Silver Digest December 2019/January2020

ISSUE 4 SUMMER DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

Heartland

Discover the magic of the Karoo CAPE TO CAIRO AT 80

An octogenarian adventurer’s travel memoir SEE INSIDE FOR READER GIVEAWAY

Why women might not know they’re having a heart attack

Christmas décor

The return of simplicity, comfort and nostalgia What you need to know about investing offshore

RETURNS TO ROYALTY WITH CATHERINE THE GREAT

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…

Contents 12 ED’S NOTE & UPFRONT

Where to go, what to read, buy and drink.

Travel

Interview 28 HELEN MIRREN

39 HOW DO YOU SECURE A COMFORTABLE RETIREMENT?

18 MY AFRICAN CONQUEST

We bring you an extract from octogenarian adventurer Julia Albu’s travel memoir, My African Conquest: Cape to Cairo at 80, chronicling her drive across Africa in her trusty Toyota Conquest she named Tracy. Plus, we have copies of the book to give away.

8

The dry windmill-dotted expanse of semi desert at the heart of South Africa’s interior provides opportunities for fascinating discoveries, restorative escape and foodie delights.

SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

Dame Helen Mirren returns to TV in the epic new drama Catherine the Great. She talks about her new role, her Russian roots and her incredible career spanning five decades.

The PPS Conservative Fund of Funds is a multiasset low equity unit trust which is managed according to Regulation 28 of the Pension Funds Act, and therefore is a suitable vehicle for retirement savings.

42 RETIREMENT 101

What happens to my RA when I die?

Money 34 INVESTING YOUR RANDS OFFSHORE

24 DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF THE KAROO

The SALT dome at the SAAO in Sutherland, South Africa p 24

Pieter Koekemoer, Head of Personal Investments at Coronation, says investing offshore is not a question of when, but how.

36 CAN YOU AFFORD TO RETIRE EARLY?

The temptation to retire early and adopt a life of leisure can be seductive as you enter your fifties and sixties, but can you afford it?

My African Conquest p 18

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continued …

Simple Christmas p 60

Health

Leisure

44 WHY WOMEN MIGHT NOT KNOW THEY’RE HAVING A HEART ATTACK

ART 54 The 2020 Standard

If you’re a woman, you might not experience the acute chest pain normally associated with a heart attack.

48 HEARING LOSS

Hearing loss is the third most common physical condition in aging people, but new hearing aids combine modern technology with clear, rich sound in various listening situations.

52 GET TO GRIPS WITH GOUT

People suffering from gout will benefit in the long term from healthy changes to their lifestyle.

Meet Blessing Ngobeni p 54

Bank Young Artist for Art, Blessing Ngobeni, is proof that above all else, innovation and perseverance will see you come out on top, no matter your background.

BOOKS 56 A selection of new

novels, memoirs and history for your holiday reading pleasure.

LIFESTYLE TRENDS 58 Ten advantages

of retiring in a lifestyle estate.

CHRISTMAS DECOR 60 Return to the

simple things this festive season: a table

Dining p 66

decorated to evoke a sense of comfort and nostalgia, a humble colour palette and homespun decorations that weave in the wild spirit of nature.

DINING 66 In Joburg, AURUM

Restaurant overlooks Sandton from the 7th floor of South Africa and Africa’s tallest new building, The Leonardo, and Surfshack is the latest hotspot to open on the Camps Bay beachfront.

MOTORING 69 Which luxury German

marque has the best resale value?

PUZZLES 73 Test your skills

10

SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

WWW.SILVER DIGEST.CO.ZA

11

Ed's note … @SILVERDIGEST

I

t’s summer and the festive season

beyond your wildest expectations in

is upon us! With that in mind, we

the process. Speaking of unforgettable,

have made a big splash in our décor

British actress Helen Mirren has

section showcasing former clothing

tackled another royal in her latest role,

designer, stylist and fashion buyer Stephanie Wolhuter Inggs’ serene and sensible philosophy to surviving the silly season. Her Cape Town home is bursting with stylish ideas, and she has woven together

but this time it’s not one of her compatriots, but Russia’s We would love Catherine the Great. (Did to hear your thoughts, you know that Mirren comments and suggestions.

Mail me at Graham.Wood is actually of Russian @newmedia.co.za descent, and her surname I look forward to hearing was originally Mironoff? from you.

She quips that they knocked

a fusion of homespun and

the “off” off to make it sound

sophisticated, timeless yet

more British, and now everyone

fresh décor ideas to inspire your own

assumes she’s Scots because of the

Christmas table – plus she’s thrown in a

football club, St Mirren!) As she recounts

recipe for her signature spiced pear-

the triumphs and challenges of her

and-apricot cake. We also bring you an

career, you can’t help looking forward

extract from octogenarian adventurer

to her latest performance. As always,

Julia Albu’s memoir of her madcap trip

the rest of the magazine is packed with

from Cape Town to Cairo in her Toyota

advice on health and wealth, and filled

Conquest. (We’re giving away a couple

with style and entertainment. Enjoy the

of copies too; details below). Her story

read, enjoy the festive season, and we

and bright, upbeat approach proves

look forward to bringing you our next

that you’re never too old to tackle that

issue after a fabulous summer.

bucket list and forge some memories

Graham

EDITORIAL EDITOR: Graham Wood Email: graham.wood@newmedia.co.za SUB EDITOR: Anita van der Merwe LAYOUT & DESIGN: Julia van Schalkwyk PHOTOGRAPHY Cover: Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images Unless previously agreed in writing, Silver Digest owns all rights to all contributions, whether image or text. Sources: Gallo/Getty Images, Shutterstock, supplied images, editorial staff.

ADVERTISING Clive Kotze Cell: +27 (0)82 335 4957 Email: clive@mediamatic.co.za SUBSCRIPTIONS Felicity Garbers email: felicity.garbers@newmedia.co.za PUBLISHING TEAM GENERAL MANAGER: Dev Naidoo PUBLISHING MANAGER: Sandra Ladas Email: sandra.ladas@newmedia.co.za PRODUCTION MANAGER: Angela Silver ART DIRECTOR: David Kyslinger MANAGEMENT TEAM MANAGING DIRECTOR: Aileen Lamb COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR: Maria Tiganis BRAND STRATEGY DIRECTOR: Andrew Nunneley CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER: Venette Malone HEAD OF HR: Camillah West CEO: MEDIA24: Ishmet Davidson Johannesburg Office: Ground floor, Media Park, 69 Kingsway Avenue, Auckland Park, 2092 Postal Address: PO Box 784698, Sandton, Johannesburg, 2146 Tel: +27 (0)11 877 6111 Fax: +27 (0)11 877 6198 © Copyright Silver Digest 2019 Published by New Media, a division of Media24 (PTY) Ltd

Giveaway Turn to page 18 for a chance to win a copy of Julia Albu's My African Conquest: Cape to Cairo at 80.

Head Office: New Media House, 19 Bree Street, Cape Town, 8001 Postal Address: PO Box 440, Green Point, Cape Town, 8051 Tel: +27 (0)21 417 1111 Fax: +27 (0)21 417 1112 Email: newmedia@newmedia.co.za Printed by

Winners…

, a division of Novus Holdings

In issue #3 of Silver Digest, we gave away two issue of Jamie

Oliver latest book, VEG. Congratulations to our winners, Alan Budge from Oasis Retirement Resort, Cape Town, and Pam Smith from Onrus, Western Cape.

While precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of its contents and information given to readers, neither the editor, publisher, or its agents can accept responsibility for damages or injury which may arise therefrom. All rights reserved. © Silver Digest No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, photocopying, electronic, mechanical or otherwise without the prior written permission of the copyright owners.

12

SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

Upfront …

WHERE TO GO, WHAT TO READ, BUY AND DRINK STAY HERE: THE MARLY

– right in the centre of the action.

the soul and a certain visual spoil

You can’t help but be drawn in

And thanks to a five-month-long

for guests. Adding to the allure of

by the Mother City’s Camps Bay

renovation and the addition of a

The Marly is the new rooftop pool,

beachfront. The picture perfect

brand new floor, The Marly is home

bar and lounge. With its Hollywood-

beach, swaying palm trees, dazzling

to an additional 27 suites, being

style semi-submerged pool loungers

turquoise waters and bronzed sun

added to the existing 11, bringing

and spectacular beach, ocean and

worshippers set the scene – and

the total complement to 38, each

mountain vistas, it will be the perfect

then there’s the buzzing Camps

of which is dressed in the hotel’s

spot to retreat to after a day on the

Bay strip, with its stylish cocktail

signature sophisticated palette

beach and of course it’s bound to be

spots and dining destinations filled

of silvers, whites and grey. Each

a hotspot for sundowner cocktails all

with visitors and the city’s glossy

of the plush rooms boasts utterly

year round. Turn to page 67 to find

residents. It’s here that luxury

beautiful views, be they sea-facing

out more about the new restaurant

boutique hotel property, The Marly

or of the majestic Twelve Apostles

downstairs, too.

Boutique Hotel and Spa, holds court

and Table Mountain – it’s food for

www.themarly.co.za

14

SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

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UPFRONT

GIVE THIS TO A FRIEND: CÉCILE & BOYD SCENTED CANDLE

ED’S PICK: NGWENYA GLASS

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The ever-popular

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grown to encompass interior

beautiful tall champagne flutes

and wine bottles collected from

design, architectural concepts

from Ngwenya Glass are perfect

all over Swaziland/Eswatini. It

and creative direction. They also

for celebrating life and love!

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Ngwenya Glass products are all

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products like this luxurious hand-

handmade using 100% recycled

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a rich, exotic frangipani scent and lengthy burn time. The candle is available at the Cécile & Boyd shops in Durban and Cape Town, as well as online at www. cecileandboyds. com/shop.

DRINK THIS: THE PRODIGY

“The lighter fruit-driven style of

R430 per unit.

Long famous for its revolutionary

The Prodigy perfectly ticks the

‘coffee-chocolate’ Pinotage,

box for everyday enjoyment,” says

Diemersfontein wine estate

Francois Roode, cellarmaster and

READ THIS: THE LAST HUNT BY DEON MEYER

outside Wellington is proving

winemaker at Diemersfontein.

it’s a no one-trick-pony when

South African staples – bobotie,

“The undisputed champion of South African

it comes to this iconic South

bunny chow and braai – all beg for

crime,” as Wilbur Smith has called Deon Meyer,

African cultivar, with the release

a glass of Pinotage. Its versatility

is back with a cold case for Captain Benny

of a third Pinotage in the range,

makes it a great partner with roast

Griessel and Vaughn Cupido of the Hawks – not

THE PRODIGY. The much-loved

duck, lamb casseroles and even

what they were looking for. And a difficult case

coffee and chocolate notes of the

chocolate soufflé. Serve it slightly

too, surrounded by mystery, lies and evasion.

Original Diemersfontein Pinotage

chilled. R75 per bottle.

The body of Johnson

make it a wine worth savouring.

Johnson, ex-cop, has been found by the side of a railway

16

line. He appears to

progress and others are intent on

have jumped from

muddying the waters. Meanwhile

the world’s most

in Bordeaux, Daniel Darret is

luxurious train,

settled in a new life on a different

and two suspicious

continent. But his skills as an

a race against time – for the

characters seen

international hit-man are required

Hawks to stop the assassination,

with him have

one more time, and Daniel is given

for Daniel to evade the relentless

disappeared into

no choice in the matter. He must

Russian agents tracking him,

thin air. The regular

hunt again. His prey? The corrupt

for Benny Griessel to survive

police have already

president of his homeland. Two

long enough to finally ask Alexa

failed to make

strands of the same story become

Bernard to marry him... •

SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

Travel …

MY AFRICAN CONQUEST

Cape to Cairo at

18

SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

BOOK EXCERPT

8

0-year-old Julia Albu is an adventurer with a difference – she’s an

octogenarian. At an age when

South African community in Dar

you’re never too old to tackle that

most people are happy to put up

es Salaam and being fed mildly

bucket list.

their feet, Julia drove south to north

hallucinogenic “herbs” by her

across Africa in her trusty Toyota

Ethiopian driver-guide, nothing

her journey from Bahir Dar

Conquest she named Tracy.

deterred 80-year-old Julia from her

to Lalibela, Ethiopia, with her

quest to drive through Africa from

maverick guide, Lucky.

