Hello Lifestyle Magazine Summer Issue 2023

THE SUMMER ISSUE 2023

NONALCOHOLIC DRINKS:

’TIS THE TREND OF THE SEASON

RELEARN TO RELAX AT CYPIRO LODGE

Blok's

JACQUES VAN EMBDEN ON URBAN LIVING

DELAIRE GRAFF

ENTERS THE REALM OF JAPANESE CUISINE

win A HELICOPTER FLIP WORTH OVER R3 000

SCAN FOR YOUR

FREE COPY

CITY GUIDES: JOBURG | PRETORIA | CAPE TOWN | DURBAN

Now we get more than food done.

Get food, groceries, pet care, gifting and more delivered Download the Mr D app

The D is for Done.

A

s I sit here writing to you, Pretoria is as warm as ever. The Jacarandas are in full bloom, lining the streets in lilac. I wonder if I’ve ever seen the city so beautiful. Each year, as the Jacarandas arrive, something shifts.

People want to be outside and streetside cafés and restaurants – like those mentioned in this issue’s Pretoria City Guide – are filled with people.

The shops have been putting up Christmas decorations over the past few weeks and as the excitement builds up towards the end of the year, I realise that I have not even started thinking about Christmas gifts. Luckily, there are some outstanding ideas in our H-list – the ultimate list of our latest favourites.

It’s also not too long before the Jacaranda City’s famous Lawley Street will turn into a wonderworld of Christmas lights and festivities, complete with live bands, carols and coffee stands.

If you’re not in Pretoria, this issue has ample other suggestions on where to go over the festive season. Whether it’s the latest restaurants in Cape Town or experiencing helicopter flips in KZN (remember to check out our competition), I am sure you’ll find something worth exploring.

Image: Estilo Creative

Ed's

Finally, there are also many places to explore with your family over the December holidays.

Page through to an article on travelling along the Garden Route and read more about our latest bush experience – a different take on the traditional safari.

May this issue be the ultimate guide for your festive season and may you and your loved ones find the time to be together, to rejuvenate, to do some much-needed digital detox, to do things at a slower pace and to explore our beautiful country.

Merry Christmas to you and may 2024 be your year!

Renate

Q @suitcaseandchardonnay - Editor

Editor’s Choice Mamere Hot Chocolate from Poetry Stores R129

Cellini Spinn 4 Wheel Carry On Trolley R2 795

Sony ZV-E10 Mirrorless Camera with a 16-50mm Lens and a Bag Kit R13 413.98

Women’s Dessie Leather Sandal from Old Khaki R899

Protea Pin Cushion Studs in Rose Gold by Botanica Jewellery R860

FOLLOW THESE INFLUENTIAL INDIVIDUALS

@CRISP_AND_KHAKI

Nikita Rix is a photographer and storyteller who seems to be living the African dream. Based in Namibia, a lot of her content is from there, but she travels across Africa and visits the most exquisite safari destinations.

@_MISHALEVIN

This Joburg-based sharer, creator and picture taker’s Instagram profile is proof that beige is not dead. Plus, her content is always fresh and inspirational with various DIY projects up her sleeve. We love how she can see the little things in life.

@DEARDIARY_ZA

Karin Meyer has her own personal blog and a planner shop and we absolutely love her customised diaries. P.S. The 2024 ones are now available! Karin loves coffee and travelling and the quotes and posts on her feed are very relatable.

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023 l hellolifestyle.co.za

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CONTENTS

ARTS & CULTURE TUESDAY HOUSTON Telling stories through octopus illustrations PETER PAN Forget Santa, let’s go to Neverland!

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ENTERTAINMENT FOOD & DRINK DRINKS TO GIFT NEW BLOOD AT THE MASLOW STEPHNIE’S For the creatures of habit PERERE A fine fusion of African cuisine CITY GUIDES JOHANNESBURG CAPE TOWN PRETORIA DURBAN

MOTORING VROOM-VROOM Let’s hit the road PROPERTY DATA, TECH AND AI The effects on real estate MONEY TALK DECREASE YOUR SPENDING over the festive season

UPFRONT EDITOR’S LETTER CALENDAR H-LIST ON THE COVER JACQUES VAN EMBDEN Is Cape Town becoming the ultimate 15-minute city?

STOCK UP YOUR BAR For an alcohol-free festive season HŌSEKI Delaire Graff’s lavish take on Japanese cuisine RELEARNING TO RELAX Cypiro Leopard Lodge BEAUTY & WELLNESS SMILE Happy gums, happy smile

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THE SUMMER ISSUE 2023

NONALCOHOLIC DRINKS:

’TIS THE TREND OF THE SEASON

RELEARN TO RELAX AT CYPIRO LODGE

15

16 18 22 39 44

23 33 40 45

TRAVEL RIVERHORSE LODGE A villa in the Cradle ON THE ROAD AGAIN Taking the long way from Cape Town to Knysna LEADING VENUES FESTIVE SEASON CELEBRATIONS It’s downhill from here

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Contributors: Alyson Le Grange Ilse Zietsman Contributing Photographers: Tegan Smith Photography My Lime Boots (Ryan Enslin) Printing: Lebone Letho Printers (Pty) Ltd. www.lebonelitho.co.za Distribution: Media Support

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Head Office: MESH Club, Keys Avenue, Rosebank, 2196

60

Blok's

JACQUES VAN EMBDEN ON URBAN LIVING

DELAIRE GRAFF

ENTERS THE REALM OF JAPANESE CUISINE

win

FREE COPY

12

Magazine Design: Debbie Farrell

CONTACT US www.hellolifestyle.co.za info@hellolifestyle.co.za

SCAN FOR YOUR

50

Editor: Renate Engelbrecht renate@hellolifestyle.co.za

56

A HELICOPTER FLIP WORTH OVER R3 000

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Publisher: Justyn Spinner justyn@hellolifestyle.co.za

CITY GUIDES: JOBURG | PRETORIA | CAPE TOWN | DURBAN

OUR COVER STAR Jacques van Embden, CEO of Blok Image credits: Tegan Smith Photography Venue: SIXONN, Sea Point

Hello Lifestyle Magazine supports press and media freedom and the freedom of expression for all South Africans.

Copyright: All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied and stored in a retrievable system by any form, or by any means electronic, photocopied, or otherwise without prior permission from the publishers and owners.

While every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of advice and information given to readers at the time of printing this publication, its publisher and editors cannot be held responsible for damages or inconvenience caused due to the publication of incorrect information.

THE ALL-NEW

FORD PUMA

Now available at Eagle Ford

BOOK YOUR TEST DRIVE: EAGLEFORD.CO.ZA | 011 531 3000 *TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY. IMAGE FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY. E&OE.

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PLACES TO BE

22-3

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER

THINGS TO SEE Jingle into the festive season with these exciting happenings

#HelloLifestyle

by Renate Engelbrecht Images: Supplied

17

NOVEMBER

Time Out Market

11–12 NOVEMBER

Bubbly & Gin Summer Party Where: Plaisir Wine Estate, Fanschhoek What to expect: What better way to celebrate summer than with a glass of bubbly, a plate of good food and live music from Shen FM? It will all be there at Plaisir Wine Estate this November, from noon until 17:00 on both days. Let’s get the party started!

Tickets include a glass and one cocktail voucher, as well as three tasting coupons.

Price: From R236 per person www.webtickets.co.za 4 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023 l hellolifestyle.co.za

Where: V&A Waterfront, Cape town What to expect: Cape Town’s much anticipated Time Out Market is set to hit the scene on 17 November 2023, opening its doors to the public at the V&A Waterfront from 11:00. This food and cultural market will bring the best of the city together under one roof: It’s best chefs, drinks and cultural experiences. This is the first Time Out Market to open on the African continent, featuring a mix of thirteen home-grown culinary concepts spanning many cultural influences and flavours. From the 17th of November, this market will be open daily with the official times being Sunday to Wednesday from 11:00 to 22:00 and Thursday to Saturday from 11:00 to 23:00.

Price: Free entry Just pop in

Classical Comedy

Where: Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, UKZN What to expect: The Durban City Orchestra and the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre brings classical comedy to the South Coast this festive season, with a short ten performance run from 22 November to 3 December. The production will build on from last year’s inaugural season, with a reprise of many of the fabulous sketches and tunes, as well as some exciting new ones. Aaron Mcilroy and Lisa Bobbert boldy tread where no right-minded comedian ever would: In the sacred space of The Orchestra. They migrate from Bach to Beethoven…to Bedlam.

It’s a musical celebration fit for the whole family, guaranteed to make you chuckle to Tchaikovsky.

Price: From R200 www.tickets.computicket.com

23-26 NOVEMBER

Striking a Chord Where: Pieter Toerien’s Studio Theatre at Montecasino What to expect: The CoLab Network, in association with AEJ Music, presents Striking a Chord, starring Adrian and Emma-Jean Galliard, with musical direction by Neil Bennett for three shows this November. It follows a successful tour of England in August 2023, and their debut show, Accidently Viral, staged around South Africa in 2022. The father-daughter duo’s bond is palpable as they take their audiences on an awe-inspiring musical journey.

Price: From R150 per person www.webtickets.co.za

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15-24 DECEMBER

DECEMBER-JANUARY

Festival of Lights

Where: Joburg Zoo What to expect: It’s that time of year again where Joburg Theatre in association with Joburg City Parks and Zoo and Joburg City Power bring Christmas-lovers the annual Joburg Festival of Lights. There will be an enchanting collection of illuminated life-sized animal characters and classical, harmonious entertainment, as well as a food and craft night market. The festival will be open to patrons from 19:00 to 22:00 from Thursdays through to Sundays, offering you the opportunity to enjoy a relaxing stroll on a designated lit route away from the zoo’s animals. Let the enchanting lights light up your Christmas spirit this year. Children under the age of three can enter for free.

Price: From R175 www.joburgtheatre.com

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DECEMBER

Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour Where: Theatre of Marcellus, Emperors Palace What to expect: The new live theatre show, Blippi: The Wonderful World Tour, is stopping over in South Africa for the first time ever. Blu Blood in association with Round Room Live and Moonbug Entertainment brings the vivacious, energetic, educational global sensation to Joburg between 1 and 10 December this year. The show promises to be filled with new music, characters, monster trucks and even the Blippi mobile! This follows the success of Blippi The Musical, with Blippi’s character to be played by professional stage performers specifically selected for the stage show. It should be the perfect December outing, fit for the whole family.

Price: From R299 per person www.ticketpros.co.za

2-3

DECEMBER

Franschhoek Cap Classique & Champagne Festival Where: Franschhoek Huguenot Monument What to expect: Pop the corks at the Franschhoek Cape Classique & Champagne Festival this December, presented by Sanlam Private Wealth. All this while being entertained by top acoustic rock band, Watershed who has been confirmed for the Saturday’s lineup. The historic location boasts the perfect garden party vibe and guests are encouraged to dress the part, with classic white and blue and a touch of silver that will add to the Franschhoek flair. Of course, fashionistas will be going all out and there will be prizes for the best dressed. The luxury lifestyle event will include food with pop-up stalls from a host of Franschhoek’s restaurants and your entry will include a glass champagne flute and ten tasting tokens for all the Cap Classiques on show, as well as select Champagnes.

Swingle Bells – A Christmas Concert Spectacular Where: The Teatro, Montecasino What to expect: Local musical theatre and international entertainer, Jonathan Roxmouth is returning to the Teatro at Montecasino after five years, this time with the highly acclaimed nineteen-piece Johannesburg Big Band, conducted by Adam Howard.

Together, they are presenting a spectacular Christmas concert that will have you swingin’.

Jonathan and the band will be joined onstage by special guest artists Timothy Moloi and Monique Steyn, as well as the children’s vocal ensemble from Stageworx School of Performing Arts. There will be only eight performances and they will take place on Fridays at 19:30, Saturdays at 14:00 and 19:30 and Sundays at 14:00 (including Christmas Eve).

Price: From R200 per person www.webtickets.co.za or at Pick ’n Pay outlets

Price: From R350 per person www.franschhoekcapclassique.co.za

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DECEMBER

The Sound of Music Where: Artscape Theatre | The Teatro at Montecasino What to expect: Together with Cape Town Opera, Pieter Toerien is presenting the much-anticipated revival tour of the world’s most-loved musical: The Sound of Music.

The show will open in Cape Town at the Artscape Theatre, whereafter it will transfer to Joburg at The Teatro at Montecasino. The Sound of Music marks the 11th and final collaboration between legendary lyricists, Rodgers & Hammerstein, and features numerous popular show tunes, including My favourite things, Climb Ev’ry Mountain, Do Re Mi, Sixteen Going on Seventeen and more.

Price: From R150 www.pietertoerien.co.za

16 DECEMBER

Jazz on the Square Festival Where: The Wanderers Club, Cricket Oval, Illovo, Johannesburg What to expect: On 16 December 2023, The Wanderers Club will turn into a playground of soul-stirring melodies, magnetic energy and vibrant artistry with a Jazz festival of note. Produced by La Funk, the annual one-day event promises an impressive fusion of South African and international artists, delivering a performance that is bound to leave a lasting impression.

This is ultimately where the dance of culture, the symphony of creativity and the harmony of connection come together.

Price: From R450 Ticket Master

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023 l hellolifestyle.co.za 5

For the road

1

2

GET READY FOR A FESTIVE SUMMER

3 1. Simba Steakhouse Beef Flavoured Chips R19.99 per 120g, Checkers 2. Pearl 360 PRO Family Car Seat R8 499.99, Maxi Cosi 3. Amajoya Hazelnut Pralin / Double Chocolate R25.99, Pick ’n Pay 4. Double Insulated Flask R589, Carrol Boyes

#HelloLifestyle Compiled by Renate Engelbrecht Images: Supplied

Stay fit this summer 1

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2

4

3

1. Fitness Leggings R1890, Just Breethe 2. Sport Tote R439, Decathlon 3. SMAI Wall Ball R749, Makro 4. Get Fit Body Weight Cards R179, Nifty Gifts

For the fashionista

1 2

3

1. Classic Mega Crush Sandal R1399.95, Crocs 2. Game of Thrones Dragon Sparkling Ring R1 199, Pandora 3. Acadia HEAT Pullover Fleece R1199, BONDI Collection, Hurley 4. Bootcut and Flare Jeans R3 999, Diesel 6 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023 l hellolifestyle.co.za

4

Get your glow on 1

For Christmas 1

2

2

3 4 3

4

1. Louis Vuitton Myriad R9 900 per 100ml, louivuitton.com 2. EasyGlow Contouring Stick R1 295, My Easy Glow 3. Jet Sets, Full Face Mini Collection Set R1 045, Eco Diva 4. Big Five African Oils Box Set R750, Afrika Botanicals

1. Bulk Nougat Nuggets R175, Macro Mixes 2. Christmas Cracker and a Mini Diffuser R284, Cape Island 3. Kruger Rand From 664.06, Mr K 4. Award-winning single malt Israeli whisky from M&H Whisky Distillery R949, Woodstock Liquors

For the New Year

1

2

3

4

1. Multifunctional journal or notebook R260, Babylonstoren 2. Bowers & Wilkens Px7 S2 over-ear noise cancelling headphones R8 599, Homemation 3. Sleek and stylish wireless Pebble 2 Combo R1 499, Logi Tech 4. Marble table clock R449, @home on Bash

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023 l hellolifestyle.co.za 7

Is

Cape Town becoming the ultimate

15-minute

city?

