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MAGIC WANDTHE HOOK, LINE AND

ALLURE OF FLY-FISHING

FAST LANESA’S OLYMPIC ‘TORCH’

CHAD LE CLOS

FAULT LINEIN SEARCH OF OURETHICS QUOTIENT

TRETCHICAMPPRINTS CHARMING AND THE NEW DECOR WAVE

Breguet, the innovator.Invention of the shock-protection device, 1790

Inspired by “subscription watches,” the Tradition 7027BR model daringly symbolizes the Breguet art of watchmaking through a subtle play on trans-parency effects and an eminent contemporary architectural design. It highlights one of Breguet’s most important inventions, the pare-chute, designed to protect the balance pivots in case of impact, it was the fore-runner of all modern shock-absorbing devices. History is still being written ...

www.breguet.com/inventions

TPAR-PrivateEdition_460x290.indd 1-2 21.10.11 14:49

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BMW 6 SeriesCoupé

www.bmw.co.za/6Sheer

Driving Pleasure

BMW. Official vehicle partner to the Springboks.

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The new BMW 6 Series Coupé captures the sporty yet elegant character of a classic coupé in a design so dynamic it seems to move, even when standing still. A wide stance and muscular wheel arches highlight precise handling, while a flowing roofline and elongated proportions suggest effortless power. Even on the inside, elegant curves and top-quality finishes reflect unique refinement and sporty appeal. For more information go to www.bmw.co.za/6

The new BMW 6 Series Coupé is available in 640i, 640d and 650i.

THE NEW BMW 6 SERIES COUPÉ.

PERfORMaNCE aRT.

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http://www.bmw.co.za/6

Each office is independently owned and operated.

DPS.qxp 10/20/2011 03:48 PM Page 1

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10 ED’SLETTERThe theme for this issue is ‘consuming passions’ – not only the ones that sell but those that come with a quest for personal downtime.

14 PSSTBeauty, sparkle, frivolity – gifting and interior decor ideas to suit any time of year. Because you can.

30 STROKEOFGENIUSChad le Clos is SA’s Olympic torch with 23 gold medals won in the FINA Arena World Cup Series.

32 SIMPLYBODACIOUSAn award-winning young sommelier discovers the gift of a fine nose and a discerning palate.

34 HIGHTRETCHICAMP Tretchikoff prints are off the wall and

into the living and dining rooms of a whole new generation.

40 EVENSTEVENS Great wines of the world have low-key origins, and the trick with watches is to sort out haute horlogerie from the high-end wrist adornments.

42 FELLOWSHIPOFTHETREADHow the Old Mutual joBerg2c captures the real spirit of the sport.

46 FAULTLINEAre we hardwired for unethical behaviour or can we be repro-grammed to do what’s right?

50 BMWEUROSTYLETOUR Futuristic cars, energetic young Russians and design, glorious design.

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Al Saville by Craig Kolesky. Post-production: Clone.

Ranked #1 by PricewaterhouseCoopers in Wealth Management

Ranked #1 in the Business Day Investors Monthly Stockbroker Awards for Sophisticated Investors

Our #1 rankings are testament to our select investment services for discerning clients. Backed by

our seamless global investment offering, we cater for your individual investment objectives.

www.investec.co.za/wi

Ranked #1 By Business Day/Investors MonthlyStockbroker Awards for Sophisticated Investors.

Ranked #1 In the 2011 PricewaterhouseCoopers Banking Survey in Wealth Management.

Wea l th & Inves tment

Cape Town 021 416 3000 Durban 031 575 4000 Pietermaritzburg 033 264 5800 Port Elizabeth 041 396 6700 Pretoria 012 427 8300 Sandton 011 286 4500Investec Securities Limited Reg. No 1792/008905/06. A member of the Investec Group. A member of the JSE Limited South Africa. An authorised financial service provider. A registered credit provider Reg. No. NCRCP262.

Wealth ManagementStockbrokingPortfolio Management

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54 BOOKOFTHEMAGICWANDThe art of fly-fishing comes down to anticipation, joy and, yes, the losses.

64 SMARTMOVES MTN SA’s General Manager: Business to Business – Mobile Sales, Victor Rakhale leads on.

68 SLEEKWHEELS Power and performance come standard with these 4X4s. It’s

their style and design that turn heads and hearts. 72 GHOSTCRABS ANDTURTLERUNS The most important visitors to an eco lodge in northern KZN come only once a year.

76 ROUTEDUBONHEUR There’s hospitality. . . and then there’s the Relais & Châteaux red-carpet experience.

78 HIGHSOCIETY Private Edition teams up with Elizabeth Arden and Bunnaha- bhain and Audi launches its A8L. 80 BYTHEWAY Move over lager louts. Real beer connoisseurs will pay nearly R1 500 for a bottle of the best.

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CONTENTS

http://www.sbacher.co.za

19TH CENTURY FRENCH POET Stephané Mallarmé’s ‘Le vierge, le vivace et le bel aujourd’hui’ (literally, ‘The virginal, living and lovely day’) sums up why living in South Africa has singular allure. A slightly clumsy translation would be ‘the not yet tried, what is alive and the beautiful today’. Juxtapose that with an old African proverb: ‘New things lie in front of moving feet’ and you pretty much have the formula for what makes South Africa such a good place in which to live.

Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Stellenbosch and world-renowned researcher/inventor Professor Eugene Cloete (see Private Edition March 2012) could live anywhere in the world with his credentials and expertise. He stays because he believes that SA should be one’s first choice over Australia, New Zealand and countries such as the United Nation’s favourite, Denmark, rated tops for lifestyle and general ‘civilisation’. Yes, of course, the Danes have good beer, free healthcare and college education (and commensurately high tax), loads of castles and great cycling, but is it enough? Cloete says SA’s power and allure lie in our cultural and species diversity, ample space, great light and geological stability that offer us enviable Lebensraum. To that we must add a dash of gung ho spirit, which the Danes might have had in Viking times, but have lost. In SA we have all the opportunity in the world to grow and thrive.

What the Brits have discovered – or any of them that watched Sky News on what makes Germany tick when the UK and many other countries in the EU are at risk of becoming economic basket cases – is that apprenticeships, innovation and inventiveness, coupled with manufacturing excellence, a conservative financial policy and habit of saving money, make a tough act to follow. But you must want to do it. You see this in action when you’re there. On a BMW Eurostyle Tour to Frankfurt and Munich, you come away reeling from the level of technological expertise and creativity evident in many sectors. Arts and design seem to get equal weighting (page 50). BMW naturally has its eye

on electronic cars, zero emissions and fantastic new materials; a porcelain factory that hand-makes figurines for a high-end market of collectors; lighting designer Ingo Maurer who creates low-energy LED wallpaper, and a firm of architects that designs small high-tech, low impact living spaces that really work.

So what of SA? Setting aside the monumental challenges of high unemployment and crime, Cloete is right. We are the arch gap-in-the-market, market-in-the-gap kind of people with sunshine and ample space as incentives on the side. It plays out in SA in a generation of young people, many of whom dodge corporate life in favour of doing their own thing. Vladimir Tretchikoff’s daughter and her business partner (page 34) have launched a new business that takes the late artist’s love of reproduction and the Chinese Lady into interior decor. In the past few months, 19-year-old swimmer Chad le Clos (page 30) has earned multiple gold medals and has just landed a sponsorship from Omega, the official timekeeper for the Olympic Games. On a trip to the far north of KZN, we discover that there are glorious areas of Southern Africa (page 72) that are off-off radar. In a few months’ time, hundreds of Leatherback sea turtles will return, guided by their own primordial satnav, to a patch of beach where they were born and their hatchlings will set off to circumnavigate the earth to complete the cycle. We showcase the sport of fly-fishing and discover that there is much more to it than the catch itself.

‘The not yet tried, what is alive and the beautiful today’... We hope Private Edition tells some of these stories in our pages in every issue.

FROM THE ED’S HEAD

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EDITOR LES AUPIAIS [email protected]

PUBLISHER MARK BEARE

CREATIVE AND FASHION DIRECTOR SUZANNAH GARLAND

MANAGING EDITORDEBBIE HATHWAY

COPY EDITORRIEKIE HUMAN

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER NIC MORKEL 021 488 5926 082 468 6490 [email protected]

ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVES SAMEEGHA SAMAAI 021 488 5938 078 356 9521 [email protected] SIMON TULLY 021 488 5944 083 500 4888 [email protected]

AD SALES COORDINATORSIMONE JACOBS 021 488 [email protected]

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORSMARK BEARE, JOHN MORKEL

HR MANAGERJOLINDA KEMP

ACCOUNTSNAEEMA ABRAHAMS KAUTHAR CERFF ELMON SEARLE

OFFICE MANAGERMARCHÉ JASON

RECEPTIONISTTESSA MBANGA

Private Edition is published by The Publishing Partnership (Pty) Ltd, 9th Floor, Tarquin House, 81 Loop Street, Cape Town 8001. Copyright: The Publishing Partnership (Pty) Ltd 2010. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from The Publishing Partnership or the authors. The publishers are not responsible for any unsolicited material. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of The Publishing Partnership or the editor. Editorial and advertising enquiries: PO Box 15054, Vlaeberg 8018; tel: 021 424 3517; fax: 021 424 3612; email: [email protected]. Reproduction: Hirt & Carter. Printing: ABC Press. ISSN: 2218-063X Private Edition is produced using certified paper from GOLDEAST PAPER CO LTD, an accredited company committed to environmental protection. The paper is made from legally harvested trees using environmentally friendly materials. The supplier is subjected to regular environmental audits.

PRIVATE EDITION IS PUBLISHED BY

We interact with cheetahs

at the Hoedspruit

Endangered Species

Centre (Private Edition March 2012) and begin

to grasp some of the

challenges of conservation

http://www.landrover.co.za

CONTRIBUTORS


Advertising managers share a few things in common. Charm. Intelligence. Financial acumen. Not necessarily in that order. Nic scores on all fronts. He studied marketing and cut his management teeth in retail before joining The Publishing Partnership in 2008. In addition to managing several titles and a dynamic sales team that gets the nuances of the international luxury market, Nic is hands on, target-driven and excited about building long-term relationships with clients who own their brands.

Simone studied advertising and worked for a design studio before joining The Publishing Partnership as ad sales and promotions coordinator in 2007. She recently added the Private Edition production and distribution strings to her bow. In addition to chasing ad material from clients and agencies, Simone manages the demands of the sales team who expect instant gratification, yesterday. Courage under fire is a worthy descriptor for this 20-something, who is calm, organised, systematic and efficient.

Once a journalist, always a journalist. In a career spanning 21 years as a full-time and freelance journalist, public relations practitioner and investor relations specialist, Debbie now loves working in the creative space that pervades the Mother City. Having added managing editor and copy editor to her credentials, Debbie is delighted to rejoin the Private Edition team after seeing it through conception and inception. She brings an experienced editorial eye and a much-valued sense of humour to her role.

Suzannah’s background in fashion and digital design gives her unique insight into fashion sense and trends. She founded her own fashion label and online boutique, Petticoat, and worked as assistant fashion editor on cult magazine Planet in New York. Since then, she has worked as art director on magazines for over a decade. Suzannah managed the creative launch of Glamour in South Africa, is a style contributor on Rolling Stone Magazine SA, and has been creative and fashion director on Private Edition since 2008.

He calls himself the ‘oldest surviving ad exec’ and, with 15 years in the industry, he makes a good point. Simon has always worked on niche magazine titles in the luxury sphere, having an innate appreciation of the intricacies of his clients’ brands. He entered the advertising industry by default, after being headhunted by a top local magazine while working for Lloyd Loom Furniture. Ironically, a birthday numerology reading had already flagged a pending job offer that would change his life forever. And it did.

Sam’s career began in the medical field, ventured into industrial psychology, jumped into retail and settled in media sales. Indecisive? Not really. Some would argue that Sam was being a typical Cancerian. Shy and introverted until she entered retail sales, Sam simply blossomed. Cancerians are good at combining artistry and drive with an understanding of finance, marketing and the needs of the public. Sam’s foray into media began five years ago and she joined Private Edition in January 2011.

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PsstUTTERLY RANDOM AND

OCCASIONALLY TACTICAL

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GRAND SCHEMEHitting the high notes

For centuries, entertainers have relied on melodic piano music to impress guests at an intimate soiree or to woo a woman over a romantic dinner. And for 19th-century ladies of leisure, piano-playing talent was virtually compulsory. A piano’s presence is a request anticipated by personal butlers at the seven-star Town House Galleria in Milan, Italy; simply ask for a grand piano to be moved in to your suite – even just for one night – and your wish will be granted. For those who desire a more permanent musical set-up to adorn their living room, they’ll find it in the award-winning, modern Porsche Design piano created by FA Porsche, the grandson of the legendary car designer. Its metallic lacquer finish mimics the sleek lines of the much-admired cars, merging a contemporary look with traditional Bösendorfer piano-making. The Porsche Design piano has a lightweight lid, which is inserted flush into the piano rim, and is lifted and lowered by a pneumatic spring, gravity compensation system. Cast aluminium legs and moveable aluminium music shelves are some of its standout features. Porsche Design opens at Hyde Park Corner Shopping Centre, Johannesburg, in December 2011. For further information, call 083 212 2389.

Order your

customised piano

on request. This

beauty retails for

R1,2 million

At Virgin Active Classic Health Clubs we prefer to think of VIP as something inclusive. That’s why it’s important that we give all our members the ultimate health club experience. An experience you’ll appreciate from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave. You probably won’t be able to put your finger on it, but you’ll definitely feel it. You could call it special or unique. But one thing’s for sure, it’s absolutely Virgin. And if you really need to label it, try VIP, Branson-style.

Everyone’s a

Virgin Active Classic Melrose Arch, 35 Melrose Boulevard, Melrose Arch, Melrose North, Johannesburg, 011 214 8600Virgin Active Classic Moses Mabhida, Shop 16, Moses Mabhida Stadium, 44 Isaiah Ntshangase Road, Durban, 031 303 5729

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PSST JEWELLERY

CURRENT EVENTColour and light combine to fascinate and mesmerise

Collection Sortilège de Cartier's Eaux Fraîches takes inspiration from a gently flowing stream to reflect the liquid colours of these precious stones. A platinum bracelet is decorated with a single pear-shaped aquamarine, aquamarine beads, engraved moonstones, one Tahitian pearl and brilliant-cut diamonds, strung together as if to reflect the movement of the current. For further information, visit www.cartier.com.


