in your footsteps?

Work hard! And believe in your dreams.

Absolutely nothing is impossible to a willing heart and a fighting spirit.

Ericha Harding What inspired you to become a pilot?

My parents were both

involved in aviation and the aviation industry.

Presently, both my sister and I fly for commercial airlines. I have always had a passion for flying.

Is it still very much a male dominated

profession, or are things changing in your opinion?

Flying is definitely an ever-changing profession, and there are definitely more female pilots these days than there were when I did my training.

Do you have a favourite memory or experience of your time with the airline?

Each and every flight leaves me with its own special memory and experience, some entertaining, while others are an opportunity to learn a great deal from.

What do you love most about your job?

Having an office with such an amazing, everchanging view, while loving the job I do.

What advice would you give to girls who aspire to follow in your footsteps?

If you love flying, DO IT!

Nandi Mbele What inspired you to become a pilot?

The idea of operating heavy machinery and having a bird’s eye view of the world.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

I would have to say those afternoon thunderstorms in summer. It can get a bit nerveracking, as safety is our main concern.

Do you have a favourite memory or experience of your time with the airline?

The pleasure of having my mother as a passenger on one of my flights.

What do you love most about your job?

Every sunrise and sunset is unique, and it’s breathtaking and absolutely priceless to see it from the air.

What advice would you give to girls who aspire to follow in your footsteps?

That no-one should discourage you from following you dreams and that, for every setback, a greater comeback awaits.

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Garden of the Gods

Flower Viewing in Namaqualand and the West Coast

Text: Keri Harvey Images © iStockphoto.com & Keri Harvey

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he daisy carpets that roll out along the West Coast and Namaqualand in springtime are breathtakingly beautiful, transforming the countryside into a blaze of different colours. It’s a natural wonder that has to be seen to be believed.

SOUTH AFRICA’S Atlantic seaboard is wild and windswept, and in many places harsh and inhospitable. Yet every spring this coastline puts on its party dress and dances with daisies, their faces following the sun throughout the day.

To the casual observer, it’s a simple process.

The winter rains fall and soothe the parched earth, then a month or two later the earth explodes into vibrant colour as billions of flowers announce the arrival of spring. Between the end of July and late September, the West Coast and Namaqualand becomes a wonderland.

Stretching in a technicolour carpet from horizon to horizon is a tightly woven carpet of flowers in pink, orange, yellow, red, and

white. Daisies, vygies, lilies, perennial herbs and a host of other fanciful florals blanket the ground. From parched earth to Eden of plenty, the transformation after the rain is dramatic and the countryside literally bursts into life. After pollination, the dry winds of summer return and send the flower seeds into dormancy, waiting for the winter rain and the next daisy dance.

This annual flower extravaganza usually begins in late July around Langebaan and the adjacent West Coast National Park. In early August the flowers usually open in the Sandveld further north, along the coast, and in the Klipkoppe area around Springbok.

The display then moves eastwards as the weather becomes warmer. This is the usual pattern, though it

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Flower File The best months to see the flowers are usually August and September, but it all depends when the rains come. Depending on rainfall, spectacular displays can normally be found around Vanrhynsdorp, Nieuwoudtville, Kamieskroon, Springbok, and in the Goegap Nature Reserve, as well as around Clanwilliam and in the Biedouw Valley. The Postberg section of the West Coast National Park near Langebaan is also a must see. Since the flowers orientate themselves towards the sun, the best viewing times are between 10h00 and 16h00 on warm, windless, sunny days.

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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 .

survive the heat as bulbs or tubers below the ground, and arrange their large leaves on the surface of the ground to minimise evaporation of soil moisture. Some plants don’t even have leaves, just green stems, to combat the effects of heat and evaporation.

Spring flowers can be seen randomly all along the West Coast, even as you drive the main routes (N7 and R27), but the West Coast National Park offers the surest chance of seeing the daisy carpets in all their splendour. The Postberg section of the park is only open during August and September, purely so that visitors can see the flowers. Carpets cover the hills and run all the way down to the sea. The vastness and beauty of this spectacle is impossible to capture on film, it simply has to be seen with the eyes.

If you visit the West Coast or Namaqualand during flower season, you will surely find people behaving strangely. The flowers are so awe inspiring that travellers will simply pull off the road, get out of their vehicles and stare stoically at the flowers.

Others click their cameras frenetically trying to capture the beauty of what they have seen. Yet it’s simply impossible. The daisy carpets are too vast, too tightly packed, and too vibrantly colourful and delicate to ever fully capture them any other way other than to memory.

S a e x p r e ss c o n n e c t s y o u t o c a p e t o w n d a i l y

can vary from year to year.

The zillion-strong flower carpet includes an estimated 4,000 species of plants, of which over 1,000 are endemic to the region. On closer scrutiny, the cycles of dormancy and flowering make perfect sense. Since there is no grass cover in Namaqualand, it is easy for flower seeds to find a resting place. The wind-blown sand provides quick protection and cover for the seeds, while the stony ground surface is constantly decomposing and replenishing the soil with food. In addition, the periods of drought destroy any insect parasites. So, all that’s needed to complete the perfect recipe for the flowers is rain. When the rain does fall, sufficiently and at the right time, there are flowers literally for Africa.

Rain is minimal in Namaqualand, where just 250 mm falls on average per year, with some places receiving less than 50 mm per year. However, the plants are uniquely adapted to survive in these harsh conditions. Along the coastal Sandveld, plants get their moisture from the winter fog that swirls in off the cold Atlantic. In a bid to survive, many of the plants in the area are succulents and store water in their stems and leaves. To slow evaporation by the sun, they have deep pores, thick leafskins and protective coverings of wax and hair. Their leaves may also be smaller than usual to reduce the area exposed to sun and wind. Other plants

Le jardin des Dieux

Admirer les fleurs dans le Namaqualand et sur la côte ouest Text: Keri Harvey Images © iStockphoto.com & Keri Harvey

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es tapis de marguerites sauvages qui s’étendent sur une grande portion de la côte ouest et du Namaqualand au printemps embrasent le paysage de leurs couleurs éclatantes et sont d’une beauté à vous couper le souffle. C’est une merveille naturelle qu’il faut voir pour y croire.

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LE LITTORAL atlantique sud-africain est sauvage et battu par les vents, et il peut être rude et inhospitalier. Malgré tout, chaque printemps, la côte se pare de ses plus beaux atours et danse avec les fleurs sauvages qui suivent le soleil tout au long de la journée.

Pour un observateur non averti cela semble être un processus simple. Quand les pluies hivernales tombent et soulagent les terres brulées il ne faut qu’un ou deux mois pour que des milliards de fleurs arborant des couleurs flamboyantes annoncent l’arrivée du printemps. Entre la fin juillet et la fin septembre la côte ouest et le Namaqualand deviennent le pays des merveilles.

Un tapis technicolor s’étend le long de l’horizon, l’embrasant de ses roses, oranges, jaunes, rouges et jaunes chatoyants. Des marguerites sauvages, des plantes grasses à fleurs ou **vygies**, des lys, des herbes pérennes et de nombreuses autres plantes recouvrent totalement le sol. Passant de terre brûlée à terre d’abondance, la transformation occasionnée par la pluie est spectaculaire et la nature explose de vie et de couleurs. Après la pollinisation, les vents secs de l’été sont de retour et les graines des fleurs entrent en dormance jusqu’aux prochaines pluies d’hiver qui mèneront de nouveau à une explosion florale.

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Ce somptueux étalage de fleurs commence en général vers la fin juillet aux environs de Langebaan et dans le Parc national de la côte ouest (West Coast National Park) qui lui est adjacent. Début août les fleurs commencent à s’ouvrir dans le Sandveld plus au nord sur la côte, et dans la région de Klipkoppe dans les environs de Springbok. Cet étalage de fleurs s’étend alors vers l’est, avec les températures qui remontent. C’est en général la façon dont se produisent les choses mais des variations sont possibles d’année en année.

Ce tapis formé de milliards de fleurs est constitué de 4 000 espèces de plantes dont 1 000 sont endémiques à la région. Quand on y regarde de plus près, les cycles de dormance et de floraison sont d’une grande logique. Puisqu’il n’y a pas d’herbe recouvrant le sol en Namaqualand il est très facile pour les graines de trouver où se poser. Le sable transporté par le vent recouvre les graines en leur assurant une bonne protection, et la surface du sol en constante décomposition favorise la reconstitution du sol, offrant une foule de substances nutritives aux plantes. De plus, les périodes de sécheresse détruisent les insectes et les parasites. Donc il ne manque que la pluie pour faire de tout cela une recette parfaite pour que les fleurs poussent. Quand la pluie tombe enfin en quantité suffisante et au

moment requis, les fleurs poussent comme des folles.

Les précipitations sont minimales dans le Namaqualand, la moyenne annuelle étant de 250 mm, avec certaines régions ne recevant que 50 mm par an. Cependant les plantes sont parfaitement adaptées au climat et peuvent survivre dans ces conditions difficiles. Le long de la côte de la région du Sandveld, les plantes utilisent l’humidité que prodigue le brouillard venant de l’Atlantique. Pour une question de survie, une grande partie des plantes de la région sont des plantes grasses qui stockent des réserves d’eau dans leurs tiges et dans leurs feuilles. Pour ralentir l’évaporation causée par le soleil, ces plantes ont des pores très profonds, des feuilles à la surface très épaisse et sont recouvertes d’une sorte de film protecteur formé de cire et de poils.

Leurs feuilles ont aussi tendance à être plus petites, pour que les zones exposées au soleil et au vent soient moindres. D’autres plantes, dont les bulbes et les tubercules se trouvent sous la surface du sol, arrivent à survivre à la chaleur en s’assurant que leurs grandes feuilles forment une protection empêchant une trop grande évaporation de l’humidité contenue dans le sol.

Certaines plantes n’ont que des tiges et aucune feuille, ceci pour combattre des effets de la

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chaleur et l’évaporation.

On trouve des fleurs de printemps ici et là le long de la côte ouest, et le long des axes principaux (N7 et R27) mais le meilleur endroit pour profiter des tapis de fleurs sauvages dans toute leur splendeur est le Parc national de la côte ouest. La section Postberg du parc n’est ouverte que pendant les mois d’août et de septembre pour permettre aux visiteurs de venir voir les fleurs. Les tapis de fleurs recouvrent les collines et s’étendent jusqu’à la mer. L’immensité et la beauté de ce spectacle ne peuvent être capturées sur film et la seule chose à faire et de venir voir le spectacle de ses propres yeux.

Si vous avez l’occasion de visiter la côte ouest ou le Namaqualand durant la saison des fleurs vous y rencontrerez certainement des gens au comportement étrange. Le spectacle offert par les fleurs et si grandiose que certains voyageurs s’arrêtent sur le bord de la route, sortent de leurs véhicules et sont totalement subjugués. D’autres prennent des photos de manière frénétique, essayant de capturer le spectacle s’offrant à eux.

C’est tout simplement impossible. Les tapis de marguerites sauvages sont trop vastes, trop denses et de couleurs trop éclatantes et délicates pour que l’on puisse les capturer autrement qu’en mémoire.

