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Community

Interview with South Africans living in the USA

Arts

Abdullah Ibrahim returns to London to celebrate his 80th year

Food

Jan Braai’s Fireworks — a bible for anyone who will ever braai again

page 9

page 10

| DID YOU KNOW? The director of District 9 brings you a new film starring Sigourney Weaver, Ninja, Yolandi Visser, Dev Patel and Hugh Jackman. Read more on page 9

Artist threatened after painting Thuli Madonsela

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| 11 - 18 November 2014 | thesouthafrican.com

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Southern Africa woos European Tourists | South Africa had a major presence at last week’s World Travel Market in London, with SA Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom playing a key part in a debate between tourism ministers from 13 countries

by John Burke Among the stands booked by 22 African national tourist boards, South Africa had the third largest after Egypt and Morocco, and the space was slightly larger than that of Kenya and Tanzania. A total of 39 interests made up the South African presence this time, although their number and nature tends to change each year – thus, Matsamo Cultural Park was absent.

Apart from the tourist boards from Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg, exhibitors ranged from Hilton to South African Airways, Private Safaris and African Hotels & Adventures.

Yet the tourism board’s head, Thulani Nzima, was not available at the World Travel Market (WTM), just as last year.

A spokesman claimed he was detained by urgent business back home, but it has emerged that he did not have a valid visa for Britain.

Tourism minister, Derek Hanekom, nevertheless hailed

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Catch up with the latest sports news, read up on current events, find a recipe for dinner, learn about the latest events for the expat community and be in touch with your South African heritage more than ever before.

the presence at the show out in London’s Docklands as a success.

Explaining that R100 million was earmarked for tourism.

“With commitment from the industry, this should make a very significant contribution towards addressing challenges in the National Development Plan. Our message here is that travel to South Africa is fun,” he said.

We met just after WTM’s Global Summit, in which he had explained how hosting the FIFA World Cup of 2010 had developed tourism in South Africa. The theme of the debate was Tourism and mega-events. The same evening, Hanekom presented the Ubuntu awards to travel concerns that had made the best contribution to developing the industry.

Feedback from other exhibitors about the four-day event was also positive, because Britain remains the largest market, followed

by America, Germany and China. South African Tourism’s spokeswoman, Monika Iuel, said: “This is the first time that we are marketing in virtual reality with

an audio-visual 4D experience.

And we expect 2014 to close with British visitors up by 1½% to 500,000, although the previous total of ten million tourists may not be met due to the sagging European market.”

Phindile Mavundla from Tourism Buffalo City said, “I have not been to WTM before, so this was useful experience.” In the adjacent booth was Phetogo Kubheka of Indaba 2015 who explained: “I am taking registrations for Africa’s biggest travel show to be held in Durban during May.” This is one month after Reed Exhibitions, which now stages 500 travel fairs in 41 countries, puts on a rival event in Cape Town that some consider unnecessary.

Other parts of southern Africa exhibiting in London included Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe, but neither Angola nor Namibia were present.

Bongani Dlamini, a spokesman for Swaziland tourism, told me, “None of us find the economic situation in Europe helpful, but with versatility we hope that WTM

will help us to sustain existing clientele. Swaziland also wants to promote our new international airport.”

Altogether, the African continent had as large a presence as the Near and Middle East, and a bigger one than Latin America where interest was apparently poor.

An interesting feature of the event was Euromonitor’s annual statistics and survey. It suggested that African tourism ministries should copy Ghana’s “concerted efforts”, not least because it was now attracting multinational hotel chains. By contrast, Euromonitor stated, Madagascar had not quite regained its 2008 peak for arrivals, and depended too much on attracting foreign investment.

World Travel Market gets a total of about 4200 exhibitors from 186 countries, and it claims to get 50 000 visitors plus 2 800 journalists.

It is rated second only to ITB (not a Reed fair) that takes place in Berlin over five days each March, although ExCel is regarded as an inconvenient venue and rather expensive.

South Africa gets triple win at the responsible tourism awards in London | There was great excitement all round, as three South African hospitality facilities became the proud recipients of awards at the World Responsible Tourism Awards in London last Wednesday

by Staff reporter The awards were aimed at developing quality tourism products that promote cultural integrity and environmental protection.

Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom congratulated Hotel Verde in Cape Town for winning Gold as Best City Hotel for Responsible Tourism, the V&A Waterfront winning Gold as Best Destination for Responsible Tourism, and South African Animal Sanctuary Alliance for

winning Gold as Best Global Animal Welfare Initiative. Mdumbi Backpackers was a finalist for Best for Poverty Reduction.

South Africa was the second country in the world, after Brazil, to develop National Minimum Standards for Responsible Tourism.

Minister Hanekom said his department was looking at incentivising the retrofitting of tourism attractions and accommodation facilities for energy saving, water efficiency and accessibility for travellers with

physical limitations.

“This could create new jobs for years to come, lower operational costs and do what is best for the environment,” he said.

Hanekom said many travellers were now making decisions based on fair trade, community benefits and sustainable development practices.

“In response to this, more of our destinations are implementing sustainable principles like recycling greywater and reducing energy use,” he said.

Minister Hanekom, who attended

the awards in London, said his department was expecting substantial growth in the South African tourism industry in the next two decades.

“While we welcome the additional contribution that this will make to the national economy, and the creation of more jobs in tourism, we must manage the physical footprint of the projected growth responsibly, especially its potential impact on local culture and ecosystems,” said Hanekom.

– SAnews.gov.za

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Artist threatened after painting Thuli Madonsela | South Africans globally are uniting in defence of our internationally-respected public protector Thuli Madonsela, but not everyone is so keen on a healthy democratic system, it seems

by Gerhard Jacobs Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has recently come under fire from the ANC and their alliance partners for taking on Jacob Zuma on his Nkandla homestead.

Her scathing report on the misappropriation and misuse of public funds has led key ANC members to publicly attack her office. This, however, has not deterred the embattled public protector, who has proved to be one of the last bastions of transparent governance from pursuing justice on the public’s behalf.

These attacks on Madonsela have led to a partnership between Together SA and Thunderclap, who have initiated #WeThePeople — an online march in support of Madonsela.

The movement is based on the idea that there are thousands of South Africans worldwide who want to unite with one voice to

protect our hard won democracy.

The Together SA team, along with renowned street artist Gasak, chose the township of Inanda — where Nelson Mandela made the very first democratic vote in SA 20 years ago — to paint a mural of Madonsela. With the support of Desmond Tutu and Lulu Dube (daugher of John Dube, the very first leader of the ANC), Gasak started his three meter high artwork in honour of Madonsela’s work.

The next morning, a group of people had destroyed the artwork, and Gasak had received threats of violence against him for painting a mural of Madonsela.