Her adventure began when she called in to her favourite radio

In this excerpt, Julia recounts

the Cape to Cairo.

23–29 NOVEMBER 2017

show with a zany, half-baked idea:

She travelled through 10

“Next year I’m going to be 80 years

African countries, from South

Lucky continued to be a challenge,

old. My car will be 20 years old.

Africa to Egypt (and beyond). Julia

doing things like suddenly stopping

Together we’ll be 100. We’re going

was accompanied by a series of

the car and jumping out, then

to drive to London.” At the time, she

companions who added texture to

getting down in the middle of the

had no idea that it would lead her

her travels: three of her four grown-

road to do push-ups; he constantly

to the adventure of a lifetime.

up children, her son-in-law, and

made muscles and yelled at me to

at least one person who began as a

take photos of him (‘Look at me!

complete stranger and ended up as

Very handsome!’), rather like a

a friend for life.

child trying to get attention, and if

“And what route are you going to take?”

“I have no idea. I think I’ll keep to the right.”

From helping push a 30-year-

Reminiscing about her long

he saw that I was more interested

and interesting life along the way,

in our surroundings, he would

old Toyota bakkie up a precipitous

and maintaining a bright and

literally jump right in front of my

mountain pass in Malawi to being

upbeat outlook regardless of the

face to get my full focus.

“adopted” by the riotous ex-pat

circumstances, Julia proves that

Continued …

WWW.SILVERDIGEST.CO.ZA

19

T R AV E L

Another of his whims was to

BOOK EXCERPT

got me to chew on some hedge or

autumn hues. Below in the valleys

stop in some of the smallest and

other. I think I did get slightly high

were clusters of houses. Trains

busiest villages, then leave me in

then, which I didn’t notice until

of donkeys loaded with hay were

the car while he went off and had

he encouraged me to walk along

guided by women and children

coffee with (I assume) friends or

a wall overlooking a valley miles

carrying their own bundles, while

family members. Then he’d jump

below. Thinking

back in and roar off down dirt

back, I suspect we

roads in clouds of dust, with me

were both high for

holding my knees and yelling,

most of the time,

‘Stop, Lucky!’

actually.

While Lucky drove, wafts of

Again and

schoolchildren made

“

their way through the dust in their pristine

When I asked him outright, ‘Lucky, what are you smoking?’ he told me it was a medicinal herb, and even got me to chew on some

uniforms. In some cases, the donkeys were more heavily

dagga waved over me, giving me

again, on the

that giggle you get from sitting

310-kilometre

next to someone who starts his

drive to Lalibela,

day with it, although Lucky kept

I regretted not

insisting that I was the high one. At

having someone

one point he even accused me of

with me (but not

drinking – I am generally as sober

Lucky!) with whom

as a judge, and in fact our whole

I’d be able to share

family seldom touches alcohol

the experience

(aside, of course, from what goes

without having

into our Christmas pudding and

to say a word. Every inch of the

this beautiful country also worked

the accompanying brandy butter).

mountain passes and the plains

harder than anything I’d ever seen,

When I asked him outright, ‘Lucky,

seemed to be under sorghum; I

with the children being taught

what are you smoking?’ he told me

never knew it grew in so many

from about the age of seven to tend

it was a medicinal herb, and even

colours, from shades of white to

to the cattle.

”

laden than any I’d never seen – I was ready to phone the SPCA but one of my hosts assured me that although the people worked the donkeys hard, they were looked after.

The people in

Continued …

20

SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

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T R AV E L

BOOK EXCERPT

They had a brilliant system, where the younger children went to school in the morning, and in the afternoon learnt about tending to the animals, while the older children did the opposite. In this way, everyone got an education and also learnt to take care of a family.

it with me. Not wanting to be

Apart from the frequent tea

rude, and with knees crackling

and found Professor Zegeye sitting waiting for me again, but

stops, we shot on. At one stage

like a breakfast cereal, I crouched

this time with three of his learned

we saw winding down the road

down and, to surrounding

colleagues. They’d heard I had a

towards us a group of women with

applause, ate god knows what.

problem, these wise and earnest

such amazing hairstyles that we

Somewhere along the road

screeched to a halt and I (sort of)

Katherine had booked us into

had heard that I needed something

leapt out of Tracy frantically

a church hostel. Staying in the

sorted out.

waving suckers, pens and chocolate biscuits.

READER GIVEAWAY

monasteries in Ethiopia was

Silver Digest has two copies of Julia Albu's My African Conquest: Cape to Cairo at 80 to give away to our readers.

To stand a chance to win one, send an email to info@silverdigest.co.za with My African Conquest in the subject line.

They shyly came over to us and although we couldn’t really communicate because of the language barrier, we quite happily got along

wonderful – they were warm

men told me with quiet concern; they

They were the most cosy, charming men who would do

and safe, and with hot

anything to help a damsel in distress

running water. And of course

(that damsel being me). They were

every church was decorated

to become my guardian angels and

with abundant and colourful

as such I christened them Matthew,

murals, frescos or paintings.

This one, although very spartan,

Mark, Luke and John. I poured out my heart to them, telling them of my

in smiles, the international

was very clean. It was full of

problems with and concerns about

language of friendship.

backpackers, so I was shown to

my guide, Lucky.

One of the women was carrying a rather grubby-looking bundle which she lay on the ground and

a small but clean room with a balcony looking at the mountains.

I was told that there was a

The solution, they said, after much backwards and forwards between the four of them, was to

opened, producing some rather

gentleman waiting for me and went

simply pay him what I owed him,

unsavoury-looking edible. She

downstairs to find a good-looking

plus his bus fare back to Addis

indicated that she wanted to share

man with lovely manners who

Ababa. I agreed, but I didn’t want to

introduced himself as Professor

just sack Lucky, because the bush

Abebe Zegeye. He lived in the

telegraph was frighteningly efficient

relatively nearby town of Woldia

and I had my reputation to look after;

with his partner Rachel Browne,

and, anyway, I needed him to get me

who was originally from Cape

to Woldia.

“

We quite happily got along in smiles, the international language of friendship

22

”

SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

Town, he told me, and he invited me to stay with them there.

The next morning I came down

So I was stuck with my troublesome guide for the time being. •

T R AV E L

DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF THE

Karoo

The dry windmill-dotted expanse of semi desert at the heart of South Africa’s interior provides opportunities for fascinating discoveries, restorative escapes and foodie delights

24

SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

LOCAL

T

he vast arid scrubland of the Karoo contains volumes. Its dry, apparently

featureless expanse has always held a forbidding place in the national consciousness – possibly because of the way in which its harsh conditions seems to form a barrier to the north of the Cape, which seemed impossible to traverse before the advent of roads and railways. Even now, it’s often a landscape people pass through, rather than a destination.

The apparent emptiness of its wide-open plains, deep

Here are four highlights of the Karoo:

valleys, canyons and escarpment,

SUTHERLAND Famously the coldest place in the whole of South Africa,

however, belie not only an

MATJIESFONTEIN

where snow is a common annual

incredibly rich natural history

It seems as if time has stood still

occurrence, sleepy Sutherland

and fascinating human heritage,

in this railway village, with its

is notable around the world as

but, to the accustomed eye, also

distinctive Victorian architecture,

an astronomical observatory

reveal a unique sense of beauty

train station and perfectly

with state-of-the-art telescopes,

and tranquillity that make it the

preserved historic Lord Milner

including SALT (Southern African

perfect antidote to the frenetic

Hotel. Established in the late 1800s

Large Telescope), the southern

pace of urban life: a place of almost

as a health resort in a little oasis

spiritual peace and a promise of a

in the semi desert, the

more authentic life.

entire village has been

The Karoo’s ancient fossil beds

hemisphere’s largest single optical telescope. Its unpolluted air and

declared a National

crystal-clear

are among the richest and most

Heritage Site, so

important in the world. Its diverse

it’s essentially a

conditions

flora and fauna are quite unique. The

living museum.

for amateur

clear dark skies of Sutherland reveal

The historic Trans

stargazers

depths of the universe to stargazers

Karoo railway

peering into the

that would be invisible anywhere

line dates back

breath-taking

else in the world. Human history is

to a time before

night sky and

everywhere, too, from the cave walls

the Anglo-Boer

revealing ancient rock art to the

War, connecting

historical remnants of the Boer War.

fortune seekers to the

But perhaps what makes the huge

interior where they sought

hinterland of South Africa’s interior

diamonds and gold. Later, the

a fascinating and rewarding travel

railways were crucial to help move

for its botanical tours and the

destination are not just the dramatic

soldiers and supplies during the

nearby Rooiberg mountains of

landscapes, fascinating sites and

war. The trains still pass through,

the Karoo highlands provide an

spectacular mountain passes, but

and you can also take a ride on

appropriately dramatic setting,

the little villages dotted throughout

the Old London Bus, or explore

while Karoo hospitality and

the uninhabited landscape filled

local history in the Transport and

famous lamb dishes are available

with character, creative and

Victoriana museums, and step

in several of the quaint Victorian

culinary delights.

back in time for dinner at the hotel.

buildings.

skies make ideal

for scientists unlocking the mysteries of the universe alike. The surrounding area is renowned

WWW.SILVERDIGEST.CO.ZA

Continued …

25

T R AV E L

PRINCE ALBERT Prince Albert acts as a kind of gateway to the Karoo, with its country charm and beautiful surroundings enabled by a perennial spring that sustains its lush gardens, vineyards and fruit orchards. Beautifully preserved Cape Dutch and Victorian buildings deliver character by the bucketload, but perhaps more than anything, Prince Albert has become known as a culinary destination with its own unique regional character. Of course, the gorgeous Karoo lamb is at the heart of the cuisine, but olives, wine, cheese, dried fruit and more abound. In fact, cooking tours and holidays have become a key attraction as this burgeoning little village has become established not just as a getaway, but as a permanent home for many escapees of the

LOCAL

urban rat race, who relocate here

certain sections. Needless to

to soak up the rural lifestyle.

say, the scenery and views are

Prince Albert is also famous for

breath-taking – a photographer’s

its champion Angora goats, which

dream, especially the famous

make it the epicentre of the South

four hairpin bends that have

African mohair industry, so you’ll

become the pass’s most famous

find the most beautiful mohair

icon. The turnoff to Gamkaskloof/

products here too.

Die Hel (where you should book overnight accommodation if you’re

SWARTBERG PASS

considering taking this route)

The scenic entry to Prince Albert,

provides the possibility of more

which is just 4km from the northern end of the pass with its zigzags and switchbacks, is deserving of and

iconic photos of the road winding through the spectacular geological formations. An alternative though the Swartberg Mountain range is Meiringspoort, a tarred

entry all on its

link between the Great and

own. The pass

Small Karoo over the Swartberg

itself is a national

mountains, with its own delights. •

monument, its historical significance as roadbuilder Thomas Bain’s last and greatest achievement of engineering and construction (realised with the labour of convicts).