Dossier fleurs Les meilleurs mois pour aller voir les fleurs sont en général août et septembre, mais cela dépend surtout de l’arrivée de la pluie. Selon les précipitations les spectacles étonnants offerts par les fleurs peuvent être appréciés dans les alentours de Vanrhynsdorp, Nieuwoudtville, Kamieskroon, Springbok, dans la réserve naturelle de Goegap, mais aussi dans les environs de Clanwilliam et dans la vallée de Biedouw. La section Postberg du parc national de la côte ouest près de Langebaan est aussi un endroit à voir. Et puisque les fleurs se tournent vers le soleil, il est préférable d’aller les admirer entre 10h00 et 16h00 un jour chaud, ensoleillé et sans vent.

In the Eye of the Beholder I See A Different You

Text: Lisa Witepski Images © I See A Different You

Most online images of Soweto feature pictures of dirty children and shabby shacks, the kind of images we have come to associate with poverty. Unless you’re visiting the website “I See A Different You”, that is.

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THIS BLOG (found at iseeadifferentyou.tumblr. com) is an ode to the Soweto that its residents know and love. Here, you’ll see slick pantsulas and smiling mothers, children skating and hip-hop fans sporting brand new kicks. It’s a Soweto that dazzles with colour, where style feels more at home than it does in Milan; a Soweto that would make the world’s most beautiful cities feel drab and like a plain Jane. It’s the Soweto of twin brothers Innocent and Justice Mukhele and their best friend Vuyo Mpantsha.

When the trio created the blog in 2011, it was in reaction to the fact that Soweto isn’t often portrayed in this manner. “We got the idea when I was travelling through Uganda and Kenya,” says Innocent. “I sent pictures to Justice and Vuyo, and they were amazed.

Because the media highlights the negative aspects of these countries, they hadn’t expected so much beauty.”

The brothers realised that South Africa, and their township in particular, had fallen victim to the same treatment. “We decided it was time to tell our story.”

Storytelling – indeed, any form of creativity – comes naturally to the trio, who have been friends since the twins were 12 and Vuyo was eight. “We were always interested in art. As children, Justice

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and I spent a lot of time drawing, while Vuyo’s first love was music,” Innocent says. They trained their eye by studying pictures and scrutinising landscapes.

Even a ride in the car with their mother was an opportunity to appreciate line, colour, and form.

However, their obsession with design hadn’t extended to photography, an art form they considered “lazy”.

That was until their first picture was posted on the blog. Unlike many bloggers who patiently post and wait for traffic, I See a Different You was a hit from the start. And why wouldn’t it be? Innocent, Justice and Vuyo were showing South Africans the spaces and places they themselves were familiar with, and yet took for granted. Says Innocent: “We started by taking pictures of the areas where we’d had special moments in our childhood, places where we used to play. Some of the places we photographed were dingy, difficult to imagine as anything but ugly. But we pointed out that there is beauty in everything. It’s your choice to see it or not.”

Pictures of places seamlessly segued into photos of people. If there is anything that defines Soweto, it’s the fact that it’s impossible to define. It is a hodgepodge of subcultures. Given their eye for the aesthetic, the

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trio soak in these trends, and set their own. “Growing up, we’d see the swankas and the panstulas, the cool dads who dressed well. Our father used to tell us that clothes are important, you should always have good shoes, a good belt, and a good watch. We were into hip-hop, so we didn’t listen until we started working, and swapped our baggy clothes for a more tailored look.”

The blog has changed in other ways, too. No longer focusing on Soweto alone, it features pictures from destinations the world over, wherever the trio travel. “Travel is important to us, and we’re trying to show the youth why,” says Innocent. He’s seen a different side of Senegal, Mozambique, Japan, Norway, Venda, and Tanzania. “It’s about learning from these countries and inspiring each other, as well as motivating others to see what’s out there.”

And they are certainly making their mark.

Innocent has lost count of the movement’s Tumblr followers, but “I See a Different You” reaches 16,000 Twitter fans, 13,000 Instagram followers and a Facebook audience of 6,300.

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Some of these followers have carried considerable clout. In 2012, the trio was invited by Diesel to become part of a campaign the brand had developed around eight young, talented Africans.

As brand ambassadors, Diesel created a denim collection for them, then hosted an exhibition of their work in Tokyo.

What’s next for Innocent, Justice and Vuyo?

Having recently started their own production company, Three Quarter Pictures, they’re shooting their own commercials and short films. True to their ethos, their films are about telling the stories of their community members. They’re also flexing their musical muscles. While Vuyo is a producer and plays guitar, Justice plays bass, and Innocent is a drummer.

It might sound like a hectic schedule – especially since all three have jobs in the advertising industry – but Innocent insists that, while they’re committed to their movement, they don’t view their dedication as enslavement. “It helps that we’re best friends. We challenge each other, argue, fight, laugh, but most of all, we have fun. It’s all just playing.”

Slowveld Seduction

Getting to Know Nelspruit Text: Stuart Wainwright Images © iStockphoto.com & Shutterstock

Travelling to Nelspruit for business or a short break? The sunny “slowveld” capital of Mpumalanga is the gateway to the African bush. Fertile valleys, natural wonders, adventure activities and, of course, the Big Five lie within easy grasp of this small, but bustling city.

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Getting There You can get to Nelspruit by air or road.

The main road to Nelspruit is the N4 from Gauteng, which takes about 3½ half hours to drive. You can also access Nelspruit via the N2, N11 or N17 from KwaZulu-Natal, as well as via the R40 from Limpopo. Nelspruit has an international airport, the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.

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 .

gardens offers visitors a chance to view a wide range of critically endangered plant species and cycads, as it serves as an important conservation site. Plants have been brought here from across South Africa to be conserved and even from as far north as West and Central Africa.

Nelspruit is not only surrounded by beauty, it is also an important trading city, as many people from Swaziland and Mozambique travel here to shop. It is one of the largest agricultural centres in South Africa, especially for sweet and juicy mangoes, papayas and citrus, and some of the country’s most delectable avocados, macadamias, and pecans. Sugar, manganese and timber account for much of the rest of the industrial activity.

Despite its size, the small city boasts two airports, offering flights to Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, Zambia, and Mozambique. If you do plan on flying in, just make sure that you get a ticket that you can extend, because after a few days here you are going to want a few more! And if there’s one thing to top off your visit, make sure you stop in Graskop to indulge in a deliciously filled pancake at the famous Harry’s Pancakes, and then wander through the Sunshine Art Gallery.

For a city with only 60,000 residents, Nelspruit really outdoes itself with one-of-a-kind attractions. It is South Africa at its best, even for South Africans.

S a e x p r e ss c o n n e c t s y o u t o n e l s p r u i t .

THE OLDEST known caves on earth, the first man-made rain forest, and the greatest game reserve in the world are the best examples of what can be found on its doorstep, but you can also head out to God’s Window, the Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the Blyde River Canyon, Mac Mac Falls, the Lowveld Botanical Gardens, Legogote (“Lion”) Mountain, or view the Barberton daisies.

With enviable subtropical weather all year round, you’re guaranteed warm days during the mild winters and toasty summers in which to enjoy the sights and activities that abound.

The city is full of buzzing activity, and Nelspruit is actually far more advanced than it is given credit for. With large shopping malls, a casino, raceway, and stadium, Nelspruit has all the commercial entertainment elements one could imagine, as well as regular fairs, shows and festivals throughout the year where the town and its talents are put on display.

While Nelspruit itself is sometimes underestimated, every home-grown South African knows that the Mpumalanga province is home to some of the most fantastic nature experiences in South Africa, including the Kruger National Park, where you only need a little luck to catch a glimpse of the Big Five.

A more certain sighting of intriguing animals can be found at the Crocodile River Reptile Park, Elephant Sanctuary, or the Jane Goodall Chimpanzee Eden Sanctuary. After a hard day of wildlife viewing, it might be a good idea to slow the pace a little and visit the Africa Silks Farm, where you can delve into the spinning world of silkworms and silk production, followed by a glass of the farm’s famous homemade ginger beer.

The Sudwala Caves are roughly 35 km outside of Nelspruit, but well worth the trip. At 240 million years old, they are the oldest caves known to man.

While the normal tours into the cave begin every 10 minutes during opening hours, it is worth a little more planning to join a crystal tour which, while a little more strenuous, takes you 2,000 m into the caves to view the spectacular array of aragonite crystals.

As much as the area has an abundance of attractions above ground, so too does it below the surface, which is why the mining town of Kaapsehoop was established on the outskirts of Nelspruit. This quaint town seems to be stuck in the 1800s, and for a moment during your visit you may find yourself wondering why we ever changed from such a blissful way of life! Eagles watch over the buck, baboons and wild horses that roam the area, all while wholesome food is prepared in the wooden farmhouses and guesthouses.

Possibly the most understated attraction in Nelspruit is the Lowveld National Botanical Garden.

Here, the Crocodile River meets the Nels River, but not before each flow over spectacular waterfalls within the garden. The enchanting walk through the

In Her Element Neha Dixit

Text: Lesley Stones Images Š Glow TV

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If you ask most people to describe their dream job, the chances are that it will involve travel – with someone else paying the bill. Perhaps that’s why chirpy TV travel show host Neha Dixit (33) always looks so thrilled with life. But there is a catch: When she gets on a plane, she is more likely to jump out of it than to be sitting in business class. She doesn’t go to the beach for sundowners, but to climb into a cage and try shark diving. And rather than be chauffeured to a posh hotel, she will tell viewers where to catch the bus and which guesthouse is the best bargain.

DIXIT HOSTS travel shows for people whose wanderlust is hindered by the reality of a limited budget. You can find her on Glow TV, an Indian TV channel broadcast on Channel 108 on OpenView HD. She’s anchored a variety of shows, including 10 Things to Do Before You Say Bye and Free Fall, both of which are characterised by their quirky, unconventional style.

“Free Fall was a travel show dedicated to adventure, so we went to places like the Alps and New Zealand,” she says. “We focused on where you could go and what you could do, like bungee jumping, its history, and how it became a commercial sport.”

Dixit also hosted the budget travel series No Big Deal. “That has great research tips and trivia for people who share my love for travel, but don’t have the money for it,” she says. Eastern Europe is great for travellers on a tight budget, so Dixit covered the Czech Republic before hopping over to Ireland and Malaysia.

As a producer as well as a presenter, she usually picks her own adventures and writes her own scripts. But for 10 Things to Do Before You Say Bye, various destinations were covered by the most appropriate presenter, who then picked ten brilliant things to do in each destination.

“If it’s a destination that relates to luxury, then I’m the last person the producers will think of. But if it’s Iceland or Borneo, they pick me,” she jokes. “Iceland was great. We sat up all night, every night, staring at the sky, saying: ‘Northern Lights please show up.’ And they did. And in Borneo one of my things to do was to stare at the proboscis monkeys all day because they are so bizarre!”

Dixit says that her best adventures are not the quick rushes of adrenaline from something like bungee jumping. “That’s a lot of fun, but I love scuba diving or paragliding, where you can really be in another element. I’ve found that any kind of adventure where you can spend a little more time in another element is more exciting, because it takes you out of your comfort zone.”