Those who want to show their support for the Public Protector can do so by joining the #WeThePeople Online March.

Support their Thunderclap campaign through Twitter, Facebook and/or Tumblr. On 18 November, social media will be flooded with a single message – “We support our Public Protector”.

| Gasak’s controversial painting of Thuli Madonsela in Inanda

Rapper Khuli Chana sues police minister | No one is better at throwing their toys around than celebs

by Gerhard Jacob

Local A-lister (LOL) Khuli Chana is suing police minister Nati Nhleko for R2 million, after an incident last year involving shooting and name-calling and all-round unrevolutionary behaviour.

Chana says the minister must “pay for emotional trauma and psychological stress” inflicted on him during the incident where the police mistook the rapper for a kidnapper, and charged him with murder. Wait — a rapper mistaken for a murderer and a

WE WILL TAKE YOU HOME/ONS DOEN DIE GROOT TREK HUIS TOE...

kidnapper… meh, all in a day.

Chana is also suing for defamation of character. It’s likely he won’t be getting much, as his lawyers and the police already reached an out-of-court settlement two months ago.

Letter to the Editor

by Khaya Thwala The African National Congress in London - United Kingdom calls on all members of the executive committee, supporters and community at larger to distance themselves from a divisive and misleading statement released 04 November 2014

by SA newspaper in reference to comrade Lucy Ramadimetje Mashigo-Chegwende.

We remain strongly opposed to this misleading and ambitious statement which seeks to divide and create anarchy and bringing

progress and hard work into disrepute.

The ANC in London - United Kingdom calls on to its members and to the community not to participate in attempts aimed at dividing South Africans abroad.

In this struggle lead by newly appointed senior comrades Jabu Sibeko and comrade Xolani Xala we aim to further build a strong and inclusive ANC Committee across the United Kingdom.

It is quite clear that this is nothing but an attempt to hold on positions that are lifeless and the

community shall oppose it with all the might and zeal. The ANC is the movement that fought and wiped out the divisions of South Africa.

History is not birders of any one man or women alone, but some are called to meet a special share of its challenges, it is a duty that all ANC members and its leadership discharge with dignity, passion, determination and distension that is wildly admired.

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“Compared to Ohio, coming to London is like coming home” — an interview with South Africans living in the USA | South African actors Sifiso and Melonie Mazibuko visit London as part of a touring theatre cast and unexpectedly find themselves in a home away from home. I interviewed them to find out what life is like for South Africans living in the US

by Sandi Durnford-Slater Sifiso and Melonie Mazibuko lived and studied in Pretoria before winning scholarships to study drama and theatre at Ohio State University in Columbus two years ago. I met up with them when they were recently on stage in London to ask them what it’s been like living as expats in the USA. “It is a fantastic opportunity to study and live abroad, but we have realised that we really are quite culturally different from the Americans we meet there and living there is a bit of a culture shock at first,” explains Sifiso.

Have you managed to settle in and find community in Ohio?

Sifiso: Culture plays a big part in our lives. It’s a very different culture in the US. In South Africa it’s the interaction between so many cultures in one space that makes it surprisingly friendly and warm. Sometimes in one group in South Africa there will be six or seven different cultures represented. America is so big that a State might represent one ‘cultural’ group. Unless you are in a big metropolis like Chicago or New York, there isn’t really an opportunity for cultures to blend.

I grew up in Kimberley.

At school, church and our

neighbourhood there was a real mix of languages, races and cultures and you just learn how to do life together.

I think Ohioans are really friendly folks. I guess that now we get to experience ‘midwestern’ life here.

Melonie: Culture is so interesting. We experienced that very early on in life because we are from two totally different cultures. Maybe we are more sensitive to culture and diversity.

We think in terms of “your culture, my culture”.

There is a familiarity with South Africa in the UK. When you say you’re from South Africa, they know where it is, have some history and usually know a few South Africans or have visited the country. In America, the amount of times I’ve been asked to explain where South Africa is — that we are a country, not just a geographical positioning, that it is where Nelson Mandela came from – does not bear thinking.

You have to go through a whole list of things to explain your legitimacy.

What do you miss about South Africa?

Melonie: I miss the people, and not just my friends and family.

South Africans have come so far in 20 years — there is so much forgiveness in the hearts of

people. I believe this is unique to South Africa. I also miss the variety of languages spoken in South Africa and how some people mix them all together. In America you hear English all the time. I’ve enjoyed hearing the different languages and accents in London just walking down the street.

Sifiso: I miss the FOOD! I miss the traditionally prepared family meals – pap and wors, samp and beans, my mother’s udombon (dumplings), vetkoek… I’ve enjoyed tasting and expending my palate in the US, but it’s been too long since I’ve had a South African feast.

Melonie: We have enjoyed the South African shops here in London. There are no South African shops in Columbus.

You can buy South African products online from somewhere in California. They courier it to Columbus from there, but it’s very expensive. We haven’t tried that yet.

How is your SA accent received abroad?

Melonie: In South Africa we rarely act with a South African accent. When we do an American or British play, we use the appropriate accent. The first time I started using my own accent was in America, because they are very into having the actor’s

natural voice on stage.

This is where America really trumps South Africa and the UK in their attitude towards less familiar accents. Some audiences who have watched the show (The First Actress) in Ohio have commented: “she sounds a bit different” or “I can’t quite place the accent”.

What has been your experience of working in Ohio?

Melonie: Ohio is huge. We don’t have a car and we live on campus.

This limits us. I’ve enjoyed the pedestrian and public transport culture here in London. We have loved our course and it’s been a challenge and learning experience working with American actors.

There is only one other foreign student in our class. We all work very well together.

“Ohio is considered a ‘swing state’, so when it comes to election time, it gets a lot of attention because it can sometimes determine whether the ruling party will be Democrat or Republican. Obama has visited our campus three times since we’ve been here.”

Some highlights of your time in the US? Melonie: We have had some great experiences in Columbus, including when we attended an

Ohio State Football game. The games are attended by thousands of people from the community, so the atmosphere is really amazing. If you visit Ohio, stick around for Autumn and Spring.

Summers can be really hot and humid, sometimes reaching the 40s, and winters can be freezing — last winter we had -12 degree temperatures — but Autumn and Spring are truly beautiful.

“People are so different! In South Africa, if you walk past somebody in the street you’ll probably greet them or even have a conversation; in Ohio, you look at them and maybe smile; in London, you try to avoid eye contact completely,” muses Melonie.

Do you intend to go back to SA? Sifiso: South Africa is always going to be home. I think we will most definitely go back eventually, but our journey began with a particular hunger for what’s happening internationally.

For the next few years there is the momentum to still try and figure out what we can draw from the extravagant places we find ourselves, like in America and London. I know that I would want to go home to be able to impart all that I’ve learnt, but we are still young and there is much to explore.

