insight for executives on the move

May 2024

Go where the animals are in legendary national park

Beauty trends • Data privacy • Imposter syndrome • Suburban Cape Town • Hospitality in South Africa • Digital stalking
Beauty trends • Data privacy • Imposter syndrome • Suburban Cape Town • Hospitality in South Africa • Digital stalking

COME HOME
TO EXTRAORDINARY

Experience the extraordinary at Steyn City Parkland Residence, spanning 2000 acres of lush indigenous parkland. This award-winning lifestyle estate boasts world-class amenities, including a Nicklaus Design Championship golf course, Equestrian Centre, AAA-grade commercial office park, and Steyn City School. Enjoy an indoor aquatic centre, 300m lagoon, and the exclusive Steyn City Ultimate Helistop. For outdoor enthusiasts, there’s a 50km mountain bike track, 45km walking and jogging promenade, children’s play nodes, and outdoor gym stations. Indulge in a variety of eateries right at your doorstep. Visit Steyn City for a life of luxury and leisure.

Contents

Make Airlink Part of Your Experience

Choose Airlink, where every flight is a step closer to your experiential travel goals and transcend the ordinary.

Immerse yourself in the essence of the destination. Engage with local culture, history, and traditions, while experiencing diverse landscapes on a deeper level.

Whether it’s learning to cook authentic dishes, trekking through the African bush with local guides, or participating in cultural ceremonies, experiential travel prioritises meaningful interactions over passive observation.

Forge connections with people and places in ways that traditional travel cannot replicate.

Create lasting memories and tick off bucket-list experiences while embracing the journey and the experience with Airlink.

Enjoy the destination and the experience. Fly Airlink – connecting you throughout Southern Africa.

Book now on flyairlink.com, the FlyAirlink App, with Airlink Reservations on +27 (0)11 451-7300, or through your travel agent.

Editors note

Tourism as a team

This month sees the great and the good of the local and regional travel industry gather at Africa’s Travel Indaba in Durban. Apart from being a great excuse to catch up with long-lost colleagues over a drink or 12 during a succession of ‘meetings’, it is, like all good travel trade shows, a marker of the varieties of ways in which travel and tourism matter.

What most delegates will be concerned about is business and the making of money, which, if it’s spread around, is a great thing. As is conservation and becoming immersed in a new culture and learning the history of somewhere else and just the sheer, old-fashioned joy of experiencing something beautiful or interesting or challenging.

In this issue is a safari camp that moves (with the animals) around the Serengeti (page 20), pure luxury in a city suburb not much associated with that sort of indulgence (page 30) and much in between, as well as musings on the challenges faced by hospitality providers (pages 86 and 88).

Tourism is an ongoing team effort, and by traveling somewhere today, as you read this, you’re doing your bit. Keep up the good work!

Travel safely.

Bruce Dennill
Editor

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PUBLISHER: Urs Honegger
EDITOR: Bruce Dennill
SENIOR SUB-EDITOR: Claire Rencken
SUB-EDITOR: Gina Hartoog
OPERATIONS AND PRODUCTION MANAGER: Paul Kotze
SENIOR DESIGNER: Annie Fraser
DESIGNER: Perpetua Chigumira
ADVERTISING: sales@panorama.co.za, +27 11 468 2090
NATIONAL SALES MANAGER: Gillian Johnston, +27 83 455 2397, gill@panorama.co.za
SUBSCRIPTIONS: subscriptions@panorama.co.za, Tel: 011 468 2090, Fax: 011 468 2091
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COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS: skyways@panorama.co.za
We value reader feedback. Please get in touch.
FINANCE: accounts@panorama.co.za
ISSN 1025-2657

Skyways magazine is published monthly and distributed via Airlink. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this magazine in whole or in part is prohibited without prior written permission of Panorama Media Corp (Pty) Ltd. Copyright © 1994-2024 Panorama Media Corp (Pty) Ltd. The views expressed in Skyways magazine are not necessarily those of Panorama Media Corp or Airlink, and the acceptance and publication of editorial and advertising material in Skyways magazine does not imply any endorsement or warranty in respect of goods or services therein described, whether by Skyways magazine or the publishers. Skyways magazine will not be held responsible for the safe return of unsolicited editorial contributions. The Editor reserves the right to edit material submitted and in appropriate cases to translate into another language. Skyways magazine reserves the right to reject any advertising or editorial material, which may not suit the standard of the publication, without reason given. Editorial material accepted for publication in Skyways becomes the property of Panorama Media Corp. Executive Briefs, Corporate Briefs, and Knowledge Profiles™ are solicited and paid for advertorial features in this magazine. Skyways magazine is published by Panorama Media Corp on behalf of Airlink.

11% The percentage of deaths caused by heart conditions. 25% The percentage of the body’s oxygen consumed by the brain.
11% The percentage of deaths caused by heart conditions. 25% The percentage of the body’s oxygen consumed by the brain.

forecast

The future is now

Preparing for tomorrow

Play Africa’s My Constitution 2.0 – Empowering Young Voices aims to include children in the conversation ahead of the 2024 elections in South Africa and highlight the significance of democratic participation. Utilising the power of play, the programme aims to instil an understanding of children’s basic human rights, the right to have a voice and the collective power of civic participation and voting. Going beyond traditional learning methods, children embark on a playful journey through the democratic process, from understanding the importance of voting to experiencing the mechanics of casting a ballot.

My Constitution is an ongoing project of Play Africa, southern Africa’s pioneering children’s museum that is based at the iconic Constitution Hill. The development of My Constitution began in 2018, when Play Africa began offering programmes at Constitution Hill and in communities that used facilitator-led dialogue sessions and role plays to introduce children to the ways people can make their voices heard in a democratic society. The activities include making one’s voice heard in a courtroom setting, learning to vote in an election and making signs to affirm their rights in a peaceful demonstration. Since then, Play Africa has led more than 140 of these two- to three-hour workshops with more than 6,000 children.

My Constitution 2.0 will run until July 2024 and offers various opportunities for children to actively participate.

My Constitution Family Play Days, hosted at Play Africa: These are monthly events held on the last Saturday of every month at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg. These interactive play days (25 May and 29 June) will provide families with engaging activities that explore various aspects of Children’s Rights, our Constitution, and our democratic elections.

Free My Constitution Teaching Curriculum and Resources: This is accessible on Play Africa’s Chatbot on WhatsApp for educators and parents. It includes playful lessons that introduce the Bill of Rights – the ‘soul’ of the Constitution. Children of today were not alive to remember the struggle for democracy, nor the signing of the Constitution. The toolkit also makes the Constitution and what it means come alive for a new generation and uses play to teach learners from a young age about the Constitution, their rights and how to participate in a democratic society.

Educator Workshops: In-person and virtual sessions on the 2024 elections guide educators through the My Constitution Curriculum.

Text and photography | Supplied

Play Africa is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to transforming children’s education through innovative and inclusive play-based learning experiences. With a focus on empowering children to become engaged and active citizens, Play Africa develops programmes that foster creativity, critical thinking and a deep sense of community. For more information, go to playafrica.org.za.

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16 The number of days it takes for a billion tweets to be uploaded. 14% The percentage of Uber drivers who are women. 52,000,000 The number of photos uploaded to Instagram each day. 18.1% The percentage of adults who live with anxiety disorders.
16 The number of days it takes for a billion tweets to be uploaded. 14% The percentage of Uber drivers who are women. 52,000,000 The number of photos uploaded to Instagram each day. 18.1% The percentage of adults who live with anxiety disorders.
CULTURE

Forgotten no longer

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis recently marked the commencement of construction for the landmark new Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Cape Town Labour Corps Memorial at the Company’s Garden in Cape Town. The Memorial, funded by the CWGC, will commemorate the lives of more than 1,700 black South African servicemen who served in non-combat roles and perished without a known grave or previous commemoration during the First World War. The men served with the Cape Coloured Labour Regiment, the Cape Auxiliary Horse Transport, the Military Labour Bureau, and the Military Labour Corps of South Africa.

Speaking at the ceremonial sod-turning, Mayor Hill-Lewis said: “We are proud to honor, through this Cape Town Labour Corps Memorial, servicemen who made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight against tyranny more than a century ago. Once completed, this memorial will be a wonderful tribute to black South African servicemen who perished in the First World War, and whose stories were often overlooked in the telling of that history.”

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TOURISM

Glass completely full

Having won in the Africa version of the Responsible Tourism Awards earlier this year, Ngwenya Glass in Eswatini was recently confirmed as a global winner in the ‘Local Sourcing, Craft, and Food’ category of the 2023 Global Responsible Tourism Awards. These are prestigious awards that reward genuinely responsible and sustainable businesses, using rigorous selection criteria.

Ngwenya Glass re-purposes old bottles into handmade glass ornaments and tableware. They melt between 600kg and a tonne of broken bottles daily in a furnace, burning an 85/15 blend of used cooking oil (mainly from KFC!) and paraffin. All the craft products are mouth-blown or hand-sculpted by talented Swazi artisans, producing 1,500 pieces daily. Assessed against the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s measuring tool for a Circular Economy, Ngwenya Glass scored an A-, way above the average C. Solar panels provide electricity when the sun shines and the company uses harvested rainwater and recycled paper in their production and packaging.

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4.6 billion years The age of the oldest meteorite found on Earth. 19m The height of the biggest wave ever recorded.
4.6 billion years The age of the oldest meteorite found on Earth. 19m The height of the biggest wave ever recorded.
TRAVEL

 Extra Airlink capacity

Airlink recently added an additional return flight between Johannesburg and Beira (below) in Mozambique on Fridays, as well as a weekly Friday flight from Johannesburg to Upington. They also increased capacity between South Africa and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with an additional flight on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

As of last month, Airlink introduced a Monday to Friday return flight between Johannesburg and Sikhuphe, Eswatini, which is already open for sale. In addition, FlyNamibia, Airlink’s franchise partner, is operating new flights between Windhoek and Victoria Falls.

By popular demand, Airlink will again offer its peak season service linking Mbombela’s (formerly Nelspruit) Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport with Vilanculos – Mozambique’s famous coastal resort destination. The direct service will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays from 1 July 2024 and will run until 5 January 2025. Tickets for flights on the route are already available for sale.

Source: flyairlink.com

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SPACE

The not-as-big bang

The distant Corona Borealis binary system – which contains one dead white dwarf star and one aging red giant star – has been busy gearing up for its own moment of glory: a spectacular nova explosion. Located 3,000 light-years from Earth, the Corona Borealis is home to a white dwarf star named T Coronae Borealis (or T CrB for short) that’s on the verge of what NASA says will be a once-in-a-lifetime nova eruption. The rare cosmic event is expected to take place sometime before September 2024. When it occurs, it will likely be visible to the naked eye.

T CrB outbursts only happen about once every 80 years – the last was back in 1946.

Source: bbc.com

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3-12% The percentage of sunlight the moon reflects depending on its orbit around the Earth. 700 The number of times bacteria increases by in your ear after an hour of wearing earphones.
3-12% The percentage of sunlight the moon reflects depending on its orbit around the Earth. 700 The number of times bacteria increases by in your ear after an hour of wearing earphones.
TECHNOLOGY

 

Seven, all out

The term ‘vintage’ may sound reminiscent of brick cellphones and record players, but in Apple’s world, it means devices that have been discontinued for five years. The tech giant has a rolling list of outdated iPhones and iPads that are no longer sold or have available parts for maintenance. The iPhone 6 Plus, released in 2014, was officially rendered obsolete recently as the company invested in producing more advanced products, and the once-popular 2015 iPad Mini 4 has been deemed ‘vintage’.

A device is considered ‘obsolete’ once it reaches the seven-year mark since Apple stopped selling it, but because ‘vintage’ devices were discontinued between five and seven years, users can get part replacements for another two years. The iPhone 6 Plus was first released 10 years ago for R6,000, a far cry from the R18,000 price tag of the company’s newest iPhone 15 Plus.

Source: dailymail.co.uk

 

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SPACE

Time to explore

The White House recently directed NASA to establish a standard time on the moon that would become an international norm amid the growing space race. Nations venturing to the lunar surface currently use their own time zones when performing missions, but scientists have warned this method will not be sustainable as countries plan on establishing moon habitats.

Now, an internal memo from the head of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) instructed NASA to devise a Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC) by the end of 2026. Without a unified lunar time, according to the memo, it would be challenging to ensure that data transfers between spacecraft are secure and that communications between Earth, lunar satellites, bases, and astronauts are synchronized.

Clocks run faster on the moon than on Earth, gaining about 56 microseconds each day, and ticking occurs differently on the lunar surface than in lunar orbit.

Source: dailymail.co.uk

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BIZARRE

Lobe story

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson is hoping to deliver a knockout blow with his new cannabis product – edibles in the shape of nibbled ears. The strange products are a nod to when Tyson infamously bit off part of the ear of his opponent Evander Holyfield in their WBA Heavyweight Championship bout in Nevada in 1997.

The edibles have been released by Tyson 2.0 – a cannabis company founded by the iconic boxer. They come in flavors including black eye berry, sour apple punch, and watermelon. The edibles are available from the company’s online store but have already been spotted in dispensaries in New York.

The 57-year-old is reportedly planning a promotional tour at shops this month, including an event in Times Square.

Source: news.sky.com

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 Cold comforts

Applications are open to work in Antarctica’s famous ‘penguin post office’. Successful applicants will be ‘self-motivated’, ‘empathetic’, and fine with showering once every two weeks.

The shop in Port Lockroy is the southernmost post office in the world and frequently smells like penguin poo. Every year, the Antarctic Heritage Trust is flooded with applications for the jobs. This year, there are three positions on offer, and they are only open to UK residents. As well as processing up to 80,000 letters and postcards a year, staff must run the shop and welcome roughly 18,000 cruise passengers who stop by.

One applicant, charity manager Katie Shaw of Manchester, wants to go so much that she has tattooed a geographically accurate map of the Antarctic on one leg and a portrait of explorer Ernest Shackleton on the other.

Successful applicants need to have a range of skills. Employees have to sort post, sell stamps, look after the buildings, and run the gift shop. They will have to put up with basic living conditions and be happy with their own company.

Source: news.sky.com

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BIRD OF THE MONTH

Cape gannet

Most birding enthusiasts know that to view pelagic birds, one must take a boat offshore – not ideal if that person is subject to motion sickness. But a place exists in the Western Cape that allows birders to view one of the ocean’s most beautiful species by simply walking a short distance along a harbor to a viewing area run by Cape Nature Conservation in Lambert’s Bay, where thousands of Cape gannets nest. It’s amazing to watch these creatures fly close to the mainland without actually crossing it.

Nearest Airlink airport: Cape Town

Source: sacrp.org

Text and photography: Dr. Bob Graham

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26 The number of teeth in an elephant’s mouth. 127cm The length some types of seaweed can grow per day.
26 The number of teeth in an elephant’s mouth. 127cm The length some types of seaweed can grow per day.
YOUR QUESTIONS
ANSWERED

Have questions around your booking or travelling experience? Here are some solutions to pressing queries

WHAT IS A FAMILY POOL? A family pool allows family members to join together, comprising a beneficiary and up to seven additional members.

WHO IS ALLOWED TO JOIN THE FAMILY POOL? A domestic partner, a spouse, a parent or parents, or a child (the child needs to be 12-17 years old) are eligible to join the family pool.

WILL I GET THE SAME BENEFITS AS THE BENEFICIARY IF HE OR SHE HAS A HIGHER STATUS? No. Each member remains within their respective status and benefits as per their tiers.

For more information, visit flyairlink.com.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE BIDVEST COMMERCIAL LOUNGE AT KRUGER MPUMALANGA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT?

The lounge is located up the stairs on the first floor above the KMIA information desk.

CAN I USE THE LOUNGE AS A SKYBUCKS MEMBER?

Emerald and Black tier Skybucks members receive complimentary access to the lounge for up to two hours prior to departure.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO USE THE LOUNGE IF I AM NOT AN EMERALD OR BLACK TIER SKYBUCKS MEMBER?

If you book online, it costs R255 (domestic flights – Durban, Cape Town, or Johannesburg – valid for two hours) or R428 (international flights – Victoria Falls or Livingstone – valid for four hours). Walk-in rates are R283 (domestic) and R475 (international). Children under the age of two enter for free, and early check-in customers pay R35 per 15 minutes.

For more information, go to bidvestlounge.co.za.

DOWNLOAD THE APP!

Use the FlyAirlink app, which gives you a convenient platform to plan, book and manage flights on your smartphone. Available in Apple App or Google Play stores.

travel leisure | lifestyle
TANZANIA

Secret Serengeti

Mobile camp allows guests to access parts of legendary reserve that not many get to see

George has waited four hours for us at Seronera airstrip. We’ve driven with Serengeti Balloon Safaris into the Serengeti through Nabi Gate and have encountered the pedantry of Tanzanian park officials.

In his stately way, George says, “I’m sorry you’ve had a taste of our government.” A brilliant burst of gold, as masked weavers flash in and out of nests on the tree drooping over the Wilderness Usawa vehicle stationed at the airstrip, starts to improve the atmosphere.

George has been guiding for almost 30 years. Before that, he was a poacher! Which makes him, now, excessively cautious about the law. So, he drives at the official speed limit: 25km/h. We aren’t heading to camp, though, as is the norm after a pick-up. Usawa is a mobile camp, so the protocol is different.

It’s Sunday and the animals are on their weekend off, but the weavers come and heckle us at lunch. It’s a sandwich, not the bonanza out of a buxom hamper that guests at fancy lodges become accustomed to. It hasn’t quite landed yet that a mobile camp is about the wilderness and not about luxury, which safaris nowadays have become synonymous with. Our vehicle carries wine, but no corkscrew. A reluctant George knifes down the cork.

We reach camp, eventually… It takes a while because George must again adhere to the speed limit, but also because Usawa is delightfully remote, tucked far away in the eastern Serengeti. However, following the migration, the camp will relocate to the southern Serengeti.

Camp staff greet guests at a smart, slick, and strikingly compact main tent showcasing a lounge and dining area. Our sleeping tent, too, is remarkably compact, rigged out luxuriously for a mobile unit. There are beautiful copper basins, but no taps. Beds are ample, plump with duvets, but almost touching the tent’s net walls, so wintry winds lash and buffet the protective flaps over the net. Mum is alarmed that there’s no fireplace, and this is my first experience of bucket showers. If I’ve deplored chichi safari camps with their crystal chandeliers and bone china and denigrated those who just want hedonism in the jungle with the odd lion thrown in, my purported enthusiasm for a genuine wilderness experience is now being tested.

In the heights

The most wondrous thing about Usawa is waking to breakfasts set by the campfire against the rising sun. As it illuminates the pristine landscape, camp chefs toss cheese toast made on the campfire hot-hot onto plates. Coffee gurgles in a kettle hung over the campfire.