What she really doesn’t like are cities, which is a little unfortunate, since she is based in Delhi. Despite this aversion, in July she took a private holiday that included Florence and Rome. “Rome is hectic and it’s unbelievable – I wouldn’t mind a city like Rome if I had a month

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so I could go and stare at one part of town and then move on. I like long holidays so that I can really get to know the place through its people,” she says. “We were also touring the South of France, staying in small towns and looking at the lavender fields.”

Dixit is a fan of South Africa too, after coming here to direct a travel show featuring cricketer Jonty Rhodes. “It was fantastic. We did Johannesburg and Durban and the Garden Route, and I got to stay in really nice lodges,” she says. “We did bungee jumping and shark cage diving. It was a dream working with Jonty, and I would love to come back to South Africa.”

That won’t happen just yet, though, as she is currently filming the fourth season of Swiss Made Challenge, a reality show where people travel through Switzerland competing in a series of challenges.

Dixit has worked in TV for 12 years since joining NDTV in 2002, when it launched a breakfast show. “I started in production and I still do a lot of production work. I like cooking, so I got a job anchoring a breakfast show when I was 21, and now about 30 % of my job is anchoring.”

In between filming, there is nothing she enjoys more than being in her own bed and eating her own food. “I have been living out of a suitcase for seven or eight years now and that feeling of going back home and sleeping on your own pillow is not overrated.

There are times when I just want to stay at home.

Sometimes in Delhi I don’t even go out – I lie to my friends and tell them I’m not there!”

Neha’s show ‘Free Fall’ airs every Thursday night at 18h30 on Glow TV (channel 108 on the OpenView HD satellite bouquet).

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Boutique Bliss Hotel Izulu Text & Images © Hotel Izulu

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he five-star Hotel Izulu, situated in Ballito, KwaZuluNatal, is renowned for eco-luxury boutique accommodation, outstanding cuisine, and its award-winning Impilo Spa. This boutique hotel is a short drive from Durban and ideally situated near King Shaka International Airport.

THE PROPERTY BOASTS 19 luxurious suites within a contemporary blend of Tuscan architecture, African features and Balinese influences. The different styles of architecture form a convivial mix, and are most often described as “an African heart with an Eastern spirit”. Five luxurious freestanding villas are spread out in the hotel’s manicured grounds with each villa offering two Executive Suites, two Deluxe Suites, a private courtyard and an eight-seater Jacuzzi.

Luxurious living manifests itself in the Royal Suite, which is the preferred choice of VIPs and Hollywood celebrities.

Sprawled across the entire top floor of Villa Ingelosi, it encompasses a bar, dining area, personal deck and Jacuzzi, all overlooking the Indian Ocean. The Royal Suite is perfect for honeymooners. In fact, bridal couples will fall in love with Hotel Izulu. They may marry in bliss in the hotel’s chapel and then celebrate in style in the banqueting hall.

Crowning this unique property is Gigi’s Brasserie. The menu at Gigi’s features world-class cuisine, complimented by distinctive South African flavours to broaden the palate appeal for the enjoyment of both local and

international guests. The diverse menu also recreates classical dishes in a more modern and health-orientated fashion.

Dining is accompanied by a wide choice of rare and soughtafter South African vintages from the wine cellar which can be enjoyed by the bottle or the glass. Guests can also opt to dine in the intimacy of their suite, at a table set in the romantic wine cellar, or in the heart of the kitchen at the unique Chef’s Table.

Hotel Izulu is committed to operating in a more ecofriendly environment. The hotel has an organic herb and vegetable garden, which provides a daily supply of fresh organic vegetables for use in Gigi’s Brasserie.

Created to nurture the body, mind and soul, guests at the Impilo Spa are presented with a wish list of unique and restorative facials and advanced skin therapies designed for individual needs by a team of dedicated professionals. The spa is a place of enlightenment where holistic rejuvenation combines with the warmth of the tropical sun and the joy of the Indian Ocean.

For more information and reservations, contact + 27 32 94 63 444 or email info@hotelizulu.com.

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Trawling for Pre-loved Treasure Text & Images © Will Edgcumbe

Durban’s antique shops are littered with amazing finds, it’s just up to you to hunt them down.

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BROWSING THROUGH ANTIQUE SHOPS and second-hand stores is not unlike a treasure hunt, as you never know what you may find amongst the furniture and trinkets that other people have discarded.

Sometimes you’ll find a true bargain, something of great value going for next to nothing. Sometimes you’ll see something you love that no one else would want, but for some reason it speaks to you and you have to have it. And sometimes you and the shop owner both know just how rare and precious a piece is, and you both get steely-eyed as you negotiate over the price, seeing who flinches first.

Shopping for second-hand items can be a compulsive thing, and the best way to indulge it is to take a whole day to explore. If your partner just doesn’t understand, it’s worth telling them to hit the golf course, spa or whatever will keep them out of your hair for a few hours so you can get down to business. In Durban there is no shortage of places stocked with beautiful old things just waiting to be found, so the next time you’re here, make a point of popping into a few of them.

Ageless Antiques The rule of thumb is that you’re going to pay rather a lot more for a piece at an antique shop, but it will generally be in good condition and the owner will have done the legwork to ensure that his/her shop is stocked with great stuff. You’ll also notice that certain shops may focus on different eras, so if the owner is a huge fan of Edwardian furniture, you might battle to find a delicate retro coffee table. But generally every shop will hold something of interest, you just have to keep your eyes peeled.

Eclectic Antiques (157 Gordon Road, +27 31 303 2218) is one of the more reasonable antique shops around and, despite its small size, you’ll find a good range of furniture, silver, tea ware, vintage jewellery, crystal, and art here. To save space, much of the furniture is piled on top of each other, so it’s worth taking the time to look underneath and behind what you can take in at a glance.

The appropriately named Wow (143 Helen Joseph [Bulwer] Road, +27 76 977 1188) is something of a high-end junk shop, and it’s here that you’ll find a diverse assortment of industrial, retro and quirky goods, from giraffe skulls and beautiful furniture to ancient bottles of apothecary’s tinctures.

At Roger England Antiques (124 Sandile Thusi [Argyle] Road, +27 82 456 2575) you’re unlikely to find a cheap buy, but what you will find are rare, luxurious and beautiful antiques of the kind that adorn stately mansions and old clubs. This shop imports antiques from the UK five or six times a year, so if there’s a classic piece you’re after, they’ll probably be able to find it.

A Bit More Low Key Second-hand shops require a bit more of a trawl, but if you’re prepared to fight your way through bric-a-brac like warped

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Tupperware lids and damaged headboards, you’ll definitely find something amazing and at a tenth of the price you’ll pay for it in an antique shop. These shops also have a high turnover of stock, so if you don’t find something now, go again in a month or so and it’ll be like going to a new shop. Take some hand wipes and load up on the antihistamines, though, because things are going to get dusty. Also be sure to draw cash, as most of these stores don’t accept cards.

The small beachside town of Warner Beach is just past Amanzimtoti, about 20 minutes south of Durban on the N2, and is Durban’s holy grail of second-hand shops. The R102/Kingsway Road strip is home to five or six shops that could keep you busy for hours. If you’re after a 70s lounge suite or 60-year-old behemoth of a fridge at a fraction of the price you’d pay elsewhere, this is the place to go. The shop owners are friendly and willing to bargain, and if you’re looking for something in particular they are happy to keep an eye out for you.

The suburb of Hillcrest, about 30 minutes inland from Durban at the foot of the Valley of a Thousand Hills, is home to a great little secondhand dealer called The Bargain Bin (Hillcrest Shopping Centre, 38 Old Main Road, +27 31 765 3804). You have to act fast here, as the prices are low and the stock is pretty great, so if you see something you like and go away and think about it, it probably won’t be there when you get back. They mostly stock furniture, but do have a decent range of other household goods and electronics.

If you’re willing to roll your sleeves up, the charity shops at the Highway Hospice in Pinetown (5 Butts Road, +27 31 701 4726) and the SPCA in Kloof (Village Road, +27 31 764 1212) are sprawling, and though you might need to look a little harder to find what you’re after, you could probably pick up something great with the change under your car seat.

At both you’ll find books, records, furniture, clothing, toys, and sporting goods, not to mention household bric-a-brac and even original paintings.

Things can be a little chaotic, so take your time, be methodical and leave no stone (or old board game) unturned.

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Watch Out for Woodborer Nothing inspires panic like seeing the telltale woodborer droppings piling up below a beloved piece of furniture. When buying furniture second hand in Durban, you really do need to check for borer and make sure it’s not going to infest your house. If you do spot some, it doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t buy the piece, but make sure you spray it with insecticide or get it treated by a professional before bringing it into your home. And if you live in Durban, protect your old pieces by getting them treated once a year. It doesn’t cost much and will save you a lot of stress.

African Oases

Lonrho Hotels

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Text & Images © Lonrho Hotels

onrho Hotels has been a major participant in the luxury hotel market in Africa for many years. In the past, it led the market with such iconic luxury hotels as the Norfolk and Nairobi Safari Club in Kenya and Labadi Beach in Ghana. In recent times, Hotel Cardoso in Mozambique, Grand Karavia in the DRC and Lansmore Masa Square in Botswana have served as shining beacons of Lonrho Hotels’ commitment to establishing luxurious accommodation options in Africa’s high growth destinations. Lonrho’s easyHotel in fashionable Braamfontein, Johannesburg, also provides superb accommodation at affordable prices.

Hotel Cardoso The famous Hotel Cardoso, which is situated in the heart of Maputo, provides its guests with breathtaking views of Maputo Bay, as well as of the city below, especially when you catch the perfect sunset while relaxing poolside. Business and leisure travellers alike will enjoy everything this hotel has to offer, from conferencing facilities and high-speed Internet access throughout the hotel, to delicious drinks and mouth-watering dishes in the restaurant. A dip in the sparklingly clear swimming pool is the perfect way to cool off after another balmy Maputo day, where Hotel Cardoso is the obvious hotel of choice.

Grand Karavia Grand Karavia Hotel in central Lubumbashi is effortlessly stylish, appealingly modern, and offers all travellers a luxurious stay. Situated on the slopes of Lubumbashi Lake, and surrounded by lush gardens, this modern international hotel offers all the facilities and services necessary to ensure guests an ultra luxurious hotel experience. The hotel’s extensive conferencing facilities are appealing to local businesses, as well as to visiting business travellers. At La Bonne Table Restaurant, guests can enjoy the finest cuisine in an elegant setting overlooking the hotel pool and the lake. Air conditioned luxury bedrooms with WiFi and satellite television provide that personal touch.

Lansmore Masa Square Hotel Situated in the heart of Gaborone’s new financial

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and commercial district, Lansmore Masa Square Hotel is uniquely positioned to ensure that its guests have a wonderful experience each and every time they check in.

