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GETTING TO KNOW H.E. Alexander Sidoruk - Belarusian Ambassador H.E. Salih Omar Abdu - Eritrean Ambassador H. E. Norio Maruyama - Japanese Ambassador H. E. Han Peters - Dutch Ambassador H. E. Lin Songtian - Chinese Ambassador H.E Nedilson Jorge - Brazilian Ambassador H. E. Jorge Rubio - Peruvian Ambassador Consul General Micheal McCarthy - United States of America Angela Yeung - An Exampilary Life Story to Inspire All of Us H. E. Beka Dvali - Georgian Ambassador H. E. Manuel Carvalho - Portuguese Ambassador H. E. Vu Van Dzung - Vietnamese Ambassador Rusty Labuschagne - Author of ‘Beating Chains’ It's a Franci - Art is in our Landscape Chas Everitt - SA is a Land of Brilliant Real Estate Opportunities

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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Belgian Chamber of Commerce French-South African Chamber of Commerce Italian-South African Chamber of Commerce SwissCham Holland Business Chamber

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TRAVEL Newmark Hotels Molori Safari Rora Moledi Santé Wellness Retreat The Oberoi Dubai The Oberoi Mauritius Strand Hotel Swakopmund Mokuti Etosha Lodge Chobe Water Villas

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Okavango Elephant Camp White Pearl Mozambique Taj Cape Town Villa Zest Chapter House Boutique Hotel The Tree House Boutique Hotel Morukuru Beach Lodge Morukuru Ocean House Morukuru Family Madikwe AtholPlace Hotel & Villa AtholPlace Hotel & Villa

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Embassy Direct Events

Jozini Tiger Lodge & Spa Jan Harmsgat Country House Sibani Lodge Kadizora Camp Santorini Mozambique Matetsi Victoria Falls Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa Fancourt Marataba Safari Lodge Marataba Mountain Lodge Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel Ursula’s Homestead Madikwe Safari Lodge The Houghton Hotel Cape Town Hollow Boutique Hotel Hollow on the Square Knysna Hollow Country Estate Casterbridge Hollow Boutique Hotel Hippo Hollow Country Estate Perry’s Bridge Boutique Hotel Tintswalo At Boulders Tintswalo Atlantic Tintswalo At Lapalala Tintswalo Shidzidzi Family Camp Tintswalo Safari Lodge Air Ventures aha Bongani Mountain Lodge aha The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa aha Ivory Tree Game Lodge aha Makalali Private Game Lodge aha Mdluli Safari Lodge aha Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge aha Thakadu River Camp Motswiri Private Safari Lodge Tiger Canyon Private Game Reserve Kapama Karula Brenton Haven Beachfront Resort Soneva De Hoek Country Hotel Victoria Falls River Lodge Lush Private Game Lodge Rockfig Safari Lodge Doornkop Fish & Wildlife Reserve Long Beach Resort

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t took me a long time to put these words together. I’m writing this years introduction, during one of the world’s most challenging phases. Our seemingly stable lives have been turned upside down and reality feels more like a far fetched Hollywood movie production, than the reality that we are used to. Much of what seemed so solid, turned out to be so fragile. Whilst thinking on what to say, in this letter, I’ve been aware that everyday brings great uncertainty and change. These words will be set in ink and anticipating what the world will look like, when you are holding this publication, is not a simple endevor. There are numerous factors to consider. Many countries are in lockdown whilst others are gearing up for the same. Others still are trying to move cautiously from lockdowns, into a slow return, to a new normal. The medical world is trying to find solutions, governments are trying to protect their citizens and businesses are under pressure to get back to work. The world’s financial health is also at great risk. Many feel our old normal will never be the same and are trying to anticipate what the new normal, will look like. This ‘new norm’ is being shaped by time and our evolving knowledge of the virus, known as Covid-19. At the time of writing I am loath to even type the diseases name, as it has quickly come to dominate world news and dictates our day to day existence. The interviews and articles that follow, preceded the virus’s outbreak. If we spoke to everyone again now, their questions and answers would look very different. So where does that leave Embassy Direct? Former Ambassador and Embassy Direct editor, Rodrigo Chiari, called me up, early on, and said - let us stick to the publications core … that is to connect people and businesses whilst seeking out the good news, on the African continent. Great advice from a wise friend. We have since gone about reshaping the way we connect people, from the physical world to the online world. We are also actively seeking out stories of hope and chasing silver linings (you can view those on our website, embassydirect. co.za). We look forward to seeing how great challenges bring out great innovations and the very best, of humanity. Whilst many humans suffer and literally struggle to breathe, we also know that nature herself is fighting to breathe. Every new dawn sheds more light on what our ‘new norm’ may look like. We hope that humanity learns from the outbreak, creating a new future where mother nature and humans can breath together. We all need the wheels of commerce to turn again but also know that we need great leadership in order to make important changes to the way we conduct our lives and coexist with nature. Never has it been more clear, that we as humans, are closely inter-connected. Our eyes are opened, in a new way, to the poorest and most vulnerable of our neighbours. If our neighbours are sick and hungry it will directly impact us … we realise that, but it has become glaringly apparent that someone sitting thousands of miles away from us, is our neighbour too. So what do I anticipate? Practically, we may be busier than ever, working in an online environment. Zoom, is a new word in many of our lives and we will need to seek a balance in this ‘new norm.’ Pre C19, we were already overloaded with information and I often felt like my mobile device and desktop, were extensions of my physical being. Now I feel like I’m in danger of a reversal - becoming an extension of my desktop and mobile device! We may need to become ‘data refuseniks’ … at least taking ‘tech fasts,’ during our working days. New technologies will create new industries whilst some existing industries will come to the fore, others will remain powerhouses. Some of the things I’m thinking about are - Lifestyles of health, sustainability and wellness (LOHAS), grocery deliveries with a

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difference, online and remote education, remote work, Cloud capacity, minimalism, safety, social distancing, online privacy, bandwidth as well as gaming and non gaming entertainment. If we are going to be home more what will that mean for the smart phone? I also anticipate that hardship, pain, suffering, hunger and heartbreak will be met by the best that the human soul has to offer. People are wonderful, good, kind, caring, loving, thoughtful, helpful and full of hope. I anticipate the best of the human spirit rising to the challenge. Let’s not wait on our leaders or focus on who to blame. Rather let us take up leadership roles in whatever capacity we can. It doesn’t mean it will be easy, nor does it have to be. In great adversity, greatness is born … think of Nelson Mandela. Now is the time to look to what you can do and not what you can’t do … I’d like to leave you with sage advice, spoken by another wonderful soul “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi

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H.E. Alexander Sidoruk Be l arusian A m ba s s a d o r to

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xcellency, how would you describe your diplomatic tour as well as your personal experience in South Africa? I was surprised to be appointed to South Africa, having previously only worked in the European region. Interestingly, I was here exactly 20 years ago, as a young diplomat accompanying our parliamentary delegation to South Africa. I remember sitting at the airport thinking that it would possibly be the only trip here in my life, that I might never come back to this country again, or to this region. But, by good fortune, exactly 20 years later I am now here as the ambassador of my country to South Africa, and also as ambassador to four other countries in the region, namely, Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Having been here a year and a half already, I can say that we have great potential in our bilateral relations. I have been doing my best to develop these relations to achieve something tangible for my country, for South Africa, but also for the other countries I am accredited to. What is the current status of bilateral relations between your country and South Africa? In 2018, we celebrated 25 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries. We officially opened an embassy here in 2000, and our relations continue to develop, both in the political sphere and also in the economic sphere. It is very important to me as ambassador to establish these relations with the countries I am assigned to, in order to find potential spheres of cooperation, in order to develop our export possibilities, investment possibilities, as well as to attract South African investment in my country. It works both ways for the mutual benefit of both countries. What new agreements of cooperation do you predict to attain between Belarus and South Africa? We have a developed legislative base with South Africa, so possibly the most important sphere of cooperation which is under consideration right now is the visafree regime, which shall be provided by South Africa to Belarus. This was announced by your president last year. Such a visa-free regime will help develop businesses, business relations, and develop our tourist exchanges both to South Africa and from South Africa to Belarus. With regard to investment, please highlight some notable business opportunities that already exist, or that are currently emerging? Belarus is a very export-orientated country. If you look back through our history, during Soviet-Union times Belarus was a hub for the production of heavy-duty dump-trucks, agricultural trucks, machinery for chemical products, oil refineries, and so on. After the collapse of the Soviet Union we managed to preserve all these industrial potentials, and we have developed into a supplier of a very wide range of industrial and agricultural goods, which we export to the rest of the world. We are a small country with less than 10 million people, so we export about 60% of our GDP â€“ heavy duty dump trucks to South Africa, for instance. These trucks are produced by BelAZ (Belarus Automobile Plant), who possess about 30% of the world market of

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heavy-duty dump trucks (along with Caterpillar and Komatsu). We also export other machinery used by the mining sector to South Africa, so this is the primary focus of our bilateral relations. Along with these products, we are also very good at making tractors, and other agricultural machinery. We would like to move beyond only selling products. We are currently in negotiation with several South African partners to establish a local assembly line of our agricultural tractors, and possibly our road trucks as well, as joint ventures with South African partners. For South Africans wishing to engage in trade with Belarus, where should they start? Is there a Chamber of Commerce or Trade Office at your embassy or any other business platform that one may contact? Yes, we have the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which is an umbrella organization for all Belarusian state enterprises and private companies. This is a very active and powerful organization. In comparison to South Africa, where there are many different chambers of commerce, we have one umbrella structure. In each region, we have an office of the chamber of commerce that works with the main office in Minsk. Our chamber of commerce has already established relations with several chambers of commerce in South Africa, for instance, with the Johannesburg Chamber Of Commerce. They have worked together for several years, and we have plans to receive South African businesses in Belarus next year. We have some very practical plans to facilitate these business exchanges and business relations.

How does Belarus promote its culture through tourism to international travellers? We have done quite a lot in this regard in the last 10 years. We have a visa-free regime which is applicable to 80 countries right now, so when tourists or businesses come to the country for periods of fewer than 30 days, they do not need a visa. This helps a lot. There are many tourist sites in Belarus, including natural reserves and forests, similar to what you have here but also very different. You have the Big 5; we obviously have very different types of animals. For example, the only countries in Europe that have European Bisons out in nature are Belarus and Poland â€“ there are no bisons living out in nature anywhere else. We also have a very rich heritage. There are a lot of castles in Belarus, several of which are included in the World Heritage list. We have ecotourism, which is popular among tourists, as well as a lot of natural sites where people can see animals or birds in nature.

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Excellency, as ambassador of the State of Eritrea to South Africa, please share some of the personal and professional highlights of your experience here? Thank you for inviting me to talk about my country, and to reflect on its history and challenges, both past and present. I have been in diplomatic circles since 1992. South Africa is my third posting. Though I am based here, in Pretoria, I am also accredited as a non-resident ambassador to other countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This appointment allows me to acquaint myself with other representatives from many different countries; and it allows me travel throughout the country, and the Southern African region, in order to meet people from all walks of life. I am delighted with the appointment, and I have no doubt that I have benefitted and gained experience that will aid me in my future career as a diplomat.

H.E. Salih Omar Abdu

E ri t rea n A m ba s s a d o r to S o u t h Af r i ca

mbassador, could you elaborate on your country’s history, and how the state of Eritrea came into being? Eritrea is one of the younger nations of our continent. Situated along the Red Sea in North East Africa, it occupies 124,320 square kilometres of land, and our coastline extends roughly 1300km. As a modern state, Eritrea was invaded by Italy when most European countries were colonising Africa. Italy left during the Second World War, having been defeated by the British, who remained there no more than 10 years. When the British withdrew, Eritrea was left unbalanced. The United States of America, and other western countries eventually stepped in and decided to federate Eritrea with our neighbouring country, Ethiopia. This decision reflected the interest of the US, in particular. I quote then US Secretary of State, John Foster Dullas, who succinctly said, “the strategic interest of the United States in the Red Sea basin and the considerations of security and world peace make it necessary that the country has to be linked with our ally Ethiopia.” Eritrea responded by forming the Eritrean Liberation Movement in 1961, resulting in a war against Ethiopia that would last 30 years. The struggle eventually ended in 1991, alongside the fall of the Mengistu regime in Ethiopia. In 1993, a United Nations-led referendum resulted in the overwhelming approved of Eritrea as an independent national state. But this did not last long, and a war between Ethiopia and Eritrea erupted again in 1998, due to a border dispute. The war ended in 2000 with the signing of the Algiers Agreement, and the Ethiopian Boundary Commission was consequently established. The commission had a mandate to delimit and demarcate the territory between the two countries, and while it came to a verdict in April 2002, Ethiopia refused to demarcate the boundary that Eritrea insisted must be demarcated, as defined by this verdict. After two decades of stalemate, the two governments signed a declaration of agreement, of peace, friendship, and comprehensive cooperation in July 2018.

How would you describe bilateral relations between the State of Eritrea and South Africa? Our current bilateral relation is cordial, and excellent. We have a strong historical connection, having both defeated tremendous challenges in the struggle for the liberation of our people and our countries, and I am sure this helps us engage with the promotion of peace and stability on the continent. Diplomatic appointments in both capitals at ambassadorial level indicate our two governments’ desire to broaden, deepen, and strengthen the already existing bilateral relations. Eritrea considers South Africa as one of its close trade partners, and as ambassador, I am duty bound to work hard to intensify our cooperation, particularly in education, infrastructure, fisheries, mining, as well as arts and culture. This is moving swiftly. The Eritrean Minister of Foreign Affairs visited South Africa twice, in 2011 and 2012. I met with his South African counterpart, then Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, and signed a letter of intent that agrees to work

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together to establish a consultative commission. Our two countries continue to visit each other through regular high level delegations. In relation to investment, what business opportunities currently exist in your country? Is there a Chamber of Commerce or Trade Office one could contact? Our investment policy is open. It allows and permits both domestic as well as foreign investment, and encourages investment without restriction and discrimination. Our policy exempts export customs and sale taxes, since investment is a catalyst for economic growth. We mobilize and attract investors through the Eritrean National Chamber of Commerce, which is a conducive environment for investors. Eritrea encourages equal footing towards Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and domestic capital, and allows foreign investment to own an enterprise on its own, or to partner with domestic capital. Regarding business opportunities, Eritrea is largely untapped with wide opportunities in areas of agriculture, fisheries, manufacturing, in the manufacturing of leathers and textiles, as well as packaging, and financial services. My government is eager to look at SADC community businesses, in the hope of leading to the promotion of tripartite cooperation between the SADC, COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa), and the EAC (East African Community) - with a combined population of 600 million people, and a GDP approaching US$12 trillion. Your capital city, Asmara, has recently been nominated as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. As a tourist destination, what does Eritrea have to offer to visitors and what makes these offerings unique? In terms of tourism, there is so much history on offer in Eritrea. Our buildings were built by the mass labour forces of our native people, but there is influence from Italian engineers as well, for the duration of four decades in the early 20th century. Anyone strolling through the capital city can see that some of the buildings somehow look like a sailing ship, or an airplane. You will see Orthodox Churches, Mosques, and cinemas, which were already built during this Italian colonisation. I’ve heard from foreign visitors who say that Eritreans, or those living in Asmara, are living in a sort of open-air museum. Some of our religious sites exhibit 6th century architecture, the Orthodox Churches called Debra Bizen or Depbra Sina. There is also a chapel called Marie. Debra Bizen is a 6th century monastery on a hill, so it requires a climb to get there. You will find many ancient libraries in Eritrea as well. There is a place called Nak’fa, which is home to the Ethiopian resistance movement. For over 30 years, Ethiopia wanted to capture and occupy Nak’fa, but they never even reached the edge. There are museums and other remnants of the war there; and the name of our currency is called the Nak’fa. For the adventurous tourists in particular, the landscape is very fascinating. We offer attractions such as hiking, rock- and mountainclimbing, mountain biking, and many other very interesting archaeological sites, particularly in the southern parts of Eritrea, such as Matara, near Sanafe, or Qohaito. There are other places to visit as well, such as the tropical beaches of Massawa, for instance, where one can enjoy diving. We have a great tourism line that connects our capital city with our port in Massawa.

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Japan e se Ambass a d o r to S o u t h Afri ca

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xcellency, you recently arrived in the country. How would you summarize your first months as the Ambassador of Japan to South Africa? I have enjoyed my mission here thus far. The people are friendly and we cooperate well with government. I have a big task ahead of me, and everything is going very smoothly so far.

What is the current focus of collaboration between Japan and South Africa? There are actually many areas of focus as we have many similar challenges. On a multilateral level, we are both members of the G20. We hosted the G20 summit which was held in Osaka, Japan, in June 2019. As members of the G20, both South Africa and Japan have a responsibility to the international world, towards the economy in particular. What goals and aims do both countries have in common at the G20 Summit? The first area concerned the world economy. We are facing global uncertainties, and the G20 need to send a strong, and positive message to the world in this regard. Japan, together with South Africa and other countries, succeeded in doing so. The second was to do with development issues, SDGs; and South Africa, as the next chair of the AU (African Union), shares these responsibilities with Japan. These are some of the ways in which we work together. As a member of the G20, we also work together with South Africa on environmental issues and social challenges, and we do as much as we can to honour these commitments. For instance, we work together on the issue of plastic waste, and one of the first outcomes of this commitment to the G20 took place in South Africa, working closely together to find alternatives to single-use plastic. What cooperation agreements are in place between Japan and South Africa, and in what areas are you pursuing new agreements? We have many agreements in place with South Africa already and we are implementing others. One example is the technical cooperation agreement, which is a very important one, because it enables us to send a lot of experts to South Africa. These are experts in education and training in skills development. They are doing well here, working with South Africans to help find solutions to some of the problems South Africa faces. How would you define the presence of Japanese investment in South Africa? Japan’s investment is significant and growing. We contribute to more than 150,000 jobs to the country. You see the longstanding presence of our companies – like Toyota, Nissan, or Isuzu, just to mention some examples in the automotive industry. When we think about investment, we would like to think about how we can be useful in finding solutions to some of the challenges the country may face, for example, in the areas of health, and innovation. We wish Japanese investment to contribute to areas that focus on those aspects as well.

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What are the existing business interests between the two countries? Do you have a Chamber of Commerce or Trade Office that businesspeople interested in investing in Japan may contact? We have a large representation of Japanese business people here. We have a Japanese organization called JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) in Johannesburg, which is always helpful to those investors interested in investing in Japan. Japan has recently launched an initiative called the Private Public Economic Forum, and the first forum was held here in South Africa in 2018. These kinds of meetings are very important in bringing businesses and government together. Apart from viewing Mount Fuji and experiencing the Cherry Blossom season, what other offerings does Japan have for travelers in search of an interesting destination? The list is long, and would also depend on what region one is visiting. Going out of Tokyo, I would suggest tourists visit some of the smaller, local cities – you are bound to make many new discoveries, especially when it comes to culinary experiences. Japan is well known for its cuisine. Ambassador, any final words? Last year was a momentous year between Japan and South Africa, starting all the way from the G20 summit, to the Rugby World Cup. South Africa and Japan were both taking part, and for those South Africans who went to Japan to support their team, it must have been a wonderful opportunity for them to visit some of the other cities outside of Tokyo, where some stadiums are situated.

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D u tc h A m ba s s a d o r to S o u t h Afri ca

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mbassador, how would you describe your experience of South Africa during your diplomatic tour so far? I arrived in South Africa almost a year ago, but this is my second time here. I worked here in the early 1990s, and I am very glad to be back. South Africa is a beautiful country.

How would you define the historic relationship the Netherlands shares with South Africa and where does this relationship stand today? If you look at the historical relationship, some people say it started with Jan van Riebeeck in the seventeenth century. Indeed, the Dutch East India Company established a station here, which led to a more permanent presence. That was the first phase. The second phase, possibly, was during apartheid. In the 1970s and 80s, support for the struggle to abolish apartheid was very big in the Netherlands. That defined our policy towards South Africa in those years. We have since phased out our aid program to South Africa, so our current focus now is mainly on trade and investment, but also on culture, as well as science and technology. Your country has made important investments in South Africa. What are the main fields of interest for Dutch investors, and which Dutch companies are represented here? There is quite a large presence of Dutch companies in South Africa. Some of the more well-known Dutch companies already have an established presence here, some even for many decades. These are companies like Shell, which is Anglo-Dutch; companies like Unilever, also Anglo-Dutch; Phillips is currently very strong in medical solutions; Heineken, one of the biggest brewers of beer in the world; a company like Vopak, which is one of the world leaders when it comes to storage facilities for oil and for chemicals. Since the establishment of bilateral relations, what notable agreements have been signed between the two countries? A big turning point was, of course, the end of apartheid. I was here in the early 90s â€“ I arrived a couple of weeks before President Nelson Mandela was released, and I was very privileged to witness the change of South Africa into a democracy. That was also a defining moment in our relationship. Our philosophy is that we want to engage with South Africa and we try to work as partners. Nowadays, in todayâ€™s global society, no country can single-handedly solve the problems and challenges that we are all facing. So, we need to work together. In terms of agreements, an important area is naturally that of trade and investment. We also have agreements in arts and culture, which aim to promote the exchange of culture between the two countries. Recently, we had a very successful visit in the area of science and technology, and that is something that I am fascinated by. I think the process of digitization, and the fact that consumers continue to demand more sustainably produced goods, gives us new possibilities to cooperate and to work together. For South Africans wishing to engage in trade with the Netherlands, is there a chamber of commerce

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or trade office that one may contact? We have bilateral chambers of commerce, both in the Netherlands and in South Africa. The embassy in Pretoria, and the Consulate General in Cape Town can also be contacted for any trade related matter. We have a division of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) based in our embassy in Pretoria, where they assist South African companies in expanding their investments into Europe and the Netherlands. There are a number of channels people can use if they want to engage in trade and investment. The Schengen visa has made visiting Europe far more convenient. Has this policy impacted the number of South African visitors to the Netherlands? The Schengen visa system has been working well for quite some time now. There have not been any drastic changes over the past few years, and I do not foresee any imminent major changes. There is a steady flow of both tourists and business people from South Africa to the Netherlands, and vice versa. Dutch people can come to South Africa without a visa for 90 days, and there is usually quite a steady flow of Dutch tourists coming to South Africa to enjoy their holidays. Now that I have my visa, what points of interest would you recommend to me as a South African traveler visiting your country as a tourist destination? People immediately think of going to Amsterdam, but the Netherlands has so much more to offer. If you look at a city like Rotterdam, which was partly destroyed in the Second World War, it is a city with a lot of modern architecture, but also with a lot of very interesting museums. In Friesland, we have a countryside with a lot of lakes, ideal for walking, ideal for biking. There are a lot of museums in the Netherlands, in almost every city and in every village you will find a museum. Ambassador, any final words? The Netherlands is here to promote our trade and investment, but also to contribute to an inclusive and sustainable economy in South Africa. We look forward to working together, both on current opportunities and those that will arise in the future, because we strongly agree that partnerships are the answer to the challenges we face nowadays.

