The entrance hall at the Palace of the Lost City at Sun City. Image supplied by Sun International.
EAT.DRINK
FAMILY
PRODUCTION
PUBLISHERS
Bianca Emmerick | bianca@joburgstyle.co.za
Chad Mclintock | chad@joburgstyle.co.za
EDITOR & CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Helen Clark | helen@joburgstyle.co.za
DIGITAL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Bianca Emmerick | bianca@joburgstyle.co.za
COPY EDITING & PROOF READING
Maryke Blom | maryke@joburgstyle.co.za
SALES
Luc Kazaba | luc@joburgstyle.co.za
Gavin Prins Media | gavin@gavinprins.co.za
ACCOUNTS
Leane Fourie | accounts@joburgstyle.co.za
PUBLISHED BY
JoburgStyle Media House (Pty) Ltd
Company Reg: K2023232059
Address: Shop 2, 28 Clarence Street, Craighall Park 2196, Johannesburg, South Africa Telephone: 083 262 9453
COVER
PHOTOGRAPHER
Xavier | xavier@byxavier.com
CLOTHING BY Gert-Johan Coetzee
DISTRIBUTION Media Support
PRINTED BY Jetline Print | jetline.co.za
New at JoburgStyle!
Welcome to the JoburgStyle Hub!
Nestled in the vibrant Craighall Park at Shop 2, 28 Clarence Avenue, our office is not just a workspace; it’s a creative playground! We’re rolling out the red carpet for the public to come and work alongside us, complete with FREE Wi-Fi and the best barista-brewed coffee that Jozi has to offer! Feeling peckish? Our café serves up the tastiest light meals and snacks to fuel your creativity. Plus, we’re all about supporting local talent –artists are invited to showcase their work on our walls, making each visit a feast for the eyes.
Whether you’re looking to meet clients, host a press event, or launch your latest product with style, our hub is the place to be! Join us in redefining what it means to experience #JoburgStyle. Let’s make magic happen together!
See you at the Hub!
JoburgStyle
PUBLISHERS’ note
Dear Readers,
What does luxury mean to you? Is it the car you drive, the Chanel handbag you carry, or the couture clothing that fills your wardrobe? Upon reflection, I realised that while these are indeed facets of luxury, they are merely symptoms of a deeper essence. For me, true luxury embodies the freedom of choice – the confidence that I do not need to prove myself to anyone, the financial security that transforms aspirations into reality, and the precious moments spent with loved ones, cherishing the blessings life offers.
This spirit of luxury inspires this edition of JoburgStyle. With each issue, we evolve, learning from our past while embracing change, and I am grateful for the growth of our dedicated team. A guiding verse has been Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This reminds us that our journey is enriched by collaboration; together, we create more than just a luxury lifestyle magazine – we build a family of influential individuals who share a vision.
A highlight of this past quarter is the relaunch of The Palace of the Lost City, Crystal Court. The innovation and collaborative spirit of Jan and his team have left an indelible mark on South African travel, showcasing the power of teamwork and creativity. We share a glimpse and we deem it a true national treasure.
We were honoured to feature Gerry van der Walt in our photo essay from the last edition. Now he shares his journey from Arctic isolation to personal transformation as a testament to the power of facing one’s fears. Through five distinct pathways – Mindset, Mental Health, Creative Expression, Authenticity, and Student Development – he guides individuals toward unlocking their true potential, emphasizing that real change begins when we confront ourselves courageously.
Our cover story features the remarkable Kat Sinivasan, who needs no introduction. Meeting Kat and Omuhle Gela at the 2025 SA Style Awards was a privilege; their friendship radiates positivity and inspiration. Kat’s journey, marked by integrity and style, is beautifully chronicled in this edition, and I take pride in showcasing his story.
South African designers stand at the forefront of the global fashion scene, setting trends with innate creativity and flair. Vicky takes us on an exhilarating journey through the current fashion landscape, celebrating our homegrown talent and innovation.
We are also excited to offer you an exclusive peek into the Club Med in KwaZulu-Natal, due to open in 2026, which will mark a significant addition to South Africa’s leisure offerings.
These narratives are just a glimpse of what awaits in this edition. I hope you find as much joy in reading it as we did in creating it.
A heartfelt thank you to each staff member and contributor who made this edition possible. You are the essence of JoburgsStyle!
If you wish to be part of our next edition, please reach out to sales@joburgstyle.co.za.
Best Regards,
CONTRIBUTORS
Gerry van der Walt
Gerry is a Mindset and Performance coach and co-owner of Wild Eye, a photographic and specialist guiding company. gerryvanderwalt.com
Vicky Visagie
Vicky has worked in the fashion industry for 20 years, always pushing boundaries and leading many fashion firsts in South Africa.
Kerry Anne Allerston
A lover of all things music, Kerry has worked in broadcasting and media, and interviewed dozens of celebities. kallerston@gmail.com
Keith Bain
A former editor of Getaway, Financial Mail Travel and khuluma, freelancer Keith got his start in travel journalism as an author of guidebooks. keithcapetown@gmail.com
Renate Engelbrecht
Freelance writer, blogger, podcaster and motivational speaker – Renate is the force behind SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY, a storytelling platform inspired by life’s finer journeys. @suitcaseandchardonnay
WHERE+WEAR
MUSICIAN, TELEVISION PRESENTER AND ACTOR KAT SINIVASAN, OUR COVER STAR IN THIS ISSUE, TAKES US THROUGH SOME OF HIS FAVOURITE THINGS
1
COWBOY BOOTS
“There’s something timeless and rebellious about cowboy boots. They bring edge, attitude, and a touch of the unexpected to any outfit.”
2
SUNGLASSES
“The right pair of shades can turn a regular look into a full statement. Whether I’m on set or off-duty, I never leave home without them.”
3
COWBOY HAT
“Iconic and unapologetic. The cowboy hat is my crown – a bold nod to individuality and heritage.”
4
STAINLESS STEEL JEWELLERY
“Clean, bold, and built to last – stainless steel jewellery adds just the right amount of shine without saying too much. Understated but never unnoticed.”
5
COLOGNE
“Scent is memory. A good cologne lingers, introduces you before you speak, and stays long after you leave. Mine? Always fresh, always intentional.”
6
UKKO’S WHOLE FISH DISH
“When it comes to food, I go for flavour and finesse. The whole fish at Ukko is an absolute favourite – simple, elevated, and unforgettable.”
7
SUPREME X RIMOWA BAG
“Function meets flex. The Supreme RIMOWA isn’t just luggage – it’s a fashion statement with wheels. Travel, but make it luxury.”
8
BLACK TANK TOP
“Minimal, versatile, and endlessly cool. A black tank is a wardrobe staple that pairs with anything –especially cowboy boots and a hat.”
9
PHILIPS ONEBLADE
“Grooming made easy. The OneBlade keeps my look sharp, whether it’s a quick touch-up or full detailing. Efficiency with style.”
KAT SINIVASAN: Made in Jozi, Built for the World
By Vicky Visagie
FROM THE HOOD TO HOLLYWOOD, KAT SINIVASAN IS NOT JUST A SUCCESS STORY. HE IS A WHOLE ERA IN MOTION, AN EMBODIMENT OF RESILIENCE AND REDEFINITION.
GOLD AND GRIT
Twenty years in the entertainment industry and still evolving, Kat doesn’t merely reflect the spirit of Johannesburg, he radiates it.
“Made in Jozi means baptised by hustle and raised on rhythm,” he says. “Jozi didn’t just birth me, it built me.”
He paints his beginnings in vibrant detail. A young boy in Soweto, giving passionate performances to his reflection, holding a hairbrush mic, dreaming of stages beyond his reach. Before the cameras, the fame, and the fashion, there was that boy, loud and curious, boldly dramatic, living a life coloured by culture and driven by dreams.
“Johannesburg was my first stage,” he smiles. “School assemblies, church choirs, even the street corner became a place to perform.”
More than a city, Johannesburg was a teacher. It demanded confidence before it offered applause. It gave him grit, grace, and an unwavering belief in creating opportunity rather than waiting for it.
“Jozi teaches you to walk like you belong, even when you’re doubting everything inside,” he says.
“Waiting for opportunity is cute, but creating it?
That’s Jozi behaviour.”
Kat’s story is not one of overnight success. It’s about becoming, step by bold step. It’s about dreaming out loud in a city that challenges, chisels, and ultimately champions its originals.
THE FIRST TIME THEY SAW ME
The year 2006 marked a turning point. Kat broke onto the scene with a music and lifestyle show called Famous, a platform that catapulted him from aspiring performer to public figure.
“It was surreal,” he recalls. “One minute you’re just another kid in Pick n Pay, the next minute someone’s whispering, ‘Is that him?’”
It wasn’t just visibility. It was a seismic shift in self-perception. “Seeing myself on screen for the first time felt like crashing a party I wasn’t invited to, but then owning the dance floor anyway.”
That first moment in the spotlight carried weight. “There was pride, sure, but also pressure. I had to deliver for everyone who never saw themselves on that screen.”
Years later, Kat made history as the first Black male presenter for E! Entertainment Africa. For him, it wasn’t just a career win, it was a cultural declaration. “We weren’t guests in the global conversation. We were hosts,” he states firmly. “For every Black boy told he wasn’t polished enough, that moment shattered ceilings.”
The weight of representation wasn’t a burden. It was purpose. “Oh, it was heavy,” he says, “but I wore it like couture. I knew I wasn’t just carrying my dreams. I was carrying my people’s pride.”
Looking back now, what would he tell his younger self? He pauses. “You’re not too much. You’re just early. Don’t shrink. Don’t wait. The world will catch up to your shine.”
Photographs: By Xavier | Clothing: Gert-Johan Coetzee
20 YEARS, 20 LESSONS
Two decades in the entertainment industry have sculpted Kat into a multidimensional creative force. But the journey hasn’t been without detours, doubts, and reinvention.
“Faith, family, and love for what I do keep me grounded,” he says. “I’m not addicted to fame. I’m obsessed with impact.”
There were moments when he considered walking away. “Absolutely,” he says candidly. “There are still rooms where I feel invisible in, rooms I helped open.”
But the thread that pulls him back is purpose. “Purpose has a sneaky way of tapping you on the shoulder and saying, ‘We’re not done yet.’”
One of his most pivotal shifts was deciding to stop performing for acceptance. “Now, I show up as Kat. No act. No mask. That’s when everything changed.”
Not all steps were in the right direction. But even missteps held lessons. “Taking jobs that didn’t align with my spirit taught me what ‘no’ feels like, so I could say ‘yes’ to better.”
His understanding of success has also matured. “Success isn’t loud,” he reflects. “It’s not followers or red carpets. It’s peace. It’s sleeping well. It’s loving who you are when no one’s clapping.”
Through all the evolution, Kat has remained rooted in purpose and principle. His legacy is being crafted in moments both monumental and quiet, always with intention.
FASHION IS A LANGUAGE
Kat’s fashion is more than flair, it’s a philosophy. He’s collaborated with high-luxury brands like Cartier, Calvin Klein, Boss, and Hermès Shoes, not just as a model or muse, but as a storyteller.
“Being called a style icon means I’ve used fashion as a language,” he explains. “I don’t just wear clothes. I tell stories with them.”
From velvet suits to sharp tailoring, Kat’s style has always held meaning. “Fashion is expression. It’s art. It’s rebellion. It’s how I say, ‘Yes, I’m from the hood. And yes, I’m dripping in velvet.’ You can be both.”
His style choices are deliberate, particularly in global campaigns. “I always ask, ‘Does this reflect who I am? Does this honour where I come from?’ I want the world to see a proudly African man, stylish, rooted, and unshakably confident.”
In an image-driven industry, authenticity is non-negotiable. “I protect my ‘why.’ If it doesn’t align with my purpose or values, it’s a no.”
He draws a sharp line between being seen and being respected. “Visibility is being seen. Value is being respected. I’ve learned to stop chasing eyes and start earning impact.”
BIGGER THAN ME
Kat’s purpose has outgrown performance. It’s now about power being shared, not hoarded. The first time someone said, “Because of you, I believed I could,” everything shifted.
“That’s when I knew I’m not just here to entertain. I’m here to ignite.”
He now uses his platform to mentor, advocate, and amplify others. “I name names in rooms. I mentor in silence. I challenge gatekeepers. My win isn’t complete until someone else walks through behind me.”
Kat is intentional about the legacy he’s building. “To the dreamer in Alexandra or Soweto who feels overlooked, I’d say: ‘Your background isn’t baggage, it’s a badge. Wear it. Own it. Build from it.’”
In his quietest moments, when the spotlight fades and the world isn’t watching, his prayer is simple and profound. “That I made people feel seen. That I showed what was possible. And that I opened more doors than I closed.”
THE NEXT ERA
With twenty years behind him, Kat isn’t slowing down, he’s stepping into an even bolder version of himself.
“Producing global content, launching a lifestyle brand, and maybe a talk show that fuses glamour and real talk, that’s what’s on my dream list now.”
He sees himself as more than a presenter. He’s becoming a platform builder. “The goal isn’t just to be in front of the lens. It’s to own the lens. To shape the narrative, not just speak it.”
Kat’s future is focused, joyful, and deeply rooted. “Creatively, I’m bolder. In business, more intentional. Personally? More grounded. More joy. More peace.”
When asked how he wants the world to see Africa through his journey, he responds without hesitation. “As a continent of elegance, ambition, complexity, and limitless creativity.”
Kat Sinivasan isn’t just Made in Jozi. He’s making Jozi proud on a global scale, rewriting what it means to be a Joburg original. And his best chapters? They’re just getting started.
By Bianca Emmerick
A Journey Through Light and Shadow
In a sunlit café in Dubai, award-winning South African filmmaker Sofia de Fay settles into her chair, her presence carrying the weight of the countless stories she’s captured through her lens.
With more than 130 international awards and appearances at over fifty festivals worldwide, de Fay’s work has become synonymous with unflinching portrayals of human resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity.
The filmmaker, whose career has spanned continents and conflicts, has earned her reputation through a remarkable ability to capture humanity’s most profound moments of transformation. Her documentaries, which have garnered international acclaim, reflect a deep commitment to storytelling that transcends cultural boundaries.
“What drives you to these stories?” I ask, watching as she contemplates her response.
“I’m drawn to those who’ve faced unimaginable pain,” she says, choosing her words carefully. “People who’ve not only endured but transformed their suffering into something extraordinary. The themes of grief, courage, and transformation weave through all my work.”
De Fay’s journey has taken her from the corporate boardrooms of South Africa, where she worked extensively with all major broadcast channels, to the historic moments of the UAE’s space programme. She speaks with particular pride about documenting the UAE’s remarkable journey into space, having captured milestone achievements including the UAE’s first astronauts, Hazzaa AlMansoori and Dr Sultan AlNeyadi, following their training in Russia through to the dramatic Soyuz launch at Baikonur. Her portfolio also includes the documentation of Khalifasat’s departure from Japan and the ambitious Hope Mission to Mars.
“What did you learn from the space programme?” I enquire.
She smiles, sharing an insight that seems to have profoundly influenced her approach to filmmaking. “The engineers taught me something
fascinating. They plan for failure, meticulously mapping every possible malfunction. It’s not positive thinking in the traditional sense, but it works.”
Our conversation turns to darker territories. In 2011, de Fay ventured into Somalia during its worst famine in 60 years, a catastrophe that left 12,5 million people without food and water. Her crew faced near-death experiences: a harrowing plane incident, a knife attack on a team member, detention, and working without food in Dadaab Camp. The territory, controlled by Al Shabaab, the Somalia-based cell of Al Qaeda, presented dangers so severe that even American forces had withdrawn following the Black Hawk Down incident in 1993.
Despite these challenges, de Fay and her team persevered, documenting heart-wrenching stories including that of a mother who buried three of her children during her desperate journey to Dadaab camp. These experiences resulted in “Tears for Rain” and “The Road of Death”, films that raised US$40 million for the Red Crescent and garnered multiple prestigious awards, including two Gold World medals for Direction at the 2012 New York Festivals International Television Film Festivals and gold Dolphin awards at the Cannes Corporate Media Awards.
De Fay’s voice softens as she recounts filming in Nagapattinam, India, after the 2004 tsunami. She shares the extraordinary story of Karibeeran and Choodamani, who lost their three children –Kirubasan, Rakshanya, and Karuyna – to the devastating waves. On that fateful Boxing Day, Karibeeran had taken his son to play cricket on the beach when the tsunami struck, travelling at 850 kilometres per hour. Despite his desperate attempts to save his son, the force of the water proved too strong.
“What makes this story particularly powerful,” de Fay explains, “is how they transformed their unbearable grief into hope.” Following a shared mystical experience where both parents saw their deceased children in a vision, they established Nambikkai, or Hands of Hope, an orphanage that became home to countless children left destitute by the disaster.
The conversation turns to one of her most impactful stories - that of Connie Culp, the recipient of the first partial face transplant at the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio. Culp’s journey from domestic violence victim to survivor and advocate deeply resonated with de Fay. After suffering a devastating shotgun blast to her face from her jealous husband, Culp underwent thirty operations before receiving her groundbreaking transplant in a 22-hour procedure.
“What makes Connie’s story so remarkable isn’t just the medical breakthrough,” de Fay reflects, “but her response to tragedy. She chose forgiveness over bitterness, becoming a champion against domestic abuse and paving the way for over 40 subsequent face transplant recipients.”
Today, de Fay serves on the juries of three prestigious international film festivals, including the New York Film and Media Festivals and the U.S. International Film Festival. Her work in the UAE continues to document the nation’s remarkable journey, from space exploration to technological advancement.
Throughout our conversation, de Fay returns to
It’s about listening not just with your ears, but with your heart. When people share their deepest truths, their most vulnerable moments, it’s a sacred trust. Through these connections, we honour the human spirit’s capacity for defiance and renewal.
the theme of transformation - how individuals and communities can transcend trauma to create meaningful change. Her own journey from South African filmmaker to internationally acclaimed documentarian mirrors the transformative stories she captures.
“The greatest triumph in documentary filmmaking,” she concludes, “is building that bridge of trust. It’s about listening not just with your ears, but with your heart. When people share their deepest truths, their most vulnerable moments, it’s a sacred trust. Through these connections, we honour the human spirit’s capacity for defiance and renewal.”
As our interview draws to a close, it’s clear that de Fay’s greatest talent lies not just in her technical expertise or her impressive array of awards, but in her ability to illuminate the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit through her lens. Her work serves as a testament to the power of documentary filmmaking to not only chronicle human experience but to inspire profound change.
From the war-torn landscapes of Bosnia and Syria to the technological frontiers of space exploration, de Fay continues to seek out stories that challenge our understanding of human potential. Her films stand as powerful reminders that even in our darkest moments, transformation is possible, and beauty can emerge from the most unexpected places.
Through her unwavering commitment to authenticity and her deep empathy for her subjects, Sofia de Fay has created a body of work that does more than document - it bears witness to the indomitable nature of the human spirit and its capacity for renewal in the face of overwhelming odds.
As our time together ends, she shares a final profound gift – a poem written by a young girl she met in an Erbil refugee camp:
“Bad things happened to me without warning no alert silent, monstrous, too big left on the edge, holding on to cracks of fear and grasping claws of terror shuffling in fractured steps toward a horizon of lies
Stirring Forgetting Knowing only the pulse of loss Because in my breaking Something will be reborn.”
Where Life Takes Me
From the Congo to the international fashion scene, from modelling to theatre, Joëlle Kayembe’s life story is a masterclass in following your own path – even when it leads you in unexpected directions.
Photo: Gavin O’Neill – 2005
Photo: Gavin O’Neill – 2005
Photo: Daniella Midenge
“I always wanted to be an artist,” says Kayembe, settling into our conversation with an easy grace that comes from decades in front of cameras. The statement might seem surprising coming from someone who has graced countless magazine covers and international advertising campaigns, but for Kayembe, modelling was never the end goal – it was simply an unexpected detour on a much longer journey.
Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo to a conservative family that later immigrated to South Africa, Kayembe’s early life was shaped by her father’s steadfast belief in education as the key to success.
After attending private school in Grahamstown, she was set to continue her studies at Cambridge University. But fate had other plans.
During the gap between her South African matriculation and the September start of the UK academic year, Kayembe took up part-time work while secretly hoping to pursue her artistic passions. It was during one of these jobs that a modelling agent spotted her and insisted on giving her his card. “I’d been to agencies before and nothing had come of it,” she recalls with a laugh. “I nearly threw the card away.” Instead, she decided to give it a try – and her very first bookings were so successful that when September rolled around, she found herself facing an impossible choice: Cambridge or a modelling career in London.
At 19, she chose London, telling herself she would model briefly to earn money for art supplies. “I thought I’d do this job which would pay me really well, then come back and buy my brushes and oil paints and make this amazing artistic career,” she says. “That was where my head was when I said yes to this thing called modelling.”
One job led to another, then to TV commercials and magazine covers. But what truly cemented her commitment to modelling was the response she received. “I started getting feedback that people were proud to have an African woman, a dark-skinned woman, on magazine covers. Girls saw themselves through me. Representation, which is a big buzzword now but wasn’t then, started coming through.”
Recognising the larger significance
Photo: Linn Camilla Flammier – 2021
Photo: Garreth Barclay
of her presence in the industry, Kayembe approached modelling with characteristic determination. “I became a student of modelhood,” she says. “I got a personal trainer, went to the gym. My attitude was: if you’re going to do it, do it properly.” Her approach to the industry was strategic. Rather than pursuing catwalk modelling, which often demanded extreme thinness, she focused on photographic modelling for clients who appreciated a healthier physique. “My agent told me, ‘Go where you’re appreciated, not where you’re tolerated.’ That became my guiding principle.”
Now at 40, Kayembe is still working – she recently shot a campaign for Nivea Visage which is due to launch in Europe soon – but her journey has taken several fascinating turns. In 2016, she moved to Norway, where the slower pace of modelling work finally gave her the time to pursue her artistic passions. She began painting under her married name, wanting to create separation between her modelling and artistic identities.
But life had yet another surprise in store. While in Denmark, she auditioned for a play on a whim. The director, impressed by her natural talent, encouraged her to pursue formal training. This led her to the Copenhagen Theatre School, where she developed her craft and discovered a passion for stage acting.
“I prefer theatre to movies and television,” she explains. “In movies, you’ve got retakes. On stage, you don’t. Someone’s watching you at any given time, not just what’s happening over there. You can’t fake that and I love that authenticity.”
Throughout our conversation, Kayembe returns often to the theme of authenticity – both in her work and in her life choices. When asked about her decisions to break from conventional paths, including choosing not to have children despite cultural pressures, she is thoughtful but firm. “I want my life to be a tapestry of ‘you can do anything you want.’ It doesn’t have to be Cambridge University. It can be modelling. It doesn’t have to be being a doctor, you can be an artist. You can be successful and be happy.”
Photo: Marcel van der Merwe – 2017
This commitment to authenticity hasn’t always been easy. “The most difficult thing has been the loneliness of being on this journey on my own,” she reflects. “There hasn’t been a model example of someone else who has done it quite like I have, someone I could talk to about this loneliness or what the next step is.”
“I’ve been alienated through French fashion because I’m not willing to do certain things. I’ve been left out of parties and friendships because I don’t participate in certain activities. It’s been lonely, but looking back now, it was worth it.”
Kayembe credits her strong family ties – she’s the eldest of eight siblings – and unwavering moral compass for helping her navigate the industry’s pitfalls while staying true to herself. “My family keeps me authentic,” she says. “I remember being on billboards and coming home to my mother telling me to clean my room. It kept me grounded.”
Today, Kayembe continues to model while pursuing her theatre career in Norway, where she lives with her Norwegian husband. She’s also finally embracing her identity as an artist, incorporating influences from her global travels into her work. When asked about future plans, she smiles. “I’ve stopped making them. I thought I was going to go to Cambridge. Then I became a model. Then I thought I was going to be an artist and became a theatre actress. So on every turn, what I thought I was going to do became something else.”
Instead, she’s learned to stay open to possibility while remaining true to her core values. “As long as you’re doing it with love, wherever you’re meant to be is where you’ll end up,” she says. It’s an approach that has served her well so far, turning what might have been a brief modelling career into an extraordinary journey of continuous reinvention and self-discovery.
Editor’s Note: While our Photo Essays traitionally portray a collection of photographs taken by a single photographer, we thought we’d flip the script for this edition, and focus on a single subject rather than a single photographer.
Photo: J Konrad –2015
Photo: Mark Legrande – 2015
Made of Meaning
A NEW ERA AT FASHION WEEK SS25
By Vicky Visagie
South
African Fashion Week SS25
was more than a showcase. It was a revelation.
In a world where fast fashion continues to blur originality, three South African designers offered something profoundly rare: collections that pulsed with purpose, heritage, and fearless individuality. Gert-Johan Coetzee, Helon Melon, and Shaldon Kopman of Naked Ape each presented work that defied imitation, proving once again that South African fashion doesn’t follow, it leads.
But this wasn’t leadership measured by trends or spectacle. It was measured by intention. By integrity. By the audacity to tell our stories our way. Each designer approached their collection as more than a seasonal statement. They treated fashion as legacy. As language. As resistance. Together, their work formed a cohesive but diverse chorus. From cosmic couture to mohair minimalism, from botanical dyeing to cultural reclamation. This is what it means to design with depth, and why the world is paying attention. What follows are three stories. Three visions. Three designers reshaping not only what we wear, but what we remember when we wear it.
The Arrival of a Visionary:
Gert-Johan Coetzee’s Fashion Future
Gert-Johan Coetzee doesn’t just design fashion, he designs identity. Through every crystalstudded gown and sculptural silhouette, he is reshaping what it means to wear South African luxury, both at home and across the globe.
From Koster to Hollywood, Coetzee’s journey reflects a rare blend of ambition, authenticity, and artistic brilliance. But his true power lies not just in who he dresses – Oprah, Cardi B, Lizzo, to name a few – but in how he redefines African storytelling through couture. With his SS25 collection, The Arrival, Coetzee pushes this mission even further, honouring his roots while daring to reimagine the future.
“This collection is a homecoming,” he says. “No matter how far we travel or how much we transform, our roots and our dreams stay stitched into our souls. We do not lose who we are, we evolve it.”
That evolution is the heartbeat of Coetzee’s work. He fuses ancestral beadwork and African symbolism with futuristic forms and innovative techniques, creating garments that feel both timeless and forward-looking. It’s not just fashion, it’s philosophy. In his world, heritage isn’t something to be referenced. It’s something to be lived, elevated, and made visible on a global scale.
As one of South Africa’s most successful fashion exports, Coetzee is opening doors for the next generation. His fashion bursary programme uplifts emerging talent, while his brand continues to prove that local craftsmanship can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s best. Every piece he creates is a love letter to South Africa, bold, emotive, and unapologetically proud.
His designs speak in a language that resonates far beyond runways. They say: we are here. We are powerful. And our stories matter. In an industry often driven by trend, Coetzee offers something rarer, truth wrapped in tulle and stitched with legacy.
With each collection, he shows us that fashion is more than appearance. It’s identity made visible. And in that visibility lies power, to uplift, to unite, and to inspire a new fashion future that starts right here, in the heart of South Africa.
Eunice
Gert-Johan Coetzee’s clothes say: we are here. We are powerful. And our stories matter. All
Quiet Luxury, Loud Legacy:
Helon Melon’s Return to South African Craft
In a world infatuated with noise and novelty, Helon Melon reminds us that true luxury whispers.
Her latest collection, a delicate interplay of kid mohair and linen, doesn’t shout for attention. It doesn’t need to. Woven from noble fibres sourced, spun, and stitched entirely in South Africa, each garment is an ode to craftsmanship, comfort, and cultural pride.
What makes Helon Melon’s work so significant isn’t just the exquisite detail or the restrained elegance of her silhouettes. It’s her unapologetic commitment to doing things differently. In a fashion industry obsessed with speed and sameness, she slows down. She roots in place. She creates with intention.
With this new collection, Helon takes one of the country’s finest natural fibres, kid mohair and elevates it into something modern, wearable, and deeply refined.
Brushed into softness, cut into effortless layers, and lined with airy linen, her garments breathe with the South African climate and spirit. The palette, ecru, rose, black, olive, is harmonious and grounded, just like the woman behind the label.
But this is more than fabric. This is a philosophy. By championing local materials and collaborating with South African farmers and weavers, Helon Melon isn’t just making clothes. She’s building an ecosystem of excellence. Her pieces tell a story of trust in local hands, faith in traditional methods, and a belief that beauty made slowly is beauty that lasts.
In today’s global fashion arena, where fast fashion dominates and authenticity is rare, Helon Melon offers something vital: a return to meaning. She proves that South African luxury isn’t about imitation. It’s about intention. It’s about garments that hold warmth, wisdom, and the quiet power of knowing exactly where you come from.
Through soft textures and clean lines, Helon Melon speaks a bold truth: style doesn’t have to be loud to be heard. Sometimes, the most powerful statements are the ones spoken in a whisper.
Helon Melon’s truth: Style doesn’t have to be loud to be heard. Sometimes, the most powerful statements are the ones spoken in a whisper.
Some designers speak through fabric. Shaldon Kopman listens to the earth first, then lets it speak for him.
With Naked Ape’s latest collection, Urban Camo, he’s once again proving that fashion doesn’t have to dominate nature to be powerful. It can dance with it. This is not camouflage in the military sense. It’s camouflage as communion, a philosophy where fabric, land, and spirit are inseparable.
Kopman’s design ethos is rooted in more than aesthetic. It’s a belief system. Every garment is an intentional act, crafted from biodegradable fabrics, dyed with botanical pigments, and sewn into silhouettes that echo both tradition and modernity.
Collaborating with botanical artist Ira Bekker, he has created textiles imprinted with leaves, branches, and rusted objects, each piece capturing the raw memory of the land.
“Each piece in Urban Camo carries the DNA of our land. It’s fashion made with the earth, not just inspired by it,” he says. That spirit runs through every element of the collection. From sun-washed earth tones to leaf-silhouetted silk coats, there’s a tactile honesty that feels both ancient and new.
But Naked Ape is more than slow fashion. It’s smart fashion. It’s cultural leadership disguised as tailoring. Since its inception in 2005, the brand has consistently positioned African heritage not as ornamentation, but as foundation. Kopman doesn’t chase trends. He champions values, sustainability, soul, and story.
In a world where overproduction and global homogenization threaten to erase individuality, Naked Ape offers resistance. Quiet, refined, rooted. It reclaims fashion’s power not just to reflect identity, but to protect it.
Kopman’s work reminds us that style can have substance, and that beauty can bloom without destruction. Naked Ape doesn’t ask us to consume. It asks us to consider. What do we wear, and why does it matter?
In Urban Camo, the answers are clear. We wear what remembers us, what honours the earth, and what speaks with intention.
The future of fashion is not being whispered in foreign boardrooms or trend forecasts. It’s being spoken boldly on South African soil. Through visionary craftsmanship, cultural depth, and unwavering authenticity, designers like Coetzee, Melon, and Kopman are not just shaping garments. They’re shaping consciousness. And the world is finally listening.
Naked Ape doesn’t ask us to consume. It asks us to consider. What do we wear, and why does it matter?
See Through Luxury at Hyde Park Corner
Nestled in the heart of Johannesburg’s most stylish shopping destination, Optical Boutique at Hyde Park Corner is a refined space where modern luxury meets advanced eye care. Officially opened in April this year, the practice celebrated its launch with a glamorous event that marked a fresh chapter in the location formerly occupied by The Optical Center. With an elegant interior and a curated approach to eyewear, Optical Boutique brings a new level of sophistication and personalised service to Johannesburg’s discerning clientele.
More than just a space for beautiful eyewear, Optical Boutique is deeply committed to the science of vision. The practice is equipped with cutting-edge diagnostic technology, including a state-of-the-art OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) scanner, which allows for precise, non-invasive imaging of the retina. This powerful tool enables early detection of retinal conditions, empowering patients to take proactive steps in maintaining their visual health. With a strong emphasis on preventative care and long-term eye wellness, the practice offers an experience that goes far beyond standard eye testing – putting your vision, and your peace of mind, first.
For eyewear enthusiasts, Optical Boutique is a destination unlike any other. The practice offers a meticulously curated collection of limited-edition and exclusive brands that are rarely available on the continent. Home to the only two diamond-encrusted Maybach frames in Africa, the boutique also holds sole African stockist rights for avant-garde labels like Francis Klein, Oscar Mamooi, and Chroma by Etnia, as well as the bold and artistic Pellicer Eyewear. For those drawn to iconic luxury, names like Cartier, Bvlgari, Bottega Veneta, Porsche Design, TAG Heuer and Chopard offer timeless appeal. Whether you seek artisanal craftsmanship or a standout fashion statement, Optical Boutique promises eyewear that makes a lasting impression.
Check out our online store at: opticalboutique.co.za
Louis Vuitton Empreinte Artsy MM Terre from www.luxity.co.za
Jovie Neutral Teddy Fleece Cropped Bomber from Steve Madden
Addilyn Biscuit Turtle Neck Top from Steve Madden
Cream Embossed Gert Tracksuit with Hoodie from shopgert.com
Melany Stone Scuba Wideleg Jogger from Steve Madden
Possession Tan from Steve Madden
THE style EDIT
Nash Black Cropped Puffer with Detachable Hood from Steve Madden
Bailee Black Flare Split Front
Legging from Steve Madden
Skyline Black Leather from Steve Madden
BStilo-X Black / Black from Steve Madden
Possession Black from Steve Madden
Emily In Paris Eau de Parfum from Edgars
Witchery Stitch Scarf from Woolworths
Billie Black Gym Crop Top from Steve Madden
Fashion as Storytelling
By Vicky Visagie
A New Dialogue Between South African and Western Designers
Fashion speaks before you do.
Before a word escapes your lips, your outfit has already whispered – or shouted – a story. Where you’ve come from. Who you admire. What you believe in. In this way, fashion is far more than fabric. It is a form of language. And right now, the world is learning a new dialect: South African style.
Around the world, designers use fashion to express who they are and what they believe in. But how those stories are told and what they focus on varies beautifully from place to place.
For decades, the fashion gaze has looked westward. Paris, Milan, New York. These cities have long shaped the grammar of global style. And when most people think of fashion, this is the language they instinctively reach for. But as fashion evolves into a deeper form of communication, it is time the world starts looking south. To understand our stories. To respect our heritage. To learn our fashion language.
Western designers have long drawn inspiration from South African cultures, incorporating silhouettes, textures, and artisan techniques to add visual richness to their collections. But without true context or connection, the deeper meaning is often lost. What began as cultural story becomes merely aesthetic. A bead becomes a decorative accent. A print becomes a fleeting trend. The story disappears.
In South Africa, those elements are not just stylish. They are sacred. They represent lived experience. We are the best people to tell these stories because we are living them. Our fashion speaks of home, of pride, of resistance and joy. What the world often sees as trend, we experience as truth.
This article explores how South African and Western designers approach fashion storytelling from different perspectives. One is not better than the other. They are simply distinct voices in the same global conversation. And when we listen to both, the story becomes richer.
Fashion with Meaning and Memory
In South Africa, fashion is inseparable from identity. It carries the rhythm of tradition, the strength of community, and the imprint of history. Designers are not just making clothes. They are preserving memory.
Thebe Magugu, winner of the prestigious LVMH Prize, uses fashion as a form of social documentation. His collections explore the complexities of post-apartheid identity, womanhood, family structures, and spirituality. His garments are beautiful, but they are also bold statements, filled with meaning.
MaXhosa Africa, founded by Laduma Ngxokolo, transforms Xhosa culture into modern luxury. His knitwear celebrates traditional beadwork, rites of passage, and language. The garments are not only globally admired. They are deeply personal, especially for South Africans who see their culture reflected on the runway.
Gert-Johan Coetzee is more than a designer. He is a visionary force shaping the future of South African fashion. His signature aesthetic blends high-octane glamour with purpose, and his influence extends far beyond the runway. With global icons like Oprah, Kourtney Kardashian, Cardi B, and Lizzo wearing his creations, Coetzee has become an ambassador for South African design on the world stage. While widely celebrated for his couture, he is equally committed to ready-to-wear collections that are bold, inclusive, and rooted in local identity. For Coetzee, fashion is not just about turning heads. It is about uplifting hearts.
The Western Lens: Fashion as Reinvention and Emotion
In contrast, many Western designers use fashion as a mirror of personal identity and imagination. Their work often celebrates self-expression, artistry, and transformation.
Jacquemus, the French designer known for his playful minimalism, creates clothing inspired by his upbringing in southern France. His collections feel like poetry. Soft lines, earthy tones, and nostalgic silhouettes invite emotion rather than explanation.
At Dior, Maria Grazia Chiuri has brought feminist storytelling into haute couture. Her collections are deeply influenced by art, history, and the female experience. Whether referencing Greek mythology or African craftsmanship, her designs are both delicate and powerful.
Versace, one of fashion’s boldest houses, thrives on the language of glamour and confidence. Under Donatella Versace’s leadership, the brand has celebrated sensuality, power dressing, and unapologetic visibility. The stories are personal. Loud. Fearless.
Each of these designers uses fashion to express an internal world. The West often tells stories of the self, intimate, abstract, and reinvented with every season.
Courtesy: Thebe Magugu
Courtesy: Gert-Johan Coetzee
Courtesy: MaXhosa Africa
Courtesy: Versace
Courtesy: Dior
Two Worlds, Two Ways of Speaking Through Style
To make this contrast clearer, here’s a simple side-by-side comparison of how South African and Western designers often differ in their approach to fashion storytelling:
Aspect
South African Fashion
Story Focus Collective identity, culture, and heritage
Design Roots Ancestry, tradition, spirituality
Narrative Goal Preserve and uplift culture
Symbolism Deep cultural significance (e.g. beadwork, prints)
Runway Message “This is who we are”
Inspiration Source Real life, rituals, community stories
Design Form Fusion of traditional craft with modern shapes
Cultural Impact Rising global influence, authentic storytelling
Western Fashion
Individual identity, creativity, and personal emotion
Art, rebellion, fantasy
Explore or reinvent the self
Often abstract or trend-driven
“This is who I choose to be”
Personal memory, pop culture, historical references
Innovation, spectacle, or minimalism
Established powerhouses, global media attention
Both voices are essential. They represent different ways of making meaning through clothing. And both are increasingly influencing each other in beautiful ways.
The Global Shift: Why the World Is Listening
Fashion is no longer just about looking good. People want to feel something. They want to know what they are wearing, and why it matters. South African designers are meeting that demand by offering clothing that is rich in purpose, context, and identity. Their pieces are designed to spark conversation, not just admiration. They tell stories that cannot be replicated because they are rooted in truth. Meanwhile, Western designers are evolving too. Many are shifting away from trend-chasing toward deeper themes, sustainability, diversity, and narrative design. But as the West looks outward for inspiration, South African designers are rising by looking inward. The source of their creativity is their lived experience. Their fashion is not an interpretation of culture. It is culture itself.
Bringing It Home: South Africa on the Global Stage
From Johannesburg to Cape Town, from streetwear to couture, South African fashion is proving that it is not following the global industry. It is leading it with vision and soul. Platforms like South African Fashion Week, and major designers like Coetzee, Magugu, and Ngxokolo are shining a global spotlight on a uniquely African aesthetic. Our fashion tells stories of resistance, triumph, ancestry, and future dreams. It is emotional, intentional, and inclusive.
