Michelin-star Chef Jan-Hendrik
aha's Namibian Thrills
elma smit For the Love of the Game Volume 6 5
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Contents Features 33 33 Lesedi beadwork
Taking care of business
52 Virtual Hangouts
The next communication level
66 Encore
Cape Cultural Collective
20
68 Advertorial
Hello Dr: There is an app for that…
70 Khayelitsha Cookies
Baking their way to success
Elate 5 55
A welcome from aha Hotels and Lodges’ CEO, Neil Bald
Hot spots 64
Have Wings We check out Melville’s latest addition
Hot picks 10
16
33
Our hot picks, two things to motivate you on your daily office look and health.
10 Samsung’s hidden treasures
Regulars 20 20 Events
Cape Town art Fair
Health 60 60 Re-wire your brain: Dr Renata
Schoeman’s insights on becoming a wiser leader.
Exclusive 16 16 elma smit
Business 40
33 Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen
40 Getting your act together-POPi
A sneak peek into Michelin star chef Jan Hendrik’s creative process and his latest achievements
Beauty 29 2 | aha MOMENTS!
aha Portfolio 69 69 Come and visit! Choose from our range of
hotels and lodges in Southern Africa
aha Travel 42 22 aha Simon’s Town 42 aha Sefepane 62 aha Lesedi hotel 55 Namibian portfolio
aha Food 48 48 aha TASTE
meet the winner
33 22 aha DRIVE 46 46 Jaguar’s E-TYPE
Jaguar plans to re-engineer the classic E-TYPE
Encore 64 64 FrankI Black takes us through the
five cheapest holiday destinations in europe
Hot books 72
62
72 latest releases
55 aha MOMENTS! | 3
Bloemfontein
Durban
East London
Lusaka
Johannesburg
Hoedspruit
George
Harare
Lubumbashi
Mahikeng
Port Elizabeth
Gaborone
Richards Bay
Cape Town
Kimberley
Pilanesberg
Walvis Bay
17 Destinations all over Southern Africa, non-stop. You could choose other ways of getting to your holiday spot but flying with us is easy and non-stop. Flying with us is also convenient, because we fly to major destinations and smaller cities all over Southern Africa and the DRC, every day. Taking a break? Then make the most of your time o. Because we fly for you.
Visit www.flyexpress.aero for domestic flights to Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, East London, Kimberley, Hoedspruit, George, Johannesburg, Mahikeng, Pilanesberg, Richards Bay, Cape Town, Durban and regional flights to Lubumbashi, Gaborone, Walvis Bay, Lusaka and Harare.
A Moment with the CEO
aha Hotels & Lodges PR & COMMUNICATIONS Angeline Marokoane Email: angeline.marokoane@aha.co.za
Marketing Ruzandri Stoltz Email: ruzandri.stoltz@aha.co.za
Publisher June Communications | Tel: +27 (0)11 575 0420 The Campus, Twickenham building 57 Sloane Street Bryanston
STOCK Images @Images Fotolia @Gallo Images
aha The Rex Hotel in Knysna where an additional 56 new luxury rooms have been added in a new build project and aha Makalali Private Game Lodge, where a 4 Star 30 room lodge has been built on the existing property adding to the 18 roomed exclusive 5-star offering which also underwent extensive upgrades. These properties are all recently reopened their doors, and we encourage you to experience what we have to offer. While we are on the topic of growth, our cover star, SuperSport Rugby’s TV presenter, Elma Smit (page 16-19) tells us of her journey and breaking the barriers of the male dominated field. Michelin Star Chef, Jan Hendrik tells us what it takes to reach the echelons of the industry and to maintain those standards. Our festive season campaign just launched- the aha Moments Challenge competition requires participants to replicate the aha logo and share it on our social media platforms using the #ahaMomentsChallenge. One lucky winner could enjoy a holiday adventure of a lifetime - a year’s free accommodation at any of our hotels and lodges. Visit aha. co.za for more information on the competition and to discover more of our exciting holiday destinations. We look forward to welcoming you into one of our properties in the New Year as we continue to maintain and improve the high product offerings you have come to expect of aha. Make every moment count, enjoy the holiday season and have a tremendous 2018! Enjoy your next aha moment with us,
Neil
marketing & ADVERTISING Pam Komani Tel: +27 (0)11 575 0420 Cell: +27 (0)79 498 6144 Email: pam@junecommunications.co.za
Graphic designer Megan Ross | megan@junecommunications.co.za
CONTRIBUTORS Mandilakhe Komani Dylan Kohlstädt Franki Black Edna Sekwakwa Penelope Carvalho Megan Ross Sihle Komani
Special Projects: Penelope Carvalho | penelope@junecommunications.co.za
WEBSITE: www.momentsmagonline.blog COVER IMAGE: Kevin Mark Pass
PRINTING: Business Print Centre +27 861 42 42 59 318 Derdepoort Road Silverton 0184
Disclaimer: aha MOMENTS MAGAZINE is published for aha Hotels & Lodges
by June Communications. While precautions have been taken to ensure accuracy of information, neither the editor, nor June Communications and its subsidiaries can be held responsible for any inaccuracies that may arise. RELEVANCE
I
t is that time of the year again where we unwind and enjoy cherished moments with our loved ones. 2017 has in many respects been a successful year for the group, and I would like to extend a big ‘Thank you’ to all our guests, suppliers and aha staff who contributed towards our success. A notable highlight for us this year was winning the “Best African Hotel Group” at the 2017 Africa Tourism Awards which came hot on the heels of our Business Traveller Africa award - “Top South African Hotel Group for 2016”. Winning these awards reinforces our position as the best hospitality group with the most consistent all-around offering and signifies the relevance of our product to both the African and International market. We remain focused on expanding our offerings into crucial territories in Sub Saharan Africa and East Africa. On (page 55-57) we feature the latest addition to our aha family, our Namibian properties. Namibia has so much to offer and is a country to add to your travel list. The building of the aha Kafue River Cliff Hotel, a 4-Star establishment overlooking the magnificent Kafue River in Zambia, is another new addition to our offering. It’s scheduled to be completed an opened in August 2018. Watch this space for further African expansion in the new year – a fascinating time indeed! Reinvesting in our product offering is crucial, hence the millions invested in the refurbishments of some of our properties. These include aha Simon’s Town Quayside Hotel featured on (page 22-25) which underwent a state of the art refurbishment.
aha MOMENTS! | 5
ART
Cape Town Art Fair to launch new special project - SOLO N
ow in its sixth edition, Cape Town Art Fair (CTAF) continues to work alongside a growing number of local and international galleries who support the artistic practices of emerging and established artists from around the world, with the introduction of a new section, SOLO, to the fair. CTAF2018 will run from 16-18 February 2018 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). Nontobeko Ntombela has been appointed as the curator of the inaugural iteration of SOLO, working alongside Fair Curator Tumelo Mosaka and the CTAF team. SOLO will focus on the production of women artists, offering different perspectives on the widespread socio-political issues faced by women in both public and private spheres, while also highlighting their contribution to the art world. Artists that will be showcased include, amongst others, Maimouna Guerresi (Italy) represented by Officine dell’Immagine, Pamela Phatsimo Sunstrum (Botswana) represented by Tiwani Contemporary, Stacey Gillian Abe (Uganda) represented by Afriart Gallery Kampala, Parul Thacker (India) represented by Amar Gallery, Lola Keyezua (Angola) represented by MOV’ART, Lhola Amira (South
6 | aha MOMENTS!
Stacey Gillian Abe Seat of Honour 3
AISHA Maimouna Guerresi
Africa) represented by SMAC, Lucinda Mudge (South Africa) represented by Everard Read CIRCA Gallery, Kimathi Mafafo (South Africa) represented by EBONY/CURATED and Ingrid Bolton (South Africa) represented by Candice Berman Gallery. “I’m interested in the concept of what it means as a female artist to have this extended self through art,” says Ntombela. “The artists we are working with have explored this in many diverse ways.” The chosen pieces are all about “upsetting the norm and upsetting the image of women.” Ntombela has played an active role in the art world for more than a decade. In light of the success of Cape Town Art Fair and the recent opening of the Zeitz MOCAA, she says she is excited about the contribution Cape Town is paying to the art world: “There are interesting connections happening. Cape Town as a city has shown incredible growth and has shown that it has its muscle to participate in the art economy.” Ntombela has produced numerous critically-engaged exhibitions and projects, including a collaboration with artist
SOLO will focus on the production of women artists, offering different perspectives on the widespread socio-political issues faced by women in both public and private spheres, while also highlighting their contribution to the art world.
Reshma Chhiba, The Two Talking Yonis, a series of installations “exploring the notion of feminine energy and the creation of alternative identities for women within current patriarchal systems”. Also curated by Ntombela is Fragile Archive at the Johannesburg Art Gallery, which re-staged Gladys Mgudlandlu’s first commercial exhibition and navigated her archive, public acclaim, and positioning within South African art histories to examine the construction of artists’ biographies. Ntombela has played an active role in the local art world for more than a decade, holding curatorial positions at Johannesburg Art Gallery, BAT Centre (Durban), and Durban University of Technology Art Gallery. She has also served on several boards and committees including the National Arts Council, Visual Arts Network of South Africa (VANSA), KwaZulu Natal Society of Art, African Art Centre, and the Human Rights Trust. Within Africa, Ntombela has been a faculty member of Àsìkò for the past three years. Àsìkò is an international roaming project, modelled as a laboratory, residency and academy for curators
Lhola
and artists that takes place in different African cities; Lagos, Accra, Dakar, Addis Ababa, and Mozambique. Internationally, she has participated in prominent curatorial projects including FRAC Des Pays De La Loire (France), the German-South African Bilateral Curatorial Exchange, The New Kirkcudbright International Arts Festival (Scotland) and Break the Silence hosted by the University of Dundee (Scotland). CTAF runs from 16 to 18 February 2018. For more information visit capetownartfair.co.za 8 | aha MOMENTS!
“I’m interested in the concept of what it means as a female artist to have this extended self through art,” says Ntombela. “The artists we are working with have explored this in many diverse ways.” The chosen pieces are all about “upsetting the norm and upsetting the image of women.”
Moët & Chandon invites you to the city’s grandest Champagne Christmas Tree at the V&A Waterfront
The V&A’s new Silo district is set to shine as Moët & Chandon unveil the city’s grandest Champagne Christmas Tree in a spectacular tree lighting ceremony on the 7th of December, hosted by charismatic Maps Maponyane. Not only is the impressive Champagne Tree 10 meters tall and made entirely from over 1,500 recycled Moët & Chandon champagne bottles, it’s also interactive! In true festive spirit, you’ll be able to send your messages to your loved ones on the night … all your messages that include the hashtag #moetmomentcapetown will appear as you post them on a light ribbon wrapped around the tree. And, to add to the excitement, when you engage on social media using the #moetmomentcapetown followed by the popping champagne bottle emoji the golden crown at the top of the tree will spin! Visitors to the V&A are invited to enjoy delicious festive specials at select restaurants in the plaza with views of the Moët & Chandon Champagne Tree. The tree will be lighting up the Silo district until the 3rd of January.
#moetmomentcapetown #moetmoment
aha MOMENTS! | XXX - XXX 2017 | 9
Franschhoek Summer Wines
S
ummer is in full swing and it’s the perfect opportunity to sample seasonal inspired wines at the annual Franschhoek Summer Wines on Saturday, 3 February, at Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards. An intimate and exclusive social calendar highlight where the Franschhoek Vigneron’s choices for Summer will be showcased. These include a superb selection of white, rosé, Méthode Cap Classique and light red wines. The wines on show have been carefully selected by the winemakers to complement the hot Summer days. And what would wine be without delicious food? Chef Pieter de Jager and his team will ensure the food offerings not only match the wine, but the weather too. Live music will add the final touches to what promises to be the perfect day out in the Franschhoek Wine Valley. Keep things cool, and dress elegantly in white.