8 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023 l hellolifestyle.co.za

“I was always into model building, Lego building…

I always enjoyed constructing things.”

Blok’s Jacques van Embden sheds light on developing the ideal urban home

A

fter battling it out with technology (we currently have a love-hate relationship with tech) and finally getting Zoom to open the meeting screen, there he was: Jacques van Embden, looking casual-chic sitting at Cape Town International Airport, waiting to board his plane. “I am getting ready to go help Rassie and Siya, because apparently they need some more manpower” he joked, clearly excited about going to watch two Rugby World Cup matches. But first, business. While rugby might be one of his passions, he is just as passionate about property development and architecture. It’s clear by the way his face lit up on the laptop screen every time we mentioned Blok.

While many might recognise the name as an Afrikaans word for block, Jacques’ company, Blok epitomises so much more. It speaks true to the Afrikaans word, but it’s also a play on the English word, block, paying homage to city blocks and building blocks. Naturally, it also fits in well with a company that makes apartment blocks. We dare say that Blok might also just be one of the initial building blocks when it comes to incorporating the latest urban living trends.

#HelloLifestyle

by Renate Engelbrecht Images: Tegan Smith Photography

Jacques is the CEO of Blok and graduated in architecture at UCT. He says he’s always been very interested in the impact buildings have on its environment and its users. He always NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023 l hellolifestyle.co.za 9

knew that he wanted to become an architect. “Well before I knew what it was, what it meant or how many hours it took,” he laughs. “I was always into model building, Lego building…

I always enjoyed constructing things.” He graduated amidst the 2008 global financial crisis which nudged him into the property management sphere, working with a company that was acquiring and refurbing assets. “What I do now is a mixture of both,” Jacques says, with Blok blending his passion for architecture and property development exceptionally well.

ADVOCATING CITY LIVING Jacques is an advocate for urban living and has lived in Cape Town his whole life. While he says he is lucky to have travelled quite a bit over the years, he is a “very proud Capetonian and a very proud South African.”

When it comes to the various Blok properties around the Atlantic Seaboard and the City Bowl, Blok is very involved in the design process, even though they appoint different architects for the different properties. “I like the fact that each property has its own look and language and you need individual architects for that.” Blok currently has four projects under construction and just recently launched their 17th development, ONE46ONM. “We are reasonably confident on the lessons that we’ve learned. We’re very involved in the projects, carrying lessons learnt from project to project and including new trends and innovations along the way.

We also talk to the clients after the buildings have been completed, because that gives us a healthy understanding of the client’s experience of the buildings that we make. We like to know how successful the buildings are a few years after completion and what impact they had on improving an area.”

BLOK MEANS BUSINESS As a property development brand, Blok is business to customer orientated. “With all the environmental and town planning constraints and the industry volatility from a materials and labour perspective, it’s become a very technical industry. With that, it needed to professionalise, which made it become more competitive. There are also more opportunities, as there are more people living in cities and that created the space of branded real estate developments,” says Jacques. According to him, part of branded 10 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023 l hellolifestyle.co.za

getting raw materials, as well as diminishing resources to blame.

Blok responded to these rising costs and the fact that people can’t afford to purchase all the bells and whistles anymore by offering Blok Raw. In essence, they take out the finishes they think customers can put in later or don’t need, making the urban apartments more affordable.

“For example, we would only put ceilings in certain areas to hide all the services, but in other parts you have quite an industrial look and a concrete ceiling. The savings then get transferred onto the customer with a lower purchase price. The big concept about Blok Raw was to selectively dress down the finishes in a thoughtful attempt to reduce the price.”

real estate developments is to do a lot of insourcing, as your customer has expectations from the brand. This helps the Blok team to understand what their customers want, as they are consistently connected to the customer and seeing where trends are headed.

“That contact with the marketplace is vital, because it feeds straight back to the product,” he adds.

Apart from in-house sales, marketing, development management, finance and acquisition, Blok also offers the option of interior design should clients require it. “The architects do part of the interior work, and we normally also partner with an interior firm on each project, which gives you the option to buy the furnished apartment.” Interestingly, Capetonians tend to enjoy decorating their spaces to their own liking, which results in around 50% of property buyers opting for the unfurnished option. Jacques says this is very different to many parts of the London market. “The London market wants to buy it furnished, because it’s quick, it’s easy, it’s beautiful and it’s done.” While Jacques likes the fact that Blok offers the furnished option to clients, it also inspires him to see how other people interpret their spaces.

Construction costs are on the rise globally, with things like environmental requirements that buildings need to meet, challenges in

BUILDING A FIFTEENMINUTE CITY While the most prevalent development market in South Africa is horizontal development like with secure estates on the outskirts of our cities, Blok’s passion lies elsewhere. Their specialisation and love affair are with vertical developments.

“There has been a big buzz word over the past decade – the fifteen-minute city – where everything is a fifteen-minute walk or a fifteen-minute public transport away from your front door,” says Jacques. “For those types of spaces, you do need excellent natural assets and public spaces,” he continues, “which we are extremely lucky with in Cape Town. We’ve got wonderful coastlines all over the city; in the middle of our city we have a mountain and a nature reserve; and in the Atlantic Seaboard and the City Bowl we have the V&A Waterfront - an excellent urban park - and the promenade, which are excellent assets.” He says Blok’s expertise lies in selling assets where many of their owners are interested in multi-modal transport options. It’s for people who want to enjoy a European-type city and a cosmopolitan life. “They want to be able to cycle on the promenade, hit the gym, go to work, go to a bar, go to a restaurant and meet people from all over the show.”

For more information on ONE46ONM, enquire today at blok.co.za.

CITY LIVING IS ABOUT CONNECTEDNESS AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT According to Jacques there is a very limited amount of great urban spaces in South Africa. He highlights areas like the Atlantic Seaboard, the City Bowl and the CBD of Cape Town, as well as Milnerton along the promenade and Stellenbosch’s city centre.

Beyond the Cape, he says uMhlanga boasts some worthwhile urban spaces, as do some small areas in Joburg around Rosebank and Melrose Arch. Tshwane also came up, with some urban development in the Hatfield area.

Jacques refers to the urban living spaces Blok creates as youthful areas. “It’s not young, it’s youthful,” he says, explaining that it is a result of things constantly changing.

“You have to have a youthful response to change. Restaurants change, bars change, cafés change, buildings change, communities change. There’s a dynamism to those spaces that’s quite robust.”

Cities provide services not based on wealth, but on population density. This global mechanism ensures that the denser a city, the closer you are to a nurse, a firefighter, a policeman, a doctor, whatever it might be.

“By having more people closer together, it’s actually really great for the city,” says Jacques.

People living in a seven-storey building in the city can also get lots of services off the same municipal supply, which helps them gain so much more revenue than with a lateral development. “I am a big advocate – even in the horizontal developments – for going three or four storeys, even five. It doesn’t have to be a high-rise city. I am a huge fan of five to ten storey suburbs, because they let light into streets. I find once you get above ten storey buildings, big shadows are cast and there is lots of wind that comes around buildings.” He refers to cities like those in Spain, Portugal, France, a lot of the Mediterranean and the whole of South America, saying they all get great light into their streets. Hong Kong, Shanghai and New York are all modern cities where the high-rise spaces create huge shadows and whipping winds. “New York has always been associated with a trench coat,” Jacques adds. “It’s because there, wind whips around all the buildings which makes the experience very cold when you’re outside.” While these cities are beautiful and impressive, Jacques says he prefers cities on an intermediate scale, which makes Cape Town the perfect place for an urban home.

For him, urban living is where a lot of your life is lived where you can do most of your activities – shopping, exercising, leisure, connecting with others – in public spaces.

“I think there is a great cultural development

opportunity in those. I live across the way from the pools in Sea Point and I think they must be one of the strongest assets for cultural development and cohesion you could find in a city. The cultural diversity is totally wild, it’s safe and people are spending healthy, quality time in nature, while living in the city and taking advantage of its assets.”

URBAN LIVING IN CAPE TOWN Cape Town’s diversity – especially over the December holidays – is what Jacques loves most about the Mother City. “Over the past decade, Cape Town has become so diverse and attractive that if you want winelands, if you want bistro, if you want beach, if you want mountain, it’s all there.

I think that is why Cape Town is so popular.

It’s such a compelling lifestyle. You can wake up and within forty minutes – which is not long – we’ve got this abundance of things to experience.” He touches on the fancy social beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay, as well as the tiny, hidden beaches in Cape Point.

Furthermore, the tidal pools offer a whole different ocean experience in addition to many other ways to explore the ocean around the Cape. “I like that choice,” Jacques says, “because it makes it interesting. You’re always experiencing or learning something new.”

CREATING AN URBAN HOME YOU WANT TO COME BACK TO “What we work really hard on, is that the building is a big part of what you buy into,” says Jacques. “Home doesn’t stop at the front door. The whole building and the whole suburb must feel like home.” He explains that you need to understand what is in the rest of your building. Is there a great space to read a book, to have a dip in the pool, to watch a sunset? Is there a laundry; a gym? Perhaps even a deli on the ground floor like with Blok’s SIXONN development – a building with ground floor commercial space that has

quickly become a favourite among locals in the area.

For the home itself, Jacques says design is incredibly important. “Look at the attention to detail that’s gone into the design,” he suggests.

Ultimately, the secret lies in creating buildings that aesthetically fit into the environment they are based in, while still standing out for people to remember them for years to come.

With the names of each of the properties celebrating its location, Blok is creating a collection of properties not only to be proud of, but also to remind you of where you’re at: One of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Jacques van Embden’s passion for South Africa (and its rugby), Cape Town (and its natural assets), architecture, the art of creating a well-designed urban home and investing not only in property development, but also cultural development, is testament to why Blok will soon be celebrating a decade in the industry. He understands change and while his company’s name might be Blok, he certainly has a knack for thinking beyond the limitations of a block-shaped box. H Q @blokliving

“There has been a big buzz word over the past decade – the fifteen-minute city – where everything is a fifteen-minute walk or a fifteen-minute public transport away from your front door” NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023 l hellolifestyle.co.za 11

SMILE!

#HelloLifestyle

by Renate Engelbrecht Images: Supplied

Healthy gums make for a happy smile

ORAL HEALTH IS SOMETHING WE DON’T ALWAYS TALK ABOUT, LET ALONE PAY ATTENTION TO. YET, IT SHOULD BE AT THE TOP OF OUR HEALTH LISTS AND HERE IS WHY.

S

tepping into Enamel Dental Clinic, we were pleasantly surprised by the size of the practice. Initially, we thought we’d merely be getting a quick teeth whitening treatment, but co-founder, Prof. Howard Gluckman was kind enough to give us a quick pre-treatment tour, including a quick meet and greet with his business parter, Dr. Mark Bowes. Honestly, our experience at Enamel had us lingering in awe.

We did not know it at the time, but before getting a teeth whitening treatment at the state-of-the-art practice in De Waterkant, Cape Town, our oral hygiene had to pass certain criteria. According to Prof. Gluckman one must be careful of gum disease, which is what the teeth whitening hygienist checked before embarking on the whitening process.

WHAT IS GUM DISEASE? Gum disease consists of a group of oral diseases that affect the gums and the bone surrounding your teeth. The first type of gum disease is gingivitis - the most common disease in the human body - which only affects the gums. The second, periodontitis, could follow if gingivitis is not treated and this could involve the destruction of the bone and tissue that hold your teeth in place.

Gingivitis presents swollen and bleeding gums when brushed or flossed. By improving the plaque removal, the gums return to normal with no permanent damage.

On the other hand, signs of periodontitis include bleeding gums, mobile teeth due to loss of bone, gum recession, temperature sensitivity, bad breath, drifting teeth and loss of gum between the teeth which eventually results in dark triangles. This disease is often identified too late, since it is painless and the symptoms only appear later.

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Periodontitis has been linked to various systemic diseases like heart disease, low birth weight and preterm babies, as well as pneumonia, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and stroke. That’s why it is so important to keep to your six-monthly or annual dental check-ups.

IN THE CLEAR? GET THE CLEAN! Lucky for us, we were in the clear, which meant we could get the teeth whitening treatment after all. We were made as comfortable as possible in the oral hygienist, Stephanie Kumalo’s chair – complete with an electric foot massaging machine! Then she ensured that the bleach does not move onto more sensitive areas and away from the teeth, carefully applying the whitening solution to the teeth. The whitening process is not a permanent solution to teeth discolouration (which can happen due to various reasons – both extrinsic and intrinsic). Doing the whitening in the chair is quick and efficient, and while it’s not always as comfortable as one would wish, it is still worth it. Depending on the type of discolouration, the whitening process could take up to 90 minutes to complete and you might only really see the

brilliance shine through the day after.

For someone who has a fear of dentists, Enamel Dental Clinic might be a good place to stand up to that fear. H Q @drmarkbowes_cpt 1 www.enamel.clinic 1 www.howardgluckman.com

STOCK YOUR BAR

for an alcohol-free festive season With the non-alcoholic spirits trend still on the rise, it’s the hospitable thing to do to include some non-alcoholic options to your at-home bar. #HelloLifestyle by Renate Engelbrecht Images: Supplied

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ore and more people are dipping their toes in the non-alcoholic spirits trend – some for health reasons; others because they enjoy the unique offerings that come of it. According to Lyre’s South Africa’s brand ambassador, Joe Mthimkhulu (aka Barman Joe) the sober curious movement is driven by an increased need to moderate alcohol consumption, but also by the curiosity about interesting experiences for those who enjoy alcohol and those who don’t alike. “There have always been people who choose not to drink or who want low alcoholic drinks but with the surge in popularity of non-alcoholic offerings there are so many options available that you can have a drink that tastes just as good as its alcoholic counterpart,” he says.