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Expat sadness and depression Sadness and depression are different, and expats often experience both. Even the toughest of us feel some sadness when leaving our birthplace, our memories, our everything-weknow. Sadness surely must just be part of the package – it comes with the booking: ‘You’re all set with a 9:30pm SAA departure JHB-LND, here is your luggage ticket and a wheel-y bag for your heart which will eventually feel so heavy in your chest you may feel like turning back…’

Sadness passes quickly, though, and within a few hours or days

Putting on a brave face What’s worse, sometimes expats with depression don’t tell anyone.

There is so much pressure once you have left to prove to yourself that you made the right choice.

Or to prove it to others. Or maybe reassure them that there is hope and that you can have a good life outside of South Africa.

Sometimes you just have to pretend it’s all good for the kids, or the husband who got that overseas job posting. For me, there is a very dissonant relationship between being South African and leaving South Africa. Spot the inconsistency: I want to live at home, but I left. Hello my friend Cognitive Dissonance.

So, at every chance I get I ask

PS: If you are experiencing these persistently, there is help. Talk to a professional, reach out, don’t suffer alone. What you are going through is real.

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How many times have you sat up at night trying to figure out why you left?

Or contemplating going back?

Or, my favorite (note the spelling – I am in America now), if you had your time over, would you do it again?

These themes and questions seem to be default in many expat conversations I have.

I met up with an ex-South African the other day who has been living in America for almost two decades now. She is much older than I am and lives in different circumstances – she has friends, a community, professional networks, colleagues, long-time neighbors and local knowledge.

But we have little in common – her kids are married with jobs and kids and mine are still in diapers; she has moved twice in the US and we have just got here; they came straight to the US and we have been around the globe before arriving here. However, there was a strong common thread that dominated our conversation and non-Five Roses tea-stirring.

expats, particularly older expats who have been out of SA for a longer time: “Was it worth it? If you could do it again, would you leave?”

Occasionally, I get a “Definitely”, sometimes I get a confused, stare-into-space, scrunch-up-eyes look that says it all and then a “Maybe”, or “We embraced the opportunity”, but frequently I get a sad straight “No”. It upsets me when I hear this, because I know first-hand the blood, sweat and tears (lots) that have gone into not being in South Africa. I know the rollercoaster exhilaration-desperation, the full-stop loneliness, the stark sometimes dark reality of being an expat and barely belonging to more than one place.

It’s like having children, and then realizing you don’t want them. It’s one of the biggest things that will ever happen to you in your life, and then to feel like you shouldn’t have done it even in some small way. It’s a significant answer filled with rich information for those in and out of South Africa. (For the record: even though kids certainly add a complex dimension to emigration, I would have had my kids a million times over.)

So, after my new friend had called over the Tea Shop manager and told him (in the way only a South African could) that she would be delivering some delicious South African teabags to him the next day so that he could consider them for his menu, I asked her if she would do it all again, hoping, praying the answer would be yes.

It wasn’t.

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| “After we arrived in America I stayed in bed for six weeks – there was just no reason to get up” the expat said, as she showed her annoyance to the waiter at the Tea Shop that sold 37 various teas from around the world. But, of course, there was no Five Roses you are gently pulled into your exciting new world: new weather, new wellies, new address, new flatmates, new schools, new adventures, new people, new grocery brands to try out.

But what if the sadness keeps coming back? What if it gently eats away at you over time while your body is in ‘new’ place and your mind and soul and thoughts seemingly constantly live in SA? It feels like as celebrities suffer from depression, so the world knows more about this serious and difficult condition. I have met many expats over the years, and when I think back there have been few conversations that haven’t alluded to items that are associated with some form of depression when they arrived — staying in bed, not feeling like talking to anyone, disconnecting from home, difficulty remembering details and making decisions, fatigue, feelings of guilt, helplessness, insomnia or excessive sleeping, irritability, loss of interest, persistent anxious or ‘empty’ feelings. There are more, but I think you get what I am talking about.

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| “Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red”: The Tower of London’s moat was converted into a sea of red poppies

How World War One affected South Africa | A centenary since the 1914 start of WWI, we look back on South Africa’s role in the war that changed the world

by John Cole-Morgan this year, the world has stopped to remember the centenary of the start of World War I and all of the events leading up to it.

On Sunday the 9th November, the Royal Albert Hall held a requiem concert in honour of the 37 million casualties of the Great War. None other than “War Requiem”, by Benjamin Britten, was performed by hundreds of artists — all conducted by the remarkable Richard Cooke. These artists were from the Royal Choral Society, The London Philharmonic Orchestra, Trinity Boys Choir, Stephan Rugamer, Bryn Terfel and the soprano — who was the quickly replaced Evelina Dobraceva. In the presence of numerous Royal Highnesses and hundreds of people, veterans and their families, a remarkable performance brought to the fore the devastating loss the entire world felt during World War I. South Africa entered WWI on the 8th September 1914, and deployed 146 000 white, 83 000 black and 2 000 coloured soldiers to fight on the side of the allied forces. In the initial manner of the pre-apartheid era, under the leadership of General Jan Smuts, white soldiers did the fighting while black soldiers were used for logistical support and coloured fighters were also used in a “noncombative” capacity. At the time of

these troops deployment, there was a terrible feeling of upset for South Africa entering into WWI on the side of the United Kingdom. It was just 12 years previously that South Africa had fought against the United Kingdom in the Boer War, with its devastating effects and horrific concentration camps, both destroying so many lives. It was also just four years since South Africa had become a UK colony, so there was a definite feeling of ill will towards Louis Botha – the president at the time – for having sent any troops into WWI at all.

Botha put Jan Smuts in command of the South African troops to fight against Germany, and General Smuts went on in March 1917 to sit on the war cabinet in the United Kingdom. His role within the cabinet was seen to be contributory to the winning of the war.

But no war is won by just its commanders, and the South African soldiers worked tirelessly to succeed and be victorious.

It started with 67 000 troops invading German South-West Africa (current day Namibia) and in July 1915, the German troops stationed within Namibia eventually surrendered to the South African troops. The most costly action of WWI for South Africa was the Battle of Delville Wood in 1916 where, of the 3 000 men that entered the wood, only 786 men emerged unharmed.

Another great loss to the forces of South Africa was on the 21st February 1917 when a ship carrying 602 troops was struck and almost cut in half by another ship, sinking the Mendi and all that sailed in her.

At the end of WWI the casualties were vast: 7000 men lost their lives while 12 000 were wounded.

Bringing the casualty total to some 19 000 brave souls and their families all being severely affected by the horrors of WWI. To mark the centenary of WWI, and in an attempt to raise money for six Veteran’s charities, ceramic artist Paul Cummins and stage designer Tom Piper created the most incredible installation, called “Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red”. The Tower of London’s moat was converted into a sea of red poppies. (The poppy is the international symbol for Remembrance Day each year.)

