GO EaZy Photo: Shem Compion
SHEM COMPION “OBSERVE MORE, SHOOT LESS” JUSTIN BONELLO “WE ARE WHAT WE EAT“
SPORTING ROGUES PROPERTY BUYERS & SELLERS GUIDE FREE COPY
PUBLISHED INDEPENDENTLY FOR EZ SHUTTLE
APRIL MAY 2019
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2 GO EZ / April May 2019
MD letter It’s hard to believe it’s April already! Times flies when you’re having fun, and certainly when you live in a country like South Africa with all its opportunities, challenges and unpredictability. I attended the world’s first Amadeus Transfer providers forum in Nice, France early in Feb and came back very excited about the marketspace we’re in as a business. Transfers/airport cabs are a growing slice of the travel spend globally and we have Uber to thank for that. I am a regular user of Uber and they are a great solution for a night out or short trips. They have created a buzz and made so many more people comfortable using cabs globally. Ask yourself: Would you have called a metered cab more than 5 years ago in South Africa? I think most people would say no and its exactly that increased awareness which has driven the growth we’re seeing in the transfer industry, not just in SA, but also globally. Uber however falls short in its ability to fully service corporate travellers where guarantees matter, as well as larger groups and longer distance trips which can be very expensive on their platform. Fortunately that is the market space we are situated in and we happily co-exist with Uber in most of the 11 cities in which we operate because we service such different slices of the market. Each of these segments have very specific needs and our businesses tend to dovetail one another. As I said, very interesting insights into our industry. March saw us launch our international offering which means you can now book an airport transfer with EZ Shuttle from/to over 650 airports globally. We have had customers use us across 6 continents (we don’t have availability in Antarctica!) and the feedback has been outstanding. This is just another step in making transfers that much more accessible and easy to book for you. So give us a try when next you travel abroad – you’ll be surprised to find how EZ it is to book an airport transfer anywhere in the world! Have a happy Easter break and as always, thanks for your business!
Heerden Guyck van
Join them and book your next international transfer with us on www.ezshuttle.co.za or call our call centre on 0861 397 488 for great rates and service to and from 650 airports across the world.
GO EZ / April May 2019 3
CONTENTS Shem Compion 8
Tsala Treetop Lodge / Competition 15 Super Predator 16
Property Buyers & Sellers Guide 20 Rogues Gallery 24
The Grand Dame, The Encore 28
REGULARS Fleet 6 Cover photo: Shem Compion
/ News 7 Recipes 30
Business & finance 32 Apps 35
/ Quiz 36 / Back seat driver 38
Events 37
A Message from the Go EaZy Team Hello and welcome to our next edition of Go EaZy magazine! We are delighted at the new developments at EZ Shuttle, read Guyck’s letter, and their growth into the international market, which means that the Go Eazy now has an even bigger reach! In this edition we showcase the world-renowned award-winning photographer Shem Compion, who will give you guidelines on how to take the best shots. Justin Bonello talks about we are what we eat and shares delicious recipes from the Karoo. If you are buying or selling, there is a comprehensive guide by Rob Mckee on what you should or shouldn’t do. Kent Gush takes a look at the residential development market over the years, and Andrew Sullivan focusses on 3 icons in the sporting world, that went rogue and left an indelible mark. Sit back and enjoy the read, and the journey. If you’d like to give us feedback, please email kirsten@macpublishing.co.za. We’d love to hear from you. Lots of love
xx aZy Team E o G e h T
GO EZ MAG TEAM / PUBLISHER & EDITOR Lorna MacLeod / SUB-EDITOR Cindy Wilson-Trollip / ART DIRECTOR Colin Stephenson / ADMINISTRATION Kirsten MacMillan / CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Shem Compion, Justin Bonello, Andrew Sullivan, Rob Mckee and Kent Gush / EZ SERVICES +27 (0)861 EZ SHUTTLE (397 488) Mac Publishing & Consulting on behalf of EZ Shuttle. For advertising enquiries +27 (0)44 533 0715, lorna@macpublishing.co.za / +27 (0)71 208 4272 EZ quotes and bookings reservations@ezshuttle.co.za / www.ezshuttle.co.za / +27 (0)861 EZ SHUTTLE (397 488) Editorial Disclaimer. EZ Shuttle and its appointed agency, Mac Publishing and Consulting, subscribe to a code of responsible journalism. While we endeavour to use reliable sources and to verify information before publication, we provide no warranties for the accuracy or completeness of content contained herein. Copyright laws apply and we reserve all rights. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without the prior written consent of the publisher, Mac Publishing and Consulting.
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MEET THE FLEET At EZ Shuttle we strive to provide you with exactly what you’re looking for and have a wide variety of vehicles in our fleet to match your requirements. Starting with our sedans which are all new or late model Toyota Corolla’s, then to our Multi Purpose Vehicles (MPV’s) with 7, 13 and 22 seat configurations. Finally we have coaches in 37 seat full luxury or 60 seat semi luxury configurations too.
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6 GO EZ / April May 2019
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NEWS Global transfers – a South African first EZ Shuttle has now launched a global transfer booking service which enables you to book a transfer from over 650 airports globally on our website via mobile or your PC. You are also welcome to book your transfer by contacting our call centre or mailing us at info@ezshuttle.co.za if you prefer. This is a South African first and just another way EZ Shuttle makes your global travel EZ’er! We have serviced customers on 6 continents since the launch with great feedback all round. We hope you enjoy this international at-yourfinger-tips feature.
EZ SHUTTLE HAS NOW LAUNCHED A GLOBAL TRANSFER BOOKING SERVICE FROM OVER 650 AIRPORTS GLOBALLY
Fleet expansion in Cape Town Responding to sustained increases in demand, we will be up-fleeting in the mother city significantly this month. In addition we are introducing brand new coaches to the fleet in the Western Cape in May. This means we are able to reduce our reliance on outsourced coach capacity which for our clients will no doubt lead to better rates and service in and around Cape Town.
Bidtravel preferred partnership announced EZ Shuttle recently concluded a preferred supplier contract with Bidtravel (owner of the Rennies, BCD Travel and Carlson Wagonlit Travel brands) in South Africa and we are delighted to be working more closely with this prestigious travel brand.
Halala Ulaine Ulaine Lubethe joined the EZ Shuttle team on the 2nd March 2009 as a Junior Call Centre Consultant. Within a short 6 months of employment Ulaine was promoted to manage both the Operational Department as well as the Call Centre during the night shift. Five years later, Ulaine once again rose in the ranks to manage the operational team during our busiest time from 07:00 – 16:00. Ulaine has a solid reputation for being the first to assist during a crisis and being the last to leave the office once her shift is done. As a reward for 10 years of exceptional service, Ulaine and her son will be whisked away on an all expenses trip to Cape Town. From all of us at EZ Shuttle, we would like to thank you for all the hard work and effort over the years. Enjoy your trip, Ulaine!
And the winner is... Congratulations to Arantxa Robyntjies on winning the two night stay at the Junction Boutique Hotel in Plettenberg Bay!! Enjoy your stay, lucky lady! Lots of love, The Go EaZy team xx
GO EZ / April May 2019 7
Shem Compion
8 GO EZ / April May 2019
Is an adventurer, nature photographer, a creative, an author, and builder of photography hides
S
hem Compion is an adventurer, nature photographer, a creative, an author, and builder of photography hides.
…whose passion is to share his love and experience of the natural world with other people. Shem celebrates creative photography by exploring every aspect of the natural world. One of the most multi-faceted and celebrated natural history photographers, his work is awarded and published all over the world. Born in Africa, Shem travels the globe to share his striking images, his knowledge and his deeply felt natural history experience with other people. Upon discovering his love of photography, Shem peddled his possessions, quit his job and for seven months travelled up Africa in a Land Rover exploring the renowned wildlife reserves to live his dream of existing as a fulltime wildlife photographer. This adventurous trip to remote and far-off places is where he captured many of his first iconic images - ones that would propel his professional career forward. From those carefree days, he never looked back. Shem has been leading and hosting photo safaris since 2005 when he formed C4 Photo Safaris as an added dimension to his private and scheduled wildlife safaris. C4 Photo Safaris has now grown into the largest specialist photo safari company in Africa. As well as guiding his private photo safaris, Shem personally hosts a number of photo workshops and photo tours each year. Firmly grounded as a naturalist and photographer, Shem’s skills have been appreciated and sought out by the likes of the BBC natural history unit on the multi awardwinning BBC Planet Earth series and the Great Plains series on lions hunting elephants in the Savuti, Botswana. The vision and creativity within his inherent naturalist knowledge led Shem to construct the first dedicated underground photography hide in Africa from which to view animals, birds and elephants at eye level – a structure inspired by observing birds from self-built hides in his back garden as a youngster. The hide has become a marvel throughout the photographic world, with clients travelling from every corner of the globe to capture subjects at the unique angles and perspectives that the hide allows. The images speak of a vision not often seen by photographers today, not to mention the humbling experience of being within a meter of very large elephant. In 2009 Shem was commissioned to publish
his first book A Landscape of Insects with Dr Duncan MacFadyen. The realisation of his knowledge, his contribution of skills and abilities, in the printed form started Shem working on more publications. He has to date published 5 books, each of them a visual celebration of imagery and text, sharing his insights and experience, and that of his coauthors. Shem’s educational background is conservation with his niche being creative wildlife photography. The two complement each other seamlessly and conjure him into the right place at the right time when it comes to anticipating wildlife behaviour. The magic is evidenced in the many publications and by the awards his images have won over the years. This experience cannot be taught, it has been learnt over 20 years immersed in nature. Shem’s work has been featured in publications the likes of BBC Wildlife, Africa Geographic, Naturfot Naturfoto Passie, Outdoor Photographer UK and Terre Sauvage. His images have won acclaim in a variety of competitions around the world. In 2007 Shem was awarded a specially commended image in the BBC Wildlife photographer of the year competition. This unique award has only been bestowed twice in 10 years and indicates that the image has the potential to win the competition outright even though it did not win its category. The spellbinding ‘Meerkat moment’ is displayed at the BBC Wildlife photographer competition every single year, is used in the exhibit, for calendars and reproduced on other merchandise. ‘Meerkat moment’ also graced the cover of the BBC Wildlife Magazine. But one was not enough, and in 2009 the BBC Wildlife Magazine commissioned Shem to produce a complete portfolio of work - all on the meerkats. The portfolio, simply titled ‘Meerkats’ and published in September 2009, is a collection from Shem’s time spent with these remarkable creatures in the dry Kalahari, South Africa, where he spent a number of weeks photographing the meerkats in harsh
GO EZ / April May 2019 9
OBSERVE MORE, SHOOT LESS. Shem Compion
10 GO EZ / April May 2019
GO EZ / April May 2019 11
WILDLIFE HAS NO SCHEDULE AND YOU HAVE NO CONTROL. HAVE THE PATIENCE TO RECOGNISE AND WAIT FOR THE RIGHT MOMENT.