Located in one of the two towers in the iconic Masa Square in Gaborone, this 153-room hotel has plenty to offer its guests. La Touche de Provence Restaurant serves up delicious local and international dishes with love and care. Purpose built conference facilities and broadband WiFi are available for business travellers, while the well-equipped gymnasium and rooftop swimming pool are perfect for fitness fanatics. The Absolut rooftop bar is the perfect spot to wind down your evening with a cocktail, or to let down your hair on the weekends with a great party.

easyHotel Johannesburg CBD “Stylish”, “vibrant”, “modern” and “affordable” are words that perfectly describe easyHotel Johannesburg CBD. It is located in De Korte Street, Braamfontein, the heart of the bustling regeneration of business and leisure life in the Johannesburg CBD. Financial institutions, regional and governmental offices and Gautrain Park Station are all within close proximity to the hotel. Restaurants, bars, theatres, quaint boutique shops and markets also come alive during the weekends, and are all only a short walk away. This 60-roomed hotel has high-speed WiFi and promises a great location at a great price.

For more information, contact +27 21 427 3422, email sales@lonrho.com, visit www.lonrhohotels.com or look for /LonrhoHotels on Facebook. You can also follow them on Twitter: @Lonrho_Hotels.

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Beyond the Falls Game Reserve Hopping in Zimbabwe

Text: Keith Bain Images © Dana Allen/Wilderness Safaris, Kanga Bush Camp, Changa Safari Camp, The Hide, Musango Safari Camp & Singita Pamushana

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Matobo National Park Although not known as a big game reserve, this UNESCO World Heritage Site just south of Bulawayo is venerated for its dramatic rock formations: red-tinged rock outcrops; gigantic, grey, smooth-surfaced “whalebacks”; and towering kopjes of balancing granite boulders and pillars.

This visual drama is compounded by the thrill of getting close to some of the world’s highest concentrations of leopard and rare black eagles, as well as the chance to explore caves and rocky overhangs which preserve ancient San paintings (over 2,000 sites have been recorded here). Also here, is the high-altitude grave of arch-imperialist, Cecil John Rhodes, at a thrilling location known as the View of the World.

Built between huge granite boulders on a 300acre concession within Matobo, rooms at Camp

Amalinda (www.campamalinda.com) are thatched chalets incorporating the very rock that makes this park famous. Even the enormous pool is a depression in the granite whaleback that forms part of the property.

Mana Pools National Park Mana is Shona for “four”, which refers to four large pools, remnants of ox-bow lakes carved out by the Zambezi River thousands of years ago.

Here, in the Middle Zambezi Valley in northern Zimbabwe, hippos, crocs, and large numbers of aquatic birds flourish. And yet, Mana Pools remains a well-guarded secret. It is a remote UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of Africa’s best parks for walking safaris thanks to relatively relaxed big game and sparse undergrowth.

Another exciting way to experience the region’s

ou’ve ticked Victoria Falls off your bucket list, but Zimbabwe still has a wealth of game reserves worth exploring. Not only do these wildernesses shelter a great diversity of animals, but less crowding and excellent guiding at some impressive lodges make appreciating them that much sweeter.

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animals from the water on boat or canoe trips as you explore the lake’s narrow creeks and inlets.

On a private concession on the lake’s edge, tented Changa Safari Camp (www.changasafari.com) is designed to merge with its surroundings, incorporating natural materials, thatch roofs, and the shelter of trees and surrounding bush. It has been dutifully decorated with locally made furniture and authentically rusticlooking detailing in natural material, so you never forget you’re in Africa.

Another option is Musango (www.musangosafaricamp.com), a small safari camp in a beach-like setting on an offshore island close to the reserve. Its chief draw is owner, Steve Edwards, an esteemed guide who formerly served as Matusadona’s head warden. He manages the camp and comes with considerable knowledge – he’ll even show you where he discovered dinosaur fossils.

Hwange National Park Bordering Botswana, Hwange is Zimbabwe’s biggest reserve, with terrain ranging from semi-

Chilo Gorge

natural abundance is by floating down the river in a canoe, particularly between Mana Pools and Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park. It can be a heady adventure, tactfully paddling past river-crossing elephants, and avoiding wallowing hippos and lurking crocodiles as you go.

Just beyond Mana Pools’ western boundary Ruckomechi Camp (www.wilderness-safaris.com) comprises ten large reed-and-thatch tented chalets sheltered beneath a grove of acacia and mahogany trees. There are various spots from which to enjoy the view, whether lazing in a hammock, sunbathing alongside the infinity pool, or gazing up at the stars from a cushioned deck.

Each of the six big tented chalets at Kanga Bush Camp (www.africanbushcamps.com) has views of remote, isolated Kanga Pan, a year-round water source regularly visited by thirsty animals. One adventurous add-on is an overnight sleep-out on a platform with a mattress, raised on stilts beneath wild fig trees, 1 km from camp.

Kanga’s colonial-style Zambezi

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Zambezi Lifestyles

Life Styles is a semi-permanent camp set up on the banks of the Zambezi, channelling the atmosphere of Hemingway-era mobile safaris.

Operational during the Mana Pools safari season (May – November), there are just six tents with outdoor bucket showers, and marvellous proximity to the water, which you can explore by canoe.

Matusadona National Park Lake Kariba is a name familiar to most, yet few know of Matusadona, a reserve along the lake’s southern shore. Sunsets over the lake, with the Matusadona Mountains in the background, are spectacular, with incredible birdlife year-round. From November to April, great numbers of migratory birds also arrive just as resident species don their breeding plumage.

Also at the shore are large buffalo herds, along with elephant, hippo, waterbuck, sable and roan antelope, lion, leopard, hyena, cheetah, as well as a few black rhino. You can spot many of these

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Singita Pamushana

desert scrub and saltpans in the south, to forests, savannah, granite hills and Mopane woodlands in the north. Once the royal hunting grounds of the Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi, it’s been a national park since 1929. It’s a prolific Big Five destination, said to have the highest diversity of mammals of any national park in the world, not to mention one of the biggest elephant populations anywhere. Over 400 species of birds (including some 50 varieties of raptor) have been recorded here. Best viewings happen during the August – October dry season, when the wildlife congregates around the shrunken water holes.

In a large, game-rich private concession within Hwange, Makalolo Plains Camp (www.wilderness-safaris.com) consists of ten very comfortable tented rooms overlooking the Somavundla Pan, where elephant herds and predators are easily spotted. A touch more exclusive are the six tented chalets at newer, smaller, smarter Little Makalolo, in a teak forest 20 minutes away. Also facing a busy watering hole, it’s arguably Hwange’s most comfortable safari camp, with the benefit of exceptional guiding, either by vehicle or on foot. Elevated hides with only mosquito nets between you and the stars are also available for sleep-out adventures.

Within a camelthorn acacia grove at the edge of the long dry Sumamalisa Vlei to the east of Hwange, Somalisa (www.africanbushcamps.com) is an intimate bush camp of six tents spaciously laid out in a horseshoe pattern. Instead of electricity, at night it’s lit up with paraffin lamps

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 .

The Hide

S a e x p r e ss c o n n e c t s t o Y o u t o h a r a r e .

Ruckomechi Camp

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to romantic effect.

Regularly touted as Zimbabwe’s best tented safari camp, The Hide (www.thehide.com) lies in Hwange’s northeast, and boasts a dependable on-site waterhole luring animals so you can scrutinize them from the comfort of a wooden deck, your bath, or the pool.

Gonarezhou The “place of many elephants”, Gonarezhou is a gigantic swath of Zimbabwean lowveld in the southeast, adjoining South Africa and Mozambique. Besides an unspoilt wilderness of acacias, ironwood and mahogany trees, it’s the impressive red sandstone cliffs of Chilojo that get much of the attention. Beneath these are the Runde River Valley floodplains, knotted with lagoons and cut through with riverine forest.

Three major rivers – Runde, Save, and Mwenezi – flow through the reserve, creating pools and natural oases that lure animals and birds. Gonarezhou forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, which includes the Kruger National Park and Mozambique’s Gaza Park.

Still relatively unknown, Gonarezhou suffered greatly in the past due to poaching, conflict across the Mozambican border,

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and a devastating drought in the 1990s. But there’s a revival, and although the elephants have traditionally had cause to be distrustful of humans, they’re steadily becoming habituated to safari vehicles. There are around 10,000 of them within the park, plus a healthy wild dog population.

Elevated atop a cliff, Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge (www.chilogorge.com) has fantastic views over the Save River below and Ghonarezhou beyond. Lying just outside the park, the lodge was relaunched after a complete refurbishment in 2012, and it’s looking great.

Within Malilangwe, a vast private wildlife reserve bordering Gonarezhou, Singita Pamushana (www.singita.com) is hands down Zimbabwe’s most lavish game lodge. Overlooking the Malilangwe River and sheltered by a canopy of trees, the lodge virtually disappears into its environment. While accommodations and amenities are ostentatious, there’s no denying the effortless connection with the primordial land you’ve come to visit.

Highly personalised guiding includes morning and afternoon drives, boat safaris and fishing trips, black rhino tracking, excursions to rock art sites, and a private hide in the bush where you can stay overnight.

Sweet Lies

Sugar is Not the Cause of Ill Health Text: The Sugar Association of South Africa Images © iStockphoto.com

Lately, everybody’s favourite sweet treat has been receiving a bit of a bad rap. It has been called addictive, placed in the same category as tobacco, and labelled as a drug. But are these claims really founded in facts?

Sugar versus Tobacco TOBACCO HAS NO PLACE in a healthy lifestyle because it causes more bad than good. Sugar, on the other hand, can be included in a balanced diet and has been classified safe for human consumption by the American Food and Drug Administration.

Addictive Sugar?

The idea of promoting sugar as addictive is based on a few scientific studies that suggest that certain foods, such as sugar, engage similar neural pathways as abusive drugs like cocaine. But these neural pathways are also stimulated during pleasurable activities such as smiling, laughing, and falling in love. Drugs, like cocaine and heroin, hijack these natural pathways and overstimulate them to levels 100 times those of the stimulation that is caused by any food item or group.

Professor David Benton, a professor of psychology at Swansea University’s College

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Fruits and Vegetables Have Sugar Too The advice to eliminate sugar from our diet due to its supposed toxicity or addictive properties is inconceivable, as the very same foods we need to eat to stay healthy contain sugar. Sugar, or more specifically sucrose, is a natural product that occurs freely in most of the fruit and vegetables we need to eat regularly in order to stay healthy. The sugar we add to our tea and coffee is treated by our body in the same way as the sugar in fruit and vegetables. But we do not hear of anyone being addicted to these.

No matter how much a person likes the taste of

sweet foods, it is highly unlikely that they would rush to the kitchen for a teaspoon of sugar. The reality is that people like tasty foods, but liking them is not the same as addiction.

Respected expert committees have reviewed the various studies over many years, and all have concluded that the balance of available evidence does not implicate sugar in lifestyle diseases.

Sensational messages do not help the public understand what a healthy diet is. What we eat in totality, without labelling specific foods as “good” or “bad”, should be the most important focus of healthy nutrition.

As a result, sugar can be enjoyed in moderation and as part of a healthy diet.

of Human and Health Sciences and an expert in the psychology of food, stated that if a person were to be addicted to sugar as they were addicted to cocaine, the addict would go to any length to get sugar, such as stealing packets of sugar from a shop or resorting to theft in order to have the means to buy more sugar. But this does not happen, because sugar is not a drug, nor is it addictive.

Benton published a scientific paper which investigated the possibility of being addicted to sugar. He concluded that if a person was addicted to sugar, then eating sugar straight out of the sugar jar would satisfy the craving. But this does not happen.