Each of the 888 246 hand-crafted poppies has been sold, and each individually represents the lives of a British or Commonwealth service man who lost their lives during WWI. The Tower of London, remarkably, has left the moat lights on in recent evenings in order for the public to see the exhibit at night.

At the requiem, at the Royal Albert Hall, Angela Rippon (hostess for the event) read the last two paragraphs of a poem

“Aftermath” written by Siegfried Sassoon in March 1919. They read as follows: “Do you remember the rats; and the stench Of corpses rotting in front of the front-line trenchAnd dawn coming, dirty-white, and chill with a hopeless rain?

Do you ever stop and ask, ‘Is it all going to happen again?’

Do you remember that hour of din before the attack– And the anger, the blind compassion that seized and shook you then As you peered at the doomed and haggard faces of your men?

Do you remember the stretcher-

cases lurching back With dying eyes and lolling heads—those ashen-grey Masks of the lads who once were keen and kind and gay?

Have you forgotten yet?…

Look up, and swear by the green of the spring that you’ll never forget.”

231 000 brave men of South Africa fought in WWI to aid the United Kingdom and its allies.

7000 of them didn’t return alive.

These men, and all those who have died before and after them, are who we remember at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month each year, “lest we forget”.

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There’s more to Verona than Romeo and Juliet | Verona was the setting for the most famous love story in the English language, Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’. It’s hard not to get caught up in the moment. But this is one of the world’s great cons

By Len Rutledge Above us stands a balcony; around us a crowd. The balcony is bare but most of us can hear the words: “But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.”

Italy’s Verona was the setting for the most famous love story in the English language, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. It is hard not to get caught up in the moment.

But this is one of the world’s great cons.

It’s not known if a Romeo or Juliet ever existed. Certainly if they did, Juliet did not live here.

The house is believed to have been a brothel in the 19th century and was acquired by the city in 1905.

Shakespeare never visited Verona, and so his story is of an imagined location.

Unfortunately, the whole attraction is a contrived site. That doesn’t stop millions of visitors coming here and it didn’t stop us.

We did draw the line, however, at visiting the so-called Juliet’s tomb which has become a money-raiser for a Franciscan monastery.

Aside from Juliet, the remains of Verona’s past are evident today.

It’s hard not to be impressed by the Arena di Verona, an elliptical amphitheatre resembling Rome’s Colosseum, dating from the first century.

During July and August it becomes an opera house where

more than 20 000 people enjoy music by Verdi and Mascagni.

The acoustics are such that performances can be conducted without microphones. I’m told that the performances of Aida are stunning.

The arena forms one side of a gigantic square which also contains the neoclassical town hall, the Renaissance palace called the Gran Guardia, a large fountain and many restaurants.

My wife and I walk down Via Mazzini, the most fashionable street in Verona. There are no touristy products or souvenirs here, just elegant fashion on a par with Rome and Milan.

The pedestrian street eventually opens out to the Piazza delle Erbe, a lively square flanked by palaces.

This was formally the Roman city’s forum but now it is packed with shoppers and sightseers.

The view is just stunning.

Everywhere we look, there are buildings of interest. The Torre Lamberti, which sours to 80 metres, dominates but the 14th century House of Merchants; the Palazzo Maffei and the Casa Mazzanti are also marvellous. In the centre is a fountain from the 14th century and a Roman statue called the Virgin of Verona.

We walk out under an archway to a side street and come to the Piazza dei Signori with a statue of the poet Dante in the centre. Again the view is stunning. Here is the Palazzo del Governo and behind

Dante sits the Loggia del Consiglio with its frescos and statues.

It would not be Italy without some magnificent churches. Two are nearby. We visit the Basilica di Sant’Anastasia, Verona’s largest. It was started in 1290 and its facade is still not complete and probably never will be. Verona’s cathedral also deserves a visit. It was begun in the 12th century and is a blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles.

The Castelvecchio, a 14th century castle stands near the Adige River. It is now an art museum with some excellent 15th century sculptures and several painting masterpieces from the Middle Ages. There is much more to see. Verona is a beautiful city for wandering.

There is plenty of accommodation but like many Italian cities it tends to be expensive. The Accademia Hotel at Via Scala 12, in the centre of the shopping district, is a large first class tourist hotel. It lacks a bit of atmosphere but is clean and has good service. The three-star Armando Hotel at half the cost is better value. The historic centre is just a few minute walk from the hotel and the rooms are modern, spacious and clean.

Our brief visit hardly makes me an expert on Verona restaurants, but everyone is raving about Cafe Tosca, one of the most elegant bars in Verona. Verona’s oldest restaurant, Ristorante 12 Apostoli, is a tourist trap — or

| Juliet’s famous balcony. Photo by Phensri Rutledge.

a unique experience depending on your point of view. You will certainly never forget the interior ambiance of the restaurant, the amazing basement wine cellar and archaeological exhibit.

If you go Verona is about 115 kilometres west of Venice and 500 kilometres north of Rome. British Airways

and easyjet fly from London to Verona several times a week.

There are a large number of trains from most Italian cities. The station is a short taxi drive from the Old City. There is a tourist office at the railway station and in the square near the Arena.

For further information check out Len’ s Experience Northern Italy e-book, available at http://www. amazon.com/dp/B007WP9KJS

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| 11 - 18 November 2014 | thesouthafrican.com

Arts & Entertainment

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Ian Gabriel’s Four Corners: giving voice to gangs born in Table Mountain’ shadow | Ian Gabriel’s gang drama presents a striking South African coming of age story that exposes the dangers of gang culture in the Cape Flats

by Liz Frost As part of the Royal African Society’s Annual Film Festival this year, the award winning Four

Corners directed by Ian Gabriel had its penultimate screening .

Gabriel himself introduced the film by saying that South Africans

celebrate Christmas with us opposite Buckingham Palace

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are now ready to tell their own story. Members of our communities can now represent their own characters, and if the audience remembered these voices, then that would be his greatest reward.

As the multi-faceted tightly woven drama enfolded before us, the universal themes of love, loss, family and redemption reached deeply into the viewer. The raw violence and exposure of pervasive gang culture on the Cape Flats bore stark contrast to the beautiful landscape and iconic imagery of Table Mountain. Like a silent sentinel witnessing the harsh circumstances of unemployment and crime, the mountain reminds the viewer that Cape Town is much more than just a glossy tourist heaven.

The intense performances, harrowing tension, and explosive action stirred an emotional round of applause as the credits rolled and Gabriel was joined by festival manager Sheila Ruiz for a Q&A session.