desert conditions. In 2010 Shem supplied 56 images to the acclaimed Africa Geographic wildlife calendar which went on to sell out within 2 months, a record first for the publication.
Ever the adventurer and explorer, Shem still makes one trip a year to a wild and remote destination. Here he clears his mind and opens up his camera – often producing some of his best and most creative photographic work.
No creatures of the animal kingdom escape Shem’s lens. He won the birds category in 2009 at the Getaway-Fuji awards and was runner-up in the Insect and Reptile category. His image ‘Spike’ was awarded the image of the year by the PSSA for 2010 and he has over the last few years gathered another 9 highly commended awards in the Getaway-Fuji awards.
Create a beautiful image capturing an elusive creature. The combination of many elements, when combined well, transcend the normal. And photography becomes an artform. Shem shares some pointers:
Shem took a particularly poignant image of African penguins under a burning sky near Cape Town in June 2010. The African penguin is facing extreme conservation issues, with numbers dwindling fast. The image was listed as a National Geographic environmental image of the year in 2011 helping to raise immediate awareness of the penguins’ predicament.
12 GO EZ / April May 2019
WHAT IS THE RIGHT SHUTTER? There is no single right or wrong answer. Ultimately, the ‘correct’ setting depends on how fast your subject is moving and what you are trying to achieve. Instead of leaving this critical decision to the camera, set it yourself. To freeze most wildlife, you will need to be around 1/500 or 1/1000. If the animal is largely stationary, 1/250 will be sufficient. FEARING ISO… Once you have selected the proper shutter speed and aperture, your exposure may still be too dark. If so, the
solution would be to raise your ISO: a very effective method of perfecting the exposure. SIMPLIFY THE FOCUS Like all moving subjects, using the centre autofocus option along with the AI Servo mode will provide the best results. The outer points are difficult to adjust quickly and are not as sensitive as the middle point. Keep your active focus area on the bird with your shutter button held halfway down. GET DOWN AND CHANGE YOUR ANGLE Walking up to an animal in the wild usually causes it to flee in fear. By crawling, you become far less threatening. Working from this bug’s eye perspective, the photo also gives more revealing portrayal of their habitat. Just note you won’t be able to go down on all fours in most wildlife reserves. RESEARCH ‘Luck’ is the result of a lot of hard work, preparation and research. The Internet is a great research tool.
GO EZ / April May 2019 13
more about shem compion: Photographer & Safari guide How old were you when you took your first picture and what was it of? I first picked up a camera in 2000, after a salesman had a field day selling me a whole bagful of camera kit which I had zero knowledge on how to use. He was obviously very skilled. It quickly became apparent that I was floundering in a technical morass and so I bought a book on photography and took a two month road-trip around the coast of South Africa. This was the kindling that started the fire. I shot two rolls of film and some of the prints were enough to add wood to the fire. The next two years were a blur of intense immersion in photography. Tell us the story behind your favourite photo? Being a bush person I was naturally drawn to photographing nature and my first published image was of a highland bull in Scotland. I remember it still today and use the image in my talks for one main reason - the image triggered a few questions about myself. Like who were my favourite photographers? I only had one answer, Frans Lanting. Fast forward fifteen years and Frans and I have run safaris together! The value of associating with the best leads to striving for the best.
Africa has so much to offer in terms of wild places, my advice is to get out there and enjoy the experience of these wonderful locations. 14 GO EZ / April May 2019
Then digital arrived and we knew the interest in photography would skyrocket, which is why we built up C4 Photo Safaris so that people could travel to Africa and be tutored to take great images of the wildlife we love so much. It was on one of these safaris that I took perhaps one of my most memorable images ever - a scene of a leopard trying to attack a porcupine in the last light of day. The images I got from that scene still blow me away today. Of more importance to me though was the privilege of seeing and showing and sharing this interaction with my clients. That really brought me the most joy. What was your most heart-stopping moment whilst taking pics? Being on safari a lot brings its fair amount of adventure and misfortune. I walk with elephants, have been struck, opening a gate, by lightning and have been medevacked from the remotest part of Ethiopia after falling down a cliff into a river and knocking myself out. I believe in the law of averages when it comes to walking with big and dangerous animals and one day that caught up with me and two others in Mana Pools. We walked up to an old elephant bull who was having a morning slumber. From about 50m we observed him and then moved away. Something woke him suddenly and with his reverie disturbed, he decided to take it out on us. He only stopped
2m from us, covering us in dust and dirt. Our guide - an old Mana Pools legend - added another notch to his belt for challenging the law of averages for walking in big game country… What’s your favourite bit of equipment? Many people ask me what my favourite piece of camera equipment is, expecting me to regale them with stories of a sharp lens or the latest digital camera. Yes I do love my 200-400mm lens that I have had for fifteen years now. But, first into my bag are my Swarovski binoculars bought in 2002. I was a nature person before I was a photographer and binoculars have been a part of my life since I was 10 years old. So being able to see, scan, assess and observe with good glass is my most important tool in the bush. Cameras and lenses come and go - each year brings a new model. Like my binoculars, I also love taking out my old vintage Nikon FM2, putting a roll of black and white film in it and shooting images that are to my liking. There is a timelessness to this activity that I know will never fade and I take great pleasure in it. Do you ever use your cell phone to take photos? Of course. The iPhone has become an incredible tool for lifestyle and behind the scenes images. I have it with me every day and push the boundaries on it constantly. What’s your favourite place to visit? Funnily enough I love Mana Pools a great deal. I don’t have favourites per se, but Mana makes me feel relaxed, I know I am in the wilderness and I know anything can happen at any time. It is a great pleasure to be out there walking with elephants or watching the river lit up by the moon at night. Africa has so much to offer in terms of wild places, my advice is to get out there and enjoy the experience of these wonderful locations. They are like nowhere else on this planet - and make sure you take a good camera with you for the ride! So you’re on death row…what would your final meal be? Easy really…! Starter would be tempura soft shell crab with Cloudy Bay sauv blanc. Mains would be a soft mustard fillet and an excellently battered small sole with a 1982 Chateau Petrus. Dessert would be red wine poached pear with Vin de Constance all the way from Constantia! One could easily pass on after such a meal!
N! WI Stand a chance to win a fantastic 2 night stay for 2 people at the Tsala Treetop Lodge, situated in the heart of the Garden Route, valued at R24,000 It’s so EaZy, just answer the following question and email to kirsten@macpublishing.co.za Question: Which hotel group is the Tsala Treetop Lodge part of? Winter reader promotion: Stay 3 Pay 2: Book a mid-week or weekend getaway over the winter whaling season for 3 nights and only pay for 2 nights inclusive of dinner on one of the evenings in the Tsala main dining room excluding beverages. Validity 1 May until end of September 2019. Promo code: Winter Treetops Contact: res@hunterhotels.com | 044 501 1111 | www.hunterhotels.com
T&Cs: Validity May 2019 until 30 September 2019. Inclusive of 2 nights in a Treetop Suite, breakfast, minibar and tourism levies. Subject to availability at the time of booking. Not redeemable or transferable. Excludes all extras, beverages, curios, additional treatments, transfers and activities.