Lucilla Booyzen, founder of South African Fashion Week, believes in the designer-led model. She says, “A fashion designer reflects the essence of time, honouring the past, embracing the present, and envisioning the future.” That philosophy is what makes South African fashion so powerful. It doesn’t chase seasons. It shapes identity.
As more consumers around the world turn to slow fashion, cultural storytelling, and sustainability, South Africa’s time has arrived. We are not waiting to be noticed. We are here, fully visible, telling our stories our way.
The Future Speaks in Many Languages
Fashion is a universal language. Sometimes it whispers. Sometimes it roars. But it always tells a story.
As the world begins to pay closer attention, it is essential that South African stories are heard not just as inspiration but as leadership. Not just as colour or print, but as legacy.
Whether it is a hand-beaded jacket from Maxhosa, a crystal-studded gown by Coetzee, or a quietly powerful look from Magugu, South African fashion proves that style is more than appearance. It is identity made visible.
Fashion will always evolve. But its most powerful evolution happens when it tells the truth.
And in this moment, that truth is coming from the South.
Courtesy: Gert-Johan Coetzee
WE LOVE LOOKING AND FEELING FANTASTIC. THESE PRODUCTS HELP GET US THERE.
As the days get warmer and we start dreaming of beach days ahead, achieving that perfect sun-kissed glow becomes top of mind. Here’s your comprehensive guide to mastering the art of self-tanning, ensuring you step into summer with confidence and radiance.
Gone are the days when self-tanning meant ending up looking like an orange disaster. Today’s sophisticated formulations offer natural-looking results for every skin tone, with options to suit various preferences and expertise levels. Whether you’re a newcomer to the self-tanning scene or a seasoned pro, understanding the nuances of different products and application techniques can make all the difference.
The Format Matters
The self-tanning market has evolved significantly, with mousses leading the pack as the most user-friendly option. They’re fast-absorbing and provide quick results. The built-in instant bronzer serves as a helpful guide for application, making it perfect for beginners who want to ensure even coverage.
For those seeking extra hydration, lotions and gels offer dual benefits of moisturising while tanning. These formulations are particularly beneficial during cooler months when skin tends to be drier. The latest additions to the market –tanning drops and serums – have gained TikTok fame, though experts caution these concentrated formulations require a skilled hand to avoid mishaps like orange palms or overly tanned faces. Travel-friendly tanning wipes are gaining popularity for their convenience and mess-free application, making them perfect for touch-ups or maintaining your glow while travelling. Meanwhile, waters and mists offer an ideal solution for oily skin types. These dry quickly and blend into the natural oils on your skin, making them an excellent choice for those prone to breakouts.
Finding Your Perfect Match
Understanding your skin’s undertones is crucial for achieving natural-looking results. Those with cool undertones should opt for olive-based formulas, which help neutralise any redness while developing into a warm, natural-looking tan. Warm undertones pair beautifully with violetbased options, which colour-correct any yellowness while creating a deeper faux glow. If you’re blessed with neutral undertones, either choice works well, giving you more flexibility in product selection.
The Science of Development
The magic ingredient, dihydroxyacetone (DHA), continues developing for up to 24 hours after application. Products come in three main categories: gradual tanners for beginners or those seeking subtle results, traditional formulas for overnight development, and express options for quick results. Gradual tanners require regular application but offer more control over the final result, while express formulas contain higher concentrations of DHA for faster development.
Application Mastery
Success lies in preparation. Exfoliate thoroughly 24 hours before application, paying special attention to drier areas like elbows and knees. This step removes dead skin cells that could cause patchiness and ensures your tan develops evenly. Whether using a tanning mitt or disposable nitrile gloves, start from the bottom and work your way up in circular motions for the most even application.
For precise application on face and hands, consider using a dense makeup brush, like a kabuki brush, to buff the product into areas around knuckles, ears, and hairline. This technique helps prevent product buildup and ensures a natural-looking result in these visible areas.
Development time varies by product type, ranging from one hour to overnight. After the appropriate development time, shower off the guide colour without scrubbing, then apply an oil-free moisturiser to maintain your glow.
Maintenance Tips
Expect your tan to last between five and ten days, depending on your skin type and lifestyle. Regular moisturising is key to maintaining an even fade, while avoiding excessive sweating and very hot showers can help prolong your tan’s life. Maintain gentle exfoliation to prevent patchiness, but avoid harsh scrubbing that could remove the tan prematurely.
For face application, experts recommend using dedicated facial formulas to prevent pore congestion. These typically offer a more controlled development, preventing the face from becoming darker than the body. Clear formulas like serums or waters are particularly effective for facial use, as they’re less likely to cause breakouts or uneven development.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you find yourself with stubborn patches or uneven areas, a mixture of whitening toothpaste and baking soda can help remove excess product, particularly on hands and feet. For overall removal, a long, hot shower combined with gentle exfoliation usually does the trick.
With these expert insights and the right products, achieving that coveted sun-kissed glow has never been more accessible. The key lies in choosing the right formula for your skin type and comfort level, preparing your skin properly, and maintaining a consistent care routine. Whether you’re preparing for a special event or simply want to maintain a year-round glow, self-tanning offers a safe and effective alternative to sun exposure, helping you achieve that perfect summer-ready look any time of the year.
DR MAUREEN ALLEM
The Longer Way
Sometimes the rise is meteoric – a path that is straight and true – and other times, like in the case of Dr Maureen Allem, co-founder of Skin Renewal, the path twists and turns, with bumps and troughs along the way. Her sometimes not-so-steady climb to success shows us that walking alone won’t get us there, that there aren’t always shortcuts, that U-turns are sometimes necessary and that it’s okay to start over.
She was the sixth child in a household of nine children, growing up on a 20-hectare plot just outside of Klerksdorp. “My father was a dentist and my mom worked with him. My eldest brother sadly died at the age of three, and this greatly affected both my parents. After that, every year or two, there was a new addition to the family.” She remembers asking her mom what she had been thinking, having so many children. Her mom replied, “If we had stopped after three you wouldn’t have been born, so there was a reason we had to carry on.”
“I had a glorious childhood,” says Maureen. “We were each other’s best friends and support systems. Of course there was sibling rivalry, but what I remember the most is the fun we used to have. We had a swimming pool, tennis courts and even stables.”
She goes on to explain that her father was a great proponent of sports. Each morning, the children would practice swimming in the Olympicsized swimming pool and they all participated in afternoon sports too. The family became known for their sporting prowess, with achievements in swimming, athletics, hockey and tennis, amongst others. “I only understood later in life that sports tie families together.”
“Another thing my dad believed in was education. He insisted that his sons and daughters get qualifications they could rely on, something that would give them independence. At the time, I didn’t understand how much of a visionary he was.”
Maureen’s dad passed away suddenly at the age of 51, just days after she wrote her final matric exam. He had been thrilled when they received the news that she had been accepted to study Medicine at Wits the week before.
“My mother was an incredible woman. When my dad passed, she still had five children at home and a 20-hectare plot to manage. Somehow, she raised us and put us all through university. She was a staunch Roman Catholic and lived to the ripe old age of 92.”
During the third year of her medical studies,
Maureen fell in love. At the time she was wondering what she was doing in anatomy labs working with cadavers, having discovered that the realities of practising medicine were vastly different from what she had seen on television. Her new beau suggested she give up her studies and move to a farm in the Free State. She had, however, promised her father that she would obtain a degree, so she converted her medical degree into a medical BSc and upon completion, got married and moved to the farm.
Three years and two children later Dr Allem knew that the isolation of farm life wasn’t for her. She still remembers what her Catholic priest, Father Bohé, advised: “Never bury your talents.”
Returning to medical school seemed impossible. The Dean was sceptical: “I hear you’ve got two children, one of two and a half, and one of seven months. How on earth do you think you’re going to cope coming back into fourth year?” Her response was simple: “Please just give me the chance. I know I can do it.”
With help from her younger sister, who moved in to assist with childcare, Dr Allem completed her medical degree. The journey wasn’t easy – she often studied with babies sleeping beside her and sometimes brought her children to the hospital during on-call duties.
After qualifying, Dr Allem worked for ten years at Klerksdorp Hospital and nearby facilities, eventually becoming a medical officer overseeing entire wards with 40 to 60 patients. The work was demanding, particularly during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1990s when effective treatments were limited.
When her son prepared for university in Johannesburg, Dr Allem made another brave decision: to start over in the big city. She began with locums, working everywhere from Boksburg to Germiston, doing medical examinations for miners.
The year 2000 marked a turning point when Dr Allem encountered Botox for the first time.
Inspired by how the treatment transformed someone’s stern expression, she sought out training. “There was no Botox in my MIMS,” she laughs. After tracking down a dermatology journal advertisement, she received training and began treating family and friends from her Hyde Park home.
A 2001 lecture on functional medicine by Dr Terry Grossman from Denver opened her eyes to the root causes of ageing and disease. This holistic approach would become central to Skin Renewal’s philosophy: “The skin is the dashboard of your body. When the red light goes on, it’s telling you there’s something wrong with your engine. It usually starts in the gut.”
When complaints from neighbours about her home practice forced a move, Dr Allem established her first clinic in Rivonia in 2004. Despite being promised 100 square metres, she ended up with half that space when the landlord gave the other half to a homeopath. This setback actually propelled expansion.
With life partner and co-founder Victor Snyder’s architectural expertise, they renovated a beautiful old house in Parkhurst.
Success bred opportunity: when a doctor in Fourways offered to sell his practice with identical equipment, they couldn’t refuse. “It was very slow going, especially at first. It’s taken 20 years to be the success story that it is today.”
The business now operates multiple clinics across Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal. She spends most of her time training her highly skilled team of expert aestheticians. Dr Allem credits success to having “such an amazing team of people” and emphasises the importance of systems and protocols in building a sustainable business.
It was very slow going, especially at first. It’s taken 20 years to be the success story that it is today.
Drawing from her experiences, Dr Allem has strong advice for women. First and foremost: “Don’t give up your independence. I see too often. Women lose their husbands through divorce or death, and suddenly they have no way to keep the household going.”
She advocates for being a working mother as a role model: “Your children will emulate you and build their life according to what you’ve done.” Her own children learned the value of hard work early, watching their more privileged friends fail at university while they succeeded because “they knew we didn’t have a lot of money to throw around. They knew they weren’t there to party.”
Health advocacy is another passion. “Take your health seriously. Try small little changes each day. You have to eat healthy foods, like a Mediterranean diet. Be aware of what’s going on in your gut.” She sees too many patients accepting quick fixes rather than addressing root causes: “These days, you go to a doctor if you can’t sleep, and he gives you a pill. The body is telling you something if you can’t sleep.”
For women seeking success, Dr Allem’s formula is straightforward: “You have to go out there and make success for yourself.” Education remains paramount: “It’s all about education. Keep your kids in school.”
She also emphasises knowing one’s limitations: “You cannot be the best accountant, the best lawyer, the best doctor, so you have to surround yourself with the best people. You must know your limitations, and when you lack in one part of life, you’ve got to go out and find the best specialists to help you.”
Dr Maureen Allem’s story resonates because it’s fundamentally about choice – choosing to return to medicine despite overwhelming odds, choosing independence over security, choosing to start over when necessary. Her journey from a small-town girl who temporarily gave up her dreams to building a multi-million Rand business empire serves as inspiration for any woman facing seemingly impossible challenges.
Perhaps most importantly, her story demonstrates that it’s never too late to reclaim your path. Whether returning to studies with two babies, starting a new career at 40, or building a business from scratch, Dr Allem proves that with determination, support, and willingness to learn, extraordinary success is possible.
“Women are the ones that have the most influence in the family,” she concludes. “We influence our children. The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.” In Dr Allem’s case, she’s managed to rock that cradle while simultaneously building an empire that helps thousands of South African women feel more confident in their own skin.
CELEBRITY DRIVE 2025
Where Luxury Meets Legacy
This June, The Palace of the Lost City was transformed into the epicentre of glamour and generosity as Celebrity Drive 2025 returned for its second year. But what began as a celebration of local talent and luxury quickly evolved into something far more powerful. It became a showcase of what South Africans can achieve when heart and heritage align.
A WEEKEND WOVEN IN WONDER
The journey began with a convoy of elegant BMW Menlyn vehicles sweeping high-profile guests away from the bustle of Gauteng and into the royal embrace of Sun City. Welcomed with Herbelin timepieces , symbols of elegance and intention , and glasses of shimmering J’adore Champagne, guests were instantly immersed in a curated world of indulgence.
Every detail was crafted with care. The air was scented by Xerjoff perfumes, while the warming tones of Glenfiddich whisky wrapped around conversations in suites and lounges. Yet beneath the luxury, a deeper mission stirred, and it didn’t take long for it to rise to the surface.
MEET THE STARS WHO CAME TO SERVE
Gracing the halls of The Palace were some of South Africa’s most beloved public figures , artists, performers, and changemakers who brought their talent and compassion to the forefront:
• Gert-Johan Coetzee
• Simphiwe Ngema
• Zikhona Sodlaka
• Sonia Mbhele
• Sophie Ndaba
• Omuhle Gela
• Kat Sinivasan
• Kelly Khumalo
• Lejoy Mathabo
• Simphiwe Dana
Each of them arrived not only dressed in glamour, but armed with the desire to uplift lives, not just through words, but with action. Among the warmest hosts were Sun City General Manager Brett Hoppé and his wife Annie, who welcomed guests with grace and guided them through a weekend that was both magical and meaningful.
THE MOMENT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
Saturday morning marked the emotional core of the weekend: a charity visit to a local HIV-based care home in Rustenburg. In partnership with McDonald’s South Africa and the Mmakola Foundation, the Celebrity Drive team arrived with school shoes, sanitary pads, and essential care items. But more importantly, they brought presence.
Celebrities kneeled to tie laces. They hugged children. They listened. They cried. The sparkling gowns and glowing skin gave way to something raw and real , an authentic exchange of love, dignity, and hope.
Many of the guests pledged continued support beyond the event, committing to future visits, fundraisers, and awareness campaigns. What began as an outreach transformed into a call to action, and that call is now extended to you.
YOU can help
The public is invited to contribute. Donations of school shoes, hygiene products, toiletries, and financial support are still urgently needed.
To assist, email info@celebritydrive.co.za or follow @CelebrityDriveSA to stay connected.
Even the smallest contribution can put dignity back into a child’s day.
FASHION TAKES FLIGHT
As dusk painted the sky in burnt gold, the weekend turned to its fashion crescendo. Renowned designer Gert-Johan Coetzee unveiled his latest couture collection in a jaw-dropping runway showcase. His pieces were bold, intricate, and unapologetically African, framed by a surreal set.
The show reminded us that African fashion is not only competing globally. It is leading with originality, courage, and culture.
A PALACE FIT FOR PURPOSE
No venue could have held this story quite like The Palace of the Lost City. Recently refreshed with a R200-million renovation, this legendary five-star destination stands tall once more as Africa’s crown jewel. Under the creative direction of David Muirhead and Associates, every corner sings with artistry, from rainforest marble bathrooms to curated art pieces and locally inspired textures. Culinary experiences, too, have ascended to new heights. Through a collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, The Palace now offers seasonal menus rooted in indigenous South African ingredients. His “Lost Ingredients” concept celebrates sustainability, culture, and flavour, turning each meal into a story of heritage.
As Brett Hoppé shared, “This isn’t just a hotel. It’s a narrative. With Celebrity Drive, we’ve woven our legacy into something that serves. It’s our privilege to host not just celebrities, but changemakers.”
The public is invited to contribute. Donations of school shoes, hygiene products, toiletries, and financial support are still urgently needed.
To assist, email info@ celebritydrive.co.za or follow @CelebrityDriveSA to stay connected. Even the smallest contribution can put dignity back into a child’s day.
YOU can help
The public is invited to contribute. Donations of school shoes, hygiene products, toiletries, and financial support are still urgently needed.
To assist, email info@ celebritydrive.co.za or follow @CelebrityDriveSA to stay connected. Even the smallest contribution can put dignity back into a child’s day.
LEGACY IN ACTION
Celebrity Drive 2025 is more than an event. It is a statement. A new blueprint for what lifestyle events should look like in Africa: dazzling, rooted in community, and unapologetically purposedriven.
As plans for Celebrity Drive 2026 are already underway, one thing is certain. South African talent deserves stages like this. Stages that sparkle with integrity. Platforms that amplify not only style, but soul.
HOW YOU CAN BE PART OF THE MOVEMENT
Whether you’re a designer, a donor, a brand, or simply someone with a heart for others, there is space for you in the Celebrity Drive community.
Sponsor a child’s needs for a month
Host a fundraising dinner
Share the story on social media using #CelebrityDrive2025
Join the team on the next drive
Let’s make legacy louder than labels. Because in the end, luxury is not about what you wear. It is about how deeply you care.
TALKING CAPE 1000
SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2022, THE CAPE 1000 HAS QUICKLY BECOME A HIGHLIGHT ON SOUTH AFRICA’S AUTOMOTIVE CALENDAR. THIS GRAND TOURING REGULARITY RALLY PAYS HOMAGE TO THE LEGENDARY ENDURANCE RALLIES OF THE PAST, REIMAGINING THEM AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF THE WESTERN CAPE’S STUNNING LANDSCAPES. CHAD MCLINTOCK CHATS TO EVENT DIRECTOR VANESSA CRICHTON.
Q: What’s the biggest myth about luxury rallies that drives you crazy when people assume it?
A: In the mainstream motoring community few people understand what regularity rally is and there needs to be an educational system in place to assist participants. The myth however is that it’s all about regularity, and in truth some more famous regularity rallies around the world are so regulated that by the third day it feels like the road book is telling you when to brush your teeth! The Cape 1000 is different in that regularity only constitutes only 40% while the rest is grand touring.
Q: What’s the wildest request you’ve ever gotten from a Cape 1000 participant?
A: We’ve been very lucky and haven’t had any outrageous requests.
Q: If you could take any car from history – classic or modern – on the Cape 1000 route, what would you pick and why?
A: It would have to be a classic. Super cars are incredible, but when you’ve done 1000 miles in a classic you know you’ve achieved something. There’s something about the “test of man and machine” that is quite appealing. So, any car? I’d have to say Stirling Moss’ ‘55 Mercedes Benz 300SLR would be insane! However, realistically… a Jaguar XK120 would be pretty cool.
Q: If the Cape 1000 threw an epic after-party, which celebrity (alive or dead) would be the perfect guest of honour?
A: Jay Kay. He’s a big car guy and for an after party… who better?
Q: What’s the most ‘un-Cape 1000’ car you’ve ever secretly enjoyed driving?
A: Toyota Prius… it’s spacious and runs on the smell of an oil rag… but sssshhh, don’t tell a soul!
Q: If the Cape 1000 had to add one totally absurd (but unforgettable) checkpoint to the route, what would it be?
A: Lobster tails on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere! Oh wait… we’ve done that!!
Q: If the Cape 1000 had an official soundtrack, which South African artist would have to be on it? (Die Antwoord for wild energy? Jeremy Loops for road-trip vibes? Black Coffee for sunset drives?)
A: Arno Carstens. His VW ad song was epic!
Q: What’s the funniest or most unexpected thing that’s ever happened during the rally?
A: We had just departed on the 1st day of the rally heading around Camps Bay area, in the rain, and there was an unexpected oil spill that no one noticed until they were on it, needless to say there were a number of near misses and mild heart attacks had that morning.
Q: If you could race any historical figure (living or dead) on a Cape 1000 stage, who would it be and why? (Steve Jobs in a Tesla? James Dean in a Porsche? Shaka Zulu on horseback?)
A: Paul Walker in a Porsche and I’d tell him to hit the brakes!
Q: If you could add one completely ridiculous (but amazing) feature to the Cape 1000 experience, what would it be? (A surprise champagne stop in the desert? A rooftop cinema at a Karoo guest farm?)