Gabriel spoke of wanting this film to be as authentic as possible, shooting almost entirely on location and wanting to put a spotlight on a community that feels forgotten, or even abandoned. The Cape Flats area itself was set up by the Apartheid government for members of the coloured community who were forcibly relocated from

District Six in the centre of Cape Town, and essentially dumped on the outskirts of the city. Gabriel describes the area as a ‘labour dormitory’ with no industry of its own, albeit with the exception of a few corner shops. He said the film is indeed a political film, but not aiming to preach.

Part of achieving that authenticity was teaching the actors the prison gang language — called Sabella.

A controversial and dangerous decision, since nobody outside of the gangs is supposed to be taught this code. The research for this film took Gabriel over seven years, and during that time — through word of mouth and referrals being made — a level of acceptance was reached with the gangs. While there is a high level of secrecy surrounding the gang culture, there are also members who wish to broadcast their own notoriety.

Some of the early scenes in Four Corners take place in Pollsmoor Prison and a staging of a standoff between the predominant prison gangs, the 26s and 28s, where a member of the 26s is assassinated and a riot begins.

Gabriel used 120 extras in that scene in which he said about 118 were real gang members recruited for the film from a prison rehabilitation centre. When asked about the difficulties of taking charge of a potentially volatile

environment, Gabriel said it was the easiest scene to direct since the extras all knew exactly what to do; he hardly had to direct them at all. As a result of being in the film a few of the extras have now found work within the industry as professional actors, grips and even a second Assistant Director.

The game of chess is cleverly used as a metaphor throughout the film which Gabriel confessed was not an initial concept, but later formed part of the story. The ‘mythology of warfare’ in a gang — for example the strategy, ranks and uniforms — bears apparent similarity to the moves in a chess game.

After auditioning hundreds of candidates to play the protagonist role of young Ricardo, Jezzi Skei was given the role despite no acting experience. Gabriel described him as a natural listener, truly absorbing what was happening around him and not just waiting to deliver his line. His performance is so moving it’s almost gut-wrenching.

Gabriel also mentioned that when listening to children playing in the streets of the Flats, one would hear them shouting “Bang bang, you’re dead” to each other. Since the making of Four Corners one may now also hear “Action” and “Cut”. Gabriel’s mission of giving this community a voice is definitely being accomplished.

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thesouthafrican.com | 11 - 18 November 2014 |

Arts & Entertainment

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Get ready for Chappie | Sigourney Weaver, Ninja, Dev Patel, Hugh Jackman and Yolandi visser make up the all-star cast for the creator of District 9’s newest production: Chappie

by Gerhard jacobs Neil Blomkamp, acclaimed director of the smash hits District 9 and Elysium, has done it again.

This time he’s punching even higher in the star-lineup with Wolverine Hugh Jackman, Alien heroine Sigourney Weaver, our favourite Slumdog Millionaire Dev Patel and South Africa’s anti-

heroes, Die Antwoord.

Chappie tells the tale of a humanoid robot that learns what it’s like to be human, from none other than Die Antwoord. If that’s not enough to get you salivating, Hugh Jackman stars as the bad guy.

Some are saying that Chappie could be the first robot movie in

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a long time that has actual meat to its bones... so to speak. While there’s no doubt that its appeal rests in its South African-isms, we have yet to see whether the on-screen performances of Ninja and Yolandi marry with their American counterparts.

Expect worldwide release in March 2015.

Abdullah Ibrahim returns to London to celebrate his 80th year | The charismatic South African pianist and composer will perform a special concert in London this November

by Staff reporter The evening brings together the township jazz of his septet Ekaya and music from a brand new trio with Cleave Guyton (reeds) and cellist Noah Jackson.

His distinctive style showcases melody with the help of delicately propulsive grooves.

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| 11 - 18 November 2014 | thesouthafrican.com

Food

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Jan Braai’s Fireworks — a bible for anyone who will ever braai again | No matter if you are a seasoned braai person or a complete novice, there is no doubt this book will teach you things you didn’t know and to tailor your craft to be the best braai maker you could ever be

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Most South Africans, the world over, are vehemently determined to keep the tradition of the braai alive, whilst rejecting the term “BBQ” at every turn.

If you have ever wanted to have a proper braai, then a new bible exists and you cannot even invite people around for your next braai, until you have read every word of this book, and committed large portions of it to your consciousness.

Jan Braai – more commonly known as Jan Scannell – has written a new book called Fireworks under the name Jan Braai, expertly creating a bible to braai by. Jan is the driving force behind the 24th September being National Braai Day, but with so many expats living all over the world, it could arguably be called International Braai Day. The author has such an obvious deep passion and love for the art of the braai. The love this man has for the age-old tradition of the braai cannot be missed at a single turn of the page. He has found the thing he loves and is making it work, and we the reader are blessed with his desire to share his secrets with the world.

“The Jan Braai Rules” Scannell starts the book by explaining the fundamentals of a braai — what you need to create any braai. “The Jan Braai Rules” like the ten commandments of braaing, are emblazoned on the front and back pages of the book — leaving you no doubt as to what is and isn’t acceptable in a braai.

Scannell then expands on the history of the braai, safety issues and the supplies and herbs you will need to make a braai.

Jan says there is no such thing as a good braai or a bad braai.

The rules you must follow are for any braai, because every braai will be, and indeed must be, perfection. The reader is given suggested guide lines for cooking times, which most novices will be thrilled about. There is even a section about troubleshooting your braai when things have not gone according to plan. Plus, there’s a section on the ultimate braai kit. After reading this, any reader will know they cannot live without every item on the list. It

will get your credit card twitching to ensure the next braai you have will do Jan proud. This is what Christmas wish lists are for.

Recipes The recipes are broken up into the main food groups. To start with are the proteins, beef , lamb, chicken, boerewors, seafood and pork. The proteins are followed by sauces, potjies, vegetables, bread, salads and finally ‘desserts on the braai’.

The undaunting recipes range from oxtail potjie to putu pap, to rump steak with garlic butter, to mussels in a white wine and garlic sauce, to a butternut with a filling (which literally makes one quiver with excitement), ending with the ever so simply explained flambé peaches.

There is little you won’t find in this book, and nothing that won’t want you to fire up an open wood fire in the middle of winter.

To end this review, I use a quote from the acknowledgements: “These days men don’t need to be the hunters they were 100 years ago… But you do need to be able to make the perfect braai. It’s one of those things that should be done without fuss and minimal fanfare. Actions and results should speak louder than words and there should be a clear demonstration that you have deep and thorough knowledge of the intricacies that surround this ancient and primitive art. It’s just one of those things that separates the men from the boys.”