Super Predator
16 GO EZ / April May 2019
by Justin Bonello
T
he first Rainbow trout I ever caught was a 5.25kg monster from a stocked dam in the Du Toits Kloof on the outskirts of Cape Town. I was 25. My friends had bought me a fly rod for my birthday and had promised to show me the ropes. We met one chilly Saturday morning pre-dawn, laughing and excited like only a group of young men can be when we are escaping to go fishing, full of joy to be hitting the open road for a Winter adventure. Fly fishing is a wonderful hobby, especially in the Cape. The Cape Piscatorial Society manages and stocks a number of waters, and for those in the know the Holsloot, the Molenaars and the Witte rivers in the valleys of the Cape Fold Mountains are some of the most pristine and best rivers in the world to try and outsmart something with a brain the size of a pea, that generally wins. But I digress. The outfit that ran the stocked dams had a catch and no release policy, so the monster was paid for, dispatched, gutted and taken home to become dinner for my housemates and their invited partners. I filleted the trout, cooked it, and served it up with accoutrements to the bright young things that made up my circle of friends. That’s when the cook’s wheels came off. My monster tasted of mud. I was perplexed. For most of my life I’d been harvesting from nature’s bounty. Had dived for perlemoen (abalone), spearfished and collected mollusks. Cooked up pots of food on the beach for friends and family alike that smacked of the ocean. There was nothing foreign about the taste of this seafood. What was up with the trout? I started connecting the dots. The heavily stocked dam was an unnatural environment where the buck-making operation ensured that rank fly fishing amateurs like myself would be guaranteed a trophy catch. Wild trout generally inhabit large and small lakes, rivers, streams and spring ponds and prefer pure, clear water. On their menu: water fleas, caddis flies, mayflies, midges and as they grow older, they may even eat small fish. This was not the case in the heavily stocked dam. Daily, handfuls of manufactured pellets were scattered into the pond and trout churned the water into a brown frothy bath as they gobbled up the perfect proportions of produced nutrients. My monster trout had become the sum of its environment, and the same applies to every animal and plant that we rely on for our health and wellbeing. As I child, I would feed beetroot leaves to
silkworms to make them spin burgundy silk. Mulberry leaves would give you a yellow cocoon. Spinach would give a greenish silk. In my journeys across the Karoo I’d experienced first-hand Karoo lamb that was fragrant and tasted slightly seasoned. Naturally occurring Karoo bushes, Plinthus karrooicus ('Silverkaroo'), Pentzia spinescens ('Skaapbossie'), Eriocephalus ericoides ('Kapokbossie'), Salsola glabrescens ('Rivierganna'), Pentzia incana ('Ankerkaroo') and Pteronia glauca / Rosenia humilis ('Perdebos'), coupled with the brak water, give Karoo lamb its unique flavour. Looking back, it’s so obvious. Whether you’re an insect, a trout, a sheep or a cow, or are part of the human race, you are what you eat. And I, like you, grew up on some myths. On misinformation and allowed the wool to be pulled over my eyes. 'They taste so good because they eat so good.' Remember that? A grizzled old farmer, feeding his chickens handfuls of maize. Growing up in the city bowl of Cape Town meant that we assumed chickens were herbivores (thanks Farmer Brown) and I didn’t even know that this was a lie. Chickens like us, are omnivores. And it was only much later in my life when I started keeping chickens myself that I discovered this. I have two bantams, their eggs are buttery and rich. The yolks are bright yellow. They serve up 100% organic eggs on an almost daily basis. Sadly, the same is not true of battery chicken eggs that are fed chemical and herbicide laden maize in a mockery of their lives. I’ve watched farmers spray the herbicide roundup GO EZ / April May 2019 17
WHETHER YOU’RE AN INSECT, A TROUT, A SHEEP OR A COW, OR ARE PART OF THE HUMAN RACE, YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT. on their wheat pre-harvest to help dry out the kernel which leads to the question of are we wheat or glyphosate intolerant? I’ve cried like a baby in feedlots, a modern and industrial invention that take yearlings into an animal production system that gives cattle a year’s worth of growth in three to six months. One of my pet peeves is seeing a restaurant proudly announce that they have grain fed beef on the menu, and the minute I read this – I’m gone, clouds of dust billowing behind me. Cows are ruminants, that means that they have evolved to eat grass, but when you give them other stuff, including grain and soya to fatten them up, to give them a year’s growth in three months, you have to give them more other stuff to keep them healthy enough to survive to slaughter. When the cow makes its way from feedlot, to abattoir, to supermarket, you get all that other stuff for free, subtly allowing the food industry to prescribe to you. Even the seafood of my childhood memories now contains contaminants and pollutants. We treat our waterways and oceans like our collective garbage bin and flush our waste out into the oceans for it to begin an epic oceanic journey up the food chain to our dinner plates. We are the lords of the planet. The high flying apex predator. We eat almost anything and everything. Whether it farts, burps, breathes or uses solar energy to create simple carbohydrates, we eat it. We are the super predators that live on the top of the trophic pyramid! What we don’t tend to want to believe is that toxins always move up and accumulate in the top of the food chain, and in our case, that means we are the repository of an industry-led food production system that prescribes and pollutes our bodies, our temples, and our planet, often without our consent or knowledge. Growth promoters, antibiotics, hormones, chemical pesticides and herbicides. We get it all for free every single day every time we eat anything and everything and don’t ask questions about where our food comes from, how it was grown and what was used in the production system. Even worse, as long as we live in blissfully ignorant bubbles, as long as we don’t start looking at how we can live more harmoniously on earth, we are destroying the web of life that keeps us all in bread, butter, mange tout and ribeye steaks. Our status as the planet's super predator is confirmed, but for how long. We are experimenting on ourselves and the planet, and only now are starting to see the results. Justin Bonello is the founder of Neighbourhood Farm, an NPO that focuses on growing food, minds and communities. He has published seven books with Penguin and has created and hosted a number of television shows, predominantly focused on food with Cooked in Africa Films and Okuhle Media. Follow him on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/Justin.Bonello.Foodie, https://www.facebook.com/NeighbourhoodFarm/ or at www. justinbonello.com. 18 GO EZ / April May 2019
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An ultra-luxury development coming to the heart of Plettenberg Bay The Upper East Side is an ultra-luxury development coming to the heart of Plettenberg Bay, on the corner of Gibb and High Street. 15 exclusive 2 and 3 bed apartments with stunning north views across the Bay and the iconic Keurbooms Lagoon. Perfectly positioned to enjoy the vibrant and colourful city centre of Plettenberg Bay while still encapsulating the beauty of its surroundings.
Daniel van Renen [C] 082 883 6271 [O] 044 533 0311 daniel.plett@seeff.com www.seeff.com Seeff Web Ref 3226645 GO EZ / April May 2019 19
Property Buyers & Sellers Guide Feature by Rob Mckee
Rob Mckee, an associate of Knight Frank Garden Route, is a professional real estate educator and has been involved in the real estate education industry for over 30 years. He recently came to realize that educating estate agents is all very well, but buyers and sellers too are in need of expert guidance when undertaking large financial investments. He shares some invaluable guidelines so you can embark on your property transactions well-informed and armed with the right questions.
EDUCATING BUYERS & SELLERS IS EQUALLY AS IMPORTANT AS EDUCATING ESTATE AGENTS 20 GO EZ / April May 2019
T
he sad reality is that there are so many unqualified ‘agents’ operating illegally with limited or no formal real estate training, that taking advice from such individuals could be likened to dealing with an unqualified doctor – with similar results. Add to the mix a stagnant property market, expropriation without compensation, rampant corruption, crime, ever increasing living costs, Eskom, Brexit, service delivery problems, tight bank lending criteria, and one can empathise with buyers and sellers not knowing which way to turn. The following point by point details should be of value to any potential buyer or seller. WHAT ARE THE BASICS BOTH BUYERS AND SELLERS OUGHT TO KNOW ABOUT? • Regardless of the size of a property the same principles apply when buying or selling. • Supply and demand regulate the industry and there is never a perfect balance – so either buyers or sellers are calling the shots. In an oversupply cycle the buyer is king and when stock is in short supply, sellers are in the pound seats.
PREPARING TO SELL? • You may be willing and able to sell but what if the property is co-owned? A classic example arises in divorce situations when one wants to sell and the other not. • Are all improvements reflected on council plans and fully paid for? • Is the property in the best possible state of repair and are all electrical and plumbing installations in perfect working order? • If the property is tenanted, remember that the lease trumps the sale, does the tenant have a right of first refusal? Will they frustrate the sale? • Do I have the title deed and up to date plans including all approved alterations? • Should I try and sell it myself, (not a good idea) or what type of mandate should I grant? • Do I understand the pros and cons of the various types of mandate before I sign? My advice is that if there is a finite date by which the property has to be sold, appoint the most qualified agent available. • Examples where a sole mandate should be considered: Selling as a result of death, divorce, debt, emigration, looming repossession, bought unconditional to the sale of your house.