A: We are always asking ourselves “how do we create another unique experience during the rally?” So, we’re definitely not going to share it here, you’ll have to participate to find out!
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CLUB MED SOUTH AFRICA: A Coastal Dream Reimagined
By Vicky Visagie
Where Zulu Soul Meets French Elegance on the Edge of the Indian Ocean
Just north of Durban, where sugarcane fields meet the sea and stories rise with the morning mist, something extraordinary is taking shape.
Scheduled to open in July 2026, Club Med South Africa is not just another beach resort. It’s a reawakening of luxury, of heritage, of sustainability, and of the spirit of travel itself.
Set along the lush Dolphin Coast of KwaZuluNatal, this 32-hectare sanctuary blends breathtaking natural beauty with design, culture, and comfort. But its true power lies in the way it brings the past and the future together. Here, ancient Zulu traditions and modern ecoinnovation share the same ocean breeze.
A Place Rooted in Legacy
The story of this coastline is older than colonial maps. It’s the land of the Zulu Kingdom, home to warrior kings, intricate beadwork, proud clans, and oral histories that stretch across generations. Just a short drive from the resort, Durban pulses with this history. uShaka Marine World rises where ancient fishing villages once stood, and markets still echo with the sounds of isiZulu spoken proudly by traders weaving stories into their wares.
The Zulu people are known for their artistry, resilience, and deep connection to the land. From the signature rhythm of traditional dances to the bold geometry of handcrafted baskets and bead necklaces, every piece of their culture tells a story. Club Med South Africa honors this spirit.
The resort’s design, led by Craft of Architecture and Mobius in partnership with French design duo Studio Marc Hertrich & Nicolas Adnet, draws inspiration directly from Zulu heritage. The facades mirror beadwork patterns. Interior palettes glow with the ochres and brights of Zulu regalia. Locally made art and textiles create a living gallery of African creativity throughout the resort.
Durban’s Golden Thread
Durban is not just a nearby city. It’s a cultural anchor. Known for its golden beaches, spice- rich cuisine, and surf culture, it offers a rich backdrop for Club Med’s arrival. The Indian Ocean, warm and welcoming, defines daily life here. At sunrise, surfers and fishermen share the shoreline. By night, fire dancers light up the promenade as the smell of bunny chow and grilled seafood fills the air.
This stretch of coast, with its laid-back charm and multicultural vibrancy, is a perfect match for Club Med’s L’Esprit Libre philosophy. It captures the spirit of freedom, relaxation, and discovery.
Sustainability by Design
The resort site, once a sugarcane plantation, is bordered by untouched estuaries, wetland ecosystems, and ancient dune forests. From the beginning, Club Med chose to work with the land, not over it.
Floating roofs provide shade and ventilation. Passive design keeps interiors naturally cool. Indigenous gardens attract butterflies and birds. Solar panels gleam beside car parks. Vertical
screens inspired by Zulu weaving soften the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. Rainwater is harvested. Trees have been preserved. Over 1,200 locals are employed in the construction process. That’s sustainability with purpose.
More than 100 young people from nearby townships are being trained in hospitality through the Nukakamma School. They are preparing for roles in the resort’s restaurants, kitchens, and guest services. When the doors open in 2026, the resort will reflect not only local style, but also local talent.
Style in Every Detail
Club Med South Africa is effortlessly chic. It’s the kind of place where you can sip sundowners in a breezy linen kaftan, then slip barefoot into a sea-facing suite wrapped in handwoven throws. The 295 Superior Rooms, 50 Deluxe Rooms, and over 60 Exclusive Collection Suites are designed to reflect both global luxury and African soul.
Natural textures, stone floors, and wide glass doors offer uninterrupted views of the ocean. Each room is a sanctuary. Simple, spacious, and connected to the elements.
The resort’s heart is its Beach Club. Surfing lessons begin at sunrise. Sunset bonfires invite conversation beneath the stars. The Resort Centre brings everything together with restaurants featuring South African flavors, vibrant bars, and entertainment inspired by Durban’s music and movement.
Families are embraced too. With clubs for kids from 4 months to 17 years old, little explorers are guided through activities that teach, entertain, and empower.
A Destination with Depth
This isn’t just a luxurious escape. It’s an experience that matters. Whether you’re here for a destination wedding framed by the ocean, a wellness retreat under ancient fig trees, or a once- in-a-lifetime family reunion, you’ll find something rare. It’s a space that feels personal, intentional, and grounded.
For fashion-forward travellers, Club Med South Africa offers endless inspiration. The natural color palette, earthy reds, turquoise blues, and sun-washed neutrals, is ready to influence next season’s wardrobe. Local designers may find their muse in the textures of stone walls, woven grass panels, and handcrafted décor. This is resortwear waiting to be born.
Where the World Comes Together
The vision behind Club Med South Africa is as ambitious as it is grounded. It’s about connecting global travelers to local culture. It’s about redefining what luxury looks and feels like. And it’s about proving that sustainability and style can not only coexist but elevate each other.
As the world craves more conscious travel and deeper experiences, this resort stands ready to deliver. It is a celebration of African elegance, coastal freedom, and cultural pride.
When the gates open in 2026, they’ll open not just onto a destination, but onto a new way of seeing the world.
Club Med South Africa: Coastal. Cultural. Conscious. And absolutely unforgettable.
FIRST CLASS CHOICES, EVERYDAY SAVINGS:
SpendTrend25 shows how Discovery Bank clients can travel more, and save more!
THE DATA’S IN: DISCOVERY BANK CLIENTS ARE TRAVELLING FURTHER, MORE OFTEN – AND SAVING MORE WHILE DOING IT! SPENDTREND25 REPORTS THEY’RE OUTPACING THE REST OF THE COUNTRY IN TRAVEL SPEND AND VOLUME, THANKS TO UNBEATABLE VITALITY TRAVEL REWARDS AND EXCLUSIVE DISCOVERY BANK SERVICES.
f your social feed seems full of Discovery Bank clients hopping from city breaks to beach holidays – you’re not wrong. They really are travelling more than the average South African!
In 2024, growth in travel spend slowed in the market. However, Discovery Bank clients continued to spend more on travel than the average South African. According to SpendTrend25, Discovery Bank’s annual behavioural banking report that analyses consumer spending trends, produced in partnership with Visa, Discovery Bank clients made 21% more travel transactions and spent 24% more on travel in 2024 than other local cardholders.
But here’s the twist: they’re not spending more because they’re splurging – they’re spending smarter.
What’s fuelling all the travel?
The Visa and Discovery Bank SpendTrend25 consumer survey found that over 80% of South Africans now use their credit card rewards and benefits more than they did a year ago. Rewards programmes are paying off, especially for Discovery Bank clients using their Vitality Travel rewards. These include deep discounts on flights, car hire, and accommodation – totalling over R700 million in travel savings in 2024 alone. No wonder they make the most of every travel opportunity!
And it’s not just more travel – it’s better travel. The built-in Vitality Travel booking platform makes it easy to search, compare and book discounted flights straight from the Discovery Bank app. No travel agents. No price hunting. Just seamless, smart travel.
Rising airfaires? Not for Discovery Bank clients
Domestic flight prices climbed sharply in 2024 –some routes by up to 13%, including a 10% increase on flights between Cape Town and Johannesburg. But personalised Vitality Travel discounts meant Discovery Bank clients continued to travel more, even as others cut back. It wasn’t just local routes feeling the pinch. International fares rose too, with the US seeing the biggest jump at nearly 16%. Still, Discovery Bank clients kept flying – choosing destinations
strategically, booking in advance, and using their rewards wisely. In 2024, the top international destinations were the UK, Mauritius, Australia, the US and the UAE
The further the trip, the longer people stay. The average stay for a trip to Mauritius is around nine days, while it’s 17 days for trips to the UK, the US and 22 days for trips to Austraila. The same is true for foreign tourists who remain in South Africa for an average of 17 days and spend the most of their money on accommodation, shopping and dining out. In 2024, South Africa welcomed most of its international visitors from the USA, Germany, the UK, Canada and the UAE – with Cape Town being the top destination. Most visitors prefer South Africa’s warmer months, though travellers from the UAE also seek out our cooler winter season.
SpendTrend25 showed that Discovery Bank clients favoured destinations with frequent routes and attractive fare dynamics. Australia, for instance, became more affordable thanks to increased airline capacity – while many still travelled to the US despite rising prices, using advance bookings to buffer costs.
Smart tip: Book your flights through Vitality Travel in your Discovery Bank app to unlock exclusive discounts, track fares, and compare airlines with ease.
Local love: SA stays on the map
Staying closer to home and enjoying domestic travel remained popular. Cape Town saw a slight uptick in visitors, while Johannesburg and Durban continued to draw steady local foot traffic – even as prices rose across most airline routes. One standout saving? Flights between Cape Town and George, which dropped by 13%. SpendTrend25 also found that:
• Tuesday was the cheapest day to fly most local routes.
• The most expensive day? Friday or Sunday, almost every time.
• Want a great deal? Johannesburg to Cape Town is cheapest Monday at 08:00. The most expensive? Friday at 15:00.
Smart tip: Travel midweek and early in the day. Avoid Sunday returns to save more.
Want to travel more, for less? Here’s how:
1. Log into Vitality Travel to book flights, accommodation or car hire in one place – with automatic access to Vitality rewards. Discovery Bank clients with Vitality Health can get:
• Up to 75% off flights
• Up to 25% off car hire and accommodation
2. Search and book flights on the banking app
Here you can browse all local and international flights, then select, filter and sort your search results by airline, cabin class, fare type, stops and times. Payment is seamless from Discovery Bank cards, or with Ðiscovery Miles.
3. Time it right
Flight prices swing wildly based on the day and time. For example, SpendTrend25 shows that flying from Johannesburg to Cape Town on a Tuesday could save you up to 29% compared with flying on a Friday. More reason to plan ahead!
4. Travel against the tide
Summer brings more international visitors to SA, especially to Cape Town. If you’re staying local, consider visiting quieter spots during peak seasons – it’s cheaper, and you’ll avoid the crowds.
Need help with your travel booking?
Check out the handy Vitality Travel info and tips page on discovery.co.za for step-by-step instructions and loads of FAQs.
Upgrade your travel experience with Discovery Bank
Remember, travel isn’t just about where you go. It’s about how you get there – and how you feel along the way. Here’s how Discovery Bank clients get to skip the chaos and step into calm:
1. The Lounge – A pre-flight sanctuary
Qualifying Discovery Bank clients get access to The Lounge, an exclusive airport experience that redefines pre-flight downtime, with:
• Premium La Marzocco coffee and healthy meals
• Handcrafted cocktails and mocktails
• High-speed, uncapped Wi-Fi and quiet workspaces
• An ambient environment to recharge and refocus
How to access: Simply generate a voucher in the Discovery Bank app.
2. Priority Fast Track – Because time is our greatest luxury
Say goodbye to long airport lines. Discovery Bank Black and Purple cardholders enjoy Priority Fast Track at major South African airports:
• Shorter check-in and security queues
• More time to relax before take-off
• A smoother, stress-free airport experience
How to access: Present the eligible Discovery Bank card at the Priority Fast Track entrance.
More than mileage: A smarter way to travel
A new travel trend is here – and it’s defined by intentionality, not indulgence. As SpendTrend25 shows, today’s travellers are prioritising meaningful experiences, value for money, and comfort along the way. Discovery Bank clients are leading this shift, using smart digital tools, rich travel rewards and perfect timing to make every trip smoother, smarter and more rewarding. SpendTrend25 confirmed it, they’re not just going more places – they’re going better and save more. So whether you’re heading to Portugal or Plett, Discovery Bank and Vitality Travel help you do it in style – with more in your pocket.
RAGE
against the museum
By Keith Bain
Cape Town cultural attractions with a twist. 4
Upside down you’re turning me
There is one optical illusion in particular at the Museum of Illusions that, even weeks after the fact, still makes me feel a bit woozy when I think about it. Like I’m about to topple over, have gone weak at the knees, am leaning to one side and am about to collapse.
At the time of experiencing it – essentially a short walkway through a tube-like tunnel surrounded by spinning lights – I let out highpitch screams, I staggered, I held on to the side bars with both hands. I tried and tried, and then I cried with laughter, because I could feel my entire body careening to one side.
Nothing short of closing my eyes made the illusion of gravity-gone-haywire go away.
While many illusions in this “museum”, which opened on Kloof Street in May, rely on having a phone camera on hand to capture the strange visual trickery for posterity, this one is the closest to a carnival ride, except that it is all completely and utterly in the mind of the beholder.
Your brain, this optical illusion proves, is highly susceptible to suggestion.
It was of course also the optical illusion that the eight-year-old munchkins in our little group of urban explorers wanted to return to again and again. It’s immersive, it’s hilariously scary, and it feels like a mighty challenge simply getting from one side of the spinning-lights tunnel to the other. And while the youngsters were enthralled, we grown-ups were a little appalled by our inability to intellectually counteract the trick being played on our brains.
Calling the Museum of Illusions a “museum” is perhaps a bit far-fetched. It is by all accounts a fun house, a participatory playground meant for interactive endeavour. From the illusion of gravity defiance in the Tilted Room to the apparently magical trick of losing one’s body at the Clone Table or stepping inside the mirror-filled Infinity Room, there are at least 60 interactive visual and educational exhibits that make use of optical illusions, holograms, stereograms, fully immersive rooms and pure magic (okay, science!) to trick the eyes and tease the brain.
You’re meant to touch, get inside, move, fiddle, and take lots of pictures. Perfect, in other words for keeping children in absolute fits of laughter as they try to figure out the how and why of the strange displays. And as much as the rug-rats loved all the more ridiculously frolicsome and playful illusions, what really kept them gripped and mesmerised was a room full of mind-bending puzzles and seemingly unsolvable threedimensional brain-benders. Proof that, as much as children like to have fun, what they’re really craving is stimulation.
10 Kloof Street, Gardens Open Sunday–Wednesday 9am–8pm and Thursday–Saturday 9am–10pm R250 per adult, R200 per child (4–12), R770 per family (2 adults, 2 children) moicapetown.co.za
Museum of fine furry friends
There are a few museums around the world that celebrate man’s best friend, but the charming Museum of Dogs which opened in Cape Town last year is the first of its kind in Africa.
The museum serves principally as a reminder of the significance of our relationships with our canine companions, and not always in obvious ways.
It is perhaps the most innovative museum in Cape Town in that it tends to work on the emotions – and on our humanity – more than it concentrates on the science and history of canines, although those are covered too. It also encourages members of the public to contribute stories and artefacts that might be incorporated into the upstairs gallery of true tales about dogs who have in some way made an impact on the lives of humans.
Occupying a beautiful heritage building in what is today the legal quarter but was once the city’s red light district, the ground floor has a few exhibits that touch on some of the history of dogs as human companions, especially in South Africa, with some detail on region-specific breeds. While there’s plenty of research behind the displays, everything’s presented so as to avoid bogging you down with too much detail. Instead, the panels, photographs and artefacts serve as poignant touchpoints, so that your curiosity can wander.
There are nuggets about the pre-colonial presence of dogs in South Africa, specifics about the significance of dogs in Xhosa cultures and about how dogs were traditionally used to ward off the Tokoloshe. You can also read the full story of the famous canine naval seaman, Just Nuisance, whose statue stands in Simon’s Town, and learn about what distinguishes Rhodesian ridgebacks from Australian cattle dogs, and how German shepherd dogs were bred to be more menacing with the introduction of Siberian wolf blood into the DNA. And there are cute vignettes, such as photographs of trade unionist Zwelinzima Vavi’s boerboel Superhero and his Jack Russell Maradona, reminders that dogs have a way of bringing even the loftiest political figures down to earth, making them in a sense more human. It’s a curious coincidental sidenote that both Madiba and apartheid-era prime minister DF Malan owned ridgebacks.
There’s a room full of dog portraits, and a room in which the cultural
influence of dogs on human creativity is revealed through recordings of songs such as “I Love my Dog” by Yusuf Islam (the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens) and Elton John’s “Gulliver/It’s Hay Chewed”, about the passing of a beloved farm dog, and The Beatles’ song “Martha My Dear”, which Paul McCartney wrote about his beloved English sheepdog, Martha.
Aside from the displays of ceramic dogs portraits, brief histories of significant South African celebrity dogs, and a chance to listen to songs recorded by famous artists that happen to be about special dogs in their lives, the section upstairs includes an exhibition of artefacts and brief stories about intimate relationships between dogs and their humans – these are tales submitted by members of the public and range from ridiculously funny to absolutely heartbreaking.
There’s also a small screening room showing dog documentaries and short films on a loop, and a section downstairs displays pet paraphernalia and artworks for purchase. And there’s a curious display of photographs of US presidents with their dogs, accompanied by the stories behind America’s First Dogs, which hint at the personality biases of certain political figures, sparked perhaps by the fact that Trump was (and is) the first (and second) president in the White House since 1901 to not have a dog.
Regular events are hosted to raise funds for charitable canine causes; these might include dog-themed wine tastings, dog adoption days, and classical music concerts.
Exhibitions are changed from time to time, and Karel Nel, the founder and curator says it’s not intended to be a serious space, but a warmhearted place that will prompt us to think and feel more deeply about those beloved creatures who play such a remarkable role in the story of humanity. You may laugh, you may cry, but you will not be unmoved.
95 Keerom Street 063 427 9619
Open Tuesday–Sunday 10am–5pm
Adults R100, children under 16 R50, dogs and children under 10 free museumofdogs.co
Vine of the times
It won’t be the smell of pungent dung that grabs their attention as you drive your family through the gates of Babylonstoren. This working farm with vineyards and an eight-acre formal garden of over 300 edible plant varieties – vegetable patches, fruit and nut orchards, healing indigenous plants and a prickly pear maze – is pure enchantment.
Among the many things to do on the farm is explore the totally innovative, magnificently curated Story of Wine, essentially a museum with a heavy accent on the history of vino at the Cape. It’s not a new story, of course, and most of us assume we know enough about wine and its history to patch a narrative together. But the puzzle is far more wondrous and disparate than we’ve come to believe. So trust the innovative team at Babylonstoren to have come up with an engaging and innovative way of bringing the various pieces together in an altogether more entertaining and fascinating narrative you’d have imagined possible. The displays, creatively filling two levels, are packed with curious details and telling curios.
The Story of Wine may be a museum in the traditional sense, but it is by no means an ordinary one. It’s also thrillingly experiential, more a kind of interactive artwork, an object of beauty in and of itself, than merely a repository of information and artefacts.
Each component of the exhibition space has
been meticulously thought through to bring a different angle to the tale, and each component is told in a different way so that even the most likely-to-be-distracted youngsters will be challenged and engaged. Playful scenes capture the history and social impact of wine at the Cape, and throughout the museum artefacts are displayed in novel ways such as in the form of tiny dioramas created inside wine barrels so they’re like miniature landscape sculptures that help set the scene in creative and imaginative ways.
There are collections of corkscrews that will make you giggle and gasp (some of them are very naughty, some erotic), there are recorded interviews delivering sometimes astonishing and emotional soundbites, and there are audio guides that tell the history of wine and winemaking in South Africa like never before. I loved the fact that, for example, it illuminates the reality of corruption at the Cape happening hundreds of years before our current endless succession of political scandals.
Make sure you save time to step into the wine-barrel shaped “teleporter capsules” in the upstairs section of the museum, where you put on a pair of VR goggles and prepare for a bumpy ride. Although you are quite obviously standing on a solid surface, when the immersive videos start playing, you are instantly transported from this reality and literally flying above the earth, veering left and right, dodging this and that. It’s a sensory riot, and despite one side of your brain constantly telling the other side that it’s just a video, you can’t help moving your body around as though it
is all very literal, very real. It’s a bit of future technology happening right here and now, and it’s fantastic.