ALL-IN-ONE BAR SET These are the basics for any bar and include an ice bucket, shaker, tool holder with a mixing spoon, strainer, tot pourer and a silver tray.

GLASSWARE Be sure to include at least the entry level glasses to your bar. Start off with margarita glasses, large, stemmed or stemless wine glasses, martini glasses, high-ball glasses and oldfashioned glasses.

MUDDLER AND PITCHER Many cocktail recipes call for muddling fruit like berries and citrus or even leaves like basil and mint. If you plan on mixing a larger batch of a specific drink, a pitcher is a must and if you’d like to look like a professional mixologist, be sure to add a long stick for mixing.

MIXERS, FRUIT AND HERBS Sparkling water and soda water often form the backbone of a non-alcoholic cocktail, so be sure to always have that in stock. Also add a few not-so-basic mixers like aloe-vera juice, pomegranate juice, lemon juice and tonic waters for those special non-alcoholic tipples.

BITTERS FOR FLAVOUR Most bitters are not alcohol-free, so be sure to get glycerine-based bitters for your bar. These will add a spicy kick to your cocktail mixes and you will merely need a drop or two.

NON-ALCOHOLIC SPIRITS Finally, your bar won’t be complete without a couple of non-alcoholic spirits. Lyre’s is a premium quality non-alcoholic spirit brand with five flavour variants. They also have various recipe suggestions and inspiration on their website and social media channels.

Mahala Botanical’s alcohol-free portfolio has been extended recently, with the addition of Mahala Botanical Amber - a brand-new, dark, alcoholfree spirit. It is not only free from alcohol, but also from sugar, gluten and artificial flavours and colourings. It’s the perfect drink to mix with ginger ale or beer or to use as an alcohol-free base for cocktails like the Old Fashioned.

Chances are you’ll have guests over during the festive season who might prefer spirits with less to no alcohol. These are bound to do the trick. H NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023 l hellolifestyle.co.za 13

TELLING STORIES THROUGH OCTOPUS ILLUSTRATIONS

Tuesday Houston’s illustrations might be light-hearted and fun, but some have a much deeper meaning than one might think.

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he jokes that she should have become a rockstar, with her name being Tuesday. Now, Tuesday Houston is a rockstar in another way – through her art. The artist has always been creative, but her first time to be represented by a gallery was in 2007. At that time, Tuesday’s art was much different to what she’s been keeping herself busy with lately. Her current series – an octopus-inspired blend of ink and imagination – came about five years ago, during a rather dark time as her life partner was losing his cancer battle. It was during this trying time that she started

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getting visually rich underwater dreams that she describes as being rather comforting.

After her partner passed away, Tuesday immediately started creating the octopuses from her dreams. “I am a firm believer in no matter how bad things get, having a sense of humour is very important,” she says and that is what you’ll find in her artwork. “You need to be able to laugh at yourself. In fact, it’s far more important to laugh at yourself than to laugh at other people.”

One such art piece is called ‘Whale of a time’ and represents her open water swimming friends who have been a wonderfully supportive community to her and to each other. “No matter how rough things get, we manage to come together in the ocean and put a positive spin on things,” says Tuesday. “We truly do have ‘a whale of a time.’”

While her work is exhibited in several galleries, the UK-born artist is part owner in Noordhoek Art Point, where you’ll also be able to see her art. Tuesday spent most of her childhood in Johannesburg and

much of her school holidays were filled with wonderous adventures in the bush. Even though she misses the bush terribly, she loves living in the Cape too, as she has been living there since 1994. Her art certainly illustrates her love for the bush, though. In fact, during a recent trip to the bush she spent time in camp, watching monkeys and other animals come and go as she worked. “This piece tells the story of the combination of my two great loves - the ocean (my octopuses have come to represent the ocean in many of my pieces), and the bushveld,” she explains.

While much of her inspiration for her current series might have come from her dreams, it’s also her experiences as an emergency responder with the NSRI that prods her imagination. “I get to meet the most phenomenal people,” she says. Since she spends a lot of time in the ocean free diving, it’s only natural that it will come through in her art. “Being out there does influence the art. I tell my stories through illustrations,” she says. H Q @artbytuesday

PETER PAN

Forget Santa, let’s go to Neverland!

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etween 3 November and 24 December 2023, we’re thinking happy thoughts all the way as Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, the Darling children and many other exciting characters grace the stage at Joburg Theatre.

There’s nothing like a bit of fairy dust that could make this year end on a high note – especially if it’s with a view of Neverland.

Based on the classic tale by J.M. Barrie, the pantomime, Peter Pan will be presented for the third time this year, with the first time being in 2007 and the second time in 2014.

This year, there will be some additional magic, though with the traditional pantomime props being elevated with modern LED screens.

Director (and South Africa’s Queen of Pantomime), Janice Honeyman says: “I absolutely love the story of Peter Pan, because it has so many elements to it; firstly the magic of the flying is my favourite part of the show – most children and adults dream of flying. Then there is the magic of the story.

What I’m trying to do this year, to differentiate from the last two Peter Pan productions, is to highlight more issues that children, teenagers and young adults deal with, like bullying, being left out, feelings of rejection… This story lends itself to addressing these topics in a very subtle way. It will be a reworked script with the same favourite characters, and I am so excited to share this with everyone.”

Janice Honeyman’s pantomime is set to take audiences on yet another trip to Neverland this festive season. #HelloLifestyle by Renate Engelbrecht Images: Supplied

With rehearsals kicking off early in October, we just had to know what the cast thinks about the Peter Pan pantomime…

PETER PAN Sandi Dlangalala says he is beyond excited to be in the Panto this year. It’s very exciting and “such a huge honour” to have been given the lead role.

CAPTAIN HOOK Actor, Ben Voss says it’s his forth year dishing out mayhem, malice and mischief in a Janice Honeyman spectacular. “I am more excited than Smee at an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet!

It’s the silliness, the scale and the slickness that I love so much.”

He was already making progress with his moustache early in October.

WENDY Kiruna Lind-Devar says: “Some of the most precious friends and memories come from Panto land, so I cannot wait to step back into that space and dance, sing and fly. All with a little faith, trust and pixie dust!”

TINKERBELL Virtuous Kandemiri is beyond excited. “I’m so excited, I am soaked in fairy dust,” she says. “I can’t wait to play Tinkerbell, a character that I’ve always loved as a child, and one that I know many people love equally, if not more.”

There is no doubt that a wonderworld awaits with this Pantomime. Tickets are on sale through www.joburgtheatre.com or by phoning 0861 670 670. H

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A HOBBY FOR HOPE The hobby of baking has become a beacon of hope to many children suffering from cancer, with cupcake parties and national cupcake days serving as fundraisers for these kids. Sandy Cipriano, the founder of Cupcakes for Hope made it her mission to spread joy through the power of cupcakes – a hobby that, if managed correctly, can bring hope to many. Sandy’s unwavering dedication has touched the lives of many children and families battling cancer. Cupcakes for Hope also gives others the opportunity to ‘bake’ a difference by

using their baking skills for good. Host a bake sale, become an ambassador or merely make a donation and help lighten the

load of families that have little to no hope.

Email info@cupcakesofhope.org for more information.

HL ’S READING NOOK BOOKS CURRENTLY ON OUR READING RADAR

by Renate Engelbrecht Images: Supplied

Cancer: Navigating the Journey Paliative nursing sister, Cherry Armstrong answers a wide range of cancerrelated questions in this 156-page book, published

by Quivertree Publications.

It goes beyond treatment and medical information and touches on topics like lifestyle, as well as emotional and spiritual aspects. Cancer is a subject so often talked about, yet there is little practical information out there that help people navigate through it.

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Captain Fanplastic & The Black Mermaid This groundbreaking book serves to educate readers about the pervasive issue of marine litter. It also emphasises our interconnectedness with the world’s oceans. Author, Ruben Hazelzet is a Social Behaviour Change Expert and Head of Programme at Captain Fanplastic. With this book, he sheds light on the importance of recognising our role in protecting the oceans from wherever we are. It’s a wonderful engagement tool for all ages in the mission to preserving the planet’s most precious resource, with the core message: The ocean starts here.

Fraud – How prison set me free Author Nikki Munitz matriculated from a top private Jewish school in Joburg, after which she found herself addicted to heroin. She was sent to Noupoort, a rehab centre in the Northern Cape, where she met Jake whom she later married. With money being in short supply, she started a job at a law firm and eventually started to syphon money from trust accounts. She was found guilty on 37 counts of fraud. This book is her memoir.

It’s about a Jewish mother who is forced to examine a life of lies and deceit from behind bars, until an unexpected encounter in a grimy prison gives her wings to fly.

HL’S TOP 3 COOKBOOKS 1. The South African Vegan Cookbook 2

by Leozette Roode 2. Recipe Tin Eats: Dinner

by Nagi Maehashi 3. Made with Love A culinary tribute to Nelson Mandela by his personal chef, Xoliswa Ndoyiya

MOVIE MADNESS LUNCH WITH HITLER This short film, which recently won a SAFTA, has a way of drawing you in and lingers in your thoughts long after it’s ended. It revolves around the women who were ordered to taste Adolf Hitler’s food before it was taken to his headquarters for him to indulge in. The fear and doubt is tangible as three women fulfil the role as his tasters.

Read more about this gripping short film on our website by scanning the QR code.

WISH In the Walt Disney Animation Studios creation, Wish, a brand-new musical comedy unfolds. It invites viewers into an enchanting realm where Asha, a quickwitted dreamer, makes a wish so significant that it summons a cosmic force - a tiny, boundless energy sphere named Star.

United in purpose, Asha and Star face their most formidable adversary yet: The ruler of Rosas, King Magnifico. They embark on a mission to rescue her community and demonstrate that when the determination of a courageous individual harmonises with the magic of the celestial realm, marvellous transformations can happen.

WHAT TO WATCH ON Live to 100

Outlander

Die verhaal van Racheltjie de Beer

WHAT TO WATCH THIS SUMMER

JFK: ONE DAY IN AMERICA National Geographic commemorates the 60th anniversary of former President John F. Kennedy’s assassination with a second instalment of the Emmy® Award-winning One Day in America franchise with JFK: One Day in America. In official collaboration with the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, the series chronicles the events of this historic happening in real-time, with first-person testimony from the last surviving witnesses and it features never before seen colourised footage. Watch the series on DStv channel 181.

TURN UP THE MUSIC

SUMMER’S IN THE AIR

JNDR’S BRAND-NEW ALBUM Explore the country’s (and your soul’s) valleys with Joshua na die Reën’s latest album, Die Vallei. The album was launched across the country, including a show at Atterbury Theatre in Pretoria. It was an emotional happening, with lots of tears and lots of laughs – an authentic experience carefully stored in many a memory bank. The first single to be released was By My, inspired by an email request from a listener, asking Joshua na die Reën (Jacques de Villiers) to write a song for his wedding anniversary after something happened to permanently damage the trust in the marriage. JNDR shot to fame in 2014 with his self-titled debut album, which won numerous awards.

TRAIN’S FIRST-EVER PERFORMANCE IN SA With quite an apt tour name – I know, it’s been a long time coming – Train is coming to South Africa at last! The famous band will be in Cape Town on 9 May 2024 and in Joburg on 11 May 2024 and this will mark their very first live performance in South Africa. Frontman Pat Monahan says: “After 25 years of releasing Train’s first album, we are finally going to South Africa, a place we’ve all dreamt of since we were little kids. What a beautiful and treasured gift music has been for us. We can’t wait to be there and perform for what we know will be an incredible and beautiful group of people.” Tickets are available on breakoutevents.co.za.

Q @joshuanadiereen

Q @train

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DRINKS TO GIFT

WHETHER IT’S WINE, BUBBLY OR BOURBON, A DRINK TO SHARE AND CELEBRATE THE END OF THE YEAR WITH IS ALWAYS WELCOME

IMPRESS YOUR GUESTS WITH WILD AFRICA-INSPIRED COCKTAILS Wild Africa Cream is an unspoken invitation to explore the world of Elegance Untamed. Whether you’re celebrating the end of the year, indulging in a Christmas filled with food and family, or entering the New Year in style, Wild Africa might be just what you need to elevate the celebration.

Find some exciting, creative recipes for celebration and indulgence on www.hellolifestyle.co.za by scanning this QR code

ALVI’S DRIFT BUBBLY Alvi’s Drift is known for its fruit-driven wines and it’s no different when it comes to their Cap Classiques. Hailing from ancient shale soils on the slopes of the winery’s cool, south-facing vineyards, their Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays are outstanding. They use Chardonnay grapes for their Sparkling Brut Blanc de Blanc. These grapes are hand-harvested in the early morning hours, preserving the crisp fresh acidity required for a world-class bubbly. For their Sparkling Brut Rosé, they use Chardonnay grapes and Pinot Noir grapes – the latter aiding in bringing forth a beautiful rose gold hue.

These bubblies go for R120 per bottle and are available online at www.alvisdrift.co.za.

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#HelloLifestyle

by Renate Engelbrecht Images: Supplied

CELEBRATE WITH WELTEVREDE WINE ESTATE Two new Philip Jonker Cap Classiques have recently been launched by the Bonnievalebased Weltevrede Wine Estate. Located in the Robertson Valley, the estate made its first batch of Philip Jonker Brut in 1994 and now, almost thirty years later, they’ve launched two rising stars in addition to the popular Philip Jonker Entheos and Philip Jonker The Ring. The new Rosé has been dubbed the Philip Jonker Rosetta – a Brut Rosé (R189) made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It’s dry and refreshing, while posing as the perfect, elegant drink to celebrate with. Secondly, the Philip Jonker Nectar (R249) is a deep, rich and glamorous Demi Sec with a voluptuous sweetness on the finish. Find these bubblies online at www.weltevrede.com.

DURBANVILLE SAUVIGNON BLANC The second vintage of the Durbanville Sauvignon Blanc was released this year and it’s been a huge success once again. The wine is a collaboration of the wine region’s thirteen producers, with its first iteration of 10 000 bottles selling out last year within a mere six months. If you can get your hands on a bottle of the second vintage, we say: Grab it! It is a wonderfully aromatic wine with a prominent acid structure and balance. It harnesses the season’s early and later-harvested fruit, showing notes of tropical fruit and lingering hints of fresh-cut grass.

Buy it at R120 per bottle on www.durbanvillewine.co.za

THE BEST RED IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE Tokara’s Reserve Collection Syrah recently won the trophy as the best red wine overall at the inaugural Southern Hemisphere tasting of the Intercontinental Wine Challenge 2023. In addition to that, their Director’s Reserve White also struck Gold.