Book at www.webtickets.co.za 10 | aha MOMENTS!
HOT SPOTS
Have Wings Melville’s latest find
C
onventional Wisdom does not connote Chicken Wings with gourmet dining that is simultaneously healthy and enjoyable. The words “chicken” and “wing” put together triggers images of a humid fast food kitchen, ingredients being submerged in rapturously hot oil and unknown additives that ail our health but keep us coming back for more. Trudy Mackay, the owner of Have Wings located in Melville at the 27 Boxes establishment, provides customers with a menu that communicates her firm belief in healthy eating. The wings undergo a trice cooked preparation process to install a full flavour in the chicken while doing away with excess fat, appetising sides that run the gamut of nutritious value from Spicy Corn Salad to Sweet Potato Fries and dips that add more flavour to the already flavourful wings. 27 Boxes, a centre made completely out of shipping containers, seems to be the the perfect first location for Have Wings as Trudy believes that beyond just serving great food, a modern and trendy aesthetic is tantamount to increasing the presence of one’s brand and present it as the restaurant, which has been open for four months after years of trial-and-error, enjoys increasing popularity with other centres around the country showing interest in opening their own Have Wings restaurant. As a business owner and restaurateur, Trudy Mackay does not rest on her laurels. To further increase brand awareness of Have Wings, she utilises her food truck on weekends to travel to various events and markets around Johannesburg to spread the insatiable taste of gourmet wings beyond the confines of 27 Boxes. Immediately upon entering the restaurant, it becomes evident that Have Wings is a family run passion project, with Trudy’s son helping with the organisation of the floor - attending to customers, taking queries about the menu, serving food etc. And the passion of this enthusiastic mother and son team have in their unique menu translates into delicious food that is detailed in every bite. No matter which flavour of wings you are inclined to - be it Hot and Smoky, Sweet and Sticky, Oriental or any of the other flavours - the chicken always feels meticulously cooked with no lapse in taste. The sides come in enamel cups and are sure to galvanise your love for vegetables and fresh produce whether you order the Classic Greek Salad, Fresh Broccoli Salad, or the Yummy Rice. These sides provide an excellent supplement to the wings. The dip flavours one can choose from include: Spicy Mayo, Creamy Ranch and Blue Cheese. In short, Have Wings ensures an abundance of flavour that will make you leave the restaurant satisfied
Left to right: Emmanuel Sekokotla, Trudy Mackay and Mandi Komani
and wanting more, sans unknown additives. On one of the walls of the restaurant, there is an illustration of the Johannesburg skyline in soothing light brown surrounded by a predominantly copper colour scheme. When I enquired of Trudy the inspiration for the design she said that it pays homage to the city, which once teemed with a surplus of gold and with Have Wings, Johannesburg might have just have found its latest treasure. aha MOMENTS! | 11
TECH
HOT pick
gift guide Recommended Retail Price of Samsung Gear VR with Controller: R1,999
GEAR VR WITH CONTROLLER Virtual reality will transport you to new worlds in a way you’ve never imagined. Bring your favourite games, apps and movies to life with the Gear VR. Samsung’s first-ever Gear VR headset with a controller expands Samsung’s virtual reality ecosystem and makes it easier for you to enjoy the virtual reality experiences. The Controller features an ergonomic, curved design, offering convenient one-hand control and better motion interaction with minimised head movement for a comfortable user experience.
Recommended Retail Price of Q9000: R25 999
SAMSUNG Q9000 PREMIUM FLOORSTANDING AIR CONDITIONER
SAMSUNG SOUND+ SOUNDBAR Samsung’s new Soundbar Sound+ (MS750) recently launched in South Africa to much acclaim. The Sound+, Samsung’s first sound bar to embed the subwoofer directly into the compact body, enters the market as the most complete all-in-one model when considering its combination of price, design and audio performance. Featuring a compact and elegant design along with Samsung’s most advanced audio technologies to date, the new Sound+ is an advancement on wireless rear speakers. 12 | aha MOMENTS!
Recommended Retail Price: 175 6501: R7 999 175 650: R 6 999 175 550: R5 499
Cooling solutions are essential to make summer and more especially the December break more bearable. The Samsung Q9000, which is the pinnacle of room air-conditioning products, provides cooling and heating to approximately 55m² of space. Ideally positioned for large openplan living or commercial environments. With all the advanced technologies – such as Smart Inverter, three-stage filtering systems, Virus Doctor and multiple comfort control settings – the Samsung Q9000 delivers the best in class.
something special These handmade bags are lined with recycled billboards and covered in bright Shwe-Shwe.
Contact lisek@riversandsihub.co.za
aha MOMENTS! | 13
aha Lesedi
Beading Ladies, reflecting cultural pride
through beautiful beadwork By aha Hotels & Lodges | Images Š Supplied
T
he beautiful South African beaded jewellery that’s often sold to tourists as gifts is steeped in tradition and has profound cultural significance. Many of the South African indigenous ethnic groups such as amaZulu, amaXhosa, baSotho, baTswana, baVenda and amaNdebele each have their distinctive beads and beadwork, signifying different cultural importance. In recent years, bead art in South Africa has developed into a significant ecotourism offering where women with beading skills create artefacts and jewellery based on traditional techniques and imagery. The 14 | aha MOMENTS!
beadworks also serve as a vital source of income for the women in the various ethnic groups, and the skills have been handed down from generation to generation. These skills are being lost unfortunately as the newer generations wish to define and express their culture in different ways. In today’s contemporary society for some cultures, the beadwork tradition continues as living art and continues to be created for use in traditional ceremonies to celebrate matrimony and the rites of passage from infancy to adulthood. The beadwork done at aha Lesedi is
pioneered by mama Girly Leah Ntuli and mama Bongiwe Elizabeth Masombuka. The beautiful creations they craft signifies amaNdebele and amaZulu culture. Their career at aha Lesedi began in 1999 and shortly after that they expressed a keen interest in sharing their knowledge of beading and its significance with the multitude of local and international tourists that make their way to aha Lesedi each year. aha recognised that this artistic talent needs to be supported and developed therefore the company presented the
ladies with business support services to help them formalise their trade and assisted with infrastructure support by providing them with a workshop and store at the aha Lesedi market. They also received their first official business loan which went towards purchasing their raw materials; aha also covers expenses such as their rent, electricity and security. The agreement includes an undertaking that their products will be sourced for various aha Hotels and Lodges as signature aha guest gifts, which turned out to be a resounding success. Girly and Bongiwe have produced
hundreds of custom-made designs through the years, ranging from elaborate beadwork costumes and body accessories (as worn by the aha Lesedi traditional dancers) dolls and jewellery to various ornaments such as beaded ties and branded passport covers. In fact, the ladies’ creativity is boundless, and their designs are as unique as one can get. aha Lesedi guests and patrons walk away with a select product with every purchase. The ladies are currently busy with one of their most significant projects to date, which is the design of a signature 100cm x 100cm size ‘aha’ entrance sign that will
serve as a centrepiece at the head office reception area. They speak zealously of the work they create; beaming with pride at the realisation that different people revere the crafts produced from their hands across various cultural backgrounds worldwide. aha, too shares in their pride and continues to support their initiative to ensure that their skills and knowledge is passed on to a younger generation that will forge their career paths at aha Lesedi. Together we will safeguard this beautiful, colourful tradition and preserve it for future generations. aha MOMENTS! | 15
EXCLUSIVE
A Man’s World? By Lisa Witepski | Images Kevin Mark Pass
16 | aha MOMENTS!
E
lma Smit has always believed that, in South Africa, rugby is more than just a sport. Given her schooling at Paarl Gim – the same attended by legends Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers – it’s not surprising that she now stands out as one of the country’s first female rugby anchors. That’s notwithstanding the fact that, in the Smit house, it was the ‘tannies’ who gathered to watch the big match on Saturdays, while the ‘ooms’ read a book. Added to this, although Elma always dreamed of being a broadcaster, she had few female role models to look up to. “At the time, women were represented mainly on brands like 5FM or Top Billing. As an investigative reporter on Carte Blanche, I think Ruda Landman was the closest thing I had to an idol,” she recalls. So how did she go from wannabe to rock star? It all started with a love of the sport – as Elma points out, Paarl Gim is not the kind of school where rugby takes a back seat. The super-fandom continued at Maties, where she studied law, political science and languages. “I’ve always been a fan, almost by default. Rugby was simply part of the culture I grew up in.” That stood in her favour when she entered a reality talent search show to find a woman presenter, hosted by Supersport in 2011. Initially, Elma wasn’t going to enter. “I thought the channel was looking for an analyst, someone like Naas Botha or Nick Mallett who could give a specialist’s perspective. But, after watching a few rounds of auditions, I realised the search was for an anchor – someone who would ask the right questions and make the sport more accessible.” Having already spent several years as a host for 5FM and music channel MK, Elma had the right skills – and the channel judges (Darren Scott, Naas Botha, Ashley Haden and Elana Afrika) thought so, too. Did Elma encounter many challenges as a woman in a very male sphere? “I think my experiences are very similar to those of any other woman who works in an industry dominated by men, whether they’re politicians, pilots or engineers,” she answers. “A man who makes a mistake is given the benefit of the doubt. When a woman makes a mistake, it’s treated as proof that she doesn’t belong – even if it’s a small one. If Nick Mallett forgets a player’s name, he’s just made a silly error. If I do the same thing, it’s often read as a confirmation of that pre-existing bias against women: they don’t belong in this industry.” Elma admits that this being the case, her position carries a lot of pressure. “You simply have to be prepared to work twice as hard. The fact that a mechanism like a reality TV show talent search, aimed at building the clout or rugby integrity of the women who participated in the eyes of rugby viewers was necessary at all is probably also proof of this double standard. But how else was SuperSport to convince viewers that any woman had ‘earned’ this job? Until then, the perception was simply
‘what does she know?’, and the show created a way to answer this question upfront. “No one asks men who work as anchors in rugby, cricket or football which professional teams they played for,” she points out, adding that it’s “fascinating” to see that people who pay no attention to what men wear in front of the camera are often interested in women’s appearances. “My male colleagues can get away with wearing the same outfit for several months, but I have
been the target of disparaging remarks just because I wore a pair of pants twice in a row!” She admits that she also received some less than kind comments when she was made an anchor, many insinuating that she had earned the position thanks only to her looks. “Sadly, this is still a standard for women, which is not equally applied to men. Have you
aha MOMENTS! | 17
18 | aha MOMENTS!