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Capri, St. Barth, Bal Harbour, Beverly Hills, Roma, Sicily, South Africa www.100x100capri.it

http://www.100x100capri.it

PSST WATCHES

WRIST CANDYCarat and chic fit for a night of glamour

[Clockwise from top] Délices de Cartier watch, rhodium-plated 18-carat white-gold set with diamonds R168 000, Louis Vuitton wristwatch with black and white diamonds R585 000, Dior VIII Grand Bal Plissé 38mm automatic limited edition of 88 pieces with dial and bezel set with diamonds R209 700, Omega Ladymatic with Co-Axial escapement with three levels and diamond-paved bezel R113 100, Bedat Haute Joaillerie Extravaganza Collection watch with full diamond pavement, 12 mother-of-pearl segments on the dial and intertwined palladium white-gold cases R794 995, Breguet self-winding timepiece with centre second hand on mother-of-pearl dial, set with diamonds, from the Marine Jewellery Collection R251 800.


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http://www.bentleyapproved.co.za

Eyes are said to be a window to the soul, but at the same time, they’re also a magnifying glass revealing all the visible signs of the skin’s ageing process. We caught up with Joseph A Lewis II for the lowdown on protecting the eye area.

WHY ARE ANTIOXIDANTS, ESPECIALLY IDEBENONE, ESSENTIAL FOR THE EYE AREA?JL: Idebenone and other antioxidants scavenge toxic free radicals from environmental exposure to help prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Idebenone works better than other commonly used antioxidants in skincare products, and received the highest EPF® rating – 95 out of 100. In addition, Idebenone is the only antioxidant that effectively neutralises all three types of free radical assaults. This is especially important for the eye area, which is constantly moving from blinking, expression and even in our sleep – during REM.

WHAT MAKES IDEBENONE BETTER THAN OTHER ANTIOXIDANTS? JL: Idebenone is the only antioxidant in skincare that effectively combats oxidative stress from both extrinsic (external environmental sources of free radicals such as UV light, ozone, air pollution and cigarette smoke) and intrinsic (free radicals produced in the skin itself) sources.Idebenone can act on all levels of free radical damage, working deep within the surface layers of the skin to restore skin’s appearance. There are three types of free-radical reactions caused by oxidative stress. Primary free radicals are unstable molecules created as a result of exposure to environmental assaults. Secondary free radicals are formed as a result of exposure to primary free radicals and tend to damage the protective lipids of the skin. Then there’s also free radical activity that happens within the surface skin cells themselves. Not all antioxidants have the same protective capabilities. Most antioxidants shield from one type of free radical, and a few of the more potent antioxidant ingredients can attack both primary and secondary free radical damage. Idebenone provides the most effective and

highest level of antioxidant protection. In addition to its protective capabilities, it helps to restore and correct skin’s appearance. Furthermore, it supports the skin’s natural repair mechanisms to address the visible effects of past damage.

ANY INSIGHTS ON HEALTHY SKIN IN THE EYE AREA FROM YOUR RESEARCH ON IDEBENONE?JL: Idebenone is good for all areas of the skin, especially for the delicate skin around the eye area which is much thinner and generally the first area of the face to show the signs of ageing as a result of damage accumulation from exposure to UV light and other sources of free radical damage, such as cigarette smoke, pollution, etc.

HOW DO THE ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS WORK TOGETHER WITH IDEBENONE?JL: In addition to Idebenone, we’ve included a number of complementary ingredients that work with it to decrease the appearance of lines and wrinkles, puffiness, dark circles, crepiness, discolourations and sun-damaged skin. We’ve reinforced the formula of PREVAGE® Eye Ultra Protection Anti-aging Moisturizer SPF 15 with a blend of targeted ingredients to support Idebenone and help protect eyes from environmental free radical assaults, dehydration and damage caused by UV rays.

HOW DO YOU USE THE EYE SERUM AND EYE SPF 15 PRODUCTS TOGETHER? JL: For the best results, use PREVAGE® Eye Serum morning and night on a cleansed skin – it provides antioxidant protection and corrects the skin’s appearance. In the morning, follow it with PREVAGE® Eye SPF 15 to moisturise and protect the skin from the sun as well as from harsh environmental aggressors.

HAS PREVAGE® EYE BEEN OPHTHALMOLOGIST TESTED?JL: Yes, both PREVAGE® Eye Advanced Anti-aging Serum and PREVAGE® Eye Ultra Protection Anti-aging Moisturizer SPF 15 have been ophthalmologist and dermatologist tested.


Joseph A Lewis II President and CEO, Pharma Cosmetix Research, LLC

PREVAGE® PRESENTS A NEW VISION OF ANTI-AGEING EYECARE WITH TWO NEW HIGH-PERFORMANCE INNOVATIONS DESIGNED TO DELIVER INTENSIVE CORRECTION AND PROTECTION TO THE LOOK OF SKIN AROUND THE EYES.

SMOOTH MOVESAccording to Tony Vargas, Vice President of Research and Development at Elizabeth Arden, the skin around the eye area is very thin, making it more susceptible to free radical damage from UV rays, pollution and the environment. He adds that UV rays account for over 90 percent of free radical damage generated in the skin and the eye area. PREVAGE® Eye SPF 15 provides broad spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection in addition to the benefits of Idebenone. ‘We created a new technology, which fuses Idebenone with a fatty acid to deliver it to the skin more efficiently. It helps to create a reservoir so the skin can use the Idebenone when and where it is needed most,’ he says. ‘This is particularly important in the eye area as it’s more sensitive and prone to irritation.’

IDEBENONE PROVIDES THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND HIGHEST LEVEL OF ANTIOXIDANT PROTECTION

AN ELIZABETH ARDEN RELEASE

http://www.prevageskin.com


LABEL LURE Cult brands part and parcel of Loom's appeal

Shopping in Parkhurst just got a major boost with the opening of Loom, a new menswear store offering a limited collection of street apparel and high-end fashion. Look out for the handpicked selection of brands that enjoy a devout following, such as Sixpack (from France), Denim Demon (Sweden), Comune (USA) and Denham the Jeanmaker (Holland). There’s your Saturday morning sorted. Loom, Shop 22, cnr 4th Ave and 10th St Parkhurst, Johannesburg. For further information, call 011 447 4330 or visit www.loom.za.com.

PSST FASHION

SMITTEN BY THE SNAKEThis season's irresistible accessories from Cape Cobra

Is it possible to fall head over heels for a little sliver of snakeskin to the point of distraction? At a recent Cape Cobra launch of their latest bags, a steady stream of items put the range right at the top of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The Cape-based global leader in handbag design has spent over 60 years quietly seducing women with bags, totes, clutches and pouches in croc, ostrich, lizard, python and snake. All their skins are strictly obtained under the regulations of CITES (the Conference on International Trade of Endangered Species) and Cape Cobra only trade in captive-bred animals. Where do the handbags go when they leave our shores, you may wonder? Just ask Sandra Bullock, Debra Messing, Jennifer Lopez, Anne Hathaway or her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco. For further information, contact Aoife de Klerk on [email protected] or visit www.capecobra.co.za.

EDWIN: A TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOWStreet cred with fashion bells and whistles

What’s in a name? If Edwin conjures up a slightly effete Englishman with foppish taste in fashion, you’ll have to seriously rethink the image. Firstly, the brand hails from post-World War II Japan, where it was found in a US Military Surplus clothing store called Tsunemi Yonehachi Shoten. Today, Edwin – almost an anagram of denim – celebrates vintage aesthetics across workwear ranges in natural, organic denim; shirting in luxury linen and slubbed cotton with crisp, light poplins in military tones. For women, the brand has a rugged glamour and subtle sex appeal. Shop A02, 27 Somerset Rd, Cape Quarter, Green Point. For further information, call 021 418 1948.

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SOFIA'S CHOICEThis French collection embraces warmer weather and leisure travel.

A Louis Vuitton woman is free-spirited, a woman of the world who does what she enjoys. A woman like film director Sofia Coppola, who inspired the fashion house's 2012 Cruise Collection. A friend of Marc Jacobs, who heads up Louis Vuitton's creative studio, and a firm fan of the brand, it was Coppola's request for a design to wear for the Venice Film Festival in 2010 that sowed the seed for the new line. Feminine, stylish, elegant and effortlessy chic, but not without a hint of youthful rebellion, Coppola was the perfect muse. The Cruise Collection 2012 comprises the ideal vacation wardrobe. The clothes are light and fresh, full of whites and bright colours; the shoes feature loafers and wedges, while the hip bag is a popular classic, chic yet practical. For further information, visit www.louisvuitton.com.

Clockwise, from above: A pretty, simple dress from the 2012 Cruise Collection; inspired by Paris and Sofia Coppola; Chantilly bag in perforated leather; Hide and Seek collar; Saumur bag reinterpreted; Sofia's inspiration board

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PSST LIFESTYLE

ARTISTS TRADE TREASURES Charity art auction for the children

There are awards and then there are rewards. The Delaire Cabernet Sauvignon, which has a five-star rating in the 2011 Platter's SA Wine Guide, forms part of Delaire Estate's Reserve wine range, recently up for auction. It was one of several additional lots offered at a fundraising art auction hosted by the estate to benefit its charity, FACET (For Africa's Children Every Time), and its partnership with the Pebbles Project, created to support vulnerable children of the Winelands. The auction featured donated works from 15 leading local artists and iART Gallery, SMAC Art Gallery and the Goodman Gallery. For further information, visit www.facet-foundation.org.

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SWEET ON SERVICE Cape Town’s Sugar Hotel leaves nothing to be desired

Riaan Vermaak and Marc van Rooyen own the Sugar Hotel in Green Point, Cape Town and recently, Vermaak collected incoming international guests from the airport and chauffeured them to the hotel without revealing who he was. Other small hotels (Sugar has only seven suites) might take a leaf out of his book on service if they want to raise occupancy rates and levels of satisfaction. Vermaak believes this direct line of contact with guests not only surprises and delights them, but yields valuable information too. The ‘news you can use’ principle gathers the kind of data that ends up in a singular experience – just what picky travellers want. Billed as a home away from home, the hotel's rooms offer pool, waterfront or mountain views, and it's so central that hiring a car would be a waste. ‘We believe in detail,' says Vermaak. And that’s what's setting the pace right now. For bookings, call 021 430 3780, email [email protected] or visit www.sugarhotel.co.za.

A MATTER OF GOOD TASTE The Kitchen at Weylandts tables a new shopping experience

Does one get hungry shopping and need to refuel, or is it just really smart to sit, eat slow food and mull over investing in a kitchen table, new chairs and art? Both. Either. Chris Weylandt’s concept of The Kitchen at Weylandts (launched in Durbanville, Cape Town and now also in Kramerville, Johannesburg) epitomises the ‘brand narrative’ of simple and clean design in culinary form, while executive chef Charlene Pretorius enhances the good-living philosophy and sensory experiences with dishes like Cape Malay fishcakes and seared lamb caponata. For further information, call 011 262 4747.

INDOOR, OUTDOOR, OUTSTANDING Take summer lying down with UV Pro’s Outdoor Collection

Discovering that UV Pro Outdoor fabrics score 100 percent in the categories 'colour fast and fade resistant' and 'water and stain repellent', while fending off all attempts at staining by chlo-rinated and sea water, is a bit like learning your favourite Miss Universe really has an MBA from Harvard. Nothing as gorgeous could possibly have a right to be bright on all counts. If you in-vest in really smart outdoor furnishing, it seems a shame that one hot summer leaves it tired and in need of replacement. Not this range. The fabric even breathes, so sitting or lying on it isn’t a sweaty experience. It’s also green-conscious with strictly monitored eco-credentials. UV Pro tips the scales with designs brimful of colour and pattern, and the selection pictured here (from a range called Harvest) is all about the hues of sun-ripened fruit, grains and freshly cut hay. For more information, call Home Fabrics on 011 266 3700.

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http://www.cellini.co.za


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JOBURG'S BEST-KEPT SECRET 10 Second Avenue Houghton Estate – hospitable at heart

Private home or chic boutique hotel? A hybrid, it seems. 10 Second Avenue Houghton Estate could be Houghton’s best-kept secret judging by guests who speak about a 'discovery’ or a ‘surprise’ in their comments. The hotel, which enjoys easy access to the M1, is fast becoming the preferred choice of anyone who wants what a privately owned mansion might offer, com-bined with the service and thoughtful touches of staff who mean it when they say ‘good morn-ing’, ‘no problem' and ‘how can I help you?’ On a late-night arrival, security personnel at the gate has your name and the duty manager smooths the check-in formalities. If you breakfast alfresco, you’re likely to hear the cry of the Sacred Ibis that has made the well-tended gardens a regular fly-by zone. There are 14 luxury rooms and a presidential suite – all with iPod docking stations, Internet access and a full DStv bouquet. Mod cons, old-fashioned principles, proxim-ity. That’s a hospitality hat-trick. For bookings, call 011 853 2400.

STAR ATTRACTION Why royals and the revered stay at the Saxon

The distance between the Saxon’s Hotel’s parking area and the porte-cochere is a scant 80 metres, but it's what sets the hotel apart from many other establishments of its class. On this short chauffeured journey, guests are given a hint of what five star really means. For a hotel to have presence, it needs to go beyond what many other luxury hotels boast – ‘spacious rooms, butlers, spas, top-rated chefs' and so on – which can become a blur of luxury pampering. The Saxon is undeniably grand as a loca-tion and by design. When the 24-suite hotel opened in 2000, interior designer Stephen Falck’s neo-African stamp set a new standard in what African chic was all about – a carefully arranged mise en scène in the colours of winter grass, richly woven and beadedtextures and fabric and furniture on an opulent scale. Add to this an exceptionally well-stocked wine cellar and it’s not surprising that the Saxon has become the meeting point for SA’s captains and kings of commerce and a slew of internationally famous guests.For bookings, call 011 292 6000.

EXECUTIVE SWEET Afternoon Tea at One&Only Cape Town

If you’ve ever been entranced by The Nutcracker's visual mix of dolls, harlequins, drummers and the Sugarplum Fairy, the fes-tive season at One&Only Cape Town will be doubly delightful. The central character of the much-loved ballet, Clara, dreams of the Land of Sweets, which at the One&Only takes the form of a daily Afternoon Tea with plates laden with dainty confectionery. Start-ing at the beginning of December, the afternoon tea in Vista Bar & Lounge will include beautifully decorated cakes, cupcakes fes-tooned with stars, luscious fruit tarts, strawberry pink meringues, traditional European Christmas cookies, macaroons in sherbet hues and cream scones along with bowls of fresh berries, candied almonds, chocolates and a collection of old-fashioned sweets, including nougat, fondant and fudge. If you have no sweet tooth, go savoury with an array of sandwiches and bite-sized pies. Unlimited speciality teas and coffee are included in the price of R145 per person. For bookings, call 021 431 4511 or [email protected].

http://www.desroches-island.com


LALIQUE LTDA fragrance that delivers on promise

Inspired by and created for women, René Lalique’s fragrances are legendary not only for their captivating scent, but also for their presentation in exquisite, ornate bottles. So precious are their designs that an original Lalique perfume bottle is worth close to R250 000. Lalique perfumes are all the more valuable for their limited-edition production. Since inception, each new line has been presented in a signed and numbered crystal flacon. Fleur de Cristal is part of the range created to mark the 150th anniversary of Lalique's birth, packaged in a simple, elegant designer bottle reminiscent of the female form. Citrus and floral scents rest on a base of wood and resins, with a base of cashmeran for extra sensuality. Fleur de Cristal is available exclusively at Woolworths. For further information, visitwww.lalique-parfums.com.

