The Newspaper – January Edition 2023

Join us as we choose to start 2023 on a good foot. This year, scale your list of New Year’s Resolutions down to just one –Be More Positive. If you can get this right, everything will fall into place. It will also support you in staying mentally sane, no matter what unexpected blows might come your way.

Being optimistic means that you possess an overall positive outlook of the world, trusting that good things will happen and that people’s desires will be fulfilled.

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty,” - Winston Churchill.

How to implement a positive mindset

Having a positive mindset can make a significant difference in our daily lives. Here are some tips to get you started:

Reframe negative thoughts: It’s natural to have negative thoughts from time to time, but it’s important to learn how to reframe them. Instead of dwelling on negative thoughts, try to

find the silver lining or look for the positive aspects of a situation.

Surround yourself with positive people: “The only thing that will change your life, change your business, change your relationship, is that you must raise your standards. Get rid of negative people who bring you down. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, lend you knowledge, and help you learn from your mistakes,” – Tony Robbins

Practice gratitude: Focus on the things you’re grateful for. This can be as simple as writing down three things you’re grateful for each day, or sharing your gratitude with someone else.

Take care of yourself: Physical and mental self-care are important for maintaining a positive mindset. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation.

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| Winston dreams of becoming the

Winston Fani (35), an unemployed blind gentleman, lives in Mfuleni, Cape Town, with his wonderful wife, Busi (43), who is also considered legally blind, and their faithful guide dog, Gladys.

Winston was born with glaucoma, a progressive eye disease, and from the age of 12, has lived life in total darkness. Like so many South Africans, Winston, who worked as a call centre agent at a logistics company in Cape Town, was retrenched during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.

“Due to the scarcity of jobs for the visually impaired, and that Winston only has a matric certificate, he has been unable to secure a job despite his determination, and humble dream to support his family,” says Tania Robbertze (54), a friend of the couple who puppy-raised their guide dog.

A vision for the future

For the longest time, Winston, who loves people and has a passion for history and education, has dreamed of furthering his studies and becoming the first blind tour guide in South Africa.

“I want to be the first blind tour guide in South Africa. I want to make history. I want to show it’s not impossible to do what you want to do, despite the obstacles. I want to meet new people and learn from people from different countries who come to visit our country,” says Winston.

To help Winston realise his dream and gain independence, Tania, who has built an everlasting friendship with Winston and his wife, launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy, appealing to the public to support Winston in receiving his tour guide certificate.

Thankfully, the appeal reached Enver Duminy, the CEO

of Cape Town Tourism, who kindly agreed to cover Winston’s tuition fees for the tour guide course, which will allow Winston to expand his career options.

“Winston is a personable, chatty, gentleman, who connects very well with every person he meets. A job in the tourism industry will be a perfect fit for him,” says Tania.

Tania says there’s a lesson we can all learn from Winston. “Seeing the world from the perspective of a blind man changes how we appreciate and see the world around us. Winston can’t wait to break barriers around visual impairment, and share his unique perspective on the world,” says Tania.

| A journey through the Cradle of Human Culture

A journey through the Cradle of Human Culture traces the origins and development of human culture over the past 160 000 years, and, in the process, it also uncovers what it means to be human.

The Cradle of Human Culture is rooted in three main archaeological sites in the Western Cape. These sites preserve some of the world’s earliest evidence of the evolution of modern human behaviour.

From engraved ostrich eggshells and bone tools to shell beads and the first evidence of drawing, visitors will discover some of humanity’s earliest use of symbols, art and technological innovation. By following our early predecessors’ footsteps, visitors will discover how we became what we are today.

The Cradle of Human Culture includes several archaeological and palaeontological sites in the Western Cape. The three major ones are Diepkloof Rock Shelter on the Cape West Coast (Weskus), Blombos Cave and Pinnacle Point on the

Southern Cape Coast. However, a trip to the Cradle of Human Culture includes more than these three sites, and the development and expression of human culture can be traced across all sites.

Experience the two journeys through the Western Cape, forming part of the Cradle of Human Culture. Along the Artist’s Journey in the Cape West Coast (Weskus), you will discover the West Coast Fossil Park, San Rock art dotted along the Cederberg and unique guided experiences that will leave you feeling inspired. Along the Coastal Journey, you will catch a glimpse of the Cape Winelands, delving into the Cape Overberg and exploring the famous Garden Route & Klein Karoo discovering coastal caves and the underground cave wonder known as the Cango Caves.

For more information visit www.cradleofhumanculture.co.za

Cradle of Human Culture

fi rst blind tour guide in South Africa

| Idyllic impressions of two passenger ships in Mossel Bay

The

The first passenger ship moored between 08h00 and 8h30, after which the second followed. The ships’ travel agents arrange pre-booked tours based on the interests of the passengers and included visits to neighbouring tourism destinations such as game farms.

The Norwegian Jade had 1,800 passengers on board, with 777 coming ashore. Some ventured inland with guided tours on 25 luxury tour buses, while around 80 explored the town’s tourist attractions on foot. Of the Seven Seas Voyager, with 610 passengers, 420 came ashore, and 74 enjoyed discovering the shops and eateries.

Mossel Bay Tourism’s Acting Chief Operating Officer, Lieschke Steven Jennings has worked hard to promote cruise tourism to Mossel Bay.

The office of Mossel Bay Tourism was assisting the ships’ passengers with advice and action on points of interest that are worth a visit. Some passengers ventured to the museum and other points of interest.

“My sincere thanks to every resident who welcomes the dozens of guests with iconic hospitality and a friendly smile to our beautiful town. Every smile or nod towards our guests helps in the marketing of our beautiful surroundings. We are confident that all our guests and holidaymakers will have an incredible experience and will soon choose Mossel Bay as their preferred holiday destination next time,” said Mayor Dirk Kotzé, Executive Mayor of the Mossel Bay.

| New Abseiling Adventure for Plettenberg Bay

CapeNature has partnered with Adventure Zone to introduce an exciting new way to enjoy the views from Robberg in Plettenberg Bay: abseiling the cliffs of the iconic nature reserve, national monument and World Heritage Site.