George is rushed. The point of a mobile camp is not to linger in camp but maximize time in the wild. Unlike elsewhere, guests aren’t being enticed to luxuriate in camp around the pool, spa, and bar, as there aren’t any. George is taking us to Gol Kopjes, a mysterious part of the Serengeti accessed for an additional fee. Don’t let rangers catch you there if you haven’t a permit, George chuckles… Passing mighty herds of elephants surrounding their babies and black groups of buffalo, we see a posse of topis, hartebeest, and zebras gazing intently in a certain direction. Big cats, is the deduction. But the herbivores soon relax: it’s an injured cheetah, unable to hunt, with three cubs. She lost the fourth, George says. The starved survivors are so feeble they totter heartbreakingly.

The vast Gol Kopjes, flecked with tree-crowned rock obtrusions, beckons invitingly for lunch. A lioness dozes under a bush. As we circle the kopjes, a couple of other camouflaged lions raise their flowing heavy heads. Carpeted on the volcanic rocks is another trio of lionesses… There’s already a party here and we don’t want to be their lunch, so we set off in quest of another idyllic spot.

We find another paradisal spot. Surprise, surprise, there’s a lion – huge, and staring us straight in the eyes. But he looks away, bored. His brothers, languishing under the umbrella of some nearby trees, don’t deign to look up. Pulling away, we note a scatter of lions perched almost ornamentally on the rocks. Lions clearly have fine taste in picnic spots.

Pressing pause

George is getting impatient and parks a safe distance away, overlooking the lions. There’ll be time enough to jump into the vehicle, should they saunter our way. But the lazy creatures don’t. So lunch passes without adventure: bottled barley and spinach salad rubied with pomegranate and bedded on cheese. There’s no corkscrew again, but George is now adept at knifing down corks!

As we reach the road leading to camp, lacing the road is a pride of no less than nine lions. In the Serengeti, they just fling themselves your way. A majestic lioness sneaks away and scrutinizes her surroundings. As the sun spreads orange onto billowing tufts of dusky clouds, the lioness dunks her head between outstretched legs, sliding one ahead of the other with velvet stealth. Her sister wakes and follows suit. Then follow the seven cubs. In single file they tread, with what guile they have, bellies almost grazing the ground. We follow until George observes that there’s no lion food around and camp is still an hour away!

George is ready to race, relatively speaking. He doesn’t want trouble with the rangers. Just as he gears up, the curtain of dusk opens to reveal a female leopard. They apparently don’t exist in the eastern Serengeti, but she persists with grace and style, sauntering on

, as if on a catwalk. Stop, pose, proceed… She too is hunting. George is anxious about the rangers. He revs the engine, and the leopard leaps out of the road into the bushes and vanishes like a dream. George is ready to go, again. But now four baby bat-eared foxes manifest, as if from under the car! We’ve been out for 13 hours already! When the foxes finally show compassion for George and trot away into the dark fringes of the road, a hare springs into the action.

We reach camp at 8:30 pm. The other guests are patiently sipping dawas, waiting for us.

The next morning, George reveals that the rangers came by to inquire about why he was out after hours. He told them, “We got stuck. My guests will confirm!” To be fair, there was a traffic jam of nine lions, a leopardess, four bat-eared foxes, and a marsh hare in our way…

Text | Devanshi Mody Photography | Malicky S Boaz For more information or to book a stay, go to wildernessdestinations.com.

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travel leisure | lifestyle
RICHARDS BAY

A happy haunt

Northern KwaZulu-Natal offers wildlife and culture alongside each other

There are a substantial number of similarities between big cats and housecats – they both have lean bodies, a long tail to ensure they can balance, and, in most instances, they don’t seem to like getting their feet wet.

On a riverbank in Manyoni Private Game Reserve, one of the largest privately owned reserves in KwaZulu-Natal, a lioness is lying fast asleep in the tall green grass, a safe distance away from the nearest game drive vehicle. On the opposite side of the river, her daughter is enjoying a catnap, her front paws elegantly stretched out in front of her.

The sun is starting to set over the Msunduze River, casting the most beautiful golden light on the water and the surrounding greenery. Suddenly, the lioness lifts her head, looking our way. Her eyes dart to the left and become fixated on something in the distance, where a nyala is going about its business, feeding on the grass. She keeps her eyes locked on the prize.

River crossing

The lioness gets up slowly and moves gingerly to the right of the vehicle. Using it to conceal herself, she proceeds to the taller grass in order to stay out of sight of her potential prey. Alerted to the rustle in the grass, her daughter is now fully awake, watching Mom’s every step. The younger cat starts yawning, an indication that she’s about to become active. We are all wondering how she will join Mom in the attempt to secure a meal – will she stay on her side of the river or make her way to our side? She stretches, yawns again and starts putting one foot in front of the other. Stepping off the bank, she doesn’t notice the interspersion of sand and water. As her right foot touches the liquid, she lifts it, unimpressed and catlike, and pauses. Trying to avoid the water is impossible; her goal becomes getting back on dry land. As she leaps onto the bank to join her mother, the nyala notices her and immediately alerts others to the danger about with a definitive snort. She starts stalk-playing with Mom, who gives her a few good slaps as if to say ‘you’ve blown our cover’.

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Connecting with the locals

Ghost Mountain Inn is a welcoming lodge with a magnificent setting across from Ghost Mountain, under the Lebombo mountain range. The Tshaneni Suite has views of the mountains and the sprawling gardens. Rich in history, the Inn is owned and run by the Rutherfoord family, who have been trading in the area for over a century. Opened in 1962, the lodge started off with 10 rooms and communal bathrooms. Today, it has 74 comfortable guest rooms with en-suite bathrooms and on-site dining facilities. Guests can explore the Mhkuze region and partake in a variety of activities, among them a sunset cruise on Lake Jozini. The sizeable body of water has many inhabitants – pods of hippos as well as a variety of bird species, such as reed cormorants and African spoonbills. A cultural visit to a homestead gives an interesting insight into how families live in rural Zululand. Permission from the community is granted. Justice Myeni takes us on a tour of the village where he lives with his family. Myeni excitedly explains that he has met his future wife, and with the blessing of both families, he has to secure lobola of 11 cows. He hopes to have the same type of marriage that his 90-year-old father had with his late mother, where he was happily married to only one wife. Polygamy is widely practiced in the Zulu culture, with many wives and big families. At the back of the house, there is a graveyard where the remains of his mother and sisters are buried. It’s a solemn sight, but the belief is that the spirits of the dead are still very much with the family.

Saving the survivors

Fighting the war on rhino poaching, pangolin trafficking and African wild dog conservation is the Zululand Conservation Trust’s mission. Their conservation work encompasses all the game reserves in KwaZulu-Natal, while still having to contend with poverty and unemployment, which can result in human-wildlife conflict. With the current state of the economy in South Africa, it is incredibly expensive to sustain the costs of dehorning rhinos, anti-poaching, K9 units and all the intricacies that go with darting a rhino. In partnership with the African Pangolin Working Group and Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital, a number of pangolins were confiscated from the illegal trade, which is quite a unique situation in South Africa. “Normally, the pangolins are found dead, and it’s just a bag of scales,” Karen Oosthuizen, COO of the Zululand Conservation Trust, says. “Apparently, it’s bad luck if you kill a pangolin or have the blood of a pangolin and it falls on the ground and was killed by your hands – it’s a superstition, so they do keep them alive. Which is a good thing as we are able to rescue, rehabilitate and release them. Saving critically endangered species and improving their numbers is a crucial part of what we do at Zululand Conservation Trust so that they can live in the wild, where they belong.”

Text and photography | Heléne Ramackers For more information or to book a stay, go to ghostmountaininn.co.za.

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travel leisure | lifestyle
KWAZULU-NATAL

Adrenaline area

Fly into Durban and head south for a holiday full of activity

The subtropical climate and breathtaking scenery make the KZN South Coast a must-visit destination, particularly for outdoor adventurers.

Home to three Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and two world-class dive sites, there is much to explore on an ocean safari here. These spectacles can be enjoyed by chartering a boat out into the ocean, with marine life sightings from the boat or swimming and snorkelling nearby.

Still on the water, you can also take in the sights with an Umzimkulu River Cruise. Experienced skippers will take visitors on a sedate cruise from Port Shepstone, with sightings of incredible birdlife and wildlife along the way.

Saddle up and take a mountain biking adventure on the remote and unspoilt South Coast trails. Near the Umtamvuna River are the Clearwater Mountain Biking trails, with Rocky Bay Resort near Park Rynie going through indigenous forest and sugarcane farms. Lake Eland Game Reserve has trails of varying difficulty within the game-fenced area, while Anew Hotel Ingeli Forest & Spa in Harding has great forest trails.

Thrill-seekers visiting Oribi Gorge can get harnessed into the Wild Gorge Swing, the highest swing of its kind in the world, and jump 55 stories off Lehr’s Waterfall. There’s also an abseiling experience down a 110m cliff face alongside the waterfall, the Wild Slide, a ziplining adventure 165m above the treetops, or the 84m-high suspension bridge for great views.

History and adventure Heritage and adventure combine at the KwaXolo Caves Adventures. Hike along the mountainside into the caves which are covered in ancient San artwork. There is also ziplining, a suspension bridge and a picnic site with views of the gorge to end the day.

Get into a 4×4 (or bring your own) to visit many exciting hinterland locations. Go off-roading at Lake Eland Game Reserve or along the coastal routes of the KwaNzimakwe Multi-Trails. Or go quad biking at the Wild Coast Sun or with NPS Adventures, who have quad bike excursions in the rural outskirts of eMzumbe in KwaQwabe.

Stop by the Oribi Vulture Viewing Hide at Oribi Gorge. This is a two-hour guided vulture viewing tour that gives visitors the chance to experience a wild colony of over 200 Cape vultures in their natural habitat.

Or you could go on a safari at Lake Eland Game Reserve and spot wildlife in the African savannah, close to the sea. For more specific animal interests, the area offers a number of reptile farms. Pure Venom Reptile Park in Shelly Beach, Riverbend Crocodile Farm in Southbroom and Crocworld Conservation Centre in Scottburgh are home to some interesting characters.

Text | Deborah Ludick Photography | Nomad_Soul Deborah Ludick is Acting CEO of South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). For more information, go to sctie.co.za.

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travel leisure | lifestyle
CAPE TOWN

Neighbourhood
watch

A magnificent gem in the suburbs offers a special city stay

As a tourist, it’s fairly rare that someone will type in the word ‘Wynberg’ when looking for a holiday base in Cape Town. Mind you, it might not be the worst idea from a convenience point of view, with about the same travelling time to the delights of the Atlantic seaboard, the charms of the Deep South villages along False Bay coast of the Peninsula or the Chapman’s Peak views and famous seafood of Hout Bay.

Palm House is a magnificent manor house, completely overhauled – but for some original wooden fittings, particularly around the staircase – since it functioned as a home. The rooms are large and airy, and if you’re on the top floor, there are views of Devil’s Peak and the Twelve Apostles, with Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens hiding somewhere in the foliage beneath your eyeline.

At a first impression, there is very much a haven feel to the place, with its tailored walled garden and warm-water pool, a politely alert bartender seeking to meet your needs, and, on either side of the reception, a beautiful fine-dining restaurant and a cosy, light-filled bar.

The rooms – large, airy and modern in feel, even if the main building itself is a bit older (there are also three newer villas in the garden) – are even more private sanctuaries, especially for those days you can’t see the mountains from the window, which is all the weather forecast you need to invite yourself to a day of streamed television entertainment, room service and the occasional wander down to the bar to grab a glass of something or a cappuccino.

Keen on context

If you’re the type that likes to explore, though, the suburb is a melange of multiple personalities. There are primary schools a block away from an old cemetery, which is a further block away from a mall full of shops selling off-brand goods and packed to the gills with locals just after payday.

A further wander down Main Road (there’s always one around) into Kenilworth reveals a more genteel side to the area, more in keeping with the tone of the hotel, with boutiques and trendy eateries along a short strip.

The route back is along avenues of giant old trees, their gnarled roots and trunks riddled with history. The homes here rival the hotel for architectural splendour and glorious gardens, including design details from the Victorian age and likely before that.

Just beyond the venue is another excellent reason to be in the area, the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre, a magnificent outdoor venue that plays host to an arts festival once a year and is famous for Shakespeare in the park performances. The hotel runs partnerships with the festival – if you’re in town at the right time, you may get a ticket to a show thrown in with your rate.

Cooling off from the rigours of a light trundle is a pleasure in what turns out to be a vastly aboveaverage boutique establishment pool. It’s around 15m long and 2.5m deep in the deep end – Eben Etzebeth could dive safely here – so you feel like a seal in an aquarium paddling around there. And it’s warm, which is happily out of character in a city where the sea water numbs extremities the moment you wade in. And with the aforementioned attentive bartender bringing a cocktail to your lounger as the evening sun descends behind the mountains, it feels like an event you want to make into a routine, if possible.

Staycation central Breakfasts are excellent, with an option to sit inside or out on a shaded patio. Here, you’re likely to hear a range of accents, making for an entertaining morning activity – a point for each country you can identify visitors as coming from.

The place deserves to be at least as much a local institution as it is an attractive option for foreign tourists, and there are innovative ideas on the table to accelerate that process. Family days give parents the opportunity to come and eat fine food while their kids are entertained and kept safe in the gardens by magicians, minders and a lifeguard. And locals can get discounts at the hotel spa, which includes a brilliantly designed, compact sauna shaped like a giant soda can (does that make it a ’steam roller’…?) as well as all the usual treatments – massages, facials, pedicures and so on.

Their De Tafel restaurant is a wonderful fine dining option, as good as anything else in the city and welcomes walk-ins as well as guests. Being appreciated and utilised as a destination by people who live just down the road is a challenge faced by many hotels and resorts, but Palm House is perhaps better placed to succeed thanks to its collection of individually attractive facilities.

Star power

Thanks to the establishment’s central location, all of central Cape Town and much of its scenic surrounds are within easy reach, so it’s quite likely that as you enjoy outings and make the most of your time in the city, you’ll be arriving back at the hotel late at night fairly often. Sometimes,

that moment can rather take the shine off a glamorous evening out, but the combination of a smiling, cheerful security guard at the gate, the striking pillared entrance portal – all lit up to welcome you – and the fact that there are only a few parking spots on offer for guests (rather than a personality-free parkade next door) makes you feel like you’re pulling up to an English country house or a location in a Bond film. You half expect to be directed to pull in in front of the doorway before nonchalantly tossing your keys to a valet, but, while the barman or guard would likely take that in his stride and reverse your rental into a spot for you, it’s probably best to simply enjoy feeling like a rock star or an international spy rather than causing an unseemly ruckus.

Privacy, pampering and personality are a satisfying blend here. Next time, you might consider the suburban option rather than typing in ‘beach’ as your initial Cape Town search term.

Text and photography | Bruce Dennill For more information or to book a stay, go to palmhouse.co.za.

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travel leisure | lifestyle
FOOD & DRINK

Bubbling
over

Champagne remains a perennial favourite for discerning drinkers

Only wines made within a specific north-eastern French region can use the labelling term ‘champagne’. Geographical boundaries aren’t the only thing that defines the wine, though; the region also enforces strict appellation laws.

Grape-growing and winemaking practices are closely controlled, affecting everything from the grape varieties used, to vineyard and press yields and the methods by which the wine gains its bubbles.

When making champagne, secondary fermentation, the process that adds bubbles to wine, must take place in the bottle. Known as the méthode champenoise or méthode traditionnelle, the process requires that winemakers start fermentation after they add a mixture of yeast, wine and sugar, called liqueur de tirage, to the still base wine. The process releases carbon dioxide, making the wine bubbly. When fermentation ends, yeasts die and become lees, remaining in contact with the wine until they’re later removed by the winemaker.

Champagne winemakers can use seven varieties of grapes in their blends. The list includes five white grapes (chardonnay, petite arbanne, petit meslier, pinot blanc and fromenteau) as well as two red grapes (pinot noir and pinot meunier). Most commonly, champagne blends include a combination of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier, though other examples abound. Wines made exclusively with white grapes are called blanc de blancs, and less common blanc de noirs contain only red grapes. Mix or match

Non-vintage (NV) champagnes are the most common (and affordable) style of the wine. Producers use grapes from multiple vintages to create a specific flavour profile. Vintage champagnes contain grapes from just one harvest. Like standard wine bottles, the vintage denotes the year of harvest. Vintage champagnes appear only in the best years, which are selected by the champagne house’s chef de cave, or cellar master.

The average bottle of champagne is bottled with a pressure of five to six atmospheres. That’s approximately double the pressure in your car’s tyres. After removing the bottle’s foil and wire cage, keep a thumb firmly pressed on top of the cork and slowly twist the base of the bottle. The cork will loosen gradually until it’s finally released, emitting a soft hiss or faint pop. If the cork or your hand contain moisture from bottle condensation, use a dishcloth to help keep a steady grip.

When not serving champagne, keep the open bottle sealed to prolong its effervescence. A high-quality champagne stopper is essential for this and a well-sealed, refrigerated bottle of wine will keep its bubbles for three to five days.

Champagne is delicious with canapés as an aperitif and surprisingly versatile when it comes to meal pairing. The wine’s high acidity cuts through rich foods and its savoury, yeasty character balances sweetness. A crisp, refreshing finish leaves the palate feeling clean. Champagne can also provide an excellent high-low pairing, as it works particularly well with dishes like fried chicken and pizza.

Text | Supplied Photography | SeventyFour

The Johannesburg Cap Classique, Champagne & Bubbles Festival takes place on 17 and 18 May. For more information, go to facebook.com/bubblesfestival.

north-eastern French region can use the labelling term ‘champagne’. Geographical boundaries aren’t the only thing that defines the wine, though; the region also enforces strict appellation laws.

Grape-growing and winemaking practices are closely controlled, affecting everything from the grape varieties used, to vineyard and press yields and the methods by which the wine gains its bubbles.

When making champagne, secondary fermentation, the process that adds bubbles to wine, must take place in the bottle. Known as the méthode champenoise or méthode traditionnelle, the process requires that winemakers start fermentation after they add a mixture of yeast, wine and sugar, called liqueur de tirage, to the still base wine. The process releases carbon dioxide, making the wine bubbly. When fermentation ends, yeasts die and become lees, remaining in contact with the wine until they’re later removed by the winemaker.

Champagne winemakers can use seven varieties of grapes in their blends. The list includes five white grapes (chardonnay, petite arbanne, petit meslier, pinot blanc and fromenteau) as well as two red grapes (pinot noir and pinot meunier). Most commonly, champagne blends include a combination of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier, though other examples abound. Wines made exclusively with white grapes are called blanc de blancs, and less common blanc de noirs contain only red grapes.

Mix or match

Non-vintage (NV) champagnes are the most common (and affordable) style of the wine. Producers use grapes from multiple vintages to create a specific flavour profile. Vintage champagnes contain grapes from just one harvest. Like standard wine bottles, the vintage denotes the year of harvest. Vintage champagnes appear only in the best years, which are selected by the champagne house’s chef de cave, or cellar master.