It’s a robust contemporary museum that’s a great addition to the Cape Winelands experience. And, once you’re done exploring the history of wine, you can head back outside into the fully-functioning farmyard with its roaming livestock, a hidden clivia garden, oversized nest-like swings to hang out in, river walks, and – come summer – a chamomile lawn that’s soft and aromatic, not to mention 40 rose towers covered with fragrant blooms. Let your nose lead you to the aromatic plants – cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, greater galangal, ginger and turmeric – that grow in the Spice Garden and find even more delicious aromas in the Scented Room, where the fragrance of waterblommetjies, roses, fynbos flowers and other garden-foraged plants are captured in candles, bath oils, soaps and linen…
Klapmuts–Simondium Road, Simondium 021 863 3852
The farm is open daily 8am–5pm The Story of Wine is open daily 10am–5pm (until 7pm, 13–23 December)
R150 per adult, children under 18 free babylonstoren.com
Wonder in the Winelands
The owners of Hazendal on Stellenbosch’s Bottelary Road have an interest in nurturing young minds. On their estate, while grown-ups sample vintages or tuck into cutting edge culinary fare at the restaurant, children aged 5 to 13 are catered for at their experiential edutainment centre, Wonderdal. It uses modern technology to foster creativity around concepts and ideas drawn from the school curriculum.
Children will be absorbing ideas by playing and discovering, having their imaginations stimulated as they solve problems, test motor skills, and meet Wonderdal’s virtual reality Amuki characters. These five otherworldly beings – Zylo, Timpa, Shekku, Gomma and Vuvu – are the guardians of sun, care, water, earth and air respectively and they’re charged with revealing the wonders of our world to visiting children. That might involve collecting crystals, growing imaginary plants, cooking meals in the virtual health kitchen, listening to stories or reading books in the “story cave”, or engaging in activities that involve balancing, jumping, climbing and generating energy by playing a hand-cycling game.
And, in case there’s a budding petrolhead or future car collector in the family, Hazendal also has a classic motor museum, which includes in its display such vintage beauties as a 1936 Bentley 4¼ Drophead Coupe that’s been fully restored; a 1956 Bentley S1; a 1948 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith Touring Limousine (one of only 639 ever produced, it was regularly driven by 007 in a number of Bond movies); and a 1956 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud I.
Elsewhere, Hazendal’s owners have brought some of flavours of their homeland with them: There’s a dedicated garden where you can enjoy authentic Russian tea ceremonies, and the Babushka Deli serves traditional Russian delicacies. Adjacent the deli there’s a playground for toddlers, within view of the tables so you can keep an eye on their shenanigans, and even the estate’s installation artworks can transform into jungle gyms. There are also dedicated “Wonderpals” who’ll take children under the wing on their various farm adventures, perhaps while you linger in the beer garden or wine room.
Bottelary Road, Stellenbosch (entrance from Ronelle Street via Kruis Street) 021 903 5034
Open Tuesday–Sunday 9am–5pm Wonderdal R85 (Tues.–Thurs.)/R140 (Fri.–Sun.) for 1 hour, R125/R190 for 2 hours
Car museum by appointment hazendal.co.za, wonderdal.co.za
#TravelWise in Mzansi
Welcome to South Africa
There’ s so much to see, and so many uniquely South African experiences to explore.
Whether you are traveling in a group or alone, we want to ensure you have an unforgettable stay as you explore our beautiful country responsibly.
Information on our top tourism attractions and activities is available at our Visitor Information Centre (VIC) in all our airports, and on www. southafrica.net
Our tourism offerings are best explored with the aid of certified tourist guides. We have more than 10 000 certified tourist guides across the country that can easily be identified with their unique badge and identification cards. Visit www.tourism. gov.za to access information on guides near your destination.
Enjoy your stay in Mzansi!
#ResponsibleTraveller Tips
LOCATION:
» Update the GPS App on your mobile device to accurately navigate through our country
CLIMATE: South Africa’s climate can get extremely hot and dry
» Wear sunscreen and a hat
» Wear the appropriate clothing and foot wear for outdoor activities
» Carry enough water to stay hydrated
» Avoid drinking water from rivers and streams
BE WATER WISE:
» Read and follow the signs to ensure an enjoyable experience at the Beach
» Only swim in designated areas
» Take care when swimming as rip currents can pull you out to sea
» Lifeguards are on call to ensure your safety
PERSONAL SAFETY: We care about your safety
» Ensure your personal possessions are with you at all times
» Keep passports and important documents in a safe at your hotel, and carry a copy whilst out and about
» Do not share your banking details or pin code with anyone
» Alert your hotel before going for a walk alone, or an excursion
Useful contacts: Should you require support or find yourself in distress, contact the authorities for assistance: Police (SAPS): (T) 10111 | Ambulance/Fire: (T) 10177 | Covid-19 emergency no: 0800 029 99 Tourism Complaints: (T) 012 444 6000 or 0860 686 747, E-mail: complaints@tourism.gov.za
Wild Luxury Kids’Paradise MEETS
By Rori Clark
When my husband and I started planning our first proper family safari with our two young ones – aged 8 and 10 – we knew we needed somewhere special. Somewhere that would capture their imaginations while still offering us parents the chance to properly unwind. After considerable research, we settled on Mark’s Camp at Lalibela Wildlife Reserve in the Eastern Cape, and I can honestly say it exceeded every expectation we had.
Arriving at Our Bush Home
The first glimpse of Mark’s Camp took my breath away. Perched elegantly in what can only be described as nature’s own botanical garden, the lodge seems to grow organically from the landscape itself. The locally sourced stone and thatch construction creates this seamless blend between luxury accommodation and untamed wilderness that immediately signals you’re somewhere truly special. Our family was allocated one of the classic family suites, and what a treat it was. The moment we stepped onto our private deck, the children’s jaws dropped. The expansive views of the bushveld stretched endlessly before us, and we could already spot a few antelope grazing in the distance. The villa itself struck the perfect balance between refined comfort and authentic African charm –handcrafted furnishings that spoke of quality, while the expansive windows ensured we never felt disconnected from the wild beauty surrounding us.
What impressed me most was how thoughtfully everything had been designed. With two separate bedrooms, there was never a sense of being cramped or crowded. The indigenous garden setting meant each villa felt private and secluded, perfect for families wanting their own space while still being part of the larger lodge experience.
The Heart of Family Safari Life
The main lodge area quickly became our family’s favourite gathering spot. Three inviting fireplaces create the most wonderful safari atmosphere –there’s something deeply satisfying about sharing stories of the day’s adventures while the flames dance and the sounds of the African night begin to emerge from the darkness beyond.
The swimming pools proved an absolute godsend with the children. After hot morning game drives, there’s nothing quite like cooling off in crystal-clear water while still surrounded by the sights and sounds of the bushveld. The kids spent hours here, and it gave my husband and I the chance to enjoy a quiet drink on the viewing deck while keeping an eye on them.
That viewing deck deserves special mention.
The open-plan thatched area overlooks a softly lit waterhole, and we were treated to some absolutely magical evening wildlife sightings. The first night, a small herd of nyala came down to drink just as we were settling in for sundowners. The children were mesmerised, whispering excitedly as these elegant antelope went about their evening routine mere metres from where we sat.
Adventures That Captivated Young Hearts
What makes Lalibela truly special for families is the incredible range of activities available. The open-vehicle safaris were definitely the highlight for our children. There’s something utterly thrilling about being completely exposed to the elements, with no windows or barriers between you and the African wilderness. Our expert ranger was brilliant with the kids, explaining animal behaviour in ways that kept them engaged while sharing fascinating insights about the delicate ecosystem balance.
The early morning drives became a family ritual. Watching the bush come alive as golden light spilled over the landscape was breathtaking. The children loved spotting grazing antelope and learning about the predators returning from their night hunts. Our ranger taught them to identify different bird calls and animal tracks – knowledge they proudly showed off to other guests back at the lodge.
The night drives revealed an entirely different side of the reserve. As darkness fell and the stars emerged in their full African glory, nocturnal creatures began their evening activities.
Safe Walking Adventures
Initially, I was hesitant about the walking safaris with young children, but the soft safari walks proved perfect for our family. These guided walks focus on the smaller details of the bush – things that often get missed from a vehicle. Our guide was exceptional with the children, teaching them about medicinal plants, showing them fascinating tracks, and helping them appreciate the intricate web of life that makes this ecosystem so extraordinary.
The walks provided a wonderful opportunity for the kids to truly connect with nature at their own pace. They loved the treasure hunt aspect of
spotting different bird species and learning to identify various plants. It was educational without feeling like a classroom, and they came back to the lodge each time with stories to tell and new facts to share.
A Kids’ Paradise We Didn’t Expect
One of the pleasant surprises was discovering the kids’ activity centre. The centre offers supervised activities that are both educational and entertaining, giving children the chance to learn about local wildlife and culture through hands-on experiences.
The staff running the centre were fantastic with the children, organising nature crafts, teaching them about animal behaviour through games, and even arranging mini treasure hunts around the lodge grounds. This gave my husband and me some precious adult time to enjoy the spa treatments and simply relax on our private deck with a good book.
Culinary Adventures for All Ages
Dining at Mark’s Camp was an experience in itself. The chefs showed remarkable skill in creating meals that satisfied both adult palates and fussy young eaters.
The alfresco dining on the thatched viewing deck became our preferred dinner setting. The kids loved the relaxed atmosphere, and we parents appreciated the elegant presentation and exceptional flavours.
Creating Magical Family Moments
As a mother, what struck me most about Mark’s Camp was how effortlessly it facilitated those precious family moments that you hope for but can never quite plan. Watching my daughter’s face light up when she spotted her first giraffe, or seeing my son’s genuine fascination as our guide explained how elephants communicate – these are the moments that make every bit of planning worthwhile.
Memories to Last a Lifetime
As our week at Mark’s Camp drew to a close, I reflected on how perfectly it had catered to our family’s needs. The lodge offered that rare combination of genuine luxury and authentic safari experience that kept both adults and children completely engaged. The children are already asking when we can return to “our special place in the bush,” and honestly, we’re already planning our next visit. Mark’s Camp proved that a family safari doesn’t mean compromising on luxury or an authentic wilderness experience – it’s entirely possible to have both, creating memories that will last our children a lifetime.
As You are Leaving: Seven Fountains
Almost everyone we spoke to at Lalibela made reference to their community outreach, so we stopped at the recreation centre in Seven Fountains, a nearby village which is home to many of the staff members from Lalibela Wilderness Reserve.
We arrived just as the local school was finishing for the day, and it warmed our hearts to see hoardes of children running towards the centre, clearly excited to spend their afternoon in the space. Although not sophisticated, the grounds are spotless, the sports facilities are well maintained and the care and attention the children enjoy is warm and geniune.
Aftercare includes support with homework, a hearty cooked lunch and sporting facilities that include a soccer field, a cricket pitch and netball courts. The Foundation assists with equipment, uniforms and transport to matches and events.
During school holidays, the recreation centre provides up to three meals a day to almost 100 children.
We were deeply moved by what we saw in Seven Fountains. In addition to the recreation centre, The Foundation feeds dogs and cats in the community, provides veterinary support through a local clinic and supplies kennels constructed from recycled materials to those families who take good care of their animals. There is a Women’s Centre, Soup Kitchen and even an agricultural support programme. This is how community outreach is supposed to be done. Honestly, thoughtfully and with purpose.
The Homestead
TUCKED AWAY IN SOUTH AFRICA’S EASTERN CAPE, WHERE FIVE DISTINCT ECOSYSTEMS MEET ACROSS 10,000 HECTARES OF UNTAMED WILDERNESS, THE HOMESTEAD AT KARIEGA GAME RESERVE CAPTURES THE ESSENCE OF REFINED SAFARI LIVING. THIS EXCLUSIVE-USE LODGE, LOVINGLY CRAFTED FROM A RESTORED 1908 FARMHOUSE, BRINGS TOGETHER OLD-WORLD CHARM AND MODERN LUXURY IN A WAY THAT WOULD MAKE EVEN THE MOST WELL-TRAVELLED VISITOR FEEL UTTERLY SPOILT.
The moment you arrive, you’re welcomed by the extraordinary duo of Themba and Lingani, whose own story reads like an adventure novel. Beginning with Themba’s quest to see the ocean and culminating in their current roles as lodge managers, their journey from Zimbabwe to South Africa embodies the warm, genuine hospitality that makes The Homestead special.
With seven beautifully appointed en-suite bedrooms accommodating up to 14 guests, each room offers either king-size or twin beds dressed in crisp linens. Modern touches like overhead fans and tea/coffee stations ensure comfort without losing that authentic bush feel.
The shared spaces shine with personality - think cosy lounges with crackling fireplaces, a welcoming bar, and a pub lounge that becomes the perfect spot for sharing safari stories over sundowners or watching that all-important rugby match.
What makes The Homestead truly unique is its approach to personalised service. Having your own dedicated ranger/host and private chef means the daily rhythm of safari life dances to your tune. Heard lions roaring and fancy a night drive after dinner? Your ranger will happily oblige. Rather sleep in and enjoy a lazy brunch? The chef’s got you covered.
While you’re immersed in wilderness, you won’t miss out on life’s comforts. The lodge comes complete with satellite TV, reliable internet connectivity, and a swimming pool perfect for those hot afternoon dips. Little ones aren’t forgotten either – a dedicated children’s playroom keeps younger guests entertained, making this an ideal spot for family gatherings. The massive dining table can accommodate an extended family with ease, and board games and books guarantee that even inclement weather won’t get in the way of family bonding time.
Of course, a bush holiday is always centered around the game experiences on offer. The wildlife viewing is simply spectacular. Being situated in a malaria-free reserve that is home to the Big Five, with a supporting cast of other fascinating creatures, means every game drive brings its own magic. The diverse landscape, from riverine thickets to sweeping plains, creates the perfect conditions for unforgettable wildlife encounters.
The Homestead goes above and beyond the usual safari experience. A charming treehouse platform offers a peaceful hideaway for wildlife watching or quiet contemplation. As evening falls, the outdoor boma transforms into an enchanting setting for family dinners under star-studded African skies, complete with music, laughter, and the occasional impromptu dance party.
Fancy mixing bush and beach? Day trips to nearby Kenton-on-Sea offer the best of both worlds. Picture this: a scenic two-hour game drive, followed by a boat trip down the Bushmans River, ending with beach picnics and ocean swims. It’s a combination that sets The Homestead apart from other typical safari destinations.
The Homestead at Kariega Game Reserve hits all the right notes - exclusivity, authenticity, and refined luxury, wrapped up in a warm, welcoming package. Its magic lies not just in the impressive facilities or prime location, but in those personal touches that transform a safari stay into an intimate African adventure. Whether you’re tracking elephants at dawn, sipping G&Ts on the deck, or sharing laughs around the boma fire, The Homestead feels less like a lodge and more like your own private piece of Africa.
For those looking to step off the beaten safari track, The Homestead offers something special – a place where luxury meets authenticity, and where every moment is tailored just for you.
Taking a breath PRANA AT
Nestled along South Africa’s spectacular Eastern Cape coastline, where indigenous forests cascade toward pristine beaches, Prana Lodge stands as a testament to refined luxury and natural splendour. This exclusive five-star hideaway, perfectly positioned just 40 minutes from East London Airport, offers an enchanting escape where sophisticated comfort meets the raw beauty of the Sunshine Coast.
THE SANSKRIT WORD
‘PRANA’ MEANS ETERNAL
LIFE ENERGY AND BREATH - A FITTING NAME FOR THIS SANCTUARY WHERE WELLNESS AND NATURE DANCE IN PERFECT HARMONY.
THE LODGE’S PHILOSOPHY CENTRES ON THE CONCEPT OF “BEING WELL,” INVITING GUESTS TO RECONNECT WITH THEMSELVES WHILE DISCOVERING THE DELICATE BALANCE BETWEEN
PERSONAL WELLNESS AND THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
Eight individually designed luxury suites dot the property, each a masterpiece of elegant design that seamlessly blends Afro-Asian influences with contemporary luxury. These havens of tranquility feature exquisite Persian carpets, luxury linens, and oversized bathrooms that speak to the lodge’s commitment to refined living. Each suite boasts its own private plunge pool, offering guests an intimate space for relaxation while surrounded by the sounds of forest and sea.
For those seeking additional space and privacy, the Beach House presents five bedrooms with breathtaking views across the Indian Ocean. This refined retreat, ideal for family gatherings or intimate celebrations, accommodates eight adults and four children in luxurious comfort. With its outdoor decks offering panoramic views of Chintsa Bay, private pool, and dedicated TV room, the Beach House epitomizes sophisticated relaxation.
The lodge’s architectural beauty is matched by its culinary excellence. The restaurant, welcoming both resident guests and day visitors, serves as a unique all-season venue where exceptional service meets gastronomic artistry. Whether dining in the intimate firelit restaurant or on the tranquil poolside terrace, guests can savour exceptional cuisine paired with curated boutique wines and artisanal spirits. As day transforms into evening, casual lunches give way to decadent fine dining experiences, each meal crafted to celebrate the finest local ingredients and culinary traditions.
At the heart of Prana Lodge lies its acclaimed spa, a verdant sanctuary nestled within the sub-tropical forest. Two private pavilions offer a range of bespoke treatments using aromatic oils, herbs, rubs, and ointments, providing a deeply rejuvenating experience for both body and soul. The spa’s
design and philosophy incorporate green principles, emphasizing authentic and natural treatments that draw on the healing energy of the surrounding environment.
The wellness centre specialises in customized massages and beauty treatments, making it perfect for couples, individuals, and small group retreats. Set against the backdrop of indigenous forest gardens, the spa offers a unique experience that focuses on complete physical, mental, and spiritual renewal.
The surrounding landscape serves as nature’s playground, offering countless opportunities for adventure and discovery. A private pathway leads directly to the unspoiled Chintsa East Beach, where the Indian Ocean’s waves provide a soothing soundtrack to each day. The indigenous forest teems with life - vervet monkeys play among the clivias and cycads, while rare blue duiker and colourful birds make their home in the verdant canopy.
The pool area provides another venue for relaxation, where guests can unwind to the distant sound of breaking waves. The spectacular Sea Deck overlooks the Indian Ocean and pristine Chintsa East Beach, offering an ideal spot for sunset viewing or morning meditation.
Beyond the lodge’s boundaries, the Sunshine Coast beckons with its rugged shores, historical shipwrecks, and rich Xhosa culture. The quaint village of Chintsa offers a gateway to outdoor adventures, making Prana Lodge an ideal base for both relaxation seekers and nature enthusiasts. The area is perfect for lovers of the outdoors, wildlife, and nature, offering activities such as dune surfing, horse riding along the beach, and guided hikes through nearby nature reserves.
The lodge’s location on the edge of the Sunshine Coast provides access to a coastline renowned for its untouched shorelines and traditional Xhosa culture. This positioning makes it an ideal starting point for cultural excursions and nature explorations, allowing guests to experience the authentic character of the Eastern Cape.
Guest testimonials consistently praise the lodge’s exceptional service and attention to detail. As one recent visitor noted, “Everything from the food to the service was exceptional. Prana Lodge is the true meaning of a 5-star experience, and what a beautiful setting to be in!”
The lodge’s commitment to sustainability and community engagement enriches the guest experience while ensuring responsible tourism practices. By incorporating eco-friendly practices and supporting local artisans, Prana Lodge maintains its position as a leader in sustainable luxury tourism.
As the sun sets over Chintsa Bay, casting golden light across private plunge pools and forest canopies, it’s clear that Prana Lodge has achieved something remarkable - a perfect balance between luxury and serenity, where modern comforts complement rather than compete with natural beauty. It’s more than just a lodge; it’s a celebration of life’s finest offerings in one of South Africa’s most enchanting coastal settings.
For those seeking an exclusive retreat where wellness meets wilderness, where luxury harmonizes with nature, and where every detail is crafted to ensure an unforgettable stay, Prana Lodge beckons with open arms and the promise of complete rejuvenation.