The hard cover book is available in Europe on Amazon

11

thesouthafrican.com | 11 - 18 November 2014 |

Food

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Autumn recipes from Chef Petrus | This week we bring you two of the chef’s seasonal favourites

Pumpkin Risotto

Sea Bream with sauce verge

Why not ease away from salmon or cod and try something different this week? This light dish will help you recover from the sausage and treacle toffee overload of bonfire night.

Ingredients Fish Four fillets of sea bream (around 100g each) Olive oil Lemon juice Seasoning Crushed potatoes 10 new potatoes, peeled & cut in half 3 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp finely chopped chives 1 tsp finely chopped parsley 1 garlic clove, crushed Salt and Pepper Sauce Vierge 100ml extra-virgin olive oil 100g tomatoes, finely chopped 1 shallot, finely diced 1 tbsp small capers, drained Juice of half a lemon Basil leaves, torn in half Salt and pepper

Method 1. To make the sauce vierge, heat the oil in a medium sized saucepan over a low heat, then add the tomatoes, shallots and capers. Mix in the lemon juice and chopped herbs, then and heat gently for two minutes. Don’t allow to boil, as you’ll lose aromatic flavours in the sauce.

2. Boil the potatoes in salted water for around 15 minutes, until tender. Drain well, then tip back into the pan and crush lightly with a fork.

3. In a small bowl mix together the olive oil, chives, parsley and garlic. Season to taste.

4. Pour this mix over the warm potatoes and keep warm.

5. Score the skin of the fillet with three diagonal cuts, and season the flesh. This reduces cook time.

Pre-heat a little olive oil in a nonstick frying pan over medium heat.

Place the fillet in the pan, skin side down. Cook for around 4 – 5 minutes, then turn over and cook on the flesh side for 1 – 2 minutes.

Add a squeeze ofw lemon juice.

Serve the fish on top of the potatoes with a delicious drizzle of sauce.

Are you reaching for the pumpkin carving knife this week?

You are perhaps wondering what to do with all that scooped out orange flesh? Sadly, in the UK most of it gets thrown in the bin and seen as waste! Instead, make a soup this year or try this tasty risotto recipe.

Once you have mastered the risotto technique, this versatile and quick dish can be adapted with various different ingredients for variety.

Ingredients 1 litre chicken stock, hot 600g pumpkin flesh, chopped into 1cm chunks 2 tbsp olive oil 60g butter 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 small onion, finely chopped 300g carnaroli rice 125 ml dry white wine 50g Parmesan cheese, freshly grated Salt and pepper to taste This recipe can be easily adapted for vegetarians by using veggie stock and a vegetarian hard cheese as an alternative to parmesan.

To serve: you will need wedges of pumpkin, onion and chopped chives

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Method 1. In a pan, heat the stock to boiling point and hold over a very low heat.

2. Heat the oil and half the butter in a frying pan over a gentle heat.

Then add the garlic cloves and onion. Cook for about 5 minutes until soft.

3. Add the rice, and continue to cook for a few minutes until it’s coated in oil.

4. Warm the wine gently before adding it to the rice (cold wine can “shock” the rice, so it may stay hard in the centre). Cook over medium heat until the wine has been absorbed.

5. Add the pumpkin or squash

and a little more stock, stir occasionally and continue to simmer gently until the stock is absorbed.

6. Add more stock a little at a time, allowing it to be absorbed as you go, until the pumpkin is soft and the rice is al dente – not too hard. The texture should be creamy.

7. Take away from the heat and stir in the remaining butter and the parmesan.

8. Season well with salt and pepper.

9. Serve immediately with a sprinkling of chopped chives, charred pumpkin chunks and onion rings

12

| 11 - 18 November 2014 | thesouthafrican.com

Business

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Overseas business looking to establish a branch in the UK? | If you have an overseas business and are looking to establish a firm in the UK, then the Sole Representative visa might be the perfect option for branching out

by Breytenbachs

Five interesting ways Saffas can claim British Nationality | Any citizen of an EU country taking up residence in the UK in accordance with EU treaty rights is entitled to bring their family with them. ‘Family’ includes a spouse, children under 21 years and any other family members who are part of the same household and remain dependent upon the EU citizen

by Philip Gamble Getting that maroon passport might be easier than you think – as long as you’re aware of the loopholes and know the experts who can navigate the legal traps.

Phillip Gamble & Partners are experts when it comes to the ins and outs of getting a British Passport, and they’ve given us a few great tips that you might not have known about.

Apparently, you have a claim if you were: • Born to a mother who was born

in the UK before 1983.

• Born before 1983 to a parent who was born after 1949 – as long as that parent a) was a British Citizen, or b) had a parent born in the UK. • Born in South Africa after 31 May 1962 but before 1983, and you have a UK-born grandparent.

• Born after 1948, and your parents were married before 1949 and your Paternal Grandfather (your dad’s dad) was born in the UK. • Born between 2 March 1970

and 18 April 1980 in (Southern) Rhodesia, and you have a grandfather born in the UK. Tick any of these boxes? Then you might be one of the lucky ones!

Need more information? Call us!

British nationality enquiries: +44 (0) 20 7759 7581 All other enquiries and casework: +44 (0) 20 8688 4618 or send an email to info@ philipgamble.co.uk

Can Dutch citizenship enable one to live and work in the UK? | Any citizen of an EU country taking up residence in the UK in accordance with EU treaty rights is entitled to bring their family with them. ‘Family’ includes a spouse, children under 21 years and any other family members who are part of the same household and remain dependent upon the EU citizen by breytenbachs My sister is based in South Africa and looking for options to enable them to live and work in the UK. Will the fact that my brother-inlaw has Dutch citizenship enable them to settle in the UK? Yes, it will indeed. Any citizen of an EU country taking up residence in the UK in accordance with EU treaty rights is entitled to bring their family with them. ‘Family’ includes a spouse, children under 21 years and any other family members who are part of the same household and remain dependent upon the EU citizen.

All non-EU members of the family accompanying the EU citizen to the UK can apply for an

EEA Family Permit.

The main advantage of this type of visa is that there are no work restrictions on the holder of the visa or their dependants and it can lead to permanent residence in the UK. Your sister is welcome to get in touch with one of our SA affiliate offices, as they will be able to further assist them with the EEA visa application. www.bic-immigration.com or info@bic-immigration.com

This very advantageous immigration category allows overseas businesses to establish a branch or representative office in the UK, by sending one key individual to the UK in order to establish the branch or representative office of the company in the UK. This immigration category is very popular amongst South African based businesses that expanded their business to the UK. In order for a person to qualify for this visa he/she must have been recruited as an employee outside the United Kingdom by the firm which has its headquarters and principal place of business outside the UK and has no branch, subsidiary or other representative in the UK. This person usually has been working for the entity for some time and may even be a shareholder as long as he/she is not the majority shareholder.

