Sanlam Reality - Spring 2021

sanlamreality.co.za Spring 2021

COULD GAMING

MAKE YOUR CHILD RICH?

debate

Genetic engineering: smart solution or ethical problem?

wellness

Is it time to rethink the 5-day week?

travel

Get away from the crowds!

wealth

Your guide to TFSAs

LIFE WITH KELLY KHUMALO

CHASING THE SUN

Are you hooked yet?

THE LUMINARIES

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SANLAM REALITY PROGRAMME Head of digital, marketing and communications Francois Uys Communications manager Lucille Moore Communications coordinator Hasina Khan SANLAM REALITY CALL CENTRE Telephone 0860 732 548/9 Email info@sanlamreality.co.za Website www.sanlamreality.co.za REAL FUTURES (PTY) LTD Real Futures is a wholly-owned Sanlam Ltd company managing the Sanlam Reality Programme for the Sanlam Group.

Chairman Jan Steenkamp Directors Gary Allen, André Larisma, Theesan Moodley, Jean Lombard Company secretary Ulishia Baijnath

PUBLISHED BY NARRATIVE FOR SANLAM REALITY EDITORIAL Editor Sarah Browning-de Villiers Email mag@sanlamreality.co.za Content editor Dominique Bowen Contributors Katelyn Allegra, Jason Bailey, Tracy Lynn Chemaly, Jade Taylor Cooke, Christine van Deemter, Tori Hoffmann, Amy Hopkins, Elise Kirsten, Angelique Ruzicka, Cebokazi Sotobe, Stealthy Wealth, Liza West PRODUCTION Head of production Sonja Genis Campaign manager Kelly Hendricks CREATIVE Creative group head Juan Geel Art director Marisa Steyn NARRATIVE, A DIVISION OF MACHINE_ Managing director Robyn Campbell Business lead Lauren Brabant Chief content officer Sarah Browning-de Villiers Content officer Jaime Waddington Account manager Roxanne Lopez-Maggott CAPE TOWN HEAD OFFICE Tel: 021 487 9100 Email: mag@sanlamreality.co.za 50 Harrington Street, Zonnebloem, Cape Town, 7925 PO Box 16258, Vlaeberg, Cape Town, 8001

Grit: it’s one of the primary predictors of success. “Gritty people have a growth mindset; when bad things happen, they don’t give up,” says The New York Times bestseller Prof Angela Duckworth. “Grit is passion and perserverance towards long-term goals.”

It’s true for financial success, too. There are no shortcuts to the monthly, gritty discipline of saving and investing, letting compound interest and time do their work. Found a get-rich-quick shortcut? Be wary; get clued up on pyramid schemes (which have become more cunning), on p.46.

That said, there are smart ways to make your money work harder; learn about tax-free savings accounts on p.52, and interesting alternative investment strategies on p.54.

Teaching children to have grit is also key – turn to p.26 for tips to help kids succeed in a hybrid remote/at-school environment, and to learn about how Sanlam Reality is equipping you with free remote-learning support and discounted online tutoring.

Solution for puzzle on p.61

Grit is also about recognising change and embracing it – something our gaming industry cover story is all about. Gone are the days of sneering at video and computer gamers; today, it’s one of the world’s biggest and fastest-growing industries with myriad career prospects. Gaming even offers adults the chance to get their brains active, and to connect with kids and grandkids remotely. Open up to the opportunities of gaming on p.56.

As we run head first into the final third of this year, I’ll leave you with these words from the Grit Guru, Prof Duckworth: “Use mistakes and problems as opportunities to get better – not reasons to quit.”

May your grit be rewarded!

SARAH BROWNING-DE VILLIERS, editor

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Sanlam Reality is the loyalty programme of the Sanlam Group and its strategic partners. The programme helps members to make the most of their money in a way that’s honest, meaningful and real. Sanlam Reality empowers its members to make responsible financial choices and enables them to live their best financial lives possible. All because Sanlam Reality believes that taking care of your money should be rewarding.

editor’s letter

spring 2021 28

Wellness

On the cover 6 GENETIC ENGINEERING: 12 40 52 56

62

Entertainment

smart solution or ethical problem?

Is it time to RETHINK THE 5-DAY WEEK? GET AWAY from the crowds!

Your GUIDE TO TFSAS Could GAMING make your child rich?

36 Travel

54 Wealth

71

REAL WORLD Start saving like these members…

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Information correct at time of print.

meet the members

Photography: Shutterstock, vectorjuice/Freepik, supplied. Pricing correct at time of print.

You share why you love Reality magazine

“My favourite part of the magazine is the travel section.

I like to read about travel destinations and ideas for where to travel. The magazine also helps me save by making me aware of what the pros and cons are of making the right decision about my investments.”

– Avril Adams, Reality Plus member “The magazine reminds me of all the programme benefits. These have saved me money along the way.”

– Wynand Pohl, Reality Plus member “Over the past four years I’ve taken advantage of updates on items I can save on, as I have taken advantage of the benefits.” – Thulani Nyathi, Reality Plus member “I really love the travel articles. I get to travel from my armchair! The technical articles about the latest gadgets or things like cryptocurrencies are always informative and help me stay up to date.”

– Annelie Swanepoel, Reality Core member

OVER 3 000 OF YOU ANSWERED OUR EMAIL SURVEY – HERE’S WHAT YOU THINK OF YOUR MAGAZINE

98%

The overall satisfation rate with the magazine among members

59%

Of members regularly read the magazine

62%

Of you who are engaged with the Sanlam Reality benefits read the magazine

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How long you typically spend reading and enjoying the magazine

We shone at the 2020 SA Publication Forum Awards!

• Excellence in Communication • Best External Magazine • Best Corporate Publication • Editor of the Year

SA PUBLICATION FORUM AWARDS

2020

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5

get real

dna editing

Cut-and-paste

DNA: the future, or something to fear?

Could a simple genetic snip mean the end of disease? Or are we looking at a future filled with ‘designer babies’? The legality and practicality of gene editing in South Africa is still murky.

A quick must-know timeline

1952

Rosalind Franklin worked on her revolutionary X-ray diffraction images, which would ultimately lead to the discovery of the DNA double helix.

2018

A Chinese scientist named He Jiankui stunned the world by announcing that he had successfully edited the genes of two embryos to make them resistant to HIV, and subsequently implanted them into two unwitting women.

The babies were carried to term, but he was found guilty of ‘illegal medical practices’ and sentenced to prison.

2020

Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier won the chemistry Nobel prize for figuring out how to edit DNA with ‘molecular scissors’ called CRISPR-Cas9. The potential uses for CRISPR are worldchanging – but so are the questions surrounding gene editing.

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SHOULD WE BE ‘PLAYING GOD’? COULD GENE EDITING MEAN THE END OF DISEASE? How does gene editing work – and what is CRISPR? CRISPR stands for ‘clusters of regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats’ and it’s basically specialised stretches of DNA. Pronounced ‘crisper’, the ground-breaking technology enables scientists to find a specific bit of DNA inside a cell, which can then be altered, or turned on and off.

This means CRISPR can potentially cut out genetic glitches that cause cancer, heart disease, HIV and even mental illness. But – as humans are wont to do – it also means unscrupulous scientists could potentially use it to engineer embryos. Most countries are still hammering out the legal guidelines for using gene editing.

The difference between somatic editing and germline editing CELLS EDITED

SOMATIC

GERMLINE

Non-reproductive

Reproductive (sperm and eggs)

No

Yes

Very low

Raises ethical, legal and social questions

Decades-old established science

Relatively new

ARE THE CHANGES HEREDITARY? LEVEL OF CONTROVERSY MAINSTREAM ACCEPTANCE

What is the legal situation in South Africa?

Photography: Shutterstock, macrovector/Freepik, ibrandify/Freepik

The first South African gene-editing conference was held in November 2019.

Local and international experts agreed that Africa will derive immense benefit from somatic gene editing, which could cure diseases like inherited blood disorders and chronic hepatitis B virus infections.

But the legal framework does not yet exist, says Bonginkosi Shozi, doctoral fellow with the African Health Research Flagship at the University of KwaZuluNatal’s School of Law. “The law on gene editing in South Africa is unclear in a few ways. For example, it seems that somatic cell gene therapy as a treatment for diseases like cancer would be legal, although, in order for a medical treatment to be made available to patients, it has to get approval

reproductive cloning as essentially any form of ‘genetic manipulation’. Does that include gene editing? The short answer is that we don’t know for certain, and we would need either a court or the legislature to clarify this. In my opinion, however, given that our law errs on the side of freedom when it comes to interpreting laws, the current ban on human reproductive cloning does not include gene editing.”

Germline editing is where the ethics get sticky, because changing heritable DNA could have unforeseen consequences – with many experts warning that much more debate is necessary. “Making edits to the human genome that will be passed on from generation to generation is a very big step,” said Michèle Ramsay, professor of human genetics at Wits University, in a 2020 report on heritable human genome

Experts agree Africa will derive immense benefit from somatic gene editing. by meeting the requirements of the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act. The problem is, different requirements apply depending on whether a particular medical treatment is considered a ‘medicine’ or a ‘medical device’, and there is currently debate about which of these a gene editing technology like CRISPR would be. Similarly, with germline gene editing [editing on heritable genes], the National Health Act prohibits all forms of ‘reproductive cloning’. One would assume this has nothing to do with gene editing, as it is not ‘cloning’, but the Act defines

editing. “We have a responsibility to society and future generations to approach this with great caution and long deliberation.”

Shozi continues: “There are three main legal questions regarding gene editing: one, is it, in principle, legal?; two, if so, what legal requirements would a gene editing technology like CRISPR-Cas9 have to meet before it was made available to the public?; and three, what would members of the public be able to use gene editing for? All of these are foundational questions we don’t have definitive answers to in South African law.”

The pros and cons of

GENE EDITING PROS

+ It could help

eradicate disease, especially ones linked to poverty, and infectious ones. + Clinical trials are underway for CRISPR use in treating cancer, HIV and blood disorders. + Gene-editing research of germline cells (reproductive cells) will help our understanding of human development and fertility. + Gene editing helps with developing and researching treatments and medications. + It also has benefits for agriculture, helping produce pest-resistant crops, for instance, without the introduction of foreign genes.

CONS

- Genetic changes

made on germline cells will be passed down to future generations.

This raises questions about long-term effects and unintended DNA changes.

- Since it is expensive cuttingedge science, equitable access cannot yet be guaranteed.

- With unregulated use, embryo editing could open up the slippery slope of eugenics or ‘selective breeding’.

- If unregulated, it could open the door for unscrupulous agents to develop gene-edited bioweapons, disrupt agriculture or spread disease.

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Do you have unconscious bias?

Unconscious bias – also known as implicit bias – refers to unconscious forms of discrimination and stereotyping based on race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, ability and age.

“We all have unconscious biases. They’re learnt stereotypes that are automatic, unintentional, deeply engrained within our beliefs, universal and affect our behaviour,” says Nisha Raga, a Jo’burg recruitment agent.

Gender, ethnic and cultural diversity, particularly within executive teams, continue to be correlated to financial performance across multiple countries worldwide.

Source: McKinsey’s Delivering Through Diversity

Types of unconscious biases

BELOW ARE SOME OF THE MAIN BIASES THAT CAN AFFECT WORKPLACES:

PERCEPTION BIAS

AFFINITY BIAS

HALO EFFECT

CONFIRMATION BIAS

GROUP THINK

The tendency to believe one thing about a group of people based on stereotypes and assumptions, making it impossible to be objective about individuals.

The tendency to warm up to people who are like yourself.

The tendency to think that everything about a person is good simply because you like them.

The tendency to seek to confirm your pre-existing ideas and assumptions about a group of people.

The tendency to try too hard to fit into an existing culture, mimicking others and holding back thoughts or opinions, resulting in a loss of creativity and innovation.

Take action 8

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1

Recognise your unconscious biases.

2

Focus on people, not labels like race or gender.

3

Increase exposure to biases: spend more time with people unlike yourself.

wellness 12

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Rethink the 5-day week

Rediscover life after loss

Imposter syndrome, unpacked

Weight training for the win

Sitting: a silent killer?

Homeschooling help is here!

How smart are you?

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wellness

bites

Are you eating mindfully?

When last did you observe how food makes you feel and the signals your body sends about taste, satisfaction and fullness? Next time you eat, close your eyes, breath and focus on how you feel as you eat. Taste each mouthful and chew intentionally and slowly. Instead of rushing to finish, treat each mouthful as an experience to be savoured. + Turn off the TV and put down your phone + Try eating with your less dominant hand, or use chopsticks or utensils you’re more unfamiliar with + Chew slowly and steadily; count to 35 if it helps slow you down + Wait until you’ve swallowed a mouthful before taking a drink

5 Key benefits 1

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Reduces stress

Aids digestion

Supports weight loss

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Reduces binge eating

Reduces food cravings

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Text: Cebokazi Sotobe; Photography: Shutterstock, supplied

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wellness

work week

Is it time to rethink

THE FIVE-DAY WEEK? The Monday-to-Friday nine-to-five routine is nearly a century old. Is it time to re-examine how long we’re spending at our desks? By JADE TAYLOR COOKE

I

n March 2021, Spain was poised to become one of the first countries in the world to trial a four-day working week. “With the 32-hour week, we’re launching into the real debate of our times,” tweeted Íñigo Errejón of Más País, the leftwing Spanish political party that had proposed the national pilot project. “It’s an idea whose time has come.”

The four-day working week’s time may have come, but it also arrived at the perfect confluence of technology and public health crises. Prior to 2020, it would have been difficult to believe we could have achieved such a seemingly overnight shift away from the traditional office and its concomitant structures. Now, with the rise of remote work and a renewed focus on the value of our health and time, are we ready to take another groundbreaking step towards a better work-life balance?

THE EVOLUTION OF THE WEEKEND

We won’t scar you with talk of the ancient Babylonians’ seven-day, 100-hour working week. Instead, let’s skip to early 19th-century Britain.

19th century

A CHANGEABLE STATUS QUO

Anything that could threaten productivity or profit is anathema to business. However, a growing body of research supports the idea that a shorter working week could be beneficial to both employer and employed.