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Excellency, what is your experience of the African continent? I have spent most of my career on the African continent, working on China-Africa relations. I was a counselor in Zambia for three years; I served as ambassador in both Liberia, and Malawi; and I was Director General at the Department of African Affairs in Beijing. As a career diplomat, I have had the opportunity to travel around the continent, and I really love it. In the past four decades, China has transformed from a country with extreme poverty to a world leader. My goal is to help Africa follow that trajectory. Africa has incredible resources: both human resources and natural resources, but it lacks the capacity to develop. As a friend of this continent, we hope to work together in this regard. Ethiopia is a country that highlights the China-Africa partnership. We have built railways and ports there, and since our involvement, the country has moved away from being considered one of the worldâ€™s poorest countries, to the country with the fastest growing economy in the world.

H.E. Lin Songtian Chinese

Ambassad or to S o u t h Afri ca

hat major accomplishments have South Africa and China achieved through BRICS, and what do you believe the future holds for this multilateral forum? BRICS consists of some of the emerging markets in the world, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and since 2010, South Africa. The combined population of these countries accounts for more than 42% of the total world population. The BRICS group produces remarkable results – visible, tangible results that benefit our people. In the past 11 years, BRICS has brought about a lot of good, including the establishment of the New Development Bank (NDB). With an initial capital of US$100 billion, it is run on equal footing, and is not dominated by any one country. We have democratically and equally access to the NDB. Since BRICS came into being, the GDPs of its members increased dramatically. The aggregate total GDP of its member states increased by more than 180%, and because we are joined together, the trade volumes between our member states also increased by almost 100%. This is a good example to other emerging economies that shows the benefits of working together and supporting each other. Other than BRICS, what are the main areas of collaboration between China and South Africa and what new cooperation agreements might soon develop? China is a new friend to South Africa, and our relationship is younger than others. We have shared diplomatic relations since 1998. Our cooperation has increased due to our involvement in BRICS, the G20, and the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Our two heads of state share frequent exchanges, and regular bilateral meetings. The relationship is very dynamic, and full of energy. In relation to our economies, China has remained the largest trading partner of South Africa for more than ten years. South Africa has become the first country to export beef to China, and is also the largest trading partner on the continent to China, for nine consecutive years. In terms of investment, South Africa needs a lot of fresh investment, and China has become one of the key investors here. Chinese public and private companies invest a total value of more than US$25 billion, with assets in the country valued at almost US$100 billion. We have created more than 400 000 local jobs. How does this investment impact social development on the African continent, particularly? What do you think attracts Chinese investment to South Africa? I have travelled around Africa a lot. It is three times bigger than China, and there are 54 countries on the continent, with a total population of 1.2 billion people. However, many of these countries are in poverty. We like to consider ourselves friends, brothers, and sisters to the African continent, and that means we have to help and support each other to survive. We encourage private Chinese companies and businesspeople to invest here. The problem in a continent with so many resources is

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development, and in my personal assessment, this is due to a lack of capacity building and infrastructure development, like highways, railways, seaports, airports, communications, as well as water and electricity. I’ve been to countries like Zambia, Malawi, Liberia, and others, and many of these countries only have one major highway system, so they are not ready to cope with large-scale investment. South Africa is in a unique position, because it is ready for this investment. We have initiatives on the continent targeting infrastructure development, which leads to sustainable development. Human resource development and education are other areas of focus. Up until now, we have built over 10 000kms of highway roads on the continent, and more than 6000km of railway. We helped build a trade route from Dar es Salaan, Tanzania, to Angola. We built two railway systems in Nigeria which are now operational, and we built railways in Ethiopia, and in Kenya – countries with high growth rates, influenced by the help of China. We have built over 200 schools on the continent, and nearly 80 electric power stations and dams.

South Africa is one of the most important countries for investment, because of three unique advantages. Firstly, they have adequate resources: mineral resources, agricultural resources, land resources, ocean resources, and most importantly, human resources. Secondly, the location is unique, and serves as an entry point to the continent. Why is Dubai developed? Why is Singapore developed? Hong Kong, and Shanghai are similar. We opened China to the world starting with our coastal cities. Third is the foundation and condition for development, and the current infrastructure here is good. For South Africans who want to engage in trade with China, do you have a chamber of commerce, or a trade office? We have a commerce section at our embassy, and we have a strong group of people there who can offer information. Nowadays, the individuals or businesses that would like to do business with China do so on the internet, so if you would like to know anything, you can find it online. If you have other questions, you are welcome to visit the commerce section of our embassy. How do you encourage potential tourists to visit China? China is an old country, with over 5000 years of civilization, so there is a lot of history on offer. But China is also a very modern country, with a new, developed energy. It is the second-largest economy in the world; the largest manufacturer, and the largest trading partner of more than 100 countries in the world. We encourage tourists to come see this development. We are open, and we welcome our friends to visit China as tourists or business partners.

xcellency, in which countries do you serve as ambassador? I am ambassador to South Africa, Mauritius and Lesotho. Prior to this appointment, I was Director for Africa at our Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Brazil.

As a career diplomat, I have more than 30 years of Foreign Affairs service. I have served as Deputy Head of Mission at our embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As Ambassador, this is my first appointment. Please share some of your personal and professional experiences in the region thus far? It is a pleasure to be back in Africa. Before I was Director for Africa in our ministry, I was advisor to the Minister for Africa and the Middle East, so I started dealing directly with Africa in 2003. Since then, I have visited over 30 other African countries, and although I had never lived in Africa before, I have been coming here for the past 15 years for important exchanges. I was particularly thrilled when I was invited to be ambassador in South Africa, because it meant the continuation of my work in Africa, now at a specific bilateral level between Brazil and one of our main partners in the world. BRICS is an important South-South forum. What social and economic impact has it had on its members? BRICS continues to play a very key role in the global scenario. It is important to bear in mind that BRICS is a diverse group of countries who share their experience, but at the same time have very different experiences, different cultures, different histories. Such a pragmatic approach means that we donâ€™t necessarily see the group as one that has to think exactly the same, but rather one with a common approach.

H.E. Nedilson Jorge Braz il ia n A m ba s s a d o r to

S o u t h Afri ca

Its results affect not only government, but also the private sector. This impact on both government and the private sector has a direct impact on the people. We meet regularly to discuss everything from the promotion of trade and investment within the group, to developments within health and financial services as well. We have made developments in the health sector, specifically to do with tuberculosis and new screening and diagnosis technologies in that area. Our advancement in the financial sector is one that has had more publicity: we helped reform the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and other institutions; and very importantly, we created the New Development Bank (NDB). These are just two examples. In 2018, South Africa was the president of BRICS, and in 2019 it was Brazil’s turn. We have identified areas to target as a priority, including science, technology and innovation; the digital economy; the fight against transnational crimes, against drug trafficking and so on; and the coordination between the New Development Bank and the private sector. While the NDB is government created, we want its work to be in direct contact with the private sector. Outside of BRICS, how have Brazilian-South African relations developed and what are the main fields of cooperation between the countries? When I started working with Africa in 2003, South Africa was already one of our priorities. Since then, bilateral relations have developed quickly. An increase in resources shows in increase in priority, and proof of our focus in South Africa is that our embassy here has grown. We have more diplomats, and more staff than we did 15 years ago. We have recently moved to new, bigger offices in a very vibrant area of Pretoria, next to Times Square. We have initiatives in all areas – some naturally advance quicker than others, and it is impossible to tackle everything at once. Defence is one important area of bilateral cooperation. In the last decade, we have developed a joint air-to-air missile, together with South Africa, which is very competitive in the defence market. This year we will focus on Agri-tech, another area in which I think there is huge potential. Agriculture is an important contributor to the GDPs of both Brazil and South Africa. In the area of Trade and Investment, things are going very well. We had a bilateral meeting between President Bolsenaro and President Ramaphosa in Davos last year – Davos being a landmark for economic investment and cooperation. This bilateral meeting was the first meeting of both presidents after our elections in Brazil. We also had a presidential meeting at the G20 summit in Japan. What areas of trade and investment are being successfully encouraged between Brazil and South Africa by your Mission? For South Africans wishing to engage in trade with Brazil, is there a chamber of commerce or trade office that one may contact? We don’t have a specific bilateral chamber of commerce, but we have a Brazil-Africa Chamber of Commerce in Brazil that could be helpful to any businesspeople who may need more information on bilateral trade. We have a trade section at our embassy in Pretoria that can be helpful to businesspeople who would like to do business with Brazil, and we also have a Consulate in Cape Town that has a trade section. We are ready to support any South African businesses that want to do business in Brazil.

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Naturally, trade and investment can only improve, and I believe that we have a lot of unfulfilled potential. Our bilateral trade is around US$2 billion, a figure we estimate can be more than doubled in the next five years. A few years ago, the Mercosur-SACU Preferential Trade Agreement came into being (Mercosur, the Southern Common Market; and SACU, the South African Customs Unions), so we try our best to promote interaction between the private sectors in both countries, through BRICS and through bilateral administrations. I also rely on the support of the South African embassy in Brazil. We have investment from both sides. South Africa invests in important areas such as mining, for instance. Brazilian investment here includes AmBev, who invest in South African Breweries; and Marco Polo, who have produced buses here for more than 20 years. These established investors rely less on our support. We focus on supporting smaller investors, or the small businessperson. We help them identify partners in Brazil, and can offer any information that they require. We try to promote contacts; we do market research and analysis; we organise seminars. The results have been very encouraging. There is an important presence of the African diaspora in Brazil. How has this influenced your traditions, and your culture? An interesting question, and sometimes people do not realise the opposite is also true: the influence that Brazil has had on Africa, particularly in relation to returnees. As you know, most of our African population in Brazil had been brought as slaves from Africa during colonisation, particularly from Angola and the Benin gulf. When slavery was abolished in Brazil, many returned to Africa, and with them, they brought architectural influence, culinary influence, and some of our customs back home. In some African cities, you may find a ‘Brazilian Quarter’ – a neighbourhood mainly inhabited by those who returned from Brazil. In Ghana, the Tabom community couldn’t speak the local language when they arrived, so they spoke Portuguese. The first president of Togo’s independence was from a family that had returned from Brazil. The African influence in Brazil is present in our everyday lives. It has influences in our music, our culinary skills, and our vocabulary. More than half the people in Brazil consider themselves African descendents, or of African origins, African-Brazilians. The Rio Carnival is probably one of the most iconic events in the world. How do you encourage South Africans to visit the Carnival, as well as other exciting travel destinations in Brazil? South Africans do not need a visa to come to Brazil, and it is much closer than people think. With daily direct flights between our countries, it is a shorter trip than going to Europe. Our tourism flux is not only people wanting to attend Carnival. We have many possible destinations, and many different types of tourisms. We have forest tracking and other environmental tourism; we have great beaches; but we also have many cultural manifestations, and Carnival is by far one of the most well-known festivals around the world. It attracts tourists from all over the world. Many people think that Carnival only takes place in Rio de Janeiro, but it is in fact celebrated all across the country.

H.E. Jorge Rubio Pe ruvian Amba s s a d o r to S o u t h Afri ca

xcellency, please share some of the highlights of your personal and professional experience in South Africa thus far? I joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Peru in 1982, but my first steps into Africa were only in November, last year, when I arrived in South Africa for the first time. I’ve worked in many countries prior to this posting, including countries in North and South America, as well as Europe, but this is my first experience on the African continent. It is very impressive, and my wife and I are happy to be here. What is the current status of bilateral relations between Peru and the Republic of South Africa? We began our diplomatic relationship in 1994. We recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding on political consultation, in March last year, and we have many other new agreements that we hope to sign in the future. Our relationship is a very important one when it comes to multilateral affairs – we are both members of the United Nations Security Council; and we have many other global areas of interest in common. This multilateral political connection influences our bilateral relationship, and we are increasing the work we have to do in many areas of our direct relations now as a result. We are particularly looking at increasing commercial trade between our countries. What business opportunities does your country offer to South Africans? Do you have a chamber of commerce, or a trade office? Peru is a free market economy, and we have an open border for investment. There are many South African enterprises that have important investments in Peru, particularly in the mining sector. South African companies invest a lot of money in gold mining in Peru. Hans Merensky Holdings is a very important enterprise that invests in Peru. They have bought land that is used to export products to Europe. There are business opportunities for Peruvians here too. I often work with enterprises from Peru that are interested in investing in Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and South Africa. Is there a presence of the African diaspora in Peru? Peru is a multilingual, multicultural country, and is associated with all races. We have a very important Chinese population; we have a very important European population; and we also have a very

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important African population. The African population has been in Peru for almost 300 years. They have had a very important influence in our culture, especially in terms of food, and sport. Many of our sportsmen and sportswomen are of African descent – our football players, our athletes; many of our great dancers, and dance groups, are also of African descent. Dance is now also something that has become popular all over the world, and we have some great dancers. Peruvian cuisine has a uniqueness, and your food is becoming more and more popular too. Yes, we have seen an explosion of our foods around the world in the last 20 to 30 years. There are now Peruvian restaurants in some of the world’s biggest countries – if you go to Madrid, Paris, Buenos Aires, London, or many places in the United States, you are bound to find new Peruvian restaurants. Our food is being exported more frequently. There is a very important group of Peruvians in South Africa, and it would be great to have Peruvian restaurants here in the future as well. Machu Picchu is one of the most visited landmarks. What does Peru offer as a tourism destination? About 2000 South Africans visit Peru each year. This is a significant number, but I still do not think enough people in South Africa truly know what Peru can offer as a tourism destination. Those who do visit are usually avid travellers, who have been elsewhere in the world. I would like to encourage the society in South Africa and the society in Peru to get to know each other better, and to know more about each other’s countries. Peru is a country with a very ancient civilisation. Our first civilisations began in 3000BC – so we are talking about 5000 years of different civilisations in my country. The people know about the Incas, but the Incas lived towards the end of the ancient period, and was the last built ancient civilisation in Peru. We have three different types of regions in the country. We have a coastline stretching over 3000km, offering beautiful beaches for holidays, and surfing; we have the mountains, where most of civilisation is; and we have the jungle, about 60% of our territory is jungle. We offer a great diversity, and as a multicultural, multilingual, and multiracial country, we have many things in common with South Africa.

CG Michael McCarthy U n ite d State s of A m e ri ca

onsul General, please share more about your experience in South Africa? My family and I have been here just over two years now, and this has really been a thrilling assignment. As consular general, I cover half of the Gauteng province, as well as the North West and the Free State provinces. I have the pleasure of dealing with individuals in so many different areas, including in academia, in judiciary, in local and municipal governments, and, of course, with NGOs as well. I get to interact with a variety of people, on a variety of projects. Every day is different, and every day has all kinds of activities packed into it, so it has been wonderful. What are the duties and responsibilities that come with your assignment? It is my primary responsibility to watch over the safety of the American citizens who live here. It is also to look out in the interest of the United States. In my case, this involves promoting bilateral trade; working on improvements in health infrastructure, in academic development, such as student exchange programs, and in entrepreneur development, as well as normal relations with the local, provincial, and national governments. With such a large American community in South Africa, what are some your areas of focus? Everything is a priority. We balance between assisting Americans who need assistance, but we are also here to interact with the people of South Africa – especially when you talk about business development at a local level, or working with universities on major exchange programs, or encouraging individuals to apply for exchange programs. It ranges from an individual level to the institutional level. South Africa and the USA share exceptional trade figures. What are some of the reasons behind this? The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is almost 20 years old now. AGOA is a unilateral arrangement whereby the United States gives African nations the option to trade freely with the US, in the hope that it would give their industries a chance to develop more rapidly in the long run; encourage transparency; and establish norms of trade and business. South Africa is our number one trade partner on the continent under AGOA. The US government has also just initiated two new mechanisms. The first is the Build Act, which takes existing parts of the US government, and ramps them up with a large increase in funding for foreign investment. The Overseas Private Investment Corporation is an entity that gives seed funding for United States investment in foreign countries. The Build Act thus leverages a small amount of US government money into a very large amount of private investment. We also have a new entity called Prosper Africa. This is an effort to coordinate all the different United States agencies that are involved in helping US corporations invest overseas. It aims to be a one-stopshop focused on responding to US corporations that are beginning to think about investing in Africa. Do you have a chamber of commerce, or a trade office that could assist South Africans interested in engaging in trade with the United States? Our trade office has an entity called Invest USA, which exists to

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encourage foreign investors to invest in the United States. Our trade figures are quite large. The USA is South Africa’s third largest single trade partner; and South Africa is the largest user of AGOA. Where some countries only export one or two commodities, South Africa exports a large range of products and services to the US. Agricultural products make up a large percentage for that, and include wines, macadamia nuts, and citrus fruits. The United States and South Africa share historical similarities when it comes to inequality in terms of race and gender. In what ways do our countries work together in tackling these issues? We have so much to learn from one another, through our individual, unique experiences of our shared histories. Historically, the United States had policies against apartheid. I remember when I went to college, there were people protesting against apartheid on my campus. The pressures of the American society were so strong that for only the third time in history, the Congress of the United States of America overrode a veto of the President. It was widely supported and the vote was overwhelming that we needed to go into disinvestment and formal boycott. That was part of what eventually led to the introduction of democracy in South Africa. Since democracy, South Africa has been a very close partner of the United States, and we work together in many areas. If you look at the challenge of HIV/Aids – the program we have in South Africa is the largest in the world. It is called PEPFAR (The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) and it exists only to fight HIV and Aids, working shoulder to shoulder with the South African government. In 15 years to date, we have spent US$6billion in our program in South Africa. When it comes to gender equality, we have an exciting example of gender equality growth in the United States. The US Women’s World Cup Soccer team won the international competition for the second time in a row. We believe that this is an example of the fruits of legislation that was passed in 1972, as part of our Civil Rights Act, called Title 9. It was an effort to bring funding for women’s sports more on par with the funding for men’s sports. South African visitors in search of adventure and leisure can find a wide variety of offerings in the United States. What are the visa requirements for such avid travelers? It is quite a simple process, based online. Those interested in going to the US can start by going to our embassy website, where you will find a link to the visa application. Once you fill out the application online, we will get in touch and make an appointment for an interview. It is very straightforward. For special visas – business, or student – there may be other requirements, but that is all explained online, or you can contact our visa section and they can give you an answer. Visit the US Embassy website: www.usembassy.gov/south-africa

An Exampilary Life Story Todayâ€™s corporate world, demands that entrepreneurs are not only business minded, but one also needs to have concern of our surrounding and awareness of our role as human beings. In the case of Angela Yeung, being born in Hong Kong and migrating to South Africa as a child, adds an interesting edge to her story. Angela studied metalsmith crafting and later obtained a qualification as a Diamond Grading graduate. She has used her experience, knowhow and skills as a designer, to found her own jewellery company, Impilo (life in isZulu) Collection. Impilo designs and manufactures for commissioned private clients, as well as for renowned contemporary art jewellery collections. Her creations are a merge of African and Asian influences, which reflect her sensitivity and acknowledgement of these cultures. Her work has won numerous awards. It has also been featured on important media platforms around the globe. Angela has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro twice and not for any other reason than a noble cause. She reached the summit of the Kilimanjaro on 9th August this year to commemorate Womenâ€™s Day. The adventurous activity was arranged by Trek4Mandela to raise funds and create awareness for the Caring4Girls programme and TREK100, with the endorsement of the Imbumba and Nelson Mandela Foundations. These programmes seek to address challenges faced by South African school girls who cannot afford sanitary towels and miss upto 50 days of school as a result. Beyond her business capabilities, Angela Yeung has proven that we can all serve our communities, without necessarily holding a Ministerial or Head of State post. More initiatives like these ones are required, not only in the African continent, but all over the planet. Angela would like her story to inspire other people to contribute to humanitarian causes with love and for the upliftment of the rest of the human race. 45

H. E. Beka Dvali G e orgian A m ba s s a d o r to S o u t h Afri ca

s Ambassador of Georgia in South Africa, what are some of your most memorable experiences in the country? I arrived in South Africa at the end of 2012. From the very moment I stepped out of the airport and drove off, I interacted with local South Africans, and this is a most memorable moment for me. It was my first arrival on the African continent and in this beautiful country, and I registered a lot of similarities with my own people, and with my own country. What relevance does the African continent have to Georgian foreign investments, particularly in South Africa? I am very proud and blessed to be the first Georgian ambassador in South Africa. We opened our embassy here in 2011, and I arrived in 2012. This was part of a big diplomatic expansion. We decided to open embassies beyond our immediate neighbours in Europe, and we decided to do so in Latin America and in Africa. We did it because we believe in diversification. We believe that in this ‘global village’ and the globalised world, you have to seek friends, allies and partners everywhere. We have three embassies in Africa: in Egypt, in Ethiopia, and here. From South Africa, I cover 12 other countries, so I am ambassador to 13 SADC countries in total. One of the tenets of my government’s policies is diversification: to diversify partners, imports, exports, investments. This is the mission with which I arrived: to make new friendships, and to explore new possibilities of investment and partnership. We have trade and investment both ways. The South Africa Georgia Chamber of Commerce (SAGCC), composed of businesses from both countries, and those from other countries in the SADC region, has been running for several years. They are linked to communicate and exchange business interests. Georgian businesses do not have the experience of doing business with South Africa, and the same applies the other way around. We therefore decided to start with soft contact, people-to-people projects, and naturally, two areas that are important to both countries came up: wine and rugby. We find these two commonalities as vehicles to increase awareness and trust, which would be conducive to economic activity. People are often surprised when I mention wine. It is not widely known that not only are we producers of wine, but we are historical inventors of wine. We are one of the only countries that has several hundred cultivars. Several years ago we introduced the GeorgiaSouth Africa Winemakers Exchange Program. We are in different regions, and our climates and seasons are different, so during the Georgian harvest, several South Africa wineries send their winemakers to Georgia, and we send our winemakers here during the South African harvest. We promote rugby exchanges as well. Some of our teams have been to some of the training facilities in the Western Cape. South African teams play in Georgia too. This promotes bilateral tourism, because when teams travel, they bring their families and fans along with them too. What are the most important bilateral agreements between the Republic of Georgia and South Africa since establishing

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diplomatic relations? We have a very important agreement about bilateral political consultation, between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, and the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation. Based on this agreement, we have an established practice of political dialogue and have held a number of interactions, both in Georgia and here. This allows to discuss things which are mutually important Your wife currently chairs the International Diplomatic Spouses Association (IDSA). How does that enhance your duties and how would you define IDSA’s social impact on the South African community? Thank you for mentioning this. Sometimes diplomats do their work, and the efforts of their spouses are overlooked. Our spouses are very much involved in diplomatic relationships, because they support us. The same applies to my wife, who chairs IDSA. I think they do a magnificent job. They get together, they deliberate, and they do different projects with the outcome of helping local communities. They donate to different orphanages, and other vulnerable groups of people in South Africa. The impact that they have is impressive. This kind of endeavour is humanitarian in nature, and every effort counts. Myself, and the other ambassadors do our best to try help our spouses in these noble endeavours.