TABLE-TOP GEMSFor those not born with a silver spoon

South African jewellery designer and gemologist Kirsten Goss turns practical necessities into objets d’art with the launch of her Lifestyle Collection. Designed to enhance daily fortification rituals, each piece is executed one at a time with meticulous attention to detail to achieve an immaculate finish and technical precision. Hand-cut handles are eye-catching features of the sugar spoon (matched with a perfectly handcrafted circular bowl), as well as the pickle fork, jam spoon and knife set. An espresso spoon gives a creative kick to artisanal coffee, so your plastic measure will be banished forever once this enters your home. The Lifestyle Collection is the product of Goss’s obsession with all things beautiful and her passion for distinctive craftsmanship that established her in the high-end echelons of contemporary and fine jewellery design. Her signature style combines clean, Scandinavian lines with organic designs to achieve balance in weight and look. Lifestyle Collection pieces start at R1 200 each. For further information, call 031 312 7573 or email [email protected]. TE

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HOME WORKSInnovative design with impeccable pedigree

Office chic goes domestic with the launch of Dauphin Home by Dauphin HumanDesign Group for the style-conscious decorator. Ergonomic, sleek and contemporary designs feature in this new furniture range of occasional chairs, trendy tables and modular living room pieces. The Little Perillo is a funky version of an iconic chair designed by German product designer Martin Ballendat. The spec? Award-winning. Priced at R3 200, the chair recently won the prestigious Red Dot Award, firmly entrenching its cutting-edge design status. The polyurethane make-up in bright and neutral shades makes it great indoors and out.For further details, visit www.dauphin.co.za.

LOOK THE PARTMother Nature's eye for beauty

Fashion accessories right on trend are going green and, this time, eyewear takes centrestage. David Green has taken inspiration from nature for his Hand Made signature line that relies on dried indigenous tree leaves to dictate the pattern on the frame. Fallen leaves are dried and dyed, then beautifully crafted to fit inside a natural, cotton-based acetate material that's handmade in France. Each leaf has individual markings that make every frame design truly unique with its own personality. Find one to match yours in various colours and forms. For further information and the full catalogue, visit www.greeneyewear.com.

PSST DESIGN

http://www.execujet.net

CONSUMING PASSIONS


His charitable work aside, it’s his exceptional performance and leadership qualities that have attracted some of the world’s top brand sponsorships, with Omega watches selecting him as a global ambassador

WHEN THE DIFFERENCE between being a world record-breaking champion or a loser is down to tenths of a second, physical prowess is only a fraction of the story. For 19-year-old world champion swimmer Chad le Clos, it’s about being in the ‘zone’.

After several major wins including five medals at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, gold in the 200m butterfly and 400m individual medley at the Commonwealth Games – with records in both events, his name is popping up in sports headlines around the world, inevitably compared to Olympic gold medallist Michael Phelps.

But being up there is not just about natural talent. It began early on in his life in Durban with the discipline of hard work – ‘lots of hours; lots of graft’. ‘I learnt from a young age to make sacrifices,’ he says, driving home the reality of a sport that right now, weeks before a critical meet in Berlin, demands a punishing schedule of nine double sessions a week (an average session is two hours) with his long-standing coach Graham Hill, former Olympic silver medallist trainer of Terence Parkin.

He admits that in these sessions, he can ‘feel’ immediately if he’s shaved time off his ‘PB’ (personal best), even down to a second, using an uncanny kind of internal clock. What often pumps him before a tough meet is music, but he laughs a little self-consciously at the genre. ‘Well, one of the things I listen to is the theme from Rocky. The boxing connection’s not too

much of a leap.’His unlikely hero is Muhammad Ali; his

inspiration this former champion boxer’s approach to the game outside the ring and well into his battle with Parkinson’s disease. ‘Yes, he did say, “I am the greatest” – but he also said, “hold on. I’m not the greatest. God gave me Parkinson’s... and that was to teach me humility.” He also did a lot for charity.’

You’d think at this level of the sport, Chad would focus only on the golds but he’s an ambassador for CANSA and, particularly, breast cancer awareness (his mother, Geraldine “Jerry” le Clos, is a survivor). His charitable work aside, it’s his exceptional performance and leadership qualities that have attracted some of the world’s top brand sponsorships, with Omega watches selecting him as a global ambassador. They did the same for Phelps. The company knows something about backing the world’s greatest names in sport and with the London 2012 Olympic Games just around the corner, their timing is impeccable.

Ed’s note: At the time of going to press, Olympics hopeful Le Clos had won 23 gold medals to clinch the FINA Arena World Cup overall win and had received Swimming South Africa’s Best Newcomer of the Year Award.

For further information on Chad le Clos, email [email protected].

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Chad le Clos takes one minute and 55,07 seconds to swim 200m butterfly. His talent is described as ‘precocious’. Ferocious is nearer the mark.

Stroke of Genius

Words LES AUPIAIS

CONSUMING PASSIONS


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WHEN ASPIRING IT/ACCOUNTING student Luvo Ntezo moved from a small Eastern Cape town to make ends meet in the Mother City, he had no idea that what began as a job polishing glasses and serving cocktails to sunbathing hotel guests would lead, eight years later, to the position of head sommelier at the five-star One&Only Cape Town.

To Luvo, wine is to food what peace of mind is to a holiday; what practice is to a discipline. For a closer look into this unassuming 28 year old’s success, you need to look at the relationships and friendships he has forged over the years.

Without any prior acquaintance with Luvo, Bizoe estate winemaker Rikus Neethling dropped off a sample bottle of his Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc blend. Months later, Luvo actually opened the bottle to sample it. He admits it was one of the finest bottles of the lesser-known wine he’d ever tasted. ‘I called Rikus and told him: “Your wine is kick-ass”!’

Neethling’s business was struggling, but Luvo liked his personality and professes that ‘the man’s wine had an even bigger one’. Although Neethling is Afrikaans and from a very different set of tracks, ‘there we were together, united by wine,’ says Luvo, who promised to stock some bottles and see if they moved. ‘I was his first client and Bizoe has become so famous since I promoted it.’

The two BBM each other to go out for pizza and watch rugby at Neethling’s farm in Stellenbosch. ‘Bizoe’s business is growing at an alarming rate as the brand becomes known and I like that I was the very first to acknowledge that this guy’s wine is really good.’

So what makes a wine ‘really’ good? The grapes; the soil? Or is it a combination of both with personal alchemy? ‘A wine made by an unhappy winemaker will not make a good wine. I picked that up in Ken Forrester’s wine. You can taste the passion of the people working on the farm.’

It’s a passion that One&Only Cape Town’s MD, Clive Bennett, recognises. ‘Luvo is utterly irrepressible when it comes to his enthusiasm for his job.’ And that’s the mark of a fine vintage.

For further information, visit capetown.oneandonlyresorts.com

The mark of a good wine is being able to taste the passion of the people who made it.

Simply Bodacious

Words EMILIE FROMANT

HQ RESTAURANT AND BAR is a steak restaurant with a menu focused on a single meal of salad,

sirloin and chips. Located on Heritage Square in Cape Town’s city bowl since 2008 with its sister

restaurant, HQ 24 Central, now a welcome addition to Johannesburg’s Sandton dining scene, it is

loosely based on famous Parisian restaurant L’Entrecôte’s homage to meat. Other than how diners

would like their steaks cooked, there aren’t many more decisions to make at HQ. Which allows guests

to focus their attention on the carefully selected list of local wines. Instead of being burdened with

lengthy selections, the concise list introduces guests to a changing array of home-grown vintages

that they would seldom get to sample elsewhere. A sizeable bar area opens onto the Heritage Square

courtyard, where you can savour a cocktail ensconced in a comfortable lounge chair. This area hosts

live music evenings, notably on Friday nights when it is jammed with the Cape Town party set.

Heritage Square, Cape Town100 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town

(t) + 27 21 424 6373(f) + 27 21 424 6374

[email protected] Monday - Saturday

Bar open ‘til late

Sandton, Johannesburg24 Central, cnr Fredman Drive

and Gwen Lane(t) + 27 11 783 0924(f) + 27 11 783 0856

[email protected] Monday - Saturday

Join the trendsetters in great design and great food. - PRIVATE EDITION MAGAZINE


CONSUMING PASSIONS

VLADIMIR GRIGORYEVICH TRETCHIKOFF, a major icon of popular culture, was considered by some to be ahead of his time. Others, openly hostile to his work, considered him no artist at all. Unquestionably, he was a financially successful artist. His wealth accumulated by printing his own works and his Chinese Lady remains one of the most reproduced paintings of all time.

Renowned for ‘bringing art to the people’ by making it affordable and accessible to all, Tretchikoff’s artwork is iconic, passionate, instantly recognisable and – in light of the political and social contexts in which it first flourished in SA – it produces a sense of nostalgia and sentimentality. It may partly account for the phenomenal success of the retrospective exhibition of his works at Iziko South African National Gallery in September this year.

There’s a surprise in store for Tretchikoff fans, old and new: He’s no longer going to remain on your walls, but will join you for dinner, because five years after his death, design elements of his most famous pieces are appearing as homeware and fashion accessories. Natasha Swift, his granddaughter, is the custodian of her late grandfather’s artistic property, and she and business partner Ari Lazarus are behind the new merchandise wave. One can’t help feeling that the print master would be delighted. What better revenge than success – and in 3D. More importantly, the young woman who carries the Tretchikoff banner is fulfilling a dream they discussed decades ago.

Natasha’s parents divorced when she was four years old and her grandfather stepped in as

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Love him or loathe him, he’s back. The late Vladimir Tretchikoff is in print again and in vogue for a whole new generation.

High Tretchicamp

Words EMILIE FROMENT

Photography DAVID BLOOMER


CONSUMING PASSIONS

Ari Lazarus and

Natasha Swift with

homeware items

inspired by the work

of the late artist

Vladimir Tretchikoff’s Lady from the Orient illustrates the artist’s

unconventional use of colour. He spent many years in the East,

where colour reigns supreme, which contributed to him boldly

combining pure colours on the canvas

CONSUMING PASSIONS


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the male figure in her life. ‘My granddad had an indelible influence on who I am today, on my perspective of the world and, most importantly, on how to live an authentic life.’

Beyond Tretchikoff’s material support of his granddaughters, his involvement in their lives took a more poignant direction, particularly in Natasha’s development. Every birthday, she’d make him a card and one year, he said to her: ‘You have a talent and I’d like to give you art lessons. Would you like that?’ Not a man whose offers were easily refused, Natasha quickly agreed that she’d visit him once a week for those. On one summer’s day, they were in his garden selecting a protea for a still life and he asked Natasha what she loved doing more than anything in the world. ‘That’s easy,’ she said, ‘I love to think, talk and write about life and its big, puzzling questions.

‘My grandfather replied: “Then this is what you must do. This is what life’s about; it’s about finding something you love doing so much that you don’t even notice time passing. Something that the mere thought of doing gives you enthusiasm. Something you’d do no matter what you or others think you should or shouldn’t do; regardless of the setbacks you experience, no matter what challenges come your way.”

‘I think he must’ve seen the slightly confused look on my face because he continued: “All my life I’ve loved to paint and that’s what I’ve done. Even when the odds were against me, I’ve continued to do what I love – to paint. When I was young and living in Java after the war, I dreamt of being a world-famous artist and, like many others in those days, I had the American Dream. I wanted lots of money, a house I owned and a Cadillac. So no matter what, I carried on doing what I loved – painting.

“When I was working towards my first exhibition, there were days when I worried that it would be a flop and I just carried on painting. When I was invited to tour America, there were days I worried about not being accepted by the American public, but I simply carried on painting and believing in myself. And you know what? If I look back, everything from the fame to the fortune and the American Dream happened while I simply did what I loved. So, define your dream. Believe in yourself and do what you love, no matter what.”

‘I believe he discovered life’s simple secret,’ says Natasha. ‘When we commit ourselves to an inspiring dream and do what we love to achieve it, some kind of magic happens.’

The magic surrounding the new Tretchikoff wave began with his death in 2006. The 30-something Natasha came home to grieve with her family when Tretchikoff died at the age of 93. ‘At the time, I had no idea I was here to stay for good,’ she says. ‘After years spent hopping around the world and shifting from West to East and back, I hoped to continue my travelling journey of self-discovery.’

The first seeds of the Tretchikoff Foundation were planted after she discovered the immaculately stored boxes of prints from the 60s in her grandfather’s storeroom. Natasha’s imagination began to play with design possibilities, which has resulted in an extraordinary design renaissance of Tretchikoff’s work.

She’s partnered with Ari Lazarus on the project, finding in him the kind of business experience and passion needed to give the business legs. Ari is a passionate entrepreneur with over 18 years’ experience in product development, sourcing and international trade. From his first trip to India as a 20-year-old buying stock for a family business with a R10 000 budget, and thereafter sourcing merchandise in China, Taiwan, Thailand, the US, UK and Germany, he became a homeware buyer for the largest retailer in the Southern Hemisphere, with a total annual category turnover of around R200 million. With a new venture such as The Tretchikoff Project, his strengths in trend forecasting, business strategy, merchandising, marketing and product development will see the business in good stead. ‘I’ll always draw inspiration from time spent in the company of Whitey Basson,’ he reminisces, recalling his time with one of the big boys of SA retail as his blooding in the industry.

The Tretchikoff Project aims to take the artwork into homes on a vast international scale. Tretchikoff’s exotic subject matter, key motifs and vibrant colour palette are being applied to a selection of products, from suede and linen cushions, silk and canvas handbags and lampshades, postcards, stationery and wallpaper to a seemingly infinite range of dinnerware, homeware, giftware, furniture and fashion accessories. Whether it’s Chinese Girl on a clock face, Wild Horses printed on notebooks, Balinese Dancer vamping up a young professional’s boudoir with a lampshade, cushion cover or screen, sophisticated urban consumers will ‘orient, disorient or reorient’ their environments with Tretchikoff’s work. P

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The careful reproduction of past imagery for new purposes will prove a popular way to preserve and reinvent the Tretchikoff heritage. It’s difficult to imagine another artist whose legacy could replenish more life to the interior and fashion industries, because Tretchikoff made it that way. Ari and Natasha are creating collections that fuse appeal, bright colours and monochromatic palettes to translate Tretchikoff’s images and the exoticism that featured prominently in his work.