The American Journal of Epidemiology, for example, surveyed more than 2 200 Brits and discovered that those who worked 55 hours as opposed to 40 per week scored lower on tests measuring cognitive functioning. Presenteeism may keep staff at their desks, but they’re likely to be less effective the longer they’re there.

“There are compelling arguments for a four-day working week,” says integral coach and industrial psychologist Kim Conradie, who has more than 18 years’ experience in human resources.

“Benefits to the organisation could include: • Reduced absenteeism • Less time off for personal days • More efficient and productive employees • Highly focused staff with a healthy level of stress and pressure • Employees becoming more committed and aligned to organisation goals • Increased retention and lower attrition rates of scarce-skilled employees and top performers • Becoming a highly attractive employer to new talent • Aligning to global best practice.”

EXAMPLES FROM AROUND THE WORLD Microsoft, Japan

Japan has the rather ignominious reputation of being a country of morbidly overworked citizens.

They even have a unique word for this: karoshi means death by overwork and refers to the many cases of fatal heart attack and stroke caused by occupational stress. Yet in August 2019, Microsoft Japan became one of the first major international

players to trial a four-day working week.

The company reported glowing results from its month-long experiment.

Productivity (sales per employee) rose by 40% compared to August of the previous year Electricity consumption

dropped by 23% Staff printed

59% fewer pages 94% of employees reported being happy

with the programme overall

Perpetual Guardian, New Zealand

The 240-strong New Zealand financial services company Perpetual Guardian ran a similar trial a full year earlier. It proved a “resounding success” according to the Auckland University of Technology research team that oversaw the project and its results, and the company officially instituted a four-day week following these results.

Productivity remained the same as during a five-day week Employee engagement levels increased

Individual stress levels came down moderately Employees reported an improvement

British factory owners, tired of Monday absenteeism following their workers’ one day off per week, brought the start of the weekend forward to 2pm on Saturday. They reported increased productivity, with staff who showed up on Monday mornings sober and ready to perform.

20th century

The notion of a full two-day weekend as we know it today began to take hold in the early 20th century. This was thanks to a combination of factors that included the Industrial Revolution, the rise of trade unions, and greater recognition of sabbaths belonging to religions other than Christianity.

1926

The weekend was most notably championed by Henry Ford, who gave his workers Saturdays and Sundays off from as early as 1926.

A shrewd capitalist, Ford knew that an extra day in which workers could spend their wages would keep cash circulating in the struggling 1920s high streets.

It also resulted in fewer redundancies at factories that could no longer afford to keep depression-era workers on full time. However, it wasn’t until the 1930s that the US and UK signed the five-day working week into legislation.

in work-life balance

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wellness

work week

GET ON THE FLEXITIME TRAIN

Here’s how to approach your manager for a more flexible working schedule.

Know what you want before you ask for it

“Most organisations are still stuck in the traditional way of working and, sadly, most workplaces are quite infantilised,” says Conradie.

“It will be your job to convince and prove to them that this can be done.

When we do due diligence, we speak from a place of authority and, more importantly, confidence.”

Be realistic

“Before talking to your manager, be honest with yourself about your own capabilities and whether you will be able to fulfil your job requirements in adjusted hours. Do not set yourself up for failure.”

together a proposal on how you see this rolling out and what measures can be put in place initially to keep you and your outputs on track. Show that you have done your homework and that you believe in yourself.”

“This will be an adjustment for all involved, so put

“Be prepared to offer to do this as an initial trial before settling on a more permanent arrangement. Try to keep the flexitime consistent rather than changing this as you go along, which will be a sure cause of exhaustion all round.”

Software Delsol, Spain

Increased

productivity

“Avoid making the proposal about you and your personal circumstances.

Rather focus on your ability to be able to successfully do this in the best interest of the organisation too.”

Know where to compromise

Prepare a plan

The southern Spanish firm trialled the four-day week in 2020. The company reported:

A reduction in absenteeism

Focus on the benefits for them

Happier

workers overall

SURPRISING BENEFITS OF A SHORTER WORKING WEEK

ALTERNATIVES TO THE 40-HOUR WORKING WEEK Monday to Thursday/32-hour working week

PRO: Healthier, less stressed employees who have a better work-life balance and increased engagement with their work.

CON: Potential loss of productivity if more efficient systems are not adopted. Potential loss of business for companies with a customer-service-based model (though some have already had success in this respect with creative scheduling of teams).

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GET MORE DONE

Midweek break

PRO: Having a Wednesday off allows employees to schedule medical appointments and other ‘life admin’ outside of working hours without taking leave, which is beneficial for the company.

Weekends can then be dedicated solely to relaxation and family time.

CON: Interrupts the flow of the working week. Could be frustrating for suppliers or collaborators not on the same schedule.

Compressed working week

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PRO: An ordinary 40-hour working week, compressed into fewer days, means longer weekends without the dip in hours – a work-hard, play-hard approach.

CON: Longer hours per day could increase stress, and negatively impact productivity and cognitive functioning.

Photography: Shutterstock, supplied

The potential benefits of the four-day working week go beyond employee and employer, and into the realm of climate change.

As demonstrated at Microsoft Japan, consumption of electricity and other resources could be cut significantly.

Staff commutes, whether in vehicles or on public transport, would also be down by as much as 20% for offices that aren’t yet fully remote.

A four-day working week could signal good news for the gender pay gap, too.

Fewer working hours per week would be a boon to women (who make up a disproportionate percentage of people unemployed due to childcare responsibilities) hoping to get back into the workforce.

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wellness

life after loss

Rediscovering

life after loss While we can’t escape it, managing loss of any kind during COVID-19 is even more complex. But, as with the pandemic itself, the only way out of the pain of loss is to navigate through it. Here, three South Africans share their stories of rediscovering life after loss. By JESSICA BAXTER After losing a job During the pandemic, we have heard the debate between lives and livelihoods rage on. For former beauty editor Leila Petersen, the financial impact of COVID-19 hit close to home when she lost her job just before her five-year anniversary at the company.

“The loss of a stable job and salary was hard, but the sudden pause in my daily routine and not seeing colleagues all while trying to manage my finances was tough

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too,” she says. Like many others, Petersen was suddenly faced with the ‘new normal’.

After recovering from the initial shock, she leaned on her network to find new opportunities, which led to a job as a writer for an online retailer. While it was a steep learning curve, stepping into a new role helped Petersen to regain financial security and rediscover a sense of purpose, too.

“This experience has taught me that I cannot control everything in life and, more importantly, I’m much stronger and more resilient than I give myself credit for.” But the most valuable lesson for Petersen was recognising how capable she is. “I proved to myself that I am able to make a plan, think fast, and quickly adjust to changing circumstances.

Being forced out of my comfort zone made me realise that I may just be the unicorn every company is looking for.”

After losing a baby At 33, Robyn Stone had been battling with infertility for three years. When COVID-19 hit, Stone had already suffered two miscarriages and was embarking on another round of IVF. Despite becoming pregnant, Stone suffered a further two miscarriages during lockdown. “The fact that we were in the midst of a pandemic made it harder, as I was unable to be admitted to hospital immediately. When you know your baby has died inside of you, it becomes exceptionally heavy on your heart to continue carrying it,” she says.

Equally challenging was going through this isolated from family and friends. “I had to process and move through

She also learnt to channel her heartache in a positive way through journalling, which she started doing at the beginning of 2020. “Putting pen to paper was the ultimate panacea for my pain – my sine qua non for sanity.” And through journalling Stone discovered a new passion and purpose – storytelling. “I realised during lockdown that I had built up enough content for a book and that my story might serve a purpose.” And so To infertility and beyond, which she self-published on Amazon, was born. “I’ve found my voice and finally have the courage to use it.”

After losing a loved one The loss of life during the pandemic has been staggering, and with tough restrictions in place, many

childhood, but we became very close friends during our university years,” says Baxter.

Despite living on different continents, their friendship remained strong, and at the end of 2019 Duncan visited South Africa with his wife and two young children.

That was the last time the two friends saw each other.

Baxter remembers the day he received the call that Duncan was in ICU after suffering what the doctors at the time suspected was a heart attack during his sleep. “It was a total shock, as Duncan was a healthy, fit 39-year-old,” says Baxter. What made it more difficult was the knowledge that no matter how much he wanted to get on a plane to England, he simply couldn’t.

“With COVID-19 raging across the UK, and South

The infertility community carried me.

All those brave women who shared their stories made me feel so much less alone in my grief.

Photography: Shutterstock

this loss during our strictest lockdown, removed from everyone, but I knew I had to try pick up the pieces of my broken heart and carry on.”

For Stone, finding an online community offered the support and connection she needed. “The infertility community carried me. All those brave women who shared their stories made me feel so much less alone in my grief.”

Tips for dealing with loss

have had to mourn the death of loved ones on their own.

This was Grant Baxter’s experience when his best friend and godfather to his daughter suddenly passed away. “Duncan and I have known each other since

Find a network of support Whether it’s online or in person, reach out to a community of people who have experienced similar loss to you for a safe space to share your story.

Africa on the red list, there was no way I could get across to comfort those close to him, which made me feel helpless and disconnected.”

Not long after being admitted to hospital, Duncan passed away, but as a person

Invest in your physical and emotional wellbeing A healthy body and mind will give you the strength you need to weather the storm of loss.

GET FREE COUNSELLING You have access to free counselling 24/7 as part of your Trauma, Assault & HIV Assist benefit. Speak to an expert over the phone whenever you need. Call 0860 732 548/9 or visit sanlamreality.co.za/ benefit/traumaassault-hiv-assist.

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who prides himself on always finding the positive in life, instead of mourning his friend’s death, Baxter chooses to celebrate his life and their friendship. “Duncan was a strong, happy guy and he wouldn’t have wanted us to mope around mourning him, so instead we plan to celebrate him, not only now but always.”

Baxter and his friends have organised a plaque and bench at their old school in Grahamstown in memory of Duncan, and Baxter – who works in the wine industry – is pouring his love for his friend into a new wine dedicated to Duncan.

Find a healthy outlet for your grief Whether it’s journalling, therapy or taking up a new hobby, channel your sadness into something positive to avoid slipping into a depression.

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wellness

imposter syndrome

e h t g n i k s a Unm

R E T S O IM P Do you feel as though it’s only a matter of time before everyone finds out you’re not nearly as competent as they think you are? Welcome to the Imposter Syndrome Club. You’re in very good company.

By JADE TAYLOR COOKE

70%

That’s how many of us are believed to experience imposter syndrome at some point in our lives.

Imposter syndrome was first investigated and named in 1978 by two US clinical psychologists, Dr Suzanne Imes and Dr Pauline Clance. They described it as a condition in which, despite all evidence to the contrary, the sufferer believes themselves unworthy of their achievements. Because of this, they live with the constant fear of being unmasked as incompetent and/or unintelligent.

It’s a lot more than a normal but temporary bout of self-doubt. Imposters: • Have a distorted, unrealistic, unsustainable definition of competence, to which they will never measure up.

(It’s important to note that they don’t hold others to these standards, only themselves.)

• Struggle to internalise their own success, believing it to be the product of luck, good timing, generosity or error in another party’s judgement.

• Cannot realistically assess results. Success never disproves their assessment of themselves, while failure or mistakes confirm it.

One of the most trusted contemporary voices on the topic is Dr Valerie Young. She has been studying imposter syndrome for nearly 40 years and is the author of The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It. “The big difference between people who feel like imposters and people who don’t,” she explains in her TedTalk, “is no one likes to fail. No one likes to make a mistake. No one likes to not know the answer, or to have an off day, or to struggle to master something.

But when these things happen to imposters, we experience shame.”

It’s a difference elucidated by shame and empathy researcher Brené Brown in her bestseller Daring Greatly.

She says the feelings of guilt we all feel when we make a mistake can be verbalised as “I did something bad”.

Shame, on the other hand, equates to “I am bad”.

Myth busting

Early research into imposter syndrome focused on its prevalence among high-achieving women. However, a review of 62 studies of the phenomenon, led by Dr Dena M Bravata at Stanford University, found that “more recent research has documented these feelings of inadequacy among men and women, in many professional settings, and among multiple ethnic and racial groups.”

Which imposter are you?

According to Dr Young, not all imposters define competence the same way. She therefore divides them into five types:

THE EXPERT This person expects to know everything, even before they reasonably could. A minor gap in the knowledge they feel they should possess can trigger shame.

THE PERFECTIONIST Every task needs to be completed perfectly, in terms of both the process and the outcome.

Even a perfect result, achieved through seemingly imperfect steps, isn’t good enough.

THE SOLOIST Here the focus is on the ‘who’. In order to be competent in their book, the soloist needs to manage everything on their own. To them, asking for help is a sure sign of failure.

THE NATURAL GENIUS The natural genius borrows some anxieties from the rulebooks of the expert and perfectionist, but tends to be mostly concerned with the speed with which they acquire new skills. For them, having to practise something rather than mastering it first time is simply unacceptable.

THE SUPERHUMAN This type measures competence based on how many different roles they can juggle and excel in.

Dropping any of the plates they’re spinning – at work, as a parent, as a partner, child, sibling, athlete, artist, cook, friend etc. – equals failure. They feel they should be able to do everything simultaneously and perfectly.

IMPOSTER SYNDROME IN ACTION

At work

Imposter syndromeinduced shame keeps you playing small in your career. “When you feel like an imposter, you have to find ways to deal with your anxiety while waiting for the other shoe to drop,” says Dr Young. Some coping mechanisms include: • Flying under the radar • Not seeking promotion • Not sharing your ideas and thoughts in meetings • Procrastinating • Self-sabotaging Burnout is another likely consequence, she says, since imposters will often work longer and harder than everyone else, trying to make up for their perceived lack of talent.

At home “In our society there’s a huge pressure to achieve,” said Dr Imes, speaking to the American Psychological Institute about her research into imposter syndrome.

“There can be a lot of confusion between approval and love and worthiness.

Self-worth becomes contingent on achieving.”