Georgia is a beautiful country with a growing tourism industry. How are you attracting South African visitors to your country? Georgia is proud to receive millions of tourists. Georgia is not a very big country, in terms of territory, but we are a very proud country, with an ancient history. Our territory is 69,700 square kilometres, and has a diversified climate. We have tall mountains, as well as the seaside, and wine lands. We even have our own small desert. It is an interesting country, with an interesting heritage. Our country was one of the first countries to adopt Christianity as a religion in the Fourth Century. Included in all this uniqueness is Georgia’s cuisine, and our wine. Our renowned hospitality attracts a lot of tourists. I am pleased to have been able to observe the increase of South African travellers to Georgia. The Georgian government has shown its willingness to host South African tourists by lifting the visa requirement. Further, we do outreach through social media, through media, through our network of chambers of commerce, and through our honourary consuls. There is a group on social media called South Africans in Georgia, and they share some of their experiences there. South Africans who come to Georgia share the same impression I had when I first came here. They immediately notice the many similarities between our countries – we both like wine, fine cuisine, we appreciate rugby, and we share similar traditions.

H.E. Manuel Carvalho Portug ue se Amba s s a d o r to S o u t h Afri ca

xcellency, how would you define your diplomatic tour and personal experience in the country so far? It has been fantastic. You country is beautiful, and there are great opportunities here. It has also been personally rewarding.

At our embassy, we engage with the South African authorities; and we have a very big Portuguese community in South Africa who require our support. We engage with local society, we try identify new business opportunities, and we place great focus on trade and investment. Portugal is a country that cares a lot for Africa, and we are very present in the region. South Africa is one of the most dynamic, diversified, and sophisticated economic countries and political systems in the region, so it is a priority for us, and I’ve tried to pay tribute to that in my activity. Since the arrival of Bartolomeu Dias in 1488, Portugal has maintained a strong presence in South Africa. Could you elaborate why South Africa is a priority? No other European country was in Africa over 600 years ago; no other European country has over 40,000 residents in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Because South Africa is one of the most sophisticated, diversified, countries in Southern Africa, it is natural to want to have a significant presence here. We are present all over the region, not just in this country, and that has to do with our long term attachment to Africa. We are very much present in Mozambique, as it is a Portuguese-speaking country; in Angola; Namibia; Botswana; we used to have a bigger presence in Zimbabwe; and in the Congo. Has the investment of Portuguese capital into South Africa influenced the development of bilateral relations? I will admit that trade and investment is an area that I’m not necessarily satisfied with. We do not have the levels of investment and bilateral trade that correspond to the long and deep presence we have spoken about. On the other hand, we also have a challengingly similar pattern of economic profiling between the two countries. South Africa produces great food stuff, we do the same; great wine, we do the same; olive oil, we do the same; fruit, automotive, aerospace, we do the same. Tourism, the same. If you look at goods and services, we are very similar. From an economic profiling point of view, we may sometimes be regarded as competitors rather than as partners. For instance, I’m not going to be selling a lot of Portuguese wine here, because you have very good wine here yourselves – “it’s hard to sell pizza in Napoli”. At a bilateral consultation that we recently had with South Africa, those points were presented. In terms of agriculture, our seasons are different, so we could work together; in terms of tourism, our seasons are again different. If you were to look at Lisbon and Cape Town, both are on the coast, they have a lot of similarities, even the lifestyles could be seen as similar – but our seasons are different, so we could work together. What business opportunities does Portugal offer to South African entrepreneurs? We are a free market economy, and businesspeople will naturally

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decide what they find interesting. There are great opportunities in Portugal. Areas that we are competent in, that are worth investing in, and that are relevant for South Africans, include the automotive industry, agriculture, tourism, energy, as well as science and technology. Skills sharing is important, and some of the skills we have in Portugal may be interesting for South African businesspeople to invest in, particularly relevant to the automotive industry in South Africa, for example. I know that some people in the South African wine sector are looking at the wine sector in Portugal, and broadening their production base. If you think of tourism, and you want to operate around the year according to the seasons, Portugal and South Africa have great similarities. Portugal is a leader in terms of renewable energy. We hold the world record for the longest time running only on renewable energy, without burning any fuel. Portugal has very good skills in solar, wind, and energy efficiency. For over 10 years, 60% of our power comes from renewable energy – not many countries can boast that. Those are skills that could be relevant for South Africa, because in all those sectors South Africa does have capabilities of its own, but those could be enforced by sharing experiences with someone who is also working in those areas. For South Africans wishing to engage in trade with Portugal, is there a chamber of commerce, or trade office one might find information and assistance in doing business in and with Portugal? We have a trade mission at the embassy, and a trade council that is connected with our trade and investment agency in Portugal. They are here to assist people that may want to look for business opportunities in Portugal, be it investment, trade, or at the same time, those looking for partners for possible ventures in South Africa. We want to increase business in all directions. We have two business chambers, the South African-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce, based in Johannesburg, and its counterpart, the Chamber of Commerce for Portugal-South Africa, based in Lisbon, Portugal. Both can be approached, and both can serve as entry points for introductions to start the conversation with businesspeople from Portugal. Breathtaking views of its Mediterranean coast and delicious cuisine are two of the many reasons why tourists are attracted to your country. How is your mission increasing the number of South African visitors to Portugal? There is growing demand for visas at our embassy, either to visit, study, or for residency in Portugal. We apply Shengen rules for tourism visas, so we have to adhere to those procedures. We don’t commit ourselves to specific timelines, but I would say our visa application procedure is in line with the practice of most other Shengan countries, if anything, a little faster.

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H.E. Vu Van Dzung

Vietn ame se

A m ba s s a d o r to S o u t h Afri ca

Your Excellency, could you briefly elaborate on the historic background of the Vietnamese-South African relations? The Vietnamese-South African relations can be traced back to 1955, at the Bandung Conference in Indonesia. It was the first time the delegations of the Labour Party of Vietnam and the ANC met, as observers to the conference. In 1978, a high-level delegation from the ANC, led by President O.R Tambo (including Presidents Thabo Mbeki, Chris Hani, and others), visited Vietnam after it was liberated and reunited following the war against the United States. After this visit, the ANC wrote The Green Book (Report of the Politico-Military Strategy Commission to the ANC National Executive Committee, August 1979), which helped in the fight against apartheid. Official diplomatic relations between our two countries were established in November 1993, just before South Africa gained democratic independence, and last year, we celebrated 25 years of diplomatic relations. Vietnamese Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Phan Van Khai, visited South Africa in 2004; and in 2007, President Thabo Mbeki visited Vietnam. They established a comprehensive partnership between the two countries that we now enjoy today. We exchange numerous delegations, and have a healthy, longstanding relationship.

ow has your diplomatic and personal experience been thus far as the Ambassador of Vietnam in South Africa? This is my fourth foreign assignment. My first was in Cambodia, then San Francisco, then Denmark, and now I am here. I love South Africa very much. I try to make use of my presence here to visit various parts of the country. I like South African food, I like the meat. I also like to travel. I’ve been to Limpopo, Durban, Richard’s Bay, and I’ve been to Cape Town several times. The weather is very fine. I’ve also learnt how to play golf since coming to South Africa, and I’ve taken the opportunity to make use of the many beautiful golf courses here as well. What is the current focus of collaboration between Vietnam and South Africa? Our relationship is of a political and diplomatic nature, and includes economics, education, defence, and biodiversity and preservation. We have very good party-to-party and state-to-state cooperation. Recently, in July 2019, a high-level delegation from the Communist Party of Vietnam visited South Africa and met with the ANC top 6, and looked at how to improve the relationship between the two countries.

from South Africa to Vietnam, and help reduce the trade deficit. Vietnam exports US$800 million to South Africa, and we import only US$400 million from you, so the trade deficit is high. South Africa wants to export more fruit to Vietnam. We get pears, grapes, and oranges from you, but you are looking at exporting more products, such as avocados and apricots. We export lychees, and some other fruits to South Africa. Vietnam has become an important tourist destination for those travelling to South East Asia, particularly concerning its history. What attractions does your country offer? Some of my South African friends have toured my country, and they love Vietnam. President Cyril Ramaphosa has recently been twice, and he shares that sentiment. He first went with his family as a tourist, and then led a government delegation there in October 2016. At that meeting, he mentioned that his family visit there was his most memorable visit outside of South Africa. People are fascinated by our history, so these types of visits are popular. They go to Museums, or to Củ Chi in Hồ Chí Minh City, where the Vietcong fought against the USA. Most tourists know of the war between Vietnam and the USA, but there are other parts to our history that are fascinating too.

The political relationship is very good; we are close friends. South Africa and Vietnam cooperate in the attempt to promote peace and stability in the world. We supported South Africa to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the term of 2019/2020, and South Africa supported us to become a non-permanent member for the term 2020/2021. We overlap by a year, so we will cooperate very closely to push the agendas of the United Nations. The bilateral trade relationship between Vietnam and South Africa is very high, in comparison with the trade we share with other African countries. It is roughly US$1.2 billion in recent years. South Africa is our biggest trading partner in Africa, and we consider it an entry point to the region. We have many business-level tradepromotion delegations, for instance, some of our businesspeople like to attend SAITEX (The South African International Trade Exhibition). We collaborate with the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and the Western Cape Chamber of Commerce, and organize seminars and business-matches for people to discover new business opportunities. When it comes to education and training, we continue to learn a lot from each other. Recently, for example, there were 6 South African students that studied at the Maritime University in Haiphong, Vietnam, with a focus on ship building and maritime engineering. Vietnam, like South Africa, has a long coastline. We continue to explore collaboration when it comes to maritime-biodiversity, -management and -protection. You also have very good English teachers, and we receive more and more South Africans in Vietnam. How successful have you been in pursuing new cooperation agreements between the two countries? A number of agreements and MoUs are being discussed between our governments, and it is my hope that they will be signed within the next year. Among them is an MoU to be signed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in Vietnam and the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy of South Africa, which could boost the export of coal

G E T T IN G

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Many do not know that we were under Chinese domination for over 1000 years, before the French landed in the late 1850s, and dominated from roughly 1882 until 1945. After World War 2, the Japanese kicked the French out. We were able to liberate ourselves, and President Hồ Chí Minh proclaimed Vietnam’s independence from Japan in 1945. With the help of Great Britain, the French soon returned, and waged a 9 year war. We attained victory in 1954, which largely led to the collapse of colonialism in North Africa in the 1960s. As a result of the Geneva Conference of 1954, Vietnam was divided into two. The north was the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, headed by President Hồ Chí Minh. Despite advice not to, America invaded Vietnam, and we had to endure a very brutal, 20 year long war, until we liberated and reunited our country in 1975. Many people want to know about our modern history, about the war, about how Vietnam won. We are a very small, and materially weak country, in comparison to the hugely developed United States of America, who came to Vietnam. We have spirit; we fought for our country and for our independence, and we won at last.

LABUSCHAGNE Auth or o f ‘ B eat i ng C ha i ns ’

What was the most challenging aspect of being imprisoned? One of the hardest things to deal with was going from somebody substantial to being nothing. Initially, I started out with nothing and worked hard to build a big empire. I donated to charities, old age homes and children’s homes – I contributed to society. I was falsely accused, spent 10 years in prison, and I lost everything. One of the hardest things to deal with is having your confidence shattered and having to rebuild it. When you go to prison, they crush you. They crush your soul, they crush your spirit, but they especially crush your confidence, and to pick that up is tough. One of the hardest things to deal with was going from flying high, feeling bulletproof, with money, to rock bottom; from flying your own aircraft to sleeping on the ground – and the conditions in there were tough. There is no entertainment in prison, no TV nor radio. The only entertainment you have is hard-core robbers telling story after story about how to break into different cars, or houses; or what gangs to join; or where to buy guns or sell illegal merchandise. That goes on

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24/7, year after draining year, and it is tough to get used to. When you go to prison as an innocent man, the first question you ask yourself is “why me?” You wonder what you ever did to deserve this. I thought that maybe I was put in there to be protected. A lot of farmers were being killed at the time. Then I thought that I may have been put there for a purpose. I always told my kids, “everything happens for a reason,” so I thought I had to walk my talk, and believe that there was a reason for this – which is really hard to do when you are an innocent man sleeping on the floor, being bitten by lice. Those were the emotionally challenging elements. There was a physical aspect too. We shared a cell, 13 meters by 3 meters, with 78 guys. Everyone got 33 centimetres of space, marked out on the walls in chalk, and that was your space. We were packed like sardines. We all faced the same direction, and when you turned over, you all turned over together. Your hip bones burn from the pressure and your shoulders ache. I spent 8 years on a cold, concrete floor. You’re given three liceridden, worn-out blankets (you folded two of them to fit your space for cushioning and you lay on that, and then covered yourself with

“Rusty has been through a trauma few have experienced. In 2003, the successful Zimbabwean businessman, who ran a safari outfit, flew his own aircraft and had a fishing resort on Lake Kariba, was framed by a poacher, the police and the courts and wrongfully convicted of drowning a poacher. He served 10 years in Zimbabwe’s prisons, including notorious Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison during the Zim dollar crash, with food shortages, no running water and people dying around him daily.” - beatingchains.com

the third), but the cold went through the blankets. There is nothing to keep a prison warm, just concrete and steel. The lice bit you day and night.

telling me he would be out in six weeks, and tears streamed down my face. When you make special friends like that, you never forget them.

We were only allowed one set of clothing at any one time, and we had to wash our clothes. There are no basins or taps in the cells, just the toilet in the corner: a cement block with a stainless steel bowl. We had to wash our clothes in the cell toilet at night wearing a blanket, and then hang them on the walls to dry by the next morning. For anyone, that would be humiliating beyond comprehension.

What was the most significant change you noticed coming out of prison having been away for so long, and what are you doing today? The amazing thing is that when you come out of prison after 10 years, it is not the trees and streets and houses that have changed, it is the people.

In 2005, Harare ran out of water. For three years, the Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison allocated only one plastic cup of water to each prisoner a day. One cup of dirty, orange city runoff water from a nearby dam, carried by farm prisoners – to drink, clean your teeth, wash your face, or bath. Some guys didn’t bath for nine months, if it didn’t rain. I am a very affectionate guy, and not being able to give anyone a wholesome hug for eight years was tough. I spent my last two years in an open prison, and the condition was that you could go home for five days, then spend thirty days in prison, then five days at home again. It was then that I got to cuddle my daughter for the first time. The only colours you see are white or cement coloured walls. Even something as simple as touching a tree for the first time in six years is significant. I made the prison soccer squad, and we played against a team of officers. I remember being escorted to the soccer ground for the first time. I asked an officer if I could “touch a tree for the first time in 6 and a half years”, and he looked at me as though I was crazy. You have no idea how beautiful and uplifting it felt to be able to touch a tree, and to feel green grass again. For the first 6 years, I watched over 2200 people die in prison. During the Zimbabwean Dollar crash, when there was no food outside prison, never mind inside, we had a cholera outbreak. In Harare Central Prison, 432 out of 1200 prisoners died in 8 months in 2008 and 2009. That’s more than a third of us in 8 months. It was horrific, and it stays with you. If you had to replay your experience, knowing what you were going to be going through, what would you do differently? I was told I was going to prison before I actually went: a political connection told me to get out of the country. I learnt a big lesson about reputation, and I still have mine. If I had run, it would have been a different story. So, I wouldn’t change anything. It was tough, but the lesson there is, remain who you are and stand up for yourself. If you look at the bigger picture, I was a big fish in a little pond, a hamster on a wheel going round and round in Zim. Now, I am a little fish in a big, wide ocean, making a difference and changing lives. For me, the feedback and the feeling I get in making that difference is worth a whole lot more than the money I was making before. I feel I have a calling now, I feel I have a purpose. Did you make any real friends in there, who you still keep in touch with to this day? You make friends as you go, and you make a lot of mistakes in prison by befriending the wrong people. There are two guys I keep in touch with a lot, one’s name is Moyo. He was from the Safari industry in Bulawayo, where I was from, and we spent 4 years in Chikurubi Max together. I got a call last September from his previous employer,

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Technology and social media was something that obviously changed, and trying to catch up with what I missed was mindblowing. I’ve been in the safari industry since 1982, and I carried on with that out of prison – working for the guys that used to work for me. I remember sitting around a fire one night, telling my story. One guy felt that it just needed to be told. He flew me out to Johannesburg, I met with people who helped me put a presentation together, and in 2016 I became a motivational speaker. I’ve written a book as well. It’s very hard to put 10 years into a book, but the feedback has been unimaginable. I do master classes on some of the lessons I learnt in prison, and I do intervention talks. My wife and I are starting life coaching courses as well, which is very exciting. I am also involved in field guide training courses in Zimbabwe, as part of the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa. What were the most important life lessons you learnt from your experiences? Number one is the power of positive thinking. We carry so much in our heads that hurts us. To be able to find positives in all the negative going on around me brought hope. Hope was a big part of getting through there with a normal mind. Forgiveness was a massive lesson for me. I was angry. When you go in there for nothing, you feel anger, hatred, bitterness, revenge, and it was eating me up. After about a year, I realised that I was carrying all that in my head, and that those who I had wished all this evilness on had forgotten about me long ago. The single biggest lesson I learnt in prison was about forgiveness, and once I had forgiven them wholeheartedly, my life in prison changed. It happened in a day, in an instant moment, and it was amazing. It was an incredible weight off my shoulders. The next is gratitude. I think we often want too much in our lives, concentrating on what we haven’t got instead of being grateful for what we have. People do not understand freedom. I wish I could describe the feeling I felt when I walked out of those prison gates towards freedom – it was unbelievable. People do not appreciate freedom. Freedom is not only not being in prison. It is the ability to make a choice and act on it; it is letting go of what you can’t control; it brings forgiveness; it is being free from negativity. Appreciation of the everyday things is important, like a soft bed, a hot bath, a sip of a good wine, or a spontaneous cuddle from a loved one, because those are the things you miss most when you have it all taken away.

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Franci du Toit is an artist based on the African continent. Her work can be seen at Weylandts, Ulusaba, The Westin, ARM, the High Court division of Mpumalanga, Mbombela Square and soon to come in AXIS Art Gallery, Cape Town. Her work can be ordered online via www.itsafranci.com. For behind-the-scenes adventures with Franci, follow her on Instagram as @itsafranci.

a r t i s t a n d c u r a t o r F r a n c i d u To i t

a r t

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Franci du Toit is a multi-faceted artist: a photographer, a sculptor, a designer. She is all of the above, and more…

As a child, the Namib Desert was my playground. This vast land with its endless spaces, colours, textures, shapes and the light dancing on the dunes, inspired my creativity from an early age. These natural elements are ever present in my photography. I share the magic I see in nature. I want the emotions in every image to touch the viewer’s heart. My aim is to capture special moments in a singular image. Photographs are memories: they’re just in print… The narratives of my artworks aim to bring the reminders of the past alive into the present – into the here and now. In my sculptural works it is important for me to make a strong statement and tell a story relevant for generations to come. I design my sculptures to be robust with a futuristic edge. Art is in our landscape, Art surrounds us

GETTI N G

K N OW

iplomats posted to South Africa and executives working here on three to fiveyear contracts have a golden opportunity to acquire high-yielding luxury properties at a fraction of the cost elsewhere in the world.