On one level, The Tretchikoff Project product ranges are set to become decor and fashion statements. On another, it may give rise to a new resurgence of ‘Tretchi-ness’. Either way, The Tretchikoff Project branding is bound to tap into consumers’ emotional responses.

On a more practical note – will the master of all printing be ripped off by unscrupulous copycats, the scourge of designers across the globe? The team has thought through the challenge carefully.

Key contacts in Europe, the UK and the US are being sought to enter into licensing agreements, enabling them to design, manufacture and distribute products depicting the artworks. The design team supporting the project involves talented, local designers such as Francois Irvine from the Haas Collective, Stephanie de Villiers and Dean Westmore. The Tretchikoff Project has adopted a hands-on approach in the conceptualisation, design and shipping of its product range.

Licensing agreements ensure that each product is approved and ‘signed off’ by The Tretchikoff Project prior to production and that every product will bear their official ‘pigeon’ seal. At the beginning of his career at his home in Sea Point, Tretchikoff was sitting with his wife, Natalie, discussing his rejection by the AVA Gallery when a pigeon flew into the apartment. Russian superstition has it that receiving a visit from a bird signifies that one’s luck is about to change for the better. Every day, the pigeon would sit on his easel. The identification number around the pigeon’s leg added up to Tretchi’s lucky number – 13. The stamp of the pigeon will appear on all Tretchikoff works bound for legitimate retail outlets.

Natasha’s long-term plan is to communicate her grandfather’s ethos and spirit through the company’s strap line: ‘Express your passion. Do what you love. No matter what.’

For more information, visit www.vladimirtretchikoff.com.


CONSUMING PASSIONS

The Tretchikoff Project’s product

ranges include decor and fashion

statement pieces, all adorned with

the trademark quirkiness of the

artist’s most famous works

DROPPING NAMES SUCH AS ‘Petrus’ or ‘Jean Moueix’ in polite conversation is anything but pretentious. On the contrary, I had recently invited a top client to a visit at the estate and lunch with Jean Moueix, heir to the Petrus throne. At Petrus, nothing is about the fame of their name and everything is about their passion and dedication to their craft.

ROE (return on ego) is all too often a common denominator at wine estates the world over. In contrast, I’m constantly astounded by the humility one always finds at great estates. In true greatness lies no arrogance, but rather a ménage à trois of passion, humility and superior terroir. This love affair isn’t limited to the great and iconic wine regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy, and estates such as Petrus, but is a common denominator of great estates wherever the wine waxes lyrical about its qualities and not the estate owners. On our own doorstep, we also find these qualities of humility, hospitality and passion in icons of our industry such as Johann Krige (owner) and Abrie Beeslaar (winemaker) of Kanonkop, South Africa’s equivalent of a First Growth.

The complexity of truly great wines rests

in its many levels of primary, secondary and tertiary characteristics, as does the confidence of truly great winemakers. When next confronted by an array of bottles plastered with cheap stickers boasting numerous awards and accolades, my advice is to leave them on the shelf and reach for the bottle wearing nothing but its label.

In truly great wines like Bordeaux’s First Growths, Burgundy’s Domaine de la Romanée-Conti or our own Kanonkop, their many awards and accolades lie on the inside of the bottle. But then again, truly great wines are borne of truly great winemakers humbled by the greatness of their art. All too often estates’ PR officers conveniently forget to mention the circumstances surrounding an award. While some call it creative marketing, I call it cheap tactics. So always ask in which category a wine was judged. A more colourful character than I once said: ‘Ay, there’s the rub.’

It’s said that those who can’t afford great wine, rate it, score it and talk about it. Those who can afford it, drink it. When they do, there should be ritual attached. Great wine should always be decanted, be it red, white

or Champagne. After all, they’re quite simply wines – irrespective of colour or bubble. Old vintage reds are decanted for sediment, but should be drunk soon after as the tannins would’ve dissipated, causing the wine to oxidise faster. Younger reds are decanted to allow the wine to breathe and therefore open to reveal itself in all its splendid glory. White wines aged in new oak, such as Chardonnay, acquire a high amount of tannin from these barrels and should be decanted for the same reason.

Don’t be afraid to decant your top-end bubblies; French, of course. A truly great bottle of Champagne such as the iconic Clos des Goisses (one of the greatest Champagnes ever produced, according to Sotheby’s Fine Wine department), can age 100 years or more. And it’s just a wine; a wine with bubbles. Decant! It takes this Champers four days to dissipate its bubbles – one hour in a decanter is but a blink of an eyelid; but wow, what a flavour it has to give after catching its breath. Santé.

For further information, visit internationalwines.co.za.

Irrespective of colour or bubble, they’re quite simply wines.

Decanting Passions

Words STEVEN LACK

Photography FIONA ROYDS/INFIDELS

EVEN STEVENS: INVESTMENT


Behind an iconic label

lies the real worth of

the wine: the passion,

the humility of the

family and winemaker,

and a naturally

superior terroir

http://www.internationalwines.co.za

IN THE WORLD OF SWISS-MADE mechanical timepieces and fine watchmaking (Haute Horlogerie), the term ‘complication’ refers to a chronograph function, a moon phase, additional time zones and the like. A ‘Grande Complication’ is however a really expensive, complicated watch. Famous brands and their movement designers create them to show off their skills as watchmakers and to satisfy the passion of the crème de la crème of collectors. Horologists speak in reverent tones of three ‘Grandes Complications’: the minute repeater, the tourbillon and the perpetual calendar. Any of these complications and combinations thereof will skyrocket the price of the watch.

The minute repeater is a watch with a striking mechanism that was invented long before electricity and allowed the wearer to ‘hear’ the time in the dark. With different sound effects, it will strike the hour, the quarter hour and the minutes. A minute repeater is often considered to be the king of complications.

French watchmaker Abraham-Luis Breguet invented the tourbillon at the turn of the 19th century. Its function is to reduce the influence of gravity on the accuracy of the watch

mechanism by mounting the balance wheel and its tiny components into a cage that rotates on its own axis. Few craftsmen master the art of assembling and regulating a tourbillon.

The perpetual calendar is a mechanism that automatically takes into account the different number of days per month as well as leap years. Most perpetual calendars will be based on the Gregorian calendar and will not need setting of the date for more than a century. An additional complication is the secular perpetual calendar, which even adjusts the exceptional years.

Which watch is considered to be the most complex and complicated one ever made? The opinions are divided, but three current masterpieces are always on the top of the collectors’ list: Patek Philippe’s Calibre 89 (pocket watch), Franck Muller’s Aeternitas Mega 4 and Jaeger LeCoultre’s Hybris Mechanica à Grande Sonnerie.

Regarding the number of complications, the Aeternitas must be first with an unchallenged 36 complications (1 483 components), followed by the Calibre 89 with 33 (1 728 components) and the Hybris Mechanica à Grande Sonnerie with 26 (1 300 components).

Only four models of the Patek Phillipe Calibre 89 (valued at approximately R45 million each) have been made since its presentation in 1989, commemorating the 150th anniversary of this exclusive house. The Franck Muller Aeternitas took five years to develop and only two watches have been delivered to date (one per year), valued at R25 million each. The first collector who took delivery of his Aeternitas Mega 4 in 2009 requested the case to be pavé set with baguette-shaped rubies (all of different size to perfectly embrace the curves of the case), which could have added another R2- to R3 million to the price. The mere R18 million for the Jaeger Le Coultre Hybris Mechanica à Grande Sonnerie seems something of a bargain when one considers that inclusive in the price are two more complex watches at no extra cost, the Hybris Mechanica à Gyrotourbillon and the Hybris Mechanica à Tryptique.

Who wears them? Only the houses may know and the owners’ identities are kept tightly under wraps. The watches may never be worn, but kept simply for the secret pleasure of having something that is the alchemy of both art and science.

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A collector’s treasure; wear it if you dare.

Vive La Grande Complication

Words STEVE KOCHER

Photography FIONA ROYDS/INFIDELS

EVEN STEVENS: INVESTMENT


Scoring full marks

for aesthetics

and sought-after

complications ( a

staggering 1 483

components) alike,

the Franck Muller

Aeternitas Mega 4 is

arguably a work of art

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THE SMART WAY TO JOIN THE RUSH from Gauteng to KwaZulu-Natal’s south coast is in air-conditioned luxury by car or winging it 10 000m above sea level. So when 600 men and women abandon the comfort of a leather seat for an unforgiving saddle, and horsepower for pedal power, you are almost forced to question their sanity.

What then makes successful, otherwise discerning, individuals swop bespoke suits for body-hugging spandex, spacious homes for two-man tents and four wheels for two?

The pull of mountain biking endurance on the nine-day Old Mutual joBerg2c is the lure. At 910km, it is the longest paired stage race in South Africa. And it’s no ordinary race.

‘It’s all about a different challenge…

of getting out of your comfort zone,’ says David Coutts-Trotter, chief executive of Sun International and two-time alumnus of the event. ‘That and the amazing camaraderie and spirit of the event – it has a very special atmosphere,’ he adds.

In May, Coutts-Trotter was among the intrepid riders who set off on the two-wheeled journey from Heidelberg just south of Johannesburg to the resort town of Scottburgh. As they crossed the rural heartland of the country, the riders were granted access to a string of over 90 private farms spanning the agricultural spectrum.

From the northeastern Free State, the riders made their way over the escarpment and along the foothills of the Drakensberg before

descending into the magnificent Umkomaas River Valley en route to the Indian Ocean. ‘It really is a fabulous route with some of the very best riding available,’ says Coutts-Trotter, who was determined to finish this year after health problems saw him miss three days of the inaugural event.

He says the physical challenge quickly becomes a mental one and therefore the support of your riding partner becomes critical. ‘I must say that I managed to remain fairly positive throughout, despite two hard falls. As you’re going down the feeling of dread is awful.’

Coutts-Trotter is just one of a growing number of top executives who use mountain biking as an escape from the stress of their high-pressure existence. ‘I don’t think about

You can break a bone, your carbon-fibre frame, even the record; but drama aside, the Old Mutual joBerg2c is about the spirit of the sport.

Fellowship of the Tread

Words COETZEE GOUWS

Photography KELVIN TRAUTMAN

HEALTHY RETURNS


An unusual sight on the Old

Mutual joBerg2c, where

smooth-flowing single track

is a hallmark of the race

4 9 ISSUE 14 P R I V A T E E D I T I O N 4 3

business when I’m on the bike. It helps to get very involved in the route and its stats.’

Punted by some experts as the ‘new golf’, mountain biking attracts high-net-worth individuals like Coutts-Trotter who can afford to indulge in what can be an expensive hobby.

For example, ‘A carbon-fibre, dual-suspension, 29-inch-wheel frame is a good start,’ says Sean Badenhorst, editor of TREAD magazine. ‘It’s more costly than aluminium, but lighter and sexier.’

Badenhorst recommends lightweight wheels and suspension forks, followed by a top-of-the-range groupset (gears, brakes and so forth) as the next must-have items on a rider’s wish list. ‘After that, it’s pretty much what you wear – like a super-light helmet, eyewear with

photochromic lenses and the most technically advanced clothing, shoes and gloves available.’ All this will set a rider back a cool R80 000.

Blessed with good weather and varied terrain, South Africa is hallowed ground for mountain bikers. With 25 mountain bikes sold for every road bike, the local market is positively booming.

Badenhorst, who has more than 20 years’ riding and racing experience, says one can spot a mountain biker by his all-terrain vehicle with bike rack. ‘He plans his year around mountain bike trips or certain major races. He usually has scratches on his arms or legs from pushing the limits on his last ride, and sometimes has his arm in a sling as a result of discovering where those limits are.

‘He’s a family man, and quite health-conscious, but likes a beer as a post-ride recovery drink. He’s either in middle or top management, or a business owner.’

That being said, Badenhorst acknowledges that women make up 40 percent of the market, although they’re less likely to fit the stereotype. ‘South Africans by nature are generally adventurous and competitive. Mountain biking combines these two elements perfectly.’

Badenhorst attributes the growth of the discipline to two catalytic events – the establishment of the MTN National Marathon Series in 2003 and the Absa Cape Epic a year later. ‘The former gave the sport a year-round structure while the latter stimulated the creation of other stage races like the joBerg2c.’

HEALTHY RETURNS

[Above] A rider crosses the mighty Umkomaas River on a semi-suspended floating bridge, another world-first by the organisers of the Old Mutual

joBerg2c. [Above right] ‘Having a riding partner gives you a witness to the suffering, a companion when you need one and someone with whom to share

the reward (and a beer) on completing a stage race’ – TREAD magazine editor, Sean Badenhorst


HEALTHY RETURNS


The Old Mutual joBerg2c attracts not only professionals vying for the R330 000 prize purse that – given the outlay on bikes, gear and gadgets – is more payback than prize; but also social riders out for the adventure of a lifetime. The average age of participants is 43.

‘The freedom of riding a bicycle in the bush is something many South Africans enjoyed as kids,’ says Badenhorst. ‘Events like the joBerg2c let them return to that place, literally and figuratively.’

Riders’ childlike enthusiasm is often channelled into grown-up gadgets that monitor performance. These include extremely accurate, but expensive, power meters and slightly more affordable GPS units.

Measuring every ride in terms of distance, time, heart rate and power output is generally the preserve of those Badenhorst calls ‘dirt roadies’ – recent converts from the more goal-orientated discipline of road cycling. ‘Unlike road cycling, where the tar is predictable and, well, boring, mountain biking throws up a surprise around every turn. This makes conquering a stage extremely satisfying.

‘Conquering nine in succession makes the joBerg2c a rather exclusive and memorable journey that can be life-changing.’

He says the ‘puncture factor’ is what separates dirt roadies from the mellower mountain bikers, who ride for fun and freedom. ‘They expect to puncture at some point and

when it happens they use the opportunity to chat to their buddies, drink some fluid, munch an energy bar and take in the scenery. When a roadie punctures, you’d think it’s the end of the world!’

Something of a purist himself, Badenhorst believes too much gadgetry can be a distraction from the simple joys of the ride and the thrill of mastering often unpredictable and rugged terrain. ‘It’s quite liberating to get lost and unlost occasionally…’

To join the ride in 2012, visit www.joberg2c.co.za, follow joberg2c_journo on Twitter or like the joBerg2c page on Facebook.