Packed stone retaining walls line the untarred roads along

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SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

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Interview …

‘EVERYBODY KNEW THE RUSSIAN EMPRESSES HAD LOVERS’

BY VICKY DEARDEN/HOTFEATURES

D

ame Helen Mirren returns

transformed its place in the

to TV in the epic new

world in the 18th century. The

drama Catherine the Great.

four-part historical drama

Here she talks about her new role,

follows the end of Catherine’s

her Russian roots, her incredible

reign and her affair with

career spanning five decades, her

Russian military leader

international breakthrough with

Grigory Potemkin, which

Prime Suspect, and more…

shaped the future of

British actress Helen Mirren

Russian politics.

first came to international recognition via the small screen, thanks to her role as DCI Jane Tennison in the hugely popular series Prime Suspect. On the big screen, she has appeared in over 60 films and won an Oscar in 2007 for her portrayal as Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen. (She also won four Emmys, including one in 2006 for TV mini-series Elizabeth I.) She returns to royalty with Catherine the Great, playing the tumultuous monarch and politician who ruled the Russian empire and

28

SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

Helen Mirren attends the Los Angeles premiere of the new HBO limited series Catherine the Great at the Hammer Museum on October 17, 2019 in Los Angeles, California.

HELEN MIRREN

MANY PEOPLE DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT CATHERINE THE GREAT, EXCEPT THAT SHE HAD A LOT OF SEX? HELEN MIRREN: That is a complete calumny thrown at her by history, I think, because history really doesn’t like successful, powerful women. I hope we are going to re-instate her reputation as the incredible leader that she was. I’m not saying she didn’t have her faults. She made mistakes and finished up quite tyrannical, but she was originally a reformer of this vast, vast country.

PHOTOS: JEFF KRAVITZ/FILMMAGIC FOR HBO, DAVID M. BENETT/DAVE BENETT/GETTY IMAGES FOR SKY

SHE WASN’T RUSSIAN BY BIRTH, OR WAS SHE? HM: She was German. But she came to Russia at the age of 15 and married, I think, at 16 and learnt Russian. [She was a] prodigious

attitude to sex was so different.

writer. She’d get up at five ‘o’clock

The Russian Empresses behaved

every morning and write for two or

like men, like Louis XIV. They had

three hours. Her letters [are] funny,

lovers and everybody knew they

interested, curious. [She] spoke

had lovers. It was an accepted

five or six languages – she was

part of their culture – that’s so not

extraordinary. She was definitely

British [laughs].

on a par with Elizabeth I in terms

Dame Helen Mirren and Jason Clarke attend the premiere screening of new Sky Atlantic drama Catherine the Great at The Curzon Mayfair on September 25, 2019 in London, England.

WHERE WAS IT SHOT? THE PALACES LOOK AMAZING. HM: We shot a lot of it in Russia, in St. Petersburg. Catherine’s palace [is] actually Catherine I’s palace, incredibly renovated by the Bolsheviks, interestingly.

and position at all. I find it quite

YOU GREW UP IN ESSEX BUT YOU HAVE RUSSIAN ROOTS. YOUR GRANDFATHER WAS AN OFFICER IN THE IMPERIAL RUSSIAN ARMY AND YOU SPEAK IN YOUR MEMOIR ABOUT FINDING A TRUNK OF HIS?

I was much earlier, but

hard to get my head around that

HM: Yes, it was actually his old

Catherine’s world was just so

because I’m so used to British

military trunk that I guess he went

different. And before Catherine

history and women being treated

on campaigns with. It was very

was Elizabeth, her mother-in-

very differently from men:

battered, covered in paint splodges.

law, and before Elizabeth was

men being allowed lovers and

My father used it to paint pots on.

Catherine I – and they all had

mistresses, but if a woman has a

of intellect.

HOW DIFFERENT WAS IT PLAYING A RUSSIAN QUEEN HAVING PLAYED BRITISH QUEENS? HM: Well, of course Elizabeth

a series of lovers. The whole

SHE DIDN’T HAVE TO DO THE WHOLE VIRGIN QUEEN SHTICK? HM: She had four children by I think four different men. But it didn’t impinge upon her power

Continued …

lover she gets executed.

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29

INTERVIEW Actress Helen Mirren and actor Alan Rickman perform in William Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra at the Royal National Theatre.

six sisters behind in Russia, and so

BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TOO DANGEROUS FOR YOUR FAMILY?

there are all these letters written in a

HM: Yes, I suspect.

my grandfather’s sisters. He left

very fine Russian script. When I did Russian speaking, and he translated them for me. That was an amazing

HM: Yes, and my father. To

moment of discovery, opening a

this day, it’s the one thing that

door onto the past of my family…

immigrant people can do, even if

[Our name was originally] Mironoff.

they have very bad English.

We did change it eventually –

I went to Russia [was] in the late sixties with the Royal Shakespeare

HM: I didn’t know that the Youth

Company, one of the very early

Theatre existed. She perceived my

artistic cultural exchanges. My

interest in drama and literature.

father said to me that I [should]

She said, “You know, there’s this

not tell them that I was of Russian

organisation called the Youth

ethnicity or part-Russian or try and

Theatre and maybe we should

get in touch with anyone.

apply for it.” And I did.

A lot of people think I’m Scottish because of St Mirren’s. The first time

Stars of the Royal Shakespeare Company, actor Eric Porter and actress Helen Mirren, at London Airport, London, 1969.

30

SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

IT WAS YOUR ENGLISH TEACHER IN SCHOOL WHO SUGGESTED YOU JOIN THE NATIONAL YOUTH THEATRE?

knocked the ‘off’ off the end [laughs].

Helen Mirren arrives at the 91st Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California.

YOUR GRANDFATHER BECAME A TAXI DRIVER, RIGHT?

Prime Suspect, one of the actors was

PHOTOS: LARRY ELLIS COLLECTION, ROBBIE JACK/CORBIS VIA GETTY IMAGES, PHOTO BY BRUCE GLIKAS/FILMMAGIC, HULTON-DEUTSCH COLLECTION/CORBIS/CORBIS VIA GETTY IMAGES AND PAUL SMITH/FEATUREFLASH

But inside were a lot of letters from

HELEN MIRREN English actor Helen Mirren pictured at a press launch for the new series of the Granada Television police series Prime Suspect at the Ritz Hotel in London in January 1995. Helen Mirren plays the role of Jane Tennison in the series.

YOU CUT YOUR HAIR SHORT FOR THAT ROLE AS WELL? HM: The short hair was very important because if you have long hair you can be grabbed by the hair.

If policewomen have long hair, they usually have it tied back. And they never fold their arms because folding

TOWARDS THE END OF YOUR TIME THERE YOU PLAYED CLEOPATRA, WHICH WAS A REAL BREAKTHROUGH, BECAUSE THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY SAW YOU AND YOU WERE OFFERED A JOB?

day, every day, week after week

your arms is a defensive thing to do –

after week, that I really came to

that was what a policewoman told me.

HM: They had heard of me because

then we had different writers for

Antony and Cleopatra had been

DID YOU HAVE A CLEAR IDEA OF WHERE YOU WANTED TO GO WITH YOUR CAREER WHEN YOU WERE STARTING OUT?

reviewed, so I think the RSC had

HM: No, I just did work that

the writers to be absolutely free to

alerted themselves to my existence.

interested me and hoped for

tell whatever story they wanted, and

the best.

because of that I think the quality

[in those days] the Youth Theatre got reviews in the national papers.

THEN YOU STARTED GETTING YOUR FIRST TELEVISION ROLES. HOW DIFFICULT WAS IT ADAPTING TO SCREEN WORK AFTER BEING TRAINED ON THE STAGE?

understand what the dolly does,

all of those very, very important

WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO HAVE THE SAME CHARACTER TO DEVELOP OVER SO MANY YEARS?

technical parts of filming.

HM: That was extraordinary. Linda

how important continuity is, how important hitting your mark is and

wrote the first two [episodes] and the rest. I got into a position where I could have a voice in the writers and the directors. And I always wanted

of the writing was very, very good

HM: For a long, long time I thought

PRIME SUSPECT WAS REALLY THE FIRST BIG FEMALE DETECTIVE ROLE, AND IT WAS ALSO AN ALL-FEMALE TEAM OF WRITER AND PRODUCER, WASN’T IT?

I was awful. I always called it

HM: It wouldn’t have happened

“rabbit in the headlights” acting.

without Linda [La Plante]. Linda

It’s much easier for kids now

was really an extraordinary

because they all film themselves.

writer and she believed in the

They are used to being filmed,

power of women. She believed

[but] a camera was a terrifying

there weren’t enough roles for

thing to me, and it took me an

women and her work broke that.

awfully long time to get used to

It was [one of] the first scripts I’d

it. The thing that taught me how

ever read, except maybe Cousin

to work on film, wasn’t working

Bette, which was actually my very

on film. It wasn’t until Prime

first TV role, I think, where the

Suspect, when I was working all

women actually drive the story.

in general. We [also] had some great directors. Philip Martin did one, who I just did Catherine with, Tom Hooper did one.

Dame Helen Mirren takes her curtain call as Queen Elizabeth at The Opening Night of The Audience on Broadway at The Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on March 8, 2015 in New York City.

WWW.SILVERDIGEST.CO.ZA

31

INTERVIEW

HELEN MIRREN

AND TOM HOOPER WENT ON TO DIRECT YOU IN ELIZABETH I?

Next time you watch television or

HM: Yes, he is a top film

then count the number of women

FINALLY, WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU WOULD TELL YOURSELF AS A 21-YEAROLD ACTRESS?

director now.

you see. I used to sit with a piece of

HM: Just be open; be open to

paper watching television with a

experience. My advice to any

IN 2005 YOU STARRED IN A TWO-PART MINI-SERIES ABOUT ELIZABETH I. QUITE A LOT OF THE SCRIPT WAS HER WORDS, WASN’T IT?

pencil and every time I saw a man,

[young] actor is be on time. This is

didn’t matter what he was doing,

the weird contradiction of being

I’d just put a mark – man, man,

an actor. You have to have ego,

man, man, woman, man, man,

you have to have a certain kind of

man… [laughs]. We’re 50 percent

self-confidence, but at the same

HM: It was and that was the

of the population, why do I have

time that can lead you into being

brilliance of Nigel Williams, who

to watch drama where I’m not

an idiot. So, you have to calibrate

wrote the script. It was such a

represented? Old, young, middle-

that: somehow have confidence,

difficult thing to do, to make

aged, whatever – why aren’t we

have courage, go where others

dialogue between characters

there? So, thank god, times have

fear to tread, be bold, be brave, be

believable and understandable

changed, but they haven’t gone far

… but at the same time be able to

enough in my mind. Not yet.

weave in authentic and original

go to the cinema, just count the number of men on the screen and

beautiful in your soul – and be on time [laughs]. •

Elizabethan dialogue, which Nigel did. It was a brilliant, brilliant piece of work. And he wrote Catherine, so I was very happy to work with him again.

STARTING OUT, WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN THIS INDUSTRY AS A WOMAN? AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THAT OVER TIME? HM: My biggest challenge as a woman starting out was obviously the paucity of roles – and still is.

Well, it’s changed enormously.

I’m very jealous of young actors coming into this world now because – the women in particular – it’s so much better than it was.

Helen Mirren accepts Best Actress in a Leading Role award for The Queen at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California on February 25, 2007

32

SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

But it’s still kind of not very fair.

WWW.SILVERDIGEST.CO.ZA

33

Money …

INVESTING OFFSHORE NOT WHEN

BY PIETER KOEKEMOER, HEAD OF PERSONAL INVESTMENTS, CORONATION

International assets improve

performances. Another point to

your portfolio by diversifying

ponder is how US equity market

economical, jurisdictional,

returns dominated over the past

currency, industry and company-

decade. There is no guarantee

ith persisting

specific risks, without necessarily

that this outcome will be repeated

uncertainty around our

reducing one’s expected long-

over the next decade, especially

country’s economic

term returns.

considering the high valuations

W

future, we understand that many

Just consider the growth

base in the US.