The best way to get ahead, she maintains, is by asking yourself precisely what it is you would like to do if your options were limitless. Then, find a way to get there.
ever heard anyone comment on how Xola Ntshinga or Matthew Pearce look? These people are judged according to their skill, and it would be great if the same could be said for women.” Elma says that handling these double standards requires a delicate balance: on the one hand, you need to take a stand against the bias, but it’s also important to remain within hearing distance. Her approach is to point out the double standard calmly: “If you grab people by the nose, their ears tend to slam shut. Loads of empathy is needed.” This is a lesson she has learned the hard way. “Often you have to decide: do you want to be right, or do you want to win?” It’s a
complicated trade-off to make, she says, but it’s ultimately a fail-safe test to apply when you are seeking the best way to handle sticky situations. She urges other women to adopt the same insight. The best way to get ahead, she maintains, is by asking yourself precisely what it is you would like to do if your options were limitless. Then, find a way to get there. “Don’t get tripped up or paralysed by the immediate challenges,” she says. “Get hooked on the goal first, and work your way back from there.” Obviously, the fight is easier for some than for others. Elma says that she is painfully aware of the privilege she has enjoyed
as a white woman, and staring this fact in the face has helped her recognise and appreciate the struggle of people facing and conquering even greater odds. This is a fight she finds very inspiring. It’s also completely worthwhile; she insists: “I think that we have such a great opportunity to be part of a generation who gets to push open new doors for the young girls of today. I’m inspired by stories of women fighting for the right to vote, the right to basic human rights and access to education. I’m not doing any of those lofty things myself, but I think that we all have chances to change and challenge perceptions where we are, with what we have, right now.”
aha MOMENTS! | 19
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Follow us on social media for details and via #BonafideBeards #ahaMoments 20 | aha MOMENTS!
GUEST REVIEW
Good Night Stories for
Rebel Girls
M
ichelle Obama, Miriam Makeba, Balkissa Chaibou, Ann Makosinski, Ameena Gurib –fakim and Serena Williams to name but a few, are women who followed their destiny , defied the odds and wrote a different narrative for humankind. Each of their daring accounts is told in this 100 inspiring tales of extraordinary women book Goodnight Stories For Rebel Girls. As you read their stories and glean from the accounts of these remarkable women, remember that none of them had an easy journey towards realising their dreams, in fact, they all had fears to conquer and obstacles to overcome. Your dreams are valid; believe in yourself, write your own story and redefine history!
For the young Dinomaniacs
I-Dinosaur
Y
oung and old alike, at one point or another, we all have been fascinated by dinosaurs of all kinds. Dinosaurs were a fantastic and varied group of reptiles which roamed our planet between 230 and 65 million years ago. How would you like to head out back in time and experience life among the dinosaurs, Sounds interesting? I thought that might get your attention. Through the magic of Augmented Reality, you can bring dinosaurs such as T.rex or Spinosaurus roaring back to life from the page using your smartphone or tablet. For the young Dinomaniacs, i-Dinosaur is a perfect way to relive the fascinating world of dinosaurs, send amazingly real dinosaurs roaming around your home. See your family and friend on-screen, interacting with Augmented Reality dinosaurs and then capture the moment with photos that will get everyone green with envy. aha MOMENTS! | 21
TRAVEL
aha Simon’s Town Quayside Hotel By aha Hotels & Lodges | Images © Supplied
a
ha Simon’s Town Quayside Hotel is perfectly positioned on the water’s edge of the Simon’s Town yacht basin, with breath-taking views over False Bay and the majestic Simon’s Kloof Mountains. This 4 Star Simon’s Town hotel has a unique location, offering superb views of the yachts and boats in the harbour. The hotel recently underwent a comprehensive state of the art R8.6m refurbishment, involving a complete overhaul to all 26 bedrooms, bathrooms and public facilities; with an additional three completely new bedrooms added, bringing the total number of rooms to 29. There are 8 Sea View rooms (with balcony) 14 Sea View (without balcony) and 7 Mountain View rooms. The entire aesthetic look and feel of the establishment has completely changed; there are still subtle nautical nuances however that reflects the towns’ rich maritime history. The rooms are spacious and designed with modern, trendy fixings exuding luxuriousness. A warm yellow tone colour was added to the walls enhancing the overall ambiance of the rooms and ensuring that guests are cosseted in sheer comfort and style. The bath tubs in all the bathrooms were interchanged with new state of the art showers, in line with environmental trends which equally aligns with aha’s water conservation and sustainability strategy, particularly in this drought stricken province.
22 | aha MOMENTS!
TRAVEL
There are still subtle nautical nuances that reflects the towns’ rich maritime history
aha MOMENTS! | 23
TRAVEL
Advanced technological features and the up-grading of the television sets as well as fast and efficient Wi-Fi access for all guests were incorporated during the renovation. Delectable meals and drinks are served at The Saveur Restaurant, a modern European style Restaurant Group, specialising in superior quality food and accessible service to the local market in 24 | aha MOMENTS!
comfortable and contemporary settings. It’s signature daily blackboard specials as well as standard dining specials weekly from 5pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays is the talk of the town. Breakfast is served daily, with the popular choices ranging from French toast stack with grilled bacon and the trusty classic favourite — Saveur Traditional Breakfast , consisting of
eggs your way of course with grilled pork sausage, grilled bacon, baked beans, butter mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, toast and jam. The lunch and dinner menu consist of mouth-watering gourmet burgers, steaks and seafood with a range of salads. The firm favourites however include the Bacon & Avocado Beef Burger served with chips and onion rings, the Roasted Mediterranean >>
TRAVEL
Vegetable Salad, the Slow Cooked Pork Belly served with wilted spinach and chorizo crushed potatoes and homemade apple purée, red wine jus and crackling, the BBQ Treacle Glazed Rack of Ribs served with chips and homemade tomato basil slaw, and the Catch of the Day, a sure delight for every palate. There are many nearby attractions such as The Cape Point Nature Reserve, a boat trip to Seal Island or Cape Point or a visit to Boulders Beach to view the African penguin colony, plus it’s the ideal swimming spot for kids. It’s a great spot to set up camp for the day and enjoy a beach picnic. For the more adventurous at heart, shark cage diving with Great White sharks presents the ultimate adventure, alternatively taking in the beautiful surrounds and sea breeze poolside is the perfect way to round off the day. aha MOMENTS! | 25
LESS
IS
MORE TRENDY DECOR
&
DESIGN WITH LOVE MILO’S NICKI ELLIS
A nature-inspired festive season décor By King of the jungle PR | Images © Supplied
D
rawing inspiration from nature and the earth’s mineral compositions, Love Milo designer, Nicki Ellis finds the harmony between line and form; juxtaposing the imperfect elements with handmade elements to create something unique. “Our designs are quite visually surprising. When placed against a white setting or clean background, for example, the designs catch your eye.” “The idea with this nature-inspired table setting is to mix black, white and gold with a touch of greenery, using succulents rather than the traditional Christmas flowers. The mix of branch and bird
runners with napkins work well together to add a burst of pattern and contrast. We have used black plates to add boldness, and accents of gold cutlery and wooden plates for a unique, natural and contemporary festive season look. The setting is then finished off with soya candles to add a warm festive season glow,” says Ellis. In today’s world, many don’t have the time to stop and enjoy nature, so the aim with a nature-inspired setting is to enjoy the benefits of being surrounded by the beauty of the environment and feel energised when interacting with it.
Nicki’s top tips for travelling with kids these holidays 1. 2.
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Prepare lots of snacks for your trips beforehand. Stock up on art supplies. I always bring a big box of paper, paints, crayons and colouring in books to keep the kids busy. Give the kids their own bags with games, books and things they need in the car. Take lots of breaks on road trips, as the kids get tired sitting for a long time. Stop for lunch or cold drinks when you can. iPads with headphones for car trips. Those headphones are essential so that you’re not stuck with blaring sound. Pack a flask of coffee! You’ll need it.
The eco-lifestyle The term ‘local is lekker’ is a popular one, and one that boutique accessories and design studio, Love Milo, embrace wholeheartedly. Not only does their sustainable manufacturing practice include the sourcing of local materials and building a community of local craftsman, but also embraces an ethos and larger vision of raising awareness of the eco-lifestyle. The duo behind the brand, Nicki Ellis and Matt Finch, believe that this journey of awareness begins with a true appreciation of the imperfect beauty of one’s environment.
it a part of everything we do. When we drink our morning coffee, why not incorporate beauty into this? Why not make this a process of interacting with art? What a good way to start the day,” says Ellis, who is the designer behind Love Milo products. It was these questions that motivated Ellis to resign from her job in the advertising world in 2010, where she felt she created for others as part of a mechanical process, and instead began to experiment with her designs and fascination with the imperfection of nature. Although the brands signature style is black and white, Ellis brings in certain spots of colour that are found in nature to enhance a design. Currently, shades of green and indigo, inspired by the Agate stone, can be seen across different products, and Ellis is now beginning to play with a pink and gold in a new range of cups and saucers. Her hope for those who interact with Love Milo products is to enjoy the benefits of being surrounded by the beauty of nature and feel energised when interacting with them. “Our designs are quite visually surprising, which I like. When placed against a white wall or clean background, for example, the designs catch your eye.” Styled by Nature All fabrics used in the Love Milo range are printed with eco-friendly ink, are 100% cotton, and made in South Africa, which is rare in retail. The versatile range includes nature-inspired shopper and tote bags, clutch purses, sling bags, laptop sleeves, picnic blankets, cushions and even a nappy bag. As a mother, herself, Ellis didn’t find the nappy bags that were on the market very aesthetically pleasing, which aroused the idea of a more fashionable nappy bag. “I didn’t understand the need to walk around with an expensive, unattractive nappy bag, that can only be used once. The bag we have designed is not only stylish but can be used as a tote bag when the baby phase is over,” says Ellis.
operations and business manager. “It’s a perfect fit for us that speaks to each of our strengths,” says Finch, who practised as a trained chef for almost 12 years before joining Love Milo. The structure, discipline and precision that comes with being a chef are what Finch believes prepared him to run the business side of Love Milo. “Everything I learned over the years about the importance of having efficient systems, I use consistently in the daily running of our company, says Finch. The duo is confident that over and above Finch’s organisational skills and the design talent of Ellis, it’s their shared appreciation for the beauty of the environment and determination to lead a life that encourages community support and upliftment, which ultimately drives Love Milo forward each day.
Work and Play
Design for Living “Beautiful things inspire a person, but instead of putting these things onto walls to admire from a distance, why not make
Partners in both business and life, Ellis and Finch find the key to a productive business partnership is to have defined roles. From day one, when Finch joined Ellis in the business in 2015, they agreed that Ellis was the designer of the products and him, the
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Essence with
Mcebisi Jonas By Pam Komani | Images © Gallo
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e meet the former Deputy Finance Minister of Finance in a toned-down bistro in Bryanston. As he enters the room, he candidly greets the waitron. One is suddenly reminded of the post-budget delivery sessions when the exuberant dream team walked tall after the delivery of a tedious task- the balancing of Rands and Cents of our fiscus. One would get a sense of accountability, a team that will put their country duty first before any politics. We wanted to find out what occupies most of his time after being pushed out of government in the controversial cabinet reshuffle in March 2017. “I am involved in a lot of research and policy work with universities and NGOs, and this is what excites me right now. Many of these projects are driving change, and they range from assisting rural communities, to rethinking how we can creatively destruct the low growth, high inequality trap that our economy is caught in, to addressing our deeply challenging education problems. This is not something new for me, I have been in this activist space for much of my life and I am very passionate about it.” We ask him a few questions about the work that he is doing, and for his views on some of the country’s most challenging issues when it comes to issues of economic development initiatives and policies, using the Eastern Cape region as a model. We cannot escape the fact that unemployment, and particularly youth unemployment, is probably South Africa’s greatest challenge. Joblessness is something that you have written about and have spoken about extensively and is something you’re clearly seized with. In your paper on youth, which was published earlier this year in Umsebenzi, you wrote “high youth unemployment is mainly a result of structural weaknesses in the economy, and also partly an unintended consequence of policy choices we have made, as well as our sub-optimal education and training outcomes.”