Attaching your self-worth to an out-of-reach carrot can wreak havoc on your personal relationships. “Healthy relationships depend on self-esteem, so these imposter fears can cause us to provoke arguments and assume we’re being judged or rejected when we’re not,” writes US marriage therapist Darlene Lancer, the author of Conquering Shame and Codependency. “We may push people away for fear of being judged or found out.

This makes it hard to have

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imposter syndrome

When imposter feelings creep up on you, try to reframe them. a committed, intimate relationship. We might settle for someone who needs us, is dependent on us, abuses us, or in our mind is in some way beneath us. This way we’re assured they won’t leave us.”

Your health There’s a specific subset of imposters who are at serious risk, and that’s when it comes to the idea of not being ‘sick enough’ to seek treatment. Sufferers of eating disorders in particular often won’t ask for help – even if they recognise they have a problem – if they don’t feel they are thin or frail enough to be deemed to be suffering from their condition.

HANDLING IMPOSTER SYNDROME

1

Share, but don’t stop there

Giving voice to your feelings is an essential first step. “Endlessly talking about your imposter feelings will do little to boost your confidence – at least in any lasting way.”

2

Think like a non-imposter

“The people who don’t feel like imposters are no more intelligent or capable than you or I,” says Dr Young.

“The only difference is that they think different thoughts – which is good news because it means all we have to do is learn to think like a non-imposter.” How do you do that? View constructive feedback as

a learning opportunity, rather than proof of your ineptitude. Try to accept that nothing is ever perfect the first time (or ever). Practise viewing yourself as a wonderful work in progress, rather than someone who should already be and know everything they ever will.

3

Reframe the situation

4

Honestly assess your success

5

When in doubt, ask

No one feels confident 100% of the time. When imposter feelings creep up on you, try to reframe them. For example, rather than thinking “I don’t know what I’m doing, I’ll be lucky if they don’t fire me by the end of the week” try “It’s natural to be unsure when you’re new, but I’m smart enough to learn how to do this.”

That way, says Dr Young, “instead of having an imposter life, you can have imposter moments.”

The next time you catch yourself brushing off an achievement, stop and analyse it. List the steps you took and the skills you had to employ to bring it to fruition.

This will help you realise that you play an active role in your own achievements.

The idea of asking about something you don’t know is probably abhorrent to you. “But the problem with imposter syndrome is it’s often self-fulfilling,” says author Sam Beckbessinger, who recently executed a career pivot into fiction writing and found herself mired in imposter feelings. “You’re afraid of being caught out as an imposter, so you don’t ask questions, so you fail.”

SPEAK TO A SPECIALIST Use your Trauma, Assault & HIV Assist benefit to speak to a specialist over the phone for expert assistance. Visit sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/ trauma-assault-hiv-assist for more.

T&Cs apply.

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Photography: Shutterstock, supplied

wellness

Set your kids up for success!

Access Ivy Online, a free supplementary online-education platform for Grades 8-12, based on the CAPS curriculum. Plus, enjoy discounted homeschool tutoring for Grades 10-12.

Visit sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/ivy-online to learn more. T&Cs apply.

wellness

cardio vs weights

cardio or weights?

H WHICST: IS BE

For years, cardio was touted as the quickest and most effective way to shed kilos and slim down. Then modern studies revealed the fat-burning brilliance of weight training.

So which one wins as the best method? By AMY HOPKINS

Meet your experts

Aneeka Buys Master trainer at Virgin Active, founder of Fit Girl Enterprises, author of The Fit Girl Kitchen. @fitgirlza

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Calmin Valentino Ultra-marathon runner, certified yoga instructor, group exercise trainer at Virgin Active. @calminvalentino

Pie-x Kalala Pro trainer, group boxing and dancing fitness instructor at Virgin Active. @pkthetrainer

Mariella Sawyer Registered dietician, professional triathlete, coach. @mariella_sawyer

Weight training 101 BURN, BABY, BURN

“Both cardio and resistance training are good forms of training for fat loss,” says Buys. “Resistance training builds muscle, and increases your metabolic rate because of the increase in muscle density, which will result in an overall lower body-fat percentage and easier fat loss over time,” she explains. “Cardiovascular training burns more calories, but mostly during the activity.”

Valentino adds that cardio reaches a higher point of fat burning during exercise than weight training, but weight training can elevate your metabolism for longer, even after training has finished.

"I recommend doing both, but it depends on your goal. If your goal is only to burn fat and get toned, then weight training is good at that. If your goal is to burn fat and muscle and be lean and fit, then cardio is your best bet.”

Kalala reminds us that we are not all the same: “Some people lose weight quickly from cardio and others lose weight quickly from weight training. Both are effective at burning fat.” Like Valentino and Buys, Kalala recommends a combination of cardio and weight training for

GET UP TO 80% OFF GYM FEES

Photography: Shutterstock, supplied

/ “Get the help of a trainer in the beginning, whether you belong to a gym or not.

If you’re not in the position to get a trainer, find a trusted YouTube channel that you can follow.” – Valentino

Join Planet Fitness in September, October or November 2021 and pay no joining fee, saving R975! Plus, enjoy up to 80% off monthly gym fees at Planet Fitness and up to 60% off at Virgin Active (Reality Health only). Learn more at sanlamreality.co.za/ benefits/health.

2

/ “Practise form without weights first, and check your form in the mirror.” – Buys

3

/ “Select the right weights.

You should be able to complete a round of 10 to 12 reps comfortably in the first round. As you do more rounds it will get harder.” – Valentino

T&Cs apply.

4 5

the best results. “Weight training will also help you get definition.”

6

/ “Don’t hold your breath. It makes the exercise harder and less effective. Exhale when lifting.”

– Valentino

“Weight training helps to firm up specific areas,” says Sawyer. “With dieting, you can’t target specific areas of your body in terms of where you want to lose weight, whereas with weight training you can target arms or legs or tummy or whatever it may be, and work on toning those up. Weight training also helps you to get stronger and prevent injuries.”

SQUATS!

“During a squat, the three largest muscles of your body are activated – the glutes, hamstrings and quadriceps. This means they require more energy to be replenished during recovery, and your body will then convert more fat into energy for this replenishment,” says Buys. Kalala recommends adding weights: “If you’re at home, use a bottle of water or a couple kilograms of flour.”

/ “Don’t skip stretching. Stretch before and after you touch any weights or machine.” – Kalala

/ Always start with a warm-up set. “If you are using a set of 10kg dumb-bells to complete 15 squats, do a warm-up with a set of 4kg first.” – Buys

THE DIETICIAN’S APPROACH

Top 3 fatburning moves

1

1

7

/ “Use your full range of motion, but try not to push past it. Supplement your weight training with mobility or yoga classes to increase your range of motion.” – Valentino

8

/ “Make sure that the exercise is targeting the intended muscle. If you’re doing a move and it feels like it’s not targeting the muscle area it’s supposed to, your form or technique could be wrong.” – Valentino

9

/ “Get a spotter. The staff at gyms are always available to help, and a spotter will guide you through the correct range of motion and will be there should things become too difficult and you lose control.” – Buys

10

/ “If you don’t have gym access, start with body conditioning. Push-ups, pull-ups, ab exercises, high lunges… they all give great results.”

– Kalala

2

PUSH-UPS!

After the lower limbs, the chest – pectoral muscles – are next in line as the largest muscles, and you activate them during a push-up. Try doing push-ups with dumb-bells.

3

ABS!

Kalala recommends doing sit-ups with weights, while Buys recommends planking, saying: “The time under tension is going to help you burn fat faster.”

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wellness

sitting

I T N T G I S BE T LD

U O C

HE

DEATH OF YOU? How many hours do you sit in a day? Six? Seven? Eight or more?

We sit when we’re working, eating, driving or watching TV. Problem is, our bodies were built to move. By LIZA WEST

T

he human body is made up of hundreds of joints, muscles and skeletal bones, and trillions of nerves – all fluidly connected and designed for motion. So what happens when we sit for too long?

Our bodies simply aren’t built for such a sedentary existence.

In fact, just the opposite is true. Our blood depends on us moving around to be able to circulate properly. Our nerve cells benefit from movement, and our skin is elastic, meaning it moulds to our motions.

– Murat Dalkilinç’s 2015 Ted-Ed Original lesson Why sitting is bad for you

Watch the Ted-Ed lesson

Sitting for extended periods is linked with certain

cancers and heart disease and can contribute to diabetes, kidney and liver problems.

Source: American Cancer Society

HOW LONG YOU SIT FOR If your job requires that you sit at a desk for most of the day, whether at home or in an office, try to get up at least every 30 minutes and walk around for a few minutes.

This is better than sitting all day and then exercising, although exercise is, of course, highly recommended for your overall health and wellbeing.

HOW YOU SIT Avoid the hunch

Photography: Shutterstock, eightonesix/Freepik, supplied

1

In Dalkilinç’s Ted-Ed lesson, he says, “Sitting with a curved back and slumped shoulders puts uneven pressure on your spine. Over time, this causes wear and tear in your spinal discs, overworks certain ligaments and joints, and puts strain on muscles that stretch to accommodate your back’s

Prolonged sedentary time was independently associated with

detrimental health outcomes regardless of physical activity.

Source: The American College of Physicians

curved position. This hunched shape also shrinks your chest cavity while you sit, meaning your lungs have less space to expand into when you breathe.

That’s a problem because it temporarily limits the amount of oxygen that fills your lungs and filters into your blood.

Around the skeleton are the muscles, nerves, arteries and veins that form the body’s soft tissue layers. The very act of sitting squashes, pressurises and compresses, and these more delicate tissues really feel the brunt.”

2

Scan this QR code to watch Murat Dalkilinç’s Ted-Ed Original lesson, Why sitting is bad for you.

Those who took less than

1 500 steps

a day or sat for long periods without reducing their calorie intake were at greater risk of

insulin resistance which can lead to type 2 diabetes.

Source: Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism

and reduce the risk of issues associated with bad sitting habits. Ergotherapy’s advice for sitting smartly includes: Raising your chair until your elbows are at the height of your keyboard, ensuring your feet are supported on the floor with hips slightly higher than knees; Keeping elbows close to your body and shoulders relaxed, making sure your monitor is at eye level and about 40-76cm away, keeping your keyboard and mouse close

to avoid reaching forward, and ensuring your wrists are in line with your forearms.

3

Move every 30 minutes

Sitting reduces blood flow and oxygen intake through your lungs, slowly affecting the alertness of your brain and your concentration levels.

So, make a note to get up every 30 minutes and give your body the love it deserves by moving!

40-76CM

Get your chair, desk and monitor heights right Ergotherapy, founded by physiotherapist Gary Arenson, sells ergonomic furniture and workplace accessories designed to help you sit better

SAVE UP TO 80% ON GYM FEES Get up and move! Join Planet Fitness in September, October or November 2021 and pay zero joining fee, saving R975! Plus, you can save up to 80% on Planet Fitness monthly gym fees. Visit sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/ planet-fitness-gym for more. T&Cs apply.

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wellness

homeschooling

HOMESCHOOLING:

what teachers want you to know As remote learning becomes more commonplace, what can parents learn about how to manage this? We chatted to the experts – teachers – to find out how to keep your child focused at home. By TORI HOFFMANN

Distractions, distractions “To avoid distractions, you need structure and routine,” attests Jo’burg skills development facilitator Natalie Rabson for Ivy Online Education. “Make sure your child has a table to sit at, a high-backed chair, good ventilation and good light.”

She also suggests putting a mirror on their desk so that they become aware of

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their own reactions including slumping and facial expressions.

There also needs to be a home schoolwork ‘kit’, adds Cathi Henderson, an intermediate phase grade head at Rondebosch Boys’ Prep School in Cape Town.

“A stocked pencil case with all of the basics is essential. You don’t want your child to have to get up every few minutes to look for a pen or ruler,” she says.

Safety first Children need the internet for their online learning – so how do you make sure that that’s what they use it for? According to Rabson, you need to “educate them, all the time.

We can’t take away their internet freedom so we have to be definitive in the dangers.”

She encourages parents to install apps on their phone to keep an eye on what their children are up to, and reminds parents

NEW! ACCESS A FREE SUPPLEMENTARY EDUCATION PLATFORM You now have free access to Ivy Online, a supplementary education platform based on the CAPS curriculum for Grades 8-12. Plus, access a complete online schooling platform at discounted tutoring rates, for Grades 10-12. Visit sanlamreality.co.za/ benefit/ivy-online.

WHY CHOOSE REMOTE LEARNING?

COVID-19 aside, “the internet is the language that this generation speaks,” explains Rabson. Many kids learn better through technology, using ‘their’ mode of communication. There can also be more family time, children can learn at their own pace, there’s no school rush, and there are fewer distractions from classmates.

Learning at home can also be brought to life (learning about measurement?

Why not make a cake?) more than in the classroom.

T&Cs apply.

Photography: Shutterstock, pikisuperstar/Freepik, flatart/Freepik, stories/Freepik

Managing screen time that they need to be their child’s parent, not their friend. Henderson adds that children need to realise that using the internet is a privilege. “Teaching them how to respond to anything that appears dodgy is also vital,” she says.

Best study spot?

Common spaces (but not high-traffic areas such as the kitchen) are ideal. Here, not only can you keep an eye on online distractions and evils, but if your children are in their bedrooms, “they might just decide to take a nap,” exclaims Rabson, who’s seen it happen!

Remember: the rest of the family must treat this space as a ‘classroom’ too and not bother children working in it.

If the space is still too busy, Henderson suggests that for a child who can tolerate music, headphones with calm, instrumental-type music are an effective way to block out noises.

You can’t expect your child to stay off screens in the afternoon just because they have been looking at a screen all morning.

“School time has converted to screen time, but it’s not ‘screen time’ per se,” maintains Rabson, who explains that ‘friends time’ also constitutes screen time, as children socialise by gaming together.

Henderson agrees and adds that “regular breaks to get fresh air, move around and hydrate are essential. Setting alarms can be extremely useful for this purpose.”

TOP 10 TIPS FOR HOMESCHOOLING

1 Wake up, get dressed, eat

breakfast and brush teeth.