South Africans may feel unsettled

opportunities available through

about their own financial futures.

the more than 5 000 investable

At Coronation, we believe that

shares in the global universe that

ACCESSING INTERNATIONAL ASSETS WITH CORONATION

no matter the current market

are not available in the local equity

1. The hassle-free option

sentiment, it’s always a good time

market, which consists of only 160

Investors in Coronation’s

to consider the long-term benefits

investable shares.

multi-asset funds already have considerable offshore

of owning a balanced portfolio of

exposure. This is due to these

assets. It’s not a question of when

NO ASSET CLASS WINS ALL THE TIME

to invest offshore, but rather how.

While much of the current

consisting of both direct offshore

emphasis is on how global markets

exposure and indirect exposure

THE VALUE OF OFFSHORE DIVERSIFICATION

performed better than the local

(being the portion of the value

market over the past decade, this

we place on local shares that

From a young age we are taught

has not always been the case. Over

originate from economic activity

not to put all our eggs in one

the past 20 years, the local market

outside our country’s borders).

basket. This truism stems from

materially outperformed global

We believe multi-asset funds

the value of diversification, which

equity markets, as the outcomes

provide the easiest way to

is the key benefit of having at least

through most of the 2000s were

enjoy hassle-free international

some of your assets offshore.

very different to their more recent

exposure, as you mandate

both international and domestic

34

SILVER DIGEST //SUMMER 2019

funds’ international allocation

MONEY

YOUR RANDS IS ABOUT HOW High on the agenda of many dinner conversations these days is the topic of investing offshore. Pieter Koekemoer, Head of Personal Investments at Coronation, says it’s not a question of when to invest offshore, but how.

the skilled fund manager to

remaining easy to use and access

added benefit of jurisdictional

manage the size of the effective

as they are operated from South

diversification. This route

international allocation on

Africa. While the funds provide full

is more complex, as you are

your behalf. It is also easy to

economic diversification, they still

dealing with cross-border

draw an income from these

operate under the laws of South

banking and you may have to

funds. They are accessible

Africa and therefore do not provide

apply for SARS clearance if you

with low minimum investment

diversification of jurisdictional

want to invest more than R1m

requirements and can be used in

risk, such as exchange controls,

in a given year.

living annuity portfolios.

which limit the amount that any

2. If you want to further

investment manager can invest

REASON MUST BE YOUR GUIDE

diversify your risk

outside of South Africa on behalf

When it comes to investing

By living and owning a home in

of clients.

offshore, the message is to cut

South Africa, you already have

3. If you want to achieve economic

through the media hype of doom

significant country-specific

and jurisdictional diversification

and gloom, and to keep your eye

risk, arguing for an additional

If you have sizeable assets

on your goals when allocating

international allocation. If

available for offshore investing,

to international assets. It is also

you have discretionary (non-

you can externalise your rands

useful to avoid the myopia of the

retirement) savings with

and invest in a fund incorporated

moment and take some time to

which you want to further

in another country. In this

consider the bigger picture.

diversify your risk, you can

case, the laws of the country

consider investing in a rand-

of incorporation governs your

market returns, it becomes

denominated international

investment. Coronation offers a

evident that investing is about

fund such as Coronation Global

range of funds incorporated in

well-considered diversification

Managed and Coronation

Ireland. While these funds have

across asset classes and

Optimum Growth. These funds

the same economic exposure

geographies rather than extreme,

allocate all or most assets to

as the rand-denominated

sentiment-driven moves between

international investments, while

international funds, it provides the

local and global assets. •

When you unpack historical

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35

MONEY

EARLY RETIREMENT IS TEMPTING – BUT CAN YOU AFFORD IT?

BY KERRY KING, ADVISORY PARTNER, CITADEL

T

he temptation to retire

GRAPH 1

seductive as you enter your fifties

THE EXPONENTIAL BENEFITS OF DELAYING RETIREMENT ON SAVINGS

and sixties, especially after many

If a 4% withdrawal rate will not

years spent with your nose to the

provide you with sufficient income,

grindstone. But can you afford it?

it may be worth giving serious

early and adopt a life of leisure can be particularly

There are two main drivers that determine if early retirement is even an option for you. They are:

consideration to delaying your GRAPH 2

• How much capital you have,

retirement.

Remember, your salary and therefore retirement contributions

and

are usually at their peak in the

• How much you need to draw to

years just before your retirement,

sustain your standard of living.

and when combined with the added effect of delaying dipping

Clients often ask us, “How

into your capital, these last few

much capital will I need to retire?”

The answer is directly related

years can make a huge difference To demonstrate the significance

to how much you require on a

of this, graph 1 shows how

monthly basis to sustain your

withdrawal rates affect how long

current standard of living.

your capital will last.

One of the very basic

The graph is based on the

to your portfolio through the power of compounding.

To demonstrate the enormous impact of an extra few years on your savings, graph 2 compares

calculations I give my clients is

example of an individual who

three scenarios involving the same

to take their current monthly

retires at 55 years with capital of

investor who has accumulated a

expenditure, divide this number

R10m, and further assumes that

R10m capital lump sum at age 55

by four and multiply it by R1m.

inflation rises by 6.0% per annum

years.

This calculation works when you

and that their investment achieves

are still trying to accumulate

annual growth of 8.5%.

your capital and need to set a retirement savings target.

If you are already at retirement

By keeping their withdrawal rate to 4%, their retirement capital

1

RETIRES AT 55 YEARS In the first scenario, the

individual retires at the age of 55

would sustain them until the age

years, and chooses to adopt a 5%

age, however, ensuring that

of 95. However, by increasing their

annual withdrawal rate. Assuming

your capital will last your entire

withdrawal rate to 4.5%, their

that inflation rises by 6% every

lifetime, which is generally

capital would be depleted by the

year and that their investment

unknown, becomes more

age of 87. A 6% withdrawal rate

achieves growth of 8.5% every year

important. To be conservative, I

would mean that their capital

(or 2.5% real growth), their capital

would suggest that you draw no

would run out at the age of 77 –

would be depleted at the age of 83.

more than 4% of your retirement

nearly twenty years earlier than

capital on an annual basis.

had they stuck to 4%.

36

SILVER DIGEST //SUMMER 2019

Continued …

SURANCE

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MONEY

2

DELAYS RETIREMENT UNTIL AGE 60, DOES NOT ADD TO CAPITAL In the second scenario, the

the R10m they would have retired with had they retired early at the age of 55.

Given the increase in their

WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO CONSIDER? • Inflation

individual chooses to delay their

retirement capital, the individual

Inflation is a key risk that

retirement for five years, or until

then chooses to draw down only

needs to be factored in when

the age of 60. However, instead of

2.5% a year on their capital for

examining whether you have

working full time, they choose to

their income, increasing this

enough to retire. With future

slow down and cut back on their

amount by 5% each year to

inflation an unknown – and

hours, meaning they only earn

keep up with inflation.

sufficient income to cover their

This means that their capital

impacted by variables beyond our control, such as the

monthly costs. They do not add or

would last until they are 105 – in

withdraw any amounts from their

today’s era, a more likely age

retirement pot during this time, but

for the individual to reach

absolutely key.

their capital continues to achieve

than the 83 years outlined

Many people allow

real growth of 2.5% after inflation.

in the first scenario.

for a 4% increase

Even without making any

rand exchange rate – having a buffer is

It’s therefore vital to

in spending per

additional contributions, by

make sure that you’ve done

year to account

choosing to delay their retirement

all the proper planning and

for inflation, but

and simply allowing their capital

calculations before you take

for many of our

to grow for an additional five

the big step, not forgetting to add

years without eating into it, their

a buffer for any emergencies

their inflation rate is actually

retirement savings would then

or unexpected expenses. It’s

closer to 10%, meaning that

comfortably last until the age of

important that you don’t rush

they’ve had to dip into their

94 – even assuming the same 5%

such a big decision, and rather

savings more than they had

withdrawal rate, but at a later date,

take the time to consider all the

as the first scenario.

implications before you opt to retire early.

3

wealthy clients,

originally anticipated.

• Is your pension/provident fund appropriately

DELAYS RETIREMENT UNTIL AGE 65, CONTINUES TO SAVE

employable when you are already

There are many companies

employed, so it could be difficult to

that use life-staging analysis

In the third scenario, the individual

re-enter the job market in 10 years

when performing retirement

continues to work until the

if you realise that your money may

planning for employees and,

age of 65, and also chooses to

be running out. Also remember

as employees approach their

keep contributing towards their

that advancements in medical

retirement, an increasing

retirement savings in order to

technology and healthier lifestyles

portion of their pension or

increase their capital base to a

mean that people are increasingly

provident fund is moved

greater degree.

living to 90 and even 100 years old.

into cash. However, cash

However, if you are desperate

investments do not offer

Assume that this individual

For instance, you are most

diversified?

adds just R5 000 per month to their

to escape the daily grind, rather

inflation-beating returns

investments while still working,

consider cutting down your

over the long term. Engage

and that the capital also sees real

working hours or look for a less

the services of a professional

growth of 2.5% a year, their capital

strenuous position, even at a lower

financial advisor sooner rather

base would grow to over R11.5m by

salary, simply to cover your current

than later to check on your

the time they retire ay 65 years – a

living expenses and avoid falling

behalf that your retirement

R1.5m increase in real terms from

back on your savings.

savings are appropriately

38

SILVER DIGEST //SUMMER 2019

MONEY

diversified, and that your capital should continue to achieve real returns and growth above inflation.

• Outstanding debts Another important point to consider is whether you have any outstanding debt that still need to be paid.

Monthly vehicle repayments,

CONSERVATIVE FUND OF FUNDS SUITABLE FOR RETIREMENT SAVINGS

BY LUIGI MARINUS, PORTFOLIO MANAGER AT PPS INVESTMENTS

you retire could therefore

A

Conservative Fund of Funds is

task of determining the next

rolling three-year periods. The

make a huge difference to

steps to secure a comfortable

fund is defensive in nature and

your monthly expenses and

retirement. Broadly speaking, you

suitable for investors with a low

thus your draw from your

will be faced with making critical

risk tolerance and medium-term

pension fund.

decisions, and you will have to

investment horizon.

• Future cashflow

consult your financial adviser

for instance, could eat into your capital very quickly.

Concentrating your focus on repaying any debt before

s you reach your

The aim of the PPS

retirement age, it can be an exciting and daunting

to achieve inflation +2% over

The fund has a combined

While no one can predict

and review your circumstances to

maximum allowance of up to

how long they may live or

determine your unique retirement

40% exposure to domestic and

how markets may change, a

financial needs and the best

global equities, and a maximum

professional financial advisor

approach to meet those needs.

allowance of 25% to property.

should be able to identify

Making financial resolutions

This means that there is a

whether you may be running

and planning ahead allows you

large exposure to fixed interest

out of money 10 or 15 years

to reap the benefits later. In

securities all the time, which

ahead of time, while you still

combination with other long-term

reinforces the defensive nature of

have time to adjust your lifestyle

investment plans, investing in

the fund. The maximum offshore

and spending.

multi-assets can optimise your

exposure is up to 30%, with an

investment strategy and generate

additional allowance of 10% for

long-term returns for you.

investments in Africa.

It can be extremely difficult to identify potential problems with

The PPS Conservative Fund

your future cashflow yourself,

of Funds is a multi-asset low-

and the chances are you might

equity unit trust that is managed

realise you have a problem too

according to Regulation 28 of the

late. That’s why it’s absolutely

Pension Funds Act, and therefore

crucial to engage the services of a

is a suitable vehicle for retirement

professional to do the calculations

savings.