In this idyllic paradise, guests find not just accommodation, but a transformative experience that lingers long after their departure.
brEAk WHAT IS BREAKABLE
Lessons from the Edge of the World
FROM JOHANNESBURG’S BUSTLING STREETS TO GREENLAND’S PRISTINE ICE SHEET – ONE MAN’S QUEST TO FIND CLARITY IN THE WORLD’S MOST UNFORGIVING PLACES
The voices in my head went completely quiet for the first time in years. Not the comfortable quiet of a Sunday morning, but the profound silence that comes when you’ve pushed your body and mind so far beyond their limits that there’s nothing left except the sound of your breathing and the crunch of snow beneath your feet.
I was somewhere aound 80°N on Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, dragging a sled through knee-deep snow in -35°C temperatures, and for the first time since I could remember, the constant chatter of everyday life had simply… stopped.
That moment changed everything about how I understand human potential.
Building the Foundation for the Impossible
As a mindset and performance coach based in Johannesburg, I spend my days helping executives, entrepreneurs, and athletes push past their mental barriers. I’ve developed what I call the MAPC Method – my Mindset And Performance Collective built on four pillars that create the foundation for peak performance: Resilience, Agency, Positivity, and Gratitude. My approach is based on a simple belief: we, as humans, can perform better at every single aspect of our lives if we focus on what truly matters.
But sometimes, to truly understand what we’re capable of, we need to test these principles at the very edge of human experience.
My Arctic journey actually began in 2013 when I hosted my first photography expedition to Svalbard. The moment I stepped off the plane and that cold wind hit my face, everything changed. It was love at first breath – a recognition that these extreme environments hold something essential about human potential that you simply cannot find anywhere else.
The question that has driven me ever since: What happens when we strip away every comfort, every distraction, every excuse, and see what remains?
The answer lay 1,000 kilometres from the North Pole, and it’s leading me toward something that still seems impossible: crossing Greenland’s ice sheet in May 2026. A 540-kilometre journey that’s basically the distance from Johannesburg to Durban, except in -30°C temperatures, hauling an 80-90 kilogram sled for 25 days straight.
Following the route pioneered by legendary explorer Fridtjof Nansen in 1888, this crossing represents one of polar exploration’s greatest achievements. But this isn’t about conquest or ego. It’s about discovering what’s possible when proper preparation meets unshakeable purpose.
The Laboratory of Extremes
My path to Greenland began with my first Arctic expedition in March 2024. Svalbard doesn’t care about your credentials or your comfort zone. It’s a place where polar bears outnumber humans, where temperatures can drop to levels that make Johannesburg’s winter feel tropical, and where every decision carries immediate consequence.
Within the first day, I understood why extreme environments become the ultimate laboratory for human potential. The simplicity of purpose became overwhelmingly liberating. One step, then another, then another. There was no room for the complexity that usually clutters our thinking. No space for the mental noise that follows us through our daily lives. Just movement, breath, and an overwhelming sense of being completely present.
For six days, I skied and hauled sleds containing everything needed for survival – food, stove, tent, sleeping system – for eight to ten hours daily across glaciers and through valleys. The physical demands were brutal, but something extraordinary happened as the days progressed. Those long hours alone with nothing but the rhythm of movement and your own thoughts create a unique kind of clarity. The formula became beautifully clear: when you’re pushing your body to its absolute limits, when you have no choice but to keep moving despite exhaustion, something fundamental shifts in your headspace. Whether you’re dealing with overwhelming stress at work, recovering from health challenges, or navigating difficult relationships, the same principle applies.
Mental clarity is downstream from physical challenge. There are no shortcuts to this discovery.
When the World Disappears
This past March, I returned to Svalbard for ten days of intensive polar training. That’s when I experienced something that still haunts me when I close my eyes: an Arctic whiteout.
The world had completely disappeared. Sky and ground melted into a single canvas of blinding white. No shadows. No definition. No reference points at all. Nothing. I was lost in conditions where navigation becomes impossible, where your brain can’t distinguish between up and down, where isolation takes on a meaning you never understood before.
“Break what is breakable,” my expedition partner Tadej said during that trip, and the phrase has been echoing in my mind ever since. The Arctic doesn’t ask politely before it shatters your expectations. It takes your carefully constructed ideas of strength and survival and tests them against reality.
But this destruction isn’t tragedy – it’s illumination. When everything familiar gets stripped away, you discover what remains standing. You find reserves of strength, wisdom, and resilience you never knew existed.
Standing in that whiteout, I understood something profound about the challenges we all face. Whether you’re navigating a business crisis, dealing with personal setbacks, or pursuing ambitious goals, we all have our whiteouts to navigate. A relationship falling apart can feel just as disorienting as being lost in Arctic fog. The anxiety of financial pressure can create the same lack of clear direction. The principles remain the same whether you’re in a boardroom in Sandton or dragging a sled across the Arctic.
The Four Pillars in Whiteout Conditions
These extreme experiences have become the foundation for how I understand and teach the MAPC Method. When I speak at corporate events, work with sporting teams, or guide individuals through personal development, I’m not sharing theory – I’m sharing wisdom earned through deliberate challenge and sustained solitude.
This is important: the answers you’re looking for are in the silence you’re avoiding. During those Arctic expeditions, spending 8-10 hours daily alone with your thoughts – no podcasts, no distractions, no escape from whatever surfaces in that vast internal landscape – becomes a form of therapy that no comfortable environment can replicate. Most people fill every quiet moment with noise specifically to avoid this kind of sustained self-encounter.
• Resilience gets forged when you’re navigating through conditions that would break most people, when your body is screaming to stop but stopping isn’t an option. When you learn to hang on until circumstances change, because they always do.
• Agency emerges when every decision carries immediate consequence. In extreme environments, indecision becomes dangerous. The weight of “maybe” becomes unbearable when the stakes are real. Every choice must be deliberate, every action purposeful.
• Positivity isn’t about forced optimism – it’s about finding meaning in struggle. When you’re surrounded by pristine wilderness that has remained unchanged for millennia, when your only sounds are wind and your own heartbeat, you remember what authentic gratitude feels like.
• Gratitude grows when you realise how much you’re capable of enduring. When you discover that the comfortable life you left behind isn’t just a luxury – it’s a miracle worth protecting and appreciating.
These concepts take on entirely new meaning when you’ve lived them at -35°C with everything you own strapped to your back.
The Distance Changes Everything
The Arctic reconfirmed for me that you need distance from something to see what’s really going on. When you’re staring at a frozen horizon that stretches beyond comprehension, your everyday problems shrink to their true size. The space between you and your life reveals patterns invisible from inside them.
This isn’t about escape – it’s about perspective that transforms everything you thought you knew about your own capabilities.
The businessman facing a critical presentation, the parent juggling impossible demands, the entrepreneur risking everything on a vision – we all have our ice sheets to cross. The challenges we face on the ice mirror the challenges we face in our daily lives, just magnified to a point where you can’t ignore them anymore.
Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is deliberately place yourself somewhere uncomfortable, somewhere that demands everything you have. Not because you enjoy suffering, but because that’s where you discover what you’re actually made of.
From Ice to Inspiration
The insights gained from pushing myself to these extremes don’t stay on the ice. They become the foundation for everything I do as a coach and speaker. I’ve used lessons learned at the edge of human experience to help clients ranging from people training for Ironman competitions to executives facing overwhelming pressure to individuals searching for their deeper purpose in life.
When I share these experiences through corporate presentations, team workshops, or individual coaching sessions, something unique happens. The stories forged in extreme environments cut through the usual noise and reach people at a cellular level. These aren’t abstract concepts when you’ve lived them under conditions that test the very limits of human endurance.
There’s something about hearing how someone navigated through an actual whiteout that makes workplace uncertainty feel more manageable. Understanding how resilience gets built through repeated exposure to Arctic conditions suddenly makes personal setbacks feel less permanent. Learning about agency through life-or-death decision-making transforms how people approach difficult choices in their own lives.
Since 2013, I’ve been documenting these journeys through photography with the support of OM System, whose cameras have captured the raw beauty and brutal challenges of Arctic environments. Through my company Wild Eye, we lead expeditions, tours, and safaris to some of the world’s most transformative destinations. Our tagline says it all: “Change the way you see the world.” Because sometimes the most profound personal growth happens when you step completely outside your normal environment.
The Deeper Truth
Here’s what I’ve learned about why these extreme challenges matter so much, especially for those of us who seem to thrive on pushing boundaries: sometimes the greatest battles aren’t with the elements, but with what’s happening inside our own heads.
Like many drawn to extreme environments, I’ve discovered that the ice offers something that no comfortable environment can provide: absolute clarity about what matters and what doesn’t. When you’re hauling everything you need to survive across a glacier, when you have no choice but to keep moving despite every voice in your head asking why you’re there, something profound happens.
The constant mental chatter that follows us through our daily lives – the doubt, the anxiety, the endless loop of thoughts we can’t seem to turn off – it all goes quiet. Not because the challenge is easy, but because it demands every ounce of focus you have.
That silence, that profound quiet, becomes addictive. It’s a reminder of what peace of mind actually feels like when you’re not running from yourself anymore.
The White Whale Calling
I call Greenland my white whale – that thundering, untameable dream that demands everything you have and transforms you in the process. The physical reality is staggering: 25 days of hauling my 80-90 kilogram sled containing literally everything needed for survival across terrain that shifts from deep snow to hard ice, camping directly on the ice sheet in temperatures averaging -30°C with strong winds. But perhaps even more challenging is the mental reality –particularly during the roughly 10 days crossing completely flat terrain where there’s nothing to occupy your mind except whatever surfaces from within.
It’s not just about reaching the other side of the ice sheet. It’s about proving that extraordinary achievement is possible when you refuse to accept the limits everyone else assumes are real.
The support for this journey has been overwhelming – both financially and emotionally. Partners like Helly Hansen South Africa have provided crucial extreme weather gear, understanding that proper equipment isn’t just about comfort in these conditions – it’s about survival. The reality is that kitting out for Arctic expeditions requires significant investment, and having established brands who believe in the mission makes an enormous difference.
The WhatsApp messages from people following along mean more than I can express. Every contribution, every word of encouragement, every person who believes in this mission becomes part of a larger story about human potential and the courage to live fully.
But this expedition represents more than a personal challenge. Through careful documentation and strategic partnerships, every step of this journey becomes a case study in what’s possible when we dare to chase extraordinary dreams. For organisations looking to be part of a story of genuine transformation –whether through equipment partnerships, travel support, or brand collaboration – this journey offers authentic connection with audiences who value personal growth, mental resilience, and meaningful achievement.
Beyond the Ice Sheet
The Greenland crossing is just the beginning. Beyond that ice sheet lie the North and South Poles, completing what’s known as the Polar Trilogy. And beyond that? Who knows? The point isn’t the specific adventure – it’s about continuing to push boundaries and show others what’s possible.
Every expedition creates ripples. Every story of someone choosing the difficult path over the comfortable one gives others permission to do the same. Every time we prove that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things, we expand what everyone believes is possible.
Whether you’re considering your first adventure, seeking professional transformation, pursuing athletic excellence, or dreaming of your own “impossible” goal, these journeys provide real-time proof that with proper preparation and mindset, extraordinary achievements are within reach.
The View from the Edge
There’s something profound that happens when you voluntarily place yourself at the edge of human experience. The beauty of the Arctic landscape is matched only by the clarity it provides about what really matters. When you’re surrounded by pristine wilderness that has remained unchanged for millennia, when your survival depends entirely on your own preparation and decisions, you remember what it means to be truly alive.
Those moments of absolute presence, when even your internal noise has nothing left to say, become the foundation for everything that follows. They remind you that we’re capable of far more than we usually demand of ourselves. From our vantage point here in Johannesburg, the Arctic might seem like another planet. But the lessons learned in those extreme environments translate directly to any significant challenge. The fear of not being good enough, the temptation to quit when things get difficult, the discovery of strength we didn’t know we possessed – these experiences shape how we approach everything else in life.
The Invitation
The path to Greenland continues, and you’re invited to be part of it. Not just as observers, but as co-conspirators in proving that human potential has no upper limit. Whether through support that helps make this crossing possible, partnership opportunities that align with authentic transformation, exploring mindset coaching opportunities, joining one of our transformative expeditions through Wild Eye, or simply following along and letting the journey inspire your own impossible dreams.
For those who see value in bringing these real-world lessons of resilience and peak performance to their teams, organisations, or events, the stories and insights from this journey create powerful presentations that entertain while delivering practical value. Because sometimes the best way to understand what’s possible is to hear from someone who’s actually pushed the boundaries of human experience.
Because here’s what I’ve learned: we’re all capable of far more than we usually demand of ourselves. We all have unexplored reserves of strength, wisdom, and resilience. We all have our own ice sheets to cross.
The question isn’t whether you’re capable of extraordinary things. The question is whether you’ll find the courage to take that first step into the unknown.
The ice is calling. I’m ready. Are you?
Stay safe and don’t forget to be awesome.
To learn more about supporting the Greenland crossing, exploring coaching opportunities, or discussing speaking engagements, reach out directly. Because the best conversations happen when people feel inspired to chase their own impossible dreams.
Website: gerryvanderwalt.com
WhatsApp: +27 82 509 5617
Email: info@gerryvanderwalt.com
MAPC: The Mindset & Performance Collective – Coming soon!
UNLOCKING THE MYSTERY OF ADHD:
What Every Parent Needs to Know
ADHD IS MORE THAN JUST A BUZZWORD, IT’S A COMPLEX, OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD CONDITION THAT AFFECTS COUNTLESS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
Understanding ADHD and Developmental Trauma
As parents, it’s crucial to recognize that ADHD isn’t just about inattention or hyperactivity. The diagnosis is intricate, and many children are either misdiagnosed or don’t receive the right support, both at home and in school. This lack of support can lead to what experts call “developmental trauma,” emotional wounds that can last a lifetime if not addressed.
ADHD as a Direct Pathway to Developmental Trauma
For many years, ADHD and trauma were viewed as separate challenges, one a neurodevelopmental disorder, the other a response to adverse experiences. However, emerging evidence and clinical experience now highlight a critical, often overlooked reality: ADHD itself can be a direct cause of developmental trauma, especially when misunderstood or unsupported.
When Trauma Looks Like ADHD (and vice versa)
Here’s where things get tricky: the symptoms of developmental trauma, caused by experiences like abuse, neglect, or living in a disruptive household, can look a lot like ADHD. This overlap means some children are wrongly diagnosed and medicated for ADHD, while the real issue, trauma, goes untreated. Studies show that children exposed to early adversity are more likely to display behaviours that mimic ADHD, making accurate diagnosis essential for effective treatment.
The Emotional Toll: More Than Meets the Eye
Children with ADHD often face a barrage of criticism, rejection, and misunderstanding. They might be bullied, compared unfavourably to siblings, or labelled as underachievers. These experiences can chip away at their self-esteem and lead to a host of emotional challenges, including:
• Shame and fear of failure
• Rejection sensitivity and social anxiety
• Guilt, anger, and even lying as a coping mechanism
• Performance anxiety, panic attacks, and poor self-worth
• Risk of self-harm, substance abuse, and suicide attempts
Research confirms that children with ADHD are at higher risk for emotional difficulties, especially when their environment is unstable or unsupportive.
A Holistic Approach: Healing Beyond Medication
The good news? There’s hope. I recommend a parallel approach that combines ADHD-specific coaching with therapies designed to address emotional trauma. In my private practice I integrate techniques like BrainWorking Recursive Therapy (BWRT), Somatic Experiencing, and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) in helping children and young adults diagnosed with ADHD, to overcome the emotional scars of developmental trauma.
The goal is clear: help your child move past where they got stuck and empower them to reach their full potential.
10 Questions to Help Parents Screen
for Trauma Caused by ADHD
Understanding your child’s emotional world is the first step toward healing. Here are 10 thoughtful questions you can gently ask your child (or observe and reflect on) to help identify signs of trauma related to their ADHD experience:
1. Do you ever feel left out or different from other kids at school?
2. Have you been teased, bullied, or picked on because of how you act or learn?
3. Do you worry about making mistakes or disappointing others?
4. Have you ever felt like you can’t do anything right, no matter how hard you try?
5. Have you noticed that you get blamed for things more than other kids?
6. Do you ever feel like people don’t understand you?
7. Do you feel nervous or worried about going to school or being around certain people?
8. Do you get headaches, stomach aches, or other pains when you’re stressed or upset?
9. Do you feel like you have to work much harder than other kids just to keep up?
10. Do you wish people would notice your effort and not just your mistakes?
If several of these questions resonate with your child’s experiences, it may be time to seek a comprehensive, trauma-informed evaluation with a qualified mental health professional.
What Parents Can Do
Insist on Comprehensive Assessment: Ensure your child’s evaluation considers both ADHD and possible trauma histories. The best clinicians look beyond symptom checklists to understand the whole child.
• Champion Holistic Support: Seek out practitioners who offer both executive function coaching and trauma-informed therapy. This dual approach addresses both the “what” and the “why” of your child’s struggles.
• Prioritize Emotional Intelligence: Encourage open conversations about feelings, setbacks, and resilience at home. Model compassion, not just achievement.
• Invest in Long-Term Well-Being: Remember, emotional health is the bedrock of future success, academically, socially, and professionally.
The Takeaway for Parents
ADHD is not just a matter of attention or hyperactivity, it is a condition that, when unsupported, can directly lead to developmental trauma. Recognising and addressing this risk is essential for parents, educators, and clinicians. By providing understanding, accommodations, and trauma-informed care, families can break the cycle, helping children with ADHD thrive emotionally and academically.
Hannelie L Spies is an HPCSA-registered Educational Psychologist in independent practice. She is based in Stellenbosch. She gained extensive experience in both South Africa and Canada, supporting children, adolescents, students, and adults facing a range of emotional, behavioural, and academic challenges. Her special interests include anxiety-, depressive-, neurodevelopmental-, and trauma-related disorders. Hannelie uses evidence-based approaches such as BrainWorking Recursive Therapy® (BWRT®), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Somatic Experiencing (SE) and positive behavioural interventions to promote positive change and growth in her clients.
It’s time to drop your assumptions about food from this
Don’t try to pigeonhole Vusi Ndlovu. He’s not the kind of chef you can pin down or who fits easily into any culinary category. Just when you might assume you have a handle on the food he’s making, he’ll likely surprise you with a fresh twist on a familiar recipe or a combination of flavours he’s been refining for weeks – or years.
By Keith Bain
Vusi, who has been around a bit longer than his youthful looks and perky energy suggests, has a knack for innovating, reimagining and thinking out of the box. These, he’s come to realise, are the ingredients for true culinary success, having witnessed the genius of novelty in chefs he’s worked alongside or whose tables he’s dined at.
Of the dishes he says he’ll always remember was one with mussels, smoked egg yolk and white carrots at Septime, a cult-status Michelin-star bistro in Paris. “Those ingredients aren’t supposed to make sense together,” Vusi says. Which is precisely why he’ll never forget that meal: it altered his understanding of what is possible.
Vusi’s innovative spirit has been tried and tested at place such as the Mount Nelson hotel where he had a brief post-Covid residency, and then in Franschhoek where the first iteration of his Edge restaurant concept operated as an extended pop-up. Prior to that he ran the kitchen at Marabi Club in Joburg; that followed on from years spent cooking alongside some of the top names in the business (Peter Tempelhoff and David Higgs among them) as well as several stints abroad, and successes at various international culinary competitions.
Although he began, as many chefs do, by doing grunt work in hotels, it was in those environments that he realised there was more to cooking than reproducing tired old menus. He says that once he caught the bug and knew he wanted to take cheffing seriously, he emailed just about every famous chef on the planet asking for a chance to work in their restaurants and learn from them. Then he would stay late after his shifts so he could glean additional knowledge – he was simply always doggedly curious.