2 Stick to regular school start and end times.

3 Pin up a timetable. Break the work down into sections and give a time limit for each “subject”.

4 Don’t eat at your desk.

5 Use reward charts.

6 Have a break after school.

Go outside. Eat lunch outside.

7 Schedule homework time.

8 Schedule time to play, virtually with friends and in real life.

9 Schedule time to exercise – virtually with friends and in real life.

10 Schedule outings and family time.

BEST SAFETY APPS

Different apps provide different boundaries, for example:

+ K9 Web Protection makes a loud

barking noise (just like a guard dog!) if your child tries to access sites they shouldn’t. + Qustodio allows you to set time limits i.e. switch off the internet, + Net Nanny® blocks certain sites (but this can make it difficult when and also monitor which sites they your child is told to google something). can access.

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wellness

smart devices

How

SMART

are you, really?

As everything starts to incorporate tech, it begs the question: Do smart wearables really do us any good? By JASON BAILEY

T

he use of smartwatches and tracking devices is on the increase.

While, according to market researcher Ipsos, developed countries such as the US and Spain lead the way as far as number of users is concerned, South Africa has been

identified as an emerging force in the wearable market.

It’s estimated that just over one in 10 South Africans use smart tracking devices.

Once a term reserved for those primarily in the tech industry, it seems that the everyday person has become a

veritable dataset. The long list of metrics logged by wearable technology aside, there are kickbacks, too.

There is an application for everything and, thanks to social media, these facts and figures can be displayed for all to see.

Can you smarten up your sleep, too?

Sleep is an essential component for optimal health. And, thanks to modern technology, it is a parameter that can now be monitored. Our sleep is divided into four stages, each with its own unique characteristics. While sleep trackers – like the ones on your smartphone or smartwatch – use sensors to record variables such as duration, movement, temperature and heart rate, it’s important to remember that these devices cannot, in fact, provide a direct measure of sleep. View a sleep tracker for what it is: a tool that uses the data gleaned to help gain a better understanding of an individual’s sleep patterns and associated behavioural trends.

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The smart scale KINDA SMART

Smartwatch

Smart jewellery

Smart glasses

Smart clothing

Today’s smartwatches don’t just track your steps or heart rate, they can track your mood, your temperature (great for identifying possible COVID-19) and more.

The Bellabeat Leaf pendant, designed for women, incorporates a holistic set of wellness functions, including meditation, reproductive cycle tracking and sleep tracking.

Google’s AR glasses may not have taken off, but expect Facebook’s smart glasses in partnership with Ray-Ban to have more traction.

They can help you spot misplaced items and navigate directions.

Like Teslasuit’s VR glove, which allows you to feel an object virtually, harnessing haptics, biometry and motion capture for what Interesting Engineering describes as a “humanto-digital interface”.

Could your smart devices be making you more unhealthy?

Photography: Shutterstock, stories/Freepik

SERIOUSLY SMART

Data and behaviour tracking is a hot topic. Much debate has surrounded data protection and privacy, the recurring theme being that of personal information being used for marketing and even surveillance purposes. Then there is the question of accuracy.

Technology will always fail us, scoff the naysayers, dismissing algorithm-derived health data as hearsay and mere approximation. Perhaps the biggest bone of contention, however, is the effect of smart tracking devices on our general health. We can’t switch off any longer, say some, while others bemoan wearables for increased anxiety.

The case for smartening up While there is an element of truth in all of these factors, a counterargument is that correct use of FDA-approved smart tracking devices can actually help improve health.

MOTIVATION Smartwatches can help get sedentary individuals off the couch and out there exercising.

Attainable goals such as a daily step count inspire structure and accountability.

PROGRESS Tracking personal health data allows users to monitor improvements in their health and fitness.

EDUCATION Monitoring parameters such

as heart rate variability (HRV) and sleep quality can help users gain a better understanding of their body.

What about the negative impact of smart trackers on our behaviour?

“It depends on the individual,” says occupational therapist Louise van der Westhuyzen.

“Smart trackers can lead to addictive behaviour patterns and anxiety for overperforming people. For those who are disconnected from their body, this technology can be of great benefit.”

Santam: safety through tracking

One of the advantages of tracking technology is safety. Let’s face it: it’s comforting to know that help is available should you be involved in a motor vehicle accident.

“Santam’s value proposition to our clients is one of safety,” says Santam’s Attie Blaauw.

“So while driving behaviour itself is important as a measurement of risk profile, it is not our main focus. Through our partnership with Tracker, we offer our direct clients access to a car-tracking device. Should a client be involved in an accident, Santam will then be informed and be able to provide the correct services both at the scene and for subsequent repairs.”

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Are African passports here?

The idea of African passports (a common passport to exempt its bearers from having to obtain any visas for all 55 states in Africa) has been on the cards since 2016. If all goes to plan, 2021 could see the launch of the new African Union (AU) passport as part of the continent’s African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The AU passport could be a step towards connecting African countries economically and politically. It should ease travel within the continent, boost trade, facilitate labour mobility and intra-Africa knowledge and skills, help to foster a comprehensive approach to border management and much, much more! So far, only political figures and AU officials have been using AU passports, but there are three types of AU passports that will be issued: an ordinary passport (which SA citizens will be able to obtain); an official/service passport; and a diplomatic passport. Who knows? You could be holding one in your hands by December.

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travel 34

36

40

Biking trips for everyone

How your travel can save lives

Go local for your festive break

your travel benefits

Save up to 30% on Protea Hotels by Marriott®

Enjoy discounted Tempest Car Hire rates

Save up to 30% on Uber trips

Access Bidvest Premier Lounges at airports for free (Reality Health & Reality Plus) Go to sanlamreality.co.za/ benefits/travel to view your specific benefits, tier status and discount percentage.

T&Cs apply.

travel

5

bites

(FREE) armchair

travel options for 2021

ENJOY COMPLIMENTARY WI-FI MONTHLY

Thanks to COVID-19, the travel industry has latched onto the benefits of Virtual Reality (VR) technology. So when the travel bug bites, but those borders are still shut, you can travel the world from the comfort of your couch. It may not be quite as exciting as the real deal, but at least you don’t have to sit on a long-haul flight or queue for hours on end. You don’t necessarily need a VR headset to take it all in, either. You can do it all on your laptop, or even your phone.

Reality Plus and Health members enjoy 1MB of AlwaysOn Wi-Fi on us, monthly.

Learn more at sanlamreality.co.za/ benefit/wi-fi.

T&Cs apply.

2

Ever wondered what really goes on inside Buckingham Palace? Try this virtual tour: royal.uk/ virtual-toursbuckingham-palace.

3

Explore the glaciers, fjords and icebergs of Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska without freezing to death!

For the best experience, use headphones: artsandculture. withgoogle.com/en-us/nationalparks-service/kenai-fjords/ exit-glacier-tour.

4

Fancy an elephant in the room?

Head over to Wild Earth, a 24/7

CAPE TOWN 42nd best place in the world for remote work!

Eighteen months ago, most of the world was told that if they could, they should work from home. And for many, like Cape Town-based CA for a UK firm Richard Stevens, it’s been a huge success. Richard got on a plane out of London in March 2020 so that he could be with his family at the start of lockdown, and hasn’t looked back.

“Why would I want to return to the UK to sit on the Tube for two hours a day when I can get my job done from Cape Town and enjoy the sun, sand and sea (when the beaches are open!)?” he says.

It comes as no surprise, then, that Cape Town has been ranked as one of the 50 best places for remote working in an article that featured on Big 7 Travel (bigseventravel.com).

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TV channel that also hosts live safaris in the heart of the African wilderness suitable for kids, adults and families alike: wildearth.tv. At &BEYOND, you can book time with a game ranger: andbeyond.com/virtual-experiences.

5

Take a dive (without getting wet!) into the deep sea with National Marine Sanctuaries: sanctuaries.noaa.gov/vr

Top 5 remote working spots Keep your job, change your view.

1 / Tallinn, Estonia, has enacted a new visa in recent years that allows digital nomads to work remotely in the country for up to a year.

2 / Tbilisi, Georgia, is rich in culture and accommodation, and is super affordable.

3 / Belgrade, Serbia, has loads of new tech and co-working spaces and an internet speed of 25 MBPS. 4 / Bali, Indonesia, has countless co-working spaces, connected communities, and Wi-Fi is rarely a problem.

5 / Chiang Mai, Thailand, comprises the perfect make-up of affordability, visa flexibility, fast internet speed and overall atmosphere.

Text: Tori Hoffmann; Photography: Shutterstock, supplied

1

Take a casual ‘stroll’ through The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) in New York: metmuseum.org/art/online-features.

Here you can also find #MetKids, a digital feature made for, with, and by kids.

Start an adventure today

Enjoy discounted Tempest Car Hire rates!

T&Cs apply.

Go to sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/tempest-car-hire or call 0860 732 548/9 for more information. T&Cs apply.

travel

biking

Pedal power!

Seeing South Africa on two wheels adds a different dimension to travelling…. Plus, from e-bikes to fat bikes, there’s something for every level. By ELISE KIRSTEN

Fat biking along the Wild Coast – Coffee Bay, Eastern Cape Drink in the Wild Coast’s spectacular scenery from the saddle, on a five-day fat-bike tour from Morgan Bay to Hole in the Wall.

You’ll need to be fairly fit and comfortable on a mountain bike to enjoy this tour, as there are some technical descents along the hills that hug the coastline.

If you’re looking for something a bit easier (or more challenging), Detour Trails offers a variety of tours, and specialises in ‘creating any mountainbike adventure that you wish.’ The company will tailor a tour to your group, based on fitness levels and interests.

COST Fat bike hire: R600 a day. Tour: from R14 000, including food, accommodation, permits and guide. The price varies depending on the size and needs of the group.

CONTACT detourtrails.co.za WHERE TO STAY Wavecrest Hotel, Kob Inn, The Haven Hotel, Bull’s Inn and White Clay Resort THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA Fishing, walking, surfing and enjoying the magnificent views.

BEST TIME OF YEAR Winter (April-September)

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Family cycling by the sea – Cape Town, Western Cape Get some fresh air and enjoy endless ocean views as you take a leisurely cycle along the Sea Point Promenade or under the palm fronds of Camps Bay. The flat coastal routes are great for beginner cyclists. Explore from the saddle without exerting too much effort, while still reaping the benefits of fresh air and exercise. Children’s bikes and child carriers are available for hire, too.

COST Bike hire from Up Cycles ranges from R80 for an hour to R300 for a full day.

CONTACT upcycles.co.za WHERE TO STAY The Radisson Blu at Granger Bay THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA Sip cocktails at Caprice in Camps Bay, enjoy brunch at The Lawns at the Roundhouse, visit Green Point Urban Park or hike one of the many trails on Table Mountain.

Mountain biking in the Midlands

Photography: Shutterstock, supplied; prices and information correct at time of print

Mountain biking in lush lowveld – Mbombela, Mpumalanga GZ Adventures Mankele – mountain-biking Nirvana – is situated in the lush lowveld where you’ll find kilometres of trails weaving through indigenous forest, grassland and mountains.

The routes offer something for all levels of rider, with wide jeep track and narrow single track, as well as lung-busting climbs and tricky, technical descents.

Besides cycling, overnight guests can enjoy other activities like paintball, an obstacle course, a mini zip line and geckoing to take you down the river at this family-centric destination.

Mountain bikers are welcome as day visitors.

COST R175 per person for four-hour rental of a mountain bike and helmet, and R300 for eight hours.

CONTACT mankele.co.za WHERE TO STAY Mankele has camping facilities, self-catering log cabins and safari tents THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA Visit the nearby Sudwala Caves or do a self-drive safari in Kruger National Park.

BEST TIME OF YEAR All year, but trails can become muddy after summer rains.

– Karkloof, KZN The world-class trails at Karkloof Country Club are well known in mountain-biking circles for the flowing single track across grassy hills and through Sappi pine plantations.

Bring your own mountain bike and buy a day permit, hire a mountain bike (or e-bike) at the Karkloof Country Club, or join a multi-day tour with Active Escapes.

A moderate level of MTB experience and technical ability is recommended.

COST Day permit: R80 per adult, R30 for children under 18 and over 65s. E-bike hire: R400 for two hours (R150 per hour thereafter). Regular MTB hire: adults R250, kids R200 for two hours (R150 per hour thereafter). Helmet hire: R30.

Three days of riding, plus three nights’ accommodation with Active Escapes: from R6 900 per person.

CONTACT karkloofclub.co.za or active-escapes.co.za WHERE TO STAY Thistledown Country House BEST TIME OF YEAR All year, although summer can be very hot and humid.

THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA Karkloof Canopy Tour, visit Howick Falls or enjoy a spa treatment at Karkloof Safari Villas and Spa.

E-biking in the winelands – Stellenbosch, Western Cape Enjoy a 20km guided e-bike tour up through the forested slopes of Helshoogte and down through the Banhoek Valley, beneath the rugged peaks of the Groot Drakenstein mountains. The route takes you through the Banhoek Conservancy and ends at the charming Boschendal Wine Estate.

E-bike settings can be adjusted to draw more (or less) power from the bike’s battery, making it easy to cycle in a group with varying degrees of fitness.

COST 40km guided e-bike tour from Stellenbosch to Franschhoek, R1 980 per person, including bike and helmet hire, lunch and wine tasting.

A 25km guided e-bike tour from Stellenbosch to Boschendal, R900 for two people. Historic e-bike tour of Stellenbosch town including wine tasting at two estates, R960 for two people. Rent an e-bike for your own exploration, R500 per day.

CONTACT adventureshop.co.za WHERE TO STAY Eendracht Hotel, Dorp Street THINGS TO DO IN THE AREA Segway tour at Spier Wine Estate, wine tasting, art galleries, hike in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve.

BEST TIME OF YEAR Year round; however, winter can be cold and wet and February can be really hot.