Food cravings are most commonly reported for either savoury or salty foods such as chips, or sweet and fatty combinations such as chocolate. These combinations contribute to the texture and mouth feel of the food. For example, a person would find a slice of cake more appealing than a sweetened drink.

If there was a craving for sugar alone, then the drink would be more appealing, as it contains more sugar than a slice of cake.

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! k n i l C

agne

Champ h t i w e t a r b le Ce Text: Mumm oto.com m and iStockph Images Š Mum

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s of njoying a glas its champagne on is a own certainly ence. satisfying experi e champagnes, m so , er ev ow H created with especially those e even better food in mind, ar ongside wellwhen enjoyed al The aromas, chosen dishes. arances of tastes, and appe ay off one food and wine pl e mutually another and ar paired enhanced when to perfection.

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FOR TRUE CONNOISSEURS, the choice of wine will determine what will be eaten, not the other way round! And of course, food-and-wine pairs are even more of a triumph when the techniques are clear-cut and the rituals appropriately observed.

As we celebrate all the phenomenal women in our lives on Women’s Day (9th August), what better way to commemorate the day than with a gettogether with friends over a good bottle of French champagne and delicious food?

Mumm, a leading French champagne – and the third best selling champagne in the world with over eight million bottles sold – has put together some ideas on how to pair your champagne with different meals. Mumm comes in three variations which are suitable for different palates and can be paired with a variety of different meals.

GH Mumm Cordon Rouge This brut champagne is ideal served as an aperitif.

Its aromatic richness is also a perfect match for white meat such as veal chops, and fish such as monkfish or red mullet. It is also a perfect accompaniment to a mixed salad or fine charcuterie, such as Italian ham.

GH Mumm Brut Rosé This delicious champagne is particularly appreciable served chilled as an aperitif. Although traditionalists would serve it with summer berry desserts and biscuits roses de Reims (pink sponge fingers), it is also a delicious match for seafood such as grilled lobster and marinated salmon, as well as ethnic dishes such as a tajine.

GH Mumm Demi-sec A hedonistic wine, GH Mumm Demi-sec is a wonderful match for desserts such as fruit salad, yellow fruit and champagne zabaglione, tarte tatin, and caramalised peaches. Its roundness and fruitiness also makes it a fine accompaniment for sweet and savoury combinations such as foie gras with figs, as well as blue cheeses.

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Champagne Etiquette • Chilling The perfect temperature at which to enjoy champagne is regarded as 8 °C, which is generally achieved by popping your bottle in a bucket of ice before guests arrive.

• Holding The ideal way to hold a bottle of champagne is to tilt it slightly and hold it gently with four fingers on the side of the bottle, and your thumb in the centre of the bottom of the bottle. Make sure the label is visible to your guests.

• Opening The pop of the cork as a champagne bottle is opened is the symbol of most celebrations. To get it right, try cutting your foil instead of ripping it open – use the blade of your wine opener to cut around the top of the rim by turning your hand. Tilt the bottle and hold it at a 45 degree angle, away from you and your guests.

Push down on the cork firmly with one hand, and with the other, twist open the wire cage, and voila!

• Filling Glasses The classic beginner’s mistake is hoping to fill the glasses in one go. To avoid spillage, it is better to serve in two phases. The trick is to pour an initial amount of wine, slowly tilting the glass, as the flow along the wall will promote the formation of bubbles. Take a pause to allow the foam to subside, then pour a second time to fill half (or two thirds) of the glass.

• Holding Your Glass A champagne glass should only be held by its stem. As well as avoiding any dreaded finger marks on the bowl, this also prevents the wine from being warmed too quickly by the heat of your hand.

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Search, Click, Holiday The Rise of E-Tourism Text: Influence PR Images © 123RF

According to SafariNow, Africa’s largest and most established online accommodation booking site, the country’s tourism industry is alive and well.

It is simply starting to take on a different form. In fact, when it comes to the online space, the sector’s prospects have never looked better.

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IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS media reports on the traditional travel and tourism sector have painted a relatively bleak picture of slowed growth. But Matthew Swart, CEO and founder of SafariNow, predicts that e-tourism is set to become one of the strongest players in the South African tourism economy, and that its impact on growth and job creation should not be underestimated.

SafariNow, which has seen 45% year-on-year growth, was launched in 1999 when the idea of using the Internet as a travelling tool seemed far-fetched. Today, the company consists of a team of over 100 employees, has over 20,000 establishments listed on its site, and receives almost 1 million unique visits to its website every month.

Travel Sector Evolving “The move towards online booking is the next evolutionary step for local travellers, and strongly reflects trends already seen in the US, Europe and Asia,” explains Swart. “A few years ago, naysayers predicted the fall of the music industry simply because consumers had stopped buying CDs. The reality was that they were making the natural move into the digital space, something that we’re now starting to see in the South Africa travel industry.”

Better and more cost-effective Internet penetration, more confidence in online payments, and a growing middle class consumer base all adds up to the rapid growth of the online travel sector.

SafariNow also believes that industry reports citing “bleak” employment prospects may be somewhat alarmist. “Like the travel sector itself, employment opportunities are simply becoming more prevalent in the online space, with the nature of work in the industry changing as a result,” says Swart.

“We have more than tripled our employment count in the last three years, but instead of hiring travel agents, we’re looking for call centre agents, customer care teams, software developers and digital marketing experts. As the industry changes, so too do the types of available jobs, and we expect to see an even greater demand for such positions as the online sector continues to strengthen.”

Domestic Travel Growing A steep upward year-on-year booking trend indicates that South Africans are by no means putting paid to their travel plans. However, given the recent fluctuations in the exchange rate and soaring fuel prices, local travellers are becoming more conscious of how they spend their holiday rands, with the average booking estimated at about R2,300.

“We’ve seen significant growth in domestic holiday bookings, particularly in destinations within easy driving distance of the major centres,” says Swart. “Our data also suggests a growing demand for less traditional and lower budget accommodation options.”

Over the past year, 51% of holidays were booked into self-catering units at an average cost of R1,000 per night, with an average stay length of three nights.

The second most popular segment by accommodation type was B&B’s and guesthouses. 30% of bookings were for this segment at an average cost of R900 per night and an average of two nights per booking.

of the technological travel revolution, we understand that this human connection is equally important to holidaymakers, particularly those who remain less trustful of the digital landscape.”

The Power of Search and Social

Understanding South African Travellers

With more access to travel information, recommendations and peer reviews, South African consumers are more knowledgeable than ever before.

Many are now preferring to do their own research and bookings, rather than taking the more traditional travel agent route.

As much as traditional travel agents still have their place, consumers have acquired a more central role in the travel industry due to more information and choice offered by online travel. The impact of the Internet cannot be ignored, and the local travel sector is arguably in most need of that online focus.

“As technology advances, so do consumers. And so too must travel brands,” says Swart, who adds that SafariNow refreshed their brand in the past year to resonate more strongly with the evolving needs of travel consumers.

Yet despite the growth in online bookings and social media, Swart is adamant that technology needs to be balanced with a human touch. “We receive up to 10,000 enquiries a day, many of which need to be dealt with directly by members of our customer care team.

As much as we pride ourselves on being at the forefront

Based on data from bookings made on SafariNow in 2013, the strongest trend is the increase in popularity of destinations that are within a few hours’ drive from major city centres. This can be attributed to holidaymakers preferring shorter stays (like weekends and long weekends) where they don’t have to spend time recovering from exhausting hours of travel at airports or on the road.

“It’s the return of the road trip. It implies that more people are starting to take shorter, but more frequent breaks,” explains Swart. “At SafariNow we believe that there’s more to life than deadlines and routine. The world will be a much better place if leisure time gains the glory and respect it deserves. And it seems South African travellers agree.”

SafariNow recently introduced its “Trip Ideas” feature, which harnesses the power of social search to show top destinations based on various interest themes as rated by SafariNow travellers. In addition, the “Top Weekend Getaways Near Me” feature allows travellers to easily see top-rated destinations within a three-hour driving distance of their location.

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A New Contender

Infiniti Q50 Text: Bernard Hellberg Images © Infiniti SA

T

he D-segment is by far the most hotly contested of all when it comes to luxury vehicles. Alternately dominated by BMW and Mercedes-Benz, the two German giants leave little room for other players to enter the market. Infiniti certainly hopes to make an impact here with their new Q50 sedan and, by all accounts, in a blind test chances are that the Japanese challenger has a great opportunity to do just that.

BRAND INFINITI is faced with a challenge. Being the newest kid on the D-segment premium sedan block is not only the toughest portion of the market to participate in, it is also the most saturated, and prolific with some of the toughest brand loyalists around. Chances are, if you’re in the market for an executive sedan, the first dealership you will visit will be one belonging to one of the three German giants. Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have clear marketing strategies, decent product, and a market track record that is pretty hard to beat.

If a brand has any chance of creating a market niche for itself here, it has to lay it on thick with excellent cars,

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outstanding value for money, and a strong dealer network, as well as a powerful marketing campaign.

We believe that Infiniti has at least two of the abovementioned pegged with the new Infiniti Q50, that was launched recently on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast.

At first glance the Q50 – which made its local debut at the 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show – is a great looking car. Powerful and sleek, it cuts a dramatic figure that, visually at least, underpins the Infiniti brand promise of performance. Sized right, at a smidge longer and taller than both the Mercedes C-Class and the BMW 3 Series, the Q50

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neither looks big nor feels bloated on the road.

The Q50 enters the market with the option of two powerplants: a 2.2-litre turbodiesel 4-cylinder (125 kW @ 4,200 r/min, and 400 Nm @ 1,600 r/min); and the outrageous 3.5-litre V6 Hybrid (261 kW @ 6,200 r/min, and 536 Nm @ 4,800 r/min). The turbodiesel gets three spec levels (2.2D, 2.2D Premium and 2.2D Sport), while the Hybrid is available with the option of all-wheel drive (coming soon).

The 2.2-litre diesel, priced from R399,000, starts the Q50 range and comes with a high level of standard equipment, including 17” alloy wheels and run-flat tyres.

LED lighting technology features front and rear, and scratch-shield (self-healing) paint ensures that minor scratches simply disappear. Although it sits at the lower end of the range, Infiniti has not compromised on its sportiness, adding chrome-trimmed twin exhaust pipes and halogen daytime running lights.

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Reaffirming that Infiniti needs to bring their A Game with this car, technology is naturally high on the agenda.

Standard spec includes cruise control, a speed limiter, stop/start, hill start assist, rear view camera and allround park distance control (optional on the equivalent C-Class), rain-sensing wipers, and keyless entry. Safety systems include vehicle dynamic control, including active trace and traction control, tyre pressure warning, and brake assist.

For R30,000 more, the 2.2D Premium option adds leather trim (in three colour choices), an auto dimming rear view mirror, and a selection of interior finishes.

Moving into C220 Bluetec Avantgarde pricing territory, the Sport derivative costs R474,000 and gets a sporty nose job, flashier LED headlights, and bespoke 18” wheels.