Robberg Nature Reserve in Plettenberg Bay is best known for panoramic views across the bay to the Tsitsikamma Mountains and open ocean with dramatic cliffs, caves, stretches of sandy beach, and the vibrant colony of Cape fur seals. It’s a popular destination for nature lovers, hikers and trail runners with sightings of whales, seals, dolphins and even sharks not uncommon. To add to its alreadyplentiful attractions, CapeNature - curators of the nature reserve - has partnered with South African adventure company Adventure Zone to bring an all-new dimension to Robberg: an extremely thrilling and breathtaking abseil down the cliffs of Robberg.

Abseiling, or rappelling as it is called by many mountaineers, is sliding down a rope under controlled conditions with an opportunity to pause and immerse yourself in the surroundings as you descend. The term comes from the German word “abseilen,” which translates as “top rope down.”

This is Adventure Zone’s third and newest site in South Africa, and they are very excited about Plett’s newest adventure offering: “This is an activity not to be missed, this is absolutely your next bucket list activity. Our highly trained and qualified guides will make sure you not only enjoy your activity but feel safe and secure at all times.” The 12-storey, 35 m abseil will offer breathtaking views across Robberg to The Island, along the coastline and beyond to provide never-

before-seen angles of the iconic peninsula. Additionally, Robberg, home to Nelson Bay Cave and part of the Cradle of Human Culture Route, provides a fascinating insight into the past with rocks dating back 120 million years with evidence of Middle and Later Stone Age inhabitation found along the peninsula. The abseil will provide a unique look at these ancient rock formations.

Norwegian Jade and the Seven Seas Voyager moored in Mossel Bay on 20 December 2022 and painted an idyllic picture for many Mossel Bay residents and visitors to the coastal town.

| New Killarney Raceway lease to rev up investment | More To Lifeguarding than meets the eye

Lifeguards are a crucial component of water safety, especially during the holiday season. However, it is essential to understand that lifeguards are not just a few fit youngsters sitting on a beach waiting for someone to get into trouble and then simply go rescue them.

This is according to Brett Ayres, Executive Director of Rescue Services at the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) who further states that there is a lot more that goes into running a lifeguarding service than one thinks.

“Lifeguarding is a system. It boils down to effective training and development of lifeguards, great equipment and quality management. Our NSRI Lifeguarding unit has already conducted 29 rescues, 40 first aid treatments and 2433 prevention interventions since the 1st December 2022. Prevention is the real job of a good lifeguard, stopping an incident before it becomes a rescue, or a tragedy.”

The City of Cape Town has formally signed a new lease for Killarney International Raceway, operated by Western Province Motor Club (WPMC). This agreement allows WPMC to plan and commence with investment in its infrastructure and events that will further boost the local economy and job opportunities.

Killarney, which has been operating as a motorsport facility for 75 years, is the most used multi-purpose event venue in Cape Town with a pre-Covid total of 200 events per year, with 70 of those being charity events. It hosts a range of motor and motorcycling events, and also non-motorised sporting events such as cycling, duathlons and marathons.

Killarney contributes R357 million to Cape Town’s economy while supporting an extensive industry and thousands of jobs in race manufacturing, trading, servicing, repairs, parts and accessories. It also draws international and domestic competitors, manufacturers, fans, and sponsors who come to the city for extended stays and investments.

Killarney is a multi-purpose and inclusive facility that provides a space for competitors and spectators to enjoy thrills and family entertainment. Events range from motor to motorcycle racing, karting, drifting, drag racing, Robot Racing, regional, national and international championships. It recently opened a new spinning pitch, a large, safe facility that is available for booking by spinner clubs.

Motorsport at Killarney is a key component in making Cape Town Africa’s event capital. This new lease to provide a secure venue, spectator thrills and family entertainment, to actively recruit motorsport events for the benefit of racing fans, the industry, Cape Town’s economy and our tourist destination.

“The NSRI’s lifeguard units are equipped with fins, wetsuits, malibu boards and torpedo buoys to help them get out of the water and effectively perform a rescue quickly, but once the casualty is out of the water, they also have the appropriate first aid equipment, oxygen and an AED (automated external defibrillator) required to save lives. Our lifeguards are backed up by a VHF radio and cell phone network and are supported by our Sea Rescue base stations, beach safety cameras and national Emergency Operations Centre that can activate a network of higher care in any emergency.”

Walking into Henri’s, you’ll be greeted by the owner, Pierre and his staff, who will treat you like guests in our own home. Henri’s combines an inspired menu with a casually sophisticated setting in a heritage house conveniently situated on Somerset West Main Road.

We also welcome larger groups, our top floor has been renovated and can be used for private functions. Our inviting, comfortable dining room is the perfect place to enjoy a great meal.

Deli

Our menu can be described as comfort food with a modern global influence. We are well known for our aged grass-fed beef as well as the freshest local seafood. Alongside our à la carte menu, we offer a light lunch menu during the day and also have a kiddies menu. We also serve homemade, thin based pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven.

Currently, providing services to 5 municipalities and 26 beaches, the NSRI uses an app, developed in 2019, to report on this real-time data from our lifeguarded beaches, and this also reports on the beach conditions and beachgoer attendance. In addition to this, the app allows lifeguards to perform daily equipment checks and send alerts out when equipment or disposable stock is low – all part of the effective management system.” Ayres adds.

“I would encourage any member of the public to ask their local municipality what equipment, training and support systems their lifeguards have in place to ensure beaches are safe this summer and to only swim at lifeguarded beaches,” concludes Brett.

Set achievable goals: Make sure to set realistic, achievable goals so that you can experience the satisfaction of reaching them.

Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment, without judgment. By being more mindful, we can become more aware of our thoughts and emotions, and learn how to manage them in a healthy way.

Implementing a positive mindset takes time and effort, but the benefits are well worth it. By practising gratitude, reframing negative thoughts, surrounding yourself with positive people, taking care of yourself, setting achievable goals, and practising mindfulnees, you can start to shift your mindset and cultivate a more positive outlook on life.

Somerset Mall Art Mile by MARCO OLIVIER

Nestled between the quaint town of Somerset West and Strand, you will find South Africa’s longest sculpture gallery in a Shopping Mall.

The Somerset Mall Art Mile showcases sculptures from Marco Olivier’s collection throughout the mall, adding an element of surprise to your shopping experience, says Mel Jeffries, Marketing Manager for Somerset Mall.

strategic public art partnership

will see the 69, 000sqm Somerset Mall being the first retail property to partner with a

Somerset Mall has original pieces from Marco Olivier’s collection on display throughout the mall walkways, including new releases and never seen before sculptures.

“The strategic collaboration with a locally renowned international artist is ideal and will play a vital role in enhancing our customer experience. Housing the art pieces allow customers to enjoy public art while shopping in a relaxed, mindful environment. Creating the ideal shopping experience plays an import part of the mall’s repositioning strategy” explained Mandy Bellamy, General Manager for Somerset Mall.

“The art can be found throughout the mall with key sculptures such as Surrender Man, Dancing in the Moonlight, The Warriors, and Call Me Dreamer (Faces) to mention a few, are positioned strategically in the main exhibition courts. Mindfulness is part of our everyday customer experience in Somerset Mall and by creating pause areas around the sculptures allows for our guests to tap out from their daily routine and a take a moment to re-energize,” says Mandy Bellamy.

Whether you are visiting to indulge in some leisurely me time, to tick off the essentials on your grocery list, or enjoying some quality time with your family; these majestic sculptures must be experienced when in Somerset Mall. Somerset Mall

This

with Marco Olivier

local artist.

The Weightless Man

Call Me Dreamer

The Warrior

Dancing in the Moonlight

Marco’s Hand

The Warrior

First B2B Client Experience Handbook

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently,” –Warren Buffet.

Eat Your Own Lunch was written by nlightencx CEO Nathalie Schooling and Director Brendon Bairstow-Klopper. Along with two decades of research, this manual outlines their expertise in Customer Experience (CX) strategy development, training, customer journey mapping, and experience redesign, in a how-to fashion.

For businesses looking to bridge the gap between doing business and growing meaningful human connections that attract investors, the methods in “Eat Your Own Lunch” will aid you in taking your first step. The following sections are some extracts from the book:

IT BEGINS WITH LISTENING - How you deal with client disappointment underpins your customers’ experience of your brand, and it all starts by creating a feedback loop with your clients by listening to what they’re telling you and acting on it.

Companies that respond to every query and act on every request with grace and friendliness are already streets ahead of their competitors that offer only lip service. Loyalty can evaporate in an instant when a customer feels their concerns are falling on deaf ears.

CUSTOMER-CENTRIC LEADERS LEAD BY EXAMPLE

The number one priority for today’s CEO should be delivering an exceptional customer experience.

The world’s best corporate leaders already recognise this and see themselves as advocates for their customers before anything else. It might be the retail MD who spends time on the floor, listening, learning, and talking to shoppers. It might be someone like Virgin’s Richard Branson, renowned for his innovative leadership style. He’s not afraid to roll up his sleeves and get his hands dirty. He travels on his own aircraft, he speaks to his customers, and he engages with his staff. He understands the importance of walking his talk and continually asking whether this is how he would want to be treated were he the customer.

EMPATHY IN ACTION - In South Africa, the landlord-tenant war made headlines in the early days of the country’s lockdown in 2020. Embroiled in arduous negotiations for days on end, landlords and retail tenants argued over the payment of rent.

The disconnect between tenant and landlord in the property sector, especially in the retail and commercial space - is a huge problem because many landlords don’t view the tenant as a customer. One property group, which owns a portfolio of retail, office, and industrial assets, demonstrated empathy for what its tenants were going through and provided approximately R82-million in rental relief. With a clear focus on tenant retention, this act of compassion yielded great rewards. The group’s May 2021 interim results showed overall client retention of 85%, up from the year before. They decided to shift strategic focus from an emphasis on sales, putting the tenants at the heart of all property management decisions.

The CX lesson? You can’t put a price on customer relationships, and you certainly can’t ignore the power of empathy.The top three drivers of customer loyalty, according to Forrester Research are: Make me feel valued, when I have a problem, help me resolve my issue, and speak to me in plain and simple language.

For more information visit www.nlightencx.com/cx-handbook/

City of Hope a place to build a better life

“Did you know that for well over a century, previous Mayors of Cape Town would publish an annual “Mayoral Minute” at the end of each year to review the year gone by? No, neither did I – until I started doing background reading last year in preparing to run for Mayor myself.

For some reason, these ‘Mayoral Minutes’ abruptly stopped in the late-1970s. I’m reviving the Mayoral Minute this year in the hope that it is a tradition protected by future Mayors too, and that these documents can serve as an important historical record for future generations of Capetonians.

Personal Reflections - Our motivating ambition is for Cape Town to be regarded as a ‘City of Hope’ – a place where things work, and people can build a better life for themselves and their families. I regard it as an honour to be in this position, and I thank every resident for their ongoing faith and support. We will not always get it right. That we will err, and that we will try every day to do better, are the only two assurances I can make. I can also report that, after just over a year in office, I am thoroughly and completely enjoying the job. It stands to reason that running one of the best cities in the world, is one of the most fulfilling jobs in the world.