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travel

responsible travel

THESE TRIPS CAN

save lives

When responsible tourism helps to protect ecosystems and animal species, there’s even more reason to take that trip. Start with these adventures that do you, and our wildlife, good. By TRACY LYNN CHEMALY

SAVE ENDANGERED GROUND HORNBILLS support cheetah conservation

WHERE: Mabula Game Lodge, Limpopo TRAVEL WITH: Southern Africa 360, who works with certified Fair Trade properties DURATION: 2 nights COST: From R3 000/adult sharing, or R4 226/adult sharing in the Superior Family Rooms where two children (0-11yrs) are accommodated at no extra charge.

WHEN TO GO: Winter, when the bush is drier and animals are easier to spot.

BEST FOR: Families THE TRIP: Located in the malaria-free Waterberg region, this Big Five private game reserve offers activities for all ages, from hot-airballoon safaris and quad-biking eco adventures to

SAVE ON TEMPEST Enjoy discounted Tempest Car Hire rates!

Visit sanlamreality. co.za/benefit/ tempest-car-hire.

T&Cs apply.

horseback rides and guided bush walks.

Kids can play in the supervised games room while you indulge in a spa treatment before heading to a boma dinner with live entertainment. Don’t miss the magical stargazing experiences.

HOW YOUR HOLIDAY HELPS: You’ll be contributing to the Mabula Ground Hornbill Project, which is working to save this endangered bird, of which there are only about 1 500 left. Your stay will also support the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s cheetah conservation and research project, which seeks to reintroduce cheetahs to areas where they have been driven out by farmers or habitat loss.

NEED TO KNOW: All meals are included, as well as two game drives per day.

Southernafrica360.com

FIGHT DEFORESTATION save endangered African penguins support rescued elephants

WHERE: Garden Route and Addo Elephant Park TRAVEL WITH: Hotspots2c DURATION: 4 nights COST: From R7 600 (breakfast included) WHEN TO GO: All year round BEST FOR: Friends or solo travellers THE TRIP: This is a jam-packed trip across nearly 1 800km of some of the country’s most scenic routes, taking you from Cape Town, along the Garden Route to Jeffreys Bay, and then up to Oudtshoorn and back to the Mother City via Route 62. Enjoy a spot of canoeing in Wilderness on Day 1, then head to the Knysna Heads before hiking in the Tsitsikamma Forest on Day 2. Day 3 includes a morning game drive in the Addo Elephant National Park and beach time in J-Bay. On Day 4 you hit the Klein

Karoo, to experience the Cango Ostrich Show Farm and Cango Caves.

HOW YOUR HOLIDAY HELPS: All Hotspots2c bookings benefit the company’s non-profit organisation 2Cchange, which supports various initiatives, including Greenpop’s Trees4Travel programme that plants trees to help offset the trip’s carbon footprint.

2Cchange also sponsors artificial homes that act as nests to protect endangered African penguins on Dyer Island during breeding season, and helps fund a local creche’s food and educational needs.

NEED TO KNOW: You can book optional extras such as bungy jumping, ziplining, surfing and sandboarding, or learning about conservation through meeting three rescued elephants. hotspots2c.co.za SPRING 2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

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travel

responsible travel

CONSERVE THE BUSH

fight poaching

WHERE: Kruger National Park Wilderness Trails TRAVEL WITH: South African National Parks (SANParks) DURATION: 3 nights COST: From R10 500 per unit WHEN TO GO: Bird lovers should visit from October to February, when the birds are at their busiest.

BEST FOR: Couples (huts sleep two people each) THE TRIP: Choose between seven trails and explore the vast openness of the bush on foot, in an intimate group of eight people.

Under the guidance of two trail rangers, you could walk up to 20km a day, returning to your wilderness camps, where cooked meals await you. You have the opportunity to spot rhino wallowing in the pans, come across San rock art, walk along scarce sandveld or revel at giant baobabs during your various outings. At night, you’ll be lulled to sleep with the sounds of eagle owls and night jars.

HOW YOUR HOLIDAY HELPS: A 1% levy is collected from every booking made through SANParks. This goes towards development projects in communities neighbouring the parks. As a visitor to Kruger National Park, you will also pay a conservation fee, which directly supports conservation management. This includes initiatives such as alien plant control, the River Health Programme, the recruitment and training of rangers, anti-poaching efforts and much more.

NEED TO KNOW: Neutral-coloured clothing is preferable and malaria meds are essential. This is an off-the-grid getaway, with no electricity. sanparks.org

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SAVE ENDANGERED MOUNTAIN GORILLAS wild chimps fight deforestation

WHERE: Mountain Gorilla Project, Uganda TRAVEL WITH: Responsible Travel DURATION: 2 weeks COST: From R61 235 (excl flights) WHEN TO GO: The dry seasons from mid-December to early February, and June to September are more comfortable for trekking, but the rainy season doesn’t keep gorillas away, and it’ll be less busy.

BEST FOR: Adventurers THE TRIP: This is a volunteer trip in which you participate in educating the local community about the conservation of Uganda’s gorillas.

You’ll be part of educational treks with local school children, teaching them about their surroundings, and will also visit community projects in the area. Get deep into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest when you join two gorilla treks that will have you tracking wild chimpanzees; then enjoy a four-day excursion to Queen Elizabeth National Park.

HOW YOUR HOLIDAY HELPS: The Mountain Gorilla Project focuses on the conservation and protection of Uganda’s gorillas through the education of the indigenous communities who share their environment. Volunteers also assist in reforestation activities to support the ecosystem.

NEED TO KNOW: Price includes two gorilla-trekking permits, accommodation, meals, overland transfers, an English facilitator and volunteer activities. Land transfers are from Kigali International Airport in Rwanda. Return flights from Jo’burg area: approx. R13 300. responsibletravel.com

SANLAM SUPPORTS WWF

Photography: Shutterstock, supplied; prices and information correct at time of print

Since 2007, Sanlam has donated over R50 MILLION to WWF, partnering primarily with WWF to focus on water scarcity and security.

ACCESS THE AIRPORT LOUNGE FOR FREE Reality Plus and Health members enjoy free access to Bidvest Premier Lounges.

Learn more at sanlamreality.co.za/ benefit/bidvest.

T&Cs apply.

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travel

festive breaks

Unusual places to book for the festive period Support local but stay away from throngs of people with these interesting spots.

Eschew the Cape’s well-known winelands for sleepier vineyards WHY? A scenic one-and-a-half-hour drive from Cape Town, Tulbagh is an underrated gem. Spend a day at top-notch vineyards like Rijk’s and Montpellier. The area also promises horseback riding, hiking and scenic tractor rides.

STAY: The geodomes on 1 La Bruyere Farm, nestled privately against the water, perfect for stargazing and sunbathing. Self-catering; The Moonrise Dome sleeps four, while The Sunset Dome sleeps two. From R2 014/night.

Head away from the sea, into the shade WHY? Leave busy Durbs for the charming town of Howick, about two hours’ drive inland. Expect waterfalls, rolling farmland and plenty of non-beachy things to enjoy, from fly fishing and hiking to bird sanctuaries and wine tasting.

STAY: 2 Copperleigh Trout Cottages offer a tranquil setting on the banks of Mavela Dam, with trout fishing, farm animals, kayaking and walks.

The family-size lodge sleeps nine, while the log cabin accommodates two. Self-catering, from R450/person, per night. copperleightroutcottage.co.za

Part of the Cape migration?

Steer clear of crowds if you’re heading to the Western Cape for the festive period.

4 PAPKUILSFONTEIN GUEST FARM, NIEUWOUDTVILLE Surrounded by fynbos and rocky outcrops, Papkuilsfontein Guest Farm feels like a private hideaway. Stay in stone cottages, swim in cool rock pools and hike or mountain bike through the impressive scenery, including the 180m canyon and waterfall. Camping from R180/person, per night, but it’ll be hot; self-catering cottages from R670/person, per night. papkuilsfontein.com

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3

7 2 6 4

1 5

Drop by a dorp

Small towns reliant on tourism traffic have been devastated by the pandemic.

Show your support by staying a little longer at one of these charming spots.

IF YOU’RE TRAVELLING… … between Jo’burg and Cape Town

Photography: Shutterstock, supplied; prices and information correct at time of print

Switch Sun City for stellar scenery WHY? Get out of town and… breathe! Swap crowded casinos for the Magaliesberg, just over an hour from Jo’burg, but a whole different world. Kids can be entertained by arts and crafts studios, farms, museums, hikes, horseback riding and the spectacular Magaliesberg Canopy Tour®.

STAY: 3 Magalies River Lodge promises resort-style accommodation (there’s a bar, swimming pool, large gardens and games like table tennis, darts and pool) without the heaving crowds. From R1 500/night for two, sharing; from R2 200 for a family of four, sharing; includes breakfast. magaliesriverlodge.co.za

After Kimberley, before turning down the N1 via Beaufort West, take a detour along the R384 into the Northern Cape’s stunning Karoo. Steeped in history and charm, this area is worth the detour.

STAY: Spend a few nights at the unique 6 Stuurmansfontein Corbelled Guest House, just outside of Carnarvon. There’s a swimming pool to spend the day in. Sleeps four, self-catering; from R1 375/night for two adults. stuurmansfontein@gmail.com

… between Jo’burg and Durban Spend a few nights at Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve, home to SA’s third largest dam – fish, canoe or simply relax. About 23km from Harrismith, the dam also offers hiking trails and excellent bird watching.

STAY: 7 Wild Horses Mountain Lodge, 1km from the dam, is especially impressive. Set in the foothills of the Drakensberg Escarpment, the views are breathtaking. From R2 100/ person, per night, including breakfast. wildhorses.co.za

GET UP TO 30% OFF LOCAL FLIGHTS Make your festive season break a dream for your budget with up to 30% off local flights using your Mango travel benefit.

Visit sanlamreality. co.za/benefit/ mango-flights for more. T&Cs apply.

SAVE ON CAR HIRE Enjoy discounted Tempest Car Hire rates!

Visit sanlamreality. co.za/benefit/ tempest-car-hire.

T&Cs apply.

5 KOL KOL FYNBOS PODS, BOT RIVER Just 95km from Cape Town lie the Kol Kol Fynbos Pods, organically rising from their surrounds so that they feel part of nature. Stargaze, braai and be one with nature. Pods sleep two people each; self-catering, each with a small plunge pool/ hot tub. From R2 400 per night, for two. kolkol.co.za

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Why rich people read What’s one thing most wealthy people have in common?

A well-thumbed library of books.

Reading is proven to improve your critical thinking and vocabulary, helping you better articulate complex ideas, plus children who read benefit from increased intelligence, problem-solving abilities and future earning potential. A European study has also shown that men who had access to books as children earn more money over their lifetime.

Reading – both fiction and non-fiction – improves your memory function and keeps your mind sharp by giving your brain a workout, similar to going for a run for your heart health.

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3

ways to read more

Diversify your reading list.

Seach for The New York Times’ non-fiction bestselling list; follow your business idols on Twitter and see the titles they’re tweeting about….

Anything to broaden your horizons.

Make time each day.

Like exercise, the more you do it, the more you crave it and the more you reap the rewards.

Embrace different formats. E-books and audiobooks are still books. Instead of music or social media, download an e-book app on your phone.

wealth 46

48

52

54

56

How to spot a pyramid scheme

Why are we emotional about money?

TFSAs 101

Should you invest in art?

Why gaming is the key to the future

ON BILL AND BARACK’S BOOKCASES…

How to read like a leader Caste by Isabel Wilkerson How Much of These Hills is Gold by C Pam Zhang The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz by Erik Larson Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World

by David Epstein The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company by Bobert Iger

your wealth benefits

Up to 30% off Sanlam Premier risk products Up to 20% cash back reward with Sanlam Personal Loans

Free online tax help and easy returns with TaxTim

Be financially fit with Wealth Sense Go to sanlamreality.co.za/ benefits/wealth to view your specific benefits, tier status and discount percentage.

T&Cs apply.

bites

How to BOOST your child’s savings savvy WITH HELP FROM KEAGAN PHILLIPS, FINANCIAL PLANNER AT ADJUVO WEALTH BLUESTAR.

Double up their savings. When giving pocket money, encourage your child to save by offering to double whatever money they bring back by the end of the week or month and putting it into a savings account.

Set goals. When talking about saving, help your child set specific, realistic goals. Help them figure out what exactly they want to save for, how much they will need to save, and by when they want to hit their goal amount.

Make owning shares fun. Make investing relatable to your child by tying the things they like to the companies that make them.

Younger children will enjoy the idea of owning a small

THIS FREE APP HELPS MAKE SAVING FUN! Turn to p.71 to learn about Sanlam Money Jar, a fun savings app for kids.

part of their favourite brands and sharing in their profits through dividends.

Open an RA for them. Only a very small percentage of South Africans are on track to retire comfortably.

The power of time and compound interest will give your child a substantial pot of money when they retire, over and above whatever they save during their working life.

Sanlam allows you to take out a Cumulus Echo Retirement Plan the moment your child is born with a minimum of just R200 per month.

HELP YOUR KIDS GET AHEAD Speak to a financial planner about how to get your children financially ahead, today. Make an appointment and earn

8 000 tier points.

Visit sanlamreality. co.za/contactan-adviser.

T&Cs apply.

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Text: Christine van Deemter; Photography: Shutterstock, supplied

wealth

Save today, protect your tomorrow

Sanlam Reality members enjoy up to

30%

off Sanlam risk products, meaning you save big today while making wise decisions for tomorrow.

For more information, Visit sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/ go to sanlamreality.co.za/ benefit/sanlam-life-cover. trauma-assault-hiv-assist.

T&Cs apply.

T&Cs apply.

wealth

pyramid schemes

How to spot a pyramid scheme Pyramid schemes aren’t new, but advances in technology and social media mean scammers are getting more creative with their tactics. By DOMINIQUE BOWEN WHAT IS A PYRAMID SCHEME? A pyramid scheme is an illegal investment or business model that generates returns for earlier investors (at the top of the pyramid) through joining fees or initial investments paid by later investors (at the base of the pyramid) instead of through the sale of goods and services. There is no underpinning financial investment that generates growth, says Nischal Mewalall, CEO of the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC).

WHY SHOULD I BE WORRIED? The key danger of this type of scheme is that it’s unsustainable; when it reaches a point

I’ve been scammed.

Now what?