• As agents only earn commission on transfer of a property, they will focus their attention far more on what is referred to as ‘real sellers’ than those where no urgency to sell applies; ‘If I get my price’, ‘Thinking of making a change’, ‘House getting too big’ etc. • Never even consider excluding any buyer on the basis of their race, gender, sex, pregnancy or marital status, ethnic or social origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth as this is in contravention of the constitution and no agent is permitted to accept a mandate with such directives being imposed. • Another crucial factor that sellers often don’t take into account is that before transfer can take place, the tax affairs of both parties must be in order – so best to sort these issues out before attempting to buy or sell. • Also, if you are a non-resident seller and the purchase price exceeds R2m, a withholding tax will apply. WHAT’S MY PROPERTY WORTH? • Not what you as the seller think it’s worth! • Not what your friends say it’s worth! A property is only worth what a willing and able buyer is prepared to pay for it under current market conditions and at ‘arms-length.’ THE DANGER OF OVERVALUING Invariably, the longer a property remains on the market unsold, the lower the eventual price achieved. This applies nationally and is probably the hardest concept for sellers to accept. TIME ON THE MARKET VERSUS BUYER ACTIVITY • Hot buyers want to view new listings as soon as possible - hence the high level of activity which is experienced as soon as a new listing hits the market. • Activity drops off over time as buyers may consider it to be overpriced or problematic. • Nationally it can now take anywhere from 1 day to 3 years to sell. Get the price right at the outset. WHY AGENTS OFTEN OVERVALUE • To satisfy sellers aspirations. • To secure the mandate at any price – a contravention of the estate agents code of conduct. • Simple ignorance. COMMON UNFOUNDED ASSUMPTIONS • Advertised prices are the prices
actually attained. • ‘We can always come down in price.’ • ‘It’s cheap for overseas buyers.’ MANDATES No agent can market a property without specific authorisation by the owner or duly appointed representative. • ‘Verbal mandates’ - problematic should disputes arise. • ‘Authority to sell’ - in writing and better than verbal. • ‘Open or join’ – in writing but granted to more than one agency. • ‘Sole’ – seller still retains the right to sell personally. • ‘Exclusive mandate to sell’ - Sellers Rights to sell excluded. TIPS FOR SELLERS WHEN THE PROPERTY IS ON THE MARKET FOR SALE • Ideally leave the house when buyers are viewing. • Make sure the house is in the best possible condition before all viewings. • Insist on the names of all buyers that have viewed the property - important should a claim of double commission arise. • Don’t attempt to deal with the buyer directly. • Insist the agent gives you adequate warning before viewings. • Insist on feedback after every viewing. TIPS FOR BUYERS WHEN READY TO BUY • Get more than one valuation of your property. • Undertake a thorough inspection of the new property. • Be prepared to compromise. • If at all possible - cash is king. • Do thorough research on property prices in the area. • Don’t make ‘stupid’ offers.
• Consider security issues. • Know why the seller is selling. • Consider the area from a future selling perspective. • Ask about planned development in the area. • Ask how long the property has been on the market. • If there are things to be done, negotiate to reduce the price and do it yourself. • Unless there are good reasons not to, make the expiry period as short as possible. • Get a bond pre-approval if applicable • Provide your FICA documents to the agent as soon as possible. • If the property is tenanted ask for a copy of the lease. • If the sale of your property is ‘subject to the successful conclusion’ of the sale of the buyer’s property, make sure you know about the terms of that sale and what it realistically should achieve. • Don’t try to meet the seller in an effort to close the sale. • If you can’t raise a minimum (10%) deposit you will in all likelihood not get a seller to accept your offer. • Don’t try to get your attorney to effect transfer – the risk of the sale is that of the seller. • If you are a first-time buyer, ensure you deal with an experienced agent. Views expressed above are those of Rob Mckee and are offered in an attempt to assist buyers and sellers in general. Should material issues arise during the buying / selling process it is always advisable to seek legal advice sooner rather than later.
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Feature by Kent Gush, Kent Gush Properties
W
_hen looking at the current state of the South African residential property market, it’s interesting to go back 20 years or so to track some of the fundamentals that have contributed to the market we currently find ourselves in. Many felt the pinch in the late 1990’s when mortgage interest rates topped out at around 26% crippling the residential industry. An upswing in 2000 when interest rates started to drop, heralded fresh confidence in the marketplace and created a surge of new developments throughout South Africa. The urban residential landscape as we knew it was altered forever with gated communities and multi-unit sectional title developments. At the same time national government changed their policy on densification of cities giving rise to multiple residential developments that progressively graced the skylines of Sandton, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town. It was only 16 short years ago that six storey developments in Sandton such as 77 Grayston and Katherine Quay were considered high-rise! The year 2005 was the beginning of a frenetic increase in far more ambitious highrise developments such as The Emperor in Sandton and magnificent mixed-use developments such as The Michaelangelo and Melrose Arch. Exclusive gated communities and golf estates became extremely sought after throughout South Africa. During these heady years, leisure estate developers were enjoying their time in the sun, delivering on the holiday and second home demands of the well-to-do. The residential market showed massive growth all the way from 2003 through to late 2007. It appeared there was endless appetite from the market and investors to acquire new homes and in particular, investment properties. The banks were literally throwing money at loans and bonds with scant regard for the applicants’ ability to service the debt. It is hardly surprising that something catastrophic was about to happen – on the home front and globally. Boom! The financial crash in 2008 had far reaching
22 GO EZ / April May 2019
and devastating effects on the residential property markets throughout the world. Overnight, significant changes to banking policy made it almost impossible to secure home loans and very difficult to secure development finance from the major banks. There was little or no appetite for risk. This had a devastating effect on developments that were still on the drawing board, or far from completion. Hardest hit was a vast number of leisure developments, in particular golf estates along the Southern Cape Coast, and the interior of the country did not go unscathed. The five years from 2008 to 2013 was one of the toughest periods in the residential property market in the history of South Africa. Despite political and financial turmoil, developers started emerging from their slumber and a number of significant developments came on stream throughout the country in the following couple of years. 2015 was a buoyant year, the market had turned a corner and was back on track. But not for long. The South African minister of finance, Nhlanhla Nene, was relieved of his post during the now infamous Nenegate scandal, in December 2015. The devastating effect this had on the rand, the dissipation of confidence and optimism in the residential property market, the significant downturn in the uptake of property and looming junk status, once again pulled the rug out from under development and progress. 2018 proved to be perhaps the most challenging year since 2008 and in particular, the Gauteng property market.
The Natal North Coast and the Cape Town market did enjoy some success, fuelled by many Gauteng families choosing to semigrate to these destinations. There were some exceptions in the Gauteng residential market. Waterfall City and in particular the Ellipse luxury apartment development in the heart of the city, enjoyed incredible success late last year with over 170 units sold, realising a sales value in excess of R450 million. The superb quality of the development and the magnificent Waterfall precinct seems to be recessionproof in these times. As South Africa approaches the elections, it is encouraging to note that the positive amongst us do believe that once our President gets a clear mandate from the public and his party, this will herald the first green shoots of recovery for our economy. That said, the recent collapse of Eskom and the incalculable fallout from protracted loadshedding will probably mean that cautious investors who have been adopting a 'wait and see' approach, will stay out of the market for a bit longer. Above: Ellipse luxury apartment development
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Very well-designed home constructed by Circle way. Modern, new and fresh. A definite must see located in the sought-after Raptor’s View Wildlife Estate. Paul Buys E: paulbuys@remax.net Web ref : RXDK-1658 C: 082 552 6568
ZANDSPRUIT BUSH & AERO ESTATE
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This unique Development offers Investors the opportunity of buying their own, Architecturally-designed, two-bed, two-bath, fully furnished thatched Lodge, part of a cluster of 20 lodges. Annie vd Berg Web ref : RXDK-1697 E: annievandenberg@remax.net C: 082 643 3776
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Exceptionally beautiful home is perched on the greenbelt in the quiet area of Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate. Annie vd Berg | E: annievandenberg@remax.net | C: 082 643 3776
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Rogues Gallery
by Andrew Sullivan
From fame to infamy. Andrew Sullivan takes a look at some of the sporting champions who had their achievements, and legacies, destroyed by cheating.
Today, whenever I hear of a new cheating scandal in sports, my usual reaction is to laugh, shake my head and move on, so desensitized have I become through the sheer regularity with which a new story breaks. Just last week the high-octane, adrenalin pumping sport of Bridge was rocked with a doping scandal of their very own when ‘bad boy’ and world number 1, Geir Helgemo, tested positive for anabolic steroid use! And that’s a card game. So common are instances of ball tampering, match fixing, doping, corruption, diving, bribing, feigning injury and more, the practice of the dark arts has become the norm. It is no longer the exception, it has become a part of the rule. And no sport is immune. But there was a time, not so long ago, that the world of sport would be shook, literally, to its very core with the uncovering of a new scandal. It would be frontpage news all over the world and everybody, whether
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interested in sport or not, would be talking about it, often with a fair dose of emotion and passion. In those days, my own emotional reactions to any new revelations would be far more varied and extreme in comparison to the flippancy I demonstrate today. So, I want to take you on a journey back in time, when a sporting scandal meant something, with a look at three of the biggest cheats and their scandals that truly rocked the world! HANSIE CRONJE Hansie played the central role in one of the most extraordinary encounters that I have had in my life, which is probably why his story resonates so deeply with me. Whilst on honeymoon, back in February 2002, my wife and I went to ‘The Heads’ in the town of Knysna (Garden Route) to enjoy an early afternoon lunch. The restaurant was empty apart from two other diners, sat in the corner, who we quickly recognised. It was Hansie and his wife, Bertha. It was made all the
more incredible to me because, as a cricket lover, I had followed the whole match fixing scandal, from when it broke to when the shamed South African cricket captain sat in the dock and cried in the witness box as he admitted his crimes to the The King Commision in front of the worlds media.
IT IS NO LONGER THE EXCEPTION, IT HAS BECOME A PART OF THE RULE. AND NO SPORT IS IMMUNE.