Over the course of the past year, I’ve tried to spend as much time outside of the Civic Centre as my schedule allows. I’m always surprised meeting leaders of businesses who hardly ever speak to their customers. I believe just like a shop manager must spend time on the shop floor, in the aisles, understanding the customer experience, so a mayor’s place is on the streets, talking to residents and hearing their feedback directly, rather than in offices, chambers and boardrooms. It’s a great motivator for me, to speak to people about their experiences of life in our city and to hear about how they believe their lives could get better and finding out how we can help.

We look forward with great excitement and anticipation to the year ahead, because we know it brings still more opportunity for Cape Town to do more. Our mission is to grow this city’s economy faster, so we can get people out of poverty and into work. We want every South African to be optimistic about the future again and know that South Africa can work, because Cape Town is showing the way. I am committed and excited to do even more in the New Year. It remains only a pleasure and privilege to work for you, the Cape Town public,” - Mayoral Minute by Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis.

To read more about the progress made in 2022, visit www.thenewspaper.co.za/mayoral-minute

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Seafood, Oysters and Bubbles - The Perfect Pairing

Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate has opened a new oyster and seafood bar and is celebrating winning three 5-star awards and ten 4.5-star awards in the coveted Platter’s 2023 South Africa Wine Guide.

Vinography Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 was named a 5-star winner for the Hermanus wine farm, while Vinography Petit Verdot 2020 and Vinography Sémillon Sauvignon Blanc 2021 achieved ‘Best in Class’ in their varietal categories for South African wines.

Visitors to the residential and hospitality estate can now enjoy these and other award-winning wines at the new oyster and seafood bar and restaurant, which resident chef Annie Badenhorst oversees. It is open seven days a week in the summer, from 10 am to 8 pm, and offers stunning views across the serene lagoon, which is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a narrow sandbar.

The menu features large west coast oysters served on ice with lemon and red onion mignonette, says Annie: “The superior taste of Saldanha oysters is due to the abundant plankton food supply in the bay, which imparts a subtly sweet, nutty nuance to the familiar salty-sea oyster eating experience”.

Three salmon dishes are on the menu: smoked and gravlax salmon; salmon tartare with chopped capers, red onion gherkins and homemade mayonnaise; and salmon and noodle salad. As an alternative to fish, there is potted duck with num num jam: a whole confit duck pulled and set with pistachio and pink peppercorns, served with toasted ciabatta and num num jam - a sweet-tasting red fruit native to South Africa’s coastal regions.

“Annie wanted the oyster bar to be light and fresh as the latest addition to the Hermanus restaurant scene and a new attraction for guests staying in the luxury oceanfront villas at Benguela Cove that are now available for renting. From wine tastings and superb food at Moody Lagoon restaurant, to watersports and art and music events, the estate offers a great staycation and international tourist destination,” says Penny Streeter OBE, the estate developer.

2023 Platters Wine Guide

South Africa’s favourite

Platter’s by Diners Club Wine Guide has revealed the recipients of its soughtafter and esteemed pinnacle awards – the Wineries of the Year, Wines of the Year and Five Star Wines – for the latest (2023) edition.

This 43rd edition of South Africa’s favourite wine guide features well over 900 producers, merchants and brands, including 37 new ones, and over 8,000 locally produced wines, as well as brandies, husk spirits and sherry-style wines.

Wines receiving the sought-after five-star rating in Platter’s must undergo a rigorous process of sighted and blind assessment (i.e. with and without sight of the label) by a team of experienced experts. Bottlings that are judged to be “Superlative, a South African classic” are given the highest ranking of five stars, equal to 95 points or better on the 100-point rating scale.

A highlight of any new edition is the trio of prestigious Winery of the Year awards, the highest accolades bestowed by Platter’s. The Top Performing Winery of the Year goes to the winery that achieves the most five-star ratings after the annual final tasting round. This year the worthy recipient is Mullineux, with an astonishing run of eight five-star results.

The new edition of Platter’s by Diners Club Wine Guide was launched in Stellenbosch on November 17th. It is available in hardcover and digital formats and lists over 900 South African producers, merchants, and brands, as well as approximately 8,000 locally produced wines.

The Platter’s accolades for Benguela Cove confirm the special nature of the wine farm’s unique terroir and coastal setting, says Penny. It is located in the UNESCO-designated Kogelberg Biosphere, at the lowest elevation, and with the world’s longest seaboard of any vineyard.

The Platter’s prizes come on the heels of three double golds in the Veritas Wine Awards, a platinum award for its Chardonnay in the Michelangelo Wine and Spirits Competition, and best Semillon and best single vineyard wine accolades in the Novare SA Terroir Awards.

P lantation Shutters Introduces integrated flyscreen shutters

The Editor’s Award Winery of the Year recognises a winegrowing individual or team who, based on performance in the current edition as well as their track record, are ambassadors par excellence for South African wine. This year the award goes to Cape Winemakers Guild member Duncan Savage and his Cape Town boutique winery Savage Wines.

The Newcomer Winery of the Year is awarded to the producer who débuts in Platter’s this year and achieves the highest scores. The well-deserved recipient of this distinction is Trade Winds Wine, owned by friends and long-time serious wine aficionados Martin Voigt and Richard Wells, with a brilliant five-star Cabernet Sauvignon blended by Colin Frith, an honorary Cape Wine Master and one of the most experienced men-about-the-winelands.

Plantation Shutters is excited to introduce the integrated flyscreen shutter to their existing range of iconic products. With Plantation Security Shutters being renowned for their strength and beautiful aesthetic, the addition of integrated mesh flyscreens, now offers discerning customers an added dimension in shutter coverings. This all-in-one system operates seamlessly to allow you to keep your windows open all day and night, with complete peace of mind. Absolutely perfect for homes, guesthouses and game lodges.

With a choice of mesh grades - the standard mesh, which is made from PVCcoated fibre glass and comes with a 1-year warranty, is ideal for keeping out insects, flies, lizards, snakes, small animals and creepy crawlies. The tuff mesh, which is custom-weaved PVC-coated polyester and comes with a 2-year warranty, is better suited if you have pets like cats that may find it irresistible to scratch, or if you’re looking to keep inquisitive animals, like monkeys, at bay.