STOP PARTICIPATING “If you think you are actively participating in a pyramid scheme, break off contact with the fraudsters immediately and do not invest any more money,” suggests Clarke.

“Keep any written communication you have received from the pyramid scheme. This may help as evidence for the relevant authorities.”

REPORT IT You can contact the below authorities to report a suspected pyramid scheme.

South African Reserve Bank 0861 12 7272 National Consumer Commission 012 428 7000

where there are more existing members than there are new members, it collapses, which means all money is lost. “People who invested believing they were going to make a good return on their investment not only get nothing, but also stand to lose most (if not all) of the money they initially invested,” says Mewalall. Besides the financial implications, pyramid schemes put long-standing relationships on the line. “People borrow from friends, family and financial institutions, and when it fails, one is left with debt and broken relationships,” says Thezi Mabuza, acting commissioner of the National Consumer Commission (NCC).

The hook

HOW TO SPOT A PYRAMID SCHEME A friend or family member solicits investment An invitation to invest can often come from a trusted family member, friend or even a respected member of your community, to establish trust in the scheme. “The initial strength of a pyramid scheme is word of mouth,” says Lyndwill Clarke, Head of Consumer Education at the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA).

Secrecy & anonymity

Photography: Shutterstock, Freepik

“The secrecy associated with word-ofmouth advertising can be enticing, as you are getting into something not many people know about,” says Clarke. “Closed online user groups are popular too, with an increasing trend towards messaging on WhatsApp, presumably owing to the belief that it offers end-to-end encryption, and therefore anonymity,” adds Mewalall.

INVEST THE RIGHT WAY Speak to a qualified financial planner to put your money into trusted investments and savings vehicles suited to your personal needs. Visit sanlamreality. co.za/contact-an-adviser to make an appointment.

T&Cs apply.

Scheme members lure prospective investors with promises of high returns over a short period. “Short investment periods are common, sometimes as little as 10 days, promising high rates of return with strong encouragement to reinvest automatically,” says Mewalall. Mabuza adds that a red flag would be guaranteed returns of 20% more than the repo rate.

Get recruiting From the outset, members are encouraged and incentivised – often by means of the promise of increased returns – to recruit new members.

This is what builds the pyramid.

Virtual currency Modern pyramid schemes can depend on cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum to sidestep the formal banking sector, where they could be detected, says Mewalall. “Other investment offers include commodity trading or forex trading,” he says.

Tiered investment structure “Another sign is if you advance in the hierarchy levels through the recruitment of others,” says Mabuza. The appeal of a premium membership is also used to incentivise larger investments into schemes. This can leave unsuspecting investors high and dry if they invest their retirement savings, for example.

The stokvel disguise “Traditional stokvels are a trusted savings mechanism in South Africa,” says Clarke. “A WhatsApp stokvel is nothing more than a pyramid scheme in a new guise.” Never pursue an invitation where you need to pay a joining fee to be a part of a WhatsApp group.

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wealth

money & emotions

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO WITHDRAW? ANGER

JOY

ANXIETY

LOVE

FEAR

STRESS

Why are you so

emotional

about money?

It’s not always easy to allow our heads to do the financial decision-making when our hearts can so easily influence us.

By ANGELIQUE RUZICKA

L

ike it or not, money is tied to our emotions. We often let our ‘heart’ rule our head when it comes to investments.

We tend to panic when markets are doing poorly and jump in when markets hit their peak.

Andrew Bradley, co-author of How Much is Enough? Maximising Wealth and Well-being points out that this is the wrong approach.

“When markets are dropping you start panicking and invariably bailing at the wrong time. It can be the most devastating, wealth-destroying behaviour.”

Emotions are also connected to how much money we have.

When we’re paid a bonus, we tend to be happy, and when we see bills coming in, we tend to be sad or panic. We’re also driven by other emotions – more powerful emotions, such as envy.

“Unfortunately, one of the most significant aspects of money is peer pressure; around the braai we all hear people say, ‘I’ve done this and I’ve made this much money’. Then everyone else feels like they are missing out, and they run off and try and do that. Not wanting to get left out or keeping up with the Joneses has a huge impact,” says Bradley.

NEED SOME FINANCIAL COACHING? Speak to a financial planner to give you the financial confidence you need. Visit sanlamreality.co.za/contact-an-adviser.

WHERE IT BEGINS… We’re taught to think like this from an early age.

7

The age by when our adult money habits are set Source: the Money Advice Service

Parents cannot underestimate the effect of their own good (and bad) money habits on their children.

“We’re taught sayings like ‘Money is the root of all evil’. If your parents had negative experiences with money, chances are you will too.”

– Nicki Blignaut, financial planner at 2one2 BlueStar Financial Advisory Services

“If you grew up where you didn’t have any comforts in life and you go to school and see your friends who do, that has an impact on you. If you do have things and see others who don’t have, that has an impact too. Your early money experiences shape the way you see yourself and the way you interact with money.”

– Andrew Bradley, financial author

T&Cs apply.

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wealth

money & emotions

WHEN YOUR EMOTIONS AREN’T HELPING YOU THINK SMART

“Retrain your brain. Consider financial decisions as business decisions. Having a financial planner is always a good idea, as they are able to think rationally, and have been trained to take the emotions out of finance.”

– Nicki Blignaut

Harnessing emotions for good

3

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN MAKING A PERSUASIVE OR EMOTIVE DECISION

By John Sanei, public speaker and futurist 1 INTENTION “How much do you want to make, and what do you need it for?”

2 CADENCE “How often do you want to make money?”

3 YOUR FINANCIAL CONTAINER “This is the vessel you mentally hold for your income to sufficiently pay for your basic needs and comforts.

Is it the size of a swimming pool or a goldfish bowl?”

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MakeSTICK better money decisions TO A PLAN Blignaut says: “Always have a plan, and regardless of what happens, try and stick to it. If you and your financial planner have decided on an aggressive investment plan over a 10-year period, and after three years you are not getting the growth you expected, remember you are working on a 10-year plan, so trust that.”

DON’T GIVE INTO TEMPTATION Investment guru Warren Buffett once said that to invest successfully you need a sound intellectual framework and the ability to keep emotions from eroding that framework. Bradley says: “If you say ‘I’m going out and seeing friends tonight and because I’m driving, I’ll have two drinks’ then you’ve created a sound framework. But perhaps then someone says, ‘We’re having fun – another for the road’ and you do that – then you’re giving into the emotion and temptation of it.”

EDUCATE YOURSELF Sanei says: “Get help, read books, watch videos or get a coach – there are so many people that can help you make the shift.”

Photography: Shutterstock, supplied

Emotional decisions are often the most persuasive ones, mainly because we intuitively listen to our ‘gut feel’.

Get cash back when you borrow

Sanlam Reality members get up to

20%

cash back on Sanlam Personal Loans if they keep their loan account up to date, making loan payments consecutively over 12 months.

For more information, go to sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/ sanlam-personal-loans. T&Cs apply.

wealth

tfsa

Your guide to

TAX-FREE

savings accounts Tax-free savings accounts (or TFSAs) were introduced by National Treasury in 2015.

Are you making the most of their benefits?

By DOMINIQUE BOWEN

MAKE THE MOST OF TFSAS Speak to a Sanlam financial planner to ensure you’re harnessing the power of TFSAs, today. Make an appointment by visiting sanlamreality.co.za/contact-an-adviser.

T&Cs apply.

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SAVINGS WITH UNIQUE TAX BENEFITS TFSAs are ideal for saving on tax while growing your wealth for long-term goals. “They were designed to incentivise South Africans to increase their non-retirement savings, and to ensure that they have savings that will protect them in tough economic conditions,” says Abigail Kitshoff, business development manager at Glacier by Sanlam. While the same product rules apply across all TFSAs, there are differences in the underlying provider costs and underlying investment options.

RULES OF PLAY Contribution limits

Withdrawal limit

R36 000 /year R500 000 /lifetime

“If you’d like to make a withdrawal, this is regarded as a future contribution,” says Kitshoff. “So, if you withdraw a set amount, you won’t be able to add it back again in the future.” For example:

Contribute

R300 000

Withdraw

R250 000

R50 000 balance

Because you already contributed R300 000 of your lifetime limit, you would only be able to top up a maximum of R200 000 (R500 000-R300 000) during the rest of your lifetime.

DRAWCARDS You don’t pay tax You don’t pay tax on interest or dividends, plus you are exempt from capital gains tax (CGT) on any funds that you withdraw.

Liquid funds You can withdraw funds whenever you like, and it only takes up to five working days for them to reflect in your account. However, note that it’s not ideal to withdraw from your TFSA, as you will miss out on tax-free growth over the long term.

Flexible contributions You don’t need to commit to regular monthly contributions. You can

DOWNSIDES stop and start your contributions without being penalised.

More freedom with assets and funds “You can invest in growth assets such as equity, offshore equity and even property, with no limitations,” says Kitshoff. “This allows you to maximise your growth.”

It’s transferable You’re not locked in to one provider when you start a TFSA. If you are unhappy with your provider, you can move at no cost, and without impacting the product benefits, says Kitshoff.

Penalties for overcontribution You can be heavily penalised for overcontributing to your TFSA – up to 40% of contributions. “Most [account] providers won’t let you over-contribute, but they won’t know, for example, if you have more than one TFSA,” says Kitshoff. However, SARS can pick this up and penalise you on your tax return.

Not ideal for short-term goals Yes, your funds are liquid and your contributions flexible, but investing in a TFSA is a long game. “If you are using a TFSA as anything other than a long-term investment vehicle, for example an emergency fund, it can impact your benefit in the future,” says Kitshoff. Treating it as a short-term savings vehicle is not recommended.

Photography: Shutterstock, pchvector/Freepik

3 Ways to take advantage of TFSAs TO SUPPLEMENT YOUR RETIREMENT SAVINGS Like a retirement annuity (RA), there are no tax implications for contributions to a TFSA, or the interest it earns. However, a TFSA will form part of your estate for estate duty purposes, and will attract executor fees.

TO GROW YOUR KIDS’ SAVINGS

TO HAVE A GREAT TAX YEAR

If your child is still a minor, you can open a TFSA so they can start benefitting from the growth and tax savings on it from a young age. “However, it is important to keep in mind that if the funds are withdrawn earlier, you will have used your child’s lifetime allowance,” notes Kitshoff.

If you want to invest a lump sum, start closer to the start of the tax year (1 March). “This will give your investment an extra 12 months of tax-free growth,” says Kitshoff.

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wealth

art investment

Richard Mudariki, The Model, 2015, oil on canvas, Sanlam Art Collection

Is

BUYING ART a viable investment

William Kentridge, Stadium, 1987, charcoal and pastel on paper, Sanlam Art Collection

Art can be displayed on a wall and admired, but if you invest in the right piece, it could become a lucrative treasure that you could use for a home deposit or to fund your retirement, once sold.

By ANGELIQUE RUZICKA

strategy?

Blessing Ngobeni, Figures and Fish, 2015, acrylic and collage on canvas, Sanlam Art Collection

Pauline Gutter, Their Last Supper – Unfinished, 2007, oil on canvas, Sanlam Art Collection Irma Stern, Flowers, 1949, oil on canvas, Sanlam Art Collection

A

Surprising other investment options

Ndikhumbule Ngqinambi, Walk of Numbers, 2010, oil on canvas, Sanlam Art Collection

CRYPTO ART It’s not only art that hangs on our wall that could offer investment potential. Rare digital artworks or digital trading cards that are ‘nonfungible’ i.e. NFTs (unique and can’t be replaced with something else) are now quite sought after.

previously unseen JH Pierneef entitled Farm Jonkershoek with Twin Peaks Beyond, Stellenbosch, fetched a mammoth R20 462 400 at an auction held by Strauss & Co just four years ago.

It’s possible to make money from investing in art, but as with all types of investments, there are pros and cons to consider.

CROWD FARMING You could also earn an income from a cow. Platforms like Livestock Wealth connect investors looking for something different with farmers that need funds to expand their farms.

THE DOWNSIDES

1

It’s important to do your research because the art world is complex. “Getting to know it well may require a long apprenticeship if you’re doing it on your own. Alternatively, you can obtain expert independent advice – this may come at a price, but the reward can be considerable,” says Stefan Hundt, curator of the Sanlam Art Collection.

Investing in art is a risky thing to do because, unlike investments in an asset management company, it’s unregulated.

“You have sharks in every industry; the art industry is just the same,” says Hundt.

2

Physical assets need proper care

Art must be stored properly, otherwise it could lose its value. “There are a number of environmental hazards to consider wherever you may install or keep your artwork. Bad handling or exposure to too much ultraviolet light can damage your artwork so badly that its value could easily halve,” warns Hundt.

Photography: Shutterstock, supplied, eucalyp/Flaticon

3

Prepare for admin fees

While equity dealing fees can range from 0.45-1%, depending on what you’re selling, art transaction costs can be much higher. “Auction houses in South Africa charge a premium ranging from 12-15% excluding VAT, while European auction houses charge as much as 28% in premiums and commissions. However, the market for art is significantly different, and if you have knowledge of it, you can make a very profitable gain,” says Hundt.

4

WINE You can drink it, but you can invest in it, too.

Wine Cellar has been trading fine wine for two decades and allows you to invest in local wines.

It’s unregulated

Beware: fakes and fraud

There’s always the chance of theft and fraud too. “Fakes are a growing problem in South Africa. The law in South Africa is not clear as to what should happen to fakes. In France such works are destroyed, whereas in South Africa because either the dealer or unsuspecting buyer wants to save face, these fakes remain in the art market system,” says Hundt.

THE BENEFITS

1

Rewards can be high

Investing in art can be rewarding, but patience is key. Hundt says: “A portrait by Irma Stern purchased in 1968 for R1 260 could easily fetch R15 million on auction today. It took 48 years to get there though, and one must take into account that probably 98% of the increase in value occurred over the past 10 years.” Even with such an increase, one has to consider the depreciation of the rand against the dollar and euro to be able to assess the gain appropriately, he adds.