Continued …

and necessary planning on your behalf, both before and during your retirement. •

This article first appeared on MoneyMarketing.co.za, 22 October 2019

WWW.SILVERDIGEST.CO.ZA

39

MONEY

Even though equity markets have more recently largely been

ESTIMATED GROWTH OF R100 000 INVESTED WITH ALL DISTRIBUTIONS REINVESTED (FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY).

range bound, the returns for the PPS Conservative Fund of Funds have been competitive relative to peers and achieved the inflation benchmark. Importantly for a defensive fund of this nature, the returns have been achieved at a level of volatility noticeably lower than the peers.

As the primary benchmark of the fund is inflation based, the allowance for the specialist building block component is 50 to 75% of the total fund. This allows for more emphasis on targeting inflation.

Source: PPS Investments

Over shorter time periods, tactical asset allocation is performed to take advantage of

average over time.

Local bonds, global equities

relative mispricing of the asset

The allocation between

classes. A monthly house view

the specialist building block

overweight, domestic property

meeting assesses each asset class

component and the multi-

is underweight, while global

based primarily on valuation,

asset component is based on

bonds are assigned a maximum

macroeconomic factors and

the likelihood of achieving the

underweight rating. Local cash

momentum. The outcome of this

inflation benchmark. The more

does have a neutral rating, but

meeting provides a rating for

likely the various asset classes,

generally acts as the balancing

each asset class that relates to a

and in particular equities, are

allocation. Even though a monthly

maximum overweight, overweight,

to achieve an inflation-beating

meeting is held to deliberate on

neutral, underweight or maximum

return, the greater the exposure

asset allocation, changes to the

underweight allocation.

to the specialist building block

ratings are not done often.

The multi-asset component

component is likely to be.

and global properties are

While we have discussed some

has a 25 to 50% allowance that

The current 50% exposure

insights to empower you to make

is equally weighted between a

to the specialist building

an informed financial decision,

certain number of multi-asset

block component talks to the

it is essential to consult your

low managers. The number of

headwinds facing equities and the

financial adviser for practical

managers is mainly dependent on

low probability assigned to above-

guidance before making any

the modelled interaction between

average returns from the asset

financial decisions that may

these managers. The goal is to

class in the medium term.

affect your ability to reach your

pair managers that differ enough

Within the specialist

to reduce the overall volatility,

component, the current view

while still delivering a return

is that domestic equities

greater than the peer group

has a neutral allocation.

40

SILVER DIGEST //SUMMER 2019

financial objectives. •

This article first appeared on MoneyMarketing.co.za, 1 October 2019

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MONEY

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY RA WHEN I DIE? W

hile still alive, the

which in most cases means that

retirement annuity

the benefits will be paid out to

(RA) member will be

parties.

your appointed beneficiaries

• Step 2: Determining whether

the sole beneficiary of its benefits.

and financial dependants in

or not they are/were truly

“However, if you were to pass away

compliance with the act, without

dependant on the deceased

before accessing your RA benefits,

attracting any estate duty or

on date of allocation of the

then the total fund value becomes

executors’ fees.”

benefit or would have become

payable as a death benefit, of

According to Section 37C of the

dependent had the deceased

which, under current legislation,

Pension Funds Act, there are three

the first R500 000 is tax-free with

types of beneficiaries that may

the balance of the funds taxed

exist on an RA:

allocation of the money that is

according to a sliding scale. If you

• Legal dependants

not passed away.

available. In this process you

• Step 3: Making an equitable

are already drawing a monthly

would include spouses,

will normally find that trustees

sum the availability of any value

fiancées, children (born

would also consider other

and to be born) or parents.

allocations such as the terms of

to be paid to beneficiaries will exclusively be dependent on the

• De facto dependants

a will or other assurance. Minor

type of annuity or pension that

based on the facts of the

children could receive more

was purchased,” says Johan Botha

situation this could be brothers

than major children; some

from Aon South Africa’s Employee

or sisters, their children or a

dependants might be excluded

Benefits division.

third party that the member

due to the greater need of

is supporting financially.

others based on the amount

“According to the Income Tax Act of 1962, an RA is excluded

• Nominees

that is available for distribution

from a person’s estate at the death

a person you would like to

of the member, which is why

nominate as beneficiary but

the nomination of a beneficiary

who is not necessarily

who you support financially

on your retirement annuity is

a dependant.

and who relies on you for their

The Trustees of a retirement

livelihood and daily living costs

vital. The process of allocating

42

• Step 1: Identifying all these

for example.

It is very important to consider

benefits will be driven by Section

annuity fund will then be tasked

when you complete your RA

37C of the Pension Funds Act,

with:

nomination form. •

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Health …

I

f you’re a woman, you might not experience the acute chest pain normally associated with

a heart attack.

“Getting immediate, appropriate care from your closest emergency room is the single most important thing you can do to lessen the damage of a heart attack,” says Dr Paul Timp, a GP at Mediclinic Morningside. But women sometimes experience atypical symptoms – and either ignore the issue or attribute a heart attack to heartburn or anxiety.

“Heart attack symptoms may show up in different ways and can depend on a number of factors, such as whether you’re a man or a woman, what type of heart disease

WHY WOMEN MIGHT NOT KNOW THEY’RE HAVING A HEART ATTACK emergency in which the supply of

HOW DO YOU KNOW (FOR SURE) IF YOU’VE HAD A HEART ATTACK?

blood to the heart becomes blocked,

Once you’re in the emergency

often as the result of a blood clot.

room at the hospital, doctors

Other terms used for a heart attack

will run an electrocardiogram

include myocardial infarction,

(ECG). This test records the

cardiac infarction, and coronary

electrical activity of your heart

thrombosis. An infarction is when

via electrodes attached to

the blood supply to an area is cut

your skin. Because an injured

stroke, Dr Timp recommends

off, and the tissue in that area dies.

heart muscle doesn’t conduct

an annual fasting lipogram to

A heart attack is often confused

electrical impulses normally,

you have and how old you are,” Dr Timp adds.

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa, in some cases, mostly women or people with diabetes, a heart attack can occur without any of the classic Hollywood chest pain.

If you are over 40 or have a family history of heart attack or

WHAT IS A HEART ATTACK? A heart attack is a medical

the ECG may show that a heart

measure the exact amount of

with cardiac arrest. While they

different types of cholesterol (and

are both medical emergencies, a

not just the total amount) you

heart attack is the blockage of an

have. A lipogram measures your

artery leading to the heart, and a

total cholesterol, high-density

cardiac arrest involves the heart

heart proteins leak into your

lipoprotein (HDL), low-density

stopping the pumping of blood

blood after a heart attack, a

lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride

around the body. Although a heart

blood test will determine the

levels. In general, high levels of

attack can lead to cardiac arrest,

presence of these enzymes. •

HDL and low levels of LDL help

not everyone who suffers a heart

reduce the risk of heart disease.

attack will experience cardiac arrest or need CPR.

44

SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

attack has occurred or is in progress.

In addition, because certain

This article first appeared on www.mediclinicinfohub.co.za

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H E A LT H

FIVE IMPORTANT TESTS FOR HEALTHY AGEING W orldwide people are

screenings important. Untreated

factors, and follow-up scans should

living longer. Today,

high blood pressure damages

be performed every year or

125 million people

your bones, brain, eyes, kidneys

every second year.

are aged 80 years or older. Health

and heart, increasing your risk for

check-ups should be done

osteoporosis, strokes, vision loss,

regularly, especially after the age

kidney failure and heart disease.

of 35. Common conditions in older

Have your blood pressure checked

age include hearing loss, cataracts

once a year.

and refractive errors, back and

3

4

EYE SCREENING As you age, eye diseases such

as macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma become more common. Screening can preserve

OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING

and maximise vision. You should

As people age, bone mass is

screened for disorders every two

and dementia. Furthermore, as

lost faster than it’s created. It is

years at least, and every year after

people age, they are more likely to

estimated that half of all women

the age of 60.

experience several conditions at

over age 50 will break a bone

the same time. Regular tests help

because of osteoporosis, and so

you make informed decisions to

will one in four men. Risk factors

enjoy better health for longer.

can include long-term steroid use,

neck pain and osteoarthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, depression

1

low body weight, smoking, heavy

have your eyes examined and

5

BLOOD SUGAR TEST As we age, we become more

insulin resistant, often resulting in high blood sugar. High

CHOLESTEROL TEST

alcohol use, a fracture after age 50,

blood-sugar levels mean you

Monitoring and maintaining

or a family history of osteoporosis.

run the risk of developing

healthy levels of cholesterol are

Once you reach 65,

diabetes. Untreated

important in staying healthy. In

you should have

diabetes can destroy your

fact, controlling your cholesterol

a bone mineral

health, causing heart

can add years to your life. High

density exam

disease, kidney failure and

levels of cholesterol can build

regardless of risk

blindness. You should have

up in the arteries and increase

your blood-sugar levels

the risk of heart attack or stroke.

tested annually, or more

Cholesterol levels should be

often if readings tend to

checked at least once every four

be abnormal. •

to six years (or more frequently if you’re at risk for a heart attack).

High cholesterol levels can be treated by diet and medications.

2

BLOOD PRESSURE TEST Known as the silent killer,

hypertension (high blood pressure) is rarely accompanied by symptoms, making regular

46

SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

“

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H E A LT H

BECOMING HEARING IMPAIRED IS A COMMON CONDITION FOR AGING PEOPLE

H

earing loss is the third

travelling through the outer and

cause problems such as dementia,

most common physical

middle ear.

anxiety and depression.

condition in aging people.

• A conductive hearing loss might

There is nothing more frustrating

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in many cases, can be treated

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As with most medical diagnosis,

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THREE COMMON TYPES OF HEARING LOSS There are many conditions that

• A mixed hearing loss

affect the functioning of the ear.

is when there is a

Different conditions affect different

disorder in the outer

parts of the ear. Depending on the

and/or middle

location of the abnormality in the

ear as well as in

ear, specific types of hearing loss

the inner ear.

can be identified. The different

Sometimes a

disorders of the ear can be grouped

combination

understands that

into three different types of

of factors

those who suffer

hearing loss: sensorineural (SNHL),

(abnormalities) is

conductive hearing loss and mixed

presented which

hearing loss.

affects both the

• A sensorineural hearing loss

outer or middle and

where the Ear Institute can help. Most people with hearing loss can benefit by wearing hearing aids.

The Ear Institute

from hearing loss need one defining function from a hearing device: clear,

means there is a disorder in

the inner ear, resulting

the inner ear. Sensorineural

in a mixed hearing loss.

various situations is important,

hearing loss is a cause of

The treatment might therefore

such as restaurants, family time

deafness located in the cochlea

be a combination of medical or

and driving in your car. You need

due to damage to the inner

surgical treatment and the use

hearing aids that can keep up with

ear or auditory nerve. The

of hearing aids.

your lifestyle.

disorder limits sound traveling

48

treatment will be. This is

The consequences of hearing

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loss differ from person to person.

an assortment of discreet,

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Most people with a hearing

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loss is a disorder in the outer

falling) problems as a result of

with clear, rich sound in various

and/or middle ear. The disorder

their hearing loss. It is especially

listening situations.

limits or prevents sound from

untreated hearing loss that can

SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

With the holiday season almost

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H E A LT H

GET TO GRIPS WITH GOUT A form of arthritis, gout causes pain and discomfort in the joints

G

out is an excruciatingly

The following are

painful arthritic joint

characteristic of gout:

inflammation of sudden

• Recurrent: It has a recurrent

onset. It is caused by the formation and deposition of urate

nature and will return again and again.

to the duration of the flare.

• Intense pain: The acute attack

An acute gout attack will

usually begins between 2am

generally reach its peak 12-24

compounds that are not

and 4am. This is due to the

hours after onset, and then will

necessarily harmful. In fact, they

lower body temperature during

slowly begin to resolve even

are part of all human tissue and

the night.

without treatment. Full recovery

crystals in the affected joint.