“In SA, foreign nationals with work permits can mortgage up to 50% of the value of a home, and in most cases their housing allowances will cover the repayments on the bond. This means that they need to import far less of their own currency to finalise a purchase,” says Rory O’Hagan, CEO of the Luxury Portfolio® division at Chas Everitt International. “And the Rand exchange rate against major currencies like Dollars, Euros and Pounds makes this an even more worthwhile proposition. For example, a R10m SA home in a lifestyle estate, heritage suburb or luxury apartment building that is 50% bonded would only require an

investment of about US$325 000 (equivalent to €300 000 or £250 000). “What is more, the value for money on offer in SA’s luxury property market is exceptional. The cost of prime property in SA’s top cities ranges from around US$2500/sqm to around US$5000/sqm according to New World Wealth, compared to around US$8900/ sqm in Washington, for example, and much more in cities like Tokyo (US$17 000/sqm); Paris (US$18 000/sqm); Zurich (US$20 000/sqm), Sydney (US$25 000/sqm); Hong Kong (US$28 000/sqm); and London (US$33 000/sqm).” For many people on assignment in SA, buying a property also means having the pleasure of living in their own home, wherever they choose in relation to the schools, shops, sports and health facilities they want, instead of being restricted to rented accommodation selected by their embassy or company for the next three to five years, he says. “Ownership of course also gives people access to any increase in the property’s value over the next three to five years, which they can

brilliant

SA is a land of real estate opportunities

repatriate along with their initial investment should they choose to sell at the end of their assignment. Alternatively, they can opt to keep the property and rent it out at a rate that continues to cover their bond repayments.” O’Hagan says that if they follow this course of action, the property should be fully paid for in eight to 10 years, leaving them with a luxury asset that generates a very competitive annual yield on their initial investment. According to the Global Property Guide, the current average yield on rental property in SA is 3,88% pa, compared to 2,76% pa in the UK; 2,91% pa in the US; 2,52% pa in Australia and 2,35% pa in Hong Kong. Yields in Europe can be as high as 5% pa but are mostly around 3% pa and the acquisition costs are also much higher. The caveat, of course, is that foreign nationals seeking to buy homes in SA should always engage a qualified and competent estate agent to help them find the most suitable properties and guide them through the legalities of the local property purchase process, he says.

“And as the South African representative of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® and Luxury Portfolio International®, the Chas Everitt International property group is the obvious choice. We combine world-class, bespoke service with expert local knowledge to offer a total solution to the property and relocation needs of luxury buyers and sellers in SA.”

For more information, please contact Rob and Wendy Hoffman at Chas Everitt Pretoria (+27 83 266 3799) or our international relocation specialist Leana Nel (+27 83 777 9104).

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Please let our readers know how many properties make up the Newmark Collection Collection and andwhere wherethese theseproperties properties can can bebe found. found (Location and composition of the collection): Hotels: Hotels:Victoria Hotel – Cape Town Queen Queen Victoria Hotel – Cape Town The Manor House – Cape Town The Manor Dock HouseHouse Hotel –– Cape Cape Town Town Dock House Hotel – Cape Town Victoria & Alfred Hotel – Cape Town Victoria & Alfred Hotel – Cape Town La Splendida -Cape Town La Splendida Town Drostdy Hotel-Cape – Graaff-Reinet – Eastern Cape Drostdy Hotel – Graaff-Reinet La Maison d’Ete – Mauritius – Eastern Cape La Maison d’Ete – Mauritius (upcoming) The Catalyst – Johannesburg Catalyst – Johannesburg The Rockefeller – Cape Town (upcoming) The Rockefeller – Cape Town (upcoming) Reserves: Reserves:Private Game Reserve – Limpopo Motswari MotswariCamp Private Reserve – Limpopo Geiger’s atGame Motswari Private Game Reserve – Limpopo Geiger’s Camp atGame Motswari Private Game Reserve – Limpopo Nkomazi Private Reserve – Mpumalanga Nkomazi Private Reserve – Mpumalanga Serengeti SojournGame – Tanzania Serengeti Sojourn –Private Tanzania Mount Camdeboo Game Reserve – Graaff-Reinet – Eastern Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve – Graaff-Reinet – Eastern Cape Cape Lodges: Lodges: Chuini Zanzibar Beach Lodge – Zanzibar, Tanzania Chuini Zanzibar Beach Lodge – Zanzibar, Tanzania

Residences: The Onyx Hotel – Cape Town The Penthouse Collection – Cape Town Stock Exchange Hotel – Cape Town May you let us know about Newmark’s background and the inspiration, behind behind its itscreation? creation? (Background knowledge re the group) The idea to form Newmark Hotels really came out of understanding The to form Newmark Hotels out of understanding that idea being an independent hotelreally oftencame restricted the ability to that being an independent hotel often restricted abilityyou to reach beyond its geographical boundaries simply the because reach beyond its geographical boundaries simply because you were restricted with budget. The formation of the group really were The formation of the group really came restricted about withwith the budget. initial intention of creating a portfolio that came about with the initial intention of creating a portfolio that allowed independently minded hotels to be part of group without allowed independently minded hotels to be part of a group without compromising their individualism and uniqueness. compromising their individualism and uniqueness. We believe that you have recently changed roles, within the We believe group, from that Managing you have Director recently to CEO. changed Have roles, you always withinbeen the group, in the from hospitality Managing industry? Director Maytoyou CEO. letHave us know you always a bit about been in thejourney, hospitality industry? May you let us a bit about your your before joining Newmark asknow well as your path to journey, before becoming CEO?joining Newmark as well as your path to becoming CEO? (Letting listeners know more about Neil and how his role, within Newmark, has evolved, along the way) Middle last year we were fortunate to have this opportunity to grow t

Middle last year we were fortunate to have this opportunity to grow the business into Europe and we acquired equity into Portuguese hotel management company called Unlock Boutique Hotels, and this gave us the platform that we were looking for to grow in Europe. We are also in the fortunate position of setting up a hospitality fund which will attract Golden Visa investors and I decided to relocate for a period of time to Europe to set this up and grow the European leg of the business and I was very excited to then promote Garth Musikanth into the role of Managing Director of the company which also then changed my responsibilities. Newmark Hotels has grown considerably, over the past few years - please tell us know a bit more about what has led to this growth. As the company started to grow and the success of the hotels within the portfolio were very encouraging meaning that our strategy was working, we appointed a few years ago representatives in New York, London, Paris, Mauritius and East Africa, and I believe other hotels and opportunities started coming our way because they could see the success of the hotels in the portfolio and we then started to be recognised as a national African company and now European company.

Neil, how important is the tourism industry for South Africa, and how do establishments such as those that make up the Newmark Collection make South Africa a better place? Please may we ask your view? I think its very important to understand as a South African based company, when you go to trade shows or do talks or presentations to tour operators, corporates or incentive business, you always sell South Africa first and it really isnâ€™t difficult to find superbases if you talk about South Africa. The diversity of what we have to offer is just so massively exciting. I am a firm believer that we only see potentially single digit percentage of the true possibilities of growing tourism to South Africa. It should also be remembered that when tourism numbers grow, itâ€™s not only hotels that benefit, there is a whole range of other industries that support the industry that benefit from the growth, and most importantly, it has the potential to be the largest employment driver out of any industry, so you cannot grow your business in South Africa without taking on the responsibility of being a true ambassador to South Africa.

With jobs and employment being mentioned above, what are some of the different skill sets required to make Newmark a success? I think we’ve always taken a different stance when it comes to hiring of staff, I like to think that when people come from a job that it’s considered more of an audition than an interview. We want to attract people to Newmark that are not robots and have a mind of their own as opposed to just following the rulebook. One could say that a hotel uses a different type of analogy, it’s almost like a factory and the guest coming through the front door is the raw material, and by the time they leave the factory/hotel, you have hopefully given them such an experience that they have become the end product. There are so many variables and staff interactions that happen along the way for that guest to be happy in the end, that you can only be effective in this industry when that kind of detail focused approach is managed effectively, and the required and necessary training and developing models in your business Are you able to share some of the group’s future plans and potential projects? Is there any exciting news on the horizon? Yes, we are very excited about Portugal and the growth within Portugal. We are also very focused on growth into East Africa, growing the number of camps in Serengeti/Ngorongoro. We are currently involved with the building of a spectacular 5-star new hotel in Zanzibar. We are very excited for the openings of the 200-bedroom Catalyst Hotel in Sandton and 300-bedroom Rockefeller Hotel in Cape Town. We imagine that your diverse collection of destinations attracts a wide variety of travellers. Who visits your destinations and how do you go about attracting them to your offerings? Our biggest inbound market into Africa is North America followed by Germany and the UK. We have strategic representation in these key markets, we attend Tradeshows all over the world. We have very effective CRM systems which communicate with our customers on a continuous basis and I suppose it comes about understanding your customers likes and dislikes and talking to them with that in mind, so you avoid this copy and paste generic spray and pray approach of marketing, which at times digital marketing is all about. I think it’s also quite interesting to highlight that our style of communication is very personable. It wasn’t so long ago where every guest that came into the office from the various hotels were responded to in the form of a real letter, written and signed by myself and physically mailed to the guest. This went a long way to illustrating the importance of what we considered important feedback from our customers. When you are traveling and promoting the Newmark Collection, by default you’re also promoting South Africa and the other countries that your destinations are located in. What is your view of how South African tourism as well as Africa tourism is doing, on the whole? It’s certainly not my intention to be too critical about various destination management organasations that promote South Africa. I believe that if you have a strong view that they are doing something incorrectly, it’s best to put your hand up and actively involve yourself in these organisations and to share your views through those channels. Do I believe that we could promote and sell ourselves better and convert more potential tourist into visiting South Africa, the answer is obviously yes! I think we also need to be wary that we find different ways of selling South Africa and celebrate the diversity of this incredible country, and there is no reason why we cannot see significant growth in the numbers and visitors to South Africa. Many of our readers are tasked with booking visiting, international, VIP delegations. Does Newmark cater to both the leisure and business traveler? Yes, Newmark caters to both the leisure and corporate market and interestingly enough we do a lot through the diplomatic channels and some of our bigger accounts are various embassies.

Lastly, please tell our readers how they should book with Newmark. Newmark website: newmarkhotels.com Reservations contact details: 021 427 5900 | reservations@newmarkhotels.com Instagram handle: @newmarkhotels | Facebook handle: @newmarkhotels

EXPLORE THE BUSH… MAKE NEW FRIENDS… FIND YOUR PATH… Whether as your first taste of freedom or test of your professional field guide potential, we bring you a range of FGASA-accredited short courses on location at our Marataba reserve. Just 3.5 hours from Johannesburg, students are immersed in the South African wilderness to gain life skills, as well as first-hand experience of guiding in a Big Five territory. This is your chance at the adventure of a lifetime, acquiring essential guiding qualifications, and earning some serious bragging rights along the way!

For more information on our courses and college life, call Francois Fourie on +27 (0) 82 391 0763 or email francois@more.co.za 88

Marataba is located within Marakele National Park Place of Sanctuary in the local Setswana language

Molori Safari is situated in the 75Â 000-hectare, malariafree and game-rich Madikwe Game Reserve. It is recognised throughout the world as one of South Africa's most luxurious and exclusive game lodges. The lodge comprises five large, uber-chic, magnificently appointed suites, all of which have floor to ceiling glass retractable doors that allow breath taking views of an expansive valley and mountain range.

MOLORI SAFARI +27 (0) 83 613 5723 reservations@molorisafari.com www.molorisafari.com North West | South Africa

The Madikwe Game Reserve is an ideal safari environment to visit as guests get to experience wildlife encounters of the 'Big 10' (in addition to the Big 5 - wild dog, hippo, cheetah, hyena and giraffe). It is the perfect destination for families travelling with young children or for travellers not keen on taking malaria prophylactics. Guests will find Molori a retreat that offers personalised service where they will experience thrilling game drives and bush walks led by award-winning guides, mouth-watering cuisine and luxury spa treatments - all personalised to their own preferences and time. The lodge has a newly built chic Hide, and Gin & Whisky Bar, that allows guests with an up close and personal game viewing experience in a luxury setting. It is the perfect destination for those in search of a bespoke luxury safari experience. Molori Safari is easily accessed from Johannesburg, Durban or Cape Town via daily flights from Johannesburg with Federal Airlines to Madikwe Game Reserve. Guests can also transfer by road from Johannesburg to Madikwe Game Reserve which is a pleasant four-hour drive.

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Moledi means to narrate in the local language of SeTswana and at Moledi, you’ll find that the only time that matters is sunrise and sunset, allowing you the freedom to create your own memorable story. Moledi is an eight-suite sanctuary, situated on one of the most picturesque, privately owned game farms, north of Magaliesburg in the North West Province, South Africa. This uber-chic bush villa, built high on a cliff, has breath taking views of an expansive gorge, which can be enjoyed from every angle. Travelers in search of absolute privacy, luxury and relaxation, will find it a retreat that offers personalised service, style and comfort. It is the perfect destination for those in search of peace and tranquillity. The lodge has seven premier suites, each individually decorated with differently configured open plan bathrooms. Two of the deluxe suites have enclosed bathrooms. Each room has airconditioning, mini bar fridges and floor to ceiling glass doors that offer magnificent views from private balconies. The presidential suite is the only one of its kind at Moledi. It has a private garden, deck and swimming pool. The suite also has floor to ceiling glass doors that offer magnificent views of the gorge. Moledi offers guests an open plan lounge, dining area and bar, cliff view decks with a long table and seated areas, a ‘fire pit’ deck for sundowners, an upper pool deck, infinity pool deck and outdoor shower. Guests can dine alfresco in one of the many outdoor dining areas - the large boma and the mini boma for smaller groups or in the hammock garden. The lodge also has an intimate wine cellar with a private dining area. An intimate spa environment comprising one treatment room and a steam room provides a tranquil setting for relaxing treatments.

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RO RA MOLEDI +27(0) 63 697 1445 reservations@moledi.co.za www.moledi.co.za North West | South Africa

SANTÉ WE L LN E SS R E T R E AT +27(0) 21 879 1500 reservations@santeretreat.co.za www.santeretreat.co.za Western Cape | South Africa

South Africa’s Best Wellness Retreat. Escape to a haven with serene spaces and uncomplicated luxury – surrounded by the magnificent Drakenstein mountains. Choose from our stunning Villa Suites, Retreat Suites and a Deluxe Retreat Suite. Discover Extraordinary and experience generous hospitality, relaxed friendly service and exquisite, honestly healthy cuisine. Wellness Programs Our comprehensive, holistic Wellness Program have been designed exclusively for our residential guests who visit Santé with a particular goal or purpose in mind. All of our programs draw from and expertly combine the relevant offerings from our world-class Day Spa, high tech & cutting edge Health Optimizing Clinic, Bio-Energy Centre and Fitness Centre.  Combined with optimal nutrition, expert lifestyle and nutritional advice these programs are highly effective and can achieve optimal results. Our programs extend from 3 day short introductory programs to 14 day comprehensive programs. Programs include: – Destress & Rejuvenate The perfect remedy for recovering your wellbeing and improving vitality. Utilising high tech assessments and treatments we can identify

and address the underlying causes of adrenal burnout. Escape, relax, restore vitality, nourish the body and renew and reactivate your mind. – Detox Cleanse, purify and improve the functioning of your body. Eliminate toxins, stimulate key organs and rediscover your body’s ideal balance. Our non invasive treatments achieve this effortlessly and effectively. – Healthy Aging Designed to have you both looking and feeling better our carefully chosen non invasive therapies and treatments, combined with exquisite honestly healthy cuisine will effectively enable your body to function on a more optimal level with long lasting effects. – Ideal Weight/Healthy Eating Eliminate toxins, discover and rebalance your emotional triggers and wellbeing. Our comprehensive non invasive Health Optimizing assessment, performed by a medical practitioner will find out, at a cellular level, what is out of balance or not functioning correctly, and most importantly why. Our unique voice analysis combined with Neuro-Biofeedback technology detects emotional triggers. With expert nutritional advice and a personalized eating plan, we will support and enable you to make key lifestyle changes to enable your journey to achieving your ideal weight.

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The Oberoi, Dubai is a contemporary luxury hotel that embodies height, light and space and overlooks the iconic Burj Khalifa. The hotel is located within minutes from Dubai Mall and Dubai International Financial Centre. Crowned by a gold leaf ceiling, our magnificent white marble lobby sparkles under the light of spectacular handcrafted chandeliers. Our all-day-dining and specialty restaurants guarantee to satisfy even the most discerning of palates. The 252 spacious, luxurious and elegantly appointed rooms and suites convey a warm and welcoming ambience. Timber floors, rich fabrics, hand-tufted rugs and specially commissioned artwork further accentuate the elegance of the room. With floor-to-ceiling windows, each room offers generous natural light and expansive views of the cityâ€™s skyline, Hotel swimming pool and the iconic Burj Khalifa. All Rooms andSuites are furnished in a warm palette of red, beige and caramel colors complemented with specially commissioned artworks by celebrated Indian artist Mrinmoy Barua which punctuates the artistic sensibilities that are truly unique to The Oberoi, Dubai. With a round-the-clock personal butler service and fine attention to detail, we ensure an experience that is both indulgent and discreet. The team at The Oberoi Spa and Wellness Centre features professional therapists, each of which masters in the power of touch to tone, relax, firm, contour and refine the skin during each and every treatment. Offering the finest corporate facilities, The Oberoi, Dubai has a number of meeting rooms and a Grand Ballroom which are perfect for a range of corporate events.

THE O BERO I - DUBAI +971 4 444 1321/1322/1323 Reservations.Dubai@oberoihotels.com www.oberoidubai.com Dubai | United Arab Emirates

Overlooking the pristine blue waters of The Turtle Bay, The Oberoi, Mauritius complements the natural splendor and beauty of its surroundings. A peaceful and serene abode enveloped by 20 acres of lush sub-tropical gardens with the majestic range of green mountains offering a dramatic backdrop, The Oberoi includes six hundred meters of oceanfront and turquoise lagoon. The inspiration here is nature â€“ several species of rare and beautiful trees, shrubs and plants alongside the snaking terracotta-hued pathways that lead to a large natural lake speckled with water lilies, teaming with golden Koi, Carp and ducks. Beyond, the gardens and lawns spill down to the inviting oceanfront beach. The architecture of the leisure hotel takes inspiration from the African and Asian heritage of the inhabitants of the island. The public spaces of the hotel overlook the azure lagoon making a walk through them a treat. The hotel has three restaurants, one bar, two swimming pools, an Oberoi Spa, conference facilities, one boutique, fitness center and two floodlit tennis courts. The three restaurants offer contemporary International cuisine with subtle Mediterranean influences. Guests can also relish light meals, tropical fruit and cocktails at the swimming pools in a casual atmosphere all day till sunset. The hotel offers an extensive wine list, with a selection that includes wines from France, California, Australia, Italy and South Africa. The hotel has a total of 71 guestrooms, which include one Royal Villa with private swimming pools, one Presidential Villa with private swimming pool, 16 Luxury Villas with private swimming pools, five Luxury Villas with private garden and 48 Luxury Pavilions. The interior designer, H.L. Lim, has sought to create a serene ambience by using soft and subtle natural colored fabrics and timbers, thus creating a soothing, light atmosphere offering an interesting contrast to the bright organic hues that the outdoors offer.

THE OBE ROI - BE ACH R E S O RT M AU R IT IUS 0800 982 414 | +230 204 3600 reservations@oberoigroup.com www.oberoihotels.com Turtle Bay | Mauritius

The Villas have their own private courtyards, an elevated dining pavilion from where guests can view the magnificent lagoon and the Indian Ocean while dining in the privacy of their Villas. The spacious bathrooms have a large vanity counter, a sunken bath and a separate shower stall. Accentuating the feeling of space is the courtyard garden within the bathroom area.

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“A social epicenter and destination” Strand Hotel Swakopmund is the perfect venue for travelers wanting to explore swakopmund and the Erongo region. This Namibian icon has become a popular destination resort for international, Namibian and SADC visitors.

With its extensive, unique and creatively entertaining restaurants, bars, deli, lobby-lounge, sea facing terraces, beach kiosk and state of the art conference & banqueting centre, all set on the mole, a historic and iconic site surrounded by ocean on three sides, the Strand Hotel Swakopmund is a social epicenter and destination in itself for all visitors to and residents of swakopmund. The Strand Hotel offers its residential guests, and all casual visitors, three exciting restaurants, bars and sea

facing terraces as well as a lobby lounge and beach kiosk. The Atlantic Spa, a perfect combination of relaxation and renewal focusing on the healing powers of the atlantic ocean & the vast Namib Desert. Our gym is located on the 2nd floor of the hotel and features a 73m² studio with endurance, strength, and balance and flexibility equipment.

For more information, please contact us at: T +264 64 411 4410 E Strand.Res@ol.na | W www.strandhotelswakopmund.com NAMIBIA’S MOST LOVED HOTELS & LODGES

“Charming African thatched buildings and sparkling pools” Mokuti, the closest lodge to Etosha National Park, is situated only 4 minutes’ drive from the eastern namutoni entrance gate and is located on its own private 4,000 hectare nature reserve which shares a common border with this fascinating wildlife reserve. Upon arrival one immediately encounters a welcoming cool green tropical oasis in which the charming African thatched buildings and sparkling pools are spaciously nestled in and around these vast and shaded indigenous gardens giving credence to its name Mokuti which, in Oshiwambo means “in the forest”. Mokuti Lodge at Etosha is a Namibian Icon and promises a warm Namibian welcome and a stay during which you will be HOSTED in a comforting and uncomplicated manner: A true Namibian experience. It is the perfect venue for individual travelers wanting to explore the famous eastern side of Etosha, so well-known for its excellent and diverse wildlife encounters, as well as for meetings, incentives, weddings and honeymoons. This intimate Lodge has only 106 standard rooms and 8 family luxury rooms: all air-conditioned and equipped with satellite TV, mini-fridge, tea/coffee-making facility, and en-suite bathroom with shower all recently refurbished. Mokuti Lodge offers its culinary

and beverage service experiences in selected venues which are; The Tambuti Restaurant, The Marula Bar, Pool Bar & Terrace and the only open air African Boma in the area. Here meals are typical Namibian “feasts” featuring many local products and the famous Namibian choices of both Beef and Game, all lovingly prepared according to Mokuti’s “Home-style” recipes. Leisure facilities and activities at Mokuti abound and range from its exclusive SPA, two swimming pools, a separate children’s splash pool, two floodlit Tennis Courts, Gym, Reptile Park, walking trails, private Airstrip and open Game

Viewing vehicles with professional Guides for morning, afternoon or full day “safaris” into Etosha.At night there are open fires to gather around and tell “tall” stories after an alfresco dinner served in the Boma or under the towering trees in the gardens or away in the Bush. When eventually returning to your room along winding pathways, do not be surprised to encounter the resident herd of placid Bontebok and the next morning, when Squirrels insist on sharing your breakfast.