HEALTHY RETURNS

DION FORSTER, WHO HOLDS A PHD IN Cognitive Neuroscience and specialises in ethics development, sustainable business growth and coaching for sustainable success, has a fascinating explanation for human behaviour: ‘Decision-making largely takes place in the very primitive – or reptilian – region of the brain, from where all survival instincts emanate.’

He believes that, when you walk into a room full of people, the reptilian brain goes primal. The rapid thought process is: ‘Can I eat it or will it eat me?’ (Survival). ‘Can I mate with it or will it mate with me?’ (Procreation and continuation of the species). Then the recognition loop kicks in: ‘If I can’t eat it, and I can’t mate with it, do I recognise it?’

What sets our brain apart from that of a fish or a dog is the desire to go past mere survival to efficient survival; and that can translate into excesses, avarice and an ethical lassitude. So our morals and values can be overridden at the touch of our reptilian button. The primal could set off this thought process: ‘If I manage to re-route some of the funds in the company to my account, I’ll have more disposable income, with which I’ll be able to buy designer clothes and a flashy car. I will, perhaps, then be more desirable to a mate…’ It all comes down to basic, basic instinct.

However, most people still believe that, faced with an ethical conflict, they’d take the moral high ground rather than respond to a natural urge. Forster thinks differently. He says our brain lies to us and we have learnt what he calls ‘predictably irrational’ behaviour. He sketches a scenario to prove his point: Suppose you’re at work, your partner phones and says your child needs a red pencil for a project due the following day. ‘Can you

bring one home?’ your partner asks. Would you feel a twinge of conscience about taking a pencil from work? In a survey, 30 percent felt no remorse.

Forster takes it further. Suppose you go to the cupboard and there aren’t any red pencils. Your child is in tears. You know you can buy a pencil on the way home, but you don’t have any cash. The petty cash box is in the cupboard and is open. Would you ‘borrow’ 70c to buy the pencil? Ninety percent of people surveyed said they couldn’t. ‘We’ve been socialised to think that taking money is theft,’ he says. ‘ Stealing pencils is what a good parent would probably do, but they don’t steal money. We call it “predictably irrational” behaviour.’

Forster spends a lot of time helping leaders in business, education, politics, government and religious institutions to understand that their instincts, their ‘predictably irrational’ choices, are short-sighted and destructive. ‘I believe we need more people who have the courage, wisdom and guidance to search for the wisest ways of doing business, leading political systems and supporting moral development.’

Can one be ‘slightly unethical?’ Is it okay to take a ‘duvet day’, copy a music CD or park in a bay for the disabled for a few minutes? Albert Einstein answered that rather pithily: ‘Relativity applies to physics not ethics.’

The question around the moral fibre of big business is certainly not new either. As far back as 1906, Ambrose Bierce defined corporation as ‘An ingenious device for obtaining profit without individual responsibility’ – in his satirical reference book, The Devil’s Dictionary.

But is unethical behaviour becoming more widespread? Cynthia Schoeman, MD of Ethics

Monitoring and Management Services and a key player in customised consulting and training to improve ethics in organisations, has coined the term ‘ethical fault line’.

She believes that ongoing incidents of unethical behaviour in the public and private sector in South Africa, as well as in other countries, has made ethics an ‘in your face’ issue.

Schoeman believes that ethical breaches have eroded corporate trust with far-reaching consequences. It’s not just the feel-good factor about having good principles – workplace ethics have become non-negotiable. Organisations deemed to have a high ethical status will, she adds, generate greater confidence among their investors, earn customer loyalty, lubricate access to capital and attract top talent – all of which will improve competitive advantage. That’s a challenge to the classic one-liner attributed to Milton Friedman that ‘the business of business is business’. In place of this single bottom line is the triple bottom line: economic, social and environmental.

Forster says a lack of spiritual intelligence – or having a low spiritual quotient (SQ) – is largely responsible for what can be termed amoral behaviour. He illustrates the difference between ‘intellectual quotient’ (IQ) and ‘emotional quotient’ (EQ) by using a game of chess as an analogy.

IQ: This is the person who knows the game inside out. An MBA graduate would have great business IQ. He knows every move and is technically skilled.

EQ: This person not only knows the game’s moves (or enough of them to play), but also how to read the environment and their opponents, and often wins by playing ‘around’ the rules.

Are we living and working on the edge of an ethical fault line? Is unethical behaviour deeply ingrained in us – or can something be done to avert an ethical earthquake resulting in an economic tsunami?

Fault Line

Words KATHY MALHERBE

IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATION



IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATION

People with a high SQ, however, are wise enough to know that there are times when the game doesn’t matter. For example, if you’re playing chess with your six-year-old daughter and have a high SQ, you wouldn’t clear her pieces off the board in two minutes and gleefully announce: ‘Checkmate!’

Forster says, ‘People with a high SQ can transcend the rules that bind them. Nelson Mandela, for example, rose above the apartheid laws. As a lawyer, he understood the law well (IQ), he was also very adept at understanding how to work in spite of the law (EQ), but he chose a different path – by introducing empathy and compassion and rallying people behind the cause of living towards a new reality. ‘Such SQ is the basis for having strong ethics,’ he says.

Schoeman feels that a fourth dimension should be added to the three quotients – a Work Ethics Quotient (WEQ). ‘In short,’ she says, ‘it involves moral choices: right/wrong, good/bad.’ She describes it as ‘obedience to the unenforceable’ – your conscience or personal moral values will be the primary guideline. It’s similar to what Forster calls ‘altruistic hedonism’ – making sure you look out for the greater good of others while also taking care of yourself.

Empathy’s the handbrake when you’re accelerating into instant gratification and selfish behaviour; so is self-mastery and restraint. This doesn’t mean a hair shirt and masochistic self-deprivation, but balancing the rewards against the effect on others. The cost of ethical failure to victims is huge, adding to public outrage. Plundered pension schemes, the concept of fracking in the Karoo and oceanic oil spills come to mind. So, it’s not just about ‘Giving a Damn, Making a Difference’ – the slogan for Schoeman’s company, Ethics Monitoring and Management Services. It’s about public pressure too.

Both Schoeman and Forster are emphatic that an unethical business is not sustainable. Enron and Tyco International in the US are perfect examples of ethical myopia caused by the desire for short-term gain. They may have reported huge profits and returns for shareholders in the last quarter of their existence, but their business practices were short-sighted and unethical, and disaster followed quickly. ‘Think of ethical behaviour as a good farmer knowing that for long-term sustainability, he must leave land fallow for a period of time,’ says Forster.

So, is there a global definition for ethical behaviour? Schoeman says that workplace ethics amounts to doing what is good and right for

the company and for stakeholders affected by the company’s operations. This is in line with the founder of the Institute for Global Ethics Dr Rushworth Kidder’s research (1995), which identified a common set of five principal values: truth/honesty, respect, responsibility, fairness and care/compassion.

Surely that’s not such a big ask? Patently, it is. And that’s why Transparency International’s 2010 Global Corruption Barometer states that one in four people surveyed worldwide report paying bribes in the last year. The public sector scores abominably in their 2010 Corruption Perception Index. On a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is highly corrupt and 10 clean as a whistle, only a quarter of the 178 countries surveyed scored above five. Singapore, New Zealand and Denmark came out squeaky clean with a score of 9,3. South Africa had an epic fail at 4,5.

Schoeman maintains that not only internal principles, but also good leadership, are the most powerful influences on ethics. Surely it doesn’t help then that many of our public service leaders have CVs that look more like rap sheets, with corruption, nepotism, bribery, bigotry and misappropriation of funds the order of the day? ‘Yes,’ says Schoeman, ‘I think people who would not normally behave ethically can descend to “lowest common denominator” behaviour when they see their leaders – powerful role models who should set and entrench ethical standards – behave unethically.’

A noteworthy difference between private- and public-sector corruption in South Africa is that the former is mostly held accountable for its actions or the actions of the organisation. Public figures often land up being given long periods of paid leave or are transferred to another post.

The public sector is notoriously corrupt in many countries, but just how bad is the ethical health of companies in South Africa? Schoeman believes it’s getting worse (backed up by feedback from her workshops and lectures). Moral and altruistic tendencies of companies are no longer trusted. Which is why in 2008, new provisions of the South African Companies Act were introduced stating that every state-owned, listed public company or any other company that scores a certain number of public interest points must establish a social and ethics committee by May 1, 2012. The committee must be fairly heavyweight in terms of the Act and requires the company to monitor efforts to reduce corruption and prevent unfair discrimination. Big Brother will be watching. One can’t help but wonder who

will be watching Big Brother?Big business also has a major influence

on ethics. The vast revenues that many global corporations generate and control eclipse that of some national governments. ‘These can easily exceed the GDP of smaller states. Zimbabwe, for example, is a fiscal minnow with a GDP of R45 318 million against Walmart with an annual revenue of R3 428 billion,’ says Schoeman.

How do you change the ethical status of a company? According to Schoeman, it’s imperative to conduct a survey with the company’s stakeholders to assess the business’s ethical status (and therefore sustainability). Schoeman uses a web-based survey, the Ethics Monitor, to measure a company’s ethical status. ‘It’s a listening exercise, not a disciplinary exercise.’ She says it identifies and prioritises areas of ethical strength and vulnerability, and succeeds in part because of its anonymity and confidentiality (no passwords or identification.)

Then comes the most difficult part for some organisations – getting past what may appear to be counter-intuitive. It’s called ‘sharing the bad news’. Schoeman believes that if the organisation is bold enough to share bad news, portray ‘dignified humility’ and take meaningful action to rebuild trust in the organisation, it will start to improve confidence and trust in the leadership.

Whether companies choose to apply the theory of the triple bottom line, adopt the principle of altruistic hedonism or succumb to external pressure, there’s no doubt the rumblings are registering alarmingly on the ethical seismograph. The choice is to head for a higher moral ground, or face the inevitable wipe-out.

Dr Dion Forster: 083 456 4855,[email protected] Schoeman: 082 821 3729;[email protected] P

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‘Think of ethical behaviour as a good farmer knowing that for long-term sustainability, he must leave land fallow for a period of time.’

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Robust Russians, inscrutable Chinese buyers, Michelin-star food, small space chic, i-sportiness, porcelain princesses and ice bars. No, we were certainly ‘not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy.’

It’s E-lectrifying

Words LES AUPIAIS

2011 BMW EUROSTYLE TOUR




Above: Ruth Gurvich’s delicate

design sensibilities are captured

in a contemporary style. These

geometric paper models are

impressive enough on their own;

then they’re reinterpreted in

luminous white porcelain

Opposite: The light fantastic, cour-

tesy of Ingo Maurer GmbH, winner

of the Design Award of the Federal

Republic of Germany. This page, top:

Haak and Hopfner’s micro-compact

home, an incredible 2,6m cubed. It’s

location adds to the fairy-tale look,

perfectly in sync with its surround-

ings. Inside, clever lighting with the

latest materials enhanced the decor

IT’S AN INTERESTING EXPERIENCE having 11 Russians on a media trip with you. They come with extreme youth, flexible timekeeping, flash hairdos, cast-iron livers and a translator who manages, with only a three-second lag, to paraphrase all key conversations and interviews.

It was mildly disconcerting hearing it though, because there was this constant foreign echo like being connected to a crossed trans-Siberian party line. We looked at each other curiously. There we were, the SA contingency, well into our Rainbow Nation thing, and armed with two beautiful young women, one of whom was Zulu and the other Xhosa. They dressed stylishly and wore designer shoes. One of them had real, natural braids and solemnly told us of her nervousness about walking in downtown Johannesburg on account of ‘hair-jackers’. Hair-jackers? You can’t accuse SA of lacking micro-enterprise initiative, legal or not. We had living, breathing street cred, our group.

The Russians weren’t quite sure what to make of us, nor we of them. Take Sergei (30 years old, if he’s a day), who spoke perfect English and owns not one, but two apartments in Moscow – one inherited from his parents and the other he had bought and rented out. Emerging? Perhaps more previously advantaged and now very emerged. There seem to be a lot more Sergeis about. The Russian market represents a sizeable chunk of what’s good on BMW’s global bottom line and what these journalists write filter back to a market that can’t get enough of the 5 and 7 Series, and anything with an X in its numbering.

Russia’s millionaires and billionaires are also ‘on a Rolls’, so to speak, with perhaps their children responsible for the 100 percent growth in the Mini market. They’re not the only cherry in the economy for the company. At the 2011 IAA Motorshow, Richard Carter – Rolls-Royce director of global communications – offered a fascinating snapshot of this market.

If you’re sick of the very word ‘recession’, because it affects you daily, you may be a tad dismayed to know that it’s just a rumour in some circles. Rolls-Royce has just celebrated another record year of sales, driven by a distinctly dragonish, rather than bullish market. Sales in China were up a staggering 57 percent in 2010, but have slowed to a modest 40 percent this year. Other industries should be so lucky. Carter deftly slices the Rolls market into the drivers and the driven with the Ghost very much a hands-on-the-wheel luxury car and the Phantom the choice of the Mr Big. This sector of the Chinese

elite ‘static test drive’ their Rollers by bundling the chauffeur up front and then slipping into the back seat, shutting the door with an almost imperceptible thunk and emerging 15 minutes later, inscrutable but impressed enough to sign on the dotted line.

Danish brand guru Martin Lindstrom is big on selling consumer goods via the five senses, a kind of a 3D, surround-sound experience. Perhaps this Chinese version of the ‘five-sense experience’ meant that the potential buyer sat transfixed at the finishes, played with the gadgets, inhaled the ‘new car’ smell and, in the absence of any engine sound, hummed a little Mandarin version of ‘vroom-vroom’. As for taste – one hoped it was strictly metaphorical. Like the French expression for window shopping, lèche-vitrine (meaning to ‘lick the windows’).

The IAA show itself was a visual orgy of concept cars for anyone curious about what 2013 will bring. It was pit stop one on the BMW Eurostyle Tour and, for our group, the motor manufacturing industry version of getting golden circle tickets at a rock concert. Here it meant track-side seats at the premiere and exposure to Bavarian machinery, Mini Cooper and Rolls-Royce at their most avant garde. We expected eco savvy from the new generation BMWs and the Mini E, but what was also showcased at this year’s show was something of a surprise – the Rolls-Royce Phantom 102 EX. It was a curious thought, a Rolls-Royce driver gnawing anxiously at his lip about zero emissions, but it seems that there’s a luxury market that isn’t all rock stars, sheikhdom and old-fashioned landed gentry.

Three models were revealed at the show that chairman of the BMW board Dr Norbert Reithofer said captured ‘the spirit of the time as well as the world in which we want to live tomorrow’. One was the BMW i3 Concept, a fully electric vehicle cloaked in some seriously green credentials and designed for metropolitan mobility. It’s now not enough to be emission-free. The vehicle should also be made of revolutionary materials and production itself must be sustainable.