These days, the Zimbabwe-born, Pretoriaraised, Cape Town-based chef spends much of his
waking life dreaming up ways of changing perceptions of what African food can be. The focus at Edge, his rooftop restaurant in the Mother City CBD, is creating menus that coax the tastebuds into unknown territory. There might be elements of a known flavour, familiar ingredients, or even connections to a traditional dish, but Vusi will have deconstructed and reimagined the various components to create something original. And often something quite surprising.
He says he’s driven to a very large degree by that innate curiosity, by an interest in seeing where an idea might take him. He’s equally driven by the rather ambitious desire to change the way South Africans perceive food from this continent. He says it breaks his heart to some extent that folks will religiously dine in restaurants showcasing foreign cuisines – Italian, Japanese, Mexican –rather than venture out for food that represents our own continent in bold new ways.
Part of the problem, he says, is the perception most people have that “African cuisine” is either a pile of meat with a heap of pap or a large plate of jollof rice topped by a big fish.
That is of course a very restricted understanding of what’s African chefs are doing.
Another issue is lack of confidence in local cuisine. Vusi uses the example of Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen who is now a household name, but who first had to prove himself in Europe. “If
Jan didn’t have a restaurant in Nice and get a Michelin star there, he couldn’t have come home and serve South African food to South African diners. But he’s become a brand associated with success overseas, so people figure he must be doing something right.”
Vusi believes that African cuisine unconditionally deserves a seat at the table. “We’ve got so many flavours, such incredible ingredients, and dishes from this continent that are insane – with flavour profiles and spices and traditions that are absolutely crazy.”
Which is why, at Edge, Vusi’s shaking things up with dishes you won’t find anywhere else. At least not the way he makes them. Curiosity is rewarded at Edge, where the menu is a representation of Vusi’s culinary adventures across Africa. Whether he’s digging into the history and heritage of jollof rice from West Africa or unpacking the handeddown family recipes of a great cook he’s accidentally found on YouTube, he’s interested in everything this continent is doing and is capable of accomplishing with food. “We want to explore the entire continent without falling into that trap of homogenising all the cuisines,” Vusi says. Vusi calls himself an “introverted extrovert”, something that filters into the way he cooks. “At Edge our food is very minimalistic,” he says. “Not that we’re shy, but we don’t try to make too much noise on the plate in order to make you notice us.
Visually, your plate won’t be too loud, but when you eat what’s on it, we hope you’ll find it interesting.”
He also makes a point of not using prime cuts of meat, emphasising that the whole animal should be used, and that there’s more opportunity for originality when you’re not serving the same steak that’s available everywhere else.
And the edginess doesn’t end there. Vusi runs a strictly no waste kitchen, where food is never binned. Even leftover jollof rice (made according to a recipe that’s the result of deep-dive research and much experimentation to create a completely original take on the West African classic) goes to the bar where Edge’s sommelier and mixologist Jaycee Kondo creates a jollof cocktail that’s visually reminiscent of a clear Bloody Mary. Vusi is also motivated by boredom avoidance, by the fear that whatever he’s doing in the kitchen today might become a source of fatigue by tomorrow. He says while he understands the need for consistency, his personality means he’s not really cut out for the mind-numbing sameness of always prepping for precisely the same dishes, day in, day out.
“I spent time in France working at a hotel where it was very precise, very military-style. Each plate was put on a scale, each dish executed in a certain way just so it could have that Michelin star. Twelve grams of yuzu cream, six slices of langoustine, 16
oyster pearls… I thought, well this is cute, this is pretty, and it’s delicious… But I also felt it was boring. There was no danger.”
He says he likes a challenge, gets bored easily, abhors anything cookie cutter, and in fact prefers a degree of danger – an edge – when he cooks. It’s why he enjoys doing pop-ups in new locations, or collabs with chefs in unfamiliar settings. All those variables add to the frisson, the modicum of danger that adds an X-factor to what he does.
“I don’t want to do the same thing every day,” he says. “The food has to evolve, it has to feel alive.” He says this need for variation is one of the reasons the kitchen at Edge uses fire.
Fire, he says, adds a layer of unpredictability that’s thrilling. “It can drive me crazy and I lose my mind in the moment,” Vusi admits, “but deep down there’s a thrill, and it’s fun, and that’s why I look forward to doing it again tomorrow.’
At Edge, Vusi says he gets to explore and expand the limits of his curiosity about the history, heritage and nostalgic memories of African cuisine as often as he likes.
“We call it refined African dining,” says Absie Pantshwa, Vusi’s partner in business and in life, who runs front of house at Edge. “It’s not fine dining, but it is definitely not casual.”
With his tasting menu, Vusi endeavours to win diners over one dish at a time. It inevitably begins with ujeqe, a Zulu bun, steamed and fluffy and so delicious it’s a tough call whether to devour it as is or pull it apart and use it to soak up the intensely flavoursome beef jus that accompanies the bun.
He also loves the challenge of making unexpected ingredients heroes on the plate. One deceptively simple dish comprises slow-smoked carrots seasoned with boerewors masala and served with whipped feta and honeyed walnuts. It really shouldn’t be quite as magnificent as it is, but it’s that element of surprise that Vusi strives for throughout the meal. From kingklip served with bokkom shavings to charred mackerel with macerated tomatoes and jollof consommé, each dish combines familiarity with some element of unexpected inventiveness. The flavours will be elevated, refined, even rare – and there will be a sense of adventure, too.
And there’s method in the madness, Vusi says. Because, above all else, he wants you to taste food you can’t have anywhere else on the planet.
“There’s nothing wrong with an oyster served with with Tabasco sauce and wedge of lemon,” he says, “but you can do that literally anywhere on Earth.” Which is why his current take on oysters was inspired by a trip to West Africa – he’s dressed and spiced them with a scotch bonnet chilli and ginger paste which beautifully shows off the smokiness of the chilli.
“I feel that if you’re going to take the time and spend the money to eat out, you should have an experience unlike any other,” he says. “Just trust the process, be curious, and know that the last thing we’re trying to do is scare you or shock you or catch you off guard.”
What he will try to do, though, is transport you.
“I try to take you somewhere,” Vusi says. “I want to stir nostalgia. And there must be an emotion.”
Inside SecretEATS: WHERE Mystery MEETS Culinary Magic
By Rori Clark
From hidden forest clearings to centuryold art galleries, South Africa’s most intriguing dining collective is redefining luxury through secrecy, surprise and spectacular food. I went undercover to discover why the country’s elite are clamouring for an invitation to the table, and why their latest venture might be their most ambitious yet.
There’s something deliciously thrilling about being let in on a secret. As I step out onto a quiet Johannesburg street corner, checking my phone one last time for the address I received just hours ago, that familiar flutter of anticipation builds in my stomach. Tonight, I’m one of thirty carefully selected guests who will experience SecretEATS, South Africa’s most exclusive underground dining phenomenon.
Founded in 2013, SecretEATS has transformed the concept of luxury dining into something far more intriguing than white tablecloths and Michelin stars. Their formula is simple yet revolutionary: take an acclaimed chef, place them in an unexpected location that’s never normally open for dining, add a carefully curated guest list of food lovers and adventurous souls, and wrap it all in a tantalising veil of mystery.
“The magic really happens when you remove people from their comfort zones,” explains Darren Meltz, who leads SecretEATS South Africa with the kind of infectious enthusiasm that makes you want to be part of whatever he’s planning. “When guests don’t know where they’re going, who’s cooking, or who they’ll be dining with, it creates this electric atmosphere of shared discovery.”
The locations are enough to make any venue scout weep with envy. Previous dinners have unfolded in ancient Milkwood forests, private art collections, and historical mansions normally closed to the public. Tonight’s venue, which I’ve been sworn to secrecy about, manages to be equally impressive while completely unexpected.
But SecretEATS isn’t just about finding novel places to serve dinner. The real genius lies in how they’ve tapped into a fundamental truth about luxury in the modern age: exclusivity isn’t about price tags anymore – it’s about access to unique experiences that can’t be bought off the shelf.
This philosophy has caught the attention of the global luxury market. SecretEATS recently clinched the title of Best Underground Dining Experience at the Global Brands Magazine Awards and has won Best Luxury Dining Experience at the Luxury Lifestyle Awards two years running. From its South African roots, the concept has blossomed into an international phenomenon, with events now running in Vietnam, Switzerland, England, the USA and Dubai.
The chef roster reads like a who’s who of culinary talent. Brad Ball, Bertus Basson, James Diack, and Kobus van der Merwe are just a few of the culinary masters who have stepped away from their regular kitchens to create once-off menus for these events. Tonight’s chef, whose identity won’t be revealed until we’re seated, has apparently prepared something special.
What sets SecretEATS apart from other luxury dining experiences is their ability to scale intimacy. While their signature events bring together thirty or so guests, they’ve recently launched a series of even more exclusive intimate dining experiences. These bespoke events, perfect for romantic evenings or milestone celebrations, offer the same level of mystery and culinary excellence but in an even more personal setting.
“There’s something magical about sharing these moments with just a handful of people,” Meltz tells me during our interview. “Whether it’s a couple celebrating their anniversary or a small group of friends, these intimate dinners create
memories that last a lifetime.” The format has proven so popular that there’s now a waiting list for these exclusive experiences.
As I whisper the evening’s password and am ushered inside, I’m struck by how SecretEATS has managed to create something increasingly rare in our digital age: genuine surprise. In a world where we can virtually tour restaurants before booking and read reviews of every dish, there’s something refreshingly analog about not knowing what’s coming next.
The evening unfolds like a well-crafted narrative, each course building on the last, each wine pairing adding another layer to the story. But perhaps most remarkably, I watch as strangers become friends around the communal table. There’s something about being in on a secret together that breaks down barriers faster than any conventional dinner party could.
What’s particularly heartening is learning that each event supports local charities, embedding social responsibility into the DNA of luxury dining. It’s a reminder that true sophistication isn’t just about what you consume, but about how you contribute.
But SecretEATS isn’t content to rest on their laurels. Their latest venture, Secret Cinema, launched in Johannesburg earlier this year. It promises to push the boundaries of experiential entertainment even further. Combining their signature secrecy with the magic of cinema, the events offer guests a chance to see an highly anticipated film before its general release, complete with themed cocktails and canapés in a private venue not open to the public.
“Secret Cinema is about taking everything people love about SecretEATS – the mystery, the exclusivity, the attention to detail – and applying it to a completely new experience,” Meltz explains. Under Meltz’s leadership, who has recently achieved the remarkable distinction of being the first person to win all three iterations of the Forty Under 40 awards (local, continental, and global) in the hospitality category, SecretEATS continues to evolve and expand. There are whispers of exciting brand partnerships on the horizon, though true to form, the details remain under wraps.
As the evening draws to a close, I understand why SecretEATS has captured the imagination of food lovers worldwide. In an era where luxury experiences are increasingly standardised, they’ve created something genuinely unique: a dining adventure that combines the thrill of discovery with world-class cuisine and meaningful connections.
Driving home through the Johannesburg night, I’m already wondering when I’ll receive my next secret invitation. After all, the best secrets are the ones worth sharing – even if you have to keep the details to yourself.
An Urban Dining OASIS
NOW ALL NESTLED IN, THE POT LUCK CLUB ADDS URBAN CHARM TO ITS NEW SETTING’S QUIET ELEGANCE.
By Renate Engelbrecht
Based at The Peech Hotel in Melrose, Johannesburg, chef Luke Dale Roberts’ famous Pot Luck Club could not have asked for a better location to treat its guests to its globally inspired dishes and signature small plates. After moving from its original location in Oxford Parks, it’s only natural that the new setting brings a whole new experience!
With stunning outdoor seating – perfect for al fresco dining – and more intimate indoor seating underneath the most impressive origami ceiling installation, you can pick your favourite spot, sit back and indulge. It’s always been The Peech Hotel’s owners’, James and Vicky Peech’s vision to create a space where comfort, style and top-tier hospitality collide and it seems it’s finally come full circle.
Following a soft refurb of the boutique city hotel’s former Basalt Restaurant’s space, the new Pot Luck Club at The Peech Hotel blends cosy elegance with edgy industrial and modern design. Aparna Ramani from Aparna Ramani Design and Richard Ball from RAB Designs collaborated to create a reimagined space that speaks to both The Pot Luck Club’s urban energy and The Peech Hotel’s quiet elegance. Namibian marble, oak flooring and terracotta tiles mirror the surrounding gardens, while exposed steel furniture and city-grey tiles bring contrast.
Some dishes have remained on the menu – a reassuring gesture highlighting the team’s commitment to The Pot Luck Club’s standards. At the same time, other dishes have been adapted or replaced with exciting surprises. Think chickpea fries with truffled aioli and beef fillet topped with a café au lait sauce, as well as many more inventive plates that draw inspiration from the restaurant’s surrounds. They have also become known for their bold, inventive cocktails and the wine list features small, interesting producers’ wines that pair perfectly with the dishes on offer.
As per tradition, The Pot Luck Club is once again offering its renowned prix fixe menu until 30 September 2025. The multi-course menu is designed to suit every palate and appetite, with two exceptional value options to choose from: The Prix Fixe Lite (R495 per person for lunch) and the Prix Fixe Loaded (R795 per person for either lunch or dinner).
Open for lunch on Wednesdays to Sundays from noon (last booking at 14:00), and dinner from 18:00 on Tuesdays through to Sundays (last booking at 21:00), The Pot Luck Club Johannesburg boasts a brilliant setting for those wanting an urban dining experience with elegant flair.
thepotluckclubjhb.co.za
Bringing a hint of halva and a whole lot of spice to the heart of Groenkloof, Modern Tailors Ambassador is quickly becoming the talk of the town.
Modern Tailors Ambassador’s entrance boasts white and green checkered floors and a bright yellow canopy, inviting those with a curious palate to enter an otherworldly dining destination in the heart of Groenkloof, Pretoria for what can be described as a night on a magic carpet. With such a regal entry, one can only expect the finest cuisine and they certainly deliver, both in flavour and fanfare.
Warm interior colours complement vintage wooden floors and leaf patterns and fabric feature pieces make the ceiling come alive. On a small balcony outside, patrons indulge in pre-dinner drinks. Then, they move indoors where Chef Jessica Munisamy and her team go above and beyond in the half-open kitchen from which they offer the most authentic Indian dining experience. The restaurant is as fit for adventurous palates as it is for the cautious.
pomegranate, mixed nuts, chevda, puffed rice drizzled with yoghurt, green chutney and tamarind and date chutney on a crispy popadum. Keen on Chicken Tikka Masala? Theirs consists of mildly spiced chicken thighs cooked in tomato, butter, cream sauce and cashew nuts, and comes highly recommended. The Pistachio Korma is a luxurious creamy sauce that combines yoghurt, cream, cashews and pistachios infused with ginger, garlic and spices. Pair it with sliced lamb shank, deboned chicken thighs or crispy chickpeas.
Modern Tailors Ambassador’s dessert options are limited, but caters to nearly any preference. From Carrot Halwa topped with the restaurant’s roasted cashew and raisin ice cream to their famous Mango Tango - a combination of sweet sago, mango, pineapple, pistachio dust and pomegranate rubies - it’s the perfect finale.
By Renate Engelbrecht
The Pani Puri is the perfect experiential starter if you’re unfamiliar with Indian cuisine. This crispy, traditional Indian pocket is stuffed with a unique filling and topped with sev - a coriander and mint “Pani” infusion. A flavourful burst of freshness, Modern Tailors Ambassador’s Papri Chaat features pineapple, roasted pumpkin, coriander, mint,
With cuisine as authentic as it’s flavourful, this relatively new restaurant is a must for any foodie’s bucket list.
moderntailors.co.za
TRANSFORMING PRETORIAN PALATES ONE BITE AT A TIME
From the humble beginnings of Pretoria to Johannesburg’s most exclusive dining rooms, Ransley Pietersen isn’t just a chef –he’s a storyteller, an innovator, and a force redefining luxury dining in South Africa.
THE CULINARY ARCHITECT: RANSLEY PIETERSEN’S TASTEFUL ASCENT
From Pretoria to Joburg’s most distinguished tables, Ransley Pietersen has spun a gastronomic story that’s equal parts passion, precision and heart. His journey began straight out of high school. His earliest influences weren’t Michelin stars or masterclasses – they were Sunday lunches with family, the scent of curry leaves wafting from his grandmother’s kitchen, and the unmistakable rhythm of a braai fire cracking in the background.
But ambition has always been a defining flavour in his life. With grit and relentless dedication, Pietersen ascended through kitchens that demanded nothing short of excellence. His stints at prestigious establishments matured his palate, sharpened his leadership, and carved the blueprint for what would become his signature: experiential dining with soul. Harnessing a bursary from Protea Hotels he found his footing in the kitchens of African Pride Melrose Arch. Soon, he headed to Prue Leith Culinary Institute before refining his craft at top-tier restaurants: Overture under Bertus Basson, Fermier with Adriaan Maree, and Jamie’s Italian alongside Shane Smit.
Crafting with Soul and Ingredients
Ransley’s cuisine is a tribute – to his upbringing, his mentors, and South Africa’s rich produce. He honours his Indian-fusion roots by preserving grandma’s rotis and perfectly tempered spices, injecting nostalgic notes into modern dishes. Founding The Old Oak at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club is proof of his creative evolution: blending family-focused comfort food with haute cuisine finesse.
The Old Oak and the Alchemy of Reinvention
It was his tenure as Executive Chef at The Royal Johannesburg Golf Club that marked a defining chapter. There, Ransley didn’t just run a kitchen – he created an institution. The Old Oak evolved under his stewardship from a simple golf club restaurant into a refined destination for curated culinary experiences.
With every service, Pietersen elevated the art of hospitality, introducing concepts that blurred the lines between fine dining, storytelling, and showmanship. It wasn’t just food – it was theatre, memory, and design. Plates became mood boards. Menus became narratives.
After earning acclaim – including “Best Luxury Family Restaurant in South Africa” within months of opening – Ransley launched a food and beverage consultancy. He now shapes culinary excellence at Malt Barrel & Fire, The Whiskey Vault and beyond. He’s also the brand ambassador for Topia Water Solutions, a more sustainable approach to luxury water.
At first glance, Ransley Pietersen walks into a room like someone who’s quietly aware of his own gravity. There’s a calm intensity in his presence – a chef, yes, but also a visionary, a brand architect, and a modern-day curator of taste. In the world of haute cuisine, where ego often outweighs elegance, Pietersen lets his food, his ethos, and his forward-thinking partnerships do the talking.
But behind the refinement lies a journey that is anything but predictable.
“I was never content just following recipes. I’ve always seen the plate as a canvas,” he says, sipping a short black from a hand-spun ceramic cup. “Food has always been my language. I just had to refine the dialect.”
The Culinary Blueprint: A Brand is Born
Today, Ransley Pietersen stands at the helm of The Culinary Blueprint – a luxury epicurean brand that curates bespoke dining experiences for South Africa’s most discerning clientele. From intimate collaborations with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Johannesburg, McLaren Johannesburg, Aston Martin Johannesburg and Pagani of Johannesburg to foundation galas and exclusive private tastings, Pietersen is carving a lane where gastronomy meets lifestyle branding.
“It’s never been about luxury for luxury’s sake,” he says. “It’s about emotion. Precision. Imagination. My clients don’t just want to eat well – they want to feel something unforgettable.”
His new venture has already redefined private dining in Johannesburg. Whether he’s orchestrating a one-night-only menu for global diplomats or designing a canapé journey for a luxury showroom, Pietersen approaches each brief like an artist given a blank wall.
It’s never been about luxury for luxury’s sake. It’s about emotion. Precision. Imagination. My clients don’t just want to eat well – they want to feel something unforgettable.