This integrated system can be installed across all hinged window and door solutions and consists of one frame, combining both mesh flyscreen panels and shutter panels in one easy installation, without compromising your view. Available in security and aluminium shutter design options.

Carrying the same minimum and maximum specs as per the standard hinged shutters with regard to design and installation, the frame design makes for an easy installation and sliding of the mesh panels, once installed.

Find the right inspiration in your life

“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Finding inspiration in your life can be a challenging task, especially when you’re feeling stuck or unfulfilled. However, there are many ways to tap into your creativity and find inspiration in your daily life. Here are a few easy steps to get your creative juices flowing again:

Find your passion: What are the things that truly excite you and bring you joy, maybe it’s a hobby, a cause, or a career.

Remembering who you are: Spend time with yourself and what matters to you. Perhaps you’ve lost touch with activities you were once passionate about, or you’ve left some of your dreams behind.

Explore new things: Try out new things and step out of your comfort zone. This might include travelling to new places, learning a new skill, or start a creative endeavor.

Surround yourself with inspiring people: The people you spend time with can have a big impact on your outlook and motivation. Surround yourself with people who inspire and motivate you, whether it’s friends, family, or colleagues.

Take a break: Sometimes, the best way to find inspiration is to take a break and give yourself some time to relax and recharge. This might mean taking a vacation, going for a walk, or simply spending some time alone with your thoughts.

Immersing yourself in nature: Nature provides an environment for letting go of intrusive thoughts and worries, allowing creativity to flow. Consider taking a stroll through a park, or visit a community garden.

Practice gratitude: Focusing on the things you are grateful for can help you feel more positive and inspired. Take some time each day to write down a few things you are grateful for, and try to cultivate an attitude of gratitude in your daily life.

Commitment & resilience

enables deaf teacher to realise his dream

Ten years after matriculating, Imran Bodalaji’s relentless pursuit of his dream to become a teacher was realised when he crossed the graduation stage to receive his BEd degree from Stellenbosch University. He is only the second Deaf student to achieve this goal.

Bodalaji (29) was born in Worcester. In 1993, when he was six months old, his family found out that he had been born deaf. He went to the Karel du Toit Centre for two years before he attended crèche at De La Bat School – a school in Worcester that provides for the educational needs of Deaf learners.

He started his primary education at a mainstream school, but a decision was made in his Grade 3 year to enrol him at the De La Bat School to complete his primary education. “The transition from a mainstream hearing school to a Deaf school helped me greatly, as I felt included and understood. I could also connect with teachers and fellow learners, as Sign Language helped to understand information correctly. This resulted in better academic and holistic performance.”

Bodalaji has been dreaming of becoming a teacher since Grade 9. After matriculating in 2012, he attended the National Institute for Deaf (NID) College, where he completed a course in Early Childhood Development (ECD) Level 4. In 2014, he enrolled in the Worcester campus of Boland College to further his studies. Through lipreading, he successfully completed level 5. “I then found out that I needed an appropriate education qualification to become a qualified educator. I applied to various universities to complete a BEd degree, but was unsuccessful as I did not meet the criteria.”

Bodalaji completed a short course in South African Sign language (SASL) literature at Stellenbosch University and hoped that one day he would be able to study there. Finally, in 2017, he was enrolled at Stellenbosch University. With the support of the various University structures, he started to make strides towards realising his dream.

Persistence pays off

Towards the end of 2021 he struggled to finish the final stretch of this degree. His persistence and resilience were tested to the core. His graduation epitomises conquering barriers and not giving up on his dreams.

His new dream? “My dream is for Deaf learners to learn South African Sign Language so that they do not have to assimilate to fit in to receive an education in South Africa. Deaf learners should be given endless opportunities to grow – in schooling and post-schooling –to achieve anything they set their minds to.”

Set goals: Setting meaningful goals for yourself can help you stay focused and motivated.

Remember, finding inspiration is a journey, and it’s normal to have ups and downs along the way. The most important thing is to keep an open mind and be willing to try new things. With a little bit of effort, you can find inspiration and purpose in your life.

SU History Made

as four sisters graduate in one week!

Graduation 2022 at Stellenbosch University (SU) will go down in family history as the year that all four of the De Lange daughters, aged between 21 and 27, were capped in a range of different degrees. Two of the Paarl-based siblings received their honours degrees, while the youngest two, who are twins, received their undergraduate degrees.

Johanna Maria (Andria) de Lange (27), graduated with her BSc Honours Clinical Anatomy; Roné (25) on 18 December received her B.Com Honours Industrial Psychology degree; Jani (21) got her BSc Human Life Sciences and her twin sister, Mari, graduated with her B. Accounting degree.

The celebration was made just that much more special by the fact that the parents of the four girls, are also Stellenbosch University alumni. Anna-Mari, a stay-at-home mother and Johan, who works as an executive at Kaap Agri, could barely keep up with all the different graduation ceremonies on 6 December, 7 December and 8 December - but were there in full force to support their daughters and to celebrate their various achievements afterwards.

In an interview, Andria paid tribute to her parents for the constant support and encouragement they’ve given to all their daughters through the years. The family, who are originally from Porterville, moved to Paarl in 2017.

“Our parents raised all four of us to follow our dreams, our passions, and our ideals. They instilled in us the value of an education, and they always emphasised we must try to use our education to help others.”

“Our family philosophy is to help others in whatever way we can, in whichever career we choose.”

“We are extremely grateful towards our parents for working so hard to grant us the opportunity to be able to educate ourselves further. They had to endure many financial and emotional challenges to make this possible for us, and words will never be enough to describe our gratitude towards them. They have had a child studying at Stellenbosch University since 2014 and two of us will be continuing our studies in 2023. We really honour our parents for their sacrifices, their guidance, and their support and for giving up so many of their own dreams to enable us to pursue ours,” said Andria.