BMW also dangled, in front of the over 13 000 journalists and 850 000 visitors to the show, a tempting i8 sports car, a plug-in hybrid model that’s a combination of minimal fuel consumption and maximum driving pleasure dressed in aluminium and carbon fibre (made at a plant where, naturally, only hydroelectric power is used). It looked more like a racetrack star than a roadster in design and has to be the equivalent of guilt-free chocolate ganache; all the



major upsides and none of the guilt associated with consumption. The company also revealed its laser headlight technology that uses half the energy of its LED predecessors and directs light where the driver needs it. Board member Dr Klaus Draeger made a witty comment at the premiere on what it means to have real motoring mojo: ‘When you see these lights in your rear-view mirror, you’ll know immediately what kind of car is about to pass you.’

The i8 has gull-wing doors which, at this stage of design, are mostly transparent. A few women pursed their lips at the leg-exposure factor. Most men applauded. If fiddling with satnav buttons and mobile phones tend to crank up accident rates, then one can only imagine that a B-grade Hollywood starlet in flash mode driving either an i3 or i8 would pretty much guarantee a cluster unfall of epic proportions on the autobahn.

Adrian van Hooydonk, senior VP of BMW

Group Design, who shared a rare lunch break with the group after the premiere, hinted that, of course, there would be modifications to the concept car by the official launch date in 2013. Still, it would be rather a pity to put the small issue of privacy before such fine design. A car should have ‘natural presence’, said Hooydonk, and that’s what the new BMW 6 Series Coupé has in spades. It’s a dream car with ample boot space, which was a bit like discovering that your McDreamy not only had looks, ample means, integrity, sex appeal, sporting prowess and impeccable taste in clothing, but also an IQ and EQ of 165. That wasn’t far off the car’s new role in spy thriller Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, starring Tom Cruise. We all know what Cruise will do – tension about the jaw, his own stunts and the odd blinding smile – it’s the car that will no doubt surprise and delight.

On the surprise and delight factor, the five-day EuroStyle Tour delivered daily.

Top: BMW’s i8 plug-in hybrid

sports car with gull-wing doors

has ‘natural presence’, helped by

the fact that the doors are almost

see-through. Above: A delicate

trinket produced at Porzellan

Manufaktur Nymphenburg

PH

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Above: Luxurious fabrics underpin

Escada’s ranges. We went to the

source of inspiration to see the

transformation of fabric that drove

a new season’s icon

Above: The Bayerischer Hof Blue

Spa Roof Terrace and Ice Bar hits

the spot. These handsome hounds

help create the perfect atmosphere

for a bit of trendy Siberian chic at

the hands of Horst Wittmann and

Konstantin Landuris


Ingo Maurer was our host for a tour of the Ingo Maurer GmbH showroom in Munich. It was a bit like being shown around Hollywood Studios by Clint Eastwood. Here was a man who was the recipient of the Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany – Oscar-esque in the world of design – the man behind some of the most extraordinary lighting designs in the world, talking about his love of fire and the early source of inspiration in his nearly five-decade long career.

We saw the first LED wallpaper, marvelled at the microns-thin gold leaf on a lampshade that filters light in a blue, ethereal glow and the first light bulb hologram, homage to the ‘death’ of the old heat-generating and energy sapping icon of the 20th century now banned by the EU. Maurer mourns its passing, but embraces what the new world demands. All around the showroom there were lights of fantastic dimensions, materials, shape and form. Here, light became art.

A few hours before Maurer’s light walkabout, we’d watched a young woman at the Porzellen Manufaktur Nymphenburg paint fine gold strokes on a handcrafted figurine with what appeared to be three brush hairs. The pretty porcelain figurine, no more than 20cm high, would eventually sell for the equivalent of R185 000. A few steps back in the process, we’d watched a man the size of an Olympic shotputter, rhythmically and hypnotically wetting then slapping porcelain clay on a wheel, and then, later, followed the material’s miraculous transformation to handcrafting. The figurines are centuries-old classics, but here also was the work of contemporary artist Ruth Gurvich, whose geometric paper models were reinterpreted in luminous white porcelain. To innovate, create and delight collectors has been the manufacturer’s design ethic since 1747, but it could be the rallying cry of all the designers, architects and craftspeople on this tour.

Architect of several global icons Randall Ringer believes that brands are built through coherence, ‘through the sum of many parts that fit together’. Add that to Lindstrom’s concept of ‘brand sense’ and you have a singularly effective way to seduce us into falling for anything from cars to couture and cuisine.

It’s this onslaught of sense-uality that often coloured the tour. On fashion, it wasn’t enough for us to see the Escada season’s range in a showroom. We tracked back to the source of inspiration, ran our hands over the bolts of luxurious fabric that drove a new season’s icon, watched the draft and redrafts of a single sleeve

to perfect a line. Shame on anyone of the opinion that fashion is frivolous.

The five-day tour was punctuated by roughly 22 hours of eating. One is tempted to groan about the weighting, but it would be churlish to suggest we might’ve turned even a forkful away. There were at least five such exceptional gastronomic experiences that deserved bucket-list status. The light, the architecture and the menu at Brasserie im Literaturhaus in Munich; Landhaus Tanner in the Bavarian countryside for its simplicity and charm; and Dallmayr in Munich, for their rack and salami of venison, blackcurrant cream and chanterelles, as well as the eatery’s live crayfish that spend their last days before thermadoring swimming in a white marble fountain.

Then there was breakfast by Irish chef Shane McMahon (move over Jamie), who made a potato salad with a dash of truffle oil and white balsamic served with smoked salmon and Meerrettichkren (horseradish).

Finally, a lunch at the Bayerischer Hof Blue Spa Roof Terrace with the Ice Bar boys Horst Wittmann and Konstantin Landuris of hansandfranz fame. Munich was a wash of blue sky that day, a cityscape of mossy and slate roofs and orderly streets beneath us while the two young furniture, lighting and space designers shared the story of how they launched the ice bar here in the height of a Munich winter, bringing Siberian chic to the night.

We did dash about the countryside in a series of BMWs and Minis to experience exhilaration behind the wheel, but like the Chinese elite, one is tempted to sit quite still and marvel at good design from a rear seat, recalling architects Haak and Hopfner’s micro-compact home that’s 2,6m cubed. The space was beautifully lit, used the latest materials and not a centimetre was wasted. It seems that design ‘joy’ has no boundaries.

‘If you’re sick of the very word ‘recession’, because it affects you daily, you may be a tad dismayed to know that it’s just a rumour in some circles. Rolls-Royce has just celebrated another record year of sales, driven by a distinctly dragonish, rather than bullish market. Sales in China were up a staggering 57 percent in 2010.’

5 4

PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAY

Book of the Magic Wand

‘HE WAS A MAN WITH A WAND IN A RIVER and whatever happened, we had to guess from what the man and the wand and the river did.’ To radically paraphrase Norman Maclean in A River Runs Through It, watching someone else cast a fly rod is the ultimate guessing game: what fly has he on, where are the fish, does he even know, how well is he going to present the fly, how will the fish react?

And, once you’ve seen him shoot out a cast, drift the fly and retrieve it without success, the speculations become ever more detailed – perhaps there’s too much drag in his drift, how long is the leader, what tippet is he using... Would I have caught that fish had the rod been in my hand?

That’s it then, you aren’t making assumptions, really. You’re judging. You’d rather be on the water yourself, in touch with these primitive emotions.

ANTICIPATION

The business of ‘what ifs’ and imaginings begins long before you get anywhere near the water – at your car as you rig up your rod, knot the leader and tippet, tie on the fly. If you tie your own flies, it starts even earlier – over the vice as your thread-and-feather creations take shape.

It’s not to be confused with patience though, this anticipation. Find a fly-fisherman who claims patience and you’d be talking to a liar. If he did truly possess the virtue, he’d chuck a bait and sit idle on the bank waiting for a fish to come to him. Fly-fishing, by definition, is a thing of action – from stalking the quarry, to the graceful roll of the line through the air and the drift and retrieval of the fly – it’s an expectancy and the prediction that something’s going to happen.

5 5

To fly-fish, you need a rod and a reel and a tiny little hook covered in fur. And yes, you’re going to need to learn to cast. But, at the heart of it, fly-fishing’s really all about anticipation, surprise, joy and loss.Words JAZZ KUSCHKE

Photography and captions CRAIG KOLESKY

PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAY

THE CAST

What really puts the ‘fly’ into fly-fishing is the fact

that artificial flies are too light to be cast out to

where the fish are with conventional tackle, therefore

the need for a line that ‘flies’. Also, it explains the

need for skill and grace under pressure – known as

fly-casting. Remember, the best fly-fisherman is the

one who spends the least time casting

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THE CATCH

As much as fishermen may

tell you ‘it was just nice being

out there’, catching a fish is

the ultimate goal. Here, Al

Saville fights a beautiful brown

trout in a private stillwater at

Fizantakraal Trout Lodge

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THE STALK

River lore is far harder to learn than

fly-casting. Few are born with it and

some never learn. Ryan Weaver, a guide

at Fizantakraal, hunts a private stream

deep in the Du Toitskloof Mountains.

If there’s one fish in a pool, he’ll raise it

PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAY

THE GEAR

Prized, collected, tuned, compared, used – your tackle has to be matched to the water

you’re fishing, the fish you’re targeting, the flies you’re casting and the skill you possess.

At the end of the day though, the fish can’t read the rod manufacturer’s name, or deduce

who tied the fly. Or can they?

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PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAY

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SURPRISE

And yet, when it does, you’re always startled. Even if you knew (and sometimes you do) that that trout was going to take your fly. But it’s the chance that something absolutely astounding might just happen that lures most back to the water. Such as finding a fish in a river run you’ve always thought devoid, or fooling a fish on a fly you’ve designed and then tied yourself. Or, like Saville, landing a trophy-sized rainbow hen on a small river rod, from an unlikely lie on a stillwater he’s never fished. ‘That was insane! Such a hard hit, like hooking onto a log.’ Enough said.

LOSS

Ah, and they do get away. A lot. Having a trout you’ve sighted, stalked without spooking and then cast a dry fly at, rise to your offering only to refuse it. It’s like being told you’ve been upgraded to business class at the check-in point, enjoying all the lounge comforts until you board and then being ushered back to economy. Fighting a wild-bred fish on a remote mountain stream for hour-long minutes only to lose it in the shallows is worse.

JOY

River lore, educated guess, stream craft, gamble, pure skill or blind luck – your appreciation level of the fish in your hand may differ, depending on which one it was that time. But the raw joy of having caught a fish with a rod and a reel and a tiny little hook covered in fur is euphoria every time. And as you release that fish, you realise you’ll be waving the wand for the rest of your life. Always trying to recreate that magic.

PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAY

THE LIFESTYLE

Mountains, bush and rivers. Part of the allure of fly-

fishing (and especially river-trout fishing) is that, by

definition, it takes place in fairly remote places. Yet

these areas are often not so far from city limits as

photos suggest. This pristine mountain stream is less

than 90 minutes from Cape Town

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PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAY

THE FLY

In fly-fishing evolution, the

fisherman who catches a fish

on a fly he tied himself is the

most advanced of the species

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THE PREPARATION

There’s always a favourite pattern in the fly box.

You might’ve tied it yourself, had great success

with it before or simply been told it works. It’s the

go-to default and often on tough outings, as on this

chilly day, you can try 10 different patterns and

come full circle back to it. Just for one last cast

THE RELEASE

Watching a trophy catch swim away

after release is almost as rewarding as

landing it. But it’s the strict catch-and-

release policies of many trout fishing

venues that have led to the prospering

of the species

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PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAY

Fizantakraal is an exclusive trout lodge deep in the dramatic Du Toitskloof mountains. The lodge overlooks four picturesque trout dams stocked with beautifully

conditioned rainbow and brown trout. Two pristine wild trout streams run through the farm, each offering private and exclusive access to some of the best dry

fly-fishing in the Western Cape. The lodge sleeps 6-8 people and is ideal for corporate getaways. For rates, bookings and guiding enquiries, call 021 783 0652,

email [email protected] or visit www.fizantakraaltroutlodge.co.za

With thanks to Nikon, Lexar, Al Saville and Fizantakraal Trout Lodge for the great fishing

ARMED WITH A BA DEGREE IN Humanities, with political studies and industrial sociology as his majors, one would think that Victor Rakhale had every intention of entering the political arena. Instead, he graduated from the University of Johannesburg to pursue a career in marketing, content to pursue his interest in politics by blogging.

‘I decided to study something that I really enjoy so that I’d be fully committed to it. Politics has always interested me and it has synergies within the sales environment,’ he says.

He makes a good point. ‘A successful salesperson must be able to persuade and negotiate, decipher the power play within organisations to target the right decision makers and work out the distribution of power and how to leverage that.’

Appointed as MTN SA’s General Manager: Business to Business − Mobile Sales in January 2011, Victor is well entrenched in the MTN culture. He was the company’s Head of Sponsorship and Events for about three years, as well as Chief Marketing Officer for MTN Swaziland for almost two years.

As CMO, he was responsible for overall marketing strategy formulation and implementation, driving consumer and

corporate sales, managing retail and wholesale distribution channels as well as product management and development.

Having gained experience in the marketing and promotions fields outside MTN appointments, Victor says he’s happy to be back. ‘MTN is a great company. I’m energised coming to work every morning because of the company’s profile and the brand itself.’

The design of MTN’s head office has something to do with this. Geared around the needs of its staff, it creates a working environment that makes for a happy team. It’s one of the fastest ways to get them to be effective, efficient and productive. Just what you need in a sales force. About 180 sales professionals nationwide, whose focus is the provision of information and communication technology (ICT) solutions to both the private and public sectors, report to Victor.

An associate describes him as ‘a people-driven manager with meticulous attention to detail. He leads by example, places a high premium on integrity and doesn’t shy away from diffusing challenging situations.’ She could’ve mentioned his energy and enthusiasm too. The ICT industry is dynamic, fast-paced and full of innovations. ‘I like environments

Words DEBBIE HATHWAY

AN MTN INITIATIVE

As MTN SA’s General

Manager: Business to

Business – Mobile Sales,

Victor Rakhale is at the

forefront of the ever-

changing apps market


Smart MovesVictor Rakhale leads by example, rates integrity and tackles challenging situations head on. And as MTN SA’s General Manager: Business to Business − Mobile Sales, Victor and his team are set to conquer the enterprise apps market in 2012.

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AN MTN INITIATIVE

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that are forever changing. I’m not a creature of habit – I find that stifling. My nature is to be flexible and adaptable,’ says Victor. Yet he likes the familiarity of the MTN environment. ‘It feels as though I never left. Internal systems provide continuity and some initiatives that I helped bring on board, like the annual MTN SA Music Awards, are still going strong.’