Their Reserve Collection Stellenbosch Syrah 2020 is a classically styled, single vineyard wine melding the best of old and new world attributes. It comes with a nose of purple fig, cigar box, salted liquorice and violet perfume and a palate that boasts dark fruit and a chalky finish with a hint of red pepper kernels. The Tokara Reserve Collection Syrah 2020 costs R385 per bottle and it’s available on www.tokara.com.

MURATIE CABERNET SAUVIGNON While 31 August marked International Cabernet Day, we celebrate Cabernet Day every day, easily. One Cabernet Sauvignon that we truly enjoy is the Muratie Martin Melck Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, which is made from Cabernet grapes that grow on the slopes of the majestic Simonsberg in Stellenbosch. Stellenbosch’s rich combination of ancient soils, sites, skilled winemakers and a Mediterranean climate with maritime influences make for some excellent wines, and it’s the main reason for it being known as the Cape Winelands’ Kingdom of Cabernet.

The Muratie Martin Melck Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 has an intense ruby colour in the glass, with captivating aromas of dark fruit and spice.

It’s a full-bodied, complex wine with a lingering finish. Find it online on www.muratie.co.za with an approximate retail price of R310 per bottle.

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A VOTE FOR VAN RYN’S CMY Van Ryn’s brandies have received yet another World’s Best Brandy trophy. In the short space of only four months, they’ve K been awarded a second trophy – this time for their Van Ryn’s 12 Year Old Potstill Brandy. It was dubbed the World’s Best Brandy for brandies eleven years and older at the 2023 International Spirits Challenge in London. In May this year, they received the award for the World’s Best Wine Brandy at the 2023 World Brandy Awards, also announced in London. The brandies are crafted in Stellenbosch and, made from wine grapes, double distilled in copper potstills and aged in oak barrels with no flavour preservatives added, they are made exactly according to the French traditional Cognacs. The Van Ryn’s range is available online at www.brandycollective.co.za.

BEFORE & AFTER It might have started as a blending blunder between a tank of Noble Late Harvest red wine and some brandy spirit in Blaauwklippen’s cellar, but turns out it’s no blunder at all. Known as Christmas in a bottle, the 1682 wine estate’s Before & After – presented in the most eye-catching packaging – is a brandy fortified aperitif featuring sensuous flavours of Christmas spices. It costs R440 per bottle and is available on www.blaauwklippen.com.

P.S. Blaauwklippen also just relaunched their muchloved Chardonnay, last launched in 1993. The 2022 vintage is available from the tasting room at R250 per bottle, or from select outlets nationwide.

Map: Google Maps - Map data © 2023 AfriGIS (Pty) Ltd

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ADVERTORIAL

NEW BLOOD AT THE MASLOW

EXECUTIVE CHEF OFENTSE MORAKE BRINGS PASSION AND MENTORSHIP WHILE MONGEZI RADEBE SAYS HOSPITALITY IS A LABOUR OF LOVE #HelloJoburg by Renate Engelbrecht Images: Supplied

a changed man - detail-orientated and dedicated. This resulted in him landing roles like Cluster Executive Chef for two Joburgbased four-star hotels and Consulting Head Chef at a five-star luxury lodge in Tanzania.

One of Morake’s proudest moments was when the Joburg restaurant which he coowned was named in the Eat Out Top 100 Restaurants.

There’s new blood in The Maslow, Sandton’s kitchen and its popular Lacuna Bistro and Bar. With that comes an ethos of gathering around a table with family and friends, as well as some newfound inspiration rooted in hospitality and a passion for precision.

The Lacuna Bistro and Bar where Morake now waves his wand will entice your senses with some new additions following his appointment. Expect more shareable food options with a modern Mediterranean twist.

INTRODUCING F&B MANAGER, MONGEZI RADEBE A constant learner, Radebe has a diploma as a chef and F&B Manager, a certificate in Economics and Management Science, as well as a soon-to-be-completed Marketing Management degree. As if that’s not enough, he also aims to complete a law degree and an MBA. This commitment, hard work and focus is what made him the right choice when it came to appointing a new Food and Beverage Manager for Sun International’s The Maslow.

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he Maslow, Sandton recently announced the appointment of Executive Chef, Ofentse Morake and Food and Beverage Manager, Mongezi Radebe. With a passion for food, friends and family, as well as the determination to continue improving, reinventing and driving hospitality, these two newcomers are sure to bring some excitement into the Maslow space.

MEET CHEF OFENTSE MORAKE For the 35-year-old Morake, food has always been linked to family and friends. After an internship at the Ritz Carlton in Naples, Florida, he returned to South Africa as 22 NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023 l hellolifestyle.co.za

Radebe - whose first job was working on yachts - comes with fresh new ideas, staff training and better customer service plans, and his desk is constantly covered in sticky notes and to-do lists. H

CHRISTMAS FAMILY LUNCH On Christmas Day, The Maslow Sandton will be hosting a decadent Christmas lunch at the renowned Lacuna Bistro, including welcome drinks, live entertainment and kiddies’ entertainment. There will be a mezze bar, delightful fresh salads, roasts and carved meats, a variety of side dishes and desserts. Price: R650 per person (kids between 3 and 12 pay R350 and kids under 3 dine for free). To book, call 010 226 4610 or email lacuna.bistro@ suninternational.com.

Q @themaslowhotel

JOBURG

CHASING THE SUN IN THE CITY OF GOLD #HelloJoburg by Renate Engelbrecht Images: Supplied

“All roads lead to Johannesburg.”

– Alan Paton

AMAZING MUNCH SPOTS THE 11TH FLOOR The 11th Floor Rooftop Restaurant and Cocktail Bar C in Bedfordview took top honours at the prestigious World Culinary Awards Gala Ceremony in Dubai M this October. The dining destination was dubbed Y Africa’s Best Rooftop Restaurant, testament to their unwavering commitment to excellence when it comes CM to culinary arts. Apart from its breathtaking views, MY the restaurant boasts exquisite cuisine, personalised service, luxurious décor and live music. The menu CY includes a celebration of Italian and Mediterranean CMY flavours, with Chef Kyle Marshall personifying his K passion for food brilliantly. “Our mission is to take guests on a gastronomic odyssey awakening their senses and challenging their preconceptions,” he says.

“We aim to create an environment where each dish is a masterpiece, narrating an enchanting tale.” The 11th Floor offers quite the journey when it comes to cuisine.

Q @the11thfloorview

EMBARC RESTAURANT We recently dined at the Parkhurst-based Embarc Restaurant as part of a wine tasting event with Durbanville Wine Valley and we were utterly impressed. It was the ideal opportunity for Embarc to introduce their new menu to a crowd that appreciates good food and wine and well, it comes highly recommended. The experience commenced with bubblies from Nitida and Klein Roosboom, coupled with delicious canapés including Oysters, Apple Meringues and Mushroom Tacos. This was followed by a four-course meal, kicking off with a starter of Tuna Loin with Harissa, Green Olives, Sesame and Radish. The entrée was a delightful Lobster Risotto with Saffron, Champagne and Parmesan Cheese, and Confit Duck Leg was served as the main course, with Polenta, Dukkah and a Blueberry Winter Spiced Jus. For dessert, we were treated to Embarc’s Irish-born owner’s own version of South Africa’s traditional Malva Pudding.

He calls it ‘Not Your Tannie’s Malva’ and it comes with chocolate, caramel, vanilla and orange – simply sensational! It was paired with Bloemendal’s Noble Late Harvest while the rest of the meal was paired with wines from various Durbanville Wine Valley farms, including Maastricht, Diemersdal, Durbanville Hills, De Grendel, D’Aria, Groot Phesantekral and Meerendal.

Q @embarc.restaurant

ETHOS RESTAURANT Ethos Restaurant has just launched its latest menu and we’re so here for it! Meticulously curated by the illustrious Chef Moses Moloi, you’re certainly in for a reimagined Mediterranean culinary experience of note.

Based in the heart of Rosebank, the restaurant has proven itself as a dining destination worth visiting. The Mediterranean serves as inspiration here – the warmth of its spirit, as well as the romance of its tales and its people. Somehow, the timelessness of the Mediterranean’s ancient and iconic landscapes is epitomised in the eatery’s décor, as well as its menu. Indulge in Ethos’ delicious cuisine in a dramatic, yet inviting setting with sweeping arches and grand columns.

Q @ethos.sa LA CICCIA The popular Italian restaurant, Settebello in Bedfordview has recently expanded its offering, including a monthly meat experience with La Ciccia by Settebello.

The owners – both from Italian heritage and keen to educate their guests on the culinary heritage of their country – have embarked on this new venture, passionately explaining each dish on the nine-course menu to discerning diners.

The menu consists of mainly meat dishes, since Carne Diem is what it’s all about at La Ciccia. Guests get to indulge in typical Italian-style meat cuts and preparation methods, paired with wonderful wines.

Long tables are set to encourage guests to ‘meat’ and mingle like Italians do. It’s a vibe, that’s for sure.

FOR A TIPPLE THE MARABI CLUB Located in the basement of the award-winning inner-city design hotel, Hallmark House, The Marabi Club is a world-renowned Jozi jazz and blues club. Even though it’s tucked away, it’s rather popular and bookings are recommended, especially if you want to give their food menu a try. This is the home of food, drink and jazz and the name, Marabi pays homage to the rise of the urban culture of the 1920s and 1930s’ Doornfontein slumyards. This culture was known for its energetic and improvisational music – tunes that emerged from a lifestyle prompted by the need to escape the hardships of the working week.

The space evokes history with many carefully curated interior details and the long bar brings the perfect tipple for Maboneng visitors captivated by the electric atmosphere of the area.

Q @themarabiclub

Q @_settebello_ Read more about our La Ciccia experience by scanning the QR Code.

AN ITALIAN-INSPIRED DATE NIGHT Do romance Italian style with a three-course dinner at LUCÉ, coupled with a bottle of Italian red or white wine. At only R950 per couple, we’d say this offer – valid until 15 December 2023 – will undoubtedly win your partner’s heart! You can also extend the experience with an Indulgent Romantic Package at R2500 for two people sharing. This package includes one night’s accommodation at Southern Sun Hyde Park and a delicious buffet breakfast in addition to your Italian-inspired dinner. Bookings can be made on 011 341 8080 or email sshydepark. reservations@southernsun.com.

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RED ROOFTOP BAR & TERRACE The Radisson RED Johannesburg Rosebank’s Red Rooftop Bar & Terrace is the perfect all-day hangout spot. In addition to an array of drinks on offer, you can also indulge in some yummy cuisine from their on-site restaurant, OUIBar +KTCHN. Here, it’s all about an upbeat vibe and local flavours. The rooftop bar offers 360-degree views of the city and some truly Instagrammable cocktails. Oh, and don’t forget... There’s also a rooftop swimming pool! Yes, the Red Rooftop Bar & Terrace has a beat of its own, no doubt.

Q @radissonredrosebank

LOYAL SKY TRAVELERS, REAP THE REWARDS!

Elevate your stay with Hotel Sky and experience hospitality like never before.

Book directly at www.hotelsky.co.za and indulge in a 15% discount on our Bed and Breakfast rates. Use PROMO CODE: LOYAL when booking.

OR email us direct reservations. capetown@hotelsky.co.za Or give us a call at 021 879-5040 For Sandton bookings: reservations.sandton@hotelsky.co.za Or call us at 010 880- 4449 Indulge in the extraordinary with Hotel Sky. Your vacation begins here! Terms and conditions apply, so don't miss out on this incredible opportunity.

STAY IN STYLE AT HOTEL SKY Our vision is to offer a hotel experience like no other, Hotel Sky is not just a destination—it's a multi-dimensional adventure that defies expectations.

With its fusion of exhilarating activities, stylish accommodation,and innovative dining. Hotel Sky is the ultimate playground for the curious and the bold

FUN, FUN, FUN JAZZ SUNDAYS AT SANCTUARY MANDELA Feel the rhythm of the beat at Sanctuary Mandela’s weekly Jazz events, taking place between noon and 15:00 every Sunday. Tickets can be purchased for the show only, or you can buy a ticket that includes a delicious three-course meal inspired by the late Madiba’s favourite dishes.

All tickets include a complimentary glass of bubbly. Tickets sell out fast, so book your ticket soon by phoning 010 035 0368.

Q @sanctuarymandela

generous and joyful

102 Corlett Drive, Birnam (behind Melrose Arch)

www.merakidelicafe.com @merakidelicafe 072 957 7847

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ASPIRE DAY SPA Nestled in the heart of Sandton, the Aspire Day Spa recently celebrated its first anniversary. In addition to its various general treatments, it’s their BellaBacci Massage Journey that sets them apart. Treat yourself to this 90-minute journey which combines colour therapy with bellabacci cups to connect the mind, body and soul. During the experience, you can choose a colour that resonates with you, guiding the therapist to tailor the treatment to your specific needs. It’s a holistic approach that relaxes the nervous system, boosts circulation and detoxifies the body.

Q @aspireday_spa

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SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP SOOK, MALL OF AFRICA Officially launched on 1 October 2023, SOOK Mall of Africa is an innovative and transformative concept when it comes to short-term retail space. In an era where smaller businesses are looking for flexible retail spaces to elevate their brand presence and to connect with customers in person, SOOK poses as the perfect solution. Located at Mall of Africa, the space opened its doors just in time for the festive season, providing an elevated shopping experience within the shopping centre’s retail space. With modular furnishings, brands can merely book their space, design their walls, plan their layout, plug and play. The initial launch included brands like TV personality Somzi Mhlongo’s Sompire Kids; Thando Thabethe’s Thabooty’s; renowned streetwear brand, GalxBoy; and Soweto-born streetwear brand, Thesis Lifestyle.

Q @sookspaces | @_themallofafrica

BALMAIN Balmain Paris has recently launched its very first South African store, based on the Diamond Walk at Sandton City. The store has a minimalist, luxurious look and feel, with elegant women’s and men’s attire beautifully displayed. In addition to its unique fashion pieces, there are also various handbags, shoes, sunglasses and other accessories for shoppers with deep pockets and the overall shopping experience is one of elegance and pure grandeur.

Q @balmain | @the_diamond_walk

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SUNGLASS HUT Sandton City’s Sunglass Hut store has been renovated and was recently reopened, allowing sunglass lovers to catch rays in style and shop for their favourite sunnies once again. Brands like Ray-Ban, Oakley, Prada, Versace and many more are on display and with Sunglass Hut’s SmartShopper platform, you can explore numerous looks through a virtual try-on tool. After this do-it-yourself experience, you can place an order after which your sunglasses should be ready within seven to ten working days.