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Can you elaborate on your current frame of mind on this crisis? There is a number, which sticks in my head and which emerged from recent research by the Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE), which is that on average South Africa lost around over 170 000 jobs over the last nine years, or about 60 per day. Of course, this is even worse for the youth where the aggregate number of young people in unemployment (broadly defined) has risen by about 140 000 a year, or 380 per day. We just can’t have this. An unemployment crisis of this scale is not just a matter of an economy wasting vast resources, but that the social and political consequences are equally serious. We all know that unemployed young people are much more likely to engage in undesirable activities, including criminality and substance abuse, and to become disruptive presences in their communities. The political consequences of a large cohort of young people who lack confidence in the ability of their society to provide them with the employment and income they need to live their lives with dignity are also considerable. Yes, one of my biggest fixations is how we bring the youth back from their periphery and to the centre of our country’s future. We are not talking to our youth, we are not hearing and understanding what they are saying – there is a tragic dislocation, which we must find ways of bridging to avert the obvious alternative. The reasons are of course multiple and complex, but we can no longer afford to allow politics, pontification and poor policies to destroy the ability of our people to do what should be their most basic right – work and earn. We must also accept that in rolling up our sleeves to address this crisis, there will never be a one-size-fitsall solution – there is a reason we are called the Rainbow Nation – every corner of our country reflects a little bit differently, and our policy and implementation responses need to respect these in order to have impact. For example, in addressing unemployment, we cannot simply apply a top-down blanket policy from the National Government. If we, for instance, look at the problems in the Eastern Cape, the bulk
It is absolutely that simple – for us to thrive, for us to have hope, for our country to grow, we urgently require legitimate leadership, and a state that is credible, professional & visionary. of the population is living in rural areas. Therefore, if you are going to address unemployment in that province you need a strategy around agriculture, infrastructure – you need to understand what rurality looks like in the Eastern Cape, because it will be different there, then another rural province, like the Free State. This is the first step – understanding your environment and having absolute clarity on the expected outcome. The second step is to work within government, and with external stakeholders, to formulate a model where you begin to shift your resources and capital investment into those areas where it is most needed, but always as part of a carefully formulated outcomes-based plan. You speak about infrastructure development, which is of course critical to sustaining long term growth. But this will only happen if our institutions – I’m thinking about our state-owned institutions, although there are others – are functional? It is now well-known that societies with strong and enduring institutions are also the ones that have created wealth primarily through investment-led innovation and productivity gains – in a corrupt free environment. Unfortunately, our state-owned and other institutions have not been serving this purpose, with severe knock-on effects for places like the Eastern Cape. My frustration in this regard, which I know I share with many South Africans, is that with the right leadership, policies, budgetary expenditure and oversight etcetera, we would fly. Look at the Eastern Cape as one example – areas such as the Wild Coast are hidden gems, which can immediately attract tourism to the region. Some of the things which could be addressed quite quickly include the improvement of the main road and another route to the coast. Creating a path along the beach, for example, is inexpensive but would automatically open investment into the coast. For provinces like the Eastern Cape, we should ask how Development Finance Institutions (DBSA, IDC, Land Bank) can reorientate their investment strategies so that they can focus on investing in micro, small and medium enterprises as their top priority. Entrepreneurship, especially social entrepreneurship, needs to become a way of life. It is what young people are crying out for. They want to make their own lives. They don’t want to depend on others. But we have a financial and regulatory system that favours the big institutions. If we turn back to the State-Owned Entities, we must ask what investments, for example, Transnet and Eskom, have made into the Eastern Cape, and other rural provinces for that matter. But in
the Eastern Cape tough questions should be asked around the lack of investment in rail infrastructure, our ports, alternative energy sources etcetera. The same applies for agriculture. Yes, and agriculture in the Eastern Cape – as indeed elsewhere in the country – if properly harnessed through the right policies and support, could unlock considerable growth potential? Yes, we all know that creative ways need to be found to release vast amounts of state-owned land for agricultural development in the rural and peri-urban environments. Equally, land redistribution need to continue – but as part of a carefully considered, investment-led model, that eschews populism. Indeed, the food security of all South Africans must become the focus of agricultural development policy. Land as an end in itself is not useful. But, in addressing the land and agricultural challenges in our country, we should not only focus on the large-scale, big shiny solutions. In the Eastern Cape, we have a big chunk of the province where farming is subsistence but not commercial. In helping these farmers to commercialise, there is no magic-wand solution. These are issues that require profound consideration, time and due care, which factor in multi-faceted realities, customs and experiences – but equally, people in rural Eastern Cape already have the indigenous knowledge, and they know their cattle – with the correct policy support, their livelihoods could very quickly be advanced. If I look at subsistence farmers in the former Transkei, for example, people keep their cattle but use it for Lobola instead of farming for commercial reasons. It’s interesting, if you count the total livestock found in the Eastern Cape, you will probably find that over 50% of the country’s sheep are bred in that area alone. But in the former Transkei, you will find that 60% of your cattle are sitting there, but not being commercialised. If you take income from livestock, 80% comes from other parts of the country, not from the former Transkei. Again, the issue here is lack of a governmentdriven strategy to commercialise agriculture in the area. The success of great ideas and creative policies ultimately comes back to one thing – leadership. Is it here that we keep getting stuck? Yes, it is absolutely that simple – for us to thrive, for us to have hope, for our country to grow, we urgently require legitimate leadership, and a state that is credible, professional and visionary. We need all stakeholders – but most importantly, every South African who cares about our common future – united around a national development project – what I call a new inclusive growth consensus. Unfortunately, the opposite prevails, with the current leadership coalescing around the narrowest of self-interest. The South African Council of Churches is currently driving a very interesting process called the National Convention for South Africa. While the SACC has initiated it, it is much broader that the church and is a coming together of multiple stakeholders, but most importantly, you and I as South Africans. The reason I find this process so compelling is that it is calling on the diversity of us as South Africans to participate in an opportunity to develop and build a new consensus on our national values – it is calling on us to restore our sovereignty as citizens, regardless of party or leadership. Really, what we require is every South African to be activated and mobilised, to build on our enormous strengths as a country. In this, we really can be unstoppable. aha MOMENTS! | 29
FEATURE
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FEATURE
SA’s first Michelin-starred chef debuts his TV show on VIA By aha Moments Magazine | Images ©Supplied
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Jan-Hendrik in action.
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here is something intrinsically fascinating about the Mpumalanga born artist turned national pride. He combines his love for his family, South African culture and being raised by grandparents who are food enthusiasts together with his mothers’ passion for baking and turns it into an original glory. There is no doubt that to be a master in pastry; one requires such precision, and most of his work exudes just that. Sightseers invest their money’s worth to experience his cooking methods and creativity. Viewers are now in for a treat as South Africa’s first Michelin-starred chef Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen has launched his TV show which transports them behind the scenes of his culinary journey. Filmed at his first restaurant, JAN, based in the food capital, Nice (France). In the first episode, the audience gets to discover how his childhood on a dairy farm moulded him to be amongst the best and achieving the highest accolade within three years of operating. “Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen is one of South Africa’s exports that fills us with pride. It is a great honour t o be able to explore his inner world through the camera lens,” says Izelle Venter, VIA’s channel head. “The programme is in Afrikaans, English, French and Italian, but the entire series has English subtitles so that everyone can watch it.” “Guests at my restaurant should not only say they enjoyed eating there – they must say that they had a great experience. The same goes for the series: we are taking the viewers on a visual and sensory journey. If viewers feel that the programme was an experience for them as well, then we have done good work, “says Jan Hendrik. Produced by Carien Loubser of Brainwave Productions, new episodes of Jan airs every Tuesday at 19:30, with repeats on Sundays at 20:30. The programme is simultaneously available on Showmax. It consists of nine episodes, 50 minutes each in Afrikaans, French and Italian, with English subtitles. Caesarstone is the broadcast partner for the programme.
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We catch up with him during his Cape Town visit for the launch of the show about his adventures and creative process. Q The culinary industry is competitive, what separates the greats from the mediocre? Do you think passion is enough? JH: I would say that it is essential to have a good team behind you who understands your way of thinking and your style of cooking. You need to stay true to yourself and develop your own unique style and stick to it, not conform to trends and what’s cool at that moment. It is also important to listen to what your guests want - yes, they want innovation, but for example, the Europeans did not enjoy the idea of a Bobotie, so I had to make it more approachable to their taste. Guests know quality when they see and taste it, so it is also critical to use the best produce possible and to never give up. Q You have opened up a new restaurant for bespoke experiences, how has that been? JH: MARIA is such a great space for guests to enjoy a communal meal in true South African style. The space is so versatile that we even use it to have Masterclasses. MARIA is also ideal to have collaborations with wine farmers and other chefs. The possibilities with MARIA is endless. Q Food Tourism has become one of the trendy activity travellers include in their itineraries, how do you make your offering creative and exciting? JH: Jan Hendrik bespoke experiences are six days of foodie heaven. I take a small group to my ultimate spots where I cook for them, and instead of only doing high end, I show them authentic places which
have been around for many years, and what I find inspirational. You get to experience the culture on another level with recipes that have been passed down for centuries. You get to forage with locals and drink their best wine made in their own cellars. In France, they also get to stay in a Luxury Villa, a rare experience for most people. Q What’s your go-to ingredient? JH: Definitely a good quality chocolate... so rich and full of flavour and can easily be used for sweet or savoury. Q What does it take to be the best? A lot of young chefs are passionate and put in the hours but what will make them one of the best what do you think you need to have to elevate yourself as a young chef? JH: You need to dream big and chase your dreams, take risks and believe in yourself. CURIOUS. BE CURIOUS. Q: Congratulations on your new show, will we see more of Jan Hendrik on screen in the future? JH: I think you’re in for a few more exciting surprises. I do what makes me happy. And sharing is definitely one of them. Q: You travel quite often, what helps you relax after a busy schedule? JH: A good glass of red, or a trip to Apricale - a small village in Italy. The wifi is so bad there, so it is the perfect place to unwind and relax.
Jan-Hendrik attributes part of his success to remaining curious throughout his career and observing the world around him. To round up his achievements, we can certainly say “Ukuhamba kukubona” (travelling is to see).
Guest appearances on the show included Duane Vermeulen Toulon and Springbok rugby player, Juandré Kruger, Actress, Julia Stiles and two chefs from JAN, Kevin Grobler and Rutger Eysvogel. aha MOMENTS! | 35
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FASHION
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BUSINESS
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POPI OFFERS BUSINESSES THE CHANCE TO ‘CLEAN HOUSE’ By Anne-Marié Pretorius & Seugnet van den Berg | Images ©Supplied
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he impending Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI) is an opportunity for South African corporates to enforce sound business practice across their interests and efficiently ‘clean house’, says Anne-Marié Pretorius, a partner at Bizmod. “South African companies are on the low-end of the spectrum when it comes to information security spend. POPI provides the motivation required to update the various aspects of business where personal information is impacted,” says Pretorius. Pretorius says that she’s noticed a reactive strategy by many large companies when it comes to POPI. “Companies are adopting a ‘wait and see’ approach,” Pretorius warns against this approach considering the substantial time and focus that POPI implementation requires. Failure to comply with the new act could lead to stiff punitive consequences International Implications Europe enforces strict POPI conventions, and as a major trade partner South Africa will need to follow similar guidelines, says Pretorius. “Increasing data security and quality, amongst other things will greatly benefit those businesses that rely on trade with Europe and the US.” Introspection Pretorius says that breaches in security at a business level are not always external. “Often breaches in security come from the inside through the ‘innocent’ sharing of passwords, scribbling said passwords onto scraps of paper or leaving portals logged-on before leaving a work station. “Education is a critical step in the adoption of POPI – specifically laying out what is and isn’t acceptable in the workplace. A good example of this is the company printers. We’re all guilty of printing documents and forgetting to collect them from the communal printer,” says Pretorius. Printers are actually a risk area and are very often the source of company fraud.