One of his career highlights so far was being part of the team that helped negotiate the FIFA World Cup sponsorship. ‘Watching from the sidelines, I felt proud of the brand and the role that I played, in a very small way.’

Now he’s focused on the market’s response to MTN’s recent launch of a range of 20 enterprise mobile apps – the way of the future, as offices become even more mobile.

This was a full commercial launch across various sectors of the economy, from manufacturing, healthcare and logistics to transport and financial services fields. Enterprise apps are designed to streamline the process of doing business and address the need for mobility, cloud computing, social networking and collaboration in the workforce, as well as data and analytics. They’re specifically geared for corporates needing tools for remote medical diagnostics, for example; or for device security, backup and sync (so that information doesn’t get compromised or attacked by viruses). The apps also enable functionalities like call recording, asset tracking, mobile surveys, mobile learning, cost and expense management, as well as cloud storage. ‘They’ll be very useful for MTN staff as well, because the staff can interact with our company systems while on the move, thereby maintaining productivity.’

Victor notes that there’s been a lot of activity in the consumer market in the last 18 months. He

believes that the enterprise apps market will do just as well. ‘Most apps have been targeting the consumer, so we saw a gap in the market in the enterprise sector. MTN was the first to market enterprise apps for mobile, so we’ve broken new ground in SA. The timing’s right thanks to the growth of smartphones and tablets.’

Many of the apps support feature phones and smartphones so that a broad range of organisations can use the technology without having to change their mobile devices.Victor anticipates an 80 percent smartphone penetration by 2014. ‘Our challenge is growing our share of the public sector market. We have a strong team geared to conquer the market in 2012. We’re also focusing on the SMME market. In my mind, it’s ripe for the taking. The first to deliver to small, micro and medium enterprises will have the advantage for years to come.’

Meanwhile, with so much brewing on the technology front on a macro level – especially on the African continent – Victor is bullish about the coming year and pending advances in the technological environment. ‘It’s exciting dealing with people, staff, customers, apps and devices. And technology, by its nature, is very dynamic.’

Connectivity is set to go up a notch, with the Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System (EASSy) from Mtunzini north of Durban to Port Sudan in Sudan being effective since July 2010 (providing direct connectivity between SA and Europe and North America); and the West Africa Cable System linking Yzerfontein in the Western Cape to London in the United Kingdom potentially being operational by early 2012. Tech-savvy users in SA will then be able to start getting the full benefit of long-term evolution (LTE) – the fourth-generation mobile broadband technology.

Promised to be the fastest method of file uploads and downloads, LTE will deliver true broadband in SA, which will propel ICT to the next level. ‘I’m fortunate to have a data modem that’s LTE-enabled; it’s amazing to see its speed,’ says Victor. ‘Websites load in seconds and you can send large files so much faster. Downloading video on a mobile handset even eliminates static. With LTE, data-rich services such as video conferencing will be far more accessible and the user experience will be so much richer, thus taking mobility to a new level.’

LTE will enhance how businesses do business, which means more opportunities for MTN. ‘We sell products and services that utilise MTN technology and LTE will be the technology of our department. We look forward to maximising what it can deliver,’ he says.

And that could signal a whole new way of doing business. The mobile workforce may choose coffee shops as their informal ‘boardrooms’ to conduct video conferencing and connect to their office remotely via their handsets and tablets.

AN MTN INITIATIVE

‘Our challenge is growing our share of the public sector market. We have a strong team geared to conquer the market in 2012. We’re also focusing on the SMME market. In my mind, it’s ripe for the taking.’

The Fairview All-Suite Hotel is a member of Signature Life Hotels, voted Africa’s Leading Innovative Hospitality Company for 2011 and 2010 by World Travel Awards. Business travellers enjoy its proximity to the Johannesburg CBD and its easy access to the N1, while tourists love the hotel’s location to major attractions off the highway, as well as the entertainment options presented by nearby upmarket malls such as Cresta. The two-bedroomed apartments are self-catering, but home-cooked meals are a phone call away from Diner on 14th, the hotel’s 60-seater restaurant. All apartments feature underfloor interior heating, a 42-inch plasma TV screen, wireless internet, and selected DStv and TV channels.

For more information, visit www.signaturelifehotels.com, email [email protected] or call +27 11 750 7600

AFTER AN ABSENCE OF ALMOST A DECADE, the iconic Mercedes-Benz G-Class or G-Wagen (short for Geländewagen or cross-country vehicle) has been relaunched in South Africa. This vehicle’s 32-year production run (the longest produced Mercedes-Benz in Daimler’s history) is testament to its reliability and ability to engender loyalty among the brand’s aficionados.

This comes not a moment too soon for those in the know – a more rugged, permanent, all-wheel-drive SUV you could not wish for. The off-road specifications are impressive, including an unbelievable gradient-climbing ability of up to 80 percent, 213mm of ground clearance, a break-over angle of 23°, a fording (wading) depth of 600mm, and approach and departure angles of 36°/31° respectively. Combine these specs with low-range gearing and three fully lockable differentials (transfer case, front and

rear axles – which can be individually activated), and you get one of the most thoroughly capable off-roaders in production. Not surprising, considering its pedigree.

Originally developed as a military vehicle, it was first offered as a civilian version in 1979. The sheer number being used for military applications the world over is testament to its reliability and flair for conquering rough terrain. The original box shape and the classic ruggedness that define this vehicle have changed little over the years, something that will please the true off-road warriors no end. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it…

This heavyweight (2,5 tons) is immensely solid on the road. Standard safety systems include Electronic Stability Programme (restricts engine torque, and applies braking to one or more wheels to stabilise the vehicle) and for emergency braking, you have the assistance of

Brake Assist and the Anti-lock Braking System. It’s also equipped with Hill Start Assist. When stopping on an incline, this system maintains the brake pressure briefly to give the driver time to switch from the brake pedal to the accelerator without the vehicle rolling backwards.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Starting at R773 990 for the G 300 CDI Professional (400Nm @ 1600-2600rpm), the range also includes the G 350 Blue TEC (540Nm @ 1600-2400rpm), at R1,227 million. If acceleration from 0-100km/h in just 5,5 seconds appeals, your choice would be the top-of-the-range G 55 AMG (700Nm @ 2750-4000rpm) – which retails at R1,875 million. This model has a limited top-end speed of 210km/h.

Prices correct at time of going to press and include VAT.

A closer look at the iconic cross-country model.

Return of a Legend

SLEEK WHEELS


Words JACQUI IKIN

THE PORSCHE CAYENNE – a capable off-roader posing as a sports car, or a sports car posing as a capable off-roader? Well, there’s no simple answer. That a vehicle coming from the Porsche stable is a sports car is largely undisputed, and the Cayenne is no exception.

Improving on what was an impressive vehicle to begin with, the new Cayenne is lighter (it has shed 185kg), more fuel-e fficient (partly a result of the ingenious automatic stop/start function on all models), and produces fewer emissions than the original array. The styling is still markedly Porsche, but better. Refined, well proportioned and sleek. The elegant interior provides unrivalled luxury in its class. And on the road, its performance is nothing short of brilliant – agile and more dynamic with outstanding road-holding.

While the new Cayenne no longer has the low-range transfer box previously offered, it

has an impressive off-road ability thanks to its eight-speed transmission and other smart electronic management systems. Porsche Traction Management (PTM) is the active all-wheel drive system that, together with advanced Porsche Stability Management (PSM), is key to the Cayenne’s off-road prowess. An electronically controlled rear differential (on vehicles fitted with Plus Torque Vectoring) works in conjunction with these.

The vehicle’s status is continuously monitored, and the front/rear split of power is adjusted to match changing requirements. If the system senses wheel spin, the power is diverted to other wheels that have traction. You can also raise the vehicle (on models equipped with air suspension), and use the hill-descent control, which both enhance off-road performance. The optional off-road underbody protection comprises rock rails with integrated

skid plates, a reinforced engine-bay guard, additional protection for fuel tank and rear axle, and a second towing lug.


The range includes the Cayenne (Tiptronic) at R665 000 (220kW, 0-100km/h in 7,5 seconds, and a top speed of 230km/h); the Cayenne Diesel (Tiptronic) at R688 000 (180kW, 0-100km/h in 7,6 sec and top speed of 220km/h); the Cayenne S (Tiptronic) at R786 000 (294kW, 0-100km/h in 5,9 sec and top speed of 258km/h); the Cayenne S Hybrid (Tiptronic) at R836 000 (279kW, 0-100km/h in 6,5 sec, and top speed 242km/h) and the formidable Cayenne Turbo (Tiptronic) at R1,492 million (368kW, 0-100km/h in 4,7 sec and top speed 278km/h).


No matter what you choose, the style is still signature.

Urbanite or Wild One


SLEEK WHEELS

The interior of the Porsche

Cayenne holds up to its pedigree

- elegant, luxurious, unrivalled in

its class

SLEEK WHEELS


THE RANGE ROVER BRAND has always been evocative of style and elegance. For many, it has set the standard as the ultimate in luxury for SUVs. The Evoque is no different. Like every Range Rover before, this model oozes class.

With Victoria Beckham collaborating with the design team, the interior is unsurprisingly posh and plush, while the exterior is equally striking: sleek, sporty, muscular, compact, refined and quite unique. It’s stayed truer than most to its original concept vehicle – the 2008 LRX. Significantly, the variety of options available are almost limitless. From interiors to exteriors, a choice of a five-door model or three-door coupé and a remarkable range of exclusive accessories, it offers the opportunity to develop a tailormade, bespoke vehicle. This alone will get the trendsetters a-twittering.

The Evoque’s road manners are impeccable. Stable and sure-footed as a cat, it feels nimble

(it actually is the smallest and lightest Range Rover ever), providing an exciting, responsive and very refined ride.

Unlike its big brothers, this model was never designed for hard-core off-roading. Then again, combine Range Rover’s legendary Terrain Response system with a maximum wading depth of 500mm, and various ability-enhancing technologies such as Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control, and the result is an SUV with positively decent off-road ability. Also, reasonable ground clearance (front axle 215mm, rear axle 240mm) combined with respectable break-over (22º) and departure (33º) angles (approach angle is 25º) render the Evoque surprisingly capable.

The ultimate expression of having arrived is to roll in a Range Rover, which has never been easy on the pocket. The Evoque is certainly not inexpensive, but it brings the

prestige of owning a Range Rover within reach of the discerning customer. With its beautiful curves and superb performance, the fashion-conscious set will no doubt be queuing up for this latest luxury ‘accessory’.


The five-door Range Rover Evoque (from R582 995) and the Range Rover Evoque Coupé (from R592 995) are available in SA in two design themes: Prestige (‘the ultimate in Range Rover Luxury’) and Dynamic (‘a sports-orientated take’). Both have six-speed transmissions and come in two models: the Si4 Automatic (4WD) 2.0 Litre Petrol Engine (177kW @ 5500rpm, 340Nm @ 1750rpm), and the SD4 Automatic (4WD) 2,2 Litre Diesel (140kW @ 3500rpm, 420Nm @ 1750rpm).


Curves in all the right places.

Posh Pedigree

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If it’s anything to do with Victoria

Beckham, it’s got to be posh. She

advised the Range Rover design

team on this little accessory

T he Western Cape is renowned for its beautiful beaches, incredible scenery and world class golf courses; here’s your chance to enjoy

all of these elements in a sanctuary of luxury.

Experience a bespoke 5 night luxury summer holiday for R3999 per person sharing at two of

our superior deluxe African Pride Hotels, namely African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa

and Arabella Hotel & Spa. This exclusive package gives you the ability to tailor make your

experience based on the way you wish to enjoy your holiday.

You choose how to spend your 5 nights of pure luxury between our two superior deluxe hotels.

It could be 2 nights at African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa in Cape Town and 3 nights at

Arabella Hotel & Spa in Hermanus, the choice is yours.

This package includes the following:

· Full English breakfast daily

· At African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa you will receive a R400 credit on your account

to be enjoyed on incidentals such as spa treatments, sushi, cocktails on the pool deck or a

fine dine experience and complimentary shuttles to V&A Waterfront, Camps Bay & Clifton

Beaches and Table Mountain.

· At Arabella Hotel & Spa you will receive a 30 minute back, neck and shoulder massage

valued at R350 or one round of golf valued at R350 (excluding carts) per person, per stay.

To book and discover 5 nights of luxury, please contact our Central Reservations Office on 0861 50 50 50. For more information visit africanpridehotels.com.

Discover 5 n igh ts o f luxury in Cape Town & Hermanus

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The circle of life is complete

– turtles return to the same

beach where they emerged

as hatchlings, laying eggs

within metres of the original

sites. This beach is metres

from Thonga Beach Lodge


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Words LES AUPIAIS

Photography DONNA SCHERER

TRAVELLER BUCKET LIST


Ghost Crabs and Turtle RunsIf you’re wild at heart, an eco lodge SA side of the Mozambique border redefines getting away from it all.

THERE ARE A FEW WAYS to get to Thonga Beach Lodge, a turtle-dash south of the Mozambique border: parachute in or engage a 4x4’s low-range gear and, as they say in diesel-head language, ‘descend under compression’ on what feels like the last down-loop of a roller coaster. Damn good thing it is too. It keeps out anyone who isn’t seriously committed to the environment and the numbers down.

Exclusivity takes the form of 12 spacious suites so well designed that viewed 20 metres from the beach, the weathered thatch roofs are almost invisible in the surrounding indigenous greenery. There are few other developments within a 50km section of the Elephant Coast. The flashes of colour you do see may be anything from a Purple-crested Touraco or a Yellow-bellied Greenbul that vie for attention with a few hundred species of butterflies and spiders. The climate here gives equal opportunities to the pretty and delicate, and the hairy and horrid-looking.

On the subject of yellow bellies though, there are creatures that you need not so much fear as keep a little distant. Beneath the rocks where the snorkelling is good, moray eels reverse their way into the shadowy coral overhangs and wait for prey. A species of urchin that clusters about sections of the reef is highly poisonous to the touch and may make life nasty – or short. You keep your fingers to yourself down there.

Lodge diving instructor Donna Scherer is a superb underwater guide, light aircraft pilot and photographer. A viewing of her underwater photography will have you back in goggles and on the hunt, poisonous creatures or not. Snorkelling and scuba diving are great disciplines. With much of your hearing dulled and the ability to vocalise gone, your sight ups its ante and within moments you see shapes in

the sea floor – fish doing their best to mimic coral and the faint outline of electric manta rays in the sandy floor. Swirling balls of silver fish synchronise their moves as if set to a marine score beyond the range of human hearing. Climate change has one plus factor down here; the warming waters have attracted species that were once found only to the north. Today, this sector of the ocean boasts 1 250 species of fish, very near the number found in the Great – but sadly dwindling – Barrier Reef.