Perhaps the most provocative feature to debut in the Q50 is the first-in-class steer-by-wire feature that Infiniti

calls Direct Adaptive Steer (DAS). Hardcore petrolheads are bound to put up some resistance to the system, with claims that the steering feedback is too muted or even non-existent.

Yet in our opinion that is exactly the point, and for the man about town – whose expectation of sporty driving certainly does not include a daily steering stand-off with his sedan – this feature will enhance the driving experience.

As a relatively unknown brand, Infiniti has its work cut out to keep the consumer focussed on its new, and very competent, sports sedan. Due to no fault of its own the Q50 enters the marketplace with at least one hand tied behind its back. However, we’re rooting for it to do big things, considering it offers good value for money and the right mix of everything to become a popular alternative to the establishment.

Join the Dots

LinkedIn: An Overlooked Branding Tool?

Text: Jessica Hubbard/Finweek Images © iStockphoto.com

While most of us make use of the likes of Facebook and Twitter with great gusto and impressive consistency, many working professionals still look at social media’s business-orientated stalwart – LinkedIn – with scepticism.

For the most part, those who do use it do little more than create a profile and happily accept requests to connect from fellow users. Yet there is a lot more on offer, particularly for SMEs and start-ups that don’t have the budget for mass marketing campaigns and B2B activities, for example.

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“ALTHOUGH South Africa is the 10th-largest country on LinkedIn with close to three million members and has grown 38 % in 2013 (the biggest industries being ITC and Financial Services), the overwhelming majority of South African users merely upload their profile and add connections without tapping into the new marketing and lead generation capabilities of LinkedIn,” explains Dr Nikolaus Eberl, CEO of LinkedIncome and an associate of The Networking Company. “At this moment, very few go below sea level to explore the massive iceberg of business development and social selling opportunities that the world’s largest professional network is offering.”

While it is often mistaken as merely a tool for job searchers and recruiters, LinkedIn has become a powerful platform for online revenue generation and reputation management, among other things.

Indeed, for those who are prepared to explore the various features, it can become a “secret weapon for B2B activities” that are often onerous and costly to implement.

The newly upgraded sales and marketing functionality on LinkedIn, for example, now enables business owners to establish a marketing funnel and product path online, potentially attracting new clients on an ongoing basis.

According to Dr Eberl, early adopters that have piloted the new LinkedIn sales capabilities have reported significant increases in lead generation. He points to IBM, which reportedly doubled the traffic to its seller profiles in one month; and Morgan Stanley, where 40 % of its financial advisers acquired new business within two months of using the platform.

to promote their services and to advertise positions within the company,” says Rodney. “Obtaining buyin from across a business will allow you to use people from within your business to promote your thought leadership, start engaging discussions about your products or industry, and position your business as a place where like-minded people will aspire to work.”

He advises that businesses looking to leverage their LinkedIn profiles need to be sure to engage with their followers and on LinkedIn Groups. “Answering questions in groups or even starting your own groups and creating engaging discussions is a great way to build brand advocates,” adds Rodney.

Building a Brand Presence Craig Rodney, MD of strategic communication agency Cerebra, adds that LinkedIn is often underestimated as a network for building a brand presence. “The site offers companies a platform to tell their story, share news, promote their services, and recruit individuals to join their businesses on a professional level,” he explains. “It is a social media platform built specifically with business and businesses in mind, making it the perfect environment for any company.”

As Rodney points out, local businesses aren’t necessarily overlooking LinkedIn as a business tool, but only a few are using it to its full extent. Company Pages on LinkedIn, for example, are growing more popular and useful as the platform evolves.

“Not only do they allow businesses to promote thought leadership, but also

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The State of the LinkedIn Nation

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LinkedIn has more than doubled in size in the past year, with two users added every single second.

Executives from all Fortune 500 companies are registered on LinkedIn. 45 % of LinkedIn’s members are considered the major decision-makers for their companies.

LinkedIn holds the record for the highest average household income over all other social networking sites at over $109,000 per member.

Copy courtesy of ‘Finweek’.

Call 0860 103 911 to subscribe.

Podium Perfection

The New Volkswagen Polo Hatch Text: Nicky Furniss Images Š Volkswagen South Africa

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The numbers speak for themselves. After close to 40 years of production, the Volkswagen Polo has sold nearly 14 million units worldwide, with no small measure of these on our own shores. In fact, since the Polo hatch was launched in 2010, it has consistently been the second best selling passenger car in South Africa (conceding only to its sibling, the Polo Vivo). With numbers like these, Volkswagen has more than enough reason to adhere to the old adage: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

It doesn’t mean that they can’t improve on perfection, however, and this is just what they have done with the latest incarnation of the Polo.

PERHAPS THE LEAST noticeable difference about the new Polo is its exterior styling. Granted, its lines are sharper and more precise, it has less of a happy grin on its “face” these days and more of a mature look overall, but unless you are a stickler for finer details, the new look is unlikely to make you stop in your tracks. And understandably so, as Volkswagen is naturally keen to ensure that the new Polo is instantly linked to the proud heritage of its forebears.

That said, where you will notice a significant difference from the previous version is as soon as you slip behind the steering wheel. The cockpit has undergone a pleasant overhaul and now boasts a new three spoke steering wheel, a completely redesigned centre console layout, and a very eye-catching 3D-look instrument cluster.

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Tech savvy buyers will also be well impressed with the Polo’s new touch screen modular infotainment system (MIB) which is available in two derivatives, the top one offering a CD player, MP3 functionality, SD-card input, a 5”colour display and USB and Bluetooth connectivity.

The fun really starts, though, when you turn the key. The outgoing version’s 1.4 and 1.6 MPI engines have now been replaced by state-of-theart, highly fuel-efficient 1.2 litre TSI engines – one which produces 66 kW of power, and the other (from the same sized engine) 81 kW, with turbochargers adding extra oomph. This means zippy top speeds of 184km/h and 196 km/h respectively, with the added bonus of wonderfully low fuel consumption figures (between 4.9 and 5.1 l/100 km). Plus, quite frankly, the new Polo is

just really fun to drive – it’s responsive, fast, and feels like it’s cornering on rails.

The Highline derivative is available with an optional 7-speed DSG transmission, but for real responsiveness, I would recommend sticking with the six speed ‘box, which is a joy to drive. Another thing that will put a spring in a potential buyer’s step is the addition of several “big car” assistance systems as standard, including an Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and a Driver Alert System.

Throw in an impressive list of safety features, snazzy optional extras, and eye-catching paint colours, not to mention sheer driver enjoyment, and I don’t think the Polo will be losing its podium sales position any time soon.

New Polo Prices 1.2 TSI 66kW Trendline 1.2 TSI 66kW Comfortline 1.2 TSI 81kW Highline 1.2 TSI 81kW Highline DSG 1.2 TSI 81kW CrossPolo

R188,300 R209,700 R233,300 R247,800 R241,000

The new Polo comes standard with a three-year/45,000 km service plan, threeyear/120,000 km warranty, and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty.

Let Dollar Thrifty Take You Places Text: Thrifty Car Rental Images © 123RF

Thrifty Car Rental is constantly striving to offer their customers better service and more convenient offerings. And now with the addition of the My Thrifty Africa app, as well as the company’s Chauffeur & Transfer service, travelling by car just got even easier.

My Thrifty Africa App The My Thrifty Africa app affords customers of www.thrifty.co.za the convenience of booking a vehicle on their mobile devices, with the following benefits: · Browse, confirm and pay for your rental in seconds. · Reserve your vehicle from anywhere, at anytime. · Find cars by location, vehicle class and time. · Edit your reservation. · View your current rental, including kilometres driven and time remaining. · Browse previous rentals as well as

future reservations. · Locate and contact Thrifty branches throughout South Africa.

Chauffeur & Transfer Service Thrifty’s Chauffeur Drive is a safe and convenient way to travel, whether you are heading to a special event or arriving in a city on a business trip, and comes with the benefit of experienced drivers with a sound knowledge of the city. They will get you to your destination safely while you sit back and experience the sites, catch up on your mails or read the newspaper.

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Passionate about People Fundi Dlamini

R

Text & Images © Richards Bay Minerals

ichards Bay Minerals (RBM), majority owned by international mining company Rio Tinto, regards its relationships with its host communities as a critically important part of its business.

The mineral sands mining company and the communities that are closely linked to its mining operations have shared a bond for the past 37 years that it has mined the sand dunes northeast of the town of Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal.

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ENTER FUNDI DLAMINI, General Manager of Communication and Community Relations, whose portfolio includes communications, government relations, community relations, and corporate strategy.

Fundi counts as her favourite part of her job the work she does liaising with the four host communities in which Richards Bay Minerals operates.

Fundi describes herself as a strong-willed person, who is passionate about people and enjoys working behind the scenes. These are all attributes that are clearly required in her line of work. She considers it a blessing to have always worked on programmes that have fulfilled this passion and helped her evolve as a person. Her training as a social worker stands her in good stead as well. She read for a Social Work Degree at the University of Zululand and later studied for a Post Graduate Diploma in HR at the Pietermaritzburg Campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

No business operates in isolation and it is the relationships that we forge with our communities – truly understanding their needs, concerns, and aspirations – that will determine our social license to operate and our business success in the long term. Fundi knows this all too well, and this is why it is important for the company to create different platforms to engage the communities at all levels, starting with the community leadership (Amakhosi and Traditional Councils), right through to the mandated committees who address particular issues.

“There is nothing that is as important as talking, even if we debate and disagree,” says Fundi, “but talking is the foundation for success. Like any relationship, trust is the key, and I am pleased to say that we are building the trust of our communities.”

She is very grateful for the opportunities her job at RBM affords her to work with and empower local communities. RBM has four host communities, each with a rich heritage and their own set of challenges. Due to our history as a country, these communities were largely excluded from the mainstream economy and, as such, RBM is working with both the public and private sector to address this. Given the access to agricultural

land, one of the projects is the training the company provides to local farmers in crop production. RBM has also established model gardens in all four of its host communities, with the largest being a 600 hectare garden located at Sokhulu.

Fundi’s journey to Richards Bay Minerals was a roundabout one, having spent time studying about 30 km from the mine, at the University of Zululand, and later setting up a consultancy in Johannesburg, before joining RBM as a result of the need to be closer to her family in KwaZulu-Natal.

Passionate about the transformation of the industry, she has a desire to to see more women – particularly African women – participating in the exciting world of mining. Fundi says the mining sector was predominately male-dominated in the past, but this is slowly changing. “Any change is painful and often misunderstood,” shares Fundi. “But the mining sector is ahead of most in its transformation agenda, thanks to the Mining Charter which sets clear targets.”

Fundi is a prime example of the role that women can play in the mining sector. “Women are no longer limited to working in an admin position,” she says. “Women can now fulfil a variety of functions, from truck drivers and operators to engineers and senior executives.” She is hopeful that her dream of seeing more local women absorbed into mining as professionals will be realised.

This, she says, is underpinned by RBM’s support of maths and science intervention programmes in local schools which have begun to bear fruit, with a number of local students being offered bursaries by the company.

Fundi is married to Musawenkosi Dlamini. The couple has a son, Musawenkosi Jnr, and call Mthunzini home. Spending quality time with her family is very important to Fundi and she tries very hard to instil a proper work-life balance in her team. She makes sure that every Sunday she goes to church, she participates in outreach activities, and spends time with friends.