The average bottle of champagne is bottled with a pressure of five to six atmospheres. That’s approximately double the pressure in your car’s tyres. After removing the bottle’s foil and wire cage, keep a thumb firmly pressed on top of the cork and slowly twist the base of the bottle. The cork will loosen gradually until it’s finally released, emitting a soft hiss or faint pop. If the cork or your hand contain moisture from bottle condensation, use a dishcloth to help keep a steady grip.

When not serving champagne, keep the open bottle sealed to prolong its effervescence. A high-quality champagne stopper is essential for this and a well-sealed, refrigerated bottle of wine will keep its bubbles for three to five days.

Champagne is delicious with canapés as an aperitif and surprisingly versatile when it comes to meal pairing. The wine’s high acidity cuts through rich foods and its savoury, yeasty character balances sweetness. A crisp, refreshing finish leaves the palate feeling clean. Champagne can also provide an excellent high-low pairing, as it works particularly well with dishes like fried chicken and pizza.

Text | Supplied Photography | SeventyFour

The Johannesburg Cap Classique, Champagne & Bubbles Festival takes place on 17 and 18 May. For more information, go to facebook.com/bubblesfestival.

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An artist’s impression of the black hole at the centre of Markarian 817 and the gases it’s ejecting.

travel leisure | lifestyle
CULTURE

Black hole unbalances entire galaxy with massive tantrum

The XMM-Newton space observatory has spotted a black hole going ‘full toddler’

We all have bad days, committing to a monumental strop here or a display of anger there. But have you ever had a tantrum so bad that you threw an entire galaxy off balance? That’s what one particularly badly behaved black hole has done and its outburst has been witnessed by the European Space Agency’s XMM-Newton space observatory.

Zoom in on the centre of every large galaxy and you’ll find a supermassive black hole, drawing in matter from its surroundings with its immense gravity. As the material spirals inwards, it’s crushed into what’s known as an accretion disc – a flat disc of dust and gas that orbits the black hole’s event horizon.

Over time, all the material closest to the black hole crosses the event horizon – the point of no return – and gets devoured by the black hole. But there’s a twist: black holes only consume a fraction of the gas they take in, spitting the rest of it back out into space. Occasionally, just like the temperamental black hole the XMM-Newton spotted, a black hole doesn’t just spit out a bit of gas – it spits out its entire meal. Gas in the accretion disc gets flung out in all directions at such high speeds that it completely clears out the surrounding interstellar gas.

The effects of this are massive, the gas blasting an area through space where new stars can no longer form. This completely changes the landscape of the galaxy surrounding the black hole.

Normally, it’s only black holes with extremely bright accretion discs, due to being at the limit of how much matter they can draw in, that throw gas back out with these ultra-fast ‘black hole winds’.

“It’s very uncommon to observe ultra-fast winds, and even less common to detect winds that have enough energy to alter the character of their host galaxy,” said Elias Kammoun, an astronomer at the Roma Tre University in Italy and co-author of the report announcing the observation. “The fact that Markarian 817 [the galaxy in question] produced these winds for around a year while not being in a particularly active state suggests that black holes may reshape host galaxies much more than previously thought.”

For scientists, this research adds to our understanding of how black holes and the galaxies around them influence each other. Many galaxies appear to have large regions around their centres where few new stars form. This could be explained by black hole winds clearing out the star-forming gases.

ESA/ATG, NASA/ESA/HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

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50,000 The number of thoughts a human can have in one day. 39% The percentage of the total comic book sales market enjoyed by Marvel Comics.
50,000 The number of thoughts a human can have in one day. 39% The percentage of the total comic book sales market enjoyed by Marvel Comics.
travel leisure | lifestyle
HEALTH

Assets for attractiveness

The latest beauty trends take in everything from natural ingredients to ‘facials’ for, er, other areas

Consumers are increasingly conscious of the beauty products they use, demanding transparency, efficacy and environmental responsibility. This means there are a number of clean beauty trends worth watching out for.

Holistic wellness

Clean beauty is about holistic wellness. Brands are incorporating wellness practices into their formulations, recognising the interconnectedness of skin health and overall wellbeing. Skincare products will be infused with adaptogens, CBD and other holistic ingredients that address not only external concerns but also internal balance. This reflects a shift towards a more comprehensive approach to beauty that resonates with consumers seeking a harmonious connection between their bodies and the products they use. More ethical brands will also be launching gut health ingestibles to assist with healing the skin from the inside out.

Cruelty-free

Clean skincare trends have evolved to prioritise not only the health of the skin but also ethical considerations. With awareness of animal welfare, animal rights and environmental sustainability, consumers are gravitating towards products that are PETA-approved, vegan and cruelty-free, with natural plant-based ingredients. These labels signify that the products are not tested on animals and do not contain any animal-derived ingredients. As more people prioritise these values in their purchasing decisions, such products have become staples.

Carbon neutrality

Eco-conscious consumers want beauty products from brands committed to achieving carbon neutrality. From sustainable sourcing to eco-friendly, even biodegradable packaging, beauty brands are embracing holistic approaches to minimise environmental footprints. Keep an eye out for companies implementing innovative strategies such as carbon offset programmes and renewable energy sources.

Cannabis balms

The cannabis plant is emerging as a skincare saviour. Packed with cannabinoids, particularly CBD, it boasts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, effectively addressing issues like pigmentation, dehydration, acne and scarring. Cannabis balms hydrate the skin deeply, promote cell regeneration and balance oil production. The plant’s natural richness in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids enhances skin health.

De-puffing

The de-puffing revolution taps into the potential of botanical ingredients renowned for their anti-inflammatory prowess. Look for serums infused with chamomile, marula, baobab, argan oil, macula extract and aloe vera, each playing a crucial role in calming irritated skin and reducing puffiness. These natural wonders offer a gentle and effective solution to inflammation, leaving skin refreshed and rejuvenated.

Nature’s fountain of youth

Ingredients like retinol from rosehip seed oil stimulate collagen production, while antioxidant-rich extracts from squalene, green tea, baobab and pomegranate fight free radicals. Plant-derived hyaluronic acid ensures deep hydration, plumping the skin and diminishing the appearance of fine lines. Users can embrace a natural approach to ageing gracefully.

Butt facials

‘Butt facials’ transcend the conventional. Incorporating ingredients like sea salt, dark sugar, coffee grounds and nourishing oils, these treatments exfoliate, hydrate and promote circulation, unveiling smoother and firmer skin. Embrace the unconventional as these ‘facials’ redefine self-care, promising an indulgent and transformative experience beyond the face.

Toxin-free colour

Toxin-free alternatives that enhance natural beauty without compromising health. Look for foundations enriched with nourishing ingredients like argan oil and aloe vera, cacao, maca and chia, providing coverage while caring for your skin. Lip and cheek tints infused with plant-based pigments and moisturising agents offer a vibrant and healthy glow, ensuring your makeup routine becomes a celebration of both beauty and wellbeing.

Hand facials

Active ingredients like shea butter, vitamin E and jojoba oil take centre stage in hand facials, addressing signs of ageing and nourishing the delicate skin on your hands. These formulations promote collagen production, reduce age spots and protect against environmental stressors, ensuring your hands age gracefully alongside your radiant face.

Solid skincare

Minimal packaging meets maximum impact with solid skincare. Ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter and essential oils take the spotlight in shampoos, conditioners, body butters and soaps. These products not only contribute to sustainable beauty practices but also deliver potent, natural benefits, leaving skin and hair nourished.

Biodegradable packaging

Brands are recognising the need to reduce single-use plastics and are investing in packaging solutions that break down harmlessly in the environment. From plant-based plastics to mushroom-derived materials, the clean beauty movement is reshaping the way products are presented, ensuring that sustainability extends beyond the formula itself.

Text | Nicole Sherwin Photography | Look Studio
Nicole Sherwin is founder of Eco Diva Natural Superfood Skincare. For more information, go to ecodiva.co.za.

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400 The number of hours of sleep a new baby deprives its parents of in its first year. 17 The number of muscles it takes to smile.
400 The number of hours of sleep a new baby deprives its parents of in its first year. 17 The number of muscles it takes to smile.
travel leisure | lifestyle
TRAVEL

Winter wonderland

While the weather is still cool, a number of local attractions warrant closer attention

Winter in South Africa brings along a lot of enjoyable activities for a fun-filled trip. Many destinations are still warm enough for outdoor adventures (especially with spring on the horizon), while cultural events create a festive atmosphere. With comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds in South Africa’s most popular sites, winter is a wonderful time to discover its diverse landscapes and unique history.

Cape of good times

The Western Cape is known for its Mediterranean climate, which means that the province experiences low temperatures, gusty winds, increased rainfall and all-round unpredictable weather. Cape Town is arguably South Africa’s most visited city and with good reason. It is a vibrant location with a mix of diverse cultures, landscapes and cuisines. Popular for its iconic Table Mountain and pristine, white-sand beaches, Cape Town is one of South Africa’s most picturesque destinations. The colder season means the city is less crowded and, as such, can be explored more freely. Art enthusiasts can visit Zeitz MOCAA, the largest art museum in Africa and the largest museum in the world showcasing the art of Africa and its diaspora. Cape Town is a nature lover’s paradise. Visitors can enjoy a light stroll through the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, surf the fierce winter waves of Long Beach, Glen Beach and Llandudno, or kitesurf at Bloubergstrand and Muizenberg Beach. Foodies will want to take the Bo-Kaap Cooking Tour, which takes you on a voyage into the life, food and culture of the Cape Malays in Bo-Kaap, offering you a hands-on, practical lesson on how to cook like a real Cape Malay auntie! Out of the big city? A tour to Stellenbosch should be on your list, as its wine region can be one of the cosiest places to visit in South Africa in winter. Go on a wine-tasting expedition to some of the stunning wine farms and estates on offer. Winter days in the rustic countryside are spent snuggled up by the fireplace and sampling tasty wines from local sommeliers – without the tourist crowds.

Wind up

The windy city (above), the friendly city, Port Elizabeth, Gqeberha – whatever you know it as, it’s a beautiful holiday destination away from the usual vacation spots. Discover the ocean on your doorstep while in town. There are beautiful Blue Flag beaches where guests can take a walk along the beach, spot a few penguins and, if lucky, perhaps even a few dolphins. Or hop onto an electric scooter to explore Gqeberha’s waterfront.

Warm welcome

When thinking about KwaZulu-Natal, most people think of Durban. If you’re not a fan of cold temperatures, Durban is the place to be in winter. Icy winters are unheard of here. Instead, there are mild temperatures, low humidity, little rainfall and even less in the way of crowds. Winter in Durban is the perfect time to test your surfing skills at North Beach, Ansteys Beach or Cave Rock, three of the area’s most thrilling surf destinations. If you want to witness the wonders of the deep blue, head to the coastal town of St Lucia for sensational views of the Elephant Coast while on a whale-watching cruise. Even more exciting, perhaps, is the annual Sardine Run, where millions of sardines swim to the shores of Durban and fishermen, birds and sharks fight for the ultimate catch. If fitness is your thing, consider cycling along the beachfront Golden Mile. Umhlanga is the perfect base from which to explore at your leisure. Take a stroll on Whale Bone Pier, which makes for the perfect photo opportunity, soak up some sun on Umhlanga Beach, enjoy art at Makiwa Gallery, feast on fresh seafood at Q’bn’s Eatery or shop till you drop at the Oceans Mall, which features a host of national and international brands.

Golden opportunity

South Africa’s largest city has a host of activities to be enjoyed by all members of the family. From historical to cultural events, Johannesburg has it all. Rosebank has the highest concentration of major art galleries, all centred within walking distance of each other, and plenty of public art to enjoy too. In Rosebank, art is not only found in galleries but is incorporated into the architecture of most luxury hotels. The Keyes Art Mile is an impressive contemporary development on Keyes Avenue that celebrates local art and design as well as fine food. Keyes Art Mile’s main building, The Trumpet, is home to the innovative TMRW Gallery, Joburg’s first gallery dedicated to digital art, and Banele Khoza’s BKhz gallery, which focuses especially on promoting young and upcoming artists. The vast atrium at its centre is curated as a pop-up exhibition space and upstairs you’ll find a cluster of slick restaurants and bars, and chic cafés open out onto a street flanked by wild olive trees. There are also traditional handmade crafts, sold by local artisans at The Rosebank Arts and Craft Market at Rosebank Mall.

Park life

Mpumalanga boasts one of the largest game reserves in Africa, the Kruger National Park. The Park is one of the best destinations in South Africa for wildlife viewing. If you want to increase your chances of spotting all the Big Five on a Kruger safari, winter is your best bet. The drier winter months mean less foliage, making game-spotting a lot easier.

Text | Supplied Photography | Arnold.Petersen, Photo Africa SA
For more information, go to radissonhotels.com and krugergatehotel.com.

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Motoring: Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge

travel leisure | lifestyle
MOTORING

Here to help

High-end SUV adds to interior luxury and comfort with a number of driver-assistance features

Redefine your experience. You’re one step closer to more considerate mobility.

Electric range
30 km
Power
100 kw
CO2 Emissions
10 g/km
Fuel consumption
0 l/100km

Driving a hybrid car for the first time does require one or two bits of advice – a crash course, if you will – and not least because starting the thing in hybrid mode means it makes no noise whatsoever and you might just be sitting there in the parking lot pressing Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge buttons for an hour while the vehicle waits for you to put it into gear.

It may be because now the car assumes you are a bit thick that it offers different driving modes, some of which require you to do considerably less as you sit behind the wheel. In One-Pedal Drive mode, where the electric battery is charged during braking, the car slows down the moment you take your foot off the accelerator. This makes you think that you now don’t really need to brake as you drive, which in turn doesn’t give the Volvo any greater confidence in your abilities.

Ease of operation

As you press the start button, the XC90 begins in hybrid mode by default, useful for general day-to-day short distances that won’t wear out the system’s battery. To get some gratifying engine noise, charge the hybrid battery and, well, go faster, you do need to go into the settings on the Google-powered Android system and press buttons – one of the very few features that don’t make Swedish efficiency a synonym for convenience.

After that, though, it’s back to relaxing and letting the car do the work. Just speak – “Google, how do I get to …?” – and Google Maps, via Google Assistant, will throw up a route on both the big digital touchscreen and directly in front of the driver, alongside the speedometer. Out on the open road, cruise control adds its influence to the steering as well as the automatic braking. It’s not legal to let go of the steering wheel (and you’ll get scolded by dashboard lights should you do so), but radar and cameras noting following distances and road markings give you a lot of help. Leaving the system on even when approaching sharp curves makes for slightly more adventurous escapades, as the car ahead of you vanishing around a hairpin tells the radar that there’s space to accelerate into when your heart rate tells you to slow right down. In other words, your brain still outranks the technology, smart as it is.

A space to stay

A test drive in the Cape Winelands can make any car feel like a good place to be, but for all of the XC90’s fantastic features – and do be careful when ordering, as the prices for extras add up quickly – this is just a car that’s a pleasure to drive and to be surrounded by. Cruising down the Franschhoek valley, the sunroof lets in more of the filtered light and allows a greater appreciation of the trees and, further back, the encircling mountains. Parked under the vines in a wine farm’s scenic parking lot, the Volvo looks the part, its standard ‘Vapour Grey’ colouring recalling the rich fabric of a suit one might wear while sipping a cabernet at an event in one of the nearby manor homes. Which makes a change from one of the usual interpretations of ‘grey’, which is ‘middling; unable to stand out’. That is patently not the case for the XC90, which, for starters, takes up a solid chunk of space at more than 2.5 tonnes, will streak past just about any car on the road (including the Franschhoek Ferraris – they’re not built to take speed bumps and railway crossings in their stride) and can also leave the tar for a cross-country shortcut, with a mixture of power and cushioned grace. The hybrid technology helps to keep the petrol consumption of such a large unit down, whatever you’re using the car for that day, which helps to further contribute to a headspace in which needing to go somewhere in the XC90 never feels like a chore. Your lazy friend doesn’t want to meet you for coffee halfway between your homes? No matter – immerse yourself in the vehicle’s lavishness all the way there and make the blighter pay for the coffee. Park in a gorgeous nature spot, take a walk and come back to the blessed coolness of the climate control. Or perhaps just ask the GPS to surprise you and see what happens – you’ll be in good hands.

Text | Bruce Dennill Photography | Bruce Dennill and Supplied For more information, go to volvocars.com/za.

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travel leisure | lifestyle
INNOVATION

Growth industry

Trees provide a bewildering array of resources for different facets of everyday life

Multifunctional and renewable, when used sustainably, wood and its components are an indispensable part of everyday life. Biotechnology and innovation are helping the forest product sector to use sustainably farmed trees in ways never imagined possible.

Wood is made up of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and an array of waxes, resins, and sugars. The properties of these elements make them suitable ingredients in functional bio-products, not just in paper, cardboard, tissue, or sawn timber.

In cosmetics, the water-absorption capacity of cellulose enhances product texture, providing a smooth, creamy feel and a better application experience. Cellulose can also be used as a film former in nail polish, allowing for thin layer application, or as an anti-caking agent for cosmetic foundations.

Viscose, rayon, and lyocell are three textiles made from a specialized form of cellulose. Also known as dissolving wood pulp, this purified form of cellulose is suitable for chemical conversion into a range of products. It is spun into textile fibers for use in fashion and decorating textiles, cast into a film, or regenerated into a sponge.

Big names, useful functions

Carboxymethyl cellulose or microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is a fine, food-safe, versatile powder that is a proven filler and stabilizer in capsules and tablets, helping to bind active medicinal ingredients into a palatable form.

Lignin, the glue of the natural world, is often removed from the wood during the paper manufacturing process and recovered from spent pulping liquors. A great example of the bioeconomy, lignin is multifunctional and finds application in the agriculture sector. It binds the nutritive ingredients and additives in the production of compound animal feeds.

Lignosulphonates are used in mining and road maintenance as a dust suppressant by binding the road surface particles together. Once sprayed onto the road, water evaporates from the lignosulphonate, and, as it dries, the dust particles are trapped by the high viscosity, naturally sticky material.

Lignosulphonates are common admixtures for concrete that act as water-reducers or plasticizers to improve the flow of concrete, slow down the setting time, and reduce the amount of mixing water required.

A potential substitute for diesel, bio-oils are obtained by heating wood waste in an oxygen-free environment in a process known as pyrolysis. The solid product generated (bio-char) can be used as an enriched growing medium for seedlings or converted into high-grade activated carbon.

Anything made from plastic or other fossil-fuel-derived materials can be made from wood. By extracting more value from a tree, less goes to waste. And two key advantages that commercially farmed trees bring are their renewability and their carbon storage. Trees in plantations are essentially crops that are planted and replanted in rotations, with only about 9% of the total tree count being harvested in any given year. This means that there are always trees growing at different stages of maturity, and these trees are all absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) and storing the carbon.