Going forward “It is recommended that companies use multifunctional project team(s) to implement the change management process required to comply with POPI, as this creates the required focus and momentum,” says Pretorius. “Approaching POPI from a legal perspective or compliance perspective only is not the correct way to tackle this diverse act. It is critical to approach this holistically and with a customised team that can effectively cover all elements including, systems, people and IT.” TIPS TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT POPI IN YOUR ORGANISATION Seugnet van den Berg, director at consulting firm Bizmod says that organisations that take a proactive approach to the Protection of Personal Information (PoPi) Act will stand themselves in good stead when a regulator is appointed and the principles of the Act are enforced. “The spirit of PoPi is to ensure that all organisations that hold and process personal data do so carefully and with respect for the rights and interests of the people to whom it pertains. Data protection is here to stay, and therefore it’s better to pay attention to it sooner rather than later.” Van den Berg has the following five tips: • Start the process by conducting a full audit of the processes used currently in the organisation to collect, store, distribute and destroy any and all personal information; • Obtain management commitment and support. This is vital to instil a data protection culture to direct employee behaviour; • A series of organisation-wide training should be rolled out encompassing all elements of information protection. The learnings should be reiterated as often as possible. Employees need to change their behaviour towards how they deal with other employees and customers personal information. This requires awareness and education as well as driving a culture
“It is critical to approach this holistically and with a customised team that can effectively cover all elements.” that will instil privacy and data protection principles; • Identify a multifunctional project team to implement the process required to comply with PoPi. This helps to create the required focus and momentum; • Collaborate with your legal department, but involve everyone. PoPi implementation is far more than just a legal compliance requirement. There are operational requirements that need to be implemented to be able to comply, for example, the implementation of a secure record destruction process. The legal department can guide the project team on aspects such as forms, standard letters and call centre scripts to give some examples. Van den Berg says that taking a project approach to PoPi implementation means that each work-stream has its own set of deliverables to help maintain focus and achieve the result. “PoPi extends to so many different work-streams, each with their own set of operational requirements needed to comply with the legislation. The operational teams rarely have the capacity to implement the requirements on their own, and this is where the project-specific team can assist.” For more information visit www.bizmod.co.za Bizmod is a woman-owned Management Consulting firm with a level 2 B-BBEE status. We help clients solve their problems or implement plans; we do this by identifying solutions and tailor it to their needs while ensuring that each project is carried out with the highest level of quality. aha MOMENTS! | 41
TRAVEL
aha SEFAPANE
Lodges & safaris By aha Hotels & Lodges | Images ©Supplied
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ha Sefapane Lodges & Safaris is situated at the Phalaborwa Gate just 1 km away from the Kruger National Park. Set amongst the magnificent bushveld landscapes, it offers rich cultural attractions, including the scenic Panorama Route. The 4 Star aha Sefapane Lodges & Safaris presents three lodge areas. The Sefapane Main Lodge consists of traditional thatched designed rondavels and comfortably designed safari houses.
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The Sefapane River Lodge’s rondavels are located on the banks of the Olifants River in a private game reserve, which forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park. The Sefapane Tented Camp offers family tents and dome tents. The lodge consists of 33 fully serviced self- catering houses; however guests are also able to use all the lodge facilities. Traditional ‘African style’ thatched rondavels, positioned in the untamed bushveld surrounded by shaded trees
and situated around a dam, providing the perfect location from where to observe the abundant bird life species. The outside lodge area is the ideal spot to unwind under the African sun, with two swimming pools and even a sunken bar. aha Sefapane Lodge & Safaris offers two safaris (morning and evening) within the legendary Kruger National Park, guided by experienced and qualified guides in special designed game viewing safari vehicles.
TRAVEL
Guests can enjoy a river safari, bush Indulge in relaxing treatments at the Misava Spa, a siTsonga name mountain meaning walks, ‘earth’. The spa offers numerous holistic body and beauty treatments using local plants and herbs; unwind as you enjoy the rhythms b-bike tours or an of nature, restore harmony and harmony to your body mind and soul! evening bush braai in the Kruger Park, under the watchful guidance of rangers.
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TRAVEL
Guests can enjoy a river safari, bush walks, mountain-bike tours or an evening bush braai in the Kruger Park, under the watchful guidance of rangers. A day excursion to the Blyde River Canyon, animal rehab centre and cultural village tour can be arranged as well. The Calabash Grill restaurant serves 44 | aha MOMENTS!
breakfasts, lunches and Ă la carte dinners, all are African inspired flavoured cuisines with a mix of modern favourites and local specialties. Conferencing is done seamlessly at aha Sefapane. The Main Lodge offers the ideal location to have conferences and enjoy the Kruger, Canyon, Adventure and
Culture Experience. Team building activities and adventure packages at the Tented Camp overlooking the Olifants River on a Private Game Reserve can be arranged. There are two multi-purpose rooms that can accommodate conferences for up to 90 delegates. The facilities include large white screen and overhead projector, and
TRAVEL
flipcharts. Conference packages are tailor made according to delegates requirements on request. Indulge in relaxing treatments at the Misava Spa, a siTsonga name meaning ‘earth’. Those wanting to relax can enjoy the sparkling swimming pools or book a massage with the specialised therapists. The spa offers numerous holistic body and beauty treatments using local plants and herbs; unwind as you enjoy the rhythms of nature, restore harmony and harmony to your body mind and soul! aha MOMENTS! | 45
DRIVE
Jaguar's classic E-Type electrified Text & Images ©: Jaguar Land Rover SA
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J
aguar Land Rover Classic presented an electric-powered Jaguar E-type at the Jaguar Land Rover Tech Fest, which opened to the public on 8 September in London. The car, known as E-type Zero, has been restored and converted at Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works in Coventry, not far from where the E-type was born. The E-type Zero combines the renowned E-type dynamic experience with enhanced performance through electrification. This unique combination creates a breathtaking driving sensation said Tim Hannig, Director, Jaguar Land Rover Classic. The Jaguar E-type Zero not only drives and looks like an E-type, it also offers outstanding performance. With the 0-100km/h sprint completed in only 5.5sec, it’s about one second quicker than an original, Series 1 E-type. Bespoke electric powertrain An electric powertrain developing 220kW has been specially designed for the E-type Zero. Its lithium-ion battery pack has the same dimensions, and similar weight, to the XK six-cylinder engine used in the original E-type. The experts responsible for developing the electric powertrain have ensured it will be placed in precisely the same location as the XK engine, without structural modifications. The electric motor (and reduction gear) lies just behind the battery pack, in the same location as the E-type’s gearbox. A new
prop shaft sends power to a carry-over differential and final drive. Total weight is 46kg lower than the original E-type. Using an electric powertrain with similar weight and dimensions to the outgoing petrol engine and transmission means the car’s structure, including suspension and brakes, has not changed, simplifying the conversion and homologation. It drives, handles, rides and brakes like an original E-type. Front-rear weight distribution is unchanged. ‘The most beautiful car ever made’ The E-type, launched in 1961, has regularly been voted the best-looking car of all time. Even Enzo Ferrari called it “the most beautiful car ever made”. E-type Zero’s unique electric powertrain was developed by an electric powertrain specialist in conjunction with Jaguar Land Rover engineers and to a specific brief from Jaguar Land Rover Classic. It uses some technology and components borrowed from the upcoming I-PACE, Jaguar Land Rover’s first production allelectric vehicle. The E-type Zero has a ‘real world’ range of 270km, helped by the low weight and good aerodynamics. It uses a 40kWh battery, which can be recharged from home overnight (typically in six to seven hours, depending on power source). For more information contact Jaguar LandRover UK
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FOOD aha Taste
aha HOTELS & LODGES
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VALUED AT R30K WON BY SINGLE MOM FROM DURBAN By aha Hotels & Lodges | Images ©Supplied
aha Taste judges 48 | aha MOMENTS!
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ayenziwe Nombela, a single mother from Durban KZN, cooked her way to a mouth-watering holiday valued at R30k, in the final cook-off of the “aha Tastes: Designed to Delight competition that took place at aha Lesedi. To win, she had to “out cook” five other finalists under the scrutiny of a judging panel consisting of some of the top chefs at aha Hotels & Lodges; Group Executive Chef Renzo Bico and Chef Remarlin, as well as aha Lesedi General Manager, Lloyd Moeng. Chef Lesego Semenya, who’s worked at wellknown restaurants including The Westcliff and Richard Branson’s private game reserve, also formed part of the panel. The “aha Tastes: Designed to Delight” competition ran from 20 March 2017 to 24 March 2017. Every day, for the duration of the competition, some surprise ingredients were announced —either via radio, or via Facebook. To enter, you had to use those ingredients to create and submit a recipe within the timeframes provided. Chef Renzo then evaluated these recipes and chose a daily winner. Daily winners won a cash prize, and competition entrants were placed in line to be selected as one of six finalists to partake in the final cook-off. “The competition aimed to challenge ordinary members of our community to design recipes that delight, just like we challenge our own staff to push the envelope to create delightful experiences for our guests,” explains Graeme Edmond, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for aha Hotels and Lodges. According to Chef Renzo, selecting an overall winner at the final cook-off was no small feat though. “We were generally in awe of the culinary artistry that our entrants displayed and the other finalists all delivered an impressive performance at the cook-off,” he enthuses. But ultimately it was Mayenziwe’s take on an impala goulash that tipped the scales in her favour.” For her outstanding efforts, Mayenziwe won a 4-night stay for two at the spectacular aha Makalali Private Game Lodge and two nights at aha Casa Do Sol Hotel & Resort. Mayenziwe said she was a big fan of reality cooking shows, such as Chopped and The Ultimate Braai Master, so entering the competition was nerve wrecking for her. “I am glad I decided to though; it was an exhilarating and enjoyable experience that I will never forget.” She felt honoured to have been chosen as the winner. “This self-enriching experience was a reward in itself, but I am
thrilled about winning the competition. I love to travel but have never been able to go to a game lodge. I really cannot wait for my aha holidays!”
aha Taste contestants
Mayenziwe Nombela
Tell us a bit about yourself I grew up in Scottburgh in an area called Amandawe (South Coast of Durban). I was born on the 8th of May 1984. I completed my High School at Scottburgh High School. I have one brother who is ten years younger than I am and our parents sadly passed away in 2003. I am currently working for the KZN Department of Health under Systems department at Dundee Provincial hospital. I am staying in Dundee, for now, due to work but I am still based in Scottburgh. What inspired you to enter the aha Taste competition? I love challenges, and I am hospitality driven. I follow aha on social media so when I saw the competition, I saw an opportunity. I have been to most of the aha Hotels, and I have eaten their food, so I thought: let me go for it! Maybe I will learn something new since I love cooking.