Andria said that all four of the De Lange daughters thoroughly enjoy studying. “We all want to pursue our dreams and make an impact, whether it is in a small way or on the big stage,” she said.

CAPE TOWN ONE OF THE FRIENDLIEST CITIES IN THE WORLD

At the end of 2023, the warmth and neighbourliness of Capetonians has been recognised by Conde Nast Traveller Readers, with the city being named as one of the world’s friendliest. Compiled by surveying Conde Nast’s 16 million strong audience, Cape Town took the 10th position overall and leading African city. The friendliest city in the world was named as San Miguel de Allende in Mexico.

“The past year has seen encouraging growth in both international and local travel and hospitality in Cape Town. Being named one of the friendliest cities in the world, means yet again that the Mother City is being recognised as a truly world class, inclusive destination, and that fills us with pride. As a visitor walks through the streets of Cape Town, explores our national parks, our beaches, enjoys what our winelands create, they will undoubtedly enjoy the natural beauty of Cape Town,” says CEO at Cape Town Tourism, Enver Duminy.

KNYSNA ELEPHANT PARK FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS

“But what turns that enjoyment into a love for our city is what we as locals offer. Our warmth, passion, welcoming nature, our friendliness is the magic ingredient that keeps visitors coming back to Cape Town year, after year, after year.”

Experience an incredibly scenic encounter, meandering through the Knysna Elephant Park at elephant pace with panoramic views of the Outeniqua mountains and Knysna forest. Join the guides who will relate informative ‘elephant tales,’ while you follow in the footsteps of these remarkable animals.

The Knysna Elephant Park (est. 1994) was the first facility in South Africa to house and care for orphaned African elephants. Over the last twenty years, the park has cared for and raised more than forty elephants.

“Our style of management offers guests the opportunity to get up close and personal with our elephants, on elephant terms. Responsible and educational interactions allow guests to appreciate the awe-inspiring presence of these animals, but still give the elephants the space and freedom to choose where they want to move, what they want to eat, and who they want to interact with.”

SHIPS AHOY! CAPE TOWN’S CRUISE ECONOMY REBOUNDS

After three disastrous years, the cruise economy is back. More than 239 cruise ships are expected to dock in Cape Town between October 2022 and April 2023. The arrival of the first passenger vessel of the season, Hanseatic Spirit, at the Port of Cape Town in October 2022, signalled the start of a bumper cruise season and a much-needed boost to the economy of the Mother City.

This season’s cruise liners will arrive in style at the city’s cruise terminal with its world-class customs facilities, immigration desks, passenger infrastructure and baggage handling services, facilities that complement the many existing tourism and hospitality offerings in the city and the CBD.

According to Alderman James Vos, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, with an estimated R100 million in total estimated passenger spend per port visit, a number of jobs in a variety of related industries will also result.

In fact, international tourists are estimated to spend R10 600 each before they arrive, and a further R8 600 when they arrive. With one job being created for every 12 cruise tourists, this robust growth in the cruise sector is a real win-win for Cape Town and the CBD.

The latest State of Cape Town Central City Report 2021 – A Year in Review (SCCR), published by the CCID, states that the Port of Cape Town is the second busiest in South Africa. It is crucial in facilitating the cruise economy of the city and the province, thanks in part to the R80 million Cruise Terminal redevelopment at the V&A Waterfront, which opened in May 2018.

The demand for global cruises reached 29.7 million passengers in 2019, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). However, the arrival of Covid-19 brought this arm of the hospitality industry to its knees, with cruise operators suffering enormous financial losses.

Says Tasso Evangelinos, CEO of the CCID: “The return of ocean liners to our shores is very heartening news, as they bring thousands of visitors to our city. The cruise economy complements the hospitality industry in greater Cape Town and the Central City, as these visitors stay in our hotels and guest houses, thereby boosting various economic tourism sectors. We look forward to welcoming the liners and their guests to our shores and our CBD.”

The Cango Wildlife Ranch in Oudtshoorn welcomed five little spotty bundles of fur in October 2022 when their 5-year-old cheetah, Sansa gave birth at their facility’s private reserve which forms part of their Cheetah Preservation Foundation nonprofit organisation.

“We have many reasons to celebrate their birth, with their lineage being paramount. Not only do the cubs contribute to helping the world better understand their species, but their strong and genetically diverse bloodlines make a valuable contribution to the ex-situ population management of the species. Since the inception of the Cheetah Preservation Foundation, our cheetahs have contributed significant data to the global pool of healthy cheetah management practices, research, and education.”

“Our cubs stay with their mom for the first two weeks when they consume enough colostrum to ensure healthy cubs with strong antibodies. The cubs then move to our hand-raising centre, where our experienced team of carers works around the clock to ensure optimal care for the young’uns.” The cubs (two little boys and three girls) already have distinct personalities, according to their doting carers. Of the boys; Xavier is the largest, darkest and fluffiest. He is the explorer of the group, and feeding time is his very best time of day. Xion, the second largest, is already known for his strong-will and determination. Of the girls, Xara is almost always the first one to fall asleep and by the time she is ready to rough-house, her siblings are well on their way to dreamland. She is very easy-going though… except little bursts of mischief. Xena, is unique in that she is the only one of the 5 that has a white-tipped tail. She is described as feisty and sassy, and has the strongest personality of the 3 girls. Xyla, the smallest of the litter, is a very playful busy-body, with a slight flare for the dramatic. Most importantly though, all are in perfect health, as is their remarkable mom.

“Just a year ago, around the same time, we welcomed four healthy cubbies to our animal family too. Hence, this being the second year in a row, around the same time, that we have been blessed in this way. The birth of five healthy cheetah cubs is undoubtedly a reason to celebrate! For us and the species, and we are elated!”