Text | Jane Molony Photography | Merkushev Vasiliy
Jane Molony is the executive director of the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA). For more information, go to thepaperstory.co.za.

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Ant Fusillade

What looks like a tiny firework display watched by hundreds of insects is, in fact, more like a giant game of spitball. These wood ants (Formica rufa) are shooting formic acid at a potential predator – in this case, the Dutch photographer and biologist René Krekels.

The spray is said to smell like the vinegar you put on your chips. It’s not ant saliva, you’ll be pleased to hear, but a spray released from their abdomens. According to entomologist Prof Adam Hart, it can cause “irritation and pain (but rarely any lasting damage) to the eyes and noses of any animals trying to dig up the ants’ nests to reach the nutritious larvae inside”.

While it may look like the ants’ fusillade is going in every direction and at nothing in particular, Hart says: “Individual ants can be quite accurate with their sprays, and a large group of ants spraying can make any predator think twice.” Such predators include birds and even badgers.

The ants are carnivorous, eating other insects and invertebrates such as caterpillars and spiders. But their favorite meal is the sweet honeydew secreted by aphids when ants stroke their bellies with their antennae.

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travel leisure | lifestyle
HEALTH

The whole package

A multi-faceted approach to self-care means feeling better in mind and body

At the heart of wellness lies wholesome food, wholesome thoughts and a wholesome body. Wholesome food forms the cornerstone of physical health. Beyond mere sustenance, it fuels our bodies with essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals necessary for optimal functioning. But its significance transcends the realm of mere physical nourishment.

The journey towards embracing wholesome food begins with a shift in mindset. It’s about cultivating an appreciation for the origins of our sustenance. Prioritise whole foods, incorporating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins into your diet. Choose locally sourced, organic produce whenever possible to support sustainable agriculture practices. Experiment with plant-based meals to diversify your palate and reap the myriad health benefits of a predominantly plant-centric diet. And practise mindful eating: slow down, savour each bite and cultivate gratitude for the nourishment before you.

Mind matters

The mind also craves sustenance. Wholesome thoughts shape our perceptions, attitudes and responses to the world around us. In a society inundated with negativity and noise, fostering a mindset of positivity, resilience and mindfulness is paramount.

Cultivating wholesome thoughts begins with a conscious effort to cultivate self-awareness and compassion. It involves tuning out the cacophony of negativity that pervades daily life and focusing on gratitude, kindness and acceptance. By nourishing our minds with uplifting thoughts and nurturing our inner landscape with practices such as meditation, journaling and mindfulness, we pave the way for greater clarity, resilience and emotional equilibrium.

Start and end your day with gratitude and reflect on the blessings in your life. Incorporate mindfulness exercises into your daily routine to cultivate awareness and reduce stress. Seek out uplifting content, spend time with supportive friends and family and limit exposure to negative influences. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would extend to a friend during times of difficulty or self-doubt.

Strive for balance

A wholesome body is one that thrives on balance. It encompasses not only physical fitness but also emotional wellbeing, spiritual fulfilment and connection to the world around us. Cultivating a wholesome body requires a multi-faceted approach: movement, rest, nourishment and self-care.

Prioritise rest and recovery and engage in activities that bring joy and vitality: strength training, dancing or immersing in nature. Find activities that you enjoy and make physical activity a regular part of your routine. Set aside time each day for activities that replenish energy, whether it’s taking a hot bath, reading a book, creating self-care rituals or enjoying a leisurely stroll. Aim for seven to nine hours of quality rest each night to support physical and mental health. Pay attention to the signals your body sends and honour its needs for nourishment, movement, rest and relaxation.

Use skincare, makeup and personal care products that are clean, kind and ethical, as well as rich in superfoods, vitamins, omegas and minerals.

Text | Nicole Sherwin Photography | pathdoc Nicole Sherwin is founder of Eco Diva Natural Superfood Skincare. For more information, go to ecodiva.co.za.

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EDUCATION

Asking for directions

Students should feel confident to seek out the correct path as they adjust to a new phase of life

As students settle into a new life at university or college, dealing with new places, new people and new academic challenges, more than a few experience the existential dread accompanied by thoughts that perhaps they did not do the right thing in their choice of qualification or institution. This can be a profoundly scary thought for young people and a difficult situation to deal with given the amount of time, money and emotional investment that have gone before.

The good news is that no student is alone in this situation. Knowing that helps in working through what needs to happen. The other good news is that there are rational ways to determine what needs to be done, if anything. This situation is normal, and youngsters don’t have to rely solely on their gut or let the swirling worries in their heads take over.

It is often the case that when new students doubt themselves, they throw in the towel straight away or stick things out despite being miserable. The key is to objectively identify and assess concerns, and then make an informed decision about how to proceed.

Understand anxiety

The first step towards resolving such concerns is identifying the root cause of the concern and defining the problem. The reasons behind second thoughts about one’s field of study are as diverse as students themselves. For some, the initial allure of a prestigious career quickly fades in the face of demanding coursework and the pressures of academic performance.

Others may discover new passions and interests that pull them in different directions, tearing them between the security of their original choice and the uncertainty of a new path. Additionally, the socio-economic landscape of South Africa plays a significant role in shaping students’ perspectives and decisions.

Navigating this maze of doubt requires acknowledging the validity of these feelings and understanding that they are a natural part of the learning process. Once a student has been given permission to feel what they are feeling, they can resolve to do their best while sorting out the situation: attending all classes, completing all tests and assignments and attending to other responsibilities. Keeping on top of things will ensure that challenges aren’t compounded and help students feel more empowered. Additionally, should there be a decision to change course, you’ll have something to show for the time spent at university – perhaps credits that can be transferred elsewhere.

The next step towards gaining clarity is to tap into any resources available at the institution being attended. Good institutions will have support services available on both the academic and mental wellness fronts. Additionally, there should be career centres or advisory services to support students. Counsellors can assist students in exploring feelings, understanding options and making informed decisions about the way forward.

Text | Moloko Chepape Photography | Dasha Petrenko Moloko Chepape is Chief Operations Officer at The Independent Institute of Education’s Rosebank College. For more information, go to rosebankcollege.co.za.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Top of the morning

A generation of South Africans has woken up to Leanne Manas on their screens

What made you decide to embark on a career in broadcasting?

Leanne Manas When I was younger, I was obsessed with music and used to present my own music show. I would go into my room and pretend I was presenting this music programme and I would cue up the music and get an audience – my friends or my parents – and I would get them to listen to me and I’d make up all these words in between. I always enjoyed it. I was clearly barking up the wrong tree thinking I was going to be in some form of entertainment or musical vibe, though. It turned out that I was suited for hard news and that’s where I landed. It was a journey to get there, to figure it out, having been declined for a lot of auditions. I’m grateful that I was declined for those roles. The moment when I realised that journalism and news were what I was actually passionate about, it didn’t take me long to work it out – a couple of moments in a newsroom and I wanted to take it as far as I could. A lot of people don’t see that broadcasting is a career that is sustainable, and that you can get into long term. I realised right from the start that I wanted to grow with it and grow into it. I always used to look around at other broadcasters and see the ones who had been around forever, and still are. Take someone like Christiane Amanpour. She’s been doing what she’s been doing for decades and, for me, it’s inspiring. I look at her, and I have immense respect for her wealth of knowledge, for what she’s seen and what’s she’s done, and building a name, building a reputation, building credibility. This is a different industry to any other industry. When you turn on the news, you need to look at seasoned broadcasters; that’s why I believe broadcasting has become a career, because we’re seeing more and more familiar faces who have been there for a long time, who have gained the trust of the country and the nation and continue to do so. It’s been a tough road, but I’ve kept going and I can safely say that I’ve managed to make a career out of this profession in broadcasting that I so cherish and love.

Being an anchor on Morning Live, you probably have to be up way before the sun has made an appearance. What is a typical day like for you?

There is no typical day, but one thing remains the same – that alarm clock goes off at 4am without fail, except on a Saturday and Sunday. It’s never easy; it’s something you never get used to, waking up before the crack of dawn. It’s almost robotic. The first thing I do, which I know is the wrong thing to do, is grab my phone and start reading. It’s essential for me, though – I have to catch up on everything before I leave the house. I’ve already read what’s happened on social media overnight and what’s trending on different fronts, so I’m seeing what the big breaking stories are. News is an all-consuming thing and you have to stay on top of it. Anything can be thrown at you at any minute and you have to know what you’re talking about.

This year, you celebrate two decades on Morning Live. What is the secret to this longevity?

It’s been an incredible journey. I have to pinch myself all the time to think how long it’s been that I have been doing this same programme. I have been waking up generations of South Africans to first guide them on their way to nursery school, then junior school, senior school, varsity and into their work life.

You’ve interviewed the who’s who of dignitaries and celebrities. Who has made a lasting impression and why?

To be honest, it’s everyday people who have made a more profound impact – someone with a story that resonates with others, or individuals who, in spite of their struggles, still find the light inside themselves.

You’re passionate about travel. Which have been your favourite destinations to travel to?

It’s my best thing to do – ever! It’s my spoil – exploring and discovering new countries and soaking up cultures of different people around the globe. One of my best trips was when we went to Iceland as a family in 2023. We rented a car and drove around Iceland for eight days. Next up on my bucket list is seeing the Northern Lights.

Text | Heléne Ramackers
Photography | Luke Tannous
For more information, go to leannemanas.com.

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travel leisure | lifestyle
HEALTH

Save your skin

Understanding how to look after your body’s largest organ affects its susceptibility to chronic conditions

Eczema, a chronic skin condition affecting millions worldwide, often proves stubborn to traditional treatments. However, a growing body of research suggests that a holistic approach focusing on plant-based skincare, superfood nutrition and mindful living can offer relief and rebalance the skin’s health.

Eczema isn’t merely a surface-level issue. Its roots often extend deeper into our bodies. Emerging evidence underscores the profound connection between gut health and skin conditions like eczema. By opting for an anti-inflammatory diet rich in whole foods and superfoods, individuals can tackle the condition at its source.

Anti-inflammatory superfoods such as turmeric, ginger and omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and flaxseeds can work wonders in reducing inflammation, a key driver of eczema flare-ups. Likewise, prioritising fibre-rich fruits and vegetables, probiotic-rich foods like kimchi and avoiding triggers like sugar, dairy and gluten can promote gut health and subsequently alleviate eczema symptoms.

Stress, often underestimated, can significantly exacerbate eczema symptoms. The intricate interplay between the mind and body means that managing stress levels is paramount in any treatment plan. Incorporating mindfulness practices such as meditation, yoga or deep breathing exercises can help individuals navigate stressors more effectively, preventing flare-ups and promoting healing from within.

Look at the whole picture

Our skin absorbs much of what we apply to it, making the choice of skincare products crucial in managing eczema. Harsh chemicals commonly found in personal care items can irritate sensitive skin and worsen symptoms. Opting for clean, natural alternatives devoid of sulfates, parabens and artificial fragrances can soothe inflamed skin and support its healing process. Even more important is the nutrient density of the skincare and personal products, so they are not just for surface servicing but allow the nutrients to absorb and aid dramatically in the healing and balancing of eczema.

From deodorants to shampoos, scrutinising ingredient labels and favouring gentle, nourishing formulations can make a world of difference. Ingredients such as colloidal oatmeal, shea butter, baobab, superfood oils and calendula possess soothing properties that can provide relief and healing without exacerbating inflammation.

Healing eczema naturally is not a quick fix but rather a journey that requires diligence, patience and a fresh new consciousness in what you are choosing to buy for yourself, whether it’s food or skincare. While it may involve trial and error to find the right combination of skincare products, dietary adjustments and stress management techniques, the journey towards healthier skin is possible.

Text | Nicole Sherwin Photography | AYO Production Nicole Sherwin is founder of Eco Diva Natural Superfood Skincare. For more information, go to ecodiva.co.za.

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30,000 The average number of parts a car is made up of. 150 The amount of calories burnt banging your head against a wall for an hour.
30,000 The average number of parts a car is made up of. 150 The amount of calories burnt banging your head against a wall for an hour.

Age-appropriate intake

Tailoring your diet to your stage of life can help keep you hale and hearty

There’s a reason a person in their 40s doesn’t have the same amount of energy as they did in their 20s or why they can’t eat like they did as a teenager. Bodies change with age, and there are changing requirements for the body to maintain optimum health.

20s: Laying a foundation Prioritise lean proteins such as eggs, chicken, fish, beans, dairy and nuts with every meal to support robust muscle development. Integrate iron-rich foods like lean meats, legumes and fortified cereals, ensuring optimal energy levels to prevent fatigue. Healthy plant fats, sourced from avocados, nuts, nut butter and oils, contribute to cognitive wellbeing and brain health.

The inclusion of fruits and vegetables provides essential vitamins and minerals and powerful antioxidants that combat oxidative stress. Hydration remains paramount as fluid needs increase.

30s: Nurturing balance Look for essential nutrients from whole grains such as sorghum, couscous, beans, chickpeas, brown or seeded bread and brown rice. These nutrient-dense foods provide a steady release of energy throughout the day. Include lean proteins like chicken, lean red meat, eggs and fish to support muscle health and provide necessary amino acids.

Dietary fibre is important, so prioritise fibre-rich foods like vegetables and fruits to aid digestion and support heart health. Calcium needs increase, so include foods like dairy or fortified plant-based alternatives to increase bone health. Integrating these foods into your diet supports long-term skeletal strength and resilience.

Incorporate water-rich foods like watermelon, cucumber and lettuce to increase fluid intake.

40s: Nutrient-rich choices You will need more omega-3 fatty acids for heart and joint health. Oily fish such as salmon, pilchards and sardines provide these. Incorporate plant-based sources like walnuts and chia seeds to promote heart health and joint flexibility.

Overall, lean protein-rich foods are pivotal for muscle maintenance, ensuring strength and vitality. Integrate fibre-rich grains like sorghum, oats and high-fibre brown bread. These choices support digestive health and maintain steady energy levels.

Colourful vegetables provide a diverse spectrum of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. These are essential for overall health, serving as a foundation for robust immune function and cellular repair.

Hydration is crucial for overall wellbeing, specifically joint health.

50s and beyond: Promoting longevity Vitamin D is a key player in calcium absorption so incorporate fortified plant milks or dairy to safeguard bone health, mitigating the risk of osteoporosis. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish like salmon, as well as nuts like walnuts, are crucial for supporting brain health and cognitive function.

Elevate your protein intake with eggs, fish, lean meats and plant-based proteins like beans, chickpeas and lentils. Proteins play a pivotal role in muscle preservation, supporting overall strength and vitality. Eat fibre-rich foods to maintain digestive health and regulate blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of chronic conditions.

Hydration is even more important, addressing the increased prevalence of constipation.

Text | Mbali Mapholi Photography | Marilyn Barbone Mbali Mapholi is a Tetley and Laager partner dietitian. For more information, go to joekels.co.za.

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travel leisure | lifestyle
BOOKS

Impending uncertainty

Babette Gallard’s novel Future Imperfect, set in 2050, imagines how its characters and their relationships are changed by natural disasters and a digital revolution

 JANA
I’d been terrified in Laon, the gated city where I’d felt the heat of juvenile anger for the first time, even though everyone, including me, should have known that it existed. I’d read Helen’s latest Nmail, when she warned me about the rewards for handing over migrants, but I needed just one more city-fix, and Kasumi kept telling me that Reims was safe.
No city walls, I’ve checked, and it’s peaceful too.
I’ll be careful, I told myself. I’ll watch out for the cameras, wear a scarf over my face and hide Ayo in the backpack. I coded the taxi to drop me directly in front of Notre-Dame de Reims cathedral, where I thought it might be safer. When it stopped, I was nervous, literally shaking, but then the Augment opened into my Vision, and suddenly I was walking into a new kind of dream machine; music, colours, smells, a sensual overload of the best kind. You’ve probably guessed why. I’d been reconnected after losing connection all those weeks ago. I was already high by the time I walked into the cathedral with Ayo.
When the door closed, figures in the stained-glass windows bowed down to greet me, Mary sang in harmony with her harp-playing angels, and a prophet in one of the wall hangings offered me a spoonful of honey. I would have stayed in there for hours if Ayo hadn’t been scared by how I was behaving, so I went back outside to look around, which was when the message scrolled across my Vision.
Looking for a place to stay?
Somewhere central, but safe and cool, in every sense. Will you permit me to choose an option based on your criteria and then send a scooter to collect you?
Criteria? I’d completely forgotten what it was like to live in a city with full-on virtual services. When the scooter arrived, the guide display said it would take us to a boutique hotel in Rue de l’Étape, which sounded good, mainly because its location apparently met at least two of my criteria. I couldn’t wait to find out which ones. I attached Christopher to the luggage rack and told the scooter to go.
I’d never been to Reims before, but it was a French city, so I kind of knew what to expect: elegant pale stone houses, wide boulevards with trees down the middle, narrow streets lined with curlicue verandas and people chatting in parks. Nothing exceptional, but it was like landing in paradise after all I’d been through. When we passed the Opéra de Reims – one of the art-deco buildings the city is so famous for – I guessed the guide must have detected my searching on its history and all the features Isha would have gone crazy for. Big disappointment.
The pavement-to-roof arched facade was filled in with what looked like a huge black windowpane. What happened to all the frills and fancy gold?
Trombe walls are built of an absorbent material, painted black and covered with a pane of glass. The heat is absorbed and retained between the two layers, thus ensuring the interior space remains cool.
When evening and night temperatures are low, the stored heat is released inwards.
When evening and night temperatures are high, the heated air is channelled into an electricity-generating turbine situated underground. Fifty percent of our windows and facades have been converted. Reims does not rely on external power sources.
Reims is INDEPENDENT.
Independent, the word had been emphasised. I wanted to ask for more detail, but the scooter was off again and my head was still spinning from the reconnections. A few minutes later, we stopped outside a nondescript house in a nondescript street. If this was boutique, what did it say about me and my criteria?
Place Drouet-d’Erlon is a five-minute walk from your hotel. Place Drouet-d’Erlon is famous for the golden angel in its centre and the bars, restaurants and nightclubs lining its periphery. Budget and entertainment, two of your four criteria, have been successfully fulfilled. The third is a childless female living on the third floor. She would probably pay you for the chance to look after your child, but I suggest you offer the usual rate.
So, where does that leave the fourth criteria?
In reserve.

Text | Babette Gallard
Photography | D.Bond
Future Imperfect by Babette Gallard is published by Light Eye and available now. For more information, go to babettegallard.com

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RELATIONSHIPS

Unwelcome pursuit

Finding partners online can be fraught with risk if online dating site users are not careful

A new Kaspersky survey of 21,000 people worldwide revealed shocking data about the extent of digital abuse. Almost a quarter of respondents (23%) had experienced some form of online stalking from a person they were newly dating. A third (34%) of respondents believed that googling/checking social media accounts of a person you had started dating as a form of due diligence is acceptable, and 41% admitted to doing so when they started dating someone.