For more information, please contact us at: T +264 61 4318000 E Mokuti.Res@ol.na | W www. mokutietoshalodge.com NAMIBIA’S MOST LOVED HOTELS & LODGES

“A wetland paradise is haven for nature and wildlife” In a special corner of the African wilderness, where two mighty rivers meet, a wetland paradise is haven for nature and wildlife. Discover the wonders of this magical destination at Chobe Water Villas. At the very tip of Namibia’s Zambezi region, previously known as caprivi strip, Chobe Water Villas is nestled in the beautiful lap of nature on the bank of the Chobe river. The exclusivity and style of this boutique lodge in unparalleled.Suspended over the water’s edge, each luxury villa features a 180 degree view of the mesmerising wetland and bushland sanctuary that comprises the chobe river, Botswana’s Sedudu Island and chobe national park on the opposite riverbank. From the comfort of your lounge chair on your private villa terrace enjoy views of elephant and buffalo herds grazing on sedudu’s floodplains.

The 16 open plan luxury suites feature lounge and bedroom areas, as well as a beautifully appointed bathroom with double vanity, separate bath, shower and toilet. The elegance of your suite not only mirrors the natural splendour of the region, but also offers unsurpassed luxury and relaxation. Comfort at its most stylish.Experience the grandeur of our infinity pool, right on the water’s edge. The pool and deck area with spectacular

views of the chobe river, is the ultimate spot for relaxation. Game viewing and bird watching from your perch under a canopy of trees, accompanied by the soothing sound of the river close-by, will by far surpass any african bush experience you’ve had thus far.

For more information, please contact us at: T: +264 61 4318000 E: Chobe.Res@ol.na | W: www.chobewatervillas.com NAMIBIA’S MOST LOVED HOTELS & LODGES

REDEFINING SAFARI – BOLD AND UNCONVENTIONAL – OKAVANGO DELTA For the curious, the adventurous, strong in character and a little crazy, we have something new for you. A haven made up of natural wild authentic spaces, where you will disconnect and adopt responsible travel. Okavango Elephant Camp - a perfect balance of adventure, culture and relaxation. Get up close and personal to the Lion Project – CLAWS; Adopt-a-Baobab; watch the local village Blacksmith fashion blades in an abandoned termite mound; succumb to the smell of fresh bread hot out the donkeyheated oven. Not the typical activities of an African safari! Of course to truly experience the Delta we also offer mokoro and exceptional game viewing during our walking and open vehicle safaris. Our camp rests on the banks of waterways. Known for its lions, the 220,000 acre concession offers diverse game viewing. Share the floodplains with lion, cheetah, leopard, African wild dog, elephant, buffalo, exotic frogs, birds and enchanting waterlilies. We are talking wild! LIVE LIKE A LOCAL We are connecting a new tribe of travellers – adventurists, nature lovers, soul-searchers. All our guides are local, the food you will eat and our stories that we tell around the firepit are all local. Genuine hospitality, authentic culinary and an array of local flavour is the Jumbo Junction experience. OKAVAN G O E L E P HA N T CA M P +27 (0)82 883 3396 reservations@okavangoelephantcamp.com www.okavangoelephantcamp.com Okavango Delta | Botswana

NEW CAMP IN “TOWN” – CONVERSION AND EXTENSION Our unique architecture and design shall inspire you the traveller; who values time, freedom, creativity as well as adventure. Whilst our Team work enthusiastically on this revamp, our doors remain open. Are you ready to try something new?

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WHI TE P E ARL +27 (0) 11 026 2674 reservations@whitepearlresorts.com www.whitepearlresorts.com Ponta Mamoli | Mozambique

White Pearl is situated on the south east coast of Mozambique, nestled in a cool sheltered bay on Mozambique’s Lagoon Coast, south of the country’s stately capital. With its sublime ocean frontage, tranquil beach and surrounded by tracts of indigenous bush, poised amongst the dunes on timber stilts, our 22 luxurious suites have been sensitively designed to take advantage of their beautiful natural setting, while protecting the fragile ecosystems beneath them. Cool, clean lines, contemporary furniture and a palette inspired by the surrounding coastal landscape, make for a getaway out of this world. All of the guest areas have been designed for comfort, relaxation and beachside romance – making the most of the magnificent views. Feel the gentle ocean breeze while you stretch out on our luxurious day beds surrounded by the tranquil sounds of nature. Cool off in your sparkling private plunge pool and experience the exhilarating outdoor shower or unwind in a bubble bath with magnificent views of the ocean. Surrounded by soothing sounds and calming scents, experience a variety of spa treatments. Delight in the natural beauty surrounding the Resort, from the Indian Ocean to the East to the Maputo Elephant Reserve to the West. Feel all tension release with a massage designed to ease your muscles and relax body and mind or simply take in the ocean views while sipping cocktails and indulging in the sumptuous Mozambican cuisine on offer. Experience a place so beautiful and so pure, quite unlike any other in all of Mozambique...

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Located in the centre of the old city, Taj Cape Town boasts a strong sense of place and is within walking distance to some of South Africaâ€™s foremost landmarks and attractions. Spread across two heritage buildings, all 176 rooms fuse history with elegant modernism and offer either spectacular city vistas or overlook the iconic Table Mountain. The hotel offers an array of dining experiences, from Afternoon Tea in The Lobby Lounge to Bombay Brasserie, our Indian fine dining specialty restaurant, and Mint Restaurant & Terrace for relaxed all-day dining. The award-winning Jiva Spa is the first of its kind in Africa and brings together the ancient wisdom and heritage of the Indian philosophy of wellness. Steeped in tradition, Taj Cape Town is a place where service, sincerity and expertise combine to give guests an experience unlike any other.â€?

TAJ C APE TOWN +27(0) 21 819 2000 res.capetown@tajhotels.com www.tajhotels.com Cape Town | South Africa

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A perfectly placed stylish boutique hotel Villa Zest offers a different kind of experience. Our boutique hotel style accommodation is something unique and distinctive. Each room is individually decorated and has an open planned en-suite bathroom that brings out the seamless fusion of retro style and luxury detail. A seventies theme emanates throughout the hotel where trendy consumer electronics such as the colourful Toot-a-loop and Panapet radios are on display. Perfect for business or pleasure, this unmatched boutique hotel offers luxury accommodation and is ideally located just a kilometer from the Cape Town Central Business District. The hotel is also in walking distance of the renowned V&A Waterfront.

VI L LA Z E ST BOU T IQ U E H OT E L +27(0) 21 433 1246 info@villazest.co.za www.villazest.co.za Cape Town | South Africa

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Chapter House Boutique Hotel is the most recent addition to The Living Journey Collection, and one of the most exciting new additions to the Franschhoek town center, located just a few minutesâ€™ walk from the very many wonderful and award-winning restaurants that Franschhoek has to offer. This hotel is soaked in history and is a very significant building in the history of this charming town. Originally built as a Mission House in 1888, and later serving as the village school right up until 1974, this house has chapters filled with stories to tell. The recent renovations have captured many of the original features and restored them to their former glory. The dĂŠcor is simply captivating, impressively combining heritage design with local creativity, charm and colour. The public areas of the hotel benefit from enormous attention to detail, including bespoke art pieces from local artists, and handpicked furniture and fabrics. The breath-taking lounge boasts exceptionally high ceilings and a strikingly generous original fireplace. The reception area leads into a bar and terrace overlooking the pool to one side, and the beautifully panelled breakfast room to the other side. The breakfast room unfolds on to the original veranda and on to a glorious garden of roses, lavender and beautiful indigenous trees creating an oasis of calm and relaxation against a backdrop of the Franschhoek mountains. There are nine guest units made up of three categories; Classic Rooms, Deluxe Rooms and Superior Suites. Seven of the rooms boast their own private outside space and three of these have their own plunge pool. All rooms have an impressive range of facilities including king size bed, ensuite bathroom, in room safe, LED TV, free Wi-fi, and air conditioning. Included in the services offered are a 24-hour concierge, an inroom spa service, a day room, breakfast served until 11 am, an all-day dining menu, and a full-service bar. Let your Franschhoek story begin here.

C HAPTER HO US E BO UTI Q UE HOTEL + 27 (0) 21 876 2566 info@chapterhouse.co.za www.chapterhouse.co.za Western Cape | South Africa

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From the middle of March 2017, â€˜The Tree House Boutique Hotelâ€™ will be an exciting addition to the best of Cape Town. The hotel is positioned in vibrant and trendy Green Point, within easy walking distance of many of the great attractions of Cape Town; the fashionable V&A Waterfront, the lively Bo- Kaap, the chic Cape Quarter, the famous Cape Town Stadium and indeed the Central Business District. Within this convenient location, The Tree House Boutique Hotel is nestled amongst lush trees, and enjoys the most amazing panoramic views thus leading to its fitting name. Traditionally, a tree house represents a personal space of escape; a creative retreat; a place of freedom, comfort and play; and a place where imagination can be set free on a journey with no limits, no boundaries and no restrictions. A tree house is a place of dreams, and at The Tree House Boutique Hotel dreams become reality. There is no mainstream design here. In creating this unique space, emphasis was placed on fashioning a new distinct destination, one which forms part of an exceptional guest experience whilst also showcasing local creativity and colour. Often understated and minimal, there is some remarkable design inspiration which reconnects with nature and harnesses its pure magic. The result is an exceptional haven which offers guests a sense of escape, wonder and respite while continuing their personal journey. Be one of the first to experience the magic and charm of The Tree House Boutique Hotel.

THE TREE HO US E BO UTI Q UE HOTEL + 27(0) 21 439 9296 info@thetreehouseboutiquehotel.co.za www.thetreehouseboutiquehotel.co.za Cape Town | South Africa

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LUXURY BOUTIQUE ECO-LODGE

MORUKURU BEACH LODGE Morukuru Beach Lodge consists of 4 luxury Ocean View Suites and 1 Honeymoon Suite with views of the Indian Ocean and the surrounding sand dunes. All meals and 2 guided activities daily, as well as soft drinks, are included in the rate. Depending on the tide and the weather the guide will decide which activities to offer. Guests at are able to enjoy complimentary use of outdoor equipment (like snorkels, masks, water shoes, wetsuits, mountain bikes, sand boards, ponchos, gumboots, beach umbrella, towels. Lazy days by the pool, sundowners on the first floor roof-top terrace and sheltered courtyards are a must!

EXCLUSIVE USE VILLA

MORUKURU OCEAN HOUSE Morukuru Ocean House is the perfect destination for the entire family. On arrival, discover that the setting of the exclusive-use Villa is the perfect place to reincarnate mind and body. Morukuru Ocean House can accommodate 8 adults & 4 children (all ages are welcome!). The 4 suites all have their own en-suite bathrooms and glass doors overlooking the ocean. A sparkling pool, delicious food, lovely drinks served by your personal butler, your own private kitchen with chef, open plan lounge areas, dining areas, garden with amazing views, romantic fireplaces and so much more. We donâ€™t prescribe a schedule to our guests it is all up to personal preference. Maybe your ideal breakaway means enjoying a delicious glass of chilled bubbles whilst enjoying the magical view? Maybe curling up with a great book in a quiet corner? Or getting active by taking a mountain bike ride through the De Hoop Nature Reserve, setting off on a marine walk or getting in some birds.

WE ARE JUST A 3 HOURS DRIVE FROM CAPE TOWN AND IDEALLY SITUATED HALFWAY BETWEEN CAPE TOWN AND KNYNSA/PLETTENBERG ALONG THE GARDEN ROUTE.

EXCLUSIVE USE HOUSES

M O R U K U R U F A M I LY M A D I K W E The three exclusive-use houses of Morukuru Family (Owner’s House, River House and Farm House) are situated in a private concession in the southeast corner of the Madikwe Game Reserve, located in the North West Province of South Africa. The reserve covers over 75.000 hectares, offering guests a premier safari and wildlife experience. The reserve is situated between the Botswana border and the area made famous by the South African writer Herman Charles Bosman, called the Groot Marico. Morukuru Owners House has 2 en suite bedrooms, Morukuru River 3 en suite bedrooms and a kids room and Morukuru Farmhouse has 5 ensuite bedrooms. All houses have their own boma, pool and decks. Morukuru Family is famous for our “Freedom Concept”; we will schedule and cater around the personal wishes and preferences of your family or group. No fixed schedules when staying with us. Morukuru Family presents a flawless safari experience for any discerning party with a comprehensive checklist of bush “must-sees”. Join one of our highly trained ranger and tracker teams for an early morning game drive, where you can immerse yourself in the cacophony of sounds as the bush stirs to life and the sun creeps up in the East and be exhilarated by a late-afternoon expeditions into the Westerly horizon whilst you sip on something cold and nibble on some delicious game drive snacks. Madikwe is malaria free making it very attractive to groups with young children and offers year round game viewing with opportunities to spot the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino or buffalo) and the rare privilege of possibly seeing the highly endangered African Wild Dog. You will have unparalleled photo opportunities with over 300 different birds, masses of large mammals, the small and interesting as well as abundant indigenous flora and fauna. Give back to the local community and assist in the conservation of our precious wildlife by taking part in our ‘Safari’s with a purpose’ package and leave a lasting legacy.

Contemporary-Classic glamour and understated elegance meet at AtholPlace Hotel, ensuring an unforgettable stay. Situated in Atholl, one of the most beautiful parts of Johannesburg and only a short distance from the commercial centre of Sandton. Each of our 9 suites have been individually designed, providing a sanctuary of comfort and tranquillity. The suites, all with en-suite bathrooms, are extremely spacious, ranging from 45-55 square metres. The Deluxe Suites offer interleading doors, making them ideal for families travelling with children. Guests are able to enjoy a comfortably furnished library with romantic fireplace and our temperature regulated swimming pool, a drink at our bar area, or enjoy a delicious meal at AtholPlace Restaurant with both indoor and outdoor dining options. For even more privacy and exclusivity our 4-bedroom AtholPlace Villa offers our guests a temporary home of their own in the amazing City of Johannesburg. The space includes three deluxe rooms, each with their own full en-suite bathroom, and one Junior Room en-suite (perfect for our young guests) as well as a superior in- and outdoor living and dining area - accommodating a maximum of 6 adults and 2 children. The villa has a breath-taking garden and large temperature regulated pool, a fire pit boma and shady trees perfect for those lazy, alfresco lunches.

Situated in the heart of the Zulu Kingdom, with its rich heritage and untamed natural beauty, Jozini Tiger Lodge & Spa is the perfect luxury getaway in the heart of nature. Incredibly positioned along the banks of the picturesque Lake Jozini, and backed by the splendour of the Lebombo Mountain range, the lodge boasts superb facilities, including a Mangwanani Spa, gym, rim-flow swimming pool, exceptional dining experiences, extensive conference and banqueting facilities, and a wide range of activities for all ages. Easily accessible from both Durban and Gauteng, and surrounded by a host of world heritage sites and nature reserves, Jozini Tiger Lodge & Spa is ideal for weekend getaways, extended family holidays, conferencing, incentives, weddings, team building and international tour groups.

JOZ I N I T I GE R LOD G E & S PA +27(0) 35 572 1020 reservations@jozinitigerlodge.co.za www.jozinitigerlodge.co.za KwaZulu-Natal | South Africa

Jan Harmsgat Country House has seen a renaissance that captures its rich past, as well as fitting in with the discerning traveller’s needs: Space, charm and an unsurpassed opportunity to indulge in an authentic country ambience and history. There’s not much that’s not on offer here this summer season. The ‘Overberg’ warmth of hospitality extends way past the accommodation offering at Jan Harmsgat, catering for all budgets with classic quarters, superior and executive suites and even options suitable for families. Less than a two-hour drive from Cape Town, be prepared to be transported back to another era where open space, country charm and your comfort reign supreme. Whether you're looking to escape the city noise for a weekend or would just prefer to take a day trip and lose track of time whilst indulging in hearty, wholesome meals, you can do it all whilst sitting on the terrace and under the shade of the pecan nut trees. The gourmet gourmands are in for a treat; with craft beer on tap and a choice between the great-value traditional menu as well as a lighter, more social sharing option in the tapas menu. This summer, the fun extends to the ‘JHG Experience’ where day and overnight guests can enjoy a history tour of our 18th-century farm, a Land Rover backlands farm drive, sunset picnic and wine tasting in the countryside as well as pomegranate picking (in season). All for R350 per couple! For those needing to work off their hearty lunch, close off the perfect weekend with a scenic drive through the winelands as you explore our neighbouring nature reserves, hiking trails or roadside stalls.

JAN H ARM S GAT +27(0) 87 095 1141 reservations@janharmsgat.com www.janharmsgat.com Western Cape | South Africa

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Sibani Lodge is proud to open its doors to JHB locals, South Africans and international visitors alike with an unbeatable offering to re-connect with nature, get back to basics and escape the city noise with the added benefit of being a mere 40-minute drive outside of Johannesburg. Bush breaks are no longer just reserved for weekends with Sibani Lodge’s brand new and diverse portfolio offering. Situated on the world heritage site of Mt Savannah, within Cradle of Mankind, Sibani offers real value with the choice to stay at either their premier lodge, available on either a per room rate or as an exclusive-use villa, or alternatively the option to get fully immersed in the South African bush experience, with a few added carefully-curated creature comforts of home, in their take on ‘glamping’ with the four fully equipped tents. The most recent addition to Sibani's collection offers a basic campsite with 4 tents available for use. This is a true tented camp bush experience has no electricity, only hot showers, flush toilets, a private braai outside your tent and a shared boma, with access to various attractions in the surrounding area. An all-inclusive rate covers breakfast and dinner, turn down and daily game drives to ensure you’re spoilt with both unsurpassable South African hospitality and real value at both Sibani Lodge and Sibani luxury tents. We offer wellness treatments to our guests in-room, under the trees or near the watering hole. This newest addition to Sibani’s activity lineup aims to appeal to both overnight and day guests, where spa-rties, bachelorettes and special event requests are welcomed.

SI BAN I LOD G E +27 (0) 87 012 5375 reservations@sibanilodge.co.za www.sibanilodge.co.za Cradle of Humankind | South Africa

A ‘boma’ area caters for all guests at the luxury tents, offering the chance to come together and share a feast as well as tales of the daily sightings, around the campfire and under a ceiling of stars. Be warned - this is luxury camping where hot water and down duvets come complete with the outdoor dream but if that’s not for you, Sibani also offers basic camping sites on a nightly rate for all those wanting to enjoy a fully-immersive camp set up on their own terms.

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KADI ZO RA CA MP +27(0) 79 523 4078 res@anthology.co.za www.africawildlodges.com Okavango Delta | Botswana

Kadizora Camp is situated between the Vumbura River and Selinda Spillway. It lies in the remote northern part of the Okavango Delta over-looking a panoramic seasonal floodplain. Giant Marulas, Sycamore figs, Jackalberries and Rain trees provide a canopy of shade throughout the camp. The bar, lounge, reception and dining area form a horse-shoe shape around the sandy fire pit. From there, a decked walkway leads you to an inviting swimming pool with a view over the floodplain. The Camps accommodation consists of 9 luxury tents and x4 standard tents. The tents are spacious and furnished in a classic style ensuring that time between activities is spent relaxing comfortably. Kadizora is the only camp in the Okavango Delta to offer hot air ballooning. You have the option of booking an early morning hot air balloon flight to soar over the Delta at sunrise and view game from above. Kadizora Camp also facilitates open vehicle safaris, walking safaris and boating. Mokoro (dug-out canoe) excursions provide a fabulous and traditional way to explore the meandering water channels. Float quietly amongst the water-lilies and experience a spectacular bird loversâ€™ paradise. There is the option to arrange a day trip to a traditional village. Visit the church, the clinic, local Primary school and meet family members of the camp staff. Fishing is available in season. Kadizora Camp truly offers the ultimate Okavango Delta experience, with a wide range of activities, a beautiful location, diverse wildlife and warm, local hospitality .

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Elevated on the red cliffs of Kingfisher Bay, Santorini Mozambique astounds with endless Archipelago views from every angle. Its sprawling villas are nestled amidst coconut trees and lush landscaping, forming a private oasis in Vilanculos. Here, guests can experience the charm of a Greek-inspired village mixed with the wild beauty of Africa and the Indian Ocean. The Main Villa is the heart of Santorini, featuring five spacious suites across a multi-tiered, open-plan space. Named after the five islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago, each suite is unique but all boast ensuite bedrooms that spill out onto private patios with ocean views. Complete privacy defines the two exclusive-use villas. The Chapel, a two-bedroomed villa, and Villa da Praia, a threebedroomed villa, feature private pools as well as large living and dining areas, offering the ultimate romantic retreat or memorable holiday with family and friends. Luxuriously laid-back architecture, deluxe dining and authentic hospitality encourage you to settle into a newfound state of being, where opportunities for relaxation and rejuvenation abound in equal measure with a diverse range of activities available. This is a place to forget about the rest of the world for a while.