What Woolies Foods does with their food waste

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) did a study on food losses and waste in South Africa and found that 10.3-million tonnes a year of edible food gets wasted. On 16 October 2022 we marked World Food Day and Woolworths reflected on the fundamental need for everyone, everywhere, to have regular access to sufficient and nutritious food.

The United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)’s theme, ‘Leave NO ONE Behind,’ speaks to this. It highlights how the ongoing pandemic, climate change, rising inflation and increasing pressure on customers’ wallets are affecting global food security.

The CSIR study further reveals that within the food chain, 68% of waste happens in the early stages of production, with 19% happening during post-harvest handling and storage, and 49% occurring during processing and packaging. Half the overall loss and waste comes from cereals, followed by fruit and vegetables at 19%, milk at 14% and meat at 9%.

Millions of tonnes of edible food do not reach people’s stomachs every year, in a country that struggles with food insecurity at household level and the threat of food hunger. Focused with quality and sustainability, Woolworths believes food security is a fundamental human right. The retailer is aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 2 of #ZeroHunger by 2030. “46 Woolies food suppliers have signed up for the voluntary agreement and are committed to reducing food waste within their operations.”

Your IP address is essential for sending and receiving information online. But if a hacker knows your IP address, they can use it to seize valuable information, including your location and online identity.

How can someone find your IP address? Your IP address is a unique string of numbers assigned to you by your ISP (Internet Service Provider) – like a delivery address for online traffic. Since your IP address holds certain information about you, someone could use it for malicious purposes. People can get hold of your IP address in many ways. Here are just a few:

In the last year,

Little spots and little purrs… What can someone do with your IP address?

Devices - If somebody borrows or uses your computer, they can find out what your IP address is in seconds because countless free websites help you do that.

Emails - If you send an email to someone, they can check the header of the message, which could contain your IP address.

Websites, Links & Ads - Any links you click on will need to provide your IP address for the server at the other end to deliver the content provided by the link. Whoever owns that server will see your IP address.

Hotspots & Public WiFi - Hackers can set a fake hotspots and view your IP address and personal information or even infect your device with malware.

Social Media Platforms - While using social media is fun, these platforms collect a lot of sensitive information about your life, friends, habits, interests, and your IP.

What does a VPN do? Typically, when you try to access a website, your ISP receives the request and redirects you to your destination. But when you connect to a VPN, it redirects your internet traffic through a VPN server first, before sending it over to your destination.

Here’s what happens when you connect to a VPN - A VPN changes your IP and masks your virtual location, it encrypts your data and protects your devices from common internet hazards.

Is online privacy worth the cost? By protecting your privacy online, you are defending sensitive information about yourself, like your communications, virtual location, IP address, and more. The cost for your privacy is worth it when you balance it against the risks we face online every day.

“26 of these are our top suppliers, which equates to nearly to 60% of our Woolies food production,” says Latiefa Behardien, Woolworths Foods Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer. To ensure that food is not wasted, Woolworths gives surplus food to charity. Edible food, i.e. food that is still within its “use by” date and

fit for human consumption.

over R786 million worth of surplus food was donated directly from Woolworths stores to over 1400 charitable organisations across the country.

Cape Town Met first-class racing FESITival

SA20 Cricket opener

at Newlands

SA20 is South Africa’s explosive new T20 cricket league. Dropping 10 January 2023, the League is set to thrill local and international cricket fans and attract new audiences of all ages.

South Africa’s iconic stadiums will be the place to be from 10 January – 11 February; where cricket fanatics, party people and families can gather to watch the world’s best T20 cricketers in action - 4 weeks, 33 matches, 6 global franchises, 102 world class players (local and global).

SA20 has the backing of some of the most recognised T20 franchises in the world, with several IPL strongholds branching out to establish an even greater international footprint. The franchises are owned by six dynamic entities which have made a minimum 10-year investment which will sustain South African cricket, the players and future cricketers coming through the development pipeline.

The biggest racing event of the season kicks into gear as The World Sports Betting (WSB) Cape Town Met has officially revealed its Mardi Gras themed spectacular, spectacular!

World Sports Betting presents another exhilarating masquerade of high fashion and frivolous fun, where the very best in horse racing sport their stamina in a bid to win their share of the R2 million purse.

Hosted at the new and improved Hollywoodbets Kenilworth racecourse, The Cape Town Met 2023 is pulling out all stops to make this year’s social event of the season the best one yet.

“Join us for the ultimate parade of party people with surprise music headlines from big name artists, celebrity guest appearances, outrageous couture and infinite hospitality options.”

The Mardi Grove party zone sets the stage for a festival of first-class racing, decked to the nines with bedouin tents, roaming live entertainment and cash prizes for the best in show.

Unmask the magic on 28 January for the grand carnival finale.

Maynardville

Open-Air Theatre Festival

The League features six privately-owned teams, who will play each other twice in a round-robin stage (home and away) before the semis and final. In all, 33 matches will be played in some of the greatest locations South Africa has to offer: Durban’s Super Giants (Kingsmead), Joburg Super Kings (Wanderers), MI Cape Town (Newlands), Paarl Royals (Boland Park), Pretoria Capitals (Centurion) and Sunrisers Eastern Cape (St George’s Park).

SA20 is destined to become the world’s second-largest league, but with “South Africa’s No 1 Sport and Entertainment brand” firmly locked in as the target, you can expect thrilling cricket underpinned by an immersive, inclusive, and unmissable social experience.

Experi-Buddies

at the V&A Waterfront

Cape Town’s beloved Maynardville Open-Air Theatre season is back and better than ever, sporting a new food market and a full season of music, opera, ballet and Shakespeare under the stars.

The Maynardville Open-Air Theatre Festival season is a highlight for Cape Town summers. In recent years, it has expanded to feature a full schedule of classic plays in addition to a traditional Shakespeare play. Shakespeare and classical concerts are combined in this expanded seasonal format by VR Theatrical.