There are strange and wonderful things this far north; horn-eyed ghost crabs that feed on live pray, Palm-nut Vultures that in turn feast on them, and an indigenous fruit called a ‘monkey orange’ – with a shell as hard as a pomegranate but with soft fruit that tastes like ripe banana. Nothing is quite as it seems here. Ants build nests in the trees and create a series of fake dens to confuse predators. The species hasn’t made it to the 21st century by being a shoddy adaptor.

If you’re above the surface long enough, there are dolphins and whales to watch in season, but what brings the mainly foreign guests to this lovely corner of Northern KwaZulu-Natal is turtle tracking, a heartbreaking yet exhilarating experience. Giant leatherback and loggerhead turtles come ashore to lay their eggs from November and in February, the soft-shelled hatchlings do the equivalent of a hell run to the sea at the mercy of predatory birds and those savage crabs. Only a few of the hundreds of hatchlings will make it back as adults to lay their eggs in the dunes. They circumnavigate the world, these extraordinary creatures, compelled to complete their circle of life.

The lodge, set in the heart of a World Heritage Site, offers turtle walks and drives with limited numbers of guests and, aside from



witnessing a Serengeti herd migration, this has to be one of the most coveted wonders of the African safari world.

Then there’s the question of the appetite you rev up doing and seeing all of this. For a lodge that’s accessible only to the determined or the eco-minded, it has an extraordinarily ambitious menu – from prawn linguine to Mexican rice and aubergine lasagna, followed by dishes like vanilla panna cotta with a berry coulis. It’s all delicious and plentiful. The real culinary coup though is by two shy young Zulu women, who every afternoon produce a cake that would turn the head of a French confectionery artist: from vanilla sponge to a giddily high chocolate ganache and a rich granadilla torte topped with a tart lava-flow of icing.

The guests know a thing or two about good food. There are French from Maillot, Italians from Milan and Germans from Munich with their only perfectly behaved child, all on a grand eco-adventure.

It turns out to be an adventure for all of us. One morning, we wake to the notes of a gorgeous Bush Shrike and walk almost 7km on a beach while a Fish Eagle keeps pace above us. It’s late August and, while the Cape sulks in torrential rain, here what rain there is, is mild and warm. You sleep in a mosquito-canopied bed that dominates the suite and most rooms have views over indigenous bush to the sea. Wooden walkways connect the suites from 30-120m from the beach, but you’re in solitary

splendour in your dune forest and see very little of your fellow guests.

How do you define hospitality? It’s tricky. There are degrees of luxury and while many bush lodges mix Persian carpets and chandeliers with boma braais and the Big Five, Thonga Beach Lodge is a natural thriller. Spending three days, or more, here is the antidote to the fast lane and the ultimate executive solution for sanity and family relationship building. It should be on prescription.

WAYS AND MEANS

Location: 25km north of Sodwana, in the heart of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Maputaland (S 27 deg 19.771’ E 32 deg 45.027’).Flights: For private charters, there’s an 800m airstrip set 9km from the lodge. Self-drive: You can drive to the lodge with two-wheel vehicles until the last 60 minutes, where guests are collected from a rendezvous point by 4x4. If you have a 4x4, you can drive all the way – but as the last 34km is sand and gully territory, travel before 4pm.Distances: JHB to Thonga – 8 hours (650km), Richards Bay to Thonga – 3,5 hours (205km),JHB to Kosi Forest Lodge – 8 hours (620km)

For further details, contact Isibindi Africa on [email protected], call 035 474 1473 or visit www.isibindiafrica.co.za.

LIVING THE LIFE AQUATIC

Thonga’s sister lodge, Kosi Forest Lodge, boasts elegant tents with outside bathrooms. Set in a wooden enclosure designed for nature lovers, the lodge is focused on a rewarding birding and canoeing experience.And the birding here is truly spectacular, with Trumpeter Hornbills and Purple-crested Touracos keeping a noisy eye on the main dining area.

The bush around has a rich variety, but the tantalising lifers that draw many birders to the area is a Palm-nut Vulture or Pel’s Fishing Owl). The best chance of seeing them is to take the canoe trip on the channel that links the Kosi Lakes.

The Lodge offers trips with guides on Indian canoes, which carries the primal excitement of being in an unspoilt wilderness. The guides point out what they cheerfully refer to as the small ‘friendly crocodiles’ (friendly to humans rather than fish, apparently), which eye us from a log before slipping off. Croc spotting is tricky, but the guides know their stuff and one shoots only (at high shutter speed) when you see the yellow of their eyes.

We get lucky when we approach the majestic Raffia Palms – nesting in uncomfortable splendour on high is a Palm-nut Vulture, highlighting that Kosi Forest Lodge perfectly complements Thonga Beach with its different life: aquatic and avian.

The 16-bed Kosi Forest Lodge features exquisite cuisine and a slew of estuarine, beach and wilderness activities

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.isibindiafrica.co.za

http://www.kariburestaurant.co.za



KIRSTENBOSCH NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDEN has a small rival in the gardens of The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel. They stretch over nine acres of prime Constantia Valley land on the eastern slope of Table Mountain, their roots dating back to a decree by Governor Simon van der Stel on presentation of the original Klaasenbosch Farm to Hendrik Ten Damme in 1693. The new owner ‘may not chop wood except on his own land and is obliged to replace all chopped down trees with young oak and other trees,’ it said.

Van der Stel’s principle held ground. Eight camphor trees, more than 200 years old, remain from those that lined the road from the fort to the Valley. In 1947, the land was split up and sold. Van der Stel would’ve been well pleased

though at the latter-day change of guard. Liz McGrath, respectfully known as Mrs M, bought the farm’s former wine cellar in 1991. Soon after its transformation into a five-star hotel, complete with the Conservatory restaurant built around a 300-year-old oak tree, she bought and renovated the adjacent Hohenort Manor House, taking care to preserve its historic structure.

History aside, it’s Executive Chef Peter Tempelhoff’s food that gilts the hotel’s five stars (he was recently awarded Grand Chef status at the annual Relais & Châteaux congress in Lisbon), while Martha Williams’s Cape Malay recipes take guests back to the Cape of the 1700s.

The suites and luxury rooms are decorated with floral fabrics and botanical prints to ‘bring the outside in’. And what an outside it is. In

summer, the gardens burst with colour and fragrance while in winter, they’re full of lush greenery, secret pathways and shaded benches; the beds, borders and archways meticulously maintained by the legendary Jean Almon and her gardening team.

Today, the vineyards are planted to four varieties of table grapes dating back to the Edwardian era, and produce a sweet dessert wine. Driven by her passion for hotels and gardens, and famous for her attention to detail, Mrs M is the only woman in the world who owns three properties that are members of Relais & Châteaux, which feature on Relais & Châteaux’s South African Route du Bonheur (Road to Happiness). For further information, visitwww.cellars-hohenort.com.

A botanical paradise, with creamy apricot Crepuscule roses cascading over entrance archways.

The Gov’s Legacy


The herb garden

of The Cellars-

Hohenort Hotel,

the Greenhouse

restaurant.

Opposite: poolside

at Kurland; chef

Leon Coetzee;

meringue layers

with chocolate

mousse and vanilla-

pod ice cream and

chocolate sauce

‘THE AIR OF HEAVEN is that which blows between a horse’s ears.’ The Arabian proverb could’ve been inspired by an estate like Kurland, a 700-hectare boutique resort at the foothills of the Outeniqua Mountains near Plettenberg Bay.

What sets it apart – in addition to its Relais & Châteaux member status – is the sport of kings. Kurland is to polo in Africa what Wimbledon is to tennis. About 100 horses are stabled here.

Part of Kurland’s magic is its setting and access to a diverse range of activities. The horses and the mountains form an idyllic backdrop and for guests wise to head chef Leon Coetzee’s cuisine, the 3km dirt-road jogging track turns out as defense against his seemingly endless rollout of delicious, irresistible dishes.

This is luxury at its most unpretentious,

deceptively informal best. The superbly appointed suites – mostly named after their view of the paddocks or the exquisite rose gardens – are set across the lawns at various angles to the homestead. Some have small verandas and private plunge pools.

Children are welcome, but because they’re entertained and watched over carefully, their Kurland experience is delightfully untouched by the elements adults might be craving: plenty of peace and quiet, a spa treatment and a glass or two of fine wine.

The loft designs are relaxed enough for junior guests and yet sophisticated enough for conference delegates.

Children are even invited into the hallowed kitchen after selecting their own vegetables and

herbs from the garden, to cook and eat what they pick. Coetzee takes it all in his stride. Katarina’s, a new restaurant and function venue equipped to cater for about 50 guests, will also open soon.

Your host, Peter Behr, a third-generation owner of the property, and his staff demonstrate the true meaning of discreet hospitality; fires burn in the grates regardless of the weather ‘because they look nice’ and when you return from dinner, you’ll find your suite neatly tidied, electric blanket switched on, lights turned down low and scented candles burning.

Kurland is part of Relais & Châteaux’s Route du Bonheur concept, created to ‘offer an enticing gastronomic itinerary and encourage travellers to explore’. For further information, visitwww.kurland.co.za.

Retreat to this luxury country hotel on Relais & Châteaux’s Route du Bonheur.

Courses for Horses




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PRIVATE EDITION SOCIAL EVENTS

ELIZABETH ARDEN PREVAGE, ONE&ONLY CAPE TOWNIn this issue of Private Edition, we reveal why the secret ingredient in Elizabeth Arden’s Prevage Eye takes a leap forward in the science of beauty. It’s Idebenone, an antioxidant to correct, protect and transform any sign of ageing around the eyes.

1) Think smoother, brighter, younger looking windows to your soul. 2) Les Aupiais, Ingrid Hoaten and Barbara Manning. 3) Simon Tully and Sameegha Samaai. 4) Anina Malherbe and Tanja Mackay-Davidson. 5) Melissa Stevens. 6) Janine Fernandes and Les Aupiais

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BROUGHT TO YOU IN CONJUNCTION WITH MTN, LEW GEFFEN SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY , PREVAGE, ONE&ONLY CAPE TOWN, SUGAR HOTEL , AUDI AND BUNNAHABHAIN

They’re not events but discreet gatherings where top end brands, experts in the field, and our valued partners and guests share exclusive experiences – from rare whisky tastings to industry expertise. Held at strategic points in the year, these gatherings are about networking and connecting at some of SA’s flagship hotels and private venues.


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BUNNAHABHAIN GUESTS SAVOUR A WEE DRAM We called for the clan to open a rare bottle of 30-year-old Bunnahabhain Single Malt at the One&Only Cape Town. Bottled in Islay, Scotland, Bunnahabhain whisky is noted for its unpeated malt and the water source, the Margadale springs.

1) Alan Buck, whisky ambassador Pierre Meintjes and Brian Glass. 2 and 7) Whisky should be enjoyed neat or with a block or two of ice and a thimbleful of water. 3) Les Aupiais. 4) Michelle McKirby, Claude McKirby and Melanie Doble. 5) A spectacular view of the One&Only Cape Town in front of a provisional contender for the New7Wonders of Nature, the iconic Table Mountain. 6) Bunnahabhain limited edition 30-year-old. 8) Olya Akyyeva and Nikulay Uzunov

SWINGTIMEThe Audi quattro Cup national final was played in September at Fancourt, SA’s premier golf resort located in George, on the Western Cape Garden Route. Audi draws synergies between a top golfer’s ambition, concentration and precision, qualities that are also reflected in its Vorsprung philosophy.

1) Jeunesse Park, founder of Food & Trees for Africa. 2) Golf Digest ranked Fancourt’s Montagu course 7th in the Top 20 SA courses for 2011. 3) Gerrie and Karen Jonas. 4) Hazel Petersen and Mr Petersen. 5) Ryan Searle, head of Audi South Africa. 6) Gabi Masiya and Amanda Lekoane. 7) The Audi A8L range on display

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BROUGHT TO YOU IN CONJUNCTION WITH MTN, LEW GEFFEN SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY , PREVAGE, ONE&ONLY CAPE TOWN, SUGAR HOTEL , AUDI AND BUNNAHABHAIN

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IT’S ALL THE MONKS’ FAULT REALLY. With their serene faces and flowing robes, they give little hint of the magic they muster when hard at work creating some of the finest booze known to man. But it’s an undeniable fact that all things beer lead back to the abbeys.

For 160 years the Westvleteren Abbey of Saint Sixtus, home to the Cistercians of Strict Observance, has produced rich, dark and strong beer. However, it’s only recently that such overwhelming interest has been given to the monks’ strongest offering – a 10,2 percent ABV whopper known as Westvleteren 12. In accord with the monks’ wishes, the beer is available only by arrangement at the abbey itself, and only once the monks meet their quota production stops. So even before the beer was named the best in the world, scarcity had pushed the demand for the Westvleteren 12 to extremes, with single bottles starting at around R320 ($40 dollars on eBay) and vintage bottles selling from R560 and up.

The abbey and the small café across the road (where the beer is available at a limit of six per customer) have become a Mecca for beer enthusiasts the world over. Opening a bottle of ‘Westy’ 12 is seen as something of a victory, albeit perhaps of the Pyrrhic kind.

But there are beers that make even the Westvleteren 12 look cheap. These boutique gems are the beer world’s equivalent of the

Harlan Estates, the Château Petruses and the Domaine de la Romanée-Contis of the wine world. Dark Lord, an imperial stout brewed by Three Floyds Brewing Company of Indiana, is undoubtedly one of the most sought after and hard-to-find cult beers, due mostly to its very tight release schedule. For one day of the year, the brewery opens its doors to a select few, who enter and by the use of a lottery system are allowed to exchange their winning tickets for some of the most prized beer in the world. Bottles will be stored to mature and then let out for sale on eBay, where they’ll effortlessly reach R1 200 and more.

And then there’s Närke Kaggen Stormakts-porter, again an imperial stout, made by the Swedish brewery Närke Kulturbryggeri. This too is available only at the brewery, with an appearance made every now and then in a handful of European bars. With the Kaggen Stormaktsporter, if you see one, you buy it, and then feel very happy for the R600 plus you’ve just spent on your tiny 250ml bottle.

But even these are trumped by Antarctic Nail Ale. Brewed by Perth-based Nail Ale, this pale ale is made from melted Antarctic ice. With only 30 bottles ever made, it’s for the moment the rarest and most expensive beer in the world. Oh, and if you want one, just make sure you’ve got the R14 780 you need to pay per bottle.

There’s a whole world of rare brews for the beer cognoscenti; the passport’s plenty of patience and money.

Brewer’s Feast

BY THE WAY


Words LEO DALY

Illustration MAGRIET BRINK

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