For those of you who need a recap – Hansie Cronje was, in the 90’s, the respected and trusted leader of a group of fast emerging, super talented young cricketers that saw the Proteas widely recognised as one of the powerhouses of international cricket. If you remember, they were a crazy run out away from reaching the 1999 World Cup final, a tournament that they would surely have won had they managed to progress. But just one year later, what started as a murmur turned into rumbling when on the 7th April 2000, the New Delhi police released a warrant for Cronje’s arrest for his part in the fixing of South Africa’s ODI series against the Indians the previous month. What was more damning was the transcript they also released of a conversation that took place between Cronje and a wellknown Indian businessman and bookmaker, Sanjay Chawla, that featured the question, ‘So who is on board with the deal?’ Just two days later (9th April 2000) the South African Cricket Association, who were still behind their man, hastily arranged a press conference, on the behest of Cronje, so that he could refute and deny the allegations that were being made against him. He defiantly stated. ‘I want to make it 100% clear that I deny ever receiving any sum of money during the One Day International series in India. I want to also make it absolutely clear I have never spoken to any member of the team about throwing a game.’ However, that defiance soon turned to shock and shame when on the 11th April, two days after his televised denial, he confessed to the SA Cricket chief executive, Ali Bacher, that he 'had been dishonest' over his activities in India. Cronje acknowledged receiving $10,000 to $15,000 for 'providing information and forecast but not match-fixing' during the One Day Series in India. But this was just the tip of the dishonest iceberg. Over the course of the next 12 months it emerged that Cronje had repeatedly asked his young players to underperform in matches, including the likes of Herschelle Gibbs, Nicky Boje and Henry Williams, to influence the outcomes of games to please his Indian bookmaking paymasters. It’s estimated that Cronje had taken 100’s of 1000’s of dollars over a prolonged period of match fixing that went all the way back to 1994. The passionate, sporting South African public were shocked, crushed and dismayed. Few had sympathy with him as he sat and sobbed during The King Commission, which was specifically set up to investigate his wrongdoings. Incredibly, on that rainy, quiet Friday back in 2002, Hansie asked us to join them. We sat with both he and his wife for at least 30
minutes (although in my mind it felt longer), during which time I had the opportunity to ask him a question that was causing me so much consternation. ‘Why did you do it Hansie?’ He replied, ‘I’m ashamed to say, for the money although I didn’t receive anywhere near the amount they say I did.’ It felt like he still hadn’t truly accepted the impact his actions had had on an entire nation. As it transpires, he was still lying as it has subsequently been proven that he did receive life changing amounts of money for his crude and devasting dishonesty, breaking the hearts of millions of Protea fans in the process. Despite that, it was still an incredibly sad day when news of his plane crash came to us. LANCE ARMSTRONG It was more than six years ago when Lance Armstrong went on Oprah, looked her in the eye, and admitted to the world that his iconic comeback story was fuelled by the most comprehensive doping regimen in cycling history. The seven-time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor had spent his career brashly denying that he’d ever doped, going so far as to shoot defiant commercials about how clean he was and shouting down his detractors in public. The brazen nature of his lying just adds more disbelief to what was already a quite unbelievable story.
GO EZ / April May 2019 25
ANTI-DOPING TECHNOLOGY HAD CAUGHT UP WITH THE CHEATS, AND AS IT TRANSPIRED, THERE WERE A LOT OF CHEATS! Armstrong had created an image built on triumph over adversity. Something that I invested into after reading his autobiography, ‘It’s Not About The Bike’, drawing life inspiration from his comeback from cancer to triumph at the Tour de France. He was a shining example of the notion, ‘never give up’ and brought the worlds attention to a sport that until then, was the domain of only the most avid of cycling fans. And then there he was, confessing his sins on the nation’s biggest talk show, to the nation’s foremost public confessor, and admitting that he’d deceived everyone. When you think that over 80 million purchased and wore the yellow ‘Livestrong’ band, myself included, it gives an idea of just how many people ‘bought into’ the Armstrong lie. The breadth and depth of that lie became clear when, on the 12th October 2012, the US Anti-Doping Agency said that the now retired Armstrong led 'the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen'. In the damning report it uncovered a catalogue of unspeakable actions that the ‘Peoples’ champion had participated in. What was perhaps even more incredible was how he and his codefendants managed to cover the scandal up for so long. He tested positive for corticosteroid in 1999 after winning his maiden Tour title. His doctors quickly got into a huddle and produced a backdated prescription of an ointment for his 'saddle sore'. A year later, he nearly got caught before a race in Spain, when soon after consuming 'oil' (testosterone mixed in olive oil), he learned from his team mate George Hincapie that anti-doping agents were in the hotel to carry out tests. Armstrong pulled out of the race. Later, he went on to win his second Tour title. He not only doped recklessly, he not only forced his team members to dope; he even had the temerity to feature in an anti-doping ad campaign for Nike. In the ad, he said he was only on ‘his bike’. It didn’t stop at that. He would initiate a vicious campaign against whoever questioned his dope-laced victories, be it the entire French media, former team mates or even a masseuse. Perhaps, what finally took the wind out of his sail was the sworn testimony of his most trusted team mate – Hincapie. He was one of the most respected and selfless cyclists of his time, who rode with Armstrong for 11 seasons, including those seven years when he won the yellow jersey. Armstrong wrote in his autobiography that Hincapie and he lived out of the same suitcase for years and knew more about each other than they should.
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Hincapie was the only person whom Armstrong didn’t counter attack. Instead, he realised his years of deception were on their last lap. The final blow came when the UCI president Pat McQuaid said, 'Lance Armstrong has no place in cycling'. For having misled the world of sport, millions of fans, a generation of cyclists, millions of cancer patients, millions of people who read his two autobiographies and wore the yellow Livestrong band and his very own family, I’d go a step further – he has no place in sport. How he avoided prison, I will never know… BEN JOHNSON Growing up, I used to love watching the track and field events at the Olympics. My earliest stand-out memories were of watching the 1984 Games and jumping with joy as Sebastien Coe burst through to take gold in the 1500m; of seeing the barefooted Zola Budd collide with Mary Decker in the much anticipated 3,000 metre dual and of Carl Lewis winning 4 gold medals, emulating Jesse Owens’ feat of the infamous 1936 games in Berlin. Controversies seemed to be born out of competition or politics in those days… doping hardly got a mention. Fast forward 4 years, to Seoul 1988 and step forward Canadian sprinter, Ben Johnson. After his bronze medal in the 100 metres at the 1984 Games, Canada’s Ben Johnson decided he needed some extra pharmaceutical help to beat Carl Lewis. In that Seoul 100m final, Johnson jumped out of his blocks as if he were jumping over a hurdle. He led all the way, staying more than a metre ahead of Lewis, who ran 9.92 but had to look up at Johnson’s latest world record figures of 9.79. As Lewis offered a handshake, Johnson kept his back turned for a long time, which looked an even uglier gesture when the big news broke two days later. Earlier in the season, Johnson had pulled a muscle. Then he lost to Lewis in Zurich and Calvin Smith in Cologne. A top-up was clearly in order. So, Johnson and his coach took a risk, adding an extra dose of steroids too close to the Olympics. When the urine samples tested positive, Johnson lost his gold medal and world records and admitted he’d been taking drugs since 1981. Suspended for two years, he was caught again in 1993 and banned for life. But he wasn’t the only one with a smudge against his name. Lewis was promoted to first place and therefore retained the title but just a few years later, it came out that he’d tested positive for various banned stimulants at the Olympic trials. Linford Christie was upgraded to silver despite a drugs test which also revealed traces of a stimulant. His time of
9.97 made him the first British runner to go under ten seconds, and he succeeded Lewis as Olympic champion in 1992. All the glamour of the Olympic Games' showpiece event lost it’s shine. What followed over the next decade was a string of positive doping results that traversed many track and field, and other Olympic sports, illustrating just how deep the darkness of cheating ran. Anti-doping technology had caught up with the cheats, and as it transpired, there were a lot of cheats! My happy Olympic memories, along with millions of others, have been tarnished forever because of the dishonest actions of our heroes who turned out to be nothing more than common criminals. It’s hard to understand what makes individuals stoop to the levels they do to become the best at what they do, at any cost. It all links into human greed for money, fame and respect but only leads to a legacy of poverty, infamy and global outrage. But the lessons still aren’t being learned and cheaters continue to look for new ways of by-passing the systems. As I mentioned in the intro to this article, the real sadness lies in the fact that cheating, on any level, is so widespread these days, across all sports, to the point that we never really know whether what we are watching is real or built on a nest of lies and deception. No sport is unaffected – just ask the world Bridge community.
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The Grand Dame, The Encore Grand Africa Rooms & Rendezvous welcomes guests with a sense of elegance and worldly charm. A bohemian extravaganza, this iconic boutique hotel is well known as a landmark in Plett. Eleven romantic rooms and an unbeatable location in the heart of Plettenberg Bay. We welcome our patrons to lapse into a red velvet sofa in the book-lined library, soak in the bath by the light of a candelabra, or sip a G&T on the terrace as you enjoy exquisite views… At Grand Africa Rooms & Rendezvous, we welcome you into a world that is removed from the chaos and noise. The newly renovated Grand Africa Rooms & Rendezvous is proof that old and new, avantgarde and modern décor can be combined to create an ambience of luxury and comfort – with some quirky and classic pieces for some artistic flair. Even the beds here are Regal - high enough to require stepping on a footstool to climb into them. Shuttered original doors from the courtyard suites and lounge open onto the Provence-style pool area where beach towels and sun hats are provided for guests. Every corner exhibiting a story, a memory and a souvenir. The walls tell stories of celebrations, love and endless chatter.