S AN TORINI +27(0) 76 941 4951 reservations@santorinimozambique.com www.santorinimozambique.com Vilanculos | Mozambique

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Matetsi Victoria Falls, located on a 15 km stretch of the spectacular Zambezi River is one of Africa’s most stylish luxury lodges. Just 40 km upriver from the rush and spray of the the world famous Victoria Falls, Matetsi Victoria Falls offers one of the finest combination experiences in Africa with world-class safari experiences, river activities and the falls all in one. Explore, adventure, relax and recharge. Experience stellar five-star services rivalled only by the spectacular natural wonders surrounding Matetsi River Lodge and River House. Guests, accompanied by knowledgeable, conservation-minded guides, are invited to explore Matetsi Private Game Reserve’s 55 000 hectares of protected and unspoiled wilderness on foot, by vehicle and by boat, while great herds of elephant, buffalo and plains game delight and amaze. Above all, the Zimbabwean spirit at the heart of everything that is done on the property makes Matetsi Victoria Falls a unique experience: From the visionary owners’ passion, to the distinctly local design and architecture, and to the artistry and warmth of the Matetsi team. Matetsi weaves a magical quality to leave guests with greater insight into the culture and surrounds, treasured memories, and a longing for more Matetsi magic.

MAT E TSI V I CTORIA FA L LS +263(0) 8677 004 779 | +27(0) 11 397 1142 reservations@matetsivictoriafalls.com www.matetsivictoriafalls.com Victoria Falls | Zimbabwe

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e Franschhoek Hotel & Spa, situated in the Franschhoek Wine Valley, offers luxurious hotel accommodation and a truly unique winelands experience. This exclusive hotel features 79 elegant, en-suite rooms and suites, two lavish villas and 16 double or single villas. Each has its own breath-taking view over the Franschhoek mountains or manicured hotel gardens. The sophistication of Le Franschhoek Hotel is evident in their fine dining options which offer guests the opportunity to indulge in seasonal dishes from an a la carte menu. The hotel is well-known for its exceptional service and picturesque setting. In addition, Le Franschhoek is an ideal destination for a team building, corporate functions and even a fairy-tale wedding – boasting five world-class conference venues, able to accommodate 20 to 120 delegates.

Email: reservations@lefranschhoek.co.za • Tel: +27(21)876-8900 • www.lefranschhoek.co.za

Located just outside George on South Africa’s Garden Route, overlooked by the majestic Outeniqua Mountains and surrounded by 613 hectares of pristine countryside, striking landscapes and a staggering coastline, Fancourt is the perfect place to mix business and pleasure.

Of course, Fancourt’s three championship golf courses remain a big drawcard. Each rank in Golf Digest’s Top 15 courses in the country, and it’s the perfect opportunity for golfers to tick off their ultimate bucket list by playing The Links (1), Montagu (8) and Outeniqua (14).

Fancourt’s warm hospitality, understated luxury and enviable offering of activities and attractions has cemented its reputation as South Africa’s premier lifestyle resort.

If it’s pure relaxation you are after, The Spa at Fancourt soothes and pampers in equal measure. Guests can choose from a range of blissful treatments, or simply relax in The Spa’s Roman Bath and Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room or tepidarium. It is a sanctuary like no other and the perfect way to unwind at conference end.

Discover genuine comfort at the Fancourt Hotel. Its 115 spacious rooms and suites all blend modern luxury with classic elegance, and the result is a relaxed, comfortable and charming stay. Fancourt offers guests the perfect base from which to explore the Garden Route. Adventure-seekers can enjoy mountain biking and trail running, or simply keep active by exploring the estate on foot, by bike or Eco Elec Scooter! Two beautiful pools beckon (one heated, perfect for winter or early morning swims), while Fancourt’s fishing dams tantalise anglers with bigmouth black bass.

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Food also has a starring role at Fancourt. The Garden Route, Klein Karoo and surrounding areas provide a smorgasbord of locally-sourced ingredients (think fresh seafood, farm cheeses and organic vegetables) and Fancourt’s chefs pride themselves on delivering an unforgettable dining experience.

FA N CO URT +27 (044) 804 0000 hotel@fancourt.co.za www.fancourt.co.za Western Cape | South Africa

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Guests, for who luxury is being in the tranquillity of the bush, will appreciate glamping in one of 15 Tented Suites that bring them closer to nature, without trading comfort for the experience. Lucky guests may spot the wildlife right from their decks! These stone and canvas accommodations may look down to earth though are anything but basic, with all the modern amenities. Of them, four Family Suites give children their own en-suite bedrooms (and parents their own space) kitted out just for them, while the lodge ensures they have the best time on safari with the Mack & Madi Kids' Adventure Safari Club experience.

MA RATABA S AFAR I LO D G E +27 (0)11 880 9992 res@more.co.za more.co.za Marakele National Park | South Africa

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Safari Lodge is one of only two camps in Marataba South Africa – a 23 000ha private section of the malaria-free Marakele National Park. Lesser known to visitors, it is one of South Africa’s most spectacularly beautiful places where all of the big five, with the rare and endangered black rhino, can be seen along with flourishing birdlife, including the world’s largest colony of endangered Cape vultures. The lodge takes guests in on exclusive safaris – enjoy twice-daily game drives, after-breakfast bush walks, specialist Marataba Trails, and cruise into the late afternoon with a sundowner Miss Mara Water Safari.

The essence of this solar-powered, Scandi-style safari lodge is in its exclusive location – secluded in the Waterberg and surrounded by the Marataba South Africa reserve. Its design and operations have taken their cue from the earth, serving to merge the lodge with its environment. Marataba welcomes those in search of peace and space. Just five private Eco Suites, welcoming 10 guests at a time, open onto a wilderness world of their own – renowned for its magnificent scenery and flourishing wildlife. The main lodge provides more social relaxation areas and a shared Rock Pool, which seems to skim off into the Waterfall Valley below. Mountain Lodge is one of only two camps in Marataba South Africa and feels like a privileged perch to take in this 23 000ha private section of the malaria-free Marakele National Park. Lesser known to visitors, it is one of South Africa’s most spectacularly beautiful places. All of the big five, including the rare and endangered black rhino, can be seen here, along with abundant birdlife, including the world’s largest colony of endangered Cape vultures. The lodge takes guests in on exclusive safaris – enjoy twice-daily game drives, after-breakfast bush walks, specialist Marataba Trails, and cruise into the late afternoon with a sundowner Miss Mara Water Safari.

MARATABA MO UNTAI N LODG E +27 (0)11 880 9992 res@more.co.za more.co.za Marakele National Park | South Africa

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Stanley & Livingstone is Victoria Falls first luxury boutique hotel, primely located 15 minutes from the falls themselves and surrounded by Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve. This makes it the ideal base from which to explore, as well as a quiet retreat in one of the continent’s most-loved destinations. The hotel’s design takes a fresh and easy-going approach to colonial style, which encourages guests to settle in and relax. Thoughtful comforts, attentive service, and excellent food enhance the experience by ensuring they are very well taken care of – a hallmark of Stanley & Livingstone. Guests are accommodated in 16 luxury Suites, privately set amongst the hotel gardens. Each is elegantly appointed, no one better than the last, with a canopied king-size bed, minibar, slipper bath and walk-in shower, TV lounge, and terrace – for morning coffees and private dinners. Two sets of the Suites are interleading and give families their own space to settle in, while still enjoying the hotel’s warm Zimbabwean hospitality. Everything from in-suite spa treatments and dining, to outings (children have their own Mack & Madi Kids’ Adventure Explorers programme) is taken care of. The Private Travel Concierge is always on hand to assist, and complimentary transfers link guests to Victoria Falls. Days here can be filled with adrenaline-igniting activities, close-up wildlife encounters, and humbling cultural interactions. Or taken as a pause, settled into a hotel pool lounger.

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STANL EY & L I V I NGSTO NE BO UTI Q UE HOTEL +27 (0)11 880 9992 res@more.co.za more.co.za Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve | Zimbabwe

Ursula’s Homestead is the quintessential wilderness property – elegant, relaxed and small-scale. Location here is everything. Set within Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve and with the Falls themselves just 15 minutes away, Africa is waiting out there. This intimate homestead, of four individual garden Rooms, is the sister property of Stanley & Livingstone Boutique Hotel and in keeping with a Victoria Falls experience that is wonderfully classic. Facing outwards, the Rooms have lovely views of the wildlife passing by and less of the neighbours. Although, these could be guests’ friends and family. There is a private and personal atmosphere to Ursula’s, which feels more like a remote bush home than hotel, and there is the option of booking it out exclusively. From each Room’s terrace, French doors open into a spacious

double bedroom (configured as twin or triple, to sleep a little one, on request), including a dressing table, beverage station, minibar and wardrobe, adjoining an en-suite with a walk-in shower. It makes for a comfortable stay, encouraging guests to make themselves at home. Pour a cuppa and settle back against the pillows or pad outside to enjoy a morning coffee, while watching giraffe and buffalo arrive to the watering hole. The Rooms, as well as main guest area, terrace, firepit, and poolside are all set in a semi-circle to take in wide-open views of the natural reserve. It’s an environment of peace and tranquillity, while being just minutes from the world-famous Falls, busy town and surrounding attractions. Guests up for exploring can chat to the Private Travel Concierge and complimentary transfers take them into Victoria Falls.

URS UL A’S HO MESTEA D +27 (0)11 880 9992 res@more.co.za more.co.za Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve | Zimbabwe

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Madikwe Safari Lodge’s three luxury camps – Lelapa, Kopano, Dithaba – are ideally located to appreciate the vastness and diversity of Madikwe Game Reserve. To take it all in, outdoor bomas host dinners under the stars and adventures include morning and afternoon game drives, bush walks, and sundowner safari stops. Coupled with the reserve being malaria-free, all this makes it a special place for families and friends to explore together.

MAD I KWE S AFARI LO D G E +27 (0)11 880 9992 res@more.co.za more.co.za Madikwe Game Reserve | South Africa

Lelapa Lodge Lelapa (meaning ‘family’ in Setswana) welcomes guests of all ages, with family-friendly accommodations and the Mack & Madi Kids’ Adventure Safari Club. Each of its 12 luxury Suites has a private lounge, viewing deck, and plunge pool, with the four Family Suites also incorporating a second children’s bedroom, stocked with toys and games. While the lodge, respectful of the natural environment in its construction, epitomises contemporary African design, its atmosphere is luxuriously laid-back. Kopano Lodge The modern lodge, influenced by an African design aesthetic, includes just four luxury Suites and reminds of a traditional homestead. Kopano (meaning ‘small gathering’ in Setswana) can be booked out on an exclusive basis and is well-suited to a get-together of friends or family. Each Suite’s private lounge, viewing deck, and plunge pool provide personal space and are ideal positions from where to spot the wildlife coming by. Dithaba Lodge Dithaba (meaning ‘mountain’ in Setswana) has just four luxury Suites overlooking the expansive reserve. Each is a couple or solo traveller’s retreat; or together, an exclusive home base for a friend or family group while on safari. The lodge’s construction, incorporating natural design elements, is uncomplicated and each Suite – with its own lounge, plunge pool, and viewing deck – provides space to unwind and watch the animals out on the plains.

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It’s been eight months since The Houghton Hotel opened its doors; an occasion which marked the evolution of hospitality in Johannesburg. Now complete and having recently been named the Best Luxury Hotel in South Africa at the HOSCO Luxury Tourism Awards in October 2019, the Houghton Hotel shows that it has more than lived up to its earlier promise. Offering 60 rooms designed for ultimate comfort and luxury, including four Presidential Suites overlooking the Jack Nicklaus golf course and eye-catching Piazza. All rooms are bright, with floor to ceiling windows allowing natural light to flow through the spacious and modern interior. The hotel’s seven penthouse suites are in a league of their own, lavishly furnished by Stephen Pellerade, who drew inspiration from the most iconic hotels around the world. The result is a cocoon of layered luxury; a look and feel which mirrors the hotel’s atmosphere, recalling a nurturing sanctuary. It is, however, the 830sqm Rockstar Penthouse which truly captures the imagination. Conceived as a discreet haven for celebrity and high-profile guests, this exceptional accommodation includes four bedrooms sprawled over two floors, accessed by a private elevator. Guests can enjoy a massage in their private spa treatment room, which is fitted with a steam shower, after a workout in the private gym. Alternatively, they can cool down in the swimming pool, relax in the jacuzzi or the entertainment area. With two lounge areas and two dining areas, there’s a mood to suit every moment, and 24-hour butler service ensures that no need goes unmet. A fully integrated kitchen and private wine cellar complete the experience. Amani Spa and Wellness centre boasts a state-of-the-art facility, with an exclusive Couple’s Suite with a private jacuzzi and outdoor shower, 8 multi-functional Spa treatment suites, Grand Rasul, a Nail Boutique and Hair Salon, indoor dining and relaxation area, with a spectacular indoor heated lap pool and outdoor relaxation, showcasing a natural cool and heated Zen pool. Fitbar, a new and exclusive 700m² gym that not only focuses on fitness but on achieving a holistic, healthy lifestyle. Using state-of-the-art technology, trainers are committed to inspiring and assisting members in achieving and sustaining their health and fitness goals. For guests who enjoy the outdoors, there is an 8km running track winding through the green fairways of the golf course and for those keen to tee off, the 18-hole signature Jack Nicklaus golf course is the perfect place to test your skill.

Guests keen on taking it easy can lounge around any of the four swimming pools while enjoying delicious cocktails from the pool bar café. The Hotel offers a spectacular indoor heated lap pool that can be enjoyed all year round. The Skybar overlooks the Jack Nicklaus signature golf course and features an impressive selection of local and international wine and spirits with expertly fashioned cocktails that command attention. A unique and vibrant setting, making it the ideal place for casual gatherings and sundowners. The H Restaurant is a stylish and cultured space with a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere. Marble tops and bespoke furniture don the room, fashioning an elegant and graceful dining experience.

THE HO UGHTO N HOTEL +27 (0)11 032 5500 reservations@thehoughtonhotel.com thehoughtonhotel.com Johannesburg | South Africa

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Tranquil Accommodation in the Heart of the Mother City Cape Town Hollow is one of the best 4-star boutique hotels in Cape Town City Centre. The hotel itself is wedged between Table Mountain and Clifton Beach on one side and the V&A Waterfront, CTICC and buzzing city centre on the other. This cosy hotel is set away from the tourist-trodden routes of Cape Town, offering convenient accommodation in the heart of the Mother City. Cape Town Hollow Boutique Hotel offers modern accommodation in 56 en-suite rooms. The Mountain Facing Rooms boast sweeping views of Table Mountain from charming Juliet balconies. The Standard Rooms are city-facing, and although they do not have mountain views, are comfortable and well equipped for an enjoyable stay. All rooms feature en-suite bathrooms, modern amenities, air-conditioning and hot beverage stations. Enjoy relaxed dining at our on-site restaurant, Eighty-Ate. The à la carte menu features classic South African dishes complemented by a selection of handpicked wines from across the Western Cape. Eighty-Ate Restaurant’s street café setting is the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine and enjoy a balmy evening in Cape Town. Other facilities include a swimming pool and convivial bar and lounge. Guests visiting Cape Town for business can enjoy full access to our business lounge which has unlimited Wi-Fi and a desktop PC connected to the internet and printer. The ultimate cosmopolitan African city, Cape Town has been voted one of the most beautiful destinations to visit in the world. Our in-house Concierge is poised to assist with advice, directions, and excursions. We are always on hand to guide you to Cape Town’s iconic landmarks, beautiful beaches, and most noteworthy restaurants. Additionally, we can help to arrange sightseeing tours with our trusted suppliers to Cape Point, the Winelands and other destinations on your South Africa bucket list. We offer a 24-hour shuttle service in and around the city as well as complimentary transfers to and from the V&A Waterfront and the CTICC.

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C APE TOW N HO L LOW BO UTI Q UE HOTEL +27 (0) 21 423 1260 reservations@capetownhollow.co.za www.capetownhollow.com Cape Town | South Africa

A Modern City Hotel Located in the Heart of Cape Town Hollow on the Square is a modern, trendy hotel situated in central Cape Town. The hotel is flanked on one side by the Cape Town Foreshore and on the other by the buzzing city centre and Signal Hill. This 4-star hotel is set right in the mix of popular Cape Town attractions, offering convenient accommodation in the heart of the ‘Mother City’. One of the most affordable hotels in Cape Town CBD, Hollow on the Square boasts 56 en-suite rooms made up of 40 Standard and 16 Deluxe Suites distributed over four floors. All rooms are spacious and tranquil, featuring en-suite bathrooms and modern amenities including a minibar stocked on request, hot beverage station, satellite TV, air-conditioning and complimentary Wi-Fi. The rooms also have a desk and lounge area with coffee table and chairs. On the ground floor level, guests will find a relaxed lounge area, trendy bar and the stunning new à la carte restaurant – Eighty-Ate Squared. The menu features familiar favourites as well as South African-inspired dishes. The restaurant and bar area opens up onto historic Ryk Tulbagh Square, where guests can enjoy al fresco dining and the street café ambiance characteristic of Cape Town’s food scene. Norman, “The Cape Town Concierge”, a long-standing member of the hotel team, takes care of all the transfer and tour arrangements at both Cape Town Hollow and Hollow on the Square Hotels. He is loved by guests and offers outstanding service, specializing in tailor-made tours and activities. Considering the hotel is located in the centre of town, it is surprisingly quiet thanks to its position facing onto Tulbagh Square. The hotel is within walking distance of the famous V&A Waterfront, Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) and just minutes from other inner city shopping meccas such as Green Market Square, St Georges Mall and the beautiful Flower Market. HOL LOW ON TH E S Q UA R E +27 (0) 21 423 1260 reservations@hollowonthesquare.co.za www.hollowonthesquare.co.za Cape Town | South Africa

Enjoy the convenience of exploring the myriad of attractions in and around the city of Cape Town – from vibrant nightlife and the V&A Waterfront to the breath-taking Peninsula and legendary winelands. Allow us to help create a one-of-a-kind Cape Town experience for you.

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A Stylish & Contemporary Country Retreat on the Outskirts of Knysna Knysna Hollow Country Estate is set on a secluded 3-hectare Country Estate just 5 minutes from the centre of Knysna, a quaint seaside town widely regarded as the jewel of the Garden Route. Knysna Hollow reopened in October 2018 as a brand-new contemporary country retreat offering stylish accommodation with warm personal service and authentic dining in our casual restaurant, Social Eatery. Situated in the middle of the iconic Garden Route National Park of the Southern Cape Coast, Knysna is the ideal base from which to explore the myriad of attractions the region has to offer. The history of Mossel Bay, the arid, semi-desert of Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo and the coastal towns of Wilderness, Sedgefield and Plettenberg Bay are all within an hour’s drive, as is Tsitsikamma National Park which is renowned for the Storm’s River Mouth and some of the country’s best hiking trails. A standout amongst Knysna hotels, the 44 contemporary Garden Suites are situated in our lush gardens and offer all modern amenities in a spacious and serene environment. These modern, air-conditioned rooms each feature satellite television, Nespresso® coffee stations, laptop safes, mini-bar fridges, L’Occitane guest amenities, king-size beds and private patios overlooking the gardens with two sparkling swimming pools. The modern Cape Country Manor House is the focal point of the Estate and houses all our public areas – restaurant, bar, reception, sun deck and internet library. Our casual restaurant, Social Eatery, serves authentic, local food throughout the day and Social Bar is the ideal spot to enjoy an ice-cold Craft Beer on tap or a bespoke Gin & Tonic. Our wine list offers a range of unique South African wines from independent estates and our small wine cellar provides the option of choosing a premium, aged wine to enjoy on that special occasion. The town of Knysna is a 5-minute drive from Knysna Hollow and offers an eclectic mix of shops, boutiques and restaurants. The world-renowned craft markets feature hand-made art from the local community and for an authentic ‘living-local’ experience including a ‘Shebeen’ meal, a Township Tour is a must. The Knysna Waterfront and Thesen Islands also offer allday waterside shopping and dining options, as well as a variety of activities and excursions including ocean-based whale-watching in season, lagoon cruises and sailing charters.

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KNYS NA HO L LOW CO UNTRY ESTATE +27 (0) 44 382 5401 reservations@knysnahollow.co.za www.knysnahollow.co.za Garden Route | South Africa

Set Amongst the Sweet Mango Trees of the Original Casterbridge Farm Experience the tranquillity and charm of the Lowveld at Casterbridge Hollow Boutique Hotel in White River. ‘Out of Africa’ style meets contemporary African chic at this White River accommodation to create an oasis for business travellers and tourists. South Africa’s natural style icons are celebrated through original artworks and fabric prints featuring proteas and bountiful wildlife, paying homage to the proximity of the Kruger National Park, a mere 30-minute drive from the Hotel. Country styled architecture garlanded with ivy, creates a cool, green backdrop in summer and fiery reds to warm the heart in winter. Rich, elegant furniture complements the one-of-a-kind, often whimsical décor sourced from local artists. The high ceilings and light, airy nature of the dwelling create an instantly calming atmosphere where travellers unwind and events are hosted with sophistication. As Mpumalanga’s first “green hotel”, Casterbridge Hollow underpins its respect for the greater environment. Solar geysers throughout the Hotel ease the carbon footprint and a tread-lightly approach celebrates the natural beauty of Africa. When it comes to accommodation near Nelspruit, Casterbridge Hollow is a standout choice. The double volume entrance creates a light and breezy ambiance amid the balmy Lowveld weather, and leads to a courtyard with flush deck pool that mirrors the evergreen garden and surrounding, unobtrusive hotel buildings. The hotel is conveniently situated within a 15-minute drive from the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport and stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of Nelspruit’s business district. Wildlife lovers can experience the renowned Kruger National Park and the breath-taking vistas of the Panorama Route during half day and full day excursions tailor made to your preferences.

CAST E RBRI D GE HO L LOW B O U T IQ U E H OT E L +27 (0)13 737 7752 reservations@casterbridgehollow.co.za www.casterbridgehollow.co.za Mpumalanga | South Africa

Professional, warm and welcoming staff adds attention to detail to every occasion, from weddings and milestone celebrations, to conferences and product launches. The modern state-of-the-artconference centre offers all the modern features to ensure a successful seminar. The multitude of striking spaces ensures that brides are spoilt for choice when choosing a location for the ceremony, reception and photo shoot to commemorate their special day.