For more information, contact Gaynor Kast on +27 35 901 3449 or +27 35 901 3111, or visit www.rbm.co.za.

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tau game lodge

Africa's Own

Evil Knievel Sick Nick Text: Mooketsi Nthite Images © Nick De Wit

Sitting in a coffee shop in Hatfield, Pretoria, I’m ch atting to ‘Sick Nick’ De Wit, world numb er five and Africa’s numb er one ranked FMX (Freestyle Motocros s) champion. I ask the 33 -year-old Joburger if he ever gets sca red of crashing while doin g somersaults on his dirt bike and ending up paralysed or dead. His reply stings like a backhanded klap rig ht across the Grim Reaper ’s face.

“IF YOU’RE GOING TO DIE, you’re voi ce, as if talking about cra going to die; don’t let fear shing will jinx his next of death stop you from stunt. His tone softens wh achieving your destiny.” en he talks about his love He pauses to take a sip of for the sport, however. his frothy coffee, lockin g eyes with me, assessin g Nick grabbed his first whether his answer has pair of handlebars at unnerved me somehow.

It age 13 doing motoc did, and I think he not ross races, and never let iced. “You have to be go, though he disliked FM extremely cautious and X initially. “When I firs have zero percent fear to t saw FM X in the late 90s I thought avoid crashes.” the riders were insane and thought I’d He says it with a touch never do it.” Only afte of annoyance in his r winning a FMX compet ition at Cape Town’s 200 2

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Woodstock Music Festival did he discover his FMX calling. He then went on to win every show until the competition’s liquidation in 2009. In 2003, Red Bull approached Nick with a sponsorship offer that changed his life.

Since then Nick has been stunting in exotic locations worldwide, barely having time to hose down his bike before getting called to ramp it in another international venue. He’s also the first African to compete in the Red Bull X Fighters, the boss of FMX competitions. “I rode at the X-Fighters in Spain and Germany in 2009 and in Cairo in 2010. I’ve also ridden in Singapore, Tunisia, Columbia, Taiwan, Japan, Peru, Dubai, Germany, Namibia and Brazil,” he adds.

Other noteworthy stunts he’s accomplished include setting the world

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record for the highest FMX show at 3.5 km above sea level in La Paz, Bolivia. He also performed in the world’s biggest action sports tour, Nitro Circus, during its first tour of the continent in South Africa earlier this year.

On 23rd August, Red Bull X-Fighters World Tour will host its finale – for the first time in Africa – at Pretoria’s Union Buildings, which is something Nick is really looking forward to. “I’ll have home ground advantage, and the best thing about it is that I won’t have to sit in a plane for hours and endure jet lag.”

His preparations include tough physical training at the University of Pretoria’s High Performance Centre, as well as punishing his bike in his backyard motocross circuit. “I’m lucky to have a big piece of land I could develop into a FMX

course. It’s got landings, ramps, and a foam pit,” he explains.

Nick knows he will be up against the meanest FMX riders in the world, like feared Frenchman and defending champion Tom Pagès. To gain advantage, Nick urges South Africans to show up and show some love. “You can even bring vuvuzelas if you want!”

But can spectators expect any new teeth-gritting tricks? “I’m working on many new tricks. I can’t divulge my secrets, but you’ll be blown away!” he says with confidence.

With that the interview has ended, and the waiter brings the bill, which Nick very politely offers to pay – on one condition: “As long as you promise to come and support me at Union Buildings.” As we leave, we bump fists and I confirm: “Of course, I’ll even bring my vuvuzela.” s

Honouring Future Business Leaders The Inaugural Maverick Awards

Text: Mohlomi Maubane Images Š Sipho Bayam & Kopano Makoro

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oung entrepreneurs have a vital role to play in our country’s growth and evolution, and if the winners of the inaugural Maverick Awards are any indication of what the future holds for South Africa, it is a very bright one indeed.

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THAT SOUTH AFRICA is a better country than it was 20 years ago is irrefutable, but it still has its fair share of problems. Most prominent of these is the gap between rich and poor, and the country’s high unemployment rate.

The latter is more pronounced, primarily because it is the country’s most populous group, the youth, who are in the majority amongst the unemployed. As has often been pointed out, it is not the state, but the private sector that is well placed to address this blight. The logic behind this line of thinking is that Government’s role is to administer the country, while the business sector will ensure we curb the scourge of unemployment.

It is this rationality that defines Josh Cox’s inspiration. “I have never been inspired by the pursuit of wealth; it is the challenge of generating maximum social benefit that inspires and motivates me.” Cox is the founder of Trade-Mark Trust, an organisation which connects homeowners and businesses who want to renovate their properties with the best tradesmen and artisans available from local townships. The company was the proud winner of the Employment Creation Award and Social Innovation Award at the inaugural Maverick Awards, which were

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held in Greenstone Park in Johannesburg on 26th June 2014.

Conceived by Mr. Bokang Seritsane, the Maverick Awards were created to celebrate and honour pioneering and innovative young entrepreneurs in South Africa. The initiative also aims to assist young entrepreneurs in accessing markets, creativity, value innovation, and business growth strategy. The annual awards has ten categories in total and is open to entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35 who operate their businesses within the borders of South Africa, and who have been in operation for at least three years, turning over a minimum of R1 million in revenue per annum. There were five judges in total whose backgrounds were as diverse as academia, advertising, and banking, and this year’s winners were indicative of the diversity of ideas that this country produces.

Number 1 Foods, who won the Emerging Entrepreneur Award, produce cereals for the local and international market, and are about to roll out a health cereal called “I am Pregnant”.

Green Pop Tree Planting, winners of the People Planet Award, plants trees and invites everyone to join the treevolution, and Ground UP

First Page (Left to Right): Sisa Ntshona (Master of Ceremony), Mayur Bhana (Mercedes-Benz Head of Corporate Affairs), Bevan Ducasse (Maverick of the Year award winner and Founder/CEO of WiGroup Propietary) and Yondi Bomvu (Parker SA) This Page Top Left (Left to Right): Sisa Ntshona, Murray Legg (Maverick Award winner for Blue Ocean Innovation and Founder/CEO of SA Cardiosynthetics), Fredell Jacobs (Head of Enterprise Development at The Innovation Hub), Nandi Mayathula-Khoza (MEC Gauteng Infrastructure Development) and Yondi Bomvu This Page Top Right (Left to Right): Sisa Ntshona, Joshua Cox (Maverick Award winner for Employment Creation and Social Innovation, and Founder/CEO of Trademark Trust) and MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza This Page Bottom (Left to Right): Gareth Moll (Maverick Award winner for Marketing Innovation and Founder/CEO of GroundUp Media) and MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza

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Media (Marketing Innovation Award) provide photography and videography services. Winner of the Service Innovation Award, iFix Repair Specialist, specialises in repairing Apple devices and manufacturing mobile charging solutions.

The WiGroup, who won the Maverick of the Year and Technology awards, specialise in point-of-sale mobile transactions. Brian Mpono’s Khwezi Oil, which refines waste cooking oil into biofuel, earned the Green Innovation Awards, while SA Cardiosynthetics, which pursues the commercialisation of a heart valve design, walked away with the Blue Ocean Innovation Award.

Besides noting the significance of the role of entrepreneurs in society, the Mavericks were also in unison about the traits needed to succeed as an entrepreneur. Innovation, resilience, determination, drive and tenacity were the important traits to have, because as Lize Fouche of Number 1 Foods pointed out: “There are many hurdles on the road to success, but if you give up at

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the first hurdle, you’ll never succeed. Believe in yourself and your product and just keep pushing.” Constructive dialogue and creative and effective communication channels were also cited as very important, more especially for potential entrepreneurs from low-income communities where resources are scarce, and where it is very much needed to develop the self-belief of budding entrepreneurs.

As South Africa enters its next phase as a democratic state, it is important that it banishes the challenges that still bedevil it as a society.

Entrepreneurs will play the leading role in addressing this, and initiatives like the Under 35 Maverick Awards play an important role in inspiring those who seek to drive economic growth, job creation and foreign investment.

Entrepreneurship is, after all, about more than just bottom lines. For mavericks like Josh Cox: “The focus is on generating social return as opposed to an economic one in order to address poverty, unemployment, and other social ills in developing nations.”

This Page (Left to Right): Sisa Ntshona, Brian Sibusiso Mpono (Maverick Award winner for Green Innovation and Founder/ CEO of Khwezi Biodiesel) and MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza

aramex

gadgets

Keeping Track The Garmin Dash Cam is a high-definition camera that mounts to the windsceen of any vehicles and continuously records a 120 degree wide-angle view of the road while driving. Once installed, the camera remains fully automated and will start recording when the engine is turned on and stop when it is turned off. The Dash Cam records your drive in Full HD 1080p, 720p or WVGA video files in a continuous loop to a 4 GB microSD card, with incident detection that saves footage of collisions and incidents automatically.

The Dash Cam has an integrated gravity sensor which automatically detects sudden movements (braking or a collision) and saves the current, last and next recordings in order to preserve a complete record of the event. With the built-in GPS receiver in the Dash Cam 20, time-stamps and geo-tags are also embedded into all footage.

The rechargeable battery allows you to use the Snapshot feature to take still images, and even remove the dash cam from the vehicle to capture collision damage. The Garmin Dash Cam 10 retails for R2,599, while the Dash Cam 20 (with GPS) has a suggested retail price of R2,999.

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An Audio Fashion Accessory NudeAudio has recently launched their NudeAudio portable speakers as part of their Move Range, which combines fashion, art and electronics in an environment that celebrates high quality sound, design, and style. Gone are the days of using cables to connect sound to your speaker, as these portable speakers come with Bluetooth or wireless connectivity. They are also available in three different sizes to fit the listener’s sound needs as if it were a fashion item. Each speaker has an eight-hour battery life and uses rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries. Bluetooth wireless technology allows you to connect the speakers to a smartphone, tablet or computer up to 10 m away, and they are available in trendy two-tone colours such as charcoal/coral and grey/mint. The NudeAudio portable speakers are now available from Musica and Look & Listen nationwide.

Nine to Five Fun Launched in 1985 by French designer Braguette Magique, Pylones was created to turn everyday objects into gifts that transport you back to your childhood and make you smile. Their quirky and colourful office range is sure to liven up even the most boring work day. We especially love the Stick-on Frog (R249.95) and the Green Origami USB Hub (R329.95). Both are available from their flagship store, which just opened in the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town this month, or online from www.happygifts.co.za

books David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits and the Art of Battling Giants

By Malcolm Gladwell David and Goliath is the dazzling and provocative new book from Malcolm Gladwell, bestselling author of The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers and What the Dog Saw. Why do underdogs succeed so much more than we expect?

How do the weak outsmart the strong? In David and Goliath Malcolm Gladwell takes us on a scintillating and surprising journey through the hidden dynamics that shape the balance of power between the small and the mighty. The book draws on the stories of remarkable underdogs, history, science, psychology, and on Malcolm Gladwell’s unparalleled ability to make the connections others miss. It’s a brilliant, illuminating book that overturns conventional thinking about power and advantage.