According to the study – which interviewed 1,000 people in 21 countries around the world – online daters are keen to take steps to protect themselves in the quest for love. However, people are still vulnerable to an alarming rise in stalking and abuse from risks posed by location settings, data privacy and more broadly, oversharing.

The types of abuse are varied, with well over a third (39%) of respondents having reported some form of violence or abuse from a current or previous partner. Some 16% of respondents had been sent unwanted emails or messages and, perhaps most concerningly, 13% had been filmed or photographed without their consent. A further 10% admitted they had had their location tracked, 10% that their social media accounts or emails had been hacked and, worryingly, 7% having had stalkerware installed on their devices without their consent.

Proportionally more female respondents had experienced some form of violence or abuse compared to male respondents (42% versus 36%). More of those currently dating had experienced violence or abuse compared to those in long-term relationships (48% versus 37%). In fact, 34% of respondents said they worried about the prospect of being stalked online, with female respondents being slightly more concerned at the prospect than males (36% were worried compared to 31% of male respondents).

Respect your own privacy

The Internet of Things is brilliant and offers myriad possibilities. But with opportunity comes risk and one of the threats of a connected world is the ease of access to traceable data, which leaves people vulnerable to abuse. While the blame for these horrific behaviours never lies with stalking victims, unfortunately there is still a burden upon them to take steps to minimise risks. It’s great that people are taking steps to verify identities online, but they should always stop and do a quick check on any information, passwords or data they share and think through how that information could be used in the wrong hands.

Navigating online dating and virtual spaces can be challenging and it’s crucial for social media and dating apps to implement verification processes to help confirm that users’ profiles match their actual photos. Tips to stay safe include:

• Keep passwords to yourself and make sure they are complex and unique. • Think before you share – the internet has a long memory and sharing too much too soon can leave you vulnerable. • If it seems too good to be true, it might just be – if in doubt, check. • Take a moment to check your own digital privacy. • Create a ‘safe plan’ if you move from digital to real worlds. • Consider using a comprehensive cyber security or VPN solution to protect yourself.

Text | Supplied
Photography | SB Arts Media
For more information, go to kaspersky.co.za and stopstalkerware.org/resources

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Survey details:

• In January 2024, Arlington Research, on behalf of Kaspersky, conducted 21,000 online interviews, 1,000 in each of the following 21 countries: The UK, Germany, Spain, Serbia, Portugal, The Netherlands, Italy, France and Greece, the USA, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Mexico, Asia-Pacific: China, Singapore, Russia, India and Malaysia.

• Respondents were aged 16 years and over.

• All were either in a long-term relationship (62% of the sample), dating someone (16%) or not currently dating/in a relationship but had been in the past (21%).

travel leisure | lifestyle
HEALTH

Crowning
glory

Hair has some fascinating properties, but it needs good care to stay strong

For all the time and effort you spend on your hair, how much do you actually know about it? Hair grows slightly faster during summer and in warmer climates because heat stimulates circulation and hair growth. The most common hair colour in the world is black, and the least common is red, occurring in around 1% of the world’s population. Only about 2% of the world’s population has blonde hair.

The main ingredient in hair, keratin, is also found in our internal organs and glands. If your hair is damaged or coarse, a keratin-rich shampoo and conditioner can help repair and nourish it. One strand of hair can support up to 100g. If you consider that the average person has between 100,000 and 150,000 strands of hair on their head, a head of hair could support a weight of up to two tonnes! Hair becomes stretchy when it’s wet, and a healthy strand can stretch up to 30% of its length when wet. This is also when the hair is at its most vulnerable.

Hidden properties

Hair reveals plenty of information about your body and health. You can detect what’s gone through someone’s bloodstream through their hair (including vitamins and minerals, drugs and alcohol), making it extremely useful in forensic evidence. The only part of our hair that is not dead is the bit within our scalp. There are 14 different elements found in each hair strand, the main ones being nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, sulphur and oxygen. And this list also includes gold!

It is estimated that around 70% of the world’s women colour their hair at some point in their lives. If you fall into this category, it’s wise to invest in hair care products specially designed for coloured hair. The average woman spends about two hours per week styling her hair. Heat styling can be very drying and even damaging.

Text | Supplied Photography | VALUA VITALY For more information, go to capetowntoiletryco.com.

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2 The number of times spring appears in the Chinese Year of the Rooster. 43 The number of muscles it takes to frown.
2 The number of times spring appears in the Chinese Year of the Rooster. 43 The number of muscles it takes to frown.
travel leisure | lifestyle
PSYCHOLOGY

A survivor’s story

How having an abusive father contributed to becoming a victim of domestic violence

My father was the only son of an only son of an only son. He was brought up to believe that he could walk on water – simply because he was a man. He felt entitled to behave as though everyone was there to serve him and be subordinate to him. As a father, he couldn’t connect with my siblings and me. He believed that children were to be seen and not heard. And he was incapable of providing us with affection. He was verbally, emotionally and psychologically abusive to my mother and to us, his children. My mother passed away in a car accident when I was 14 and, after that, we became victims of domestic violence. In fits of rage, he would go through the house with a gun, threatening to shoot us all. As you might imagine, this period of my life had a huge impact on me.

I was 18 when I left my home in the Eastern Cape to come and study in Johannesburg. I borrowed money from a relative to pursue my degree in communications and, shortly after, I met the first man I married. He, too, was abusive – violent and aggressive. I believe I found myself in an abusive marriage because I’d had an abusive childhood. My lack of self-esteem meant that I was easily victimised. Studies have shown that girls who have absent or abusive fathers are likely to battle with their self-esteem and are far more likely to accept abuse later in life. We think we deserve that kind of behaviour; it’s what we’ve learnt to accept. Having a positive relationship with a present father, on the other hand, has proved to be a preventative measure against many risks, of which gender-based violence is one.

I’m finally in a stable, happy relationship today, but it’s taken me a long time to get here. I carried a lot of resentment and anger towards my father for a long time – resentment and anger that negatively affected me, not him. I didn’t speak to him for 10 years.

Changing the narrative In 2010, I confronted him about what had happened during my childhood. While he apologised, I could see that, in his mind, he still didn’t quite believe that he’d done anything wrong. It was simply the way he was brought up: believing that his behaviour was right; that he was entitled to be obeyed and worshipped. But I got it off my chest and said what I needed to say. My father passed away in 2015 and, in the years before his death, we had a relatively good relationship.

Becoming a gender-based violence activist has been a huge part of my healing journey – and it has become a passion. I’ve experienced abuse first-hand. And I believe I am in a position to help others. Studies clearly show that absent fathers, or fathers who are present but abusive, put children at greater risk of being victims of violence, including gender-based violence, later in life. And boys who grow up in these sorts of households are more likely to become perpetrators of violence.

There is no doubt that encouraging men, not just biological fathers, to become more actively and positively involved in children’s lives is one of the most important ways we can halt the cycle of gender-based violence and violence against women and children. Unfortunately, this information isn’t widely available. People don’t understand gender-based violence, why it happens, how to prevent it and how to heal from it. But this learning, prevention and healing is possible. If we can educate people and help them break the silence, then we can help to nurture long-lasting changes in our homes, communities and society.

Text | Corné Davis Photography | Sergio Hayashi Professor Corné Davis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Strategic Communications at the University of Johannesburg. She is also an advisor to TEARS Foundation and an advocate for positive fatherhood through initiatives such as Heartlines’ Fathers Matter. If you, or someone you know, has been raped or abused, dial 1347355# (free) or contact TEARS Foundation on 010 590 5920 (24/7). For more information, go to tears.co.za and heartlines.org.za

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25% The percentage of liver remaining after surgery that will enable the organ to grow back to its original size. 293 The number of ways change can be made for a dollar.
25% The percentage of liver remaining after surgery that will enable the organ to grow back to its original size. 293 The number of ways change can be made for a dollar.
travel leisure | lifestyle
RECRUITMENT

Halt, don’t hop

Job candidates who move around too often between jobs run the risk of making potential employers nervous

In today’s competitive job market, candidates often find themselves at a crossroads: should they stay loyal to a single company and build their career over a number of years or embrace more rapid package growth by moving frequently when the chance arrives? Recently, this question sparked heated debate on social media, with many saying the age of loyalty to one company is over, and that it’s everyone for themselves in the corporate world. But it’s not that simple, and both companies and candidates need to keep a few factors in mind when considering the issue of jumpy résumés.

Moving to a new role in a new company often comes with a financial boost. Negotiating a competitive package becomes easier when you’re in demand, and the allure of exponential financial gains can be hard to resist. But while job hopping may seem advantageous initially, there’s a tipping point and you can soon find that too many frequent moves have made you unhireable and unattractive for the important roles. Essentially, after too many short-lived tenures, you could find yourself running out of road. It is understandable that, in the current economic climate, people would want to choose financially advantageous moves whenever they present themselves, but doing so without considering the bigger picture is not an optimal, and likely not a sustainable, long-term career strategy.

Repeated introductions One of the major concerns, from the company’s point of view, of hiring a candidate with a résumé demonstrating too-frequent moves from one company to another, is the issue of the onboarding cost. Companies invest significant time and resources in searching for, signing and onboarding new hires. When a candidate has a history of quick departures, employers will rightly be concerned about whether their investment in a candidate will ultimately be futile, if the chances are good that the employee may leave after a short stint. Candidates should also consider whether long-term stability may be compromised by short-term gains.

Employers value employees who contribute meaningfully and grow within the company. A track record of short-term moves suggests a narrow focus on personal gain over meaningful contribution and growth. Strategic career moves involve assessing each opportunity’s value and determining whether experience gained from staying at a company might not, in the long run, outweigh chasing higher compensation without building substantial tenure. While an employee may be able to justify making multiple career moves in order to gain diverse experience, they also need to be able to demonstrate that they stayed long enough to make an impact in each of the roles.

Employers need to be aware that many employees today will more readily walk away if they feel undervalued and an enticing opportunity arises. It is essential for companies to consider how they can create an environment where their best people see a future. Employers bear a responsibility to foster growth and ensure fair and competitive remuneration. Text | Advaita Naidoo Photography | eamesBot Advaita Naidoo is Africa MD at Jack Hammer. For more information, go to jhammerglobal.com.

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business | trade | industry
SECURITY

Mobile threats

Keeping phones free of cyber threats requires awareness and care

As users increasingly rely on their mobile devices to share personal data and connect to corporate networks, the number of mobile threats detected in the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa (META) region increased by 22% in 2023 compared to 2022. Specifically, for the Middle East, the increase in mobile threats amounted to 40%, for Türkiye, as much as 120%, and for Africa, 10%. In South Africa, the increase in mobile threats amounted to 104%.

The Android mobile OS holds a dominant market share in the META region. Apple devices are not immune to cyber threats but are difficult to monitor due to OS specifics.

Malware infection vectors are diverse. Users may encounter malware when they install programs from unofficial sources, but sometimes malicious apps can be found in mobile marketplaces as well. Attackers use various baits to convince the victim to download a malicious app, disguising it as a useful or well-known application. In the META region, the top five ‘baits’ used by cybercriminals were positioning malware as WhatsApp or Chrome app mods, music downloaders, ad-blocking software, and system apps. A user can mistake these apps for their genuine copies and infect their device.

Among the most prevalent mobile threats that were actually detected on mobile devices were adware, spyware, and mobile banking trojans. While adware can behave in a seemingly harmless way, it can spam a user with ads, drain battery or even get access to sensitive data. Spyware – specifically, CanesSpy, a Trojan active in the META region – can steal data from an infected smartphone, a list of contacts and user account information on the device, documents and also record from the device’s microphone upon command.

Be wise

To protect yourself from mobile threats:
• Download apps only from official stores like Apple AppStore, Google Play, or Amazon Appstore. Apps from these markets are not 100% safe, but at least they get checked by the moderators and there is some filtration system, as not every app can get onto these stores. Look through user reviews of an app to see if there is any negative feedback on its functionality.
• Check the permissions of apps that you use and think carefully before permitting an app, especially when it comes to high-risk permissions such as accessibility services.
• A reliable mobile security solution can help you to detect malicious apps and adware before they start behaving badly on your device.
• Update your operating system and important apps as updates become available. Many safety issues can be solved by installing updated versions of software.

Text | Supplied Photography | Patdanai For more information, go to kaspersky.co.za.

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PROPERTY

Building certainty

The real estate market continues to face a number of testing situations

In an era marked by unprecedented change and complexity, the Global Risks Report 2024 by the World Economic Forum unfolds a sobering landscape over the next decade. As we navigate through the tumultuous waves of swift technological advances, economic instability, climate change, and escalating global conflicts, the fabric of international unity is being tested like never before. Environmental upheavals, societal rifts, cybersecurity threats, economic volatility, and demographic shifts all affect real estate. Accurate modeling is important to better understand these risks to ensure clients are informed and ready to act. It’s an approach that offers real estate strategies, solutions, and investment opportunities, notwithstanding the challenges.

Here are the top five risks, tailored to the local built environment and presented in order.

Climatic calamities
These events, encompassing intense rainstorms, prolonged dry spells, and other extreme conditions, significantly impact the structural integrity of properties and real estate market dynamics. An example of this is catastrophic fire loss in both urban and informal built locations on the rise. Enhancing the resilience and adaptability of new and existing structures is a primary step in countering these challenges.

Social divides
Increased social fragmentation can lead to disturbances that affect property safety and valuation. Engaging in community initiatives and developing comprehensive emergency management frameworks that take in societal factors is crucial. Security sector reform and economic improvements in job creation are also important.

Online security
As the real estate sector integrates more technology in operations and safety systems, susceptibility to digital threats increases. This risk spans from looking after sensitive information to maintaining the functional reliability of properties. Strong digital safety measures are essential, as is training the staff who interact with these measures.

Economic instability
Instability in economic conditions influences property worth, the feasibility of investments, and the capacity for funding new or restorative projects. Intelligent financial navigation and diversification are key to managing these fluctuations. Adherence to compliance is also an important factor, as its absence, in turn, downgrades investment credibility and increases the outflow of capital to other African markets.

People movement
The mass movement of people due to conflict or environmental crises can quickly alter housing needs and strain city infrastructure – and this includes semigration. For instance, Zimbabwe sends members of its workforce to South Africa, and Gauteng loses a large number of individuals to the Western Cape. Recognizing migration patterns and creating adaptable accommodation solutions is vital for the real estate sector.

Text | Supplied Photography | Brian A Jackson
For more information, go to cwbroll.com.

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MANAGEMENT

Show you care

A formal recognition of the emotional and psychological needs of employees makes a massive difference

Ever since the pandemic, ‘organisational wellbeing’ has gone from a quirky idea that many thought was a bit of fluff to a business imperative. Companies are seeing the value in having a coherent employee wellness strategy.

According to a recent study conducted by Ipsos, more than 70% of employees are a lot more likely to stay at an organisation that tracks and measures employee wellbeing. This shows a strong link between employee wellbeing and job performance, engagement, and retention. Unfortunately, only 20% of employers are active in managing and preventing employee stress, while 33% of employees feel like support is only there when they request it.

The growing link between employee wellbeing and business performance has spawned the creation of a new position in a company’s organisational structure: the chief wellbeing officer (CWO). The CWO position backs up an organisation’s corporate value proposition to care for its people. When people feel supported, they feel like they belong, and their employer cares about them as a person. Productivity and engagement increase. People are more creative, willing to take risks, and have higher levels of psychological safety when they feel connected at work. According to the World Economic Forum, the role of a CWO first made its debut in the early 2010s, but during the pandemic, the role began to make its mark on the public consciousness.

Supporting statistics It has become increasingly apparent that organisations that invest in their employee wellbeing do a much better job of retaining, attracting, and motivating staff, which in turn leads to higher productivity. For example, research has found that companies who actively invested and supported wellbeing in the workplace (for example, by having a CWO) have seen up to 23% reduction in absenteeism and a 5% increase in productivity and better retention. Companies that focus on wellbeing not only perform better but also see a return on investment of as much as 181% through reduced absenteeism and increased productivity.

Hiring a CWO allows businesses to take a more comprehensive approach to employee wellbeing by addressing financial, physical, mental, and emotional health and cultivating a workplace where employees don’t just survive but thrive. Even if having a dedicated CWO does not fit an organisation’s current objective, companies should still encourage their leadership teams to integrate wellbeing into their business strategies and make it a priority to ensure productivity, engagement, lower resignation, and overall happiness of staff.

The rise of the CWO shows that, in some ways, the world is changing for the better. Gone are the days when being a high performer meant burning yourself out or sacrificing your wellbeing. Having a CWO in the C-suite is a positive step towards building workplaces that prioritise their most valuable asset – their people – while still pursuing profitability.

Text | Supplied Photography | CarlosBarquero
For more information, go to yulife.com.

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PSYCHOLOGY

Forging ahead

Employees worried that they are not achieving all they should can be assisted in the workplace

Imposter syndrome is a name first coined in 1978 by psychologist Dr Pauline Clance and refers to a pattern in which an individual doubts their skills and accomplishments and internalises a fear that they will one day be exposed as a fraud, since they do not deserve everything that they have achieved.

Initially identified in women and published in The Imposter Phenomenon in High Achieving Woman, it has since been accepted as a universal psychology that affects all sexes, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

If you connect with one of the five distinctive types below, you might be more inclined to suffer from the syndrome, so think twice before brushing off your feelings as occasional low confidence and self-doubt:

• The Perfectionist: Sets impossibly high standards for themselves and generally focuses on things they feel could have been done and said better.

• The Natural Genius: People with high IQs or certain gifted abilities often feel that they should be able to pick things up quickly and master them on their own, when this isn’t always a reality.

• The Soloist: Feels they should be able to complete tasks without assistance and ends up feeling like they’re constantly juggling deadlines.

• The Expert: Despite their advanced education and performance, feels they are never really good enough and constantly compares themselves to others.

• The Super-Person: Takes on more than they can handle, as they feel they have something to prove to others, or feels like they are under pressure to represent their minority.

Pull together The label was never meant to be a diagnosis, but rather a shared term that we all experience. It can then be used as a tool to evaluate individual strengths and weaknesses and adopt a mindset that uses work experiences to grow.

A workplace that encourages authentic interactions with other colleagues and like-minded people allows networking and seeing other people’s perspectives. This allows for a more objective frame of reference and enables more relaxation in contributions to the tasks at hand.

A relaxed workspace with a comfortable environment can help take the pressure off. Here, feelings of inadequacy can be helped by taking mental breaks: changing rooms, working outside, or soaking up a different vibe in a café. A life-work-play balance is created by fitting your workload into your lifestyle and not the other way around. It’s been proved that this helps with performance and productivity.

While developing self-acceptance requires effort, imposter syndrome shouldn’t be considered something that needs fixing within ourselves. Rather, it makes sense to take small steps to draw inspiration from the environment around you and surround yourself with people who can appreciate your skills along with your quirks. This will serve as a gentle reminder that you aren’t in this alone – and a little kindness goes a long way.