The applicant must be a senior employee, intending to be employed full time, with full authority to take operational decisions on behalf of the overseas firm, for the purpose of representing it in the UK by establishing and operating a registered branch or wholly owned

subsidiary of the overseas firm.

There are many advantages to this type of visa. The spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner and dependant children may apply to join the applicant in the UK. The dependants will be granted the same period of leave as the main applicant and will be able to work without restriction in the UK. The visa is granted for an initial period of two years which then may be extended for an additional period or periods of up to three years. At the end of successful completion of a five-year period on this type of visa the holder can, subject to certain requirements, qualify to apply for permanent residence or Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Please do not hesitate to contact BIC should you require more information about this type of visa. www.bic-immigration.com or info@bic-immigration.com

Rand strengthened against the Dollar and the Pound | The market reflects the Rand strengthening against the Dollar and the Pound by 1st contact Last week we saw Rand appreciation against the greenback occurring in line with Dollar weakness against all of the major crosses, with the biggest move seen against the Euro (0.5%).

While the Rand strengthened against the Dollar and the Pound, it weakened against Euro and the Yen. Strengthening of the local currency against the Dollar occurred into a mixed to stronger performance from the commodity and EM currencies we monitor for purposes of this report.

Towards the end of the week, rating agency Moody’s downgraded the South African sovereign rating to Baa2 from Baa1 on both a local currency (LC) and foreign currency (FC) basis. The agency also revised the outlook to stable, from negative.

We believe that the downgrade by Moody’s should come as no surprise to the bond market. Naturally, this caused the ZAR to weaken to its lowest point in five weeks.

Moody’s has been conducting a country assessment for some time and, given that South Africa’s rating outlook was on a negative watch with the rating agency

before Thursday’s downgrade, the probability of a rating downgrade was always significant. The Rand was the worst-performing commodity currency and the thirdworst in the EM category.

On late Friday through to Monday, the ZAR won back some of its losses as US job data disappointed adding 214k jobs compared to an expected 231k, resulting in lower investor confidence in the US economy and putting a damper on global markets.

This week will see some important statistics released in SA - the latest manufacturing output data on Tuesday, retail sales on Wednesday and mining output data on Thursday.

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thesouthafrican.com | 11 - 18 November 2014 |

Business: Classifieds

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KALAHARI MOON The Southern African Shop in Bristol.

Wide range of stock including excellent boerewors and biltong. Centrally situated, friendly service.

Connecting South Africans. Tel: 0117 929 9879 Address: 88 - 91 The Covered Market. st Nicholas Market, Corn Street, Bristol, BS1 1JQ Email: Info@kalaharimoon.co.uk Website: www.kalaharimoon.co.uk

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The Springbok Café The Springbok Café offers traditional South African food, wine and beers served with a smile in a friendly atmosphere. All this plus the option to grab your favourite S.A. groceries before you leave after relaxing and kuierring with us for a while.

The Springbok Café` Ltd, 1 East Reach, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3EN, 01823 254966,thespringbokcafe.co.uk St Marcus One of the most amazing emporia the capital offers to the carnivorous gourmet. People have been flocking to St. Marcus for their amazing range of Biltong and Boerewors Visit us at: 1-3 Rockingham Close, Priory Lane, off Upper Richmond Road West, Roehampton, London SW15 5RW Call us at: 0208 878 1898 Online: www.biltongstmarcus.co.uk sales@biltongstmarcus.co.uk

South African managed and owned We are looking for the right blend of skills to come and join our wonderful, growing and hardworking team. We invest in, train and develop our staff at The Savanna.

Please email your C.V. to us at natalieg@thesavanna.co.uk or call 07921 823 427 for an application form.

Susman’s Best Beef Biltong Co Ltd If you’re missing home give us a call, supplying you with all your favourite South African products and more. Phone: 01273 516160 Fax: 01273 51665 Web:www.biltong.co.uk Email:sales@biltong.co.uk Cambridge and Villages Toft Shop – Village Shop and Post Office With a South African section selling all your favourite tastes from home! Pop in and pick up your treats – Biltong; Boerewors; Koeksisters; Rusks; Sweets; Chips; Groceries etc. Web: www.

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Arguably the best and most authentic South African biltong in the UK. We only use the finest herbs and spices and 100 percent British grass-fed beef! Our FINEST range is also gluten, sugar, msg and preservative free. For 10 percent EXTRA FREE use code SAFFA10 in the shipping instructions box at the checkout. www.biltongcompany.co.uk / 01243 216196 FOODS4YOU Whether you like to create an incentive program for your employees or corporate gifts at special times or throughout the year.

Foods4U – Corporate Services Division is there to assist and help you maintain your critical internal and external business. sales@foods4u.co.uk Unit 22 / 24 Manford Ind. Estate, +44 (0) 87 00 33 2130, Manor Road, Erith, Kent, DA8 2AJ. NO1 South African Shop Lots of lekker stuff for a taste of home. Including fantastic biltong, droewors and boerewors. 5 Marlow Drive, St Catherines Hill, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 2RR. The shop is about 2 miles north-west of Christchurch town centre and 6 miles north-east of Bournemouth town centre. There’s loads of free parking and the shop is easy to get to from the A338.

Tel: 01202 496041 10’ish to 6pm 7 days a week. www.no1southafricanshop.co.uk

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| 11 - 18 November 2014 | thesouthafrican.com

Sport

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It’s always great to be in Dublin — regardless of the rugby | While the result may not have been what I was expecting, it was nevertheless a fantastic weekend in Dublin watching rugby and enjoying a few pints of Guinness

by Jeremy Bortz This weekend I headed to Dublin to watch the Springboks open their annual Northern Hemisphere endof-season tour. This was my third trip to Dublin having been in 2012 to watch the Springboks and then last year to watch an International Rules match and like those previous trips, it was a super fun weekend away in a great city.

Dublin is only a short flight away from the UK, and relatively cheap to visit: South African passport holders do not need a visa to enter.

The city was awash with green and gold, and there was a fantastic atmosphere in the build-up to the game. Expectations were high, and with Ireland missing a few players through injury, most were expecting a Bok victory.

Unlike in 2012, however, where the Boks ran out comfortable winners, this year saw a spirited and passionate Irish side comprehensively beat a lackluster Springbok side. The passion of the 15 players on the park was matched by the full-house of roughly 50 000

inside the Aviva Stadium, and it was a rousing atmosphere. Hearing the rugby anthem, Ireland’s Call, always gives me goose-bumps and there is simply no way I couldn’t join in!

While dominant at scrum time, our back-line lacked penetration although we certainly has our opportunities and I fail to understand why captain Jean de Villiers opted for attacking line-outs versus trying to bag three points.

Any momentum we had in the second half was halted by the late yellow card of replacement hooker Adriaan Strauss and in the end, to my mind we were simply beaten by the team that wanted it more.