2

There’s lots of choice

The South African art market offers plenty of choice. While there are veteran artists that one could invest in, like William Kentridge and Penny Siopis, you could gain by investing in an up-andcoming artist – particularly if you’re on a budget. Some to consider include Blessing Ngobeni, Teresa Firmino, Richard Mudariki, Wim Botha, Jacques Fuller and Pauline Gutter. But Hundt warns that some emerging artists aren’t always a good bet.

GET EXPERT He explains: “Rarely is the new kid a good ADVICE investment. Look for artists who have had a Any investment reasonable history of success and are beginning decision should be to mature. Their prices may seem high but the based on sound risk of making a bad choice is significantly less.”

advice – speak to a financial planner to understand what’s best for you. Call 0860 732 548/9 or visit sanlamreality. co.za/contact-anadviser to make an appointment.

T&Cs apply.

3

Like any investment strategy, diversity is key

Careful consideration should be made before you invest in art. Unless you’re a professional, art is a long-term investment and a risk, which is why it shouldn’t be the only investment choice. A diversified portfolio of cash, stocks, shares and property would always be key, as these could be the ones that pay out while you wait for your art to appreciate.

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wealth

gaming

How

GAMING could help boost your child’s wealth (and your health) Worried that your child’s love of gaming could be harmful? It’s time to rethink your view of this billion-dollar industry. By TORI HOFFMANN

The gaming industry is BIGGER than the sports and film industries combined.

It’s expected to have a statistical worth of about

$300 BILLION by 2025.

Source: GlobalData, 2019

$40 MILLION

$120 MILLION

25+

The prize pool for the 2021 Dota 2 The International tournament. There are 90 players competing for the cash.

What the 10 highestpaid eSports players pocketed in earnings in 2019.

The number of eSports scholarships available to US universities, including the University of Texas at Dallas, the University of California and Cornell College.

Source: esportsearnings.com

Source: Forbes

Source: lineups.com

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Technological advancement (and the pandemic) are

MAJOR DRIVING FORCES

pushing gaming experiences to the next level.

Source: theupcoming.co.uk

T

he global adoption of smartphones, coupled with increasingly powerful 5G networks and cloudbased infrastructure, has fuelled rapid growth in mobile gaming, allowing the industry to scale rapidly at a low marginal cost.

That said, gaming is the bane of many parents’ lives, and instead of embracing the power and importance of the industry, they spend what feels like their entire lives telling their children to “Switch off! Now!” But why is this?

1

the terrible moods and intensity that can follow a long, involved session,” he says.

According to Cape Town-based educator, mentor, and coach Andrew Hepburn-Brown of EdgeWise Group, the problem is largely a lack of understanding, and despite the fact that the gaming industry is considered to be one of the most exciting industries in tech because of its importance to culture, entertainment and technological advancement, no one knows enough about it – yet.

THE PROS

We don’t know enough about gaming to appreciate it

Photography: Shutterstock, Freepik

2

Screen time gets a bad rap

“Parents have witnessed first-hand the impact that gaming has on their children and teens,” attests Hepburn-Brown.

“During the pandemic and specifically during lockdown, gaming hours (understandably) increased significantly over a very short period of time.

“The obsession with gaming among children was frightening for parents to witness, as was the amount of time they were ‘wasting’ on their devices, and

Fine-tune strategic thinking and motor skills “It’s all about striking a balance,” says HepburnBrown, who adds that gaming sharpens your responses, improves fine motor skills and helps to develop strategy and on-the-spot strategic thinking.

“You always want to survive a game or get the most points. Every time you fail, you immediately get another ‘life’ and another ‘chance’ to fix your mistake – which is something you don’t always get in your everyday life, at school,” he says.

Curb loneliness Gaming helps to curb loneliness, and offers destressing, safe (socially distanced) socialising for adults and kids, but Hepburn-Brown warns that children in particular should never socialise online with anyone they don’t know.

“I see kids, especially teens, talking about having ‘friends’, but they’ve never actually

Video game stocks

HELP YOUR KIDS GET AHEAD You have access to Ivy Online, a free supplementary education platform based on the CAPS curriculum. Help your kids get ahead with their courses, including Computer Applications Technology. Learn more at sanlamreality.co.za/ benefit/ivy-online/. T&Cs apply.

interacted with these other children in person.

“If your children start gaming with people all over the world who they have never met, you may have other issues entering your home such as inappropriate age differences and bad language.”

Rather, encourage your child to create gaming groups with their friends. Plenty of games offer parenting or community controls to help manage this.

can help prevent beta-amyloid deposits from developing – the destructive proteins that have become the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.

Protect your adult brain from ageing According to Science Daily, video games can change your brain. Research suggests that playing video games can change the brain regions responsible for attention and visuospatial skills and make them more efficient. Popular video games can even slow down ageing and boost the brains of older people, according to a study by Montreal University. For those between 55 and 75 years old, 3D platform games such as Super Mario may help prevent mild cognitive impairment and even Alzheimer’s disease, it found.

Why? Exercising your brain

The video game (or eSports) industry is involved in the development, marketing and sale of video game hardware and software. The industry has performed well during the pandemic, as business shutdowns and social-distancing measures have limited people’s entertainment options, and there’s no doubt been an influx of online gamers, making the industry appealing to investors looking to cash in on the demand. To add, Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) and Sony Corp. (SNE) released new game consoles in late 2020, which sparked a massive surge in console sales.

+ Nintendo Co., Ltd: Nintendo is a Japanese multinational consumer electronics and video game company. + SciPlay: In 2018 Scientific Games Corp.

(SGMS) formed SciPlay, which completed an initial

8

Gaming careers

Gaming professionally is a viable career choice for kids, as are the sub-careers that keep gaming alive (coding, animation, game writing etc.). It’s also a highly competitive sector where professionals are needed who have a good balance of creativity, fun and technology and passion, says Murdoch University. + Games designer + Software developer and game programmer + Audio engineer + Games animator + Games artist + Interpreters and translators + Game play tester + Professional gamer

public offering the following year. + Electronic Arts Inc.: Electronic Arts develops games and online content for internet-connected consoles, mobile devices, and personal computers.

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What should you watch next on Showmax?

Which do you prefer: real life or make-believe?

Real life

Which do you enjoy more: biopics or reality TV?

Make-believe

What’s normally on your watch list: sci-fi and fantasy, or dramas?

Biopics

Reality TV

Sci-fi & fantasy

Dramas

When it comes to sporting heroes, who do you follow more closely?

Are you more competitive, or addicted to drama?

Who’s watching?

The whole family or just the grown-ups?

Want to get stuck into a local drama or something with international flavour?

Local names

International names

‘Competitive’ is my middle name

Give me the scoop!

The whole family

Grown-ups only

Local is lekker

Something international, please

WATCH

WATCH

WATCH

WATCH

WATCH

WATCH

WATCH

WATCH

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entertainment 60

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Catch these on the big & small screens

Make the most of Ivy Online

Breakfast ideas for everyone

your

entertainment

benefits

Pay R30 for a 2D movie ticket (R50 for 3D; Reality Plus & Health only) and R35 for a refreshment combo at Nu Metro.

Stream or download series, movies, Showmax Originals and kids’ shows with the Showmax R99 package for up to five months on us.

1GB free data monthly with AlwaysOn (Reality Plus & Health only) Go to sanlamreality.co.za/ benefits/entertainment to view your specific benefits, tier status and discount percentage.

Content correct at time of print.

T&Cs apply.

entertainment

what to watch

Coming to the big screen NU METRO MOVIE TICKETS: JUST R30 FOR MEMBERS LIKE YOU!

Save big at the movies with R30 2D tickets and R35 refreshment combos. Reality Health and Reality Plus members also enjoy 3D tickets for only R50.

Book your discounted tickets directly via the free Sanlam Reality App. All safety measures are in place and partners will follow due protocol.

See

THE SUICIDE SQUAD Director James Gunn’s new take on the squad will feature a ton of new characters (and some familiar ones), plus plenty of action.

Don’t miss supervillains Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang and a collection of cons at Belle Reve penitentiary as they join the supersecret, super-shady Task Force X where they are heavily armed and dropped off (literally) at the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese.

T&Cs apply.

Download the Sanlam Reality App

STREAM MOVIES, SERIES + MORE ON US! Get up to five months’ Showmax streaming with the R99 package on us as one of your entertainment benefits.

Learn more and activate your benefit at sanlamreality.co.za/ benefit/showmax.

Showing soon! + Hotel Transylvania: Transformania

+ PAW Patrol: The Movie

+ Reminiscence

+ After We Fell

+ The Protégé

+ Venom: Let There Be Carnage

+ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

GET R30 MOVIE TICKETS!

+ The Boss Baby: Family Business

T&Cs apply.

+ Candyman

Watch

Catch these Showmax streams this Spring 1 / BLOOD PSALMS Inspired by a Xhosa legend, the 10-part series tells the story of a bold African queen, Zazi, who is up against a world-ending prophecy to navigate her people through complexities, politics and never-ending wars.

The proudly South African story unfolds with locations in Gauteng,

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the Eastern Cape and North West as its backdrop.

2 / TEMPTATION ISLAND SOUTH AFRICA Relationships are put to the test as four couples need to decide their fate by trying out the single life in an island paradise.

Learn Success with Ivy Academy and Cambridge Assessment Your children can now access Cambridge Assessment’s leading academic programme through Ivy Academy! The programme, available to children aged 11 to 19, gets learners on track to the Cambridge IGCSE, the world’s most popular international qualification for 14- to 16-year-olds. What’s more, Cambridge Advanced prepares learners for university and higher education, and leads to Cambridge International AS & A Level qualifications.

How your child can make the most of Cambridge Assessment with Ivy Academy UNLOCK OPPORTUNITIES WITH IVY ONLINE Access a supplementary online-education support platform for high schoolers with your free Ivy Online education platform benefit! Visit sanlamreality.co.za/ benefit/ivy-online for more.

T&Cs apply.

ONLINE AND ON-SITE OPTIONS While teaching is done remotely, learners have the option to visit an Ivy Academy online Computer Centre, where they can study further in Cambridge Assessment.

TAILORED SUPPORT 3 Ways learners can get support for Cambridge Assessment academic material from subject matter experts: • Via email • Telephonically • At the Ivy Academy online Computer Centre SUPPLEMENT YOUR SCHOOLING “Students can do this programme while they continue with their regular National Senior Certificate schooling.

The added depth of knowledge and skills broadens their horizons, their future tertiary prospects, and provides an international flavour to their CVs,” says Eli Katz, CEO of Ivy Academy.

Research & text: Dominique Bowen; Photography: Shutterstock, supplied; https://wordmint.com/public_puzzles/104567

Do 1

Crossword

2

ACROSS: 1. A debt for which you are liable for - financial obligation 3. Something unnecessary, but desired 6. Something owed to another - an obligation 8. An amount of money that is the same each time you pay 11. A spending plan for managing money during a given period of time 12. A value that is owned 14. Inability to pay all debts 15. Costs that change in amount each time they are paid 16. To divide/distribute as necessary

DOWN: 2. Money earned through employment and investments 4. The amount by which assets exceed liabilities 5. An essential item required for life 7. A fundamental belief about what is desirable, worthwhile, and important to an individual 9. An amount of money spent to buy goods and services for yourself 10. Specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time bound 13. Ability to pay all debts See solution on p.2.

3

4

5

6

7 8

9

10

11

12

13

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entertainment

breakfast

t s a f k Brea up e k a sh with kfast again a re b r fo d eas.

Get excite n classic id o ts is tw GR A these tasty ling: KATELYN ALLE ty s ILL food N MACKR Recipes & y: KIRSTE h p ra g to o Ph

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Harissa and dill Turkish eggs with pita chips SERVES: 4 PREP TIME: 20 MIN COOK TIME: 20 MIN Paprika pita chips: • 3 pitas • 60ml olive oil • 1 tsp smoked paprika • Sea salt, to taste Dill yoghurt: • 90g double cream yoghurt • 1 clove garlic, grated • ½ lemon, juiced • 10g fresh dill, chopped, plus extra for garnish • Pinch sea salt, to taste Spicy butter sauce: • 2 tbsp salted butter • 1 tsp chilli flakes • ½ tsp smoked paprika • 4 large eggs • 2 tbsp vinegar • 60ml harissa paste

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Halve and quarter the pitas and evenly spread them out on a baking tray. Combine the olive oil and paprika and drizzle over the pita chips, then sprinkle with sea salt and bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden and crisp.

In a small bowl, combine the yoghurt, garlic, lemon juice and dill, and season well.

To make the butter sauce, place the ingredients in a small pot and melt together. Remove from the heat, but keep warm.

Bring a small pot of water to a simmer and add vinegar to the water. Break the eggs in and poach for 2-3 minutes. Set eggs aside.

To serve, dollop the yoghurt in a bowl and add some harissa paste. Top with the poached eggs and extra dill. Drizzle the butter sauce over and season well.

Serve with crispy pita chips.

Vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar-free

Coconut pancakes with mango SERVES: 4 | PREP TIME: 10 MIN | COOK TIME: 20 MIN Coconut pancakes: • 300g rice flour • ½ tsp ground cardamom • 3 tbsp coconut sugar • 1 cup coconut milk • 2 ½ cups sparkling water, chilled

• Oil, for frying • 1 ripe mango, sliced • 50g raspberries • 1 cup coconut yoghurt, to serve • Icing sugar, for dusting (optional)

For the pancakes, whisk all the ingredients together in a large bowl until completely smooth.

Grease a non-stick frying pan with cooking spray and place over high heat. Add ¼ cup of the batter and swirl to coat the base of the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes on one side or until the pancake is cooked through and the edges are lightly browned and crisp. Set aside and keep warm. Serve immediately with slices of mango, fresh raspberries, coconut yoghurt and icing sugar (optional).

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entertainment

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breakfast

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SAVE ON YOUR GROCERIES!