Every corner exhibiting a story, a memory and a souvenir. The walls tell stories of celebrations, love and endless chatter. 28 GO EZ / April May 2019
Each of the eleven rooms has a special feature - sea-view balconies in some, courtyards with outdoor showers in others - and all have selfindulgent bathtubs. The rooms are retro-romantic, with French-style furnishings like high beds and claw-foot tubs, shuttered windows, double showers and thoughtful little touches like a jar filled with complimentary chocolate bars and crisps, coffee machines, free wi-fi and a stocked mini-bar. The hotel boasts a restaurant (The Rendezvous) where breakfast / brunch is served from 7.30-2. From there on, our rendezvous offers lunch, dinner and beautiful charcuterie boards. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the Grand Room or on the deck: the restaurant seats up to 65 guests (35 inside and 30 alfresco) and can hold up to 80 people for functions and boutique events. Our à la carte breakfast on the deck is a leisurely affair. One can spend the morning lazing at the pool, reading and relaxing… Amongst other options the lunch and dinner menu offers fragrant gourmet pizza slabs with delicate thin bases, perfectly cooked salmon or fillet. The courtyard with pool, eclectic collections of ornaments and trinkets cover every shelf, bringing to mind exotic places and encounters with fascinating people. In the Leopard Lounge you will
find an array of boardgames, international books and magazines for travelers, a testament to the pre-cellphone days of reading and dozing on the terrace or next to the pool… The overall look is eclectic chic meets bohemian world traveler, with a dash of cabaret glamour ideal for couples who want to be near the action and stay in quirky, unusual accommodation. The hotel does not allow young children, and we pride ourselves for being dog friendly. Spend some time exploring the Main Street restaurants and boutiques, stroll to the beaches (both Lookout and Robberg are within easy walking distance) and choose a place to dine – or stay in and have an intimate dinner at the hotel. Grand Africa Rooms & Rendezvous is a popular choice for celebratory events – locals gather for birthdays and anniversaries in their intimate indoor or outdoor settings, and regulars return year after year for personal service and a peaceful retreat at this grand old dame, where time stands still and your stay is guaranteed to be a luxurious and very memorable experience. Address: 27 Main Street, Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, South Africa
WHERE GRAND-CHIC MEETS RETRO ROMANCE, FIT FOR THE WORDLEY TRAVELLER & DINER.
Telphone: +27 (0) 44 533 3301
plett@grandafrica.com
www.grandafrica.com Grand Africa Rooms & Rendezvous
grandafricaplett GO EZ / April May 2019 29
recipes
by Justin Bonello from his cookbook, 'Cooked in the Karoo'
LAMB SHANKS ON MINT & PEA RISOTTO This wouldn’t be a Karoo cookbook if it wasn’t packed to the brim with lamb recipes, and it wouldn’t be my Karoo cookbook if at least one recipe wasn’t for one of my favourite parts of the lamb – the shank. While Tania was out looking for her lost cow (again), I was stuck in the kitchen – how is that for role reversal! It was our last night on Kruisvallei and I thought it fitting to cook a celebratory meal (no, not because we were happy to leave, but because we’d had such a great time). These will feed about ten of your friends, with lots of leftovers for you to enjoy in the morning. You’ll need: lots of time to hang around the house 12 lamb shanks flour, seasoned with salt and pepper a big knob of butter a splash of olive oil a bottle of good-enough-to-drink red wine about 3 cups of vegetable stock, preferably organic 1 whole garlic bulb 10 sprigs of rosemary extra salt and pepper, to taste Preheat your oven to 110 °C. Toss the shanks around in the seasoned flour until evenly dusted. Melt the butter in a large pot, add a splash of olive oil, and then seal the shanks in batches. Once browned, take the shanks off the heat and set aside. Put the pot (without the shanks) back on the heat and deglaze by pouring in about a glass of the red wine and stirring with a wooden spoon to get all those lekker bits off the bottom. Now, take the pot off the heat again and stack the shanks (fat-sides down, bones facing up). Pour in about three cups of vegetable stock. Next add the rest of the wine, the whole garlic bulb, the rosemary, salt and pepper. If your pot has an oven-friendly lid, pop it on, otherwise cover with foil. Let the shanks slow-roast in the oven for about seven hours or until tender and just about falling off the bones. To be on the safe side, check if they’re cooked after about six hours. Word of advice: the lamb will have its own natural flavour, but taste the sauce to make sure it suits your palate and adjust if needed. Most of the taste should come from those delicious shanks. For the mint and pea risotto, you’ll need: a few knobs of butter olive oil 2 onions, chopped 1 garlic bulb, crushed and chopped a bag of risotto rice a bottle of dry white wine – about 1 cup for the risotto and the rest for you and whoever is helping you cook dinner about 1 litre of organic veggie stock about 2 cups of fresh or frozen peas – add just before serving the risotto, so they’re still crunchy a handful of fresh mint, chopped a big chunk of Parmesan, grated salt, to taste About 30 minutes before the lamb shanks are ready, start cooking the risotto. The worst thing you can do to risotto is overcook it. It’s got to be al dente, which means the grains shouldn’t stick together and disappear into a gooey mush – this isn’t porridge!
30 GO EZ / April May 2019
Melt a knob of butter in a pan over a low heat and then add a splash of olive oil. Once the butter has melted, add the onions and fry until just soft, then stir in the garlic and cook for about another 30 seconds – be careful not to burn the garlic. Next, add the risotto rice, and stir around until the grains are all properly coated with all that buttery garlicky goodness. If you’re not happy with the butter-rice ratio, go ahead – add more butter. Risotto can never have too much butter … or Parmesan! Stir in about a cup of white wine, then once the liquid has almost completely absorbed, add a ladle of stock and keep stirring. Continue this process of adding stock and cooking it off until the risotto is al dente. Finally, add the peas, a big chunk of butter and a hearty handful of grated Parmesan. Give it one good stir around, season with salt and take it off the heat. For the minty cream, you’ll need: 2 big handfuls of fresh mint about 2–3 cups of cream You can make the minty cream while you’re cooking the risotto. All you have to do is pour the cream into a saucepan, then add the fresh mint. Bring to a simmer and let it cook until the cream has reduced by half, stirring it every now and then to stop it from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Strain the cream through a sieve; otherwise, you’ll be chewing on mint stalks later. To Serve: Scoop a big spoonful of the creamy risotto onto a plate; put one lamb shank on top; drizzle with some of the delicious gravy and finish it off with a generous dollop of mint cream on top. This isn’t the kind of meal you eat while trying to balance a plate on your knees. This meal is a little celebration, so be a bit fancy – set a table outside on your lawn, with loads of candles, good wine and great friends – and enjoy every morsel under a star-filled sky.
OUMA GREITJIE SE MELKTERT Some recipes should be kept secret. But some are so good, they just have to be shared, especially in a book where it’s all about passing on forgotten knowledge. Thanks for sharing your grandmother’s recipe, Caro! One milk tart is never enough, so this recipe will make two delicious tarts. For the crust, you’ll need: 100 ml butter, softened 100 ml sugar 2 extra large eggs 200 ml cake flour 1 teaspoon of baking powder a pinch of salt Preheat your oven to 190 ⁰C. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until creamy then mix in one egg at a time. Next, in a separate bowl, sieve together the dry ingredients, pour the butter and egg mixture into the flour and stir with a wooden spoon to form a thick paste. Spread the crust mixture over the base and the sides of two 23 cm greased tart dishes. For the custard, you’ll need: 4 large eggs, separated 3 ml vanilla essence 3 cups of milk 25 g cake flour 25 g corn flour a pinch of salt 100 g sugar 250 g butter, cut into small blocks ground cinnamon, mixed with sugar, for sprinkling Whisk the egg whites and vanilla until stiff peaks form, and set aside. Next, mix 150 ml of the milk with the cake flour, corn flour, salt and sugar until smooth. In a large non-stick pot, gently bring the remainder of the milk to the boil, then remove from the heat, and stir in the reserved flour mixture. Return the pot to the heat and stir continuously until the mixture thickens. Add the blocks of butter, a little at a time, mixing well until everything is combined. Beat the egg yolks lightly and stir into the custard, then gently fold in the stiff egg whites. Pour the custard into the tart dishes, pop into the oven (at 190 ⁰C) and bake for 20 minutes. Allow to cool then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and hide away from your family until you’re ready to share.