Purines are organic

found in many foods. Purines produce uric acid and uric acid

• Inflammation has the following

from a gout attack (without

components:

treatment) takes approximately

produces urate crystals. Uric

The affected joint is:

acid has two chemical forms

• Red in colour

(tautomers) in which it exists.

• Swollen

assist with the treatment of gout

The one is stable and the other

• Hot

• Cold compress: The application

unstable. The unstable form

• Very sensitive to any touch

7-14 days.

The following are used to

of cold compress several times

can form urate crystals that are

• Fatigue and fever

during the day may decrease the

nearly insoluble in water and

• Tophi: Long-standing increased

inflammation and reduce pain.

• Rest: To ease the pain during a

deposit themselves in the joints

uric acid levels may result in

to cause gout.

hard, painless deposits of uric

gout attack, rest and elevate the

acid crystals. These deposits are

joint that hurts.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS A common form of arthritis, gout

known as Tophi.

Some people have gout attacks

is characterised by recurrent

every few months, while others are

attacks of extreme pain, swelling

luckier and only suffer an attack

and redness. Unlike most other

every few years. Unfortunately,

types of arthritis which develop

as time passes, attacks tend to

slowly, an attack of gout occurs

become more frequent and affect

suddenly, quite literally overnight.

more joints.

Gout can present in different joints, but the first

TREATMENT

metatarsophalangeal joint (big

Pain management is a crucial

toe) is most often affected. Called

part of living with gout. The aim

podagra, it accounts for 50% of all

of gout treatment is to settle the

gout attacks. Other joints, such as

symptoms of the acute attack

the heels, knee, wrist and fingers

quickly and safely. This treatment

may also be affected.

is usually short term and limited

52

SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

PREVENTION

Patients suffering from gout will benefit in the long term from healthy changes to their lifestyle, taking steps to decrease their uric acid level and keeping it low: • Maintain a healthy body weight • Exercise regularly (both muscle-strengthening and cardio) • Cut down on alcohol consumption and avoid binge drinking • Keep hydrated – drink plenty of water • Follow a diet that limits purine-rich foods • Manage high blood pressure • Increase intake of vitamin C-rich foods • Add low-fat dairy products to your diet • Avoid fructose (a type of sugar found in soft drinks, sweets, cookies, etc) • Use aspirin sparingly.

H E A LT H

“

Medicines used to treat acute attacks • NSAIDs: Taken at the beginning of an attack NSAIDs ease pain and help to reduce inflammation. These drugs should be taken with food, as they can erode the lining of the stomach. Care should be taken in elderly people, especially those with kidney problems. NSAIDs reduce the inflammation caused by

A common form of arthritis, gout is characterised by recurrent attacks of extreme pain, swelling and redness

” • Corticosteroids: If NSAIDS

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deposits of uric acid crystals

and colchicine are ineffective,

failure, or the plug being accidentally pulled

but have no effect on the

sufferers should see their

out. An anti-trap sensor prevents anything

amount of uric acid in the

general practitioner who can

from getting caught in the chair’s mechanism.

body. Do not use aspirin as it

prescribe corticosteroids. The

may change uric acid levels in

drugs can be administered orally

prevents loss or damage

the blood and may make the

or injected directly into the

to the controller, and

attack worse.

inflamed joint. Corticosteroids

there are two convenient

can be prescribed to patients

side pockets for easy

however it is often effective

who have accompanying

storage. Easily removable

at decreasing inflammation

kidney, liver or gastrointestinal

caused by the crystals

problems. Corticosteroids

interacting with the joint lining.

usually provide rapid relief

There is usually a dramatic

from gout symptoms. However,

response to oral colchicine.

because of their potential side

Joint pain generally begins

effects if used for a long time,

to subside after 12 hours of

corticosteroids are usually

treatment and is gone within

prescribed only for a short time.•

• Colchicine isn’t a painkiller,

A stitched handset holder

protective headrest and armrest covers make it easy to clean. •

36-48 hours. A low daily dose of colchicines can prevent future attacks.

This article first appeared in the October 2019 issue of Pharmacy Magazine.

WWW.SILVERDIGEST.CO.ZA

53

Leisure …

MEET BLESSING NGOBENI, STANDARD BANK YOUNG ARTIST 2020 Young Artist for Art,

T

far, the artist cites his tumultuous

Blessing Ngobeni, is proof

past as both a marker for growth

that above all else, innovation

and an example of the ability to

and perseverance will see you

succeed as an artist regardless

come out on top, no matter your

of your academic or economic

background.

background.

he 2020 Standard Bank

Born in Tzaneen, Limpopo,

Discussing his journey thus

“From then until now so much

Ngobeni lived through a difficult

has happened,” says Ngobeni.

childhood and subsequently ran

“From the Reinhold Cassirer Art

away to Johannesburg at the age

Award in 2012, to The IMPACT

of 10. As a teenager, he became

Award and the Mail&Guardian 200

involved in petty crime and was

young South Africans mention

arrested. It was during his time in

in 2013. Travelling, meeting

jail that Ngobeni engaged with art

great artists and heroes through

through the Tsoga (Wake Up) Arts

my career. The journey that my

Project and decided to become an

creative practice has taken me

artist.

on came as a complete surprise.

Today, Ngobeni is known for his innovative style of painting as well as his drive and ability to tackle

It’s become a living dream, you know?”

Another important moment

hefty subject matter through

in Ngobeni’s career came when a

his work, frequently calling into

significant collection of his works

question disparity, corruption,

was stolen from a gallery in the

and structures of power and

city that was selling his work.

domination throughout history.

Up until that point, he had been

54

SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

ARTS

working primarily in the realms

“It means everything to me. I

of realism, focusing on portraits

don’t have the words for it yet, but it

and cityscapes. After his work was

means to be proud and to be given

stolen, it was nearly a full year

an opportunity to represent my

before Ngobeni painted again.

Africanism, to represent Mzansi.

When he did, it was the beginnings

These are the opportunities to

of the style he’s so well-known for

share what we think about our

today.

country and our people.”

“That’s when I started moving

Considering his own journey

into a new style – especially the

to becoming an artist, Ngobeni

drips, which were almost symbolic

also runs two separate art prizes

of my own tears,” recalls Ngobeni.

for emerging artists – the Blessing

“The collaging was introduced to

Ngobeni Studio Art Prize Award and

my work shortly after and that’s

Initiative, a series of workshops

the kind of work that won me the

and a group show.

Reinhold Cassirer award.”

“Looking at my background

Since then, the artist has

and how I managed to break into

extended his painting practice

the industry, it was because I was

into sculpture, performance,

encouraged by those who don’t

installation, video, and

see education as a barrier,” says

sound, with the latter having seen him work with this year’s SBYA for Jazz, Sisonke Xonti.

For Ngobeni, winning the SBYA Award for Art is the opportunity of a lifetime.

Ngobeni. “I won awards because of that and I decided I needed to offer the same kind of structures to other young artists like me. I was motivated by my own life rather than by being institutionalised, which is not to say that if you don’t have a certain degree or qualification, you won’t make it.

I’m an example. I can make it into the system.” •

WWW.SILVERDIGEST.CO.ZA

55

5 LEISURE

OF THE

BEST

HOLIDAY READS

A selection of local fiction, memoirs and history for your vacation reading list.

TRAVEL LIGHT, MOVE FAST

BY ALEXANDRA FULLER

BORDERLINE

BY MARITA VAN DER VYVER

After her father’s sudden death, bestselling author Alexandra

A letter among her deceased ex-husband’s

Fuller realises that if she is going

belongings rips open Theresa’s world. For years she

to weather his loss, she will need

has turned her back on Theo – a man who spent the

to become the parts of him she

last two decades of his life institutionalised – and on

misses most. So begins Travel

their shared past in a country where teenage boys

Light, Move Fast, the unforgettable

were conscripted to fight on ‘the Border’ in a war

story of Tim Fuller, a self-exiled

that those back home knew little about. Least of all

black sheep who moved to

Theresa, who spent her days dreaming of discos and

Africa to fight in the Rhodesian

first kisses.

War before settling as a banana farmer in Zambia. A man who preferred chaos to predictability,

Realising that the letter was written by a Cuban

1

soldier and addressed to his child – who, if still alive, would be at least forty years old – Theresa heads for

to revel in promise rather than

Cuba: to search for the soldier’s child, to deliver the

wallow in regret, and who

letter, to atone in some way for Theo’s deeds and for

was more afraid of becoming bored than of getting

her own ignorance.

lost – he taught his daughters to live as if everything

In sultry Cuba,

needed to happen altogether, all at once or not at all.

amid its picturesque

Now, in the wake of his death, Fuller internalises

1950s cars and the

his lessons with clear eyes, and celebrates a man who

fragrant smoke of

swallowed life whole. A master of time and memory,

its cigars, Theresa’s

Fuller moves seamlessly between the days and

search connects her

months following her father’s death as she and her

intimately with those

mother return to his farm with his ashes and contend

branded ‘the enemy’

with his overwhelming absence… and she remembers

during the war in

her childhood spent running after him in southern

Angola as she begins

and central Africa. Writing of the rollicking grand

to unravel what

misadventures of her mother and father, bursting

growing up in the

with pandemonium and tragedy, Fuller takes their

South Africa of that

insatiable appetite for life to heart. Here, in Fuller’s

time really meant.

Africa, is a story of joy, resilience and vitality, from one of our finest writers.

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SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

2

BOOKS

3 BASSIE – MY JOURNEY OF HOPE

BY BASETSANA KUMALO

In Bassie –

she pays it forward through

My Journey of Hope,

mentoring young people she

Bassie recounts her

has met along the way.

Basetsana Kumalo shot to fame as

life journey, including

Miss South Africa in 1994 and soon

her relationships with

legal battles she has had to

Bassie also describes the

became the face of South Africa’s new

mentors like Nelson

wage in order to protect her

democracy. As the first black presenter

Mandela. She also

name and her brand over the

of the glamorous lifestyle TV show

shares the secrets

years. She gives a chilling

Top Billing, she travelled the world and

of her success and

account of the stalker

interviewed legends like Oprah Winfrey,

all the lessons she’s

who has harassed her for

Michael Jackson and Luther Vandross.

learnt along the way.

decades, and the spurious

After a successful career in front of the

She opens up about

‘sex-tape’ allegation that

camera, Bassie’s drive and ambition

the pressures of her

rocked her family and

took her into the world of business and

high-profile marriage to Romeo Kumalo

almost destroyed her career. Bassie’s

entrepreneurship. The street savvy that

and their heart-breaking struggle to

enthusiasm, humour and hope infuses

her entrepreneurial mother bestowed on

have a family. She talks honestly about

every page of her memoir, making it an

her as a child stood her in good stead as

motherhood and maintaining a healthy

intimate, inspiring and entertaining

she built a media empire.

work/life balance, and unpacks how

account of a remarkable life.

4 A SIN OF OMISSION BY MARGUERITE POLAND

THE NIGHT TRAINS BY CHARLES VAN ONSELEN The price exacted from across the African sub-continent for

“It is hard to be in exile...