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Hazyview Accommodation on the Banks of the Sabie River Hippo Hollow Country Estate is a comfortable, family-friendly hotel situated on the banks of the Sabie River near Hazyview in South Africa. It is an ideal destination from which to access nearby Kruger National Park and the spectacular sights of Mpumalanga Province. Set within indigenous gardens, Hippo Hollow offers accommodation in a choice of Courtyard Rooms, River Chalets and Garden Chalets. The 18 thatched River Chalets overlook the famous Sabie River and are perfect for small families. The 19 Garden Chalets are the preference of couples and our 54 Courtyard Rooms are best suited to business travellers. All feature en-suite bathrooms and modern amenities. The facilities at Hippo Hollow Country Estate include three onsite restaurants, a bar and lounge area, sprawling gardens, two swimming pools and complimentary Wi-Fi. Hippo Hollow Hotel also offers a great conference and banqueting venue and is a convenient base for team building activities. Hippo Hollow Restaurant offers a variety of international and South Africaninspired dishes which can be accompanied by our fine South African wines. Whilst indulging in delicious cuisine, guests can marvel at the birdlife and grunting hippopotami which have taken up residence in the Sabie River below. For a truly South African wedding, little surpasses the charm and tranquility of the wedding venue at Hippo Hollow. Couples can choose to say their ‘I dos’ on the elephant deck overlooking the river, as a cultural affair in the Amphitheatre of the Shangaan River Club or on the banks of the Sabie River. Aside from the convenient onsite Hazyview accommodation options, the natural beauty of the Lowveld bushveld provides the perfect backdrop for your dream wedding. Situated just outside of Hazyview, between the Drakensberg Mountains to the west and the low-lying bushveld of the Greater Kruger Area to the east, Hippo Hollow is a wonderful base from which to explore the Mpumalanga Lowveld. A myriad of activities await you; from ‘Big 5’ safaris to helicopter adventures and more. Some activity highlights include Blyde River Canyon tours, cultural experiences at Shangaan River Club and encounters with Africa’s largest land mammals at Elephant Whispers. Those seeking leisure can relax in a hammock by the pool or watch the hippos, crocodiles and other wildlife congregate at the river. However, you choose to spend your time, we hope that you will leave Hippo Hollow feeling relaxed and refreshed, having experienced the timelessness of Africa. travellers, families and couples. We look forward to welcoming you to Hippo Hollow Country Estate in the heart of Mpumalanga.

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HI PPO HO L LOW CO UNTRY ESTATE +27 (0) 13 737 7752 reservations@hippohollow.co.za www.hippohollow.co.za Mpumalanga | South Africa

A Tranquil Hideaway On The Outskirts Of The Kruger Park Embracing the ever-green Lowveld flora is Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel. Set among indigenous gardens the Hotel is designed to bring a sense of being outdoors while settling into the comforts of modern-day luxury. Located at the Perry’s Bridge Trading Post, guests have access to a unique shopping experience, offering something for young and old with everything from spa treatments to children’s activities at their fingertips. A standout among Hazyview hotels, the location of Perry’s Bridge Hollow puts guests in a natural, subtropical surrounding while still being central to a host of attractions and activities. The Kruger National Park is a mere 10 minute drive and the breath-taking vistas of the Panorama Route are on your doorstep. Experience a ‘Big 5’ safari, elephant embraces at Elephant Whispers, God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Blyde River Canyon during an easy drive from Perry’s Bridge Hollow Boutique Hotel. Evenings bring their own adventure with a visit to the Shangaan River Club where guests can experience African culture under the vibrant night sky. Sundowners are on offer at the Afro-Chic Kuka Restaurant at Perry’s Bridge Trading Post or overlooking the hippos in the Sabie River at Hippo Hollow Country Estate, down the road.

PER RY 'S BRI D GE H O L LOW B O U T IQ U E H OT E L +27 (0) 13 737 7752 reservations@perrysbridgehollow.co.za www.perrysbridgehollow.co.za Mpumalanga | South Africa

The rooms are dotted around age old Acacia, Baobab and Wild Fig trees, merging with the natural surroundings and creating an instant feeling of serenity. Guests have a choice between the 31 spacious Deluxe Rooms and 3 Family Rooms which offer views of the sparkling pool or lush gardens from private patios. Air-conditioners, satellite television, tea and coffee making facilities and mini-fridges are just some of the amenities which add to your convenience. Bespoke furnishings celebrate old-world African charm and accentuate the leafy surrounds to plunge guests into a bygone era of elegant quality. Inside and outside showers add to a refreshing Africa experience. This gem among Hazyview hotels offers warm, personal service, away from the crowds to allow guests to exhale life’s stressors and submerge themselves in tranquil surrounds with the promise of adventure on the horizon.

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AT BOULDERS

Within the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area, Boulders Beach is surrounded by the granite boulders which it is named after. Protected from strong winds and the wild waves of the Atlantic Ocean, the soft sandy beaches are clean and safe. The turquoise sea is calm and seems less cold than elsewhere in Cape Town, inviting swimmers and snorkellers to while away the time to explore its small coves and shallow kelp forests. It is here, perched above the boardwalk overlooking the worldrenowned penguin colony, that Tintswalo has created the latest jewel in its crown. Tintswalo Lodges is an exquisite collection of five family-owned and managed safari lodges and boutique hotels situated in unique locations within South Africa. The brand is synonymous with luxurious comfort, warm hospitality and bespoke service - a reputation that Tintswalo at Boulders Beach Villa upholds impeccably. Boasting a unique North-facing position, Tintswalo at Boulders is a hidden gem in the true sense of the word. Set in a quiet neighbourhood, the villa’s location is breathtaking amongst the natural beauty of the surrounding fynbos, and with unobstructed views over the sparkling cerulean ocean. Arriving here feels like coming home. The butler is at your service to help with luggage and to welcome guests with drinks on the terrace. This also presents your first opportunity for penguin watching on the beach below, and thanks to their distinctive braying in the distance, you will soon discover why African Penguins used to be known as Jackass Penguins! Inside the villa, elegantly furnished open-plan lounge areas are decorated in Tintswalo’s signature turquoise hues, fresh flowers, coffee table books and objects d’art with a touch of glamour in silver and crystal. Comfortable sofas, fluffy cushions and oversized armchairs invite you to relax and enjoy the views. In winter cozy fireplaces create a warm cocoon against the Cape of storms, while downstairs a TV room with a big screen keeps sports fans and children entertained. Included in the bed and breakfast rate is Tintswalo’s signature breakfast - a lavish, multi-course feast. Start with freshly squeezed juices, yogurt, cereal and fruit, followed by a cheese and charcuterie platter, and freshly pastries. Still hungry? End off with Tintswalo’s famous Eggs Benedict or hot breakfast to order and a pot of fragrant tea or freshly brewed coffee.

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Spreading over three levels, each of the nine luxurious suites have generous en-suite bathrooms and some have private balconies. Named after famous ships, suites are individually decorated to pay homage to maritime history and the location of the villa outside the naval village of Simon’s Town. These range from the Mayflower and the Cutty Sark, to Jan van Riebeeck’s Drommedaris. Children of all ages are welcome at Tintswalo at Boulders and the adorable Penguin Children’s Suite comes complete with a playroom stocked with toys and television. On the top deck of the villa, the heated swimming pool features sea views and loungers to soak up the sun. The garden pathway to a secret, private gate leads directly to the Boulders Beach boardwalk and the entrance to the SANParks penguin viewing area. The boardwalk allows for excellent, close-up viewing of the waddling penguins, arguably South Africa’s cutest and most famous birds, whilst keeping them safe from human interference.

TI NTS W ALO AT BO ULDERS +27 (0) 21 773 0900 reservations@tintswalo.com www.tintswalo.com Simon’s Town, Cape Town | South Africa

Tintswalo Atlantic is a 5 star, award-winning boutique lodge nestled at the base of the ocean-facing Table Mountain Nati onal Park. Perfectly located on the water’s edge of the Atlantic Ocean, the boutique shoreline lodge enjoys the best of both ocean and mountainside views. Surrounded by nature, guests can indulge in the luxury and solitude of this magniﬁcent seaside destination. Hailed locally as the most dramatic and romantic destination in Southern Africa, Tintswalo Atlantic is the perfect venue option for weddings, honeymoons, romantic getaways and special occasions. With ten beautifully styled luxury suites and one magniﬁcent 2-bedroom suite, taking inspiration from some of the most interesting islands from around the world. Tintswalo Atlantic presents all the luxuries of a world-class hotel, including beachside dining, long hours of leisure and personalised service.

TI NTS W ALO ATLA NTIC +27 (0) 21 773 0900 reservations@tintswalo.com www.tintswalo.com Chapmans Peak, Hout Bay, Cape Town | South Africa

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Situated only 300km from Johannesburg, Tintswalo Lapalala lies in the heart of 44 500 hectares of untouched wilderness. Rated as one of the largest private reserves in South Africa, the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve offers privacy and exclusivity with only three commercial lodges. The sheer expanse of this unspoiled biosphere offers guests ultimate seclusion, dramatic star-gazing and truly wild game-viewing experiences. Family-friendly Tintswalo Lapalala comprises of only seven luxury tented suites, including a 2-bedroom family suite, to accommodate a total of 16 adults and four children. The camp boasts views overlooking a waterhole and the rolling mountains and plains of South Africaâ€™s UNESCO-declared Waterberg Biosphere Reserve. The malaria-free Lapalala Wilderness Reserve was founded in 1981 by conservation leaders, Dale Parker and Clive Walker. Tintswalo at Lapalala continues this legacy of nature preservation by remaining environmentally conscious and completely oďŹ€ the grid. Raised above the surrounding bushveld on sprawling wooden decks, the eco-friendly lodge presents a sustainable wilderness adventure and safari experience in

the lap of luxury. Each suite has a private plunge pool and en-suite bathroom, some with outdoor baths and showers, as well as fireplaces. Uniquely, the reserve is home to 27km of pristine rivers, meandering through the rolling mountains and canyons of the breathtaking, virtually undiscovered Waterberg region. Guests may enjoy the opportunity to fish the crystalline mountain waters, swim in the bubbling rapids or simply enjoy the peaceful magnificence of water-rich scenery, teeming with birdlife. Other relaxing pursuits include sundowner cruises and riverside picnics, birdwatching, stargazing and massage treatments.

TI N TSWALO AT L A PA L A L A +27 (0) 21 773 0900 reservations@tintswalo.com www.tintswalo.com Waterberg Region | South Africa

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Those with an adventurous spirit have the option to upgrade their luxury tent to a romantic experience under the African skies, spending the night on a comfortably furnished, raised wooden deck in a remote part of the reserve. With little more than candlelight and the sounds of nature all around, this is an unforgettably primal experience, bringing luxury as close to nature as can be imagined.

FAMILY CAMP at Welgevonden

Tintswalo Family Camp is located in the Welgevonden Game Reserve in Limpopo, South Africa. The Welgevonden Game Reserve comprises of 40,000 hectares of pristine bushveld and ranks amongst South Africa’s largest private game reserves, forming part of the only savanna biosphere reserve in the world, proclaimed by UNESCO in March 2001. It has the greatest variety of game and is home to South Africa’s “Big Five”. The malaria-free Welgevonden Game Reserve is a pioneer in conservation initiatives; this ethos forming an integral part of the rich, multi-generational family experience of offer at Tintswalo’s Family Camp. Tintswalo Family Camp accommodates up to 16 guests and caters for families or executive breakaways on a private-use basis only. It is child-friendly, welcoming children of all ages. Groups are offered full exclusivity where the entire group can spend quality time together, making the safari experience more personal and memorable. The need to disconnect from everyday life and connect to the wilderness is becoming increasingly sought after, with more and more people opting for experiences that are not purely for travel consumption but are good for the soul. Tintswalo Family Camp is strategically positioned to offer an exclusive and unique, private safari experience.

TI NTS W ALO FAMI LY C AMP AT W ELGEVONDEN +27(0) 21 773 0900 reservations@tintswalo.com www.tintswalo.com Welgevonden Game Reserve, Limpopo | South Africa

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Tintswalo Safari Lodge is one of only three commercial lodges located in the pristine Manyeleti Game Reserve. Boasting 23,000 hectares of untouched African wilderness, this is a slice of private wilderness within the world-renowned Greater Kruger National Park. Fully-accredited, qualified guides and local trackers take guests on authentic African safari experiences with exceptional game viewing offered twice daily in open safari vehicles. The abundance of wildlife guarantees uninterrupted, intimate encounters with a great variety of animals, including sightings of the Big Five, as well as a plethora of fascinating insects, reptiles and 300 species of birds found in the region. A landmark of luxury accommodation and service, Tintswalo Safari Lodge offers six Explorer Suites, as well as the expansive Baines Presidential Suite, and the 2-bedroom Grant Family Suite. Travellers are accommodated in these luxuriously decorated suites which reflect the opulence of colonial times, evoking the adventures of the 19th-century explorers they are named after. Each air-conditioned suite is furnished with a lavish en-suite bathroom, as well as a private deck with a plunge pool, allowing guests the privacy to relax and soak up the African sun and wilderness from the comfort of their suite.

TI NTSWALO SAFA R I LO D G E +27 (0) 21 773 0900 reservations@tintswalo.com www.tintswalo.com Greater Kruger Region | South Africa

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The 5-bedroom Tintswalo Manor House presents the perfect private vacation option for families or friends travelling together and seeking a tailor-made stay. The Manor House is child-friendly and offers personalised childrenâ€™s programmes and a fun, educational safari for children of all ages. Tintswalo Safari Lodge is easily accessible via a short drive from Hoedspruit airport, or guests may opt for a leisurely six-hour drive / shuttle service from Johannesburg for those who prefer a scenic road trip.

AI R V E N T U RE S +27(0) 83 356 2435 info@air-ventures.co.za www.air-ventures.co.za Cradle of Humankind | South Africa

AirVentures Hot Air Ballooning offers more than just a hot air balloon ride, we offer a total experience encompassing all the good things that make Africa great, from sun rise to great food, from wildlife to breathtaking scenery. We offer daily game viewing Safari Flights over the 53000 hectare world heritage site - The Cradle of Humankind, and scenic Classic Flights over the Magaliesberg. AirVentures also offers balloon safaris in Botswana over the iconic Okavango Delta, and the Seloko Plains â€“ Chobe Region. A six time tourism award winning company, AirVentures can meet all your requirements with a choice of high quality, exciting flight packages. Our attention to detail, and focus on exceptional service, will ensure that your balloon ride with us meets all expectations.

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aha Bongani Mountain Lodge offers you the opportunity to discover the spirit of Africa as you follow in the footsteps of the great African explorers and hunters of yesteryear. Located in the shadows of the Malelane Mountain range and surrounded by the African bushveld, you’re able to connect with a simpler life, the tranquillity of nature, and the culture and history of this fascinating area. Take a walk on the ancient paths once used by the San people with over 250 recorded San rock art sites. This is estimated to be 1500 years old and turns out to be the greatest concentration of recorded rock art per square metre on earth. Besides warm, friendly service, aha Bongani Mountain Lodge features private deck accommodation with astounding 360-degree views. Enjoy a sundowner as the sun sets and you might even have an animal sighting as they disappear into the horizon! During the evenings, you can get comfortable around a fire under the stars and tuck into African-inspired dishes prepared by our chefs over the flames.

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aha BO NGANI MO UNTAI N LODG E + 27(0) 13 590 7278 gsm@bonganiml.co.za www.aha.co.za Mthethomusha Game Reserve | South Africa

Blending perfectly within the lush surrounds of the Zambezi River bank, aha The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa offers 5-star Victoria Falls accommodation nearby this impressive natural wonder of the world. Guests of this hotel near Livingstone, are treated to the glorious natures cape, luxury bush accommodation in Zambia, and Zambezi River cruises. This luxurious Zambia hotel with river-facing rooms ensures each guest enjoys the same serene views that once captivated David Livingstone, the intrepid explorer and missionary who was the first European to set eyes on the Falls. Be sure to dine at aha The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa’s Kalai Restaurant to experience some of the finest Afro-Arabian fusion, cosmopolitan dishes in a traditional Zambian restaurant. If you are looking to host an event in a unique setting, aha The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa offers one of the foremost conference centres near Livingstone. This is also an beautiful wedding venue with state-of-the-art equipment and breath taking views of the Zambezi River. aha The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa overlooks the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, which creates a tranquil environment and the perfect space for a Victoria Falls spa experience.

aha THE DAV I D L I V I NGSTO NE S AFARI LO DGE & SPA +260(0) 213 324 601 lodge@dlslandspa.com www.aha.co.za Livingstone | Zambia

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aha Ivory Tree Game Lodge is situated within the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, one of the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world. The early presence of man can be seen in the numerous Stone and Iron Age sites that are scattered throughout the Park. This premium Pilanesberg game lodge offers various room options: Executive, Luxury and Standard. The Executive Suite not only boasts a plunge pool on the private patio, but also features a comfortable king-size bed, Nespresso machine and flatscreen television with limited DSTV channels. Adventure-filled outdoor activities at aha Ivory Tree Game Lodge include Big 5 Game Drives, Quad Biking, Archery, Airgun, and Drumming.

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aha I VO RY TREE GAME LODG E + 27(0) 14 556 8100 ivory.shepherds@aha.co.za www.aha.co.za Pilanesberg Game Reserve | South Africa

aha MAKAL AL I PRI VATE GAME LODG E +27(0) 15 793 9300 cro@aha.co.za www.aha.co.za Hoedspruit | South Africa

aha Makalali Private Game Lodge is located close to the mighty Drakensberg mountains west of the Kruger Park, this ethnic bush retreat lies on 26 000 hectares of bushveld in the North Eastern Lowveld, South Africa. Flights can be arranged into Hoedspruit Airport and from here transfers organized. Makalali Game Reserve boasts the â€˜Big Fiveâ€™ - Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo. Other characteristic species are Cheetah, Giraffe, Zebra and Kudu. aha Makalali Main Lodge is a newly built 5 star lodge, comprising of 30 comfortably designed standard rooms all with en-suite bathrooms. The rooms are air-conditioned and feature luxurious interiors with classic leather and wood furnishings. aha Makalali Main Lodge has a central dining area where guests can enjoy an array of African cuisine. The outside boma is ideal for an evening under the African sky. The spa offers a variety of soothing treatments and the pool area offers the perfect place to unwind and take in the sounds of the African bush.

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aha M D LU LI SAFA R I LO D G E +27 (0) 13 750 0552 info@mdlulisafarilodge.co.za www.mdlulisafarilodge.co.za Kruger National Park | South Africa

Drawing inspiration from the rawness and beauty of the African bush, Mdluli Safari Lodge has emerged from the land to offer guests a unique and culturally enriched experience. The lodge is designed to maximize privacy for guests, and seamlessly blends into the landscape around it. Stay in one of 50 luxurious, air-conditioned tents, each with a private patios with views into the Park. Enjoy meals around the flames of the boma fire, game viewing from the deck and bar, and unforgettable Big Five game drives and walks with experienced guides. The lodge is located inside the south-western region of the Kruger National Park, and accessible via a private road just after your enter the Park via Numbi Gate, a 5 hour drive from Gauteng. Numbi Gate is the closest access gate from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.

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aha Shepherd’s Tree Game Lodge is a magnificent lodge concession awarded by the North West Parks and Tourism Board within the existing Pilanesberg Game Reserve. It lies in an exclusive-use zone in the southwestern portion of the 57,250ha Big 5 and malaria-free Reserve, offering commanding views of the distant bushveld amphitheatre. The Lodge acts as a central gathering spot and social environment for guests, as well as the point from which all activities depart and return. Guests can enjoy two guided game drives daily, which are conducted in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve’s Wilderness Area during the morning and evening in an open 10-seater game viewing vehicle. These outings take three to four hours, with a sundowner’s stop at sunset, and a coffee stop in the morning. Experience the best of Pilanesberg accommodation with the hallmark of the entire Shepherd’s Tree: flawless finishes, featured architecture and exquisite interior design.

aha SH E P H E RD 'S T R E E GA M E LO D G E +27 (0) 14 551 3910 ivory.shepherds@aha.co.za www.aha.co.za Pilanesberg Game Reserve | South Africa

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Set within a riverine canopy surrounded by an impressive diversity of fauna and flora, aha Thakadu River Camp offers guests beautifully appointed, 5-star tented suites. Besides enjoying all the comforts of modern living in the heart of the untamed bushveld, our highly skilled rangers share their extended knowledge with guests, so they may gain an in-depth understanding of the area to add to their already exciting getaway experience. The main camp at aha Thakadu River Camp is located between the Marico River and a small tributary of the Marico. The Lodge has a welcoming open-plan lounge, dining area and reception as an African bushveld oasis that offers exciting game drives as a compliment. The attractive bar and pool area are also ideal for relaxation, and the entire Lodge welcomes families. The Lodge has been carefully constructed to blend into its surroundings, with the use of wood and thatched roofs. A traditional lapa falls within a glade of natural riverine forest to offer panoramic views. Besides lush views of the gully and river to the north, guests are delighted by our staff’s warm hospitality and personal care.

aha THAKADU RI V ER CA MP + 27(0) 18 365 9912 cro@aha.co.za www.aha.co.za Madikwe Game Reserve | South Africa

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Motswiri Private Safari Lodge, situated in the western side of the 75 000 hectare, Big Five, malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West Province, forms an integral part of The Madikwe Collection’s exclusive portfolio of lodges. As its name suggests, Motswiri Private Safari Lodge is an exclusive lodge offering guests a personal bush experience, which is impossible to replicate in larger concerns. The lodge offers some of the best views in Madikwe as well as the tranquil feel given by the mature trees (mostly Leadwoods) under which the lodge’s main building and five luxury bush villas nestle. Motswiri has luxurious accommodation, with each bush villa offering stunning views from private decks and multiple-slider bedrooms and bathrooms. Add double-sided fire places, air-conditioning/ceiling fans, stunning bathrooms and an outdoor shower and you have a bush experience second to none. Then our Family Villa offer three rooms all with en-suite bathrooms. The Luxury Family villa boasts a private lounge area leading out onto a private deck and pool. At the main area of the lodge enjoy the rim-flow pool overlooking the waterhole, have a cocktail under the shade of the Motswiri trees (Leadwood in Tswana) on the main deck or just while away the day in the outside lounge and bar area. Fine cuisine is served in the dining room, under the Leadwood or around a roaring fire in the boma. Staff offer personal service in a relaxed but professional manner and the twice daily game drives are conducted by our rangers whose superb bush knowledge is imparted in the manner best suited to the bush knowledge of the guests on the specially designed landcruiser game viewing vehicle. Motswiri offers the option of individual bookings or exclusive use of the lodge for groups. The lodge is ideal for corporate, family / friend groups of up to ten people who do not wish to share the facilities with other guests. MOTSWI RI P RI VAT E S A FA R I LO D G E +27 (0) 11 363 3587 reservations@motswiri.com www.motswiri.com Madikwe Game Reserve | South Africa

Motswiri is a mere 3-1⁄2 hours drive from Johannesburg or for utter indulgence, guests can opt for a fly-in safari to the reserves all weather airstrip. Scheduled daily charters are available via the Federal Air Madikwe Charter Joint Venture Partnership. Lodge tariffs include luxury accommodation, two fabulous game drives per day and all meals.