Text | Paul Keursten Photography | Andrey_Popov
Paul Keursten is co-founder and CEO of Workshop17. For more information, go to workshop17.co.za.

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SECURITY

Precious knowledge

The trend towards our data needing increased protective measures continues

Forget gold or oil, personal data has become our most valuable commodity in an ever-evolving digital society. Data is now used to purchase items or conduct business, and personal data such as names, email addresses, telephone numbers, bank account, and identification numbers are estimated to be worth a total industry value of around R4.5 trillion.

Unfortunately, incidents like the Cambridge Analytica fiasco a few years ago, which saw the political consulting firm harvest (likely) more than 87 million Facebook users’ data without their knowledge or permission, quickly unmasked the dark side of personal data collection and its misuse.

The dangers of the exploitation of the massive amounts of personal data that are collected, stored, and shared by businesses, government agencies, financial institutions, and even social media platforms by malicious actors spurred on nations across the globe to adopt more stringent data governance regulations and privacy policies.

The European Union was the first to introduce modernised data privacy law through the adoption of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2016. And in South Africa, the country enacted the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) to regulate the collection, use, and processing of personal data in 2020.

For good and ill

Personal data helps businesses to provide customers with greater value by providing improved customer service and experiences. With organisations increasingly digitalising their businesses to cater to the personalised needs and expectations of consumers through digital applications and touchpoints, the question for consumers is: how protected is their personal information really?

While data privacy laws such as POPIA endow organisations with the responsibility to ensure that personal information is stored safely and is not accessible to individuals who would use it with malicious intent, it does not provide consumers with any guarantees that their personal data will always be secure.

Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with greater access to tools and resources that help them to breach what are thought to be secure systems and networks. As such, the number of both attempted and successful breaches is increasing.

In fact, South Africa’s Information Regulator has received more than 500 notifications of data breaches or security compromises since October 2022.

Additionally, IBM’s latest annual Cost of a Data Breach report found that the average cost of a data breach for South African organisations reached a record high of R49.45 million in 2023, an 8% increase in the last three years, and a 73% increase since the country was added to the report just eight years ago.

It is in most organisations’ best interests to employ robust security protocols that protect sensitive customer data against cyber attacks, malware, ransomware, hacking, and a number of other cybercrimes. It’s also important that consumers are careful and cognisant of what information they are sharing and with whom.

Text | Keletso Mpisane Photography | wk1003mike
Keletso Mpisane is Head of MiWay Blink. For more information, go to miwayblink.co.za.

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ENERGY

Staying power

Consumers have a number of options when choosing backup for failing electricity supplies

A recent uptake in load shedding, coupled with the current availability of affordable, reliable, and energy-efficient alternative power equipment, has seen more South African consumers buying batteries for home use and storage. There are a number of guidelines when buying and using one to power a home or to store electricity from alternative sources like solar.

While some options may be more affordable, they don’t possess the durability and prolonged lifespan necessary for powering a home regularly over an extended period. With longer periods of outages and limited opportunities to charge the battery packs due to short periods of grid availability, traditional lead-acid (LA) batteries are more suitable as an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) during stages 4 or lower. Beyond stage 4, when there are shorter grid uptimes, an investment into lithium-ion (Li) offers greater usability, resilience, and return on investment.

The lead-acid battery’s affordability will sustain its appeal, provided it is housed properly in a dry, ventilated space and used well. It is good as an interim UPS solution in critical service environments, like data centers, hospitals, and banks. Here, the battery is only discharged for short periods as systems switch over to alternative sources like diesel.

Charging considerations
An important consideration when choosing a battery that most people are not aware of is the depth of discharge rating or usable capacity. This percentage value measures how much of a fully charged battery can be used before it begins to negatively affect its life cycle significantly. At this point, it must be fully charged again, which varies greatly according to type. Lead-acid (LA) batteries are typically much more affordable than lithium-ion (Li) batteries, but they also have a lower depth of discharge of around 30-50.

When 30% or less of the LA is used in a discharge session, it can last up to five years and endure 1,200 charging cycles before it is unusable. When 30-50% is used, the number of cycles drops all the way down to around 500 cycles. When 100% of the battery is used each time, the number of cycles drops to under 200.

This means that, at stage 6 or beyond, when used multiple times a day, with shorter charging and longer discharge periods, the battery may not last beyond three months from purchase, as consumers unknowingly regularly discharge it far beyond its 30-50% range.

Added to this is the fact that LA batteries are much slower to charge, with the shortest period being six hours to fully charge, as the chemicals inside are much less tolerant to heat.

Home users looking to invest in a long-term energy storage solution are increasingly considering Li-ion batteries, despite their higher cost. By leveraging various payment options and incorporating these robust, longer cycle batteries into a comprehensive solar system, the higher initial capital outlay pays for itself in savings in as little as 12 months.

Text | Matthew Hall Photography | petrmalinak
Matthew Hall is Product Director at Rectron South Africa. For more information, go to rectron.co.za.

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FINANCE

Stop sharing the load

Be aware of what you’re signing up for when agreeing to share someone’s debt

Navigating an unexpected financial burden can be daunting, especially when it comes in the form of someone else’s debt. You could unwittingly find yourself responsible for debt you didn’t directly incur if you hold a joint account, co-sign a loan, or don’t understand the implications of a marriage contract, for example.

It’s essential to understand when you can be held liable for debt incurred by your partner or another person. Co-signing a loan for a spouse, friend, or family member can be a generous gesture, but it comes with significant risk. You’re essentially guaranteeing the loan and agreeing to repay it if the primary borrower defaults. No one taking out a loan intends to slip into a precarious financial situation, but an unexpected retrenchment or illness could lead to you dealing with the financial fallout as a co-signatory. This can trigger a range of emotions, from frustration to fear.

You’re liable for someone else’s debt when specific conditions apply. These include:

  • If you’re married in community of property or your antenuptial agreement specifies certain financial responsibilities
  • If you hold a joint credit card or account
  • If you add an authorized user to your credit card
  • If you’ve co-signed a loan with someone
  • If you stand surety for someone, or sign a formal debt settlement agreement

Be clear on your commitments. Not understanding the implications of your marriage contract, or lacking a contract, can lead to liability for your spouse’s debt.

Contract Agreements

If you’re married in community of property, all your assets and liabilities are combined to form a single, joint estate. All debts incurred before and during your marriage will form part of the joint estate, and the actions of each spouse can affect the other.

For example, if one is declared insolvent, both spouses will automatically be sequestrated.

If you marry out of community of property, your estates will remain separate, and any debt accumulated before or during the marriage will remain the responsibility of the spouse who incurred it. If you marry out of community of property with accrual, debts will be considered on the dissolution of the marriage, through either divorce or death. Debts you incur before you marry will be excluded from the accrual calculation. However, debts reduce the value of the assets to be shared if your marriage dissolves, so even though you would be protected from creditors, excessive debt would affect your share.

If you marry without an antenuptial agreement, you will default to being married in community of property.

If you’re approached to co-sign a loan or similar debt agreement, consider the following:

  • Financial stability: Assess the borrower’s ability to repay the debt. Do they have a steady income and a good track record of managing their money?
  • Communication: Discuss expectations and responsibilities.
  • Alternative options: Explore other ways to help the borrower, such as putting them in touch with a financial advisor.
  • Credit card boundaries: As the primary account holder, you’re ultimately liable, so be sure to monitor the spending of any other authorized user and set clear guidelines.
  • Legal obligations: If you do go ahead as a co-signatory, ensure you understand the legal ramifications, and your liability if the borrower defaults.

If, despite the above precautions, you find yourself dealing with someone else’s debt, there are steps you can take to manage it effectively:

  • Assess the situation: Determine the amount owed, to whom it is owed and details such as payment terms, interest rates, and deadlines.
  • Communicate with the creditor(s): Explain the situation and see if they’re willing to work out a repayment plan or negotiate a settlement.
  • Consider consolidation: If the debt is significant and you’re struggling, consider consolidating or refinancing the debt. This can help reduce monthly repayments.
  • Protect your credit score: Even if you’re not originally responsible for the debt, it could affect your credit score if it’s reported under your name. Monitor your credit report regularly and address inaccuracies.

Being saddled with someone else’s debt can be an overwhelming and stressful experience. It’s crucial to address the situation promptly and constructively to regain control of your financial future. Seek advice from a financial advisor or debt counselor and remember to prioritize your own financial wellbeing. Take steps to protect yourself from similar situations in the future, such as establishing clear boundaries with others regarding financial matters and practicing good money management habits.

Text | Sarah Nicholson and Erin White Photography | Stokkete Sarah Nicholson is Operations Manager of JustMoney. For more information, go to justmoney.co.za. Erin White is a Director at Crue Invest financial consultants. For more information, go to crue.co.za

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AGRICULTURE

Growing it forward

New farming philosophies can increase yields while being kinder to the Earth

Why do diverse farming models exist, and why do they not uniformly succeed across all regions? This question delves into the fundamental principles guiding agricultural practices. Any approach to farming is often influenced by accumulated knowledge and the prevailing attitudes within different communities. Yet, unquestioningly sticking to conventional wisdom could obscure alternative, potentially more effective methods. In agriculture, embracing innovative perspectives makes a difference when striving for sustainable success.

The old way

The system of agriculture that has become known as ‘conventional farming’ has only been for about 70 years. The heavy use of highly toxic chemicals and synthetic fertilizers is a post-World War II phenomenon. On the surface, the results of what we call the conventional farming system seem good. Way more crops are produced now than 100 years ago. But what about the long-term effects – the dead soil, the poisoned groundwater, the increasing pest problems? Or the fact that most commercially grown fruits and vegetables must be rushed to market before they spoil? Is there a better way? The basic philosophy of our modern agricultural practices is exploiting natural resources for economic gain; controlling so that we can produce more. If other plants interfere, they’re killed. If insects are in the field, they are eliminated. Plants only really need a few simple ions to grow. Highly toxic chemicals rid fields of unwanted plants and insects, and ways have been developed to synthesize these essential ions to produce plant food and make crops grow bigger and faster.

Change in mindset

But there is another agriculture system, one that is no less productive but is more humble and respectful. Life operates in natural cycles. One thing affects another. Today, tools and understanding allow farming in an environmentally friendly way while getting required yields and being profitable. This system of agriculture relies on working with nature, not against it. When the soil is given the right materials, an amazing array of soil organisms do what they’re supposed to, and an abundance of nutritious, high-quality food is produced. Other natural organisms and mechanisms protect against pests and diseases – automatically. All that’s needed is to encourage them and then get out of the way.

The results of using biological methods are amazing: soil structure improves, crop yields are high, and quality improves. Biological farming embodies principles crucial for the well-being of both the environment and farmers. By prioritizing techniques aimed at reducing water consumption, improving soil fertility, and enhancing food quality, biological farming fosters healthier ecosystems and cultivates higher crop yields. This increase in productivity translates to greater income and profit for farmers. Biological farming serves as a cornerstone for future-proofing the food chain and safeguarding it for future generations.

Text | Gert Coetzer Photography | Tong_stocker

Gert Coetzer is Head Agronomist at Bontera South Africa. For more information, go to bontera.co.za

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LAW

Make your evidence demand a verdict

Proper preparation is essential when presenting a case to an arbitrator

Proof is evidence soundly supported by other relevant evidence. Regardless of the seriousness of an employee’s misconduct, his or her dismissal will be found to be unfair if the employer is unable to provide at arbitration sound and relevant evidence that the employee was guilty of the offence for which he or she was dismissed.

Proof of guilt is a factual and skillful exercise requiring: • Testimony that is not contradictory. • Evidence that has been tested and cross-examined by the accused employee and, despite such a test, still holds water. • Documents that are validated and that clearly show up the employee’s misconduct. • Evidence that is corroborated by other evidence. • Testimony from credible witnesses. • Evidence derived from thorough and honest investigation.

Proving one’s case depends on the bringing of evidence that will persuade the presiding officer that one’s allegations or claims are true and genuine. Parties should not delude themselves that the presiding officer of a disciplinary hearing or a CCMA arbitrator will believe their evidence merely because the witness testifying is a powerful, well-known, or highly regarded person or comes from a prestigious organization.

The bringing of persuasive evidence does not depend on the status of the person bringing it but rather on the skill of the investigator and prosecutor in gathering, preparing, and presenting convincing, relevant, and material evidence in a legal and effective manner. In labor law, winning is not about power: it is about legal, strategic, and investigatory expertise.

However, it is not enough to bring strongly supported or incontrovertible evidence. Parties need to further ensure that the evidence they bring is relevant to the case. For example, if an employer wishes to convince an arbitrator that an employee stole petty cash, it is pointless for the employer to bring solid proof that the employee’s work performance is poor because this is irrelevant.

Relevance is required

At the same time, it is infuriating for parties who have gone to the trouble of collecting genuine, solid, relevant evidence only to see the arbitrator ignore this evidence. Fortunately, the parties do have recourse to the Labor Court if a CCMA arbitrator disallows or ignores relevant and legally permissible evidence in making his or her award.

For example, in the case of Jafta vs CCMA & others (2007, 3 BLLR 209) the employee was a goods returned clerk dismissed for failing to follow company stock-handling procedures. The arbitrator found the dismissal to be fair, but the employee took the arbitrator on review to the Labor Court. The court found that the arbitrator’s decision was defective largely because he had ignored relevant evidence relating to the stock losses and to the effect that the employee did not have a full understanding of the operation of the employer’s stock system. The court ordered the employer to reinstate the employee with full retrospective effect.

However, it is not always easy to decide if evidence is relevant or not. This difficulty applies to chairpersons of disciplinary hearings and to CCMA arbitrators. There is more than one reason for this difficulty: • The presiding officer may not be properly trained to be able to understand what is and is not relevant. • Lack of clarity of the evidence itself. For example, the witness giving the evidence may waffle so badly that it is difficult for even a trained presiding officer to recognize the relevance of the testimony. • The evidence may only be indirectly relevant to the case. For example, the employee may have been dismissed for poor performance of his or her work. However, the employee might tell the arbitrator that the employer has been victimizing him or her for weeks on end. While this seems, on the surface, to be irrelevant to a charge of poor performance, it might not be irrelevant. That is, the employee may be able to show that it was the victimization that caused the poor performance or that the poor performance allegations are false and are part of the victimization campaign.

It is crucial that parties ensure that they bring their evidence in such a comprehensive, clear, and persuasive manner that it cannot be ignored by a fair arbitrator or disciplinary hearing chairperson.

Text | Ivan Israelstam Photography | sirtravelalot

Ivan Israelstam is Chief Executive of Labour Law Management Consulting. Contact him on 011 888 7944 or 082 852 2973, or at ivan@labourlawadvice.co.za. For more information, go to labourlawadvice.co.za

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22.7kg The average amount of carbon dioxide a 30m tree absorbs in a year. 46 The number of ways change can be made for a dollar.
22.7kg The average amount of carbon dioxide a 30m tree absorbs in a year. 46 The number of ways change can be made for a dollar.
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ENERGY

Think small

Using microgrids can help hospitality ventures offer better service and more sustainable operations to their customers

The hospitality industry is by its nature a major consumer of energy and data. For example, hotels with casinos have data centres supporting them 24/7 while guest areas and conference rooms, restaurants, and public facilities require significant operational information to run smoothly – making them critical power sites.

To meet this demand while moving towards a greener operating position, hotels and other hospitality facilities are facing a challenge, particularly in a country where power reliability remains a major stumbling block. The reality is that back-up generators can’t be the first or only line of defence during load shedding or outages. Power quality and reliability issues can also lead to equipment damage and dire financial implications.

It is important that hotels and guests, in their journeys to establish sustainable operations, prioritize power quality, reliability, and supply. The hospitality industry should consider the entire lifecycle of their business. It’s not just about adopting greener practices to differentiate one business from another, but also about implementing sound operational practices. This involves protecting assets and investments comprehensively. After all, investing in greener technologies makes sense only when the key assets in the given facilities are safeguarded.

This requires a holistic approach, from going greener to maintaining continuous support for sustainable practices. This not only aligns with environmental considerations but also ensures operational efficiency and the long-term resilience of assets.

Manage the flow

Two critical points should be emphasized in these pursuits. First, enhancing power reliability, and second, establishing microgrid solutions as enablers for efficient energy consumption.

It’s important to analyze data structures, expansion plans, and existing back-up storage. This insight allows users to identify energy consumption patterns and potential power quality issues while also pinpointing energy-saving opportunities – ultimately considering the feasibility of microgrid implementation.

Microgrids, when strategically integrated with efficiency programs, offer important energy management and supply advantages. By optimizing operations through technologies such as building management systems (BMS), hospitality facilities can achieve greater efficiency. Studies suggest that these efficiency measures can lead to significant reductions in consumption, contributing to both environmental and cost-effectiveness goals.

Utilizing a microgrid with a storage component offers the advantage of peak shifting. This means storing energy during off-peak times and using it during periods of high demand, ultimately reducing electricity costs. It’s a strategic move for electricity conservation, effectively managing resources and optimizing costs.

Text | Thabang Byl Photography | Goami

Thabang Byl is Buildings Segment Lead at Schneider Electric. For more information, go to se.com

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Kriel Occupational Health And Wellness Services

The dust is rising against the evening-orange horizon as the KOHC mobile unit leaves the field. For some people, it was their first time having the range of medical tests and the excitement – and nervousness – of the experience has left clusters of people behind and is palpable.

“It was a good day,” says Moses (42). “I had always heard about being tested for HIV and TB, but the clinic is too far. And these people who came are so professional and friendly. I felt they care.”

It’s a familiar response from clients and it is the reason Dr. Lindi Mokwena decided to establish the Kriel Occupational Health and Wellness Centre (KOHC) in 2008. Originally servicing the Emalahleni region in Mpumalanga, KOHC has grown to add two mobile units servicing the rest of the country. This sustained growth is in part due to the partnership KOHC enjoys with Londvolota.

Dr. Lindi explains, “The business had grown nicely and I was providing employment to 11 people. But I knew I didn’t have the business skills and network to maintain the rate of growth. And I was working in the business all the time. I was exhausted.”

The range of occupational health and wellness services offered by KOHC is extensive. Many corporate clients, including mines and construction companies, opt for medical surveillance services whereby a planned programme of periodic medical screening assesses the client’s fitness to work and helps companies manage their health risks, as well as preventing, detecting, and treating occupational diseases. Surveillance can be done pre-employment, during employment, or on leaving employment, and KOHC has built up a loyal client network that draws on their services on a regular basis.

Other services such as conducting wellness days; offering travel medicine with related vaccinations; benefit medical examinations, especially for ex-miners seeking compensation from MBOD/CCOD and injury-on-duty management and reporting; aviation medical examiners; hygiene services; and sports medicine complete their offering.

Releasing KOHC into a life of its own brought other benefits to the community. The Dr. Lindi Foundation was launched in 2018 to assist with basic needs for disadvantaged school children/tertiary students, as well as offering practical skills training for graduates and benefit medical examinations for ex-miners.