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FEATURE
The Cape Cultural Collective celebrates 10 years of promoting creativity & uniting people Text & Images © Cape Cultural Collective
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t’s all in the knee, you might think, as 11-year old Jahmando Johannes throws out his rubber legs in long arches as he pulses to the sound of the traditional KhoiSan bow. Then he smiles as he churns up the dust in rhythmic movements at lightning speed. His dreadlocks dance to the sweet harmony of the sounds celebrating an ancient KhoiSan dance tradition. Jahmando and the young Uitsig Rieldansers have been entertaining Cape Town for a few years now, reviving the dance practised by the KhoiSan people, considered the first inhabitants of Southern Africa dating back thousands of years. Jahmando and his cohorts, ably directed by the dedicated Kaironeshia Nel, have shifted the age-old dance tradition to a more prominent position in the arts and culture world. The Cape Cultural Collective (CCC) has been scratching beyond the surface for the past ten years to provide platforms for groups like the Uitsig Rieldansers as well as a range of other poets, musicians and other dancers who might otherwise be considered on the fringes of the mainstream art community. They share platforms with more established performers, and in the process, they advance their group and art form. These formations grow in strength and in turn strengthen the Cape Cultural Collective. The relationships built are mutually beneficial. Beyond the celebration of tradition and the arts, the Collective 50 | aha MOMENTS!
has broken the barrier of race and class that characterises South African life. This is none more evident than through the Rosa Choir, which brings communities together across generations to sing in three African languages accompanied by guitars and percussion. A modern twist on choral music. It’s not your traditional choir. Expect to swing to a Beatles medley and Cape Malay songs. Or to the energetic sound of the Pata Pata combined with the Afrikaans traditional classic, More Tannie. The choir’s delivery of Asimbonanga rendition – the Johnny Clegg 80s song that pines for an imprisoned Nelson Mandela – evokes strong emotions from audiences. The song is, at times, layered with a provocative poem called Young Black performed by Cape Town poet and artist, Pro-Found. One of the CCC’s more recent projects, the Junior Rosa choir, made up mostly of children from Manenberg and Langa, is also growing in strength and is likely to emulate the success of the adult choir. The juniors also sing in three languages, a practice that helps to break down barriers. The CCC, a registered NPO, has grown from humble beginnings to a dominant arts and culture platform in Cape Town. In just ten years the CCC has initiated an impressive array of community projects. These include three community choirs, monthly cultural programmes, a poetry anthology containing the work of nine poets,
a band, and sending four poets to perform at the Paris Cultural Festival in France. “The CCC’s projects have brought diverse groups of people together across the barriers which divide us to create spaces where diverse cultures and art forms are presented and enjoyed by all,” said Kay Jaffer, CCC Steering Committee member. “People relate to one another in real ways through working and playing together. Our projects have been very effective in developing the skills and talents of young people in various Cape Flats communities, and so building their self-esteem and confidence,” she added. Over the last ten years, the CCC has done a lot with minimal resources. It has relied on the support of volunteers, small donations and its fundraising initiatives. What it calls the “Circle of Culture” is now made up of 40 supporters who contribute monthly amounts of between R150 and R200 each. Efforts are currently underway to double this number before the year-end. The added income will mean that the work of the CCC can be made to have a more significant impact and more children can benefit from such platforms. The efforts of groups such as the Uitsig Rieldansers can bear more fruit. And the Rosa Choir can further advance its vision of uniting people and break the deep divide along various fault lines. For further information visit http://capeculturalcollective.org.za aha MOMENTS! | 51
virtual hangouts By Dylan Kohlstädt | images Š Supplied
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hen we were younger, a hangout was your local haunt or meeting place where your entire friend group would get together. In short, the only way that we made friends was in person. Mxit then became a slow and tentative first step into the online chatting scene but still seemed a little taboo and awkward back then. Fast forward to today, the constant advancement of technology has brought about new ways in which we socialise, and teens are navigating technology and the online space with confidence. According to a 2015 Pew Research article, 57% of teens said they had made new friends while surfing online. These teens also felt that digital friendships were just as meaningful as a real-life
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friendship. This is a good indication of how socialising has turned more rapidly online.
What are virtual hangouts? A virtual hangout is an online space where people can connect, share, chat, game and socialise, regardless of the distance that may be between them. Virtual hangouts come in different forms and are often used in online games like Minecraft. You can create your own character and then interact with others and start to build your own world.
Fast forward to today, the constant advancement of technology has brought about new ways in which we socialise, and teens are navigating technology and the online space with confidence. Other online hangouts are simpler and exist simply to ‘livestream’ with other users to chat and interact with more than one person at a time.
Why are Virtual Hangouts so popular? Virtual Hangouts aren’t just another way for teenagers to connect; they are also a fantastic tool for business owners and entrepreneurs to turn themselves into influencers or Kingmakers. People have grown tired of hard-sell messaging and a lack of authenticity. It becomes difficult to see anything but a CEO with a team of marketers in tow. Opening yourself up to virtual hangouts and social media platforms allow your demeanour to come across more honest and approachable. People have become insatiably curious about how each other live and apps such as Instagram, SnapChat and YouTube have allowed us a sneak peek to ‘the day in the life’ of pretty much any individual. Online viewers differentiate less and less between digital and real relationships. This is why virtual hangouts have exploded onto the digital scene.
About Dylan Kohlstädt Dylan Kohlstädt started Shift ONE, a creative integrated marketing agency specialising in outsourced marketing, over five years ago. Her international experience gained from exposure to marketing in the UK, Australia and Silicon Valley adds well-blended marketing expertise to her approach to growing your business. Shift ONE is for companies who don’t have a marketing manager, or whose marketing manager just isn’t getting to everything. From websites, SEO, paid online advertising, sales enquiries and lead generation, email marketing, graphic design, blogging, press and PR, writing, print work and more, Shift ONE will get your business noticed.
You can reach Dylan via: Email: Dylan@shiftone.co.za Twitter: @dylankohlstadt Web: www.shiftone.co.za
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TRAVEL
The Namibian Thrills By aha Hotels & Lodges | Images © Supplied
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he aha Swakopmund Collection, consists of three unique, 4 Star hotels namely aha Atlantic Villa Boutique Guest House, aha Swakopmund Plaza Hotel and aha Beach Hotel Swakopmund, all situated in prime locations in Swakopmund, Namibia. These establishments are perfectly suitable for leisure and business stays. The Swakopmund Collection offers in total 147 rooms with 320 beds in 12 room categories. Swakopmund is an experience like no other with its historical buildings, bustling tourists, nature based adventures and city pleasures, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. aha Atlantic Villa Boutique Guest House offers so much more than expected. Situated within sight and sound of the mesmerising Atlantic Ocean, aha Atlantic
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Villa offers accommodation within walking distance from the beach, a few minutes’ drive from Swakopmund town centre and a quiet relaxed atmosphere complimented by its location. Our accommodation boutique comes in four main facets, namely The Junior Suites all with Seaview Rooms, Standard Rooms and Apartments which are self-catering. Atlantic Villa has the facilities to accommodate a variety of travellers. aha Swakopmund Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre, presents the perfect venue for events, weddings and conferences. It’s situated in the heart of Swakopmund and surrounded by a number of historic buildings, an easy walk to a variety of retail outlets, cafes, bars and restaurants. Even the beach can be reached with an easy five minute walk.
The hotel offers a variety of six room types including stylish comfort rooms, suites, family rooms and a unique luxury suite. All rooms offer en-suite bathrooms, air-conditioning, heating, mini bar, a safe, TV, tea and coffee facilities, telephone as well as free internet. Dining is an absolute pleasure at the Swakopmund Plaza’s “Coffee Break” Bistro which specialises in international cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch and light meals. The multi conference & event centre is fully equipped with the latest technology and converts into more than various style arrangements and can cater for six to 240 people. Guests can look forward to the ultimate wedding, seminar, conference, launch or any kind of event. Our stylish rooms offer all the features for an
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affordable and comfortable stay. Our suites have been designed to suit your needs and are appointed with a range of efficient features including comfortable living spaces for you to relax in your own space, on your own time. aha Beach Hotel Swakopmund, is an inviting and ideal beach establishment. aha Beach Hotel Swakopmund is just 50 m
from the Atlantic Ocean and within walking distance to the centre of Swakopmund, makes Beach Hotel Swakopmund exceptional. Its spectacular sundowner bar on the fourth floor, a roof terrace with amazing views, a restaurant, fitness room and massage service, Beach Hotel Swakopmund offers guests a unique experience.
The a la carte “Anchor Point� restaurant at the Beach Hotel Swakopmund is open 365 days and presents breakfast and delectable meals along with specially selected wines. This cozy eatery is found on the ground floor and its sundowner deck is an insider tip in Swakopmund and the trendiest spot to be. Patrons often ask about the origin of the aha MOMENTS! | 55
name “Anchor Point�! It has nothing to do with a ship anchor but more because of the historic antenna anchor points in front of the restaurant. aha Beach Hotel Swakopmund is the custodian of the last existing historic anchor points in Swakopmund. The renovation and maintenance is fully financed by the establishment. A myriad of experiences await you in Swakopmund! A leisurely time at the beach, deep sea fishing, kayaking with seals or fun in the sand by quad biking or sand-board down the striking desert dunes or a thrilling skydive!
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Guests can enjoy a river safari, bush A myriad of experiences await you in Swakopmund! A leisurely time at the walks, mountain beach, deep sea fishing, kayaking with seals or fun in the sand by quad b-bike tours or an biking or sand-board down the striking desert dunes or a thrilling skydive! evening bush braai in the Kruger Park, under the watchful guidance of rangers.
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aha Epacha Game Lodge & Spa and aha Eagle Tented Lodge
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ocated on top of the hills of the Epacha Private Game Reserve, aha Epacha Game Lodge & Spa and aha Eagle Tented Lodge is a 5 Star establishment bordering the main road leading to the renowned Etosha National Park. aha Epacha Game Lodge & Spa is the main lodge with 18 spacious chalets. It is furnished in regal Victorian style with classic antique pieces and decorated with inviting colours. Each chalet has its own en-suite bathroom with large bathtub, indoor and outdoor shower, air-conditioning, mosquito nets, telephone, tea/coffee station, minibar and an in-room safe. A large private balcony at each chalet affords every guest a stunning view over the Epacha Private Game Reserve. Guests can enjoy downtime in the lounge overlooking a waterhole, in the library, cognac & cigar room or the wine cellar underneath the restaurant, which houses a
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carefully selected range of world-renowned South-African wines. The outside area offers a relaxing space overlooking the infinity pool and pool-bar. The more adventurous, aha Eagle Tented Lodge offers 8 safari tents built in classic Hemingway style with an outdoor shower. There are 8 additional spacious Family Tents comprising of a small lounge and an open air bathtub on the deck overlooking the private reserve. Indulge in rejuvenating therapies at the lodge Spa, the first of its kind to pioneer wellness treatments in Namibia, offering a fully equipped luxurious wellness centre presenting 5 treatments rooms (one of which is open air), a sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi and splash pool. For the adventurous spirit an evening or morning game drive to the Etosha National Park, is the ideal way to observe the Namib wildlife. The Namib offers some of the most unique endemic species of reptiles such as
the Festive Gecko, the Banded Barking Gecko and the Kaoko Gecko, including the Black faced Impala, similar to the common Impala except for the distinctive black stripe down its face. In fact the country is also said to have the largest population in Southern Africa of cheetah not contained within national parks. A great start to any day a scrumptious continental or English style breakfast, with the lunch and dinner selection from an ‘a la carte’ menu. All meals can be enjoyed in the restaurant or in unique meal settings; ranging from extravagant formal dining or intimate dining, terrace dining or traditional Namibian Boma setting accompanied by the glistening stars on a clear evening. Guests’ palates will be intrigued by a fusion of local and international cuisine. The lodge is known for its high quality service and standard. Get swept away by its outstanding beauty and its breath-taking surrounds.