Q @sunglasshut

FERNDALE ON REPUBLIC SHOPPING CENTRE ADDS HYDRATION STATIONS The Moolman Group’s Ferndale on Republic Shopping Centre has made yet another move towards a sustainable future, with the launch of the first Bluewater hydration station supplying purified water at the shopping centre. It is available to shoppers to refill and refresh at no charge. The initiative forms part of the centre’s FOR Fresh campaign which builds on the Ferndale on Republic tagline, adding to the many great reasons to shop here. Fittingly, Bluewater celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. They have a rich legacy of environmental contributions with a clear mission: Challenge the dominance of single-use plastic bottles and reduce the pollution caused by transporting them.

Q @ferndale_on_republic | @bluewaterafrica

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Map: Google Maps - Map data © 2023 AfriGIS (Pty) Ltd

#HelloCapeTown

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HŌSEKI

DELAIRE GRAFF’S LAVISH TAKE ON JAPANESE CUISINE

eating patterns. “People’s health trends and eating patterns have changed.” Chef Kahn is vigilant of being trapped in his own culinary bubble and says one gets set in one’s ways too easily, which prevents you from seeing new trends. That’s why his team is so valuable to him, especially when it comes to menu planning.

With the guidance of their well-travelled owner, the team managed to pin down and incorporate the latest dining trends into an exquisite dining experience at HŌSEKI.

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he opulent Delaire Graff Wine Estate was closed for round about five months recently, with loyal guests burning to see the highly anticipated changes. Apart from remodelling some of the luxury accommodation offering, Delaire Graff has also bid farewell to its eleven-year-old Indochine Restaurant, to make way for something new: HŌSEKI Restaurant. Like swallows taking a cue from changing seasons, Delaire Graff’s team journeyed into a space with a familiar, but different dining experience.

WHY THE SUDDEN CHANGE? Chef Virgil Kahn - the executive chef for the brand-new, Japanese-inspired restaurant - is a highly appraised chef who has cooked in Gordon Ramsay’s Maze and at The One&Only Cape Town’s Nobu.

LINGER AND DINE FOR LONGEVITY These days, people don’t want to sacrifice their health and younger generations tend to eat lighter meals. Asian cuisine is very accommodating when He says Delaire Graff owner and well-known diamantaire, Laurence Graff has been expressing his thoughts about the latest global dining trends for quite some time before making the move to launch the new restaurant. “Migrating toward Japanese dining trends and the new scope of healthy, clean eating was a good move,” says Chef Kahn.

With a responsibility to continuously offer guests a five-star dining experience in addition to their five-star stay, Chef Kahn certainly had his work cut out for him when it came to omakase menu planning. “The hospitality industry is a forward-moving industry,” he says, hence the need to continuously adapt.

That also means being attentive to diners’ preferences and

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#HelloCapeTown

by Renate Engelbrecht Images: Supplied

it comes to this style of dining, which is why this Japanesethemed restaurant can’t be more fitting.

HŌSEKI is less fine dining, more farm-to-table dining, with a larger wine focus than its predecessor, Idochine. It offers a much lighter approach to the menu, focusing on clean and healthy dining. The plating of menu items has been simplified, with a mere three to four elements on the plate. Ultimately, the focus is on prime produce.

Of course, the dining experience is elevated with sake and wine suggestions by professional on-site sommeliers, including wines from the estate, as well as neighbouring wine farms. H Q @delairegraff

CAPE TOWN HAVE FUN AND CELEBRATE THIS SUMMER

#HelloCapeTown

by Renate Engelbrecht Images: Supplied

FAVOURITE MUNCH SPOTS GRUB & VINE IS COMING TO ’BURBS Grub & Vine has recently received numerous accolades, including an Excellence Award at the 2023 Haute Grandeur Awards for Best Food & Wine Pairing Experience in Africa, Best French Cuisine on a Global Level, Best Wine Selection on a Global Level and Best Cocktail Menu in Africa. They have also been awarded the Best Short Wine List Award at the Star Wine List Awards 2023 recently. Chef Matt Manning’s food comes highly recommended, which is why it’s exciting to note that they will soon be opening a second location in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town. Stay tuned!

Q @grubandvine

A BOUTIQUE PIZZERIA FOR HERMANUS With a lifelong love for the coast of Italy, Farro at Gabriëlskloof Wine Estate’s Alex and Eloise Windebank have opened a tiny pizzeria in Hermanus called Lina by Farro. The tiny shoebox of a restaurant is all about light and bright, with pops of colour in an industrial setting. Expect uncomplicated, yet delicious dishes, prepared with the best local produce. This includes authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pizzas using Caputo flour, Puglia for di latte and Richard Bosman charcuterie fired in impressive Ooni ovens. There are also salads, small plates and desserts on the menu.

A CONTEMPORARY CAFÉ FOR LIEVLAND VINEYARDS Lievland Café only recently opened their doors. The café is located in a part heritage, part new building, offering casual dining with beautiful lawn views. Here you can expect anything from plump oysters to savoury omelettes. A lot of the dishes are served in Cape Town potter, Bianca Bernstein’s bowls and plates and of course, you can pair your chosen dish with one of Lievland Vineyards’ elegant, well-balanced wines. In addition, the restaurant is open to hosting intimate, unique events like small weddings and corporate events.

Q @lievlandcafe

SALSIFY’S SECOND DÉCOR EVOLUTION SPEAKS TO SUSTAINABILITY Chef Ryan Cole’s Salsify at The Roundhouse is drawing attention to the plight of ocean plastic and it underscores his commitment to sustainability and environmentally conscious sourcing beyond the plate.

The restaurant’s Seasonal Room is an ever-changing space that is transformed in line with the seasonally driven menu. Its second redesign was recently done un is de Villiers of JFDV Interiors, in partnership with Pillar9, Platform Creative and Magpie Art Collective.

As an avid fisherman and coming from a family of fishermen, Cole is passionate about the ocean and he is acutely aware of the effects of plastic waste which often lands up in our oceans. The ‘Salsify Reef ’ was installed during the restaurant’s winter break and it’s sure to be a great talking point for all who visit during the upcoming season.

Q @salsify_at_the_roundhouse

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FOR A TIPPLE FURNY’S FINE WINES & TASTE ROOM There are many reasons to love Noordhoek and one of them is the family-run Furny’s Fine Wines & Taste Room. This unpretentious boutique wine shop (with over 350 wines), wine bar, deli and restaurant is a hidden gem worth exploring. Here, the Furness family have curated an impressive local selection of wines (of which around fifty are by the glass) and Silwood-trained Chef Leigh Furness’ dishes and platters make for perfect pairings. Enjoy a tipple at this child- and dog friendly spot, indulging in the tranquillity so true to the area. P.S. They offer complimentary wine tastings on Fridays between 16:30 and 18:30.

Q @furnys_finewines

WINE AND DINE AT FRYER’S COVE Possibly the vineyard closest to the Atlantic Ocean globally, Fryer’s Cove – the only vineyard within the Bamboes Bay ward – is a must for any wine lover. Located in the West Coast town Doringbaai, the winery made an old crayfish-packing factory that dates back to 1925 its home. The in-house Jetty Restaurant is run by community members and allows for some truly authentic wine tasting experiences, elevated with West Coast cuisine. Winemaker, Liza Goodwin’s wines pair beautifully with the restaurant’s menu items like oysters, snoek koekies, perlemoen risotto, pickled fish and roosterkoek.

Q @fryers_cove_vineyards

TAJ LOBBY BAR AND LOUNGE If you’re looking for a sophisticated bar for a tipple, this is it. With fluted marble pillars, high ceilings and marble floors, the Taj hotel’s interiors date back to its history as Cape Town’s old Reserve Bank. Its Lobby Bar and Lounge is the perfect meeting place, complete with a dash of colour and glamour. They serve various classic and signature cocktails and mocktails, wines, draught beers and craft gins. There is also an adjoining whisky and cigar bar where you can browse a rather extensive collection.

Q @tajcapetown

FUN, FUN, FUN GALILEO OPEN AIR CINEMA IS BACK! ’Tis the season for family fun and holiday activities and what better way to ring in the season than by watching a movie in the beautiful Cape outdoors? Galileo Open Air Cinema is an institution and they’ve recently announced their 12th season’s movie line-up. Moviegoers can make use of many offerings and discounts, including birthday specials, pensioner discount tickets and student discount tickets. Watch movies from the backdrop of Table Mountain in Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, in Century City’s Central Park and spectacular wine estates across Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek, Somerset West and Constantia.

With movies like The Good Year, Lord of the Rings and Love Actually in November, and Grease, Dirty Dancing, The Grinch and more in December, you’re sure in for a treat.

Q @thegalileo

THE YELLOW FRAME ROUTE Don't forget your selfie sticks! While reaching Cape Town’s yellow frame spots might require trekking, hiking or taking a train, the journey to each is an adventure well worth undertaking. Each of these iconic frames provide a unique and uninterrupted view of the majestic Table Mountain. These must-see landmarks are strategically located in places like the Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront's lawn, Cape Town's railway station, the historic District Six, Signal Hill and Lookout Hill in Khayelitsha.

No matter which of these areas you choose to visit, you'll find an array of tours, adventures and unique experiences waiting for you. In Khayelitsha, you can embark on a thrilling bike ride tour of the area.

In District Six, you might have the opportunity to be welcomed into a local's home and savour a meal of traditional Cape Malay cuisine. At the Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront, you might even witness dolphins, seals, or a majestic whale gracefully swimming in the ocean waters adjacent to the hotel. P.S. While you're there, be sure to indulge in the delectable local dishes featured on Tobago's restaurant menu.

SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP CAVENDISH SQUARE Cavendish Square has recently undergone some extensive upgrades on the ground and first floors inside the square. Now, the outdoor area is also being upgraded, with the aim to seamlessly connect the shopping centres, Cavendish Square and Cavendish Connect, with the street.

This is to create a safe space with improved trading conditions. The traders and Old Mutual Property - who owns the adjacent Cavendish Square Shopping Centre - have joined forces to ensure that the appeal of the street is maximised and the construction is planned to be completed in time for the festive season.

Q @cavendishsquare RETREAT Some of the Western Cape's most exquisite hidden gems are reserved for those who are willing to venture beyond Cape Town's city limits. The Tsitsikamma National Park, a coastal forest teeming with opportunities for ziplining, hiking and canoeing, lies just a few hours' drive away from the bustling city.

To uncover these enchanting secrets, local wellness practitioners host private retreats that can be booked throughout the year. These retreats may centre around activities like cold water immersion, yoga, meditation or deep introspection amidst the natural world.

In each case, the promise is typically an immersion in a pristine natural environment where guests can choose from nearby outdoor activities like hiking, river swimming and even bouldering or coastineering – the exhilarating pursuit of descending a mountainside and plunging into the ocean.

As night falls, embark on a celestial adventure, exploring the night sky and its radiant stars, which shine even more brilliantly in these remote locations far from the glare of city lights.

WOODSTOCK LAUNDRY We love to see slow fashion making its mark in the fashion industry. Woodstock Laundry is one brand we have recently come across and fallen in love with. Their good-quality, hand-crafted sleepwear and loungewear is simply beautiful and with that comes the bonus of sustainability and durability too. The Cape Town-based brand merges the laidback spirit of the Cape with the old-school factory culture of London town, while living and breathing the slow fashion movement. For them, quality reigns supreme. Their range cater for the whole family with a variety of sleepwear and loungewear items for men, women and children. You can find them at the Watershed Market at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, or shop online on www.woodstocklaundry.co.

Q @woodstocklaundry

TAKE A DRIVE TO CAPE POINT The Cape Point Nature Reserve stretches over 7750 hectares, and it boasts some of the Cape’s most beautiful pathways and viewpoints, especially when the fynbos is in bloom. In fact, one of these viewpoints actually looks out over the actual “Cape of Good Hope.” The reserve also offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about the area’s rich history, as well as the Cape’s fauna and flora at the Buffelsfontein Visitor Centre. In addition, there is the Flying Dutchman funicular which visits the lighthouses – a unique experience in its own. Email info@capepoint.co.za for more information. When you visit, remember to be vigilant of the chacma baboons that can be quite aggressive. Be sure to keep your snacks hidden and refrain from feeding them – they are wild animals, after all. The reserve is open to the public between 06:00 and 18:00 from October through to March.

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ORGANIC ZONE Owner, Allister McGregor says at Organic Zone, organic and local first are what stands at the heart of the business. “We’ve been committed to that principle since the beginning and the strong connections we’ve developed in the process have helped us come through some gruelling times.” What started out as a veggie box scheme in 2003, grew into Organic Zone which opened its doors in 2008 and today, the Lakeside-based business is known as a vibrant and energetic hub for all things organic. Customers come here to purchase products from their extensive range of organically grown fruit and vegetables, organic groceries, personal care and artisanal baked goods. You’ll also find exceptional grass-fed meats, pastured, free-range poultry and eggs, a raw pet food range and various deli foods like ghee, yoghurts, fermented foods and cheese. In addition, they have their own range of ready-made meals on offer, as well as snacks and the popular readyprepped fruit for smoothies.

Q @organic_zone_ct

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#HelloPretoria

Map: Google Maps - Map data © 2023 AfriGIS (Pty) Ltd

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#HelloPretoria

by Renate Engelbrecht Images: Supplied

STEPHNIE’S

FOR CREATURES OF HABIT

A piano was stationed at the entrance of Stephnie’s Restaurant – an old Pretoria favourite. Brave performers would come forward every now and again, treating those dining at any of the restaurants in the Lynnwood Bridge food court to impromptu piano pieces. People passing by would stand closer and applaud their talent while those seated at restaurants – like us – indulged in the feeling of the nearing festive season.

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tephnie’s is always an easy yes. The restaurant, based at the popular Lynnwood Bridge Retail Centre just off the N1 highway has been a favourite among locals (and visitors) for many years, with a menu that speaks true to the South African culture. Over the years, not much has changed here and yet, one wonders if that might be what people keep coming back for. The familiarity, hominess and consistent quality of cuisine.

It was a Wednesday evening when we visited and the food court which Stephnie’s forms part of was filled with people. The Atterbury Theatre nextdoor hosts numerous concerts, productions and events and that night there was yet another happening that lured young and old to Stephnie’s and other restaurants in the vicinity for pre-drinks and after-show dinners. Children were running

around the water fountains as beautiful Christmas lights – which had just been put up for the festive season – reflected in the puddles. Seated at a table on the outer edge of Stephnie’s Restaurant, all seemed right with the world and we could feel the Christmas spirit rise within us.