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Distinctly different – remote – exclusive – ground breaking. Tiger Canyon is a partnership between humans, an ecosystem and endangered species set on the banks of South Africa’s second largest dam. The tigers at Tiger Canyon have found a home far from their normal Asian habitat where they are one of the top ten most endangered animal species in the world; much more endangered than any of the other Big Cats. Tiger Canyon is no longer an experiment to see if tigers can adapt to African conditions because the now 3rd and 4th generation wild born, wild raised tigers have over 20 years become self-sustaining and proof of how adaptable animals can be. Just like Dr Ian Player assured the survival of the nearly extinct white rhino by distributing surplus animals all over Africa and zoos around the world, Tiger Canyon has reduced the risk of extinction of the Asian Tiger by creating a sustainable population in South Africa where competent Big Cat skills and veterinary experience are predominant. A stay at our Tigress Julie Lodge, named after one of the founding Canadian Zoo born tigers, will immerse you in the peace and quiet of the vast Free State. It’s an emotional experience inspired by a community who have a common purpose with Big Cat

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survival because their livelihood is dependent on eco-tourism and energized by the sight of the most powerful cat on Earth. You will be a witness to an evolutionary leap taken by the tiger from its threatened ancestral Asian home to Africa where it has found safety under caring human beings. In 2013 Tiger Canyon introduced cheetah to the reserve – the first wild cheetah re-introduced into the Free State Province after an absence of over 100 years, thus demonstrating how exotic and indigenous Big Cats can be preserved alongside each other. When a species is reduced to only about 3500 from over 100 000 a century ago, then it is prudent to share available land between multiple endangered species because the severe situation requires radical measures to resolve. Tigress Julie Lodge is small and exclusive allowing guests to individually set the pace of their stay. Tucked away below the horizon the lodge is uniquely poised on the edge of a dramatic rock canyon where tigers roam, providing views that are noticeably different to most safari lodges. The whole lodge is off-grid (solar powered) with solar water geysers maximising the benefit of the abundant sunlight prevalent in the region. Our menu is definitely a highlight and inspired by the food and herbs

grown in the area. Each room has a private deck overlooking the canyon and guests are treated to two guided game drives a day to experience the vast open beauty of the land and magnificence of Big Cats up-close. Set in the semi-arid Karoo region of South Africa, our reserve is a remote destination unlike any other. The captivating heartland is home to ancient cultures and a wide range of naturally occurring wildlife including birds like the beautiful Blue Crane, plains game like zebra, eland, kudu, wildebeest, ostrich, springbuck, red hartebeest, blessbuck, warthog, not forgetting the nocturnal species like porcupine, serval, aardvark, aardwolf, Cape fox, caracal, African wild cat, all roaming over huge grassland plains. There is truly no other photographic safari in the world that can get photographers and nature lovers as many varied sitingâ€™s of Big Cats and rear species in beautiful settings, as we do. Our specialist field guides, the land, the lodge, the cats, the clear night skies, the colours of the photogenic golden sunlight hours of the day and the huge Vanderkloof Dam all add up to a beautifully spiritual, almost surreal, definitely emotional, experience. A powerful encounter with nature that leaves all who come here changed forever.

TI GER C ANYO N PRI VATE GAME RESERVE +27(0) 71 607 9279 info@tigercanyon.com www.tigercanyon.com Free State | South Africa

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With its airy open spaces offering views from every angle, Kapama Karula, meaning â€˜place of peaceâ€™, is truly the pride of Kapama as the flagship lodge and an escape for nature lovers. This ultra-luxurious and prestigious lodge exudes calmness and depicts the pinnacle of elegant safari accommodation. Set on the bank of the perennial Klasserie River, each of the 12 glass-wrapped villas has its own outside deck area, a full-sized heated pool and loungers to relax on as guests take in the views. Effortlessly elegant and stylish, this ultra-luxurious and prestigious lodge has the power to steal the breath of even the most seasoned traveler. Modern whitewashed wood, complemented by a neutral colour palette, give Kapama Karula a contemporary African feel. The open-plan bar-lounge is spacious yet cozy, with skylights drawing in natural light. The award winning on-site Karula Spa and Wellness Centre has an intimate connection with the bushveld scenery. This flagship spa, offers a range of revitalizing health and beauty treatments. Every aspect of this spectacular design is guaranteed to ultimately leave guests feeling pampered, energized and inspired. Twice-daily game drives offer fascinating and unique African wildlife experiences. Guests are left to marvel at herds of buffalo, elephant and antelope, along with plentiful predators. The reserve is a slice of wilderness paradise; a place of renewal and reconnection with the natural world.

KAPAM A KARU LA +27(0) 12 368 0600 res@kapama.com www.kapama.com Hoedspruit | South Africa

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Experience a magical seaside stay, lush comfort and exquisite cuisine. Brenton Haven is a holiday destination best known for its peaceful tranquillity and long sandy beaches. The resort offers selfcatering and hotel accommodation in the Garden Route as Beach Homes or Luxury Suites with breathtaking sea views. Fall asleep with the sound of the waves crashing gently onto the beach, wake up and step onto your private deck and breathe in the ocean air. Enjoy a spectacular beach directly below the resort with dramatic rolling dunes and clifftop walks, lush green forests and the iconic fynbos for which this part of the world is so well-known. It is a perfect location to enjoy the best of the Garden Route with Knysna town (15 mins), Plettenberg Bay (40 mins), Wilderness (35 mins), and George (45 mins), all close by. Accommodation is provided with 26 Beach Villas and 9 Suites offering between 1 and 3 bedrooms each. The Butterfly Blu Restaurant is perched on a dune top with beautiful panoramic sea views making it one of the most idyllic restaurants in Knysna with delicious food, an outdoor/indoor deck, lounge areas, cocktail bar, and a contemporary interior. The Indigo Deli & Coffee Shop is open from 8am to 5pm daily, offering a selection of lovingly prepared delights, all home made from scratch by our team under the guidance of highly experienced chefs with more than 30 yearsâ€™ experience. Brenton Haven encompasses all the ingredients necessary for an unforgettable seaside holiday. If youâ€™d like to experience the wonders of this magical place, please give us a call.

BRENTO N HAV EN BEAC HF RO NT RESORT +27(0) 44 381 0040 reservations@brentonhaven.co.za www.brentonhaven.co.za Western Cape | South Africa

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Soneva Fushi Soneva Fushi is the original Soneva, just a 30-minute seaplane ride from Malé. Hidden among dense foliage within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi is the ‘No News, No Shoes’ blueprint for all desert island, barefoot luxury resorts. The resort’s connection to nature stirs the imagination with 63 spacious one to nine-bedroom beachfront villas, built using sustainable materials, offering luxurious simplicity and intuitive service. Dramatic indoor living areas and tropical open living spaces, picturesque terraces, scenic decks, tranquil walkways, and your very own Mr./Ms. Friday who will attend to your every need define the very essence of ‘intelligent luxury.’ Watch movies under the stars at Cinema Paradiso, create unique pieces of art at the Art & Glass Studio, enjoy castaway dining experiences around the island, or spend evenings stargazing from the Observatory. One can indulge with treatments from near and far at the Six Senses Spa. Dreamy escapes and island adventures including cruises, picnics on the private sandbank or a deserted island cater to all guests, including the little ones who can explore the children’s club, The Den.

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The massive children’s wonderland includes two swimming pools, a pirate ship, a Lego room, music room, a movie theatre, and much more. The restaurants feature menus using only the highest quality organic ingredients. Dine overwater at Out of the Blue, deep in the jungle at Fresh in the Garden, taste creations from some of the biggest names in fine dining at Once Upon A Table or embark on journey through plant-based dishes at Shades of Green. Everything about this resort is magical. From the crystal-clear turquoise waters and dolphin cruises at sunset, to the 11 types of pillows, and 500-bottle wine collection, Soneva Fushi truly defines barefoot luxury and experiences that are sure to make lifelong memories.

Soneva Jani Located on the island of Medhufaru, Soneva Jani is surrounded by five private islands ringed by white sandy beaches and covered in tropical greenery, in the Maldives’ Noonu Atoll. The resort can be reached by a scenic 30-minute seaplane flight direct from Malé, or fly directly in to the newly opened Mafaaru International Airport that is a

short 15-minute speedboat ride from Soneva Jani. Built in a private 5.6 kilometre crystal-clear lagoon with three island villas and 24 overwater villas all made from the highest quality sustainable materials and with uninterrupted ocean views, Soneva Jani inspires a sense of calm. Offering a unique sanctuary experience, the exquisitely designed villas offer the ultimate in privacy, and open to turquoise waters, have private pools, a retractable roof above the master bedroom, and most have water slides from the top deck into the lagoon below. Gourmet experiences here are as diverse as they are memorable. From dining at The Gathering, the resort’s three-storey overwater outlet, to simple barbecues and elaborate romantic sunrise and sunset escapades on deserted beaches, and an extensive wine selection, there is something for all guests to enjoy. Dine on Japanese cuisine at The Director’s Cut, or choose from the rotating selection of crab and seafood dishes at The Crab Shack. Guests can also indulge in culinary adventures such as private dining around the lagoon, a castaway picnic, organic garden lunches and cooking classes. Discover secret surf breaks in the Noonu Atoll with Soneva Jani’s eco-friendly and sustainable surfing programme. Going on nature walks, watching dolphins on a cruise in the light of the setting sun, stargazing at The Observatory, signature treatments at the Soneva Spa, a yoga pavilion to practice asanas, and scuba diving to explore the diversity of Maldivian marine life, make Soneva Jani the perfect dream getaway.

Hike through the ancient rainforest looking for the 100 species of butterflies native to Koh Kood, swim in nearby waterfalls, discover the underwater world of tropical fish while snorkelling, and explore the untouched coastline of this beautiful island. Back on land, experience a night under the stars at Cinema Paradiso, the overwater outdoor cinema; enjoy some well-deserved me time from a variety of treatments and wellness therapies at the Six Senses Spa, or go on a tour of the Waste-to-Wealth centre that transforms used articles and materials at the resort into recycled treasure. Soneva’s youngest guests can have complimentary ice cream and chocolate to their heart’s content, while playing the Eco Den and the enormous children’s Den shaped like a giant manta ray hanging high in the treetops. Dining is an unforgettable experience at Soneva Kiri. Cruise through the mangroves to Benz’s outdoor eatery on stilts, where a no menu concept and vast selection of Thai dishes is inspired by ingredients found on the island. The newest addition, Colours of the Garden, is an ode to plant-based Thai cuisine and Nordic cooking methods. Treepod Dining, 60 flavours of homemade ice creams and sorbets, and private picnics on the beach make dining at the resort a gourmet affair. The subterranean wine cellar features more than 350 labels in a climate-controlled cave, with more than 50% organic or biodynamic wines.

Soneva Kiri Located in a lush tropical rainforest, on an unspoiled island with some of the best beaches in Thailand, Soneva Kiri offers an unparalleled blend of luxury, eco-friendly design and unique Thai experiences. This extraordinary island hideaway, only 90 minutes by private plane from Bangkok, on Thailand’s least populated island, features 34 spacious one to six-bedroom villas, that blend seamlessly with the island’s natural beauty, Mr./Ms. Friday butlers, and personal buggies.

SONEVA +91(0) 124 4511000 reservations@soneva.com www.soneva.com Maldives & Thailand

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De Hoek Country hotel is an enchanting property that ensures unforgettable moments at every juncture. The surrounding gardens create a pungent atmosphere releasing pheromones that insight tranquillity and a taste for passion in our guests. Upon driving into the premises, you are welcomed by a breath taking panoramic view of the grounds, a fraction of the beauty that awaits you. Fresh green vines climb the stairway to our 5star haven, where our dedicated staff ensure that all personal pleasures are adhered to. One of the most enthralling elements of this country boutique hotel is the history of the original structures and the re-purposing of building materials that created the strong and comfortable quarters that our guests repose in. The Stone walls in the Main House envision a beauty remnant of another time, accompanied by various recycled/rescued parts of other buildings, harmonises the concept of the interdependence that farming communities have enjoyed for many years. The elements rescued from various demolition sites showcase innovative sustainability methods - that encase past beauty and function in a new frame. De Hoek Country Hotel offers its guest the opportunity to luxuriate in the megacosm of nature. Amongst the simple pleasures of serenading birds, pollinating bees and fluttering butterflies are touches of affluence, provided by the plush furniture and decadent décor. The dining experience is curated by passionate award winning chefs who provide a sensory experience that transcends the palate to exquisite heights, complimented by premium refreshments paired by our amazing service team. The gorgeous gardens, enlightened sculptures and art work, and luxury finishing’s have created the perfect surroundings for exquisite celebrations – where lifetime remembrances occur under the protection of our charismatic and dedicated staff, whose rapture is rooted in an elated guest.

DE HO EK CO UNTRY HOTEL +27(0) 14 577 9600 reservations@dehoek.com www.dehoek.com Magaliesburg | South Africa

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Set upon the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, the Zambezi Crescent Collection’s Victoria Falls River Lodge offers something for everyone. The first privately owned lodge to be built in the Zambezi National Park (Zimbabwe), it’s close proximity to one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World provides guests easy access the famous town’s bustling hub of vibrant markets, restaurants, activity options and historical landmarks. The Lodge’s favourable location also allows guests to withdraw in blissful tranquillity after an eventful day.

VI CTORI A FAL LS R IVE R LO D G E +27(0) 87 0210 737 reservations@zambezicrescent.com www.victoriafallsriverlodge.com Victoria Falls | Zimbabwe

The relaxed atmosphere of both the family-friendly thatched rooms and luxuriously secluded Island treehouses offers guests their choice of preferred accommodations. Open-flow lounge and dining areas are beautifully decorated in a light contemporary style and equipped with all the modern conveniences one would come to expect from top class lodgings. Onsite leisure activity options include game drives, walking and fishing safaris. River cruises and canoe safaris allow guests to explore the river, islands, channels and freshwater beaches. Guests seldom have to travel too far from their private decks however; as the lush foliage, and immediacy of the River, offer ample opportunity to enjoy many of the spectacular array of game species and birdlife that Zimbabwe has to offer. Cuisine at Victoria Falls River Lodge is inspired by the unique flavours of Southern Africa. No effort is spared to provide a fine dining experience. Menus are complimented by a choice wine list and custom designed to cater to all tastes. Whether guests elect to unwind at the pool with a favourite book, indulge in a treatment at the Africology affiliated Toa Spa, or sip cocktails at the riverside bar – the fully-inclusive Victoria Falls River Lodge offers an uniquely tailored experience which is sure to be remembered!

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Lush is a contemporary lodge, shaped around the environment. In fact, it is a shepherd’s tree – sheltered from the wind and warmed by the morning sun, between hill and plain – that marked the position of the main lodge. Its minimalistic décor and natural finishes put the focus on the view, which at once draws you outside. With this in mind, multi-level interior-flowing- toexterior spaces are designed for outdoor living. Spend time between safari activities reading or playing board games on the couches, sipping coffee in the bar lounge – a favourite spot to rendezvous at any time of day – or stargazing from the deck. Choose from three Bush-Facing and two MountainFacing Suites – distinguished only by their views. Covered walkways lead to each, interspersed between the trees and with their own private entrances. Wildernessinspired interiors, innovative use of space, and extended fold-back glass doors mean you feel immersed in nature even when in your suite. Their décor gives a nod to the owners Italian heritage, though much of the furnishing is local, supporting South African artisans. Designed with every comfort in mind, your Suite is not simply a base from which to explore the surrounds, but a living space. Lush guarantees you authentic safari adventures to write home about. Exclusive traversing in Black Rhino Reserve and the Pilanesberg’s Wilderness Area offers the opportunity to explore an untouched environment. Access also to the public section of the park increases your chances of encountering a large variety of wildlife.

LUS H PRI VATE GAME LODG E +27(0) 66 479 5639 reservations@lushprivatelodge.co.za www.lushprivatelodge.co.za Pilanesberg | South Africa

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Set in the heart of Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, adjacent to the famous Kruger National Park, RockFig Safari Lodge is well situated for forays into the African wilds. Game drives let you cover some ground in the comfort of a vehicle, while walking safaris put you right on the ground, exploring the area under your own steam. Whatever you prefer (and we suggest you try both), these exciting activities – and their inevitable wildlife sightings – are sure to get your blood pumping. They’ll also work up an appetite, which you can satiate with the feasts you’ll find at the bush breakfasts and dinners, as well as safari-style meals back at this luxury South African safari lodge. RockFig Safari Lodge features just six suites, making it ideal for exclusive-use bookings for families or groups of friends. The sense of place comes through strongly, with the colour palette in each room inspired by the purple and green hues of local birds and plants. Although guests are always conscious of where they are, no stone is left unturned in the quest for comfort and luxury, with each suite featuring both indoor and outdoor showers with a bath, a private verandah ideal for romantic candlelit dinners and a minibar. Specially commissioned watercolour paintings add notes of cool beauty, and – as with every space in the lodge – the aim is always to delight the guests who’ll stay here. Game drives rank among the quintessential Timbavati experiences, and the guides and trackers at RockFig Safari Lodge pride themselves on providing incredible, safe but close wildlife encounters. Every guest has a ‘window’ seat looking out onto Big Five territory; with just four guests per shared vehicle, there’s almost as much space on board as there is to explore beyond the lodge!

RO C KF I G S AFARI LODG E +27(0) 63 295 4075 reservations@rockfigsafarilodge.com www.rockfigsafarilodge.com Timbavati Private Nature Reserve | South Africa

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Tucked away in the misty hills of Mpumalanga, Doornkop Fish & Wildlife reserve offers visitors stunning views, hiking trails, tranquil dams and rivers. Besides trout fishing the reserve offers an abundance of wildlife and antelope species. Easily accessible, Doornkop is less than 3 hours drive from Johannesburg. Escape to Doornkop Fish & Wildlife reserve for rest, relaxation and the great outdoors. Fly fishing in one of the 8 well stocked dams, which are maintained throughout the year, is a favourite activity amongst visitors. Hiking, horse riding as well as trails for mountain bikes are some of the activities for the entire family to enjoy. An ideal getaway for travellers both young and old, Doornkop offers a variety of upmarket accommodation. Timeshare and purchasing options are also available.

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Doornkop Property Sales

DO O RNKO P F I S H & W I L DL I F E RESERVE +27(0) 11 702 8365 reservations@doornkop.co.za www.doornkopreserve.com Mpumalanga | South Africa

SUGAR BEACH Bask in old-world opulence while enjoying modern comforts at Sugar Beach Mauritius – located on one of the most picturesque beaches on the island and sheltered by the picture-perfect bay of Flic-en-Flac. Travel back to a bygone era in this plantation-style paradise as you explore all Mauritius has to offer and end each sensational day with panoramic sunset views over the Indian Ocean. The perfect sanctuary for couples or families seeking the ultimate tropical getaway. Stroll along the beach and take in the azure ocean, spend a day being cocooned in luxury at Cinq Mondes Spa, or take your pick of thrilling land and water sports. How you spend each exquisite day is up to you.

LONG BEACH

Leave your everyday worries behind as you set off for a getaway never to be forgotten. Long Beach Mauritius pulses with a tangible energy that sets the scene for holidaymakers from around the world. Fringing the famed beach at Belle Mare along the island’s untamed East Coast, Long Beach Mauritius is a five-star tropical haven where uncompromising luxury is the order of the day. Surrounded by the pristine beach for which the resort is named and the lush, tropical gardens all around, Your modern, stylish room at Long Beach is a perfect home-away-from-home for exploring the island’s rich offerings of laid-back opulence and thrilling adventure.

Contact your nearest travel professional or World Leisure Holidays on (011) 285 2500 or go TtoR www.wlh.co.za AV EL 155

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DIGITAL REVOLUTION

Content | Digital Marketing | Development

MBG MEDIA DIGITAL MARKETING AGENCY www.mbgmedia.co.za

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EMBASSY DIRECT

Embassy Direct hosts a minimum of 6 functions, every year and supports many more. 2019 saw members gathering at a wide range of events, from luncheons hosted by Ambassadors to golf days and business speed dating activations, alike. Embassy Direct had 57 planned events, in 2020 and it will be interesting to see how the world of physical get-togethers, morphs into the online space (post Covid-19). As mentioned in Ronâ€™s introduction, we look forward to watching how the world rises to 2020â€™s challenges through innovation and ingenuity, creating a 'new and wonderful normal'

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