Full English breakfast tart SERVES: 8 PREP TIME: 20 MIN COOK TIME: 30 MIN

Creative direction: Marisa Steyn; Food styling assistant: Cassandra Upton

• 80g butter, coarsely chopped • 1 leek, thinly sliced • 1 garlic clove, finely chopped • 250g ricotta, coarsely crumbled • 150g feta, coarsely crumbled • 4 tbsp thyme, leaves plucked • 4 beef or pork sausages • 250g streaky macon • 8 phyllo pastry sheets • 80g breadcrumbs • 100ml buttermilk • 9 large eggs, at room temperature • 205g baked beans • 2 tomatoes, sliced • 150g mushrooms, cooked • Handful parsley, chopped

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Melt 1 tbsp of butter in a large frying pan over medium heat, add the leek and garlic and stir occasionally until they begin to caramelise (6-7 minutes). In a medium bowl combine the cheeses, thyme, leeks and garlic, and season to taste. Mix well and set aside.

Fry the sausages and macon in a pan until golden and caramelised.

Allow to cool slightly. Slice the sausages in half lengthwise.

Melt the remaining butter, and brush the base and sides of a 35cm × 5cm baking tray, then line with a phyllo sheet, allowing pastry to hang over the edges. Brush with butter, then lay over another phyllo sheet and repeat until all the phyllo is used.

Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the base of the tin. Spread leek and cheese mixture over the breadcrumbs.

In a bowl whisk together buttermilk and eggs, season to taste, then pour over the cheese mixture. Arrange the sausages, streaky macon, baked beans, tomatoes and mushrooms in the tin. Brush the phyllo edges with butter and bake until tart is set and eggs are cooked – about 20-25 minutes. Serve warm, sprinkled with chopped parsley.

Use your Sanlam Money Saver credit card – the only credit card that gives you a guaranteed 5% cash back in the form of Wealth Bonus with every swipe when you choose the co-save option! Learn more at www.moneysaver.cards.

T&Cs apply.

Cappuccino overnight oats SERVES: 4 | PREP TIME: 5 MIN • 1 ½ cup gluten-free rolled oats • 1 tsp ground cinnamon • 1 tbsp light brown sugar • 1 cup coconut yoghurt • 1 cup freshly brewed espresso

Vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar-free

To serve: • 1 cup frothed oat milk • ½ tsp ground cinnamon

In a large bowl, combine the oats, cinnamon, sugar, yoghurt and coffee.

Stir to combine.

Place the mixture in an airtight container and refrigerate overnight.

To serve, divide between 4 mugs and serve with frothed milk and a dusting of cinnamon.

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entertainment

5 minutes with

In five lines Age: 35 Born: Cape Town

Favourite Showmax series? “I May Destroy You and The Night Of are some ground-breaking content.

I’m really loving those.”

Best money tip? “Save save save save.”

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Interview: Dominique Bowen; Images: supplied

People would be surprised to know…

“I’m actually quite an introvert.”

Siv unstoppable 5 Minutes with actor Siv Ngesi

the

Actor, funnyman and producer Siv Ngesi talks joining forces with film creators Layla Swart and Jahmil XT Qubeka for Showmax’s biggest original of the year, Blood Psalms, plus breaking stereotypes with his drag alter ego, SIVanna.

YOUR SHOWMAX BENEFIT IS HERE! Blood Psalms is scheduled to launch on Showmax in late 2021. Get up to five months on us on the R99 Showmax package as one of your entertainment benefits. To activate your benefit, visit sanlamreality.co.za/ benefit/showmax.

T&Cs apply.

“I’m always challenging myself”

“SIVanna is here to stay”

“The best way to treat productions is to go on, give it your all, give everyone your all and then you leave. With DAM, the whole cast is a family. No egos. We were in the middle of nowhere together. The writing and acting was unbelievable.

“And for me, I got to play a bad guy. I never get to play a bad guy. A great experience for me is challenging myself, and the character I play has received some great feedback.”

“I have been planning [to do drag] and learning, watching and listening for the past seven years. I was naïve enough to think putting on a dress would just be me putting on a dress, but it became quite political, and topics about it have opened up. And I like it when people are speaking.

“I will continue to do what I want to do, but I need to understand that it comes with a privilege to be able to wear a dress, because I can take off my make-up and I’ll still be a heterosexual man. But many people have worn make-up and they’ve been killed for that.”

“I watched Tali’s Wedding Diary and said ‘I have to be part of it’” “I jokingly said to the director and actors, ‘Tali needs a best black friend’. Six weeks later I was at the SAFTAs and on stage reading out Best Actress in a Comedy and Best Director of a Comedy, and I ended up giving both to them.

“I really wanted [to be a part of the show] and I usually get what I want in life. It’s been quite incredible to be a part of Tali’s Baby Diary.”

“Blood Psalms is even bigger than South Africa” “You don’t get an audition to be on a Jahmil project.

He calls you and says, ‘I’d like you to be part of it’.

And you don’t say no.

“I hang out at [Layla and Jahmil’s] houses. Jahmil and I talk boxing and UFC every other night. So it’s a family. When you watch

American productions that use the same actors over and over, you ask ‘Why do they do that?’ But then you understand it because you become friends with these people.

“Showmax’s Blood Psalms is going to absolutely blow the world away. It is incredible and authentic. It’s local languages, make-up, art….

It will be huge everywhere around the world.”

“I always wanted to break into the Afrikaans market” “Kaalgat Karel was the perfect way to get to do that. It was shot in the Eastern Cape too, coming out in September.

“I want to be the content king of this country. I want to control every single aspect of content. I want to be able to do the camera work and create content that will make people think. I’ve realised that with content, if everyone agrees with you, you’re doing it wrong.”

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Ready to unlock your Wealth Bonus?

Wealth Bonus is Sanlam’s rewards benefit: various Sanlam Group products participate in giving you Wealth Bonus. It’s a benefit that you don’t pay anything extra for – instead, we’ve built it into the way our products work. It’s our way of saying thank you for choosing us. Your products, premium and age are used to determine how much we put towards your Wealth Bonus. Typically the longer you are invested and the more payments you make, the higher your Wealth Bonus becomes.

WHICH PRODUCTS ALLOW YOU TO QUALIFY FOR WEALTH BONUS?

SANLAM MONEY SAVER CREDIT CARD

SANLAM MATRIX PREMIER (LIFE INSURANCE AND COVER POLICIES)

WEALTH BONUS: Guaranteed 5% cash back on your spend, if you choose the co-save option.

WEALTH BONUS: We match up to 100% of your premium. + Access 5% of your Wealth Bonus every 5 years.

SANLAM INDIE LIFE INSURANCE (ALL PRODUCTS)

WEALTH BONUS: We match up to 100% of your premium payment.

SANLAM ECHO RETIREMENT ANNUITY

WEALTH BONUS: You can get paid back more than the value of your policy on retirement!

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SANLAM ECHO PRESERVATION FUND

WEALTH BONUS: We match a % of your investment and pay it back to you when you retire or terminate the policy.

SANLAM WEALTH EDGE ENDOWMENT

WEALTH BONUS: We give you an 8% additional allocation upfront to give your investment a head start. + Get cash back after 5 years.

real world 70

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Max your Wealth Bonus

The fun app to help your kids save

All your Sanlam Reality benefits and discounts

inside sanlam reality

You can earn tier points… from home! Visit sanlamreality.co.za/ earn-points to learn how.

Many of your benefits, like your Personal Assistant, are available on the Sanlam Reality App. Go to sanlamreality.co.za/ benefits to view your specific benefits, tier status and discount percentage.

real world

wealth bonus

See how Karabo can earn R3 million in Wealth Bonus from Sanlam Risk cover: R447pm premium with 5% per annum increase Wealth Bonus Premium Match: 100% Value at 70: R783 196 Karabo, 30 years old

Retirement plan: R1 000pm Term: 35 years. 5% annual increase.

Value at 65: R1 387 226

R3 million in Wealth Bonus by age 70 R3 000 000

Wealth Edge Endowment Approximate Wealth Bonus after 15 years assuming a R500 000 initial investment amount at age 50 Approximate Wealth Bonus of R61 725

R2 000 000

Indie Funeral Cover: R275pm Wealth Bonus Premium Match: 100% Value at 70: R447 000

Money Saver credit card Wealth Bonus cash back: 5% in network Value after 40 years: R253 651

R1 000 000

Missing out on

R3 000 238

0

Over client’s lifetime

Wealth Bonus

The projected future value of your Wealth Bonus is based on average assumptions. This projection is not guaranteed and should not be seen as an accurate forecast in any sense. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. When the economy is underperforming, investment returns are likely to be low.

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New benefits for you!

As part of our Wealth Bonus launch, we’re also launching Wealth Bonus Lifestyle benefits – lifestyle benefits that reward you now for your financially responsible behaviour. Reality Core, Plus and Health also have access to these new benefits.

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R0

SHOWMAX ACCESS ON US Enjoy five months of Showmax membership on us – meaning you can stream series like His Dark Materials, The Handmaid’s Tale and more!

FREE ONLINE EDUCATION You’ve got access to Ivy Online, a free online education platform for Grades 8-12. With everything from online tuition and classes to e-books and guides for your kids, Ivy Online will help your kids excel at school in the ‘new normal’.

Learn more about your new benefits at sanlamreality.co.za/benefits or by calling 0860 732 548/9. T&Cs apply.

MAKE WEALTH BONUS WORK FOR YOU! Speak to a Sanlam financial planner to find out how to maximise your portfolio so that you enjoy the full benefit of Wealth Bonus. Visit sanlamreality.co.za/ contact-an-adviser.

T&Cs apply.

Photography: supplied

Wealth Bonus

sanlam savings jar

real world

DOWNLOAD THE APP NOW!

Try this free, interactive savings app for kids!

MEET THE SANLAM SAVINGS JAR, A FUN GAME THAT YOUR KIDS CAN PLAY FOR FREE TO HELP TEACH THEM ABOUT THE POWER OF SAVING…

GROW YOUR TREASURE, GROW YOUR DRAGON

Download the free Sanlam Savings Jar app for iOS and Android today! Visit sanlamsavingsjar. co.za to find out more about how the app teaches kids the power of saving.

T&Cs apply.

In the fun app, kids can take on the exciting role of young dragon masters who embark on a quest to save shiny golden coins into a virtual jar. But this is no ordinary jar.

Every time they add a coin, something incredible happens!

As their treasure grows, their dragon grows, too. Through augmented reality, the Savings Jar catapults kids into a world of imagination and fantastical fun where they can learn the value of setting goals and working towards them.

SPRING 2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

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real world

benefits

Sanlam Reality

benefits table All you need to know about your benefits and discounts as a Sanlam Reality member.

Reality Health

Reality Plus

Reality Core

Sanlam Life Cover

Up to 30% off

Up to 30% off

n/a

Sanlam Personal Loans

Cash back reward of up to 20%

Cash back reward of up to 20%

Cash back reward of up to 20%

Wealth Sense

Online financial platform

Online financial platform

Online financial platform

TaxTim

Complimentary tax assistance

Complimentary tax assistance

Complimentary tax assistance

Virgin Active

As much as 60% off

n/a

n/a

Planet Fitness Gym

As much as 80% off

As much as 80% off

As much as 60% off

JustGym

As much as 80% off

As much as 80% off

As much as 60% off

As much as 30% off

As much as 30% off

As much as 20% off

As much as 25% off

As much as 25% off

n/a

Protea Hotels by Marriott

As much as 30% off

As much as 30% off

As much as 20% off

Tempest Car Hire

Discounted car hire

Discounted car hire

Discounted car hire

Uber trips

As much as 30% off

As much as 30% off

As much as 30% off

Bidvest Premier Lounges

Up to 40 visits/year

Up to 40 visits/year

n/a

Wealth

Health

Travel Mango flights Emirates flights ®

Entertainment Showmax subscription

Five months’ streaming on us Five months’ streaming on us Four months’ streaming on us

Nu Metro movies & refreshments

R30 for 2D or R50 for 3D; R35 for refreshment combo

R30 for 2D or R50 for 3D; R35 for refreshment combo

R30 for 2D; R35 for refreshment combo

AlwaysOn Wi-Fi

1GB data/month

1GB data/month

n/a

Reality magazine

Three times a year

Three times a year

Three times a year

Personal Assistant

24/7, 365 days a year

24/7, 365 days a year

24/7, 365 days a year

Ivy Online education platform

Free online education platform for Grades 8-12

Free online education platform for Grades 8-12

Free online education platform for Grades 8-12

Dial-A-Teacher

Educational help and call-back service

Educational help and call-back service

Educational help and call-back service

Legal Assist

Legal helpline (24/7)

Legal helpline (24/7)

Legal helpline (24/7)

Trauma, Assault & HIV Assist

Expert assistance helpline (24/7)

Expert assistance helpline (24/7)

Expert assistance helpline (24/7)

Earn up to 5% cash back in the form of Wealth Bonus

Earn up to 5% cash back in the form of Wealth Bonus

Earn up to 5% cash back in the form of Wealth Bonus

Day-to-Day Sanlam Money Saver credit card

T&Cs apply; for full T&Cs visit sanlamreality.co.za/terms-conditions/benefits-day-to-day-savings/#sanlam-money-saver-credit-card

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SPRING 2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

Pricing correct at time of print.

Personal Services

Get up to 5% cash back on everything at Dis-Chem

Including medication, toiletries, beauty and more – everything!

Apply today at www.moneysaver.cards

Managed by Sanlam Reality, the loyalty programme of the Sanlam Group. Facilitated by RCS, as the Registered Credit and Authorised Financial Services Provider NCRCP 38.

FSP 44481. Wealth Bonus is administered by EasyEquities, an Authorised Financial Services Provider. FSP 22588. Terms and conditions apply.

Get a guaranteed R1 cash back for every 1ℓ you fill up at Total No hoops, no tricks, no false promises.

It’s guaranteed for everyone.

Go to www.moneysaver.cards to apply.

Apply today to enjoy guaranteed cash back using your Sanlam Money Saver credit card.

Helping you save with every swipe.

Terms and conditions apply.

Managed by Sanlam Reality, the loyalty programme of the Sanlam Group.

Facilitated by RCS, as the Registered Credit and Authorised Financial Services Provider NCRCP 38. FSP 44481. The Wealth Bonus is administered by EasyEquities, an Authorised Financial Services Provider. FSP 22588.

Exclusively at