The group of people on the dusty field is slowly diminishing as the evening fades to night. The mobile clinic is still out on the road, several hours from reaching the KOHC offices. But the impact of the day will be felt for years to come.

Moses is one of the last people to head home. He is still abuzz from his experience. “Today I feel like a man,” Moses smiles. “I know my health status and can make decisions to protect myself and my family. Yes, today was a good day.”

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TECHNOLOGY

Get on the same wavelength

Hospitality venues need to understand the importance of good WiFi to their guests

Owners of guest lodges, Airbnbs, and other types of holiday accommodation know they need to ensure that they deliver a good WiFi experience for guests. It is becoming increasingly apparent globally that modern customers demand seamless connectivity, and this is often reflected in the online ratings. A spike in queries from guesthouse owners means this trend is also reflected in South Africa.

It is important to define what a good WiFi experience is. It means full coverage, a simple experience to access connectivity, uncapped and unrestricted access, and back-up power when there is load shedding. Guests need to be able to walk in and connect with no password, have no cap on data usage, and no restrictions or limitations on what they can do online. In other words, if they want to stream Netflix all night or perform a software update on their phone, they need to be able to do this.

Previously, this type of connectivity was either not possible or too expensive, which is why some guesthouses still don’t have this type of WiFi capability. There are still guesthouses that provide passwords that need to be renewed when data limits are exceeded, and this is a big red flag for digitally savvy consumers. In the past, it was expensive, but modern fibre-to-the-business (FTTB) packages deliver a full, uncapped, and high-speed service at a cost similar to traditional fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) packages. There’s just no reason for holiday accommodation not to move with the times.

Having a good internet package is one thing, but guesthouses need to invest in back-up. The reality is that if there isn’t load shedding, then there may well be an unexpected power cut. ISPs offer small internet-specific UPS systems that ensure uninterrupted connectivity. More people need to know about these as a basic requirement for any establishment that has guests.

Signal intentions

There is a need to educate small business owners, such as guest accommodation owners or managers, about how WiFi works, because simple shifts can radically overhaul the connectivity experience. Sometimes, people upgrade to the highest-speed packages available, but they are not advised to upgrade their access points. Using end-of-life technology prevents a good WiFi experience. WiFi access points need to be replaced at least every two years. Customers also need to ensure that the software is regularly updated to ensure optimal performance and up-to-date security measures.

Beyond that, not enough people understand the difference between 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi networks. Most people have noticed two options when they turn on their routers for the first time. These aren’t negligible. Choosing the right frequency for the right purpose is crucial. 2.4GHz has a longer range and can penetrate walls and rooms, but it may experience more interference and have a lower throughput. Here, the user will experience slower speeds, albeit further away from the router. The 5GHz option, on the other hand, provides faster speeds, but its effective range is far shorter.

When people realize this, or when they have dead spots in their businesses or homes, they often buy WiFi extenders, which are not an optimal solution because they don’t work as people expect them to. Rather, customers should be educated about wireless mesh networks. A mesh device can be rented for a small monthly fee, and the WiFi experience will be drastically improved.

In a mesh WiFi environment, instead of relying on a single WiFi device such as a traditional router, there are multiple access points placed strategically throughout the home or office. These access points work together to provide more reliable and extended wireless coverage. The advantage is that as users move around, their devices seamlessly connect to the access point with the best signal, ensuring a consistent internet connection.

Managed WiFi allows a step-shift away from complexity and an over-reliance on a WiFi architecture that isn’t ideally suited to a location’s unique needs. The managed service means businesses and venues benefit from hands-on convenience and support within a reliable and performance-optimized ecosystem.

Text | Jacques du Toit Photography | optimarc

Jacques du Toit is the CEO of Vivica. For more information, go to vivica.co.za

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22.7kg The average amount of carbon dioxide a 30m tree absorbs in a year. 46 The number of ways change can be made for a dollar.
22.7kg The average amount of carbon dioxide a 30m tree absorbs in a year. 46 The number of ways change can be made for a dollar.
business | trade | industry
MANAGEMENT

Questions that lead to clarity

Certain exercises practised often can help people find deeper satisfaction in the workplace

In 2015, I celebrated my 50th birthday. I marked my half-century by selecting an affirmation: I choose to make the rest of my life the best of my life. In fact, it wasn’t an affirmation so much as a declaration, because it was loaded with intent.

Making that declaration also made me ask myself several questions. As a coach, questions are the most important tools in my toolbox, as long as they are powerful questions – the kind that open up possibilities. One of the questions I asked myself was: how can I go about making the rest of my life the best of my life?

Finding that answer required a lot of investigation, taking me down several different paths. The first path was simple reflection. Most people go through life without stopping to think, or ask about whether or not they are happy with where they are in life and with what they’re doing. I invite readers to make time to be by themselves and ask these questions. Think about who you are and who you want to be, and perhaps most important of all, who you are becoming. Do you like this person? What are you doing with your life, and does this serve a greater purpose – something bigger than yourself? Is it aligned to the greater good? Are you helping to fashion the kind of world you want for your children?

What is your happy place? For some people, it’s nature. For others, it’s the sea. For me, it’s the golf course, or the ocean – places where I feel completely present. I also get energy from other people because I’m an extrovert. On the other hand, I have also learned introverted tendencies because I enjoy my own company. I therefore think over time I have become an ambivert.

In the same way that we plan holidays with family or friends, we have to plan holidays with and for ourselves. We need to intentionally create time to be by ourselves. I find that many people are afraid to be by themselves because when you take alone time, you literally – and metaphorically – look at yourself in the mirror. There is no escaping the question: do I like the company I am keeping right now?

Although it’s necessary to ask this question, it’s equally necessary to be gentle with ourselves when we do. It’s also necessary to find out what lies on the other side of your answer. If you’re not happy, ask yourself why. What isn’t working in your life right now? What is? These questions are simple, but they’re powerful. And they’re questions we seldom ask ourselves. One of the reasons we tend to avoid doing so is because this process can be frustrating. We are often hard on ourselves when we answer.

I invite you to go through this process with intent and full awareness, and I hope that you catch yourself when you are being too critical of yourself.

Whenever I ask myself questions, I write my answers down in a journal. I suggest you make a note of your answers, too. I believe that when you write something down, you are making a contract with yourself. Note what makes you feel uncomfortable – doing so may plant a seed that leads to changes in your behavior, your path, and your life.

Of course, it’s highly possible that you don’t actually have all the answers to those questions. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you are asking in the first place, then regarding them, being open and honest about any insights that may arise. In time, they will indeed arise. I have seen, over and over, that answers come at the right time; never before, and never after.

The second path of reflection refers to my core value of authenticity. When you ask these questions of yourself, you find the truth about who you are and who you are becoming.

In the world of mindfulness, this conversation with yourself is called finding the essence of who you are as a person. Asking questions will open a pathway that helps you reach that essence. Whatever truth you find, the next question you have to ask is: are you reflecting this essence in all areas of your life, both personal and professional? We cannot be truthful if we are not truthful in all areas of our lives.

The final question to reflect on is: what do you want? What is your dream? I may sound a bit like Martin Luther King Jr when I insist that every one of us has a dream, but it’s true. Nor is King the only famous dreamer: think of former South African president Nelson Mandela, for instance. He, too, had a dream; a dream that all South Africans would one day live together in harmony. I am willing to bet that every other giant who has left their mark on the global stage has had a dream; one that was bigger than them, and that served the greater good. In some cases, this dream is so compelling that, even if you don’t act on it, it won’t go away. Some of us are lucky to know what that dream is. Others aren’t quite sure, but the lack of fulfillment that marks their lives is a red flag that they are not living their dream.

“Note what makes you feel uncomfortable – doing so may plant a seed that leads to changes in your behavior, your path, and your life.”

Of course, the problem is that if you don’t know what your dream is, you aren’t able to work towards it. So, how do you define your dream? Start by thinking about what ignites you inside. Sometimes, when we take on certain roles or perform certain tasks, our entire being feels as if it has been set alight. Because we are inspired in these moments, we become inspiring.

When was the last time you felt real joy while you were performing a certain task? That wave of warmth comes directly from your soul. That’s the clue to your dream. This is where the truth in the old adage ‘Do what you love, and the money will follow’ comes to bear, because we find joy and satisfaction in doing things that come naturally to us.

Text | Ngao Motsei
Photography | fizkes

Building Psychologically Safe Spaces: Safeguarding Your Workplace Against Bullying by Ngao Motsei is published by Tracey McDonald Publishers and available now. The extract is published by permission.

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business | trade | industry
INNOVATION

Technical teamwork

Generative AI and how it interacts with human workers is changing the way business works

Generative AI (Gen AI) has burst onto the scene. It appeared fast and is evolving even faster. Its impact on value chains will fundamentally transform the nature of work, reshaping how businesses deliver value and better experiences for employees and customers.

The impact and importance of what people do with Gen AI today and tomorrow cannot be understated. In this age, Gen AI is influencing more than just productivity – it’s impacting processes across the value chain, changing the work itself.

Due to its ubiquity across job types and potential to create exponential impact, Gen AI is poised to provide the most significant economic uplift and change to work since the agricultural and industrial revolutions.

The early industrial revolution, for example, was marked by mass production and standardized outputs. The age of Gen AI will be defined by not only productivity gains but also by enhanced human creativity and potential to shape more innovative employee and customer experiences.

For the first time in history, we are embracing a generation of technology that is ‘human by design’. Gen AI’s effectiveness hinges on human input to drive quality outputs – whether they’re straightforward, like the draft of an email, or complex, like a financial forecast. This shift will lead to a reinvention of work with more human-centric processes across the entire value chain. By synthesizing data, comprehending natural language, and converting unstructured data into actionable insights, Gen AI is democratizing business process redesign, empowering everyone – from frontline workers to lab scientists to design professionals – to reshape their workflows.

Gen AI can also bring workers closer to their customers. Imagine a banking scenario where it transforms the customer experience: from using AI-powered analytics to gain a comprehensive view of customer needs, to customizing financial products and services based on those needs. This end-to-end change not only streamlines operations; it also helps bankers know their customers better, identify new products, and improve experiences for both customers and employees. All these outcomes positively impact the bottom line. In fact, Gen AI offers a trifecta of opportunities: it can accelerate economic value and increase productivity that drives business growth, while also fostering more creative and meaningful work for people.

New strategies Most organizations view Gen AI as a path to greater innovation, presenting more of a revenue-growth play than a cost-reduction play. But new technologies come with concerns. About 95% of workers see value in working with Gen AI – but their top concern is that they don’t trust organizations to ensure positive outcomes for everyone. Our research explored the factors that contribute to this trust gap.

Currently, three-quarters of organizations globally lack comprehensive strategies and initiatives to ensure positive employee experiences and outcomes with Gen AI. And two-thirds of chief experience officers (CxOs) we surveyed confess that they are ill-equipped to lead this change. Misaligned perceptions between leaders and workers also erode trust. When it comes to job security, 58% of workers are worried, yet less than one-third of CxOs feel job displacement is a concern for people.

There’s another disconnect when it comes to wellbeing, with 60% of workers concerned that Gen AI may increase stress and burnout, compared to only 37% of leaders who see this as an issue. This lack of trust puts the trifecta of opportunities at risk.

There’s a way for leaders to close the trust gap and accelerate Gen AI integration: looking at and emulating how leading organizations are leveraging Gen AI in ways that are better for business and the people. Leaders should view their people not as passengers on the journey but as navigators.

Pioneering ideas With only a small percentage of organizations leading when it comes to reinvention and Gen AI, there’s substantial opportunity to be among the front-runners. Research has identified key accelerators and actions to realize Gen AI’s full potential through reinventing work, reshaping the workforce, and preparing workers for the future.

But success in this age of Gen AI relies heavily on leaders who are willing to learn continuously and deeply – particularly when it comes to the technology, who lead with compassion and humility and who create the conditions so that their people feel ‘Net Better Off’ at work. That’s why our Gen AI GPS starts with leaders.

So, for leaders to be effective in the generative AI era – a time when being tech-enabled and people-powered has never been more important, they will need to prioritize human-centered change efforts and learn in new ways to scale this groundbreaking technology responsibly, to create value as well as to ensure that work improves for everyone. This means setting and guiding a vision for how to reinvent work, reshape the workforce, and prepare workers for a generative AI world while building a resilient culture to navigate continuous waves of change

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PSST…!

Have a look at the passenger across the aisle, two rows up… Yes, her. Just the person you would like to promote your product or services to, not so? Or him, three rows back?

Contact us for a free,
tailor-made proposal.

Contact – Gill Johnston
gill@panorama.co.za

business | trade | industry
HOSPITALITY

Food for thought

In a recovering sector, many entrepreneurs are looking towards restaurants as a business opportunity

More than two years after the lifting of lockdown regulations, the South African hospitality industry is still reeling from the losses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Slowly but surely, glimmers of hope are starting to appear on the horizon. Overall, research and SME sentiment on the future of the industry is decidedly optimistic. As such, now might be the perfect time for aspiring restaurant business owners to plant the seeds for future success.

According to data published by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Africa’s tourism industry is well on its way to post-pandemic recovery and is poised for a significant rebound. Research found that Africa was among the top-performing intercontinental regions, coming second only to the Middle East, based on its tourism performance during the first nine months of 2023. These findings align with projections from Statista, which predict an average annual growth rate of at least 8.68% for the sector over the next five years. Hotel market revenue on the continent is also predicted to reach almost R280 billion by 2027.

South Africa’s hospitality sector is facing fierce competition, with businesses vying for the attention of the public. The next few years will see established businesses iterating or even pivoting to align with new trends in travel and consumer behavior. There is no question about the fact that many of the country’s leading tourism, travel-related and hospitality businesses are up against some tough circumstances. But businesses that can succeed at repositioning themselves to meet the demands of an evolving market are set to reap significant rewards and ultimately build stronger, more resilient businesses.

Certain regions within South Africa are poised for success and represent unmissable opportunities for avid entrepreneurs to take up the challenge. Cape Town, for example, was recently dubbed the second-best city in the world to live in and visit, according to Time Out’s survey of 50 cities worldwide.

In regions such as Cape Town, certain hospitality subsectors always seem to come out on top. Data collated by the Cape Chamber of Commerce found that the city’s restaurant industry is currently one of the largest contributors to the overall state of the local hospitality industry, having earned a reputation for world-class food services. It is not only culinary capitals that will reap the rewards, as there is space for traditional South African food spaces, ranging from Vilakazi Street in Soweto to Durban’s Florida Road, to succeed.

Maximum value

In a price-sensitive market, customers are constantly seeking the best bang for their buck. However, this doesn’t mean that they are willing to compromise on quality. As such, it’s essential for entrepreneurs and business owners in the industry to offer value-driven menus featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients and flavorful dishes that resonate with their target audience. Providing generous portion sizes and affordable meal options can also enhance perceived value, reputation and overall value.

Positive customer experiences are fast becoming a non-negotiable for restaurants that hope to see long-term success. Business owners must deliver exceptional and uncompromising customer service in order to retain existing customers and attract new ones.

This aligns with the findings of the 2023 Hotel and Hospitality Industry Confidence Index, which concluded that customer engagement is now considered critical to growth. The report also found that in Africa, the sector has renewed its focus on finding new ways to build connections with customers in the interests of boosting both customer acquisitions and retentions in the years to come.

In line with this, restaurant staff need to receive adequate training on how to provide a consistently excellent, personalized level of service by anticipating customer needs and resolving issues promptly and professionally. Feedback should also be encouraged by actively engaging with customers through social media, surveys and loyalty programs to demonstrate that their opinions are valued and taken into consideration.

The tide of digitalization is having a significant impact on the restaurant industry in South Africa. The most recent industry report found that telephone bookings have declined significantly, while online bookings almost doubled in 2022. It’s now more important than ever to focus on the digital capabilities of new and existing establishments and build user interfaces that are easy to use, highly efficient and built to last for the long haul. Restaurants that have robust digital booking systems will reap positive results in an era where more and more customers are prioritizing aspects like convenience and accessibility.

Text | Kevan Govender
Photography | marvent

Kevan Govender is Regional Investment Manager at Business Partners Limited. For more information, go to businesspartners.co.za.

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business | trade | industry
MINING

Digging into the future

South Africa’s most famous historical industry needs something of a reboot to return to its former glory

Blessed by abundant natural resources, Africa’s mining sector has historically been a driving force behind the continent’s economic growth. However, the industry now faces a myriad of challenges. Africa boasts abundant resources yet to be explored, from coal to iron, gold, platinum, chromium, manganese and other rare earth minerals, providing the building blocks for the development of economies. Despite the surge in global demand for these minerals, however, the continent’s political uncertainty, outdated policies, regulatory hurdles and degraded infrastructure have caused investors to withdraw from Africa and take their much-needed financing to regions considered more stable.

At the tip of the continent, South Africa sits atop enormous mineral wealth that could reinvigorate the country’s economy and stimulate future growth and development while making a tangible contribution towards sustainability and success on the rest of the continent. The country possesses existing road, rail and port infrastructure, skilled labour and untapped energy sources, and the manufacturing capabilities needed to translate these resources into jobs and prosperity. As it stands now, however, the local mining industry is a shadow of its former self, accounting for just 16% of GDP versus over 40% historically (Minerals Council of RSA 2023). In part, disinvestment has been driven by problematic regulations, licensing backlogs and electricity shortages, diminishing investor confidence along with mining’s contribution to GDP.

If current negative trends persist, both the country and the continent stand to lose not just mining profits but also the associated job creation, infrastructure development and community support that mining provides. These losses would be devastating for local economies. But, if we act now to modernize mining policies and demonstrate our commitment to responsible practices, technological innovation and evolving sustainability standards, then the brighter future Africa deserves is still attainable.

Change the framework

To revive the mining industry and unlock its full potential, policy changes are urgently needed. Licensing and approvals must be streamlined, and the protection of investments and profit repatriation must be strengthened to attract investment back to South Africa. Governments across Africa are recognizing the need for balanced regulatory frameworks that promote responsible mining while safeguarding local communities’ interests and assuring investors that their assets are secure, but more must be done. Here, administrators can look to countries like Botswana, Namibia and Rwanda as regulatory frameworks whose transparent and efficient governance processes and mining-friendly policies can serve as models for attracting mining investments for others in the region. Transparency, ethical practices and community engagement should be integrated into the policy framework to attract investment and stimulate economic growth. Collaboration between industry stakeholders, governments and local communities is crucial for fostering investor confidence, sustainable development and long-term partnerships.

As Africa rapidly urbanizes while transitioning to a low-carbon economy, reliable electricity is crucial. While renewable energy is part of the energy mix, it is not enough. Gas and nuclear energy are needed to supplement solar and wind. While curbing coal usage is crucial for reducing emissions, mining remains essential to produce the materials needed for batteries, solar panels, wind turbines and other renewable infrastructure. Here, technology is a powerful enabler of change. From autonomous vehicles to advanced data analytics, technology is reshaping exploration, extraction and processing on the continent and elsewhere in the world. Drones equipped with advanced sensors are revolutionizing exploration, providing accurate geological data while minimizing environmental impact, while artificial intelligence is optimizing ore processing, leading to higher yields and reduced energy consumption.