There is certainly no shortage of wonderful pubs around the city and while I did not believe it before visiting, the Guinness really does taste better in Dublin. Speaking of Guinness, I’d highly recommend visiting the Guinness Storehouse, Ireland’s number one visitor attraction.

The Storehouse is located at St James’s Gate, which is where Guinness was first brewed. The tour

is self guided and I would budget around 90 minutes for a visit. The tour also includes one free pint, which is enjoyed at the rooftop bar that offers a fantastic view of the city. Be sure to buy your tickets online to receive 10 percent off and also gain access to a shorter online ticket’ queue.

A second site worth seeing when in town is Trinity College. Walking around the beautiful campus is free but a guided 35 minute tour, which includes access to the stunning library, Ireland’s largest, costs €12.00 and in my opinion seeing the library itself is definitely worth the money.

In 2010, I watched us lose to Scotland at Murrayfield before watching us come storming back a week later to beat the English at Twickenham. I’ve just managed to secure a ticket for next week and I’m hoping we’ll see a repeat of that performance. It is an important game for both sides and it promises to be a cracking game — cannot wait.

| South Africa’s JP Pietersen scores a try during the Autumn International rugby union Test match between Ireland and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, on November 8, 2014. Ireland won the game 29-15. Photo by PAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty Images

Heyneke Meyer admits the Boks just weren’t good enough to beat Ireland | So the Springboks lost to Ireland in Dublin on Saturday night 29-15, but what’s the story and was the score line representative of the game?

by Myak Homberger

Get on Board with South African Airways and The Springboks and WIN match tickets! | Enter and win tickets to support the Boks versus England game on the 15 November at Twickenham BY staff reporter As the proud sponsor and official airline of the South African Rugby team, South African Airways were delighted to once again team up with the Springboks to fly them to UK shores. Their arrival marks the start of the 2014 Autumn Rugby Internationals which will see the Boks tackle Ireland, England, Italy and Wales.

South African Airways are inviting you and a guest to join them as part of The Perfect

Team, supporting the Boks versus England on Saturday 15th November at Twickenham.

To enter, simply answer the following question: During the 1995 Rugby World Cup, South African Airways performed a flyover above which stadium?

Send your answer, along with your phone number to uk-marketing@ flysaa.com. The winner will be contacted by phone on Thursday 13 November – good luck!

The Boks had 57% of the possession, 62% of the territory, and made more meters. Once you look into it further, you start to see some answers: Ireland conceded eight turnovers, whereas the Springboks conceded 20.

As Jean De Villiers acknowledged in the post-match press conference “[the team] couldn’t catch and pass, its grade 1 stuff and we are disappointed”.

This was about ball retention through the phases, and it just didn’t work on Saturday. Had JP Pietersen not scored with the final play of the game, it would have been Ireland’s victory by the largest margin ever, a stat no Springbok wants.

Post-match talk There were three autumn internationals this weekend and one of the most interesting things was not what happened on the field, but the post-match press conferences. Given these are seen

by many as a build up to the World Cup in the UK next year and the “physiological advantages” of winning it makes it even more so.

The fourth consecutive defeat and the first time in eight years for England produced what seems to becoming a set of standard replies that they are taking the positives to take from the first half, had all the first choice players not been injured and that they are building something is starting to creak.

Surely less than a year before a World Cup there can be no plan B’s and — let’s face it — every team has injuries?

If you contrast this with the press conference that Heyneke Meyer and De Villiers gave, they were honest and to the point.

As Meyer said, “[they] are disappointed, [they] have to adapt to conditions and [they] made too many mistakes and there are no excuses”.

Even when the question of the yellow card was raised, he said: “we could use the yellow card as

an excuse but I don’t want to do that”. This was equally reflected in De Villiers answers and both of them repeatedly said that Ireland deserves the credit for the win and how well they played. This shows the focus and character of the Springbok team going into the World Cup: they aren’t going to gloss over things and make excuses; they are going to learn and improve and I still believe they will be a force in the World Cup next year.

In the meantime, there is the small issue of playing England at Twickenham next weekend to deal with, and as Ian McGeechan said on the famous 1997 Lions tour: “it’s one thing to play the Springboks but its anther to play a wounded Springbok team” so let’s see what happens this week as they prepare. England will be desperate to pull some positivity out of these internationals ahead of the World Cup and salvage some momentum.

thesouthafrican.com | 11 - 18 November 2014 |

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Sport

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Autumn’s never been this cool, with In2Touch Rugby League | What a way to kick off the Late Autumn Touch League with such fantastic weather and glorious sunshine By in2touch Even with the massive downpour from Saturday the fields held up well for the start of the league on Sunday the 9 November. All the teams played a grading game this week that will determine which division they will be placed in for the rest of the season. The Late Autumn league runs for six weeks up until early December and will keep the players fit and socialising until the festive season.

Anyone can play Touch as it is a great sport for hand-eye coordination, ball skills and mental foresight. You can play in a men’s, ladies or mixed team and can start playing from any age. Touch is a minimal contact sport where you just need to make a touch – even just touching the shirt or the ball counts. Looking something similar to Rugby, without the tackling, scrumming, kicking and the like; the aim of the game is to score tries. Played on a flat surface, half the size of a conventional sports field, although played to a wider extent on a social level, there are now flourishing commercial leagues in England, Scotland, South Africa and New Zealand.

There are also regular school competitions and development

clinics spreading the Touch gospel to everyone. The official governing body of the sport is known as the Federation of International Touch (FIT).

Another great version of Touch, known as Active Touch, has just started up again last week.

These leagues are run in Canary Wharf, Playon Sports on Monday evenings as well as in Putney, Wandsworth, and The Wandle Recreation Centre on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which runs for seven weeks. This new indoor sport has taken London by storm and any players involved in Active Touch get hooked on playing. It is a perfect way to keep fit and agile in the colder weather as it is a fast paced game that gives you great ball skills and coordination. To have a look at this amazing new game you can look on our website or on YouTube.

If you are interested in getting involved as a team or as an individual then please contact us on 020 8542 0827 or have a look at our website for more information, www.in2touch.com.

You can also send an email to tracy@in2touch.com with any questions.

Sport

11 – 18 NOVEMBER 2014

It’s always great to be in Dublin — regardless of the rugby

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Favourable weather conditions for the start of The Late Autumn Touch Rugby League

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NEWS FOR GLOBAL SOUTH AFRICANS www.thesouthafrican.com

Currie Cup Champs smashed

by Saracens at Allianz Park

| SMASHED BY SARACENS: Saracens player Alistair Hargreaves in a line out against Western Province on Sunday 9 November at Allianz Park. Saracens won the game 46-22. Photo by Meyer Pieterse

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