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Guests can enjoy downtime in the lounge overlooking a waterhole, in the library, cognac & cigar room or the wine cellar underneath the restaurant, which houses a carefully selected range of world-renowned South-African wines.
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HEALTH
Re-wire your brain to be a wiser leader By Content Supplied | Images © Supplied
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r Renata Schoeman, leadership lecturer at the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB) and renowned psychiatrist, says by understanding the neuroscientific principles underlying leadership, interventions can be developed to optimise the performance of leaders, their teams, and organisations. “Volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity have become the “new normal” in the world of business, and it is profoundly changing not only how organisations do business, but also how managers lead. “We are wired to adapt and biologically endowed with the ability to dust our “foolish corners” and become wiser leaders. Gone are the days of defining an effective leader as the one who got results, boosted the bottom line, and forced productivity out of his or her employees. 60 | aha MOMENTS!
Dr Schoeman says that in recent years, there has been a movement towards acknowledging the importance of understanding and applying the biology of the brain to leadership practices: from decision-making, emotional and social intelligence, and change management processes. She says that within the fundamental concepts self-awareness, stress management, emotional and social intelligence, and neuroplasticity, lays a couple of easy to approach adaptions one can make in changing how you behave and think like a leader and ultimately re-wire your brain. Self-awareness Having a clear understanding of your personality, including strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, beliefs, motivation,
and emotions – one of the aspects of Emotional Intelligence – is an essential factor in achieving success as a leader. Until you develop self-awareness and can reflect in the moment on your thoughts, emotions, words, and behaviour, you will have difficulty to understand other people and how they perceive you, and to change your attitude and your responses to them in the moment. The visible manifestation of our being (what we do) is a representation of what is inside us (who we are) – our values, beliefs, preferences and experiences – the driving forces of our life. Every facet of leadership practice and organisational life is an extension of these deeper underlying driving forces. If you are aware of something, you can take responsibility for it, and work on it! Self-awareness is, therefore, the first step to changing the direction of your life and your leadership.
The steps: • Invest in personality assessments • Build a culture of feedback • Read, read, read • Make reflection and journaling a daily practice Neuroplasticity Neuroscience research has confirmed the concept of neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to rewire and remodel itself. This is especially active in the cognitive parts of our brain where thinking, planning, and decision making occur, as well as consciousness. Our brain is therefore not merely a system of “hardware” (anatomical structures, neural pathways, neurotransmitters and electrical currents) and “software” (thoughts, beliefs, emotions and memories”), but rather a complex interactive and plastic process. Our emotions influence our thoughts and behaviour, but we can also learn to use these to change our emotional responses. Leaders engage in deliberate decisionmaking processes to solve problems, but also to shape their social and organisational environments. More people than ever are being paid to think, instead of just doing routine tasks. Our brains are “wired” for different decision-making processes, it has biological limits, and as humans, we are prone to “errors”. The steps: • Practice daily “neurobics” – i.e. do your daily tasks slightly different (e.g. brush your teeth with the opposite hand, dress with closed eyes, take an alternative road to work) • Learn new hobbies, languages and skills • Be aware of your cognitive errors and distortions (e.g. overgeneralization, black-and-white thinking, catastrophizing) • Build cognitively diverse teams Emotional and social intelligence Recognizing and regulating the emotions of self and others. Research has shown that the effectiveness of leaders is twice more dependent on social and emotional intelligence than on (classical) intelligence and skill (task expertise). Understanding that humans are all hard-wired to either “approach” (that what interests us or make us feel safe), or to “withdraw” from a threat (fight/flight) is crucial if we want to empower and optimise our teams. Through our lives (see self-awareness), we all develop certain “hot spots” or “buttons”, which cause us
to react with a flight/fight response. These “buttons” all have a neural representation in our brains. David Rock uses the acronym SCARF: Status (a person’s relative importance to others), Certainty (the ability to predict the future), Autonomy (a sense of control over events), Relatedness (the sense of connection and safety with others) and Fairness (being treated justly). We, therefore, in our interaction with others, want to facilitate an “approach” (pro-collaborative) response. For example, a change program, without presenting sufficient information on the why, what, who, when and how, will trigger a “certainty injury” (as “you are foe” response) – people will withdraw, and the process will be met with resistance. A perceived increase in fairness (e.g. an open discussion of a company’s compensation practices to assure all employees perceive that their compensation is fair and equitable) will have the exact opposite, i.e. an “I am safe, and you are a friend.” The steps: • Help people feel that they belong • Make people feel valued and respected • Be aware of your own “buttons” and protect those of others • Use the magic question “what would it take to…?” (this question acknowledges others as the experts and have them commit to the outcome) Stress management Even with the best intentions change and leadership cannot occur without creating some uncertainty and even resentment about the things that are being creatively destroyed or changed. Anxiety is a natural condition of life: without it, we will have no drive to create, perform or execute. Life without some anxiety is not life at all! It acts as a “push” factor: we cannot merely sit – we need to act. Anxiety can become uncontained and even, if not managed, turn into pathological anxiety which can cause emotional difficulties (an overwhelmed feeling, generalised anxiety disorder, burnout, irritability, or even panic attacks or depression), cognitive difficulties (“analysis paralysis”, ambivalence, and impaired concentration), social impairment (substance abuse and difficulties with interpersonal relationships), or physical difficulties (appetite dysregulation, sleeping problems, excessive tiredness and decreased immunity). However, if we utilise our “nervous energy”, it can be a potent motivating force to perform, to reach
deadlines, and not to be complacent with the status quo. Leaders who pay attention to and develop the “roots” of their health are resilient enough to handle the pressures of constant change and uncertainty, without becoming arrogant, developing burnout, or more severe mental and physical problems. The steps: • Regular sleeping patterns – necessary for physical and cognitive health • Regular exercise (five times a week for 30min) – reduces stress levels and enhances neuroplasticity in the hippocampus for learning and memory formation • Follow a healthy diet and limit alcohol and other substances • Socialise – nurture deep, meaningful relationships • Adapt a growth mindset – e.g. see mistakes as valuable opportunities to learn and to innovate. According to John X Maxwell, “sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.
Dr Renata Schoeman (MBChB, MSocSc, MMed, FC Psych, PhD, MBA) has been in full-time private practice since 2008. She practices as a general psychiatrist (child, adolescent and adult psychiatry) and has special interests in cognition (i.e. disorders affecting attention, concentration, learning and memory – such as ADHD and dementia), eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and obesity), mood disorders and anxiety disorders. She serves on the advisory boards of various pharmaceutical companies, as a director of the Psychiatric Management Group (PsychMG) and is the coconvener of the South African Society of Psychiatrist (SASOP) special interest group for adult ADHD. aha MOMENTS! | 61
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aha
Hotel
Lesedi By aha Hotels & Lodges | Images © Supplied
a
ha Lesedi is tucked in the heart of the African bushveld amidst the rocky hills within the Cradle of Humankind. It is located just an hour from Johannesburg and just 30km away from O.R Tambo International Airport. The cultural village showcases the fascinating traditional cultures and traditions of the people of Africa. There’s a choice of five traditional homesteads to select from where local families reside permanently. Guests are invited to observe the African way of life, where they’ll discover more about the cultures of the amaZulu, amaXhosa, Bapedi, Basotho and amaNdebele tribes who live according to the tribal customs and traditions of their ancestors. The accommodation is vibrantly decorated to depict the tribe’s heritage with some interesting facts of each tribal homestead detailed. It offers modern touches and comfort featuring rooms with en suite bathrooms, decorated with wooden furniture and carpeted floors. Each room has a private entrance, a work desk, satellite TV and a hairdryer. aha Lesedi offers a cultural tour around the village to the various homesteads presenting interesting insights on the different cultures. To start off the excursion guests are escorted to the Ndebele village for a brief welcoming by all the residents, it’s followed by an electrifying display of African dancing at the Ingoma- dance boma. A traditional African feast awaits the guests at the three-tiered Nyama Choma restaurant, which means Great African feast. It serves gourmet meals, which celebrate the diverse mix of African cultures as it incorporates an exotic buffet of meat delicacies ranging from ostrich, crocodile, kudu or warthog. For the not so adventurous palate, the classic braaied (barbequed) meat will certainly offer some comfort. The 170-seater restaurant comfortably accommodates its guests in authentic scenery with vibrant decor and is divided into three sections, namely; South Africa with murals depicting the nine tribes of South Africa which comfortable accommodates 100 guests. East Africa which features the murals of the legendary Maasai- the beautiful people of the East accommodates 40 seated guests, and The Nile room, representing North Africa where up to 30 guests can dine in North African custom by sitting cross-legged on floor cushions at low tables. Each venue offers its own unique dining experience, beautifully capturing the sights, tastes and resonances of the different nations. The perfect place to quench the thirst of the African heat is at Ma Thabeleng’s Shebeen which serves the most refreshing drinks and mouth-watering light traditional African 62 | aha MOMENTS!
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inspired shebeen lunches and the Funduzi Bar offers traditional drinks such as Mamba Juice. aha Lesedi offers a variety of conference venues to suit any occasion, with each venue presenting its very own African flair. The African themed team building activities add an exciting and unique touch, making aha Lesedi an ideal venue for corporate outings, accommodating up to 300 delegates depending on style arrangement. The state of the art Moringa conference venue can host a maximum of 300 delegates in cinema style seating; school room seating accommodates 220 and 180 in u-shape or roundtable banquet seating. The cultural aspect combined with food, music and song along with warm African hospitality is what sets Moringa conference venue it apart from the rest. 64 | aha MOMENTS!
The Tswana Letsatsi venue is and outdoor style venue accommodating 150 guests in banquet style and 180 for cocktail functions. Evening gala functions are seamlessly coordinated at the Gaditshwene venue which can accommodate 90 guests in cinema style arrangement, 70 delegates in school room set-up, 60 in u-shape and 70 in banquet style, in addition to the Molaka venue which can accommodate 15 delegates in boardroom style arrangement. Offering a more relaxed and informal setting is the North African Nile Room, a small venue with little tables, cushions on the floor where delegates can indulge in serious talk while enjoying some hookah (hubbly bubblies). Relish Africa’s warm hospitability through, song, dance and food here at aha Lesedi and experience the true essence of Ubuntu.
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Ravello fro
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ENCORE
Top 5 Budget-Friendly Countries in Europe
Greece
By Franki Black | Images By © Supplied
South Africans know all too well how much money goes into a European holiday. Starting with the cost of flights, we then have to convert our hard-earned rands into euros and spend a fortune on accommodation, food, transport and entry fees to tourist attractions. The good news is that not all European countries need to break the bank. In fact, there are many idyllic choices that are relatively inexpensive and allow you to stretch out your holiday by a few extra days. We take a look at some of Europe’s most budget-friendly destinations.
1. Bulgaria
3. The Czech Republic
Compared to other European countries, Bulgaria comes out tops for affordability. Think R75 for your average meal, R150 for dormitorystyle accommodation and R300 for a decent hotel room. While being a hub of traditional folk music, dance and crafts, it ticks all the boxes for lovers of the outdoors too. Seven mountain ranges stretch across the interior, offering unrivalled hiking trails, while picture-perfect beaches attract sun-worshippers from afar.
One of the European Union’s newest members, The Czech Republic brings history and folklore to life. Its capital city, Prague, is a treasure trove of Gothic architecture, palaces and old-fashioned bars, while the quality of its beer is world famous. Across the land, old beerbrewing traditions blend beautifully with hip micro-breweries to offer the thirsty traveller a mightily fine selection of beers and ales. Then there is the countryside — a spectacle of misty meadows, pine forests and fairytale castles. Even though The Czech Republic is welcoming more tourists, and therefore inevitably becoming more expensive, it is still a good bet for budget-conscious travellers.