The use of these technologies aids in responsible resource extraction and enhances operational safety, which remains a pressing societal and industry concern. Embracing innovation is not only necessary but a key driver for growth and optimization. Investors are increasingly attracted to mining projects that leverage cutting-edge technologies, not only to enhance operational efficiency but also to better align with sustainable practices.

All the angles

Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword; it must be considered a fundamental principle guiding the future of mining in Africa. Investors are increasingly prioritizing environmentally and socially responsible projects, and mining companies must align their operations with sustainable development goals, ensuring that the economic benefits of operations are shared equitably and environmental impacts are minimized, especially in terms of rehabilitation post-closure. Community engagement and empowerment programs, responsible water management, ethical resource extraction and reclamation initiatives are integral to responsible mining practices and a sustainable mining future. Community involvement has long been key to smooth mining operations but is often overlooked. With proper rehabilitation and an allocation of profits earmarked for the development of local economies, mining can be sustainable and gain community support. For this to work, however, South Africa must invest in a regulatory framework that extends beyond the paper it is printed on – enforcement is needed.

The days of resource extraction without due consideration for environmental and social impacts are becoming relics of the past. South Africa has among the world’s greatest mineral endowments, unmatched geological potential and preferential access to the world’s fastest-growing markets. The continent also has some of the world’s most pressing development needs. With the right policies, investors will return, and mining could once again drive double-digit GDP growth and job creation. When mining thrives, so do supported sectors like construction, equipment supply and downstream manufacturing. Mines power ancillary businesses, support health facilities and schools and create millions of direct and indirect jobs across the continent. Unemployment could be reduced and poverty alleviated.

Text | Oscar van Antwerpen
Photography | optimarc

Oscar van Antwerpen is the founder of Minrom Consulting. For more information, go to minrom.com.

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Sky | café

Previous and new livery

For now, Airlink can be recognized by both its previous and its new livery as all their 60 aircraft in the fleet are repainted over the upcoming months. When you spot the new Airlink tail, share your image and tag #FlyAirlink.

Duty | free

Exclusive gifts for you

Affordable luxury shopping from the comfort of your seat. In addition to offering our passengers a warm, friendly in-flight experience, we aim to provide a range of duty free products at competitive prices, Airlink Skyshoppe connects you to a world of international brands. Now available inflight on selected international routes. Spoil yourself or a loved this month. Ask your cabin crew for more details and purchase on board.

HARRY LIME
Series 27 Smartwatch
ZAR 1,975
WM398

Discover this exceptional smart timepiece. Featuring a heritage-inspired aluminium sports bezel, complemented by a generous 1.32”/3.35 cm touch-screen display and an impressive selection of unique dials. Stay connected, make calls, receive call alerts, messages and e-mail notifications and receive social alerts directly to your wrist. Elevate your fitness with its meticulously curated range of features. Stay in sync with your goals through GPS connectivity, a range of sports modes and monitor your heart rate for optimal performance. Unlock the secrets of restorative sleep with comprehensive sleep analysis. Perfect for your active lifestyle with a four-day battery life. IP68 water/splash-resistance. two-year international warranty.

DISNEY
Marvel Spiderman LED Watch
ZAR 295
TS368

Add some special magic to telling the time… A LED watch, silver plastic casing, a red digital light-up display, a date feature and a fun printed strap design with traditional buckle fastening. Official branded packaging. One-year guarantee

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER
Divine
Eau de Parfum 50mℓ
ZAR 1,995
FOR HER
FF434

T FLORAL – GOURMAND – MARINE

Extraordinary just as she is. Divinely mysterious. Does she even exist? Beautiful and very real, she radiates natural power. Divine, like her eau de parfum. All voluptuous cones and curves. Free and dazzling down to her corset. Beneath the iconic pristine box, her delicious marine floral magnetism dazzles with its boldness. Eternal thanks to the refillable 50 ml bottle. A genuine modern-day goddess!

YVES SAINT LAURENT
Myslf
Eau de Parfum 100mℓ
ZAR 2,450
FOR HIM
FG097

WOODY – FLORAL

MYSLF is the expression of the man you are, with all of your emotions and nuances. A distinctly unique fragrance for those redefining what it means to be a man. A floral twist on a traditional woody fragrance. My scent, MYSLF. A refillable men’s fragrance by Yves Saint Laurent.

GROUNDED EGYPTIAN
White Gold Serum
50mℓ
ZAR 595
TRAVEL EXCLUSIVE
EFB841

Glycolic acid anti-ageing serum 10% with vitamin E. A super anti-ageing cocktail made with a premium mix of breakthrough ingredients such as glycolic acid 10%, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and marine collagen. Apply a few drops of the silky serum to your hands and massage all over your face at night. Hydrates tired skin, targeting wrinkles, fine lines, redness, dark circles, tired eyes and all the unwanted effects of ageing! Noticeable results after one use!

business | trade | industry
EXECUTIVE BRIEF

SuperSport Park International Cricket Academy

ABOUT

SuperSport Park has world-class training facilities with cutting-edge technology, expert coaches, and comprehensive infrastructure to hone your cricketing skills. A world-famous cricket stadium hosting International matches, World Cup matches, the India Premier League (IPL) and the home of Titans Cricket team, the most successful cricket team in South Africa.

WHAT TO EXPECT

An all-rounder educational experience.

LEARN

AN EMPHASIS ON EDUCATION The Academy is where knowledge and skills meet. A balance between academics and cricket to prepare athletes for a well-rounded future.

PLAY

GET GAME TIME Play in various matches nationally (including playing against the Titans, Western Province, Boland and Kwa-Zulu Natal) this is to gain invaluable exposure and opportunities to showcase your talent.

ELEVATE

TRAIN WITH TOP COACHING Learn from renowned coaches with international experience, providing personalized guidance to elevate your game to new heights.

CONNECT

FORGE GLOBAL CONNECTIONS Forge connections with cricket enthusiasts worldwide, fostering a collaborative environment that transcends borders and promotes a shared passion for cricket.

TRAVEL

A TOUR EXPERIENCE Players will enjoy visiting tourist destination sites nationally.

CONTACT For further information email Zidane at zidanej@cricket.co.za

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travel leisure | lifestyle
RECIPES

Spanish frittata with a herby yoghurt and greens

Potatoes can be made into an exciting array of tasty dishes

The potato is one of the world’s favourite foods, beloved for its versatility and adaptability for all types of dishes and snacks. The potato can be cooked in a variety of ways: fried, baked, boiled, steamed, roasted, microwaved or sauteed; they can be used in soups, salads, main courses, breads, side dishes and even desserts. Potatoes are found in the recipes of most cuisines, including African, American, British, Russian, Indian, Spanish, Portuguese, Eastern European and Scandinavian.

Ingredients
• 2 cups coarsely chopped cooked potatoes
• 1 cup plain full-fat yoghurt
• ¼ cup finely chopped herbs, such as dill, mint, basil, parsley and chives
• 2 garlic cloves, mashed
• 1½ tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 8 large eggs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 shallots, thinly sliced
• 2 cups coarsely chopped greens, such as chard, kale or spinach

Method
1. Preheat oven to 180°C.
2. Mix yoghurt, herbs, garlic, lemon juice and ½ teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Lightly whisk eggs and ½ teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Add ½ cup of the yoghurt sauce and stir lightly (but don’t completely incorporate the yoghurt sauce).
3. Heat oil in an oven-safe nonstick pan over medium heat, then add the shallots and potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots have softened and the potatoes are golden – about three minutes.
4. Add greens and cook, stirring occasionally until wilted.
5. Add egg mixture and cook, shaking the pan occasionally, until sides are just beginning to set: five to seven minutes.
6. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until set. Immediately slide onto a cutting board to cool, then cut into wedges and serve with the remaining yoghurt sauce.

Text and photography | Supplied
For more information, go to capsicumcooking.com.

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Cheesy potato croquettes

Ingredients
• 800g potatoes, peeled and boiled
• 1 spring onion, chopped
• 30g salted butter
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tbsp milk
• 250g cheddar cheese
• 30g parmesan cheese
• 80g all-purpose flour
• 300g all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 500g breadcrumbs
• Vegetable oil

Method
1. Peel and boil potatoes till soft and set aside to cool.
2. Sauté onions and season with salt and pepper.
3. Add milk, cheese, onion and flour to the mashed potatoes and combine well.
4. Chill for 30 minutes and then shape into 5cm round balls.
5. Roll in flour, dip in the beaten egg and then roll in the breadcrumbs. Once complete, place them in the fridge for at least two hours. Remove from the fridge, and deep-fry each croquette until brown on all sides.
6. Serve with aioli or a spicy sauce made with mayonnaise and sriracha.

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59% The percentage of the moon that we can see from Earth. 100,000 The number of kilometres of blood vessels in the human body.
59% The percentage of the moon that we can see from Earth. 100,000 The number of kilometres of blood vessels in the human body.
travel leisure | lifestyle
REVIEWS

Reviews

Media

This issue: Progress, porpoises, obesity and origins

Soul Of A Nation: A Quest For The Rebirth Of South African Values by Oyama Mabandla, committed to the political system by which they gained office. Mabandla does not address the key issue that explains South Africa as it is today – that a liberation movement has outlived its historical usefulness. As a liberated, democratic country, South Africa needs to settle into the paradigms of modern political democracies. We desperately need informed, intelligent, rational debate on the issues germane to any progressive society. In terms of economic and political critique, Soul Of A Nation makes some critically important observations. It is disappointing that, when it comes to addressing the problems we face, the author is restrained by the very ties that hold back most of our countrymen and women. The percentage of the moon that we can see from Earth: 59%. Born in 1971 in Cape Town to a family of black middle-class intellectuals, Oyama Mabandla spent much of his childhood in Mthatha. He was approached to join the ANC underground before he was 17. He became close to Chris Hani. The close association continued until Hani’s assassination, after which the attentions of the security police forced him to go into exile. Mabandla rightly describes the struggle for freedom and democracy in South Africa as among the most heroic and inspiring in world history. And his background, struggle credentials, academic accomplishments and extensive experience at the South African economic coalface give formidable value to his criticisms of the economic and political malaise in which the country has become mired. Calling for a spiritual rebirth in the country, Mabandla suggests that a ‘New Codesa’ may lead to the necessary political and economic reform. This is not going to happen. The reason is that politicians tend to be committed to the political system by which they gained office. Mabandla does not address the key issue that explains South Africa as it is today – that a liberation movement has outlived its historical usefulness. As a liberated, democratic country, South Africa needs to settle into the paradigms of modern political democracies. We desperately need informed, intelligent, rational debate on the issues germane to any progressive society. In terms of economic and political critique, Soul Of A Nation makes some critically important observations. It is disappointing that, when it comes to addressing the problems we face, the author is restrained by the very ties that hold back most of our countrymen and women.

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The Porpoise by Mark Haddon. Using threads set in different timelines, Mark Haddon (The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time), using the ancient Greek story of Pericles – also source material for Shakespeare, so he’s in good company – explores the parallel stories of a young woman wanting to escape the strictures of her mega-rich, disconnected father and a Middle Eastern prince and the woman he falls in love with, hundreds of years ago. The mechanism he uses is not entirely convincing, and the leaps backwards and forwards can be a touch distracting, but as with the tales of the classical Greek canon, the epic scale and rich tragedy of the stories consistently make an impact.

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 Green Valley by Louis Greenberg. It’s already true that many people are uncomfortable with artificial intelligence, virtual reality and all of the other technical ‘advances’ that make it nearly impossible to enjoy any privacy or real autonomy in the modern world. It’s a short step from this experience to complete dystopia, which is the relatable idea that Louis Greenberg uses to make a crime thriller narrative more layered and interesting. Green Valley suggests both a worst-case scenario for going down the meta-type rabbit hole and bad people existing both there and in the real world. The challenges of navigating both make for a tense, absorbing tale.

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 The Whale (16LP) Director Darren Aronofsky has always been a polarising filmmaker, and The Whale sees him telling a story that at once suggests warmth and possibly even hope while still unveiling a situation that feels wretched and beyond redemption. Brendan Fraser won an Oscar for playing the massively obese Charlie, which he does with sensitivity and formidable commitment to the more difficult-to-watch moments in the script. His daughter Ellie (Sadie Sink) repays his childhood abandonment of her by abusing him as a now nasty teenager, and his nurse and friend Liz (Hong Chau) is his only reliable source of kindness. It’s claustrophobic stuff, but it’s tough to look away from.

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 The King’s Man (16LV) The origin story behind director Matthew Vaughn’s Kingsman franchise is wonderfully, majestically bonkers. A straight-faced Ralph Fiennes as can-do super-soldier and secret agent Orlando Oxford keeps things together throughout, which is saying something when those things include World War I, Rasputin in a bad mood and several action set pieces that would see Harrison Ford putting his back out. It’s a script that puts history through a Guy Ritchie filter, creating a story that manages to include some soft, thoughtful moments among bizarre brashness. And Fiennes proves himself an exceptionally adept action hero, adding to a long list of previous screen accomplishments.

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Take | off

10m The depth under water of the deepest post box in the world in Susami Bay, Japan. 1 million The number of dollars the US Government gave Indiana University to study internet memes.
10m The depth under water of the deepest post box in the world in Susami Bay, Japan. 1 million The number of dollars the US Government gave Indiana University to study internet memes.

Did You Know?

Test your general knowledge with this month’s quiz

1. The modern 21-day/stage Tour de France covers roughly what total distance: 880km; 1,400km; 1,760km; or 3,500km?

2. The traditional generic name of the 1880s bike design that improved the penny-farthing (high-wheel) and basically endures today is the ‘… bicycle’: efficiency; reliance; safety; or sensible?

3. What French railway term refers to the bicycle gear system for shifting the chain between sprockets?

4. The maillot à pois rouge jersey of the ‘King of the Mountains’ (best hill climber) in the Tour de France is white with red: chevrons; spots; crowns; or snowflakes?

5. What country produces Flying Pigeon bicycles – as of 2010 the most popular mechanical vehicle in history?

6. Hilary Mantel’s controversial 2014 fictional story is The Assassination Of …?

7. What was the tallest type of construction in the world for over 3,800 years before Lincoln Cathedral’s completion in 1311?

8. What was the tallest construction in the world in 1900?

9. ‘Filibeg’ is a traditional Scottish word for: kilt; porridge; haggis; or England?

10. In the binary system of numbers, the binary number 10 equates to which conventional number?

11. Posset is a late-medieval curdled drink of alcohol and which other liquid?

12. Gurning is a (sometimes competitive) activity involving distortion of: facts; balloons; spoons; or one’s face?

13. The traditional Queen of Puddings dessert typically comprises a bread/egg/jam base topped with what?

14. A sepulchre is a …, usually made or carved from stone: cross; church; tomb; or dragon?

15. Barack Obama’s incongruous expression “Jedi mind meld” upset fans of which two major movie franchises?

16. By the year 2010, there were roughly how many bicycles worldwide: 250 million; 400 million; 650 million; or 1 billion?

17. Which term refers to a style of fatalistic or menacing cinema, coined first by French critics in describing US thrillers of the 1940s?

18. The 1997 BS and 2005 EN No1836 safety standard applies to: water pistols; potatoes; sunglasses; or garden gnomes?

19. Theology is the study of what?

20. What was a bicycle first called – a Latin portmanteau of ‘speed’ and ‘foot’?

21. ‘Macular’ refers to which sensory organ?

22. The medieval occupation and derived surname Scullion referred to a basic worker in a: dockyard; kitchen; courthouse; or hospital?

23. The prefix ‘meso’ usually means: middle; outer; greater; or false?

24. Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466-1536) is a revered: atheist statesman; Christian humanist; mathematician; or vegetarian chef?

25. ‘Forage’ refers to crops that are: organic; wild; animal feed; or pick-your-own?

1. 3,500km
2. Safety bicycle
3. Derailleur
4. Spots
5. China
6. Margaret Thatcher
7. Pyramid
8. Eiffel Tower
9. Kilt
10. 2
11. Milk
12. One’s face
13. Meringue
14. Tomb
15. Star Wars and Star Trek
16. 1 billion
17. Film noir
18. Sunglasses
19. Religion
20. Velocipede
21. Eye
22. Kitchen
23. Middle
24. Christian humanist
25. Animal feed

talespine

The Late Show

Storytelling at a more… relaxed pace causes online confusion

Every time I turn on my laptop, there is a fresh picture of a different and fascinating location somewhere in the world – a lighthouse on a rocky volcanic outcrop, the bleak beauty of a scorched desert or an icescape in which a seal peers impishly into the camera lens.

I don’t think about it much. I assume there is, somewhere in the Microsoft dungeons, a database of pictures that photographers haven’t been properly paid or credited for that is being fed into a program that randomises them and spits one out every 24 hours in an attempt to get users to click on a link that will take them to Bing, bumping up their click-count to, oh… double figures. Possibly because there is an established continuity to new pictures of lovely places arriving on cue in that context, looking for and expecting such content from Instagram users who spend a fair amount of time travelling is a popular way of visiting new destinations vicariously, particularly because you can curate what you see.

All of which makes it fun to mess with their expectations – even if you don’t mean to. In terms of folks who regularly use social media, there are those who use it as more or less live reportage of their day-to-day lives: “This is the glamorous muesli I had for breakfast! This is the fabulous traffic light at which I was stuck for 27 minutes on the way to work! This is a selfie I took at my desk, in which you can see the password for my company server on my computer screen! This is the fish stew Meryl from HR warmed up in the microwave! And this is me realising I left my lights on this morning and am going to need a jumpstart before I can drive home!” Then there are those who save the daft memes their friends send them before recycling them (sustainable internet use!) and who close their eyes, scroll through their gallery app, and poke their finger at random at a picture they took on a whim because a bright colour or the glint of light on a surface caught their eye – they’re starlings with arms and hands, essentially. And that is the material they post on any given day, simply because it came up in their logic-free routine. “So, I see you were in Namibia yesterday.” “Was I?” “Yes – that picture you posted!” “…?” “The photo with the desert rhino in the background. You’re so lucky – I thought they were extinct!” “Um, they might be, actually…” “What do you mean?” “That picture was from 2011. I think it’s stuck with me through seven phone changes and three career changes.” “Ah.” Conservation scandals aside, such haphazard storytelling does seem to bother some people, and, to be fair, not everyone has the opportunity to travel as much as they’d like. But if you’re following such a picture poster on Instagram as a way to experience the world through their eyes, perhaps just imagine that the travel agent who booked your proxy journey was on tik and had booked all the specials on offer for the same week – every week.

Text | Bruce Dennill Photography | Kaspars Grinvalds

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