South Africa’s stalled 20th-century industrial revolution is, in

But it is harder to return.”

human terms, still largely hidden from history. In this new book,

Through the hills and

eminent historian Charles Van Onselen explores how the people

dales of the Eastern

of southern Mozambique – bent double beneath the historical

Cape, Stephen (Malusi)

loads of forced labour and slavery, and then sold-off en masse

Mzamane, a young Anglican

as contracted labourers to the new coal and gold mines of the

priest, must journey to

Witwatersrand by a Portuguese administration – paid the highest

his mother’s rural home

price for the development of South Africa’s primary industry.

to inform her of his elder

The privately-operated, nightly labour trains running between

brother’s death. First educated at the Native College

Booysens and Ressano Garcia left deep

in Grahamstown, Stephen was sent to England

scars in the urban and rural cultures of

in 1869 for training at the Missionary College in

black communities, whether in the form

Canterbury.

of popular songs, such as Stimela and

But on his return to South Africa, relegated to a

5

Shosholoza, or in a belief in nocturnal

remote, dilapidated mission near Fort Beaufort, he

witches’ trains that captured and

had to confront not only the prejudices of a colonial

conveyed zombie workers to the region’s

society but the insidious discrimination within

most unpopular places of employment.

the Church itself. Increasingly conflicted between

Mozambican migrant labour formed

his loyalties to the amaNgqika people, for whom

an integral part of a largely hidden,

his brother fought, and the colonial cause he as

parallel universe that created the

Reverend Mzamane is expected to uphold, Stephen’s

wealth of 20th-century South Africa, and

journey to his mother’s home proves decisive in

some of the deepest roots of an ongoing

resolving the contradictions that tear at his heart.

tragedy lie, to this very day, besides the

This novel is based on a real historical character.

rails of the Eastern Main Line. • WWW.SILVERDIGEST.CO.ZA

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LEISURE

LIFESTYLE

ADVANTAGES OF RETIRING IN A LIFESTYLE ESTATE According to Statistics South Africa, the number of South

units in the newer villages feature solar panels, solar geysers,

Africans over 60 years old will rise from 4.3 million today to

LED lighting, rainwater harvesting and even double glazing,

7 million by 2030. As people are living longer, their needs are changing and, with that, the way they live their post-employment years. While some will stay in their family homes, a growing number of retirees have their sights set on a unit in a

6

Superior lifestyle You can be active in a safe environment. In Evergreen

Noordhoek, for instance, tennis courts and a bowling green

retirement estate or village, says Garry Read,

are in the pipeline, while the Val de Vie village has ample

managing director at Evergreen Lifestyle Villages.

mountain trails, with fishing spots along a 7km stretch of the

Here are 10 key advantages to living your golden years in such developments – particularly

1

reducing monthly levies considerably.

Berg River. Lifestyle centres also features dining rooms, bars, bistros and libraries.

in a life rights village.

The convenience factor The life rights ownership structure allows you to live

in a unit and use the village’s facilities for the rest of your

7

Sense of community Retirement villages offer a sense of community.

Residents come together through book clubs, bridge

life in exchange for a capital investment to the complex’s

evenings, excursions, wine tastings, dance lessons, film

owner, who is responsible for maintaining your home and all

nights, social dinners and other communal activities.

amenities, providing all the benefits of home-ownership with none of the hassles.

2

Independent living Today’s pensioners are young at heart and seek set-ups

8

Space for nature Many retirement villages have beautiful surroundings.

Evergreen Muizenberg is enveloped by an indigenous garden with benches and walking areas, allowing residents to

that offer the same facilities as conventional residential

recharge in nature. Evergreen Lake Michelle in the Noordhoek

gated estates, so they can live independently as long as they

Valley has a wetland area at its heart, teeming with indigenous

want, but with healthcare assistance nearby when needed.

plants, wildlife and 120 bird species. The village planned for Hilton will have a neighbouring giraffe reserve.

3

Access to healthcare Most of Evergreen’s retirement villages, including the

one that is being built in Sitari in Somerset West, offer on-site emergency, primary and personalised home-based

9

Working from home Just because you don’t have to work anymore, doesn’t

mean you have to stop. The 2019 Old Mutual Savings Monitor

healthcare services, as well as 24-hour nursing, frail and

suggests that 36% of retirees started a business after

dementia care.

turning 65, while 13% continued to be self-employed. Today’s retirement villages have a strong technology backbone,

4

Safety and security

including high-speed internet, making it easy for residents to

Most security retirement villages have electric fences,

work from home.

perimeter walls and CCTV cameras that are monitored 24/7.

At Evergreen’s villages, this is enforced with strict access control and around-the-clock patrols.

5

58

10

Flexibility Retirement villages put residents in a position to

downsize from a standalone home to an apartment in the

Easy on the wallet

same village when the situation warrants it, or even to a

Not only are you relieved of maintenance costs, but

smaller unit.

SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

LEISURE

T H E AT R E

HOLIDAY SHOWS TO TAKE THE GRANDKIDS TO PETER PAN ON ICE The world’s premier theatrical ice skating company, The Imperial Ice Stars, returns to South Africa with a brand-new show, Peter Pan on Ice, this December. Take a journey to Neverland in this classic tale of magic and make-believe, spectacularly staged on real ice.

Showcasing 23 former World,

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

European and National Championship-

Acclaimed writer, director

level skaters, the highly accomplished

and South Africa’s queen of

cast will astound and mesmerise

pantomime Janice Honeyman

audiences with their adrenaline-rich,

will once again tell the

dramatic performance. Collectively,

story of poor country boy

the entire cast holds more than 250

Jack, the family cow, the

competition medals and will bring their

magic beans, the enormous

athletic and artistic talents to retell J M

beanstalk, the unfriendly giant

returning to the Joburg Theatre

Barrie’s well-loved story of Peter Pan.

and the enchanted hen that lays

following her triumphant success

the golden eggs. Adding the giant’s

in the role of Shug Avery in The

grows up – as he and Tinker Bell whisk

henchman – a truly evil panto

Color Purple is Lelo Ramasimong

Wendy and her brothers from their

villain – and the essential good

as the good fairy. Lelo became

London home off on a magical journey

fairy, Honeyman’s Jack and The

a household name in SA when

to Neverland. Watch as they enjoy

Beanstalk will have audiences in

she made it to the Top 10 on

thrilling adventures with the Lost

awe at the show’s sheer spectacle

Idols and her theatre career has

Boys, Tiger Lily and the Mermaids,

and Jack the Joller’s madcap

also included featured roles in

encountering the evil Captain

efforts to be its courageous hero.

Dreamgirls, African Footprint and

Join Peter – the boy who never

Hook, his pirates and a very

Not seen on The Mandela

hungry crocodile!

stage at Joburg Theatre

Set to an original score, the show

since 2012, this everpopular pantomime

Burn the Floor.

The role of Jack the Joller also brings actor Zolani Shangase back to the Joburg Theatre.

features exquisite,

story traditionally

Zolani enjoyed popularity in his

innovative

sets good against evil

recurring role on DSTV’s Moja

choreography as

and is jam-packed

Love in the telenovela Hope. His

well as powerful

full of Honeyman’s

stage credits include a year in the

storytelling created by Artistic Director Tony Mercer, widely regarded as the world’s leading creator of theatre-on-ice.

On at the Teatro At Montecasino from 06 December 2019 to 11 January 2020.

wit, double-entendres, charm and magic.

Making his pantomime debut as the villain is actor, comedian, writer, radio and TV host, director and painter Casper de Vries, and

West End of London with The Lion King and – in South Africa – Janice Honeyman’s Aladdin, The Rocky Horror Show, Show Boat, Orpheus in Africa and The Color Purple.

On at the Joburg Theatre from 2 November to 22 December 2019.

WWW.SILVERDIGEST.CO.ZA

59

LEISURE

A large, twiggy branch found on a forest walk has been appropriated as an eco-friendly, sculptural Christmas tree. Strung with twinkling rice lights and hand-carved bird figurines used as ornaments, the tree has an enigmatic fairy-tale quality to it.

• Place a similar branch into a wooden basket and secure it in place using kindling or firewood to emphasise the natural woodland theme.

• Arrange carved figurines in keeping with a theme – in this instance birds – on the various branches using simple butcher’s twine.

• An abundance of battery-operated rice or fairy lights is always a

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SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

good idea to emphasise the spirit of Christmas cheer and serve as whimsical ambient lighting at night.

• Other decorative elements include simple pillar candles in a variety of widths and sizes, tea light candles in clear glass votives and gifts wrapped simply using white butcher’s paper, string and velvet ribbon in shades of vanilla and cocoa.

• A tray is a classic way to display a moody decorative vignette, here containing a selection of gifts found in nature: various bird nests, twigs, a collection of beautiful egg shells and, for atmosphere, tea light candles.

DECOR

SIMPLY CHRISTMAS TEXT MANDY ALLEN/BUREAUX STYLING SHELLEY STREET/ BUREAUX PHOTOGRAPHS WARREN HEATH/BUREAUX

Return to the simple things this festive season: a table decorated to evoke a sense of comfort and nostalgia, a humble colour palette and homespun decorations that weave in the wild spirit of nature.

“

many passions, including styling, sourcing, antiques hunting, baking and sewing. “Alice embroiders these lovely, intricately detailed birds on linen that I bought from The Cloth Shop in London.”

As it turns out, Stephanie has

I find that big holidays and

that spanned being clothing

a special affinity for our fine-

events make me a little

designer, fashion editor and stylist,

feathered friends and has made

anxious. So I like to break

as well as head fashion buyer and

birds the central theme of her

them up a bit over a couple of days

marketing manager for a leading

Christmas decor in the form

and leave space for serendipity…”

local retailer.

of embroidered napkins and

This is Cape Town-based Stephanie

The interiors in Stephanie’s

decorative cushions, hand-carved

Wolhuter Inggs’ serene and

beautiful heritage home is

wooden figurines and ornaments, as

sensible philosophy to surviving

reflective of her fashion choices,

well as printed place and gift cards.

the silly season. No pressure, no

which she describes as “plain and

These have been set alongside

expectations, no disappointment.

understated but with unexpected

simply wrapped gifts, found bird

“For instance, take Christmas. It

cuts or proportions”. It is filled

nests, a vintage tablecloth and

can be a Christmas Eve dinner with

to bursting with stylish ideas,

beautiful vintage glassware filled

a few friends and family, a large

personalised elements and reams

with gold-tinged Sauternes, a sweet

Christmas day brunch with family

of character. “My daughter, Alice,

French wine that is the perfect

or just a simple Boxing day lunch

describes my house perfectly as

accompaniment to Stephanie’s

with one or two friends… There’s no

being full of lots of nice stuff that’s

signature spiced pear-and-apricot

pressure for one day or one meal to

being rearranged all the time,” she

cake. The colour palette has

be extra special. If the cake flops, I

says with a laugh. There’s also the

been kept warm and neutral –

can always serve it the next day for

presence of Stephanie’s menagerie

inspired by old-school tradition,

breakfast with lots of yoghurt!”

of “very important animals”.

winter woodlands and a rustic

Animals, more specifically birds,

farmhouse aesthetic. As is her way,

temperament (friends and

are playing a leading role in

Stephanie has effortlessly woven

former colleagues will all attest

Stephanie’s next creative phase;

together a fusion of homespun and

to Stephanie’s composed nature)

one that also involves writer/editor

sophisticated, timeless yet fresh.

and part of the legacy of her

daughter Alice. Bird-Dog-Bokkie

You might just say it’s a Christmas

professional past – one that

is her self-described “side hustle”:

celebration that’s practically (im)

required a balance of creativity

a creative project that’s “mainly

perfect in every way.

and pragmatism during a career

just for fun”, encompassing her

It’s an approach that is part

stephanie@birddogbokkie.com •

WWW.SILVERDIGEST.CO.ZA

61

LEISURE

Cosy and atmospheric, this inviting area of the living room illustrates that a largely monochromatic interior can be warm, engaging and characterful thanks to the inclusion of vintage, organic and rustic elements.

• Floating shelves are a styling dream – here a nod is given to Christmas with the subtle inclusion of a white-painted twig wreath among the framed images.

• One of Stephanie and Alice’s embroidered cushions takes pride of place on an armchair.

Next to the chair on the rustic side table is an embroidery work in progress.

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SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

DECOR

Right: For some a wreath it is purely decorative, for others it is infused with rich meaning and symbolism. Either way, the wreath is synonymous with Christmas and is an essential element in seasonal decorating.