2. Turkey A melting pot of European and Asian cultures, Turkey is an intrepid traveller’s dream come true. From Istanbul with its rooftop bars, vibrant bazaars and baklava cafes to the glittering Lycian Coast in the south stretching 540km, Turkey offers unrivalled natural beauty, ancient history and vast cultural riches. With an average daily budget of R550 – R1000, covering accommodation and food, you can easily stretch out your holiday by a few extra days. 66 | aha MOMENTS!
4. Croatia On everyone’s bucket-list, Croatia embodies seaside perfection with its glittering waters, terracotta-roofed homes, delicious seafood and coastline dotted with islands. There’s plenty of sun-worshipping and adventuring to pursue too. Whether you choose to hop between the
Turkey many islands on a yacht or perhaps hike through the more remote Istria region in the north, you’re guaranteed a memorable holiday. Set aside on average R1000 per day to cover food, accommodation and public transport.
5. Greece Wonderful Greece with its hospitable people, biblical landscapes and famous islands is surprisingly affordable, especially if you venture beyond the beaten tourist paths. Islands like Mykonos and Santorini may be iconic, but there are plenty of others that are just as beautiful, more authentic and much more affordable. Take Andros, one of the largest islands of the Cyclades. It has white-washed seaside villages, farm-to-fork food, historic monasteries and a wide selection of hiking trails to choose from. It’s largely undiscovered by the tourist masses and not overpriced.
Bulgaria
Know before you go: On Foot Holidays, one of Europe’s leading self-guided walking tour operators, offers South Africans all-inclusive holiday packages to all the destinations listed in this article. Accommodation, meals, excellent wines and information packs are provided on all the routes. Walkers select their departure dates, luggage is transferred between inns each day and all routes are designed by locals and tested by staff from On Foot Holidays. There are over 28 walking routes throughout Europe to choose from. For more information contact On Foot Holidays on +44 (0) 1722 322 652/ walks@onfootholidays.co.uk/ www.onfootholidays.co.uk
The Czech Republic Franki Black is a South African travel writer living in London. Follow Franki on www.women4adventure.com and www.frankiblack.com. aha MOMENTS! | 67
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DIRECTORY
NORTHERN CAPE
FREE STATE
aha De Zalze Lodge Tel: +27 21 880 0717
aha Kathu Hotel Tel: +27 53 050 0076
aha Bloemfontein Hotel Tel: +27 53 050 0076
aha Imperial Hotel Tel: +27 (0)33 342 6551
WESTERN CAPE aha Harbour Bridge Hotel & Suites Tel: +27 21 431 9202
aha Simon’s Town Quayside Hotel Tel: +27 21 786 3838
aha Gondwana Game Reserve Tel: +27 44 697 7077
aha The Rex Hotel Tel +27 44 302 5900/ 0800 600 889
KWAZULU-NATAL aha Riverside Hotel Tel: +27 31 563 0600
aha Auberge Hollandaise Tel: +27 31 564 8568
aha Alpine Heath Resort Tel: +27 36 438 6484 / +27 36 438 8500
aha The Waterfront Hotel & Spa Tel: +27 31 332 8190
aha Shakaland Tel: +27 35 460 0912
aha Urban Park Hotel & Spa Tel: +27 87 350 4662
aha Gateway Hotel Tel: +27 31 536 9200
aha The Square Boutique Hotel & Spa Tel: +27 31 566 1814
MPUMALANGA
NORTH WEST aha Lesedi Tel: +27 71 507 1447
aha Sheperd’s Tree Game Lodge Tel: +27 14 551 3910
aha Ivory Tree Game Lodge Tel: +27 14 556 8100
aha Thakadu River Camp Tel: + 27 18 365 9912
aha Madikwe River Lodge Tel: +27 14 778 9000
aha Greenway Woods Resort Tel: +27 13 751 1094
aha Bongani Mountain Lodge Tel: + 27 13 764 3577
aha Casa Do Sol Hotel & Resort Tel: +27 13 737 8111
GAUTENG
LIMPOPO LIMPOPO
BOTSWANA
ZIMBABWE
aha Kopanong Hotel & Conference Centre Tel: +27 11 749 0000
aha Makalali Private Game Lodge Tel: +27 15 793 9300
aha Masa Square Hotel Tel: + 27 (0) 87 740 9292
aha The Elephant Camp Tel +263 13 44571 / 44426
aha River Place Lodge Tel: +27 79 531 3725
aha Sefapane Lodges & Safaris Tel: +27 15 780 6700
aha Chobe Marina Lodge Tel: +267 625 2221
aha Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge Tel: +27 13 44571 / 44426 /42313 / 42029
ZAMBIA
NAMIBIA aha Atlantic Villa Boutique Guest house Tel: +264 (0)64 463511
aha Beach Hotel Swakopmund Tel: +264 (0)64 4177-00
aha Eagle Tented Lodge Tel: +264 (0) 67 333 423
aha Epacha Game Lodge & Spa Tel: +264 (0) 67 333 423
aha Swakopmund Plaza Hotel Tel: +264 (0)64 426500
The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa Tel: +260 213 324601
CENTRAL RESERVATIONS : 087 740 9292 | cro@aha.co.za | www.aha.co.za aha MOMENTS!
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Khayelitsha Cookies Turning adversary into sweet success By aha Hotels & Lodges | Images © Supplied
C
reating opportunity one bite at a time is their motto and that’s exactly what The Khayelitsha Cookies project does. It began as a small-scale project in 2004, teaching a group of unskilled and unemployed ladies in the Khayelitsha community in Cape Town to bake in order to sustain a livelihood. The organisation has faced some tough times since its establishment and imminent closure in 2013 due to increased losses. That’s when current Managing Director, Adri Williams stepped in, oblivious however to the fact that she would be inheriting an establishment with a debt totalling R2.5 million. With a resolute mission to turn things around and a determination that she describes as “God’s calling”, Adri with Eunice Nyobole right by her side and a dedicated team of ladies working diligently, rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Eunice joined Khayelitsha Cookies in 2008 and worked her way up from baker to Bakery Manager in just five years, and 70 | aha MOMENTS!
as Adri’s business partner she owns a 21% shareholding stake. Adri describes her as an astute, stern and phenomenal lady. “We make a good team, her strengths are my weaknesses and my strengths are her weaknesses, so we are truly a very good team.” Today, 13 years later, the organisation is a Level 2 B-BBEE contributor and one of the most successful female managed cooperatives in the country. These delicious cookies come in a variety of flavours ranging from the traditional classic butter, peppermint crisp tart, apple crumble and ginger; finding their way across the country, in large retail stores, restaurants, coffee shops, hotels and at various aha properties. This collaboration with Khayelitsha Cookies began a few years back, when aha Executive Chef, Renzo Bico discovered this delightful treat and as the saying goes, “just one bite and he was hooked!” It was however also bolstered by the quality of cookies they produce,
reasonable pricing and superior service delivery to the hospitality industry; and so the journey to sweet success began. Last year aha Hotels & Lodges acquired a state of the art oven for the organisation valued at over R200 000, ensuring that the ladies continue creating an opportunity, “one bite at a time” by employing more women. The labour and success of these cookies has profound merits. These ladies gain a sense of pride, knowing they can provide for their families. The skills and knowledge they receive here empowers them to break the cycle of poverty in their families by affording their children the education they never had. This organisation has created opportunities that have resulted in life-changing events for many of these ladies their families and extended families. Many have completed their schooling, afforded their kids a tertiary education and built homes for their parents back home in the Eastern Cape. Some have moved out
of informal settlements and into formal housing, realising a lifelong dream. aha is currently assisting and supporting the organisation’s fundraising initiative, contributing towards their long term vision of replicating their business module in various sectors in order to create more employment opportunities. This will be achieved through the R36 campaign, initiated to purchase a farm in order to cultivate fresh organic produce which will be supplied to hotels and retail stores across the country in various forms. They will also farm Tilapia Fish, which they hope to supply to hotels, creating another 50-75 jobs on the farm for the communities of De Noon and Atlantis. One of the most important aspects of this development says Adri is to fight hunger and starvation in their surrounding communities, specifying that 25 % of the farms produce will be given to their staff at no cost at all. The intention is for them to share the fresh fruit and vegetables they receive with their neighbours. “This is a passion of mine, as I believe that no child is asked to be born or go hungry. It will truly put us in a position where we can help feed South Africa” says Adri.
Adri says being innovative is an important factor in sustaining the organisation and adds that delicious flavours will be created in the near future, using the very fruit and vegetables produced on their farm. A range of these cookies will be available at Pick n Pay outlets nationally in the near future under the brand ‘Pick Local’. A big part of this project is for the organisation to own its own factory; the current factory in Maitland is rented. Owning their own custom built factory will help reduce the current 30 % daily productivity loss due to the current setup. It will also position the organisation to start exploring exporting their cookie range. Adri says “Our goal, in the next 10 years is to literally be the best cookie supplier internationally. Khayelitsha Cookies has without a doubt restored hope for these ladies and with hard work and determination, their path ahead is lined with sweet success! For more information on how you can make a difference and contribute to the R36 campaign, view their website on http://khayelitshacookies.co.za/k2/ and donate today. aha MOMENTS! | 71
HOTFOOD BOOKS
65 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP George Bizos
MOTHER LAND Paul Theroux
A darkly hilarious portrait of one dysfunctional American family and its scheming matriarch. Everyone in Cape Cod thinks that Mother is a wonderful woman: pious, hard-working, frugal. Everyone except her husband and seven children. To them she is a selfish and petty tyrant -- endlessly comparing her many living children to the one who died in childbirth, keeping a vice-like hold on her offspring even as they try to escape into adulthood. Welcome to Mother Land: a suffocating kingdom of parental narcissism. This is an engrossing, hilarious and heartbreaking portrait of a modern family - thae bickering, the conspiracies, and the drive to overcome the painful ties that bind.
72 | aha MOMENTS!
65 Years of Friendship tells the heartrending story of a remarkable friendship between two remarkable men: world-renowned humanrights lawyer George Bizos, and Nelson Mandela. George and Madiba met as students at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1948. They would later become legal colleagues, and Mandela would become George Bizos’ most famous client soon after, for it was Bizos who formed part of his legal defence during the famous Treason Trial, and again during the Rivonia Trial, when Mandela and others faced the death penalty for plotting to overthrow the state. After seeing his friend sentenced to life imprisonment instead, Bizos became Mandela’s lifeline, navigating the complicated network of the Struggle. Working tirelessly, be it by secretly meeting Oliver Tambo in exile or arguing for the abolishment of the death penalty in the Constitutional Court years later, Bizos offered his unwavering support to Mandela on his long walk towards a democratic South Africa. In this touching homage to their friendship, George Bizos tells a fascinating tale of two men whose work affected the lives of all South Africans.
ARTEMIS Andy Weir
The #1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author of The Martian returns with an irresistible near-future adventure. You grew up on the moon, of course you have a dark side... Jazz is a small-time criminal, subsidising work as a porter on the moon with smuggling a little contraband. But it’s never enough. When she’s offered the chance to get rich quick she jumps at it. But planning the perfect crime in 1/6th gravity was never going to be easy, especially as there is a conspiracy at the heart of Artemis. At first it was about the money, then it was about control. But now, it’s about survival…
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