Shakespeare’s fantasy comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be the featured production in 2023. Geoffrey Hyland is directing it, and after his successes with “Richard the Third” (2019) and “Twelfth Night” (2017), it promises to be a fresh take on this magical classic. The lead roles will be played by actors Chi Mhende and Mark Elderkin.

The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra will present the musical, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by Mendelssohn as the orchestral programme, and the Cape Town City Ballet will present a programme of two works titled “SummerSnow”, which will contrast the hot summer heat with works with strong, icy winter themes. An unforgettable choral performance of “Songs of Shakespeare” as a tribute to the great playwright is also on the schedule for the Maynardville Festival.

The season dates are: 19 - 21 January: The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra | 26 - 29 January: Cape Town Opera | 2 to 23 February: A Midsummer Night’s Dream | 1 - 5 March: Cape Town City Ballet.

The tradition of having a picnic in the park remains a custom of the Maynardville Theatre, but picnics can now be ordered in advance and collected on arrival. The Maynardville Evening Food Market, which will be open to the public in the summer evenings and run throughout the festival, offers a variety of food and beverages for patrons to choose from.

available via Quicket

“Come and enjoy a collaboration between Experi-Buddies and the V&A Waterfront for a workshop where we will inspire your little Scientists to explore the world of science.”

Experi-Buddies is an educational programme that uses experiments to show young children that the world of science can be fun. We introduce Scientific concepts in an age-appropriate way by means of interactive projects, exciting demonstrations, and basic experiments. We will be covering various Scientific fields: Chemistry, Meteorology, Geology, Astronomy, Physics and Biology.

Our aim: “To give each child an opportunity to do at least one experiment on their own with a wow factor; give a basic explanation of the Science behind each experiment and have as much fun as possible, and to introduce our little Einstein’s to an unforgettable learning experience!”

Each child will have the unique experience of wearing their own lab coat and feel like a real Scientist!”

Dates: 8, 14, 21 and 29 January | Location: Watershed,

Tickets

The six teams finalised their 17-member squads during the R125 million player auction. Each team is allowed to field up to four international players in a match, giving plenty of opportunities for homegrown Proteas stars and young local talent to shine while playing alongside the best in the world.

Young SA crew hoist sail for iconic Cape2Rio race

One of the most prestigious Trans-Atlantic Ocean races, the 50th edition of Cape to Rio Race 2023 got under way from Cape Town on January 2, 2023 and will culminate at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Onboard the Alexforbes ArchAngel is the young crew from South African from the Royal Cape Yacht Club Sailing Academy. The crew comprises skipper Sibusiso Sizatu (30), first mate Daniel Agulhas (29), Renaldo Tshepo Mohale (29), Thando Mntambo (23), Azile Arosi (22) and Justin Peters (21). The Alexforbes ArchAngel is one of the smallest boats in the race, and is handicapped accordingly.

Onerous amounts of paperwork have been completed, new sails hoisted and inspections completed, but preparing to sail 3 300 nautical miles aboard a tiny vessel takes mental as well as physical preparation. The team has completed enneagram personality tests to gain personal self-knowledge and do ongoing selfdevelopment. “You mentally pace yourself to spend a long time out at sea,” Sizatu said. “We know we are in for the long haul - between 24 and 27 days.”

The crew, all passionate about sailing, was selected due to their commitment to the Academy programme as well as their experience. All members have their basic skipper’s ticket and three of the men have their offshore skipper’s ticket. The crew have also completed several yachting programmes, such as personal survival techniques, and competent crew courses.

Life aboard the Alexforbes ArchAngel will entail racing 24 hours, with the crew working in pairs. Food will be prepared in the small gallery atop a one-burner gas stove and will consist of “lots of pasta, rice and canned ingredients. Breakfast is cereal and snacks include biltong and nuts.

With only 400 litres of fresh water on board – 2.5 litres per crew member per day – showering is done using seawater, and a small spray bottle of fresh water to rinse off. They have a full medical aid kit, including prescription drugs like painkillers and various antibiotics.

During a medical emergency, the global Maritime Rescue Co-Ordination Centre will take over, and, after getting information from the crew, a doctor will decide if there is enough of a crisis to divert another ship to assist with a rescue.

Community team puts Western Cape cycling on the map

The Western Cape based Fairtree Imperial Cannondale Racing Team is not only an accomplished mountain biking team, but are rising stars on the global stage, with some impressive wins both locally and internationally over the past two years.

“The team includes 16 men and 2 women, all from disadvantaged backgrounds,” says Chris Norton, Team Manager of the Fairtree Imperial Cannondale Racing Team. “Despite facing many adversities, their incredible growth over the past few years leaves no doubt that they are a positive example of how sport has the power to unite communities and change individual circumstances, as it has done with these incredible riders – thanks to the people that have come together to give them the opportunities they deserve, and also to their commitment and dedication to the sport of cycling.”

Imperial, a DP World Company, began its sponsorship of the team in 2021, which includes the use of a vehicle to transport the team, new cycling kits, as well as funding towards team housing and living expenses. The riders haven grown from strength to strength during this time, with team members Luyanda Thobigunya and Lorenzo le Roux winning the esteemed FNB Wine2Wales in 2021, as well as the Exxaro category of the Absa Cape Epic that year, finishing 30th in the overall race. This team is excelling at cycling and is also helping create a culture of healthy living by using the discipline of cycling to address both sporting and social challenges. They also earn an income as accredited tour guides with the Western Cape government - offering guiding to individuals, corporates and tourists, using local restaurant Casa Cerveza in Stellenbosch as their base.

“It is also encouraging to see team members paying their success forward in their communities,” says Norton. “It was heart-warming to see Luyanda gift his team member, Lorenzo, his share of a bursary they had both won in 2019 so that Lorenzo’s twin daughters could start the 2020 school year together. He donated the same bursary prize to his sister’s child after winning it again in 2021.”