• This wreath was made by hand using found twigs and fynbos (wild heath).

• Craft your own rustic wreath from bendy twigs such as willow or weeping/ silver birch using secateurs to cut lengths, scissors for trimming and natural twine for binding into shape.

• The figurines are in keeping with the decorative theme that references birds and nature. If you are introducing a theme to your Christmas decorating, create the element of surprise by placing objects and items that reference your chosen motif throughout your home, on the dinner table and even in unexpected places like the bathroom, porch or garden.

Left and top: Stephanie Wolhuter Inggs preparing her Christmas table.

• Take a note from Stephanie and approach decorating your table with an editor’s eye: think about layering, texture and your colour palette.

• The vintage tablecloth, though pretty, is in keeping with the timeless aesthetic and wholesome, muted colours.

• Layering crockery is a tried-andtested stylist’s trick and results in a visually interesting table setting.

• There is an appealing aesthetic tension between the matt finish of the handmade crockery and the polished

silver flatware.

• Christmas, even when it’s pared-down, demands a touch of sparkle. Tea light candles, votives, fairy lights and the glint coming off of vintage drinking glasses take over from traditional baubles and tinsel.

• Treat each guest to a small take-home gift. Mark them with each person’s name to serve as place holders.

• The table is anchored by a loosely composed centrepiece consisting of wild bird eggshells, nests and a tangle of foraged twigs and branches.

• Hand-embroidered linen napkins with bird motifs convey the folksy aesthetic.

WWW.SILVERDIGEST.CO.ZA

63

LEISURE

RECIPE

Spiced pearand-apricot cake FRUIT FILLING • 6 pears with pips removed (use a melon ball scoop) • 12 dried apricots softened in boiling water

CAKE BASE • 4 large eggs • 1 cup plain yoghurt

TIP

We used Beur ré Bosc (also known as Kaiser) pears, which are particularly suited to baking.

• 160ml vegetable oil • 80g melted butter •

/3 cup milk

1

• 2 ½ cups self-raising flour • 1 cup Muscovado sugar • ½ teaspoon salt

SPICY GINGER TOPPING • 3 large eggs • 100g melted butter • ¾ cup Muscovado sugar • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg • 3 tablespoons chopped glacé ginger METHOD: • Set the oven at 170° C • Lightly butter a 26cm springform tin and line the bottom and then sides with

FOR THE CAKE BASE:

a high collar of baking paper.

• Whisk the eggs in a bowl and then

• Pour the cake base into the baking

add the yoghurt, vegetable oil,

tin and arrange the pears to sit

melted butter and milk.

upright in a circle.

• Wash and dry but don’t peel the pears. Remove the pips with a melon ball scoop.

• Slice the bottom of each pear so that it will sit flat and not fall over.

• Stuff the hollow of each pear with two soft apricots.

• In another bowl, sieve together the flour, sugar and salt.

• Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until combined.

• Whisk together all the ingredients

for the spicy ginger topping.

• Pour on the topping beginning at the outer edges of the cake and working towards the middle.

• Bake at 170° C for approximately 1 ¼ hours or until a skewer comes out clean. www.bureaux.co.za

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SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

LEISURE

THE LATEST NEW RESTAURANTS

IN JOBURG AND CT A GOLDEN NUGGET IN STORE FOR JOZI’S FOODIES

gastronomic tour around Europe

Joburg’s food scene is heating up

Russia to Poland, Spain to Finland

as another culinary masterpiece

and beyond. The menu has been

joins its ranks.

inspired from their travels and is

AURUM Restaurant, meaning

where they explored cuisines from

both a reflection of the type of

‘gold’ in Latin, is due to open

food they like to eat, as well

its doors in late 2019 and will

as a portrait of sustainable

overlook Sandton from the 7th floor

modern-day dining.

of South Africa and Africa’s tallest new building, The Leonardo.

The restaurant is the brainchild

“A meal at AURUM will aim to engage our patrons on an emotional level. We

of esteemed chef and culinary

want to create experiences,

consultant, Paulo Santo, in

share memories, build

collaboration with the Legacy

strong relationships and gain

Group and its chairman Bart

the trust of our patrons through

Dorrestein.

our product and service offering.

True to its name, AURUM will

AURUM stands to take an old-

deliver understated prestige with

world approach to service with a

an excellent return on investment.

modern, new-world approach to

“AURUM represents luxury, but not in an intimidating, pretentious or ostentatious manner. Just as gold is timeless in its appeal, we too wish to exist beyond time as a successful, renowned business serving a cosmopolitan African city: the City of Gold,” says Santo, MD and Senior Partner of AURUM. AURUM’s kitchen will be headed up by Santo’s former chef colleagues at Cube Tasting Kitchen – Darren O’Donovan as Head Chef and Lisa de Beer as Sous Chef and Sommelier.

Darren and Lisa join AURUM off the back of a four-month long

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SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

cuisine,” says Paulo. www.aurumrestaurant.co.za

DINING

LAIDBACK LUXE BEACH DINER SURFSHACK OPENS IN CAMPS BAY Surfshack is the latest hotspot to open on the ever busy and ultraglamorous Camps Bay beachfront.

This latest addition by The Kove Collection, Surfshack – sibling restaurant to la Belle Bistro & Patisserie and Chinchilla – is an easy-going and contemporary eatery overlooking the ocean.

Situated above Paranga and adjacent to la Belle, Surfshack

and exciting option.

menu for diners

oozes a sense of laidback cool

The menu is brimming with

wanting something

and adds a little extra flavour

tasty global fare – from jalapeño-

to the Camps Bay golden mile.

dressed Salt and Pepper Squid

Panoramic ocean vistas set the

and spicy Seared Ahi Tuna on the

who are looking forward to a

scene for dining, drinks and

extensive Shareables menu, to a

beach break and a suitably sexy

socialising with a view, while the

plethora of classic salads – all with

seaside spot to hang out and

stunning sunset views ensure

a Surfshack twist, while the unique

soak up the summertime buzz

guests will certainly be lingering

Buns menu couldn’t be more

in. And for locals looking for

longer over cocktails. The

suited to a beach environment.

something new that reflects Cape

combination of luxe diner classics,

The likes of grilled prawns with

Town’s cosmopolitanism at its

a vibey buzz and rustic yet stylish

avocado and aioli on the Poor

best, Surfshack certainly has

decor makes Surfshack a certain

Man’s Lobster Roll and the

everything going for it – a great

summer place to be. What’s more,

umami-laced Pastrami on the

view, good vibes and a menu filled

an expansive terrace at the foot of

already-popular Pretzel Roll take

with fresh and new easy eating

the eatery gives those on the hunt

centre stage. There’s also a grilled

options to try.

for a trendy sundowner spot a new

meat and seafood section to the

www.surfshackdiner.co.za •

more substantial.

It’s an ideal option for visitors

WWW.SILVERDIGEST.CO.ZA

67

in White River, Mpumalanga

Selling from

R1 495 000

Chantelle | 064 544 1982 Adriana | 064 517 2877

in Langebaan, West Coast

Selling from R1 820 000 Christiaan | 064 544 7524 Walter | 064 544 2965

in Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route

Selling from

R1 495 000

Rob | 083 287 0018 www.devmark.co.za 28 Years of Property Development Success

LEISURE

M O TO R I N G

BMW VS MERCEDES-BENZ VS AUDI: WHICH MARQUE HAS THE BEST RESALE VALUE?

S

outh Africans have long had

brands – namely BMW, Mercedes-

surprise you – can help a motorist

love affairs with German

Benz and Audi – all produce

select his or her next German

cars; they are perceived to

premium cars, with an upmarket

luxury vehicle.

be aspirational, luxury vehicles

image, magnificent engines,

boasting superlative build quality.

superbly crafted interiors and

managing director of True Price,

The three most popular German

good safety features.

Mercedes-Benz rules the resale

Which is all very well. But

According to Darryl Jacobson,

roost, BMW vehicles have the

which brand has the best and

worst resale value, while Audi slots

worst resale value? The answer

in neatly between the two other

to this question – which may well

Germans.

Continued …

Audi resale value*

62.49%

WWW.SILVERDIGEST.CO.ZA

69

LEISURE

Mercedes-benz resale value*

70.10% His findings are based on

compared our entire Mercedes-

Audi clocked in second, at

an analysis of True Price data.

Benz database to our entire BMW

62.49% of the original list price.

In order to provide motorists

database and our entire Audi

“We see a lot of bidding on Audi

with realistic (and free) vehicle

database,” he explains.

models on auctions,” Jacobson

evaluations, the True Price

At a percentage of the original

reveals. “It’s the vehicle of choice

team attends hundreds of bank

list price of 70.10%, Mercedes-

for many younger professionals.

repossession auctions each year.

Benz is truly head and shoulders

It’s also popular with families,

They document each and every

above the competition. Jacobson

who maintain that the vehicles are

price paid on auction, so the

says he was not surprised to see

spacious and comfortable while

True Price database contains the

the three-pointed star fare so

offering good aftersales support

actual prices paid on thousands of

well. “Everyone – both young

from the dealer network. An Audi

individual vehicle auctions.

and old – loves a Mercedes-

is perceived to be a ‘safe bet’ on

Benz. Mercedes-Benz vehicles

auction. Dealers also know that

data. “Then we calculated the

have long held their value, and I

they should be able to move the

actual price achieved on auction

strongly believe they always will.

vehicle fairly easily – although, it

as a percentage of the original list

It has been interesting to see

must be said, not quite as easily as

price. Mercedes-Benz is the clear

younger buyers avidly bidding on

a Mercedes-Benz.”

winner when it comes to resale

Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the

Coming third with 58.65% –

values,” he explains.

last 10 years; the company has

and therefore having the worst

Jacobson has analysed this

The total vehicle parc was

done an astoundingly good job of

resale value among the German

used in this exercise. “We didn’t

making its product range relevant

trio – is BMW. “This will no doubt

limit our analysis to certain

and enticing to a large audience,”

surprise many die-hard BMW

models or certain body types. We

he notes.

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SILVER DIGEST // SUMMER 2019

M O TO R I N G

fans. But it does make a certain

vehicle. “The majority of vehicles

consider also the fact that the

amount of sense. Although the

are depreciating assets. The

vehicle could be stolen or written

BMW vehicles are still popular

exception to this rule is a classic

off. Your insurers will pay you a

on auction, they seem to have

or collector’s car. The longer you

market-related value… and resale

lost their lustre when it comes

own a vehicle, the less it will be

value plays an important role

to exclusivity, desirability and

worth. In fact, depreciation is the

here!” Jacobson notes.

the bragging rights that go with

single biggest cost factor when it

owning one of these vehicles. In

comes to vehicle ownership. It is

True Price study, Jacobson says

fairness, the 3 Series is still very

far more significant than the cost

that going the Mercedes-Benz

sought after. The 5 Series is not

of servicing and maintenance,

route is a safe bet. “Based on our

quite as desirable, and the 7 Series

for instance. Yet some car buyers

analysis, if you’re shopping for a

has always been challenging when

forget about this important

German car, it would be prudent to

it comes to resale values. Plus,

aspect of vehicle ownership when

buy the one with the three-pointed

buyers feel that the X derivatives

making their choice,” Jacobson

star. You will minimise your risk

(the X3 and X5 especially) are too

points out.

of the vehicle depreciating too

expensive,” Jacobson explains.

According to Jacobson, resale

The consequences of ignoring

Based on the findings of the

much,” he concludes.

vehicle resale values can be dire.

value should be one of the

“You will get a much lower trade-in

*The data pertains to vehicles that have done a

single most important factors to

price when the time comes to sell.

maximum of 150 000 km. They were registered in

consider before purchasing any

That much is obvious. However,

2016 to 2019 (both years inclusive).

BMW resale value*

58.65%

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