Stephnie’s Restaurant’s menu boasts an array of delightful South African dishes with a touch of sophistication. From a divine pistachio and pesto pasta to ostrich served with traditional roosterkoek, you’re bound to find a favourite. Each dish on the menu comes with a wine suggestion too, which we thought is quite clever. Our choice for the evening was the grilled chicken with a truffle sauce and a lamb lasagne served with cooked vegetables. It’s a far cry from fine dining and much more of a family dining type of eatery, yet the food was still beautifully plated. And, keeping the Pretoria crowd in mind, the portions were also beyond generous.

Compared to other similar-priced Pretoria restaurants, Stephnie’s has a rather extensive kiddies’ menu, which came as a welcome surprise. While the kids ordered the usual – chicken nuggets and chips – it came with a mouthwatering cheese sauce that you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else.

A return visit is already being planned – this time, hopefully in line with some Christmas carols. H Q @stephnies_restaurant NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023 l hellolifestyle.co.za 39

PRETORIA PICKING UP THE PACE TOWARD YEAR-END

#HelloPretoria by Renate Engelbrecht Images: Supplied

SPOUT What started out as a hobby for Philipp and Veronica Exter, soon became one of Pretoria’s finest espresso and pastry bars. The owner-run venture has been making name from the get-go and being located on a corner in the popular Old East Precinct, it has a way of creating a feeling of community. Many a morning we spot cyclists and runners stopping by for a coffee and croissant – all freshly brewed and baked. Of course, Veronica’s eye for detail makes for beautiful aesthetics in this containerbased coffee shop. She has a background in magazine design and layout and this is evident in the design of the different spaces, as well as in the unique baked goods up for grabs. This is not your average cut-and-paste coffee shop. Their delicatessens and pastries are unique and Veronica says: “You won’t find a carrot cake here, because you can find a carrot cake everywhere.”

Q @spoutcafe44

There are many plus points to living in (or visiting) Pretoria, especially this time of the year. Just as the lilac streets turn green, with Jacaranda flowers disappearing after the first summer rains, Christmas trees start appearing in shop windows and soon, Lawley Street will be filled with festive lights and mobile coffee stands.

FAVOURITE MUNCH SPOTS AROMA This summer is going to be hot – we can feel it. That is why it might be important to know where you can find the best gelato in town. For us, there is no better place than Aroma for a generous scoop of gelato or delicious sorbet. After finishing his degree, Rael Shiller just couldn’t see himself in the corporate world and he embarked on the journey of roasting coffee, which led him to opening Aroma – a coffee and gelato shop which has become a firm favourite among locals. Their brand identity is family-orientated, which is why they will never sell alcohol. Here, it’s all about indulging in the European atmosphere that their streetside seating brings about, and spending quality time together as a family. In summer, this is where you’ll spot locals rolling in just before 22:00, looking for that late-night treat. In addition to their Hazelwood shop, they’re also located in Lynnwood and in Laudium, Centurion.

Q @aromacoffeesa ALFIE’S Alfie’s Italian Café was one of The Village’s very first restaurants, having been based in Hazelwood from the start. Owner, Alfredo, his wife and two daughters came back to South Africa more than ten years ago and opened a small, authentic Italian café. Today, the café, as well as the neighbouring Alfie’s Pizzeria and Deli are the go-to for proper Italian cuisine.

They’ve been sticking to the principles of slow food since its inception and therefore everything at the café is handmade – from the bread and pastas to the gnocchi and the deserts. That goes for the Pizzeria and Deli as well, where you can expect to be served the most delicious, authentic Italian Napolitana pizzas.

Q @alfies_pta

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FOR A TIPPLE

THE ROCK While it may be known as a restaurant that combines food and fire, their Pretoria store boasts an impressive looking bar perfect for predinner drinks. They continuously trial and test their wine list to offer patrons only the best quality wines, with a selection covering an array of easy drinking to hand-selected vintages. The restaurant is based at The Club in Hazelwood and features both indoor and outdoor seating.

Q @saigonsuzy_

Q @therock_za

FUN, FUN, FUN

SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP

CARABELLA CAFÉ Carabella Café is located in Zwavelpoort at the Spanish country boutique hotel, Monte Dios. It’s the perfect destination for families who want to spend some time together, while simultaneously grabbing a bite to eat. Carabella features a lovely, large playground for kids, with a recently added bike track where kids can ride their own bikes or rent a bike at R50 per day. Open Fridays to Sundays, this weekend hangout comes with some of the best pizzas, burgers and tapas in town.

TO BE HAZELWOOD To Be Gift Boxes launches their very first retail space in Hazelwood early in November. This is probably one of the best places in Pretoria to go to for unique, custom year-end gifts that fit in with your company’s culture. It’s also one of the few places where you will find a proper gift for men (and anyone else, of course). With over 500 gift items from which they can build a gift box, we’re pretty sure that you’ll be sorted for whichever occasion you’re shopping for. The shopping experience should also be rather exciting, since the shop will form part of the new Village Walk, the latest addition to the Old East Precinct.

Q @carabella_cafe_ NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS OF SOUTH AFRICA The National Zoological Gardens in Pretoria recently celebrated a very special zoo resident’s 50th birthday. Gunther the alligator is worth paying a visit to. He’s a real character and an ambassador for his kind and reptiles in general as alligators seldom live as long as 50 years in the wild.

Mike Adams, Reptile Park curator says Gunther is in great shape, though.

Q @natzoopta

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SAIGON SUZY Saigon Suzy opened its doors in Pretoria mid-June and has been a favourite drinks spot to many ever since. The Asian barbeque and Rock ’n Roll bar is based on Dely Road and boasts numerous quirky drink options and delightful street food and small plate options. They love making cocktails just as much as you like drinking them, with the Cherry Blossom Slushy cocktail being one of their patrons’ favourites. Add some karaoke and their inhouse rice lager to the mix and you have a party!

Q @to_be_hazelwood FROZEN FOR YOU Picking up the pace for the final stretch of 2023, dinner plans can quickly become a frustration amidst all the other things that need to get done. Frozen for You might just be your saving grace this time of the year, allowing you to still spend some quality time with your family without having to spend hours in front of the stove. Karen Short has been in the catering industry for many years and her catering company, By Word Of Mouth has been voted Best Caterer in Joburg numerous times. Through Frozen for You, she now also caters for families by freezing her hearty meals for you to take out and heat up in no time. She has perfected her Melanzane recipe, which is perfect for vegetarians – and her Tiramisu is to die for!

Q @frozenforyousa

#HelloDurban

Map: Google Maps - Map data © 2023 AfriGIS (Pty) Ltd

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PERERE

A FINE FUSION OF AFRICAN CUISINE

If there is one restaurant that stands out for its exceptional combination of fine African cuisine and a creative twist on sushi, it’s Perere. #HelloDurban by Alyson le Grange Images: Myles Maclarty

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ocated in the brand-new Oceans Mall, Perere Restaurant awaits eager food enthusiasts seeking a unique dining experience. Apart from its unique sushi options, it’s also popular for authentic, traditional dining options, including Umleqwa, amanqina wenkukhu, mogodu and more. With its trendy and modern decor adorned with geometric patterns, this culinary destination is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.

At Perere, diverse culinary traditions intertwine to create a delectable synergy.

The innovative menu features a delightful fusion of African flavours with the delicate artistry of sushi. Relish in the vibrant spices of chakalaka, the aromatic stews of African cuisine and various savoury sushi options.

It cetainly is a unique marriage of flavours and cooking techniques, providing an unforgettable dining experience.

The restaurant’s trendy designs transport diners into a realm where artistry meets gastronomy. Sleek lines and striking lighting fixtures create an atmosphere that is sophisticated, yet inviting. In fact, the restaurant's commitment to aesthetics enhances the entire dining experience.

It is on Sundays that Perere Restaurant pulls out all the stops, showcasing its culinary prowess with an impressive buffet spread.

We indulged in an array of carefully crafted

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traditional African dishes - from fragrant beef stew to delicious fried chicken, as well as fish and hearty vegetarian options like a creamy samp, spicy white rice with vegetables, beetroot, coleslaw, grilled corn on the cob and a green salad. The grand finale came in the form of a delectable spread of desserts, including a bubble gum cheesecake and dessert sushi.

Perere utilises traditional African flavours to bring out the authentic tastes of the continent's rich cuisine in each dish.

Ultimately, it is the familiarity of enjoying homecooked meals from Gogo’s kitchen that makes the experience at this eatery so exciting. The Sunday buffet offers an unparalleled opportunity to embark on a gastronomic journey through Africa's diverse culinary heritage, giving you a true taste of home.

To complement your dining experience, Perere Restaurant offers a diverse selection of enticing cocktails, including firm favourites. The venue also boasts a funky DJ booth and Sheesha bar, which means you can eat to the beat of neo soul tunes as the night unfolds.

Perere offers a glorious gastronomic adventure, captivating guests with its passion for African flavours.

Q @perere.oceansmall

DURBAN ADVENTURE AWAITS IN KZN

#HelloDurban by Alyson le Grange Images:Supplied

The Kwazulu-Natal coastline is filled with exciting things to taste, see and do and with the festive season, even more so.

FAVOURITE MUNCH SPOTS

FIREROOM Ignite your taste buds and embark on a culinary adventure at Fireroom, where mind-blowing flavours and unexpected combinations await. Brace yourself for a sensory journey that will leave you astounded and craving for more. Fireroom, located in Zimbali Estate, takes sushi to a whole new level by incorporating fire into their culinary creations. Picture your sushi, erupting in mesmerising flames, as the flavours dance on your palate like a symphony of delight. Other options on the menu include, cooked fish dishes, pokè bowls, stir fry and curries.

Q @fireroomsa JULIO’S ON THE RIDGE Based at the uMhlanga Ski Boat Club in uMhlanga Ridge, Julio's offers a delightful culinary voyage to Portugal's rich gastronomic heritage. The Portuguese restaurant boasts an exquisite menu featuring mouth-watering dishes. Start your meal with their perfectly cooked calamari bursting with flavour. For mains, try the succulent Portuguese baby chicken or indulge in their delectable prawns. A standout feature in Julio’s’ cuisine is their special Portuguese peri sauce, which adds a fiery kick to complement the flavours.

Q @julios_umhlanga

FUN, FUN, FUN

win

Scan the QR code and enter the competition to stand the chance to win a helicopter flip (worth R3780) with JNC Helicopters.

FANCY A ROUND OF GOLF? Currently the only new golf course under construction in South Africa, Zimbali Lakes Golf Course is set to redefine the golfing experience. With a focus on sustainability and preserving the environment, Zimbali Lakes features stunning views of the inland scenery, lakes and the Indian ocean. Golf Data in collaboration with Jack Nichlaus - renowned for their expertise in golf course construction - ensure the highest quality of golfing at this new course. Using 100% bent grass for the best putting surface and a variety of tee boxes to allow for a creative and dynamic round, Zimbali Lakes will offer several standout holes. The brand-new golf course is set to be completed by October 2024.

Q @zimbali.lakes

EXPERIENCE THE UMHLANGA COASTLINE FROM ABOVE uMhlanga is renowned for its stunning coastline and picturesque views. For those seeking an extraordinary adventure, look no further than a scenic helicopter charter with JNC Helicopters - a premier helicopter company serving uMhlanga's coastal region.

Committed to safety, comfort and exceptional service, they offer a range of charters, allowing you to soar high above and discover the region’s breath-taking beauty from a whole new angle.

LA MERCY MEMORIAL PARK While this might not really fit under the fun part of life, it certainly falls under the important part. With its tranquil ambiance and lush gardens, La Mercy Memorial Park offers a serene space of remembrance. It aims to honour the departed while providing solace to those mourning. It is the perfect place to find peace and to reflect on cherished memories of the fun that has been had with loved ones.

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JNC Helicopters offers a range of scenic flight options.

Whether you'd like to capture mesmerising aerial photos, book commercial and business flights, have a fun team building experience, or celebrate a special occasion, they’ll make it happen.

One of their most popular choices is the uMhlanga Coastline Adventure - a twenty-minute flight that takes you along the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, offering panoramic views of Umhlanga's pristine beaches, iconic lighthouse and the vibrant cityscape beyond.

Q @jnchelicopters

SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP

GATEWAY THEATRE OF SHOPPING This is the ultimate shopping destination in Kwa-Zulu Natal and the largest retail destination in the Durban region, with over 380 stores. Here, you are sure to find all your Christmas gifts under one roof, with a free festive season gift-wrapping service for all gifts bought at the mall. All you need is your purchase slip as proof.

In addition, the shopping centre now also offers a new attraction: The Amazing Maze. The experience takes visitors on an exciting journey of contrasting environments created by a kaleidoscope of shapes, spaces, graphics, lighting and mirrors, allowing you to pause reality and unleash your imagination.

Access to the experience is controlled, but free and there is a time limit of fifteen minutes from entry to exit. Children under twelve must be supervised.

Q @gatewayumhlanga

MARKET 031 Step into a world of whimsy and wonder at the vibrant outdoor 031 Market, which magically appears on the sports field at Crusaders every last Friday of the month. A treasure trove of unique finds, brimming with stalls, this shopping paradise is where you can browse through an array of enchanting items - from fashionable clothes to stylish accessories. The market is a true haven of delight for all ages. Explore a delightful collection of kids' toys, an eclectic mix of home décor items and wonderful little nick-nacks that will add one-of-a-kind flair to your living space.

Q @market031

FOR A TIPPLE

LUCKY SHAKER This cool little bar is the perfect place to kick back and have some serious fun after a long week. Located at 5 Park Lane, uMhlanga their small but incredibly talented team serve up a range of creative seasonal drinks in innovative ways. Step inside and prepare to be captivated by Lucky Shaker’s extensive drinks menu, curated to cater to every palate. Whether you prefer your poison on the rocks, shaken or stirred, they have the perfect mix waiting for you.

Q @luckyshaker

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RIVERHORSE LODGE

#HelloLifestyle

by Renate Engelbrecht Images: Renate Engelbrecht

EXPLORE HISTORIC AND NATURAL GEMS FROM A VILLA IN THE CRADLE

Riverhorse Lodge comes with five en suite rooms, a lounge with a fireplace, and a lovely terrace overlooking the lake. Housekeeping, a private chef and a dedicated game ranger is included.

Three large Sables came wandering down to the water’s edge, alert of our presence. Over a glass of Cederberg bubbly, we quietly sat on the deck, watching as they sipped from the lake in front of the villa. For a moment, it was hard to imagine that we were merely 40 minutes away from Sandton.