No. 13 Reserve by Ransley Pietersen
Where Symbolism Meets Sophistication
In the world of Ransley Pietersen, there are no coincidences – only signs. And one number has followed him across continents, kitchens, and defining moments: 13. From key dates in his culinary milestones to table numbers at breakthrough events, the number seemed to weave itself, quietly but consistently, into the chapters of his life. Now, it becomes more than a symbol. It becomes a destination.
Welcome to No. 13 Reserve – the latest culinary chapter under The Culinary Blueprint, set within the iconic Daytona showroom, home to South Africa’s most prestigious global automotive marques: McLaren, Aston Martin, Koenigsegg, Lotus, and Pagani.
“It’s more than just a restaurant. It’s a curated vault of moments. A space where performance, exclusivity, and flavour meet,” says Pietersen.
A Culinary Sanctum for the Rare and Refined
No. 13 Reserve is not open to the public in the traditional sense – it’s invite-only, reservation-exclusive, and meticulously designed for individuals who crave more than food: they crave narrative, rarity, and experience. The name “Reserve” speaks to both scarcity and quality – values mirrored in the supercars that surround the space.
Design Meets Drama
Nestled within the Daytona showroom, the space itself is an architectural paradox: sleek yet warm, minimalist yet expressive. Think Italian marble meets African blackwood. The open kitchen is more atelier than industrial – a stage where Pietersen and his hand-selected brigade sculpt flavours with precision and artistic flourish. Every dish, every detail, tells a story drawn from heritage, travel, and imagination.
A New Era for South African Cuisine
Ransley’s culinary voice is deeply local, yet undeniably global. He champions South African ingredients with respect but not rigidity, often weaving unexpected elements – Japanese fermentation, French sauces, Indian spice theory – into menus that honour both heritage and innovation.
As he reflects on his evolution, one gets the sense that this is only the prelude.
“I believe South African chefs are entering a golden age. There’s no ceiling, only refinement. And if I can create spaces where people feel transformed – then I’ve done my job.”
In a world overflowing with trends, Ransley Pietersen offers something rarer: timelessness.
The Legacy Begins
As with everything Ransley Pietersen touches, No. 13 Reserve blurs the boundaries between tradition and innovation, spirituality and science, cuisine and culture. It’s not merely a restaurant; it’s a whispered conversation between the universe and the senses.
And for those lucky enough to sit at that table – 13 becomes far more than a number. It becomes a moment suspended in taste.
RECIPES
Wild Alaskan Scallops
Served with basil & spinach purée, Calabrese chilli oil, edamame gremolata, and nasturtiums
Basil & Spinach Purée
Note: Mise en place is essential for vibrant green purées. Working quickly helps preserve colour and flavour.
Equipment Required:
• Large bowl with ice water
• Medium mixing bowl
• Large pot with boiling water
• ine mesh strainer or chinois
• Ladle or spatula
• High-speed blender
Ingredients:
• 300g fresh basil
• 700g baby spinach
• 100g unsalted butter
• 1g xanthan gum
• 20ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Salt, to taste
Method:
1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
2. Add the basil and spinach, cover, and blanch for 3–5 minutes.
3. Strain immediately and squeeze out excess liquid while the greens are still warm.
4. Transfer to a high-speed blender. Add butter, lemon juice, and xanthan gum. Blend on full speed until smooth and emulsified.
5. Look for a strong vortex in the blender—this indicates perfect texture and emulsification.
6. Season to taste with salt.
7. Pass the purée through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl set over an ice bath to cool rapidly and retain the bright green colour.
8. Once chilled, store at room temperature in a squeeze bottle for plating.
Pan-Seared Scallops
Equipment Required:
• Heavy-duty skillet or cast-iron pan
• Fish spatula
• Stainless steel tray
Ingredients:
• 900g Wild Alaskan scallops, thawed and dry
• 100g butter
• 20g fresh thyme
• 1 clove garlic, lightly crushed
• 50ml lemon juice
• 100ml neutral oil (e.g., sunflower or grapeseed)
Method:
1. Pat scallops dry and lightly score one side— no deeper than one-third.
2. Preheat your skillet with neutral oil until it reaches smoking point.
3. Season the scored side of each scallop and place into the pan, scored side down.
4. Arrange scallops in a pattern to help keep track for even flipping.
5. After 2 minutes, add butter, thyme, and garlic to the pan.
6. When the butter starts to caramelize around the scallops, remove the pan from heat and flip scallops in order.
7. Finish with lemon juice off the heat, transfer scallops to a stainless steel tray, and set aside for plating.
Edamame Beans
Ingredients:
• 200g butter
• 200ml fish stock
• 800g edamame beans
• 50g finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 50g lemon zest
• 10g finely chopped garlic
• Pinch of salt
Method:
1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine butter and fish stock.
2. Allow the mixture to simmer until large bubbles form—this signals emulsification.
3. Check consistency by coating the back of a spoon; it should resemble pouring cream.
4. Add the edamame beans and cook for 1–2 minutes—just enough to warm them through without overcooking.
5. Remove from heat and stir in parsley, lemon zest, and garlic also known as Gremolata.
6. Season to taste and set aside.
To Plate:
Ensure all components are warm and your plates are preheated to maintain temperature.
1. Begin with the basil-spinach purée, using a squeeze bottle to apply with precision.
2. Neatly arrange the scallops and edamame beans around the plate.
3. Garnish with freshly picked nasturtium leaves and petals—these offer a peppery bite that echoes black pepper in a natural, floral form.
4. Finish with generous drizzles of Calabrese chilli oil and fine shavings of dried chilli for both heat and visual contrast.
Tip: Find authentic Calabrese chilli oil at Italian specialty stores such as Adriatic Importers or Ital Deli.
“Calabrese
chilli, originating from Italy’s Calabria region, offers a bold, fruity heat akin to homemade atchar. It’s one of my go-to flavour notes because it evokes a powerful sense of nostalgia – my key ingredient in storytelling through food.”
Tuna Balloon
Served with a mélange of caviar, salty fingers, and coriander emulsion
Tuna Tartare
Ingredients:
• 200g sushi-grade tuna loin
• 30g red onion
• 25g gherkins
• 10g capers
• 5g Dijon mustard
• 10g Kewpie mayonnaise
• 1 lime
• 10g lumpfish caviar (black & red)
• 10g trout caviar
• 10g salty fingers
• 10g watermelon radish
Method:
1. Slice the tuna loin into a 1cm-thick sashimi slice. Reserve this intact portion for the balloon “skin.”
2. Use the offcuts from the loin and finely chop into a brunoise for the tartare base.
3. Brunoise the red onion, gherkins, and capers. Combine the chopped tuna with the onion, gherkins, capers, Dijon mustard, and Kewpie mayo.
4. Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice and season generously—slightly saltier than usual—to compensate for the added sashimi layer.
5. Chill the tartare mixture in the fridge until ready to assemble.
Coriander Emulsion
Ingredients:
• 200g fresh coriander
• 100ml full cream milk
• 60ml sunflower oil
• Salt, to taste
Method:
1. Blanch the fresh coriander in boiling water for 3 minutes.
2. Drain and squeeze out excess moisture thoroughly.
3. Transfer to a blender, add milk, and blend on high.
4. While blending, add a pinch of salt and gradually drizzle in the sunflower oil.
5. Blend until a vortex forms and the mixture emulsifies into a smooth, thick green sauce.
6. Transfer to a squeeze bottle and reserve for plating.
Balloon Assembly
Tip: A clean, damp surface and plastic wrap technique is key to a seamless wrap.
1. Clean and sanitize your work surface.
2. Lightly dampen a clean cloth and wipe the surface to ensure your plastic wrap sticks securely.
3. Stretch a sheet of plastic wrap over the counter and smooth it down.
4. Place the sashimi slice in the center of the plastic.
5. Cover with a second sheet of plastic wrap.
6. Gently roll out the tuna with a rolling pin, aiming for a thickness of 2–3mm. Ensure the edges are slightly thinner to ease folding.
7. Remove the top layer of plastic wrap.
8. Place a spoonful of the chilled tartare in the center of the tuna.
9. Using the base plastic wrap, lift and fold the edges over the tartare, working from all sides to create a seamless balloon shape.
10. Gently remove the plastic wrap and set the balloon aside for plating.
Plating:
1. Begin with a smear or dotted placement of the coriander emulsion on the plate.
2. Gently position the tuna balloon left center.
3. Garnish with dollops of black lumpfish caviar, Red Lumpfish Caviar and Trout Caviar.
4. Add a thin slice of watermelon radish for crisp texture and visual contrast.
5. Finish with a sprig or two of salty fingers— these coastal succulents add a fresh, briny note reminiscent of ocean mist.
6. Serve with a lime cheek for an optional final burst of acidity.
“The Tuna Balloon is a study in contrast –
clean lines, hidden depth, and salt-laced complexity.
It reflects everything I love about modern raw preparations: precise, elemental, and quietly bold.”
Lemon Posset
A nostalgic classic with limitless creativity
A lemon posset is a classic British dessert that delivers a luxurious texture and bold citrus flavour
– impressive in presentation, yet surprisingly simple to execute. While it draws on the science of set desserts like panna cotta, it contains no eggs or gelatin. Instead, it relies solely on the natural acidity of citrus to set the cream into a beautifully smooth, custard-like consistency.
It’s a versatile canvas – as wild and creative as your imagination allows.
This was the very first dessert I made for my wife while studying to become a professional chef. It remains close to my heart, both for its elegance and its simplicity.
Ingredients:
• 900ml heavy double-thick cream
• 225g caster sugar
• Zest and juice of 5 lemons (approximately 125ml juice)
Method:
1. In a medium saucepan, combine the cream and sugar. Stir continuously while bringing to a gentle boil.
2. Allow it to bubble for 2–3 minutes, ensuring the sugar is fully dissolved.
3. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon zest and juice. The acidity will immediately begin to thicken the mixture.
4. Pour into your chosen serving vessels. We often use a glass jar with an offset opening to elevate the theatrical presentation of the dish.
5. Allow to cool at room temperature before transferring to the refrigerator. Chill for 3–5 hours, or overnight, until fully set.
To Serve:
Once set, the possibilities are endless. At No. 13 Reserve by Ransley Pietersen, we pair our lemon possets with:
• Vanilla whipped Chantilly cream
• Mixed berry compote
• Fresh berries
• Edible blooms such as Elysium flowers, elderflowers, and parrot impatiens, introducing a tropical twist of perceived mango and pineapple when combined.
• Spun sugar, for a whimsical finishing touch
Pro Tip:
The posset can be made a day ahead, making it ideal for entertaining. Serve directly from the fridge for best results – its cool, silky texture is especially satisfying on a warm summer evening.
A refined dessert that’s humble in technique but bold in flavour – perfect for impressing discerning guests.
SOUTH AFRICAN WINE EXCELLENCE CELEBRATED AT 2025 Fine Wine Awards
In a spectacular showcase of South African viticulture, the 2025 Fine Wine Awards unveiled its winners, with three exceptional wines scoring an impressive 97/100 in their categories.
South Africa’s wine landscape celebrated its finest offerings at the prestigious Fine Wine Awards ceremony, hosted at Asara Wine Estate & Hotel on 7 August. The competition, now in its second year and sponsored by American Express, has established itself as the country’s premier blind-tasting wine showcase.
The competition reached new heights with three outstanding wines achieving the coveted 97/100 rating: Asara Amphora Chenin Blanc 2022, Lynx Cabernet Franc 2018, and The High Road Directors Reserve 2020. These exceptional wines exemplify the remarkable quality emerging from South African vineyards.
The rigorous judging process, spanning six days, saw 935 wines being meticulously evaluated across 18 categories. The competition’s credibility was upheld by an independent panel of judges, led by Natalie Collard, representing diverse sectors of the wine industry including sommeliers, journalists, educators, and winemakers.
Cape Wine Master Heidi Duminy, who served on the judging panel, described the experience as “a rollercoaster ride of styles from lively and riveting to beautifully cohesive and unctuous.” She particularly noted the refinement and grace displayed by the top-tier entries.
Trophy Awards were presented to 15 category winners:
Unusual Reds - Lynx Cabernet Franc 2018
Bourdeaux Blend - The High Road Director’s Reserve 2020
Chenin Blanc - Asara Amphora Chenin Blanc 2022
Dry White Blends - The Dry Land Collection Rossouws Heritage 2023
Cap Classique - Peter Falke Signature Noelina 2018
Pinotage - Flagstone Truth Tree Pinotage 2021
Non-Bordeaux Blend - Anco Spontaan 2023
Merlot - Le Bonheur Merlot 2021
Briana Wilsey, Vice President and General Manager of Global Network
Services EMEA at American Express, reinforced the company’s commitment to supporting South African wine excellence: “American Express is proud to continue supporting the Fine Wine Awards and to celebrate this year’s outstanding winners. We are committed to showcasing the artistry and passion of South Africa’s winemakers.”
The winning wines will receive Fine Wine Awards stickers and gain prominence through listing on the awards’ website, offering wine enthusiasts a trusted guide to South Africa’s finest vintages. This recognition not only celebrates the winners but also contributes to the broader mission of highlighting South African wine excellence on both local and international platforms.
CLAIRE JOHNSTON:
Photo: Graham Wyllie
Some people are simply born to inspire, and some are born to be superstars. Claire Johnston is both. She has been lighting up stages since the age of 10, when she first performed in the musical Annie. Just seven years later, in 1984, Mango Groove was formed. The 11-piece band would go on to become one of the most iconic groups to ever come out of South Africa, and Claire joined in 1985. KerryAnne Allerston connected with her.
Q: You’ve accomplished so much and touched so many lives through your music. And four decades later, you’re still rocking the biggest stages in the country. In your eyes, how has the music industry changed since the 1980s? What are the pros and cons of starting a band now compared to then?
A: I look back with a mix of astonishment and gratitude at how the Mango journey unfolded during that time of transition in the mid-1980s and early 1990s. Our journey, to some extent, mirrored that of the country. There were massive highs and horrible lows, but always a sense of hope and purpose. Music, like sport, has the capacity to change hearts and minds in a way that politicians simply cannot.
Q: Claire, it must have been such an exciting time to be part of one of South Africa’s biggest musical acts, especially during such a pivotal time in our country’s history. As thrilling as it must have been, it couldn’t have come without its challenges. What was it like travelling the world, performing to massive audiences, writing music that brought people together, and being such a “Special Star” from such a young age?
A: It was a crazy and turbulent time, but also a time when music meant so much and could therefore make such an impact. We were lucky to be part of this energy, which imprinted our music on people in a very fundamental way. I think this is one of the reasons Mango still resonates so strongly across generations. It was only in 1989, when our first album came out, that I was suddenly thrust into the whole media circus. But I think the first few years touring with Mango prepared me for it to some degree. Appearing on magazine covers and being asked my opinion on everything from my favourite meal to significant political matters was daunting, but also very thrilling.
Back in the 1980s, you needed a record deal to be heard on the radio, so gigs were very important as showcases. The music scene was pretty diverse and very robust, with lots of venues, although never great money. Being a non-racial band in South Africa also brought its own challenges, which hopefully are now part of the past.
Once you had a record deal, you could record a single or two, or even an album, and that was when your career truly began.
Today, it’s a very different story. I love that artists can get their work out there without needing a label, but with around 120,000 songs released every day, the chances of being heard are very slim unless you manage to go viral.
Social media is a huge part of creating any kind of success now. In the 1980s and 1990s, a publicist would send out press releases and photos to newspapers and magazines. For artists of my era, it’s a big shift to now be responsible for self-promotion.
It wasn’t a financially stable career path back then, and unfortunately that is still the case today. I hope this will improve one day.
Claire Johnston and the late Mickey Vilikazi in hotel corridor back in 1987. He never got to experience the success that happened for the band in 1989.
Q: You’ve remained one of the most influential artists in South Africa, and more impressively, you’ve stayed grounded, humble, and so kind throughout your career. What advice would you give to young artists just starting out? Was there any advice you were given early on that stayed with you or shaped your journey?
A: Thank you for your lovely words, Kerry-Anne. It’s a chaotic and uncertain industry, and not for the faint of heart. At the same time, it can be incredibly rewarding, but you can be flung from highs to lows almost overnight.
Looking back, I think I was told to stay grounded and to prepare myself for both praise and criticism. Neither should be taken too seriously. I now realise it’s important to take your career seriously, but not yourself too seriously. That definitely takes practice.
I also believe being in a band keeps you in touch with reality. You’re part of a team, so it’s not all about you, and that probably helped me keep some perspective.
It’s also essential to understand how to manage your finances. These days, most artists earn more from live gigs than royalties, and gigs can be unpredictable. Merchandise and other income streams are vital. Most importantly, surround yourself with people who genuinely support you and have your best interests at heart. The entertainment industry can attract all kinds of opportunists, so you have to be careful about who you trust with your career.
Below
overleaf:
Right: Taken at the ‘Special Star’ video shoot at an old theatre in Yeoville in 1989.
and
On stage this year at Kirstenbosch Gardens. Sydney Mavundla in the foreground. Photographer: Lara Toselli
Q: Mango Groove has gone platinum more than 15 times, which is extraordinary. With hits like “Special Star,” “Hellfire,” “Dance Sum More,” “Hometalk,” and my personal favourite, “Moments Away,” you’ve built a truly timeless catalogue. I know each song is special, but is there a particular lyric, from Mango Groove or your solo work, that you feel truly represents who you are? Something you would want people to remember you by?
A: That’s a fabulous question and one that needs a bit of thought. I would say perhaps the lyric from Another Country, written by founding member, bass player, and my ex-husband, John Leyden: “You’ll walk beside me, I’ll tell you no lies, and then you’ll see another country in my eyes.”
Q: You’re still headlining major festivals and performing alongside some of the biggest names in music. Is there a festival you haven’t played yet that’s on your bucket list? Or a country you’ve always dreamed of touring?
A: I’ve always dreamed of playing Glastonbury, for all the obvious reasons. It’s such an iconic and epic event, and I think Mango’s 11-piece madness would be a perfect fit.
Q: I think it’s so important to spotlight new artists while honouring the legends who paved the way. Are there any emerging acts or younger bands you’re enjoying at the moment? And is there a dream collaboration you’d still love to make happen?
A: James Deacon and December Streets come to mind immediately. I’m a big fan of bands who write and perform their own material and who really commit to their performances.
Q: What is your favourite restaurant in Joburg?
A: I’m not sure I can commit to just one. Modern Tailors in Rosebank, Saigon Suzy, Bottega in Parkhurst, and Bellagio in Illovo are all up there.
Q: If you weren’t a musician, what do you think you’d be doing today?
A: Forensic psychology or something fashion-related. Or maybe both! I’d still like to explore the fashion side. I may have left it a bit late for the other one.
Q: What is your favourite way to spend a day off in Joburg?
A: A recent favourite is to go for a long hike, followed by a delicious meal. Joburg has so many beautiful trails, and I love discovering new places. I’m also reconnecting with my love of cooking and getting more confident with improvising in the kitchen.
Q: Who would play you in the movie of your life?
A: Oooh, I get asked this quite often, and I seem to have a different answer every decade. Right now, maybe Florence Pugh?
Q: What is your secret guilty pleasure?
A: Where to begin? Definitely binge-watching a cheesy series while eating something decadent.
Q: What is your superpower? You can only choose one.
A: I used to think I’d like to be invisible, but after paragliding last year, I think the ability to fly would be amazing.
BOOK YOUR STAY AT NH SANDTON
NH Johannesburg Sandton is just around the corner from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, and only two kilometers from Nelson Mandela Square and Sandton Gautrain Station. Our 329 rooms and suites are bright and spacious, offering great value in a convenient location.
HIGHLIGHTS:
329 rooms and suites overlooking the city | Three distinctive restaurants and bars | 35 kilometres from O.R. Tambo International Airport | A complimentary shuttle service to Sandton’s shopping centers | Monthly events such as High Tea, Whiskey and Food Pairing, Seafood Buffet, Date Night, Sunday Lunch and more.