GO EZ / April May 2019 31
INVESTING IN PROPERTY: THE 'REIT' WAY J253 SA LISTED PROPERTY INDEX The graph above suggests that the sector may have bounced off its low and has potential to recover, but the South
According to Andrew Golding, the CEO of the Pam Golding Property Group, in South Africa there is 'a strong culture of owning your home – both from an investment and a lifestyle perspective' (Fin24; September 2018). According to Minette du Plessis of Just Property’s investment division, properties bought for as little as R 30,000 35 years’ ago are now sold for approximately R 1,500,000 (Property24, September 2018). If you ignore the maintenance and insurance costs over the period, the annual return equates to approximately 12%. Average consumer price inflation over the same period was 8.7%. John Loos, the FNB property strategist, says that property prices have been declining since 2016, and started showing signs of a slow-down in 2014 (Business Insider SA; August 2018). Loos credits this to 'the broad economic growth stagnation from around 2012' (depicted graphically below). Given that houses are the first asset generally acquired by most South Africans, one would assume that when house prices are depressed all local assets will suffer a similar fate. This has been true of the JSE All Share Index, which was essentially flat from February 2015 to December 2018. The one sector of the JSE that appeared to have weathered the storm was the listed property sector (Real Estate Investment Trusts or REIT’s). For the 15 year period ending July 2018 the
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African economy is still fragile, and the government’s current focus is largely on keeping Eskom afloat as opposed to trying to stimulate the economy. This will undoubtedly limit economic growth for some time, and although we have seen a rally in the stock market since the budget speech on 20 February there may still be some pressure on local asset prices in the medium term.
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10-week SMA 2450
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sector had an annualised return of 16.1% (source: Old Mutual Unit Trust Category Returns). At the end of 2018 the picture had changed quite dramatically, with the sector having a 1 year negative return of -25.2%.
attractive. The 2018 drop in the share prices has resulted in an increase in the yields - the 12 month forward yield on the listed property sector is now 8.7%, and it
SA Listed Property
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BUSINESS & FINANCE By: Chris Jordan, Business Development Manager. Sasfin Wealth
If we assume that SA will remain in a low growth environment, then the primary investment strategies will probably focus on the generation of income as opposed to capital appreciation, and this makes the REIT’s
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is projected to grow at 5% per year for the next 2 years. The sector yield will therefore increase to 9.59% in 2021, which is very attractive particularly to clients living off the proceeds of their investments. To determine the relative value of the yields on REIT’s they are generally compared to government bonds. Historically the yields on government bonds are in the region of 1% higher than the initial yield on the SA listed property index, but currently the R186 government bond and the REIT index are both trading at a yield of 8.7%. This is a positive signal as it is an indication that REIT’s are relatively cheap on an historical basis and are potentially due for a recovery. If we assume a high road scenario, with emerging markets becoming more attractive to foreign investors, then the listed property sector should recover strongly because the desire for yield will create demand, especially for sector heavyweights such as Growthpoint (GRT). GRT is in the Top 40 listed companies on the JSE, it has a local and international property portfolio worth R 132 billion, including a 50% stake in the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town and has an impressive record of 15 years of uninterrupted dividend growth. Fundamentally the sector appears to offer value, and investors currently in the REIT’s need to look through the cycle and not become despondent because of a very weak 2018. Investors considering entering the sector should lock in the attractive and increasing yield, with future capital appreciation being a secondary goal.
DON'T BE A GUEST, BE AN OWNER IN THE LOWVELD SPACIOUS FAMILY HOME FOR SALE IN BLYDE WILDLIFE ESTATE – R4 250 000 This beautiful spacious family home is set in a popular wildlife estate that has a restaurant, gym, spa, tennis and squash courts. The paved roads make life a lot easier ! This home has everything of the best, including amazing mountain views. The property has lovely large trees and is situated in a quiet street. Features: Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 Pool Mountain views Land Size 3,011m²
AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO OWN YOUR OWN SELF CATERING LODGE AND GAME FARM NOT FAR FROM PRETORIA – R17 000 000 Olienfontein Private Game Reserve is a stunning self-catering resort, lying 1500 metres above sea level in the breath-taking, malaria-free Waterberg Mountains. The 333ha reserve is set in the heart of the Waterberg Biosphere, protected by UNESCO, and offers unprecedented and spectacular views over the Waterberg District. Included in the sale: 333 ha game farm & All game on the farm Self-catering camp for 32 guests (8 chalets) Reception, library, entertainment area, kitchen Swimming pool and boma All furniture and fittings in the chalets All the equipment for running the farm Fully equipped laundry Staff accommodation including a managers 2 bedroom flat
A BEAUTIFUL HOME WITH THE MOST AMAZING MOUNTAIN VIEWS. - R3 000 000 A beautiful home with the most amazing mountain views plus views of the valley and escarpment.This well designed 6 bedroom home has a designer kitchen, large open plan living area and large patio to entertain your family and guests. This is the ideal holiday home for 2 families to share as the home has 2 bedroom sections for added privacy. Features: Bedrooms 6 Bathrooms 6 Garages 3 Pool Mountain Views Floor Size 464m² Land Size 1Ha
Rose White Email: rose.white@everitt.co.za Cell: 0 (+27) 83 305 4798 Tel: 0 (+27) 15 793 1686 www.chaseveritt.co.za GO EZ / April May 2019 33
Introducing our new
ECO LUXE EXCLUSIVE-USE PROPERT Y Pafuri | Kruger National Park
Pel’s Post is The Outpost’s new exclusive use, satellite lodge. With only 4 suites accommodating a maximum of 8 guests, it is ideal for small groups and families looking to indulge in their own private bush hideaway. Explore this mystical area known as the Eden of Kruger with the luxury of your own private vehicle and guide. Enjoy the breath-taking views from one of the many decks as you connect harmoniously with nature and the people closest to you.
The Outpost accommodates 24 guests in 12 open plan, en-suite luxury spaces cantilevered on a hill overlooking the Luvuvhu River. The private, free standing spaces are inter-connected to each other and the central lodge area by a winding teak walkway. Contemporary architecture makes use of concrete and steel with state of the art retractable screens offering 180º of uninterrupted views of the secluded and majestic African wilderness.
CO N TAC T US FO R MO R E IN FO R M AT I O N A N D TO B O O K YO U R S TAY E M A IL re s e r v at i o ns @ t h e o up o s t .co. za PH O N E +27 11 327 3 9 10 Makuleke Contractual Park | Pafuri | Kruger National Park
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1. W hat is aphonia? 2. Which is the largest palace in the world? 3. What do you get when you crossbreed a donkey and a horse? 4. Which traditional children’s rhyme was about the plague? 5. What was Marilyn Monroe’s natural hair colour? 6. Which word can be placed before bottle, bell and bird? 7. Where on the human body is the zygomatic bone found? 8. Info.cern.ch is famous for being what? 9. What does the surname ‘Singh’ mean when translated into English? 10. Which is the only letter in Scrabble to have a value of five points? 11. The adjective ‘vespine’ is used to describe which creature? 12. Check out Guitar George, he knows all the chords…’, These are lyrics from which 1970s rock song? 13. Cassius Clay famously changed his name to what after converting to Islam in 1964? 14. Which legendary film director (1899-1980) is well-known for his cameo roles in 39 of his 52 feature films? 15. Robert Oppenheimer was a leading figure in the development of which scientific ‘device’? 16. A Frankfurter is a type of sausage, and a Hamburger is kind of sandwich - what is a Berliner?
17. Which nation is due to host both the next Summer Olympics (2020) and the next Rugby World Cup (2019)? 18. The Okapi is the only surviving relative of which large African animal? 19. Which US Company is the largest in the world by revenue, and can also boast the largest private workforce, with around 2.3 million employees as of 2018? 20. What was traditionally made by a Chandler? 21. What is the commonest medical condition? 22. The ‘Lungs of London’ popularly refer to the city’s what: Houses of Parliament; Tube train network; Parks; or Church choirs? 23. The name of what baby creature is given to a stilleto heel design of two inches or less? 24. Dame Evelyn Glennie, who is profoundly deaf, is a worldrenowned what: Athlete; Novelist; Artist; or Percussionist? 25. What country controversially won the bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup? 26. The nautical expression referring to capsizing is ‘turning (what creature)’? 27. Alfred Pennyworth was whose butler? 28. What hour does a clock-hand point to when it equates to 270 degrees on a conventional
compass? 29. The ‘Travel Bookshop’ bookstore in North London served as a location for what successful 1999 film? 30. The Hindi word campo, meaning press, is the origin of what word for a modern consumable product and related verb? 31. What is a Gilbert Virtuo: Gin cocktail; Machine gun; Lawn mower; or Rugby ball? 32. Zebra, Panda, Pelican, and Puffin are types of UK what? 33. What musical instrument has the nickname ‘the devil’s box’? 34. Triffis, Rudy (or Rudolph), Porpoise, Cody, and Corkscrew are moves in what sport? 35. In medicine, the word styptic refers to something that stops what? 36. Which Australian city is considered to have the largest Greek population outside of Greece? 37. What, according to Forbes magazine in 2011 ‘...achieved in 7 years what the CIA could not in 60, i.e., knowing what 800million people think, read and listen to...’ ? 38. What mixed drink takes its name from the Spanish for ‘bleeding’? 39. A normal human eye can distinguish approximately how many different colours/colors: 10,000; 100,000, 1 million, or 10 million? 40. Nociceptive, Neuropathic, Phantom, Psychogenic, and Incident are types of what?