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stone’s throw away from Jozi’s hustle and bustle, Riverhorse Lodge has recently opened its doors to those keen on exploring not only the highveld’s beautiful landscapes, but also world-renowned paleoanthropological sites, history and heritage in the Cradle of Humankind – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Riverhorse Lodge is the sister property of The Cradle Boutique Hotel, both located in the Greater Cradle Nature Reserve. It operates on a fully green ecosystem and it is surrounded by striking dolomite rock cliffs, an indigenous forest, stunning highveld scenery, free-roaming plains game, ample birdlife and crystal clear springs. Inside, the villa has been beautifully decorated and its walls have been adorned with some of the owners’ favourite artworks (including works from William Kentridge and the likes). Large windows allow for views across the lake, with one room even boasting a balcony with chairs from which you can bask in the sun as you wait for antelopes, zebras and giraffes to come and quench their thirst.

The Greater Cradle Nature Reserve is heaven to any nature enthusiast and those curious about human origins.

Apart from the opportunity to enjoy wildlife expeditions, bush walks and birding hikes, you can also book an exclusive guided Human Origins Tour, which allows you to visit world-famous

locations like the award-winning Malapa fossil viewing platform – a short walk away from the ten-sleeper villa, which has to be booked in its entirety. A second paleoanthropological site – Gladysvale – can also be found here and together with Malapa, these sites present the area’s nearly 4.5-million-year-old history in which both hominid and animal fossils are being unearthed.

The on-site Malapa Museum should also provide valuable insights to curious minds. This museum was built in partnership with well-known paleoanthropologist, Lee Berger’s Foundation for Exploration, the Cradle Foundation and National Geographic.

Currently on Netflix, Lee Berger’s doccie, Unknown: Cave of Bones shows how he and his team investigate what might be considered the world’s oldest graveyard to date. His recently released book, Cave of Bones takes you deep into South Africa’s caves to discover fossil remains that encourages the epic reshaping of the human family tree.

As you indulge in the historical and natural gems Riverhorse Lodge and its surrounds has to offer, Executive Chef Sam Ramakoka and his team cook up a storm to indulge your tastebuds. He is all about fresh and locally sourced foods and even prepares a delightful trout, bred on the reserve. H 1 www.cradleriverhorse.co.za

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RELEARNING TO RELAX

#HelloLifestyle

by Renate Engelbrecht Images: Renate Engelbrecht, My Lime Boots

CYPIRO LEOPARD LODGE’S DIFFERENT TAKE ON BUSHVELD SAFARIS MIGHT BE THE ANSWER TO A MUCH-NEEDED REST

When it comes to bush experiences, the first thing that springs to mind is the word ‘safari.’

A visit to Cypiro Leopard Lodge has much to offer, but it’s everything but the traditional safari. Forget about wake-up calls, two game drives daily and those warm, lemon grassscented cloths we have come to associate with the transition from game drive to boma dinner. In fact, the property of just over 130 hectares is home to mainly plains game, offering a whole new version of a bushveld break.

Cypiro Leopard Lodge is a destination where you can immerse yourself in nature without having to worry about the Big 5 (or housekeeping) showing up at your doorstep unannounced. With a variety of self-catering options to choose from, you can enjoy the bush at your own pace. Here, amidst Marula and Acacia trees, you learn to slow down.

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If the Big 5 is what you’re after, a visit to the neighbouring Marakele National Park is just a call away. Cypiro Leopard Lodge will arrange for a field guide to pick you up and bring you back again.

SELECT YOUR BUSHVELD STAY The bush experience at Cypiro Leopard Lodge gets even more interesting when it comes to the accommodation options available. Apart from the thatched manor house - which is the original farmhouse there is also a modern stand called The View, two ingenious pods inspired by a curled-up pangolin, and finally the family-friendly Hacienda villa. Whether you’re looking for a modern bush stay, a South African stay with a Mexican twist or a beautifully renovated five-room villa, you’ll find it all here.

Surrounded by Kransberg, the Hoekberg Mountains, as well as the Witfonteinrand Hills, The View was our base from which we got to take in the breathtaking Limpopo scenery for two days. In summer, the sun rises from behind Kransberg - a reference point for the world’s largest Cape Vulture colony of about 800 breeding pairs. The View offered a comfortable stay with large stack doors that open up onto an impressive deck, allowing for beautiful views from your bed, the couch or the kitchen.

TIP

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he sun had just started to dip as we watched the hills to the south change colour. Late afternoons in the bush are magical, just as early mornings are sacred. Swallows came past, dancing and dipping before disappearing to their nests.

Down below – hidden amidst a myriad of trees sprinkled with vibrant new leaves – an Emerald-spotted Wood Dove was calling; another echoing its call. As we sat on the deck, soundlessly listening to nature, it dawned on us: While there are many things we would like to unlearn, being content with doing the bare minimum was something we desperately wanted to relearn.

Having stayed at Cypiro Leopard Lodge for two nights, we would recommend adding at least one additional night to be able to fully enjoy the offering.

EXPERIENCES BEYOND THE USUAL SAFARI ITINERARY On our first night, we utilised the braai facilities at The View and catered for ourselves. The second night called for G&Ts at the Bush Bar, overlooking an outstretched piece of land where all the plains game seem to gather as the sun sets. Sables, kudu, impala, zebra and even giraffes made for a graceful veld film as we sat at the beautiful concrete and steel table, complemented by carefully curated director’s chairs. The owners, Rob and Pim Verdoorn have a background in furniture manufacturing and Pim is a talented designer whose eye for detail is evident everywhere – even at the bush bar.

The bushveld drinks were followed by an earlyish night walk. While they normally do these walks around 21:00 at night, the times, pace and complexity of the walks are often determined by the ability and fitness level of the group. Flashlights in hand we walked up to the manor house - where the chef was preparing dinner - stopping every now and then to look up into the night sky which was gaining a glistening star nearly every second.

A slight smile of a moon looked down on us as we meandered through the bush, curiously keeping our eyes and ears open for possible nocturnal surprises. That’s the joys of a bush experience without Big 5 roaming around –

you can go on guided walks without the worry of an ellie suddenly appearing out of nowhere or a buffalo taking charge. Of course, being in the bush there is naturally an element of danger attached to these night walks as leopard, hyena and spitting cobras have been spotted here. That is why the night walks will always be guided. With Cypiro Leopard Lodge’s owners both being falkners, they also offer bush walks with their hawk, Uncas, adding yet another special touch to an already unique experience.

The adventure doesn’t stop in the veld, though. Foodies would be happy to know that one of Cypiro Leopard Lodge’s latest ventures is a greenhouse – their very own mini version of Babylonstoren, dubbed Thabazontoren.

Here, guests will soon be able to forage some veggies to take back to their self-catering units where they can cook up a storm (or request that the chef prepare a meal for them).

While two days might have been enough for us to familiarise ourselves with The View’s offering, we still wanted to walk up to the Kol-Kol hot tub, nestled between bushes and grass and indulge in a glass of bubbly while watching the sun set. We also had to save the horse riding for next time.

On our last morning at Cypiro Leopard Lodge, we lay in our king-sized bed overlooking the blue-hued Thabazimbi hills.

The morning sky blushed beautifully as soft sunrays gently brushed the blue canvas with touches of peach and yellow. For a brief moment - one of those moments that become your reason to travel - everything seemed right with the world. It was then that we knew: A return to Cypiro Leopard Lodge is definitely due. H Q @cypiroleopardlodge NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2023 l hellolifestyle.co.za 51

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

HITTING THE ROAD, TAKING THE LONG WAY, AWAY FROM HOME

Knysna is just over 400km from Cape Town, boasting the ideal opportunity for you to take a handful of detours and delight your senses in what the Garden Route has to offer.

TAKE THE COASTAL ROUTE Clarence Drive has been described as ‘the ultimate detour’ featuring whales, waterfalls and 77 bends. That’s more than enough reason to head out to Gordons Bay, take the R44 to Rooi-Els and continue to the hamlet of Hangklip through Betty’s Bay. Then, make the loop back to the picturesque Elgin Valley.

SECRET PARADISE In Elgin Valley you are spoilt for choice.

The ideal is to do your pre-trip homework properly, as you don’t want to miss out on all that’s in store.

Stay at South Hill Vineyards boutique wine farm where you can choose between the guesthouse, honeymoon cottage or a houseboat. Indulge in the farm restaurant’s delightful cuisine while casting an eye over the art, or immerse yourself in a wine tasting.

In addition, Almenkerk Wine Estate allows visitors to marvel at the architecture, enjoy the breathtaking views over the valley and sip on some of their wines. You might even get to see the agile winemaker, Joris taking merely one leap onto an upstanding wine barrel!

Q @southhill_vineyards | @almenkerk GEE, IT’S GEORGE George’s city centre boasts a variety of architectural styles. Take a look at the Dutch Reformed Mother Church with its domed tower, St Mark’s Anglican Cathedral with its stained-glass windows and as you stroll down York Street, be sure to check out the intimate George Arts Theatre with its delightful murals, retro ticket office and chandeliered coffee shop.

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#HelloCapeTown

by Ilse Zietsman Images: Ilse Zietsman

101 Meade Restaurant is an absolute must.

Here, it is impossible to recommend specific dishes as everything is of the highest quality.

There is also a tempting gin trolley that does the rounds.

Q @georgeartstheatre | @101meade LEAVE FOR THE LANGKLOOF The Langkloof might be a bit of a sleepy hollow, but the surrounding scenery is beautiful and there are some truly special hidden gems. Driving over the Outeniqua Pass makes this detour even more worthwhile.

Le Bocage Guest House is in an old farmhouse in the heart of Joubertina - the main town of the Langkloof - where dinner can be arranged 24 hours in advance.

Alternatively, venture out to the local country club - a real time warp that serves humungous steaks - or Diner R62 for delicious ribs or pizzas.

COME BACK TO KNYSNA Consider an extended stay in Knysna and book into The Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa on Thesen Island. Once ensconced in this 5-star establishment there is oodles to do, just a few steps away. Tip: Opt for a room with a canal view.

Ocean Odyssey offers Whale Watching trips, as well as Marine Eco and Knysna Heads Adventure Tours. While gaping at stupendous cliffs and caves and a tiny lighthouse reminiscent of a doll’s house from our yacht, Lara Bella, we were treated to a traditional braai. Of course, they also offer the special experience of sailing out through the Knysna Heads. Tip: Knysna Heads’ viewpoint is also a spectacular spot to visit.

After all this excitement we headed back to the cosy ambience of the Gastro Pub at The Turbine, known for its bistro fare and a funky bead and wire bullterrier as bar manager. Like the rest of this establishment - situated in a former power station - the pub still has a lot of the original machinery, now sporting funky colours and incorporated into the décor. Dinner was at the funky Island Café with mismatched chairs amid gigantic generators.

With more than 150 motorcycles in its collection - ranging from the 1950s to the modern era - The Motorcycle Room around the corner is a must-see. Not only for petrolheads, but for anyone who loves motorcycles.

After a few event-filled days we headed to St James of Knysna. With an uninterrupted view over Knysna Lagoon, our room came with its own patio and a jewel-hued turquoise couch that we badly wanted to spirit away.

While town is less than five minutes’ drive away, this place is a space where you just want to lay back and relax. We were welcomed with a glass of bubbly after which we lazily lounged in our room, gazing across the water, reading and napping - all on repeat. And that in utmost luxury.

Q @turbinehotel | @ oceanodysseyknysna | @the. motorcycle.room | @stjamesknysna | @ capecountryroutes

NOT 1 BUT 7 PASSES After kissing the prancing horse statue at the front door of St James goodbye, our trip came full circle with another mountain pass. The 7 Passes route meanders through Hoekwil, Karatara and Homtini, amongst others – a journey on which you happily lose count of the bends, corners and curves as you take in the magnificent scenery.

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FESTIVE SEASON CELEBRATIONS

IT’S DOWNHILL FROM HERE

Whether it’s a last-minute year-end function, a Christmas luncheon, a New Year’s Eve party or a first of Jan picnic, here are some venue ideas to help you plan:

#HelloLifestyle by Renate Engelbrecht Images: Renate Engelbrecht , Supplied

LOURENSFORD EXPANDS THEIR VINFARI EXPERIENCE If you are looking for a different kind of year-end function, Lourensford’s recently expanded Vinfari experience might just be it. It’s also a wonderful and unique way to treat your clients. Apart from their original experiences, they’ve added Sidecar Safaris to their offering. The Vinfari and Sidecar experience consists of an exploratory journey of winemaking discovery, travelling through Loursenford’s vineyard sites where iconic wines are born. Of course, the experience won’t be complete without tasting these wines at breathtaking vantages on the farm. Kick off the experience at the tasting room, where the initial introduction to the wine farm is their award-winning Cap Classique. Then, hop onto their open Vinfari vehicle (or a sidecar) for a guided tour through the estate, while engaging in conversation, tasting and learning more about three top white wines at different sites. Thereafter, you’ll be taken on a cellar tour and experience the inner workings of the winemaking process. Finally, you will also get to taste three red wines from the farm’s top range, paired with a curated snack platter. For more information and bookings, email jacop@lourensford.co.za.

COTSWOLD CONFERENCE CENTRE The Venue at Cotswold has recently introduced its new owners – a highly experienced team made up of Steve Christodoulou and Jason Roberts of Jack Salmon and Grimaldi’s fame, as well as Mike and Jen Partis with an extensive background in business, restaurants and hospitality. The Cotswold venue is located on one of KwaZulu-Natal’s premier golf and lifestyle estates, offering gorgeous views, rolling hills, indigenous bush, world-class golfing, spectacular birdlife and free-roaming antelope. The Venue at Cotswold Downs can accommodate up to 100 delegates and in addition to its unique charm it offers half and full day options, including catering, facilities and equipment, scenic gold course views, exquisite outdoor areas and even generators in case of loadshedding.

Contact events@grimaldis.co.za for more information.

1945 ON KLOOF The recently launched guesthouse, 1945 On Kloof is the perfect Joburg venue for an intimate event, with a dining room that walks out onto a large garden and outstretched lawns, as well as a swimming pool. The Bedfordview-based property offers an elegant blend of timeless elegance and modern convenience and boasts seven en suite bedrooms (including a room specifically designed for guests with disabilities). The venue is within easy reach of Joburg’s top attractions, business districts and entertainment venues. “We invite travellers and event organisers to step into our world and experience the perfect blend of hospitality and charm the guesthouse offers,” says Paulo Estrela, one of the owners of 1945 On Kloof.

For bookings, contact reservations on 011 822 1221 or manager@1945onkloof.co.za.