The Contract With Yourself

By Dineshrie Pillay What if there was a contract that expressly stipulated how you should run your life? A contract that was designed by you, signed by you, and monitored by you. In The Contract with Yourself, Dineshrie Pillay takes readers on a journey where they explore the various facets of what their ideal contract with themselves should look like. It teaches readers how to assess and plan for all areas of their lives with a view to achieving personal success and self-mastery.

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Must Read

The Transkei Run

By Michael Taljaard On a painfully hung-over Saturday morning, two incorrigible small town scallywags, Jeremy “Spikes” Vorster and his impulsive but charismatic sidekick, Zachary Post, decide to flee their previous night’s regrets and the repercussions thereof in search of adventure in the rural Transkei. A run-in with a local taxi gang sets in motion a series of events that unravel a tense and violent misadventure, as the two young rebels are forced to defend themselves at all costs. What results is a gritty, uniquely South African undertaking, complete with sex, drugs and boerewors rolls, spiralling into complete and utter anarchy.

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 Express’ 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

No 1001 1003 1005 1011 1013 1017 1021 1023

Dep 05:55 08:00 11:20 13:50 14:55 16:35 17:55 18:30

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

A/C DH4 DH4 DH4 DH4 CR7 CR7 DH4 DH4

M

T

W

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

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

M

Johannesburg - George Flt SA SA SA SA SA

No 1501 1503 1503 1505 1509

Dep 06:50 08:55 08:55 11:25 15:25

Arr 08:40 10:45 10:50 13:15 17:15

A/C CR7 CR7 CR2 CR7 CR7

M

T

T

W

W

Johannesburg - Hoedspruit Flt No SA 1225 SA 1227

Dep 10:15 12:15

Arr 11:20 13:20

A/C DH4 DH4

M

Johannesburg - durban Flt No SA 1285 SA 1287

Dep 12:20 14:35

Arr 13:30 15:50

A/C CR2 CR2

M

No 1101 1103 1105 1107 1113 1113

Dep 05:45 09:20 13:10 14:25 17:10 17:10

Arr 07:00 10:35 14:25 15:40 18:15 18:25

A/C dh4 DH4 DH4 DH4 cr7 DH4

M

T

T

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

M

No 1201 1203 1207 1213

Dep 06:10 08:30 13:15 16:55

Arr 07:25 09:45 14:30 18:10

A/C DH4 DH4 DH4 DH4

M

Dep 10:30 10:45

Arr 12:45 13:00

A/C CR2 CR2

M

S

S

S

F

S

S

T

W

T

F

S

S

T

T

T

johannesburg - cape town Flt No SA 1587 SA 1585

F

S

S

T

W

W

Johannesburg - Richards bay Flt SA SA SA SA

F

S

W

T

Johannesburg - Port Elizabeth Flt SA SA SA SA SA SA

F

T

Johannesburg - Kimberley Flt SA SA SA SA SA SA

T

T

W

W

T

T

T

F

F

F

F

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

S

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

No 1024 1002 1004 1006 1012 1014 1018 1022

Dep 06:20 07:25 09:35 12:55 15:25 16:30 18:20 19:40

A/C DH4 DH4 DH4 DH4 DH4 CR7 CR7 DH4

M

T

W

T

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

M

No 1502 1504 1504 1506 1510

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

Arr 10:50 13:05 13:15 15:50 19:30

A/C CR7 CR7 CR2 CR7 CR7

T

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

M

T

No 1102 1104 1106 1106 1108 1114

Dep 07:30 11:10 14:55 15:00 16:10 18:55

Arr 08:45 12:25 16:10 16:10 17:25 20:10

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

W

T

W

M

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

No 1586 1588

Dep 18:20 18:50

Arr 20:30 21:00

A/C CR2 CR2

S

Dep 07:10 07:20 15:55 15:55

Arr 08:10 08:20 16:50 16:50

A/C CR2 CR2 CR2 cr2

M

T

W

T

F

Dep 16:45

Arr 17:50

A/C DH4

M

T

T

F

S

M

S

T

F

S

S

T

W

T

F

S

S

T

W

T

F

S

T

F

S

S

Dep 11:55

Arr 13:10

A/C CR8

W

T

F

S

S

W

T

F

S

S

W

T

F

S

S

W

T

F

S

S

T

W

T

F

S

S

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

M

T

Flt No SA 1733 SA 1731

Dep 06:10 06:15

Arr 07:15 07:15

A/C CR2 CR2

M

T

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 07:20 07:55 09:20 09:55 11:05 11:40 11:55 13:30 14:30 15:15 18:10

Arr 08:15 08:50 10:15 10:50 12:00 12:35 12:45 14:25 15:25 16:05 19:05

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

M

T

S

Flt No SA 1797 SA 1797

Dep 09:20 09:20

Arr 11:45 12:25

A/C CR7 dh4

M

T

CAPE TOWN - bloemfontein

M

T

W

T

Flt SA SA SA SA SA

F

S

No 1081 1083 1087 1089 1091

Dep 06:00 08:00 13:15 14:20 17:15

Arr 07:45 09:30 15:00 16:05 18:45

A/C DH4 CR2 DH4 DH4 CR2

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

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 13:30 17:20

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

A/C DH4 CR2 DH4 CR2 CR2 cr2 DH4

CAPE TOWN - george M

T

Flt No SA 1533

W

T

F

S

kruger - Johannesburg Flt SA SA

No 1232 1238

Dep 08:40 17:35

Arr 09:40 18:30

A/C CR2 CR2

M

T

W

T

F

pietermaritzburg - johannesburg Flt SA

No 1278

Dep 18:25

Arr 19:40

A/C DH4

M

T

S

S

W

T

F

S

S

W

T

F

S

S

W

T

F

S

S

W

T

F

S

S

W

T

F

S

S

T

W

T

F

S

S

T

W

T

F

S

S

walvis bay - Johannesburg Flt SA

No 1702

Dep 13:45

Arr 16:55

A/C CR8

M

T

windhoek - Johannesburg Flt SA

No 1734

Dep 08:15

Arr 11:15

A/C CR2

M

T

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 16:40 19:45

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

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

M

T

Lubumbashi - Johannesburg Flt SA SA

No 1798 1798

Dep 12:30 12:55

Arr 15:00 16:50

A/C CR7 dh4

M

T

bloemfontein - CAPE TOWN Flt SA SA SA SA SA

No 1082 1084 1088 1090 1092

Dep 08:15 10:30 15:40 16:35 19:25

Arr 10:15 12:15 17:40 18:35 21:10

A/C DH4 CR2 DH4 DH4 CR2

M

S

CAPE TOWN - east london

M

S

W

Johannesburg - Lubumbashi M

S

S

W

cape town - johannesburg Flt SA SA

F

T

Richards bay - Johannesburg Flt SA SA SA SA SA

No 1231 1231 1237 1237

Flt No SA 1277

Port Elizabeth - Johannesburg Flt SA SA SA SA SA

Flt SA SA SA SA

Johannesburg - Gaborone

Kimberley - Johannesburg Flt SA SA SA SA SA SA

Johannesburg - kruger

Johannesburg - windhoek

durban - Johannesburg Flt SA

S

Flt No SA 1701

Hoedspruit - Johannesburg Flt SA SA

S

Johannesburg - walvis bay

George - Johannesburg Flt SA SA SA SA SA

F

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

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

Dep 10:45

Arr 11:35

A/C dh4

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

No 1362 1364 1364 1372 1372 1376

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

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

A/C DH4 DH4 CR2 DH4 CR2 dh4

george - cape town Flt No SA 1534

Dep 12:05

Arr 13:00

A/C CR2

M

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

S

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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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 14:00 15:55

Arr 07:20 14:20 15:30 17:25

A/C CR2 CR2 CR2 CR2

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

W

T

F

S

S

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

M

Cape Town - Walvis Bay Flt No SA 1721 SA 1721

Dep 08:00 11:15

Arr 09:10 12:25

A/C CR2 CR2

Passenger Letters

M

T

T

W

T

F

S

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 16:00 17:55

Arr 09:50 16:50 17:40 19:35

A/C CR2 CR2 CR2 CR2

Good morning Elizabeth,

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

W

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F

S

S

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

walvis Bay - Cape Town Flt SA SA

No 1722 1722

Dep 09:30 13:00

Arr 12:30 16:00

A/C CR2 CR2

M

T

You are indeed the pinnacle of customer service. I have been fighting since last year October to get this matter resolved, and it only took you to have answered the phone, on another quest of mine, to get the necessary attention.

You’ve been very helpful, considerate, sympathetic, and understanding, but most importantly, you get stuck in there, walk the talk and get matters resolved.

I sincerely hope that your sterling work is recognised and rewarded. Should you stand for president, I will cheat my ink dot in order to vote millions of times for you.

My sentimental World Cup winning photo frame is hanging proudly in my corridor, thanks to you.

Thanks once again and much appreciated.

Regards Harry Appel

Congratulations to Harry Appel, who wrote our winning letter this month. He has won a Samsonite Pop-Fresh Overnight Duffle Bag valued at R1,295.

M

T

W

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S

Dear Customer Care

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

M

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 SA

No 1850 1852 1854 1858 1854 1862

Dep 06:10 08:00 13:40 15:35 16:30 18:50

Arr 08:25 10:15 15:55 17:50 18:45 21:05

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

M

A/C CR2 CR2 CR2 CR2 CR2 CR2

M

A/C CR2

M

A/C CR2 CR2 CR2

M

T

W

T

F

S

S

T

W

T

F

S

S

T

T

T

W

W

W

T

T

T

F

F

F

S

S

S

S

S

S

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

M

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 SA

No 1851 1853 1861 1855 1859 1855

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

Arr 11:05 12:45 18:15 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

M

W

T

F

S

S

T

W

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F

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S

We are grandparents living in Kempton Park, with family and a grandson in Port Elizabeth, so we do try and get down there to see them as often as possible. This month was particularly special, as it was our grandson’s birthday, as well as a grandparents’ day at his school, so we had to be there!

We had the pleasure of flying back from Port Elizabeth in June, and would like to record what a pleasure it was. The seats were far more comfortable than the average airline, and the service from your cabin crew was absolutely spot on – they really seem to take an interest in the passengers and are friendly and efficient about their tasks. We will certainly try and fly SA Express on future travels. Thank you!

Dave and Lyn Ducie

A/C CR2 CR2 CR2 CR2 CR2 CR2

M

A/C CR2

M

A/C CR2 CR2 CR2

T

T

W

T

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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.

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The writer of the winning letter in the August edition of Indwe will receive a High Sierra backpack valued at R995.

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 Scrimmage Backpack is feature-packed, with a fully padded Cushion Zone compartment that fits most 17” laptops, a premium organiser compartment with multiple pockets, and a unique Suspension Strap System that helps absorb the weight of heavy files and other gear. 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

144 Indwe

Indwe 145

Africa’s Talent Revealed

A female collared sunbird taken in Skukuza

by Bernard K Hellberg

A lilac-breasted roller (Coracias caudatus) taken in the southern part of the Kruger National Park by Jonathan Keytel

“Sunset at 38,000 Feet” taken over the Karoo nearby Graaff Reinet by JH Henning

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!

146 Indwe