ANSWERS 1 Total loss of voice, 2 The Vatican Palace, 3 Hinny, 4 Ring O’Roses, 5 Ginger, 6 Blue, 7 Facial cheek, 8 The world’s very first website, 9 Lion, 10 K, 11 Wasp, 12 Sultans of Swing – Dire Straits, 13 Muhammad Ali, 14 Alfred Hitchcock, 15 Atomic Bomb, 16 Donut/Sweet Pastry, 17 Japan, 18 Giraffe, 19 Walmart, 20 Candles, 21 Cavities (Tooth Decay), 22 Parks, 23 Kitten (kitten heel), 24 Percussionist, 25 Qatar, 26 Turtle, 27 Batman (or Bruce Wayne), 28 Nine, 29 Notting Hill, 30 Shampoo, 31 Rugby ball, 32 Pedestrian road crossings, 33 Violin (or fiddle), 34 Trampolining, 35 Bleeding (from Greek styphein, constrict), 36 Melbourne, 37 Facebook, 38 Sangria, 39 10 million, 40 Pain
36 GO EZ / April May 2019
do stuff... CAPE TOWN
6-7 April Cape Town International Convention Centre PROPERTY BUYER SHOW www.propertybuyershow.com 20 April University of Cape Town TWO OCEANS MARATHON 2019 www.twooceansmarathon.org.za
17-19 May Franschhoek FRANSCHHOEK LITERARY FESTIVAL www.flf.co.za
JOHANNESBURG 6-7 April The Container Yard VIVO NATION FESTIVAL www.vwvivonation.co.za
20 April Durbanville Racecourse SA STREETROD NATIONALS 2019 Find this event on Facebook
13 April Rustig Farm, Magaliesberg RUSTIG FARM STYLE MUSIC FEST www.rustig.co.za
22 April Val de Vie Estate ANDREA BOCELLI www.bigconcerts.co.za
13-14 April Ticketpro Dome SAM SMITH: THRILL OF IT ALL TOUR www.bigconcerts.co.za
25 April - 1 May Artscape Theatre SUIDOOSTERFEES www.suidoosterfees.co.za 26-28 April Sandringham Farm, Stellenbosch SOUTH AFRICAN CHEESE FESTIVAL www.cheesefestival.co.za 27-28 April Hillcrest Quarry OYSTERS BUBBLES AND BLANC FESTIVAL Find this event on Facebook 29 April - 5 May Tankwa AFRIKABURN www.afrikaburn.com 1-5 May Cape Town International Convention Centre DECOREX www.reedexpoafrica.co.za 4-5 May Riebeek Valley RIEBEEK VALLEY OLIVE FESTIVAL www.riebeekvalleyolivefestival.co.za
18 April Ticketpro Dome ANDREA BOCELLI SA TOUR www.bigconcerts.co.za 19-28 April Johannesburg Expo Centre THE RAND SHOW www.randshow.co.za 2-5 May Ticketpro Dome EID SHOPPING FESTIVAL www.eidshoppingfestival.co.za 4 May FNB Stadium MONSTER JAM www.monsterjam.com 11-12 May Nirox Foundation Sculpture Park WINTER SCULPTURE FAIR www.wintersculpturefair.co.za 24-26 May Sandton Convention Centre DESIGN JOBURG www.designjoburg.com
PORT ELIZABTH
7 April Port Elizabeth STD BANK IRONMAN AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIP www.eu.ironman.com
BLOEMFONTEIN
22-27 April Bloem Showgrounds 2019 SA SADDLEBRED NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Find this event on Facebook 26 April - 4 May Bloem Showgrounds BLOEM SHOW www.bloemskou.co.za 27 April AfriAdventures DE STATES MTB SERIES www.afriadventures.co.za 11 May Middelwater Farm BE HUMAN WHISKEY & GIN FESTIVAL Find this event on Facebook
27-30 April Vetchies Beach HOBIE 16 RSA NATIONALS DURBAN www.hobiesa.co.za 28 April Moses Mabhida Stadium 2019 AQUELLE TOUR DURBAN www.tourdurban.co.za 3 May Durban Botanic Gardens HEAVY DUTY AFRICA EXPO www.webticket.co.za 6 May Durban Exhibition Centre AFRICA’S TRAVEL INDABA www.indaba-southafrica.co.za
HOEDSPRUIT
20 April Ndlovumzi Nature Reserve NDLOVUMZI MTB CLASSIC www.bouttime.co.za
31 May Windmill Casino COFFEE EXTRAVAGANZA www.suninternational.com
EAST LONDON
5-7 April Bathurst Showgrounds BATHURST SHOW 2019 www.bathurstshow.co.za 21 April Guild Theatre 2nd ANNUAL EMONTI EASTER COMEDY NIGHT Find this event on Facebook
DURBAN
13 April Durban THE GRAND WHITE www.thegrandwhite.howler.co.za
24-26 May House of Fire, Swaziland MTN BUSHFIRE FESTIVAL www.bush-fire.com GO EZ / April May 2019 37
THE STRANGEST RACE EVER RUN? In 1904, St. Louis hosted the Olympic Games as part of the World’s Fair. Originally planned to be held in Chicago, U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt decided it should be switched, going against the wishes of the president of the International Olympic Committee, Pierre de Coubertin.
The 1904 St. Louis Olympic Games were different for other reasons too: • The Games were to take place over six weeks, yet lasted four months. • Of the 651 athletes on show, 526 were American. Pierre de Coubertin didn’t attend. • Gymnast George Eyser won six medals, including three golds, in one day. He had a wooden leg. • Sports at the Games included croquet, the rope climb, art and poetry, speedboat racing, hot air ballooning, the horse long jump, pigeon shooting, duelling pistols, something called korf ball and tug-o-war. THE ST. LOUIS OLYMPIC MARATHON, 1904 Being a relatively new athletic event, there were few recognised ‘marathon’ runners, and most the field was composed of middle distance runners who had never run more than 10 miles in their lives. THE RUNNERS Americans Sam Mellor, A.L. Newton, John Lordon, Michael Spring and Thomas Hicks, all experienced marathon runners, were among the favourites. Another American, Fred Lorz, had earned his spot by placing in a 'special five-mile race'. Among the leading ‘outsiders’ were ten Greeks who had never run a marathon, two men of the Tsuana tribe who were in America as part of the South African World’s Fair exhibit and who arrived at the starting line barefoot, and a Cuban, Félix Carbajal, who had lost all his money on a dice game and had walked and hitchhiked to St. Louis. He turned up at the start line in a white, long-sleeved shirt, long trousers, a beret and a pair of street shoes. THE COURSE The day of the race was a scorcher, with humidity soaring into the 90’s. At 3:00 p.m, the starter gun sounded and the 38 GO EZ / April May 2019
race began. Ahead of the runners was a challenge of enormous difficulty – 24.85 miles, two water stops, seven hills, cracked roads, ankle deep dust, traffic, wagons, trains and people walking their dogs. FUN RUN Lorz led the 32 starters from the gun, but by the first mile Hicks edged ahead. Then the fun began. William Garcia of California nearly became the first fatality of an Olympic marathon when he collapsed and was hospitalised with haemorrhaging; the dust had coated his oesophagus and ripped his stomach lining. John Lordon suffered a bout of vomiting and gave up. Len Tau, one of the South African participants, was chased a mile off course by wild dogs. Félix Carvajal, the gambling Cuban, was making good time even though he paused to chat with spectators in broken English. Not that long into the race he got a bit peckish and stopped at an orchard to snack on some apples, which turned out to be rotten. Suffering from stomach pains, he lay down and had a nap. At the nine-mile mark cramps plagued Lorz, who decided to hitch a ride in one of the accompanying automobiles. He cheerfully waved at spectators and fellow runners as he rode past. Hicks, one of the early favourites, came under the care of a two-man support crew at the 10-mile mark. They refused to let him have a drink, instead sponging out his mouth with warm distilled water. Seven miles from the finish, his handlers fed him a concoction of strychnine and egg whites—the first recorded instance of drug use in the modern Olympics. Strychnine, in small doses, was a commonly used a stimulant, and at the time there were no rules about
performance-enhancing drugs. Hicks’ team also carried a flask of French brandy but decided to withhold it until they could gauge the runner’s condition. AND THE WINNER IS? Meanwhile, Lorz disembarked from his 11-mile car ride. Believing that he hadn’t been seen, Lorz kept running, waving and celebrating with adoring American fans as he crossed the line. Alice Roosevelt, daughter of the President, was about to award the gold medal when word started to spread amongst the officials and spectators about Lorz’s antics during the race. Cheers turned to boos, as Lorz tried to make out that it was all a practical joke. Hicks, was starting to hallucinate, when word reached him that he could still win the race. Believing he had miles to go, he pleaded to lie down. So his trainers dosed him with strychnine, egg whites and brandy. And he made it, collapsing over the line to win. Of the 32 participants only nine finished; two contestants reached the stadium after the crowds had left and the doors had been locked. Today’s marathons are not considered to be spectator sports; but if the races were anything like this, I would watch them all. - Andy Sullivan
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SME may be an acronym to describe the size of your business, but Sasfin knows that your needs are anything but small-to-medium. The challenges your business faces are as unique as they are complex. This is why Sasfin provides the customised tools businesses need to thrive. We provide a varied range of benefits from our world-class digital banking platform (B//YOND), Forex, Capital Equipment Finance, as well as Trade and Debtor Finance. So, no matter how big or small (to medium) your business’s needs are, speak to the bank that goes beyond. 0861 SASFIN | sasfin.com
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40 GO EZ / April May 2019