AVANI WINDHOEK HOTEL & CASINO Bid 2023 farewell with Minor Hotels’ Avani Windhoek Hotel & Casino and join them by counting down to 2024 with a spectacular buffet extravaganza at Dunes Restaurant. Hosted on Sunday, 31 December 2023, the exciting New Year’s Eve event - which costs N$480 per person - will include welcome drinks, a delightful buffet and entertainment. Discount is applicable to children and kids under the age of two will dine for free. If you are travelling to Namibia and would like to celebrate in style, contact Avani Windhoek Hotel & Casino by sending an email to fb.vwin@avanihotels.com.

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TABLE MOUNTAIN CABLEWAY’S NEW VISTA The name, VISTA says it all.

Table Mountain Cableway’s new functions venue’s name, which was coined by Josephine Mouton and Lisa Paterson (both Cableway staff members) resembles what one can expect at the destination: Breathtaking panoramas.

Launched in September, the venue promises to captivate both local and international guests looking to host special events, entertain visitors and leave lasting impressions. “Celebrations and special moments deserve a setting as breathtaking as the occasion itself,” says TMACC Managing Director, Wahida Parker. “Vista was born from the vision of creating a haven where nature’s beauty and culinary artistry converge, ensuring that, no matter the forecast, every event shines brightly with panoramic views, exquisite cuisine and impeccable service.” The venue boasts expansive glass windows and inviting lounge areas, making one feel at home instantly. Reach out to the VISTA team by sending an email to functions@tablemountain.net.

BOOK A FAMILY ADVENTURE. Visiting loved ones in Johannesburg this holiday season? The Marriott Executive Apartments Johannesburg, Melrose Arch is both residence and hotel so it’s the ideal sanctuary where modern spacious and luxurious apartment living makes it easy to settle in.

THE ROYAL LIVINGSTONE VICTORIA FALLS ZAMBIA HOTEL BY ANANTARA If you happen to find yourself in Zambia over the festive season this year, it might be good to know that The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara has a complete festive lineup to look forward to. Enjoy Christmas Carols performed by the Falls Music Orchestra at the Traveller’s Bar on 24 December from 17:00 and then head over to the Old Drift Restaurant for a traditional Zambian Christmas Eve buffet dinner where you will be entertained by Shemps Music Band. Santa will be in Zambia on Christmas Day too, picking young guests up for a fun ride in a horse carriage. The 25th of December will also see a Royal Picnic Lunch on the Royal Livingstone lawns between 12:30 and 15:00, including a welcoming glass of bubbly and a classical music quartet. A Christmas Buffet Dinner will also take place at the Old Drift Restaurant from 19:00.

Come the 30th of December, Royal Livingstone guests can sketch and sip with world-renowned artist, Alina Makete on the Royal Livingstone lawns and on 31 December, there will be a New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner with live entertainment by Mwiza Shaba and friends. Finally, kick off the new year with a bubbly breakfast and a ‘Royal Pick Me Up’ at the Old Drift Restaurant after a late night. Contact reception for more information: royallivingstone@anantara.com.

Feel perfectly at home in your choice of one- or two-bedroom apartments complete with a fully equipped kitchen, dining area and lounge designed for consummate comfort, convenience, and style.

In fact, all *kids’ meals are free when you stay at the Johannesburg Marriott Executive Apartments this holiday season.

Book now. Visit www.marriott.com/jnber.

Stay Valid Dates: December 01, 2023 - February 28, 2024 . *Kids under 12 years old. For more info visit www.marriott.com/jnber. Terms and conditions apply.

#HelloLifestyle

by Renate Engelbrecht Images: My Lime Boots; Supplied

Furthermore, seat material options include the sustainable Kvadrat™ – a soft material with a modern appearance.

LET’S HIT THE ROAD

VROOMVROOM

THE ALL-ELECTRIC JAGUAR I-PACE – ARE WE REALLY READY? The Jaguar I-PACE R-Dynamic was our drive on a recent trip to Limpopo and while it was a fluid, elegant drive, one can’t help but contemplate South Africa’s readiness for all-electric vehicles.

The SUV is quiet on the road and impressed with the distance it went on a full tank of electrons. In fact, one might argue that the brand, the aesthetics and the bonus that there are zero tailpipe emissions justify the steep price of more than R2 million. The Jaguar I-PACE has no engine that requires regular servicing, which could also result in very low cost to the owner in the long run – something worth considering.

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SHOWSTOPPING AESTHETICS Simplistic, elegant lines make the Jaguar I-PACE steal the show for sure, with a silent sense of bravery attached to it. The subtly facelifted I-PACE for 2023 comes with a black and silver Jaguar badge up front, and the front bumper, lower door finishers and rear diffuser are all now the same colour as the body.

The spacious cabin with its beautifully integrated tech comes with special suede-like touches in front and a crisp interior design that minimises wind noise.

PLANNING AROUND EV CHARGING POINTS Some believe that electric vehicles like the Jaguar I-PACE are better utilised as runabout cars than as vehicles for longer trips. While the I-PACE is definitely a looker on the long road, planning the trip around South Africa’s available EV charging points and the car’s limited boot space could be quite a mission.

The vehicle should be good to go for up to about 380km. We left Joburg with it fully charged and when we reached Rustenburg (the Waterfall Mall has one of the few Jaguar EV charging stations in the area) it had dropped to just above 50% in 163km. It can charge at a maximum of 100kW on a DC charger, which means a 5 to 80% top-up takes about 45 minutes. At our destination, we charged it overnight from a 7.4kW AC home charger, and over that time (which included roughly two hours of loadshedding) we got an 80% charge. You also need to take in consideration that the charging cable is 3m long, which means you need to be able to park it in such a way that it reaches the socket. We found that the ideal would be to charge on a DC charger, while having the back-up option of charging with an AC charger at home.

Depending on how you plan to use the Jaguar I-PACE, this all-electric vehicle sure brings us a step closer to the reality of EV driving.

Q @jaguar

DISCOVERY SPORT If you’re not in the market for an all-electric vehicle (yet), the Discovery Sport might tickle your fancy with plug-in electric and mild hybrid powertrain options available.

The most potent model in the Discovery Sport lineup is the P300e plug-in electric hybrid, which comes with a combined total power output of 227kW. With an expected real-world electric range of up to 47km, more than 90% of your average day-to-day journeys can be done in EV mode. For the longer journeys, the electric hybrid has a total real-world range of up to 634km, with CO₂ emissions of around 33g/km.

The 14.9kWh battery can be charged from 0 to 80% in a matter of 30 minutes using a 50kW DC public charger. According to Land Rover, you can expect for it to charge from 0 to 100% within around two hours, using a 7kW AC home charger.

The P300e Plug-in Electric Hybrid offers three driving modes: HYBRID mode (the default driving mode), EV mode and SAVE mode. These options allow you to choose the mode best suited to the drive and road conditions, whether in the city or driving on the highway.

Q @landrover

TOP 10

In September this year, FNB and WesBank revealed the Top 10 vehicles sold via nav >> Marketplace, including their average listing prices:

RENAULT (R161 000) NISSAN (R231 000) HYUNDAI (238 000) VOLKSWAGEN (R290 000) AUDI (R334 000) FORD (R360 000) MAZDA (R390 000) TOYOTA (R423 000) BMW (R450 000) MERCEDES-BENZ (R500 000) Q @fnbsa | @wesbanksa

A TOURIST ATTRACTION FOR VOLKSWAGEN FANS Volkswagen has been a popular brand on South Africa’s roads for ages and its 70-year-long South African history has been carefully preserved in Kariega (previously known as Uitenhage). This quaint town is home to Volkswagen Group South Africa’s manufacturing plant where the first Volkswagen Beetle rolled off the production line in 1951. Today, more than 40 classics are displayed in their AutoPavilion museum, which is open five days a week. The oldest Volkswagen on the floor is the 1938 DKW F5 Reichklasse. You can also experience the production of two of South Africa’s most popular cars - The Polo and the Polo Vivo while you’re there.

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DATA, TECH & AI THE EFFECTS ON REAL ESTATE #HelloLifestyle

by Renate Engelbrecht Images: Supplied

AS WITH EVERYTHING ELSE, ONE CAN’T HELP BUT WONDER WHAT THE EFFECTS OF AI, DATA AND TECHNOLOGY ARE ON THE REAL ESTATE ENVIRONMENT

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ael Geffen, the CEO of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty says: “…Proptech is essentially the implementation of technology to streamline processes and make transactions more efficient, whether it intersects the planning, building, management or even demolition stages. What started as a trickle with the introduction of online search portals a decade ago, has become a wave of disruptive solutions and cutting-edge technologies that have steadily been transforming the way in which we conduct business.”

Online marketing and search engines like Property 24 have created an era of time-saving convenience in the filtering process, with certain properties being removed from the equation by choosing criteria like size, location and price. Ultimately, this has made house hunting much easier.

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There are selected technologies that have been accelerating in the industry rapidly. Wayne Berger, Managing Partner of iShack Ventures and a PropTech Venture Builder, says several of these technologies are already influencing the industry to varying degrees, with a number of key emergent trends that are likely to have a significant impact within the next few years. According to him, property professionals should gear themselves up for some exciting game changes soon to take shape.

DATA IS KEY Geffen says in essence the real estate industry is data-driven, which is why it is important to focus more energy on collecting and analysing all the data relating to a real estate business. This can be converted into valuable business case studies, offering management insights to make better decisions and action informed strategic moves. “More in-depth, clearer insights on pricing, residential and commercial trends and buyer demographics, as well as the potential value of neighbourhoods, is invaluable,” he says.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Computers that can learn without explicitly being programmed, can only be an incredible tool in real estate, especially when it comes to property investment and sales decisions. It can assist in organising available data in such a way that one can pick up past and future

Top 5 dream décor pieces trends, as well as factors that can influence the immovable asset investment over a specific period.

INTERNET OF THINGS According to Geffen, Internet of Things (IoT) applications in real estate will change both the industry and also our lives in multiple ways. “Predictive technology is already making buying, owning and selling homes more accessible than ever and not only will IoT help homeowners become more aware of their home’s functionalities; it can also generate more market value for your home.” For example, smartphones can connect to a building’s network to assist users in populated buildings to best navigate and optimise their routes, like finding parking or open boardrooms.

BLOCKCHAIN Described as a digital ledger stored on a distributed network, blockchain can be very exciting from a real estate perspective as it can increase transparency and improve pre-purchase due diligence. It can also speed up the transfer process, as no thirdparty verification is required.

Blockchain will evidently remove the requirement to do title deed searches or a middleman to secure the title transfer – one of the primary frustrations in global real estate markets. Geffen says: “We are beginning to realise that blockchain systems are capable of streamlining all aspects of real estate sales – from listings and auctions to settlement and transfer.”

In addition to these game changers, things like 3D printing and modular construction, as well as autonomous vehicles and drones also have an innings in transforming real estate as we know it. 3D printing is already making its mark internationally and many believe that it will soon be introduced in the local property market as a low-cost

housing alternative. Yes, a home can actually be printed and erected in 24 hours at a cost of about $4000 now! “As the challenge of affordability continues to grow with first-time buyers increasingly struggling to enter the market, we expected the modular home, including those made from shipping containers and those constructed using cutting-edge technology, to become increasingly appealing over the coming decade.”

Furthermore, driverless cars will mean less demand for parking space, ultimately creating space for retail and storage. And, Amazon’s Flying warehouse (Prime Air) which is still being developed will also have a great impact, especially on the industrial sector. Drones are increasingly being used for aerial footage of properties, for identification of maintenance issues and hardto-reach places, as well as security enhancement.

Skyworth SUF958P 100’’ TV, South Africa’s largestever QLED TV

CTM tiles in collaboration with fashion designer, MakhethaKwinana

Couches For Sale’s new modular seating range

These fast-evolving technologies are bound to reshape the real estate environment over the next couple of years. So, brace yourself and enjoy the ride! H Q @lewgeffensothebysrealty

Urban Crush, one of two new Silestone Cosentino collections Lighting features from Weylandts’ brand-new collection

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#HelloLifestyle

by Renate Engelbrecht Images:Supplied

MONEY TALK

A

s we walked into Brooklyn Mall early in October, Christmas trees were being carried into Woolworths’ entrance and it hit us: ‘Tis that time of the year again already! While we love Christmas and all things festive, this year got way ahead of us and for a moment there, we had to stop and breathe. Yes, the festive season is here and somehow, we’re back where we were last year this time, wondering how we will keep to the budget and head into a new year debt-free.

While we have been altering our lifestyles and challenging each other on making cleverer purchases and keeping to weekly budgets, we still haven’t mastered becoming debt-free. It’s an ongoing battle, especially with inflation, petrol and grocery prices constantly rising.

But, we’re not here to remind you about what you haven’t mastered this year. We’re here to tell you that there are ways to reduce your spending this Christmas. A few small changes can go a long way…

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BE CLEVER WHEN WRAPPING GIFTS There are many ways to wrap a gift and if you work cleverly and further in advance you can save a lot of money. No need to buy expensive gift bags from the shop. You can use a piece of cloth and try your hand at Furoshiki - a Japanese gift-wrapping technique with reused cloth - or be creative when wrapping wine bottles and add some folded paper fans and flowers from the garden. Pinterest is filled with wrapping ideas that won’t cost nearly as much as gift bags, wrapping paper and ribbons from the shops.

BUDGET, BUDGET, BUDGET Many of us hate the word budget, but a budget is exactly what will keep you from overspending this festive season. Plan ahead, know what you need and how much you can spend and only then go shopping.

MAKE IT YOURSELF Don’t underestimate the power of homebaked and homemade gifts. Make it a

HOW TO DECREASE YOUR SPENDING OVER THE FESTIVE SEASON AND ENTER THE NEW YEAR WITHOUT TOO MUCH DEBT fun family activity and make the gifts yourself. This could save a lot of cents while simultaneously giving you and your family the opportunity to spend some quality time together. A box filled with home-baked biscuits often means a lot more than cookies from the nearest grocery store.

CHOOSE YOUR SHOPPING TIMES WISELY While Black Friday might be coming up, the ideal is to start shopping earlier in the year and make use of those unexpected specials and clearance sales. If it’s too late now, remember this tip for next year and build up a gift supply from January onwards. We love having a gift cabinet from which we can grab a little something for those unplanned get togethers or belated birthday celebrations, let alone last-minute gifts for Christmas. South Africa’s original daily deals site, www.onedayonly.co.za has discounts every day, but for 24 hours only, which allows you to shop now, making things a little easier. H

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