Kicking off their professional career in 2003 the Parlotones grew from strength to strength and in 2006 signed a European licence deal all thanks to their debut single “Beautiful”. I have only seen the Parlotones perform live once, way back in 2006 when they were the opening act at the Bellville Velodrome for the band Live. When I heard their haunting lyrics and watched the band perform, Kahn (lead singer) was particularly impressive on stage, I knew that this would be a band to watch out for as their music appealed to more than just a commercial audience. I was hooked.

They have since performed over 200 times all across the globe (South Africa, UK, USA and Europe) and some of their most memorable performances include Live Earth and Coke Fest. They have won numerous awards, including a SAMA (South African Music Award) for Best Music Video of the Year 2009 and their albums have reached platinum status in South Africa.

To celebrate the release of their latest album, Stardust Galaxies, the Parlotones have kicked off with an international tour with concerts performed to audiences in the UK, all across Europe as well as a debut performance in Australia at the One Movement for Music Perth festival. If you are feeling a bit jealous at the moment because you would really like to see them perform live on home ground, then you should perk up to hear that this epic tour culminates in 2 performances in South Africa.

Cape Town is lucky enough to see them perform first on Friday 13 November at Grand West Casino’s amphitheatre and the tour winds down with an estimated 19,000 fans at the Coca Cola Dome in Johannesburg on Saturday 14 November.

If you haven’t already purchased your tickets (mine are in hand, ready to be rocked in the golden circle in Cape Town) you can get them from Computicket at a cost of R166 for general admission and R218 for golden circle.

I am definitely looking forward to being a part of this awesome celebration of one of South Africa’s best known and well loved rocked bands.

Website:
The Parlotones – The Official Website

Useful Links for Jozi:
Johannesburg Events
Things to Do in Johannesburg
Johannesburg Accommodation

Useful Links for Cape Town:
Cape Town Events
Things to Do in Cape Town
Cape Town Accommodation

On a game drive in a private Big 5 reserve recently, I was disappointed to find that our game ranger was giving preference to these species, to the near exclusion, or rather, dismissal of other game species. There were 3 couples in the vehicle, one of which were first-time visitors from the USA. Speeding past numerous species of Antelope, Warthog and countless birds, we tracked lion (though it felt more like chased) for more than half of the game drive. Sadly, it seems as though our modern approach to life is rubbing off on our wildest and most preserved areas. Get in, get out – tick off as many species as possible in as short a time as possible.

Can’t speak for everyone, but as a visitor this is not my intention. Perhaps the most enjoyable thing about being on a game drive, is the sense of time coming to a complete stop. Looking out at an untouched landscape, taking the time to watch a bird soar through the sky, appreciate a magnificent sunset and marvel at the number of stars in the night sky – these are things, I regret to say, I find little time for in the city, but which leave me with a sense of well-being long after I’ve left.

I later saw check-in forms that had been completed by guests visiting the game lodge, and under “What do you hope to see during your stay”, I was saddened to note “Big 5” scrawled on almost all of them. I can understand this desire, as finding the elusive Leopard has been added to my bucket list, but I feel these desires are starting to change the way game drives are handled by game rangers. Foreigners visiting our country have more than likely never seen the “less in demand” species (except perhaps in a zoo) and I’d like us all to spend more time appreciating any species we’re lucky enough to come across.

To put my mind to rest that I’m not the only traveler who appreciates any sighting in a game reserve, I’m launching another photographers’ competition. Submit your photographs of any mammals, birdlife, reptiles or insects or any sunsets, landscapes, trees or even rocks that took your fancy, whilst visiting a game or nature reserve in South Africa. Find out more about the competition at Photographers Competition November 2009.

Photographs: Not the Big 5 …

Useful Links:
South Africa Wildlife
South Africa Birdlife
South Africa Game Reserves

• Lynne Bindeman (South Africa)
• Dale Burns (UK)
• Valerie Elizabeth Burns (South Africa)
• Janet Churchill (South Africa)
• Holly Godfrey (South Africa)
• Debbie Greener (UK)
• Bev Isaacs (Israel)
• Pauline Prinsloo (South Africa)
• Rebecca Sims (USA)
• Patrick Taylor (South Africa)

The winners have been selected and the giveaway is over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get one of these calendars for yourself – and support this worthy cause. Find out more about the 2010 SAGA Calendar.

How to Order

To order the 2010 SAGA Calendar, please contact Laura Hodgson:
Email: laura.guidedog@gmail.com
Telephone: +27 (0)21 674 7395
Or download the order form and fax it to SAGA.

T-Bag Designs

How many cups of tea do you have during a day? And if you are in an office how many tea bags do you think get put into the bin at the end of the day? Even if you only use one tea bag a day don’t throw it away, keep it because there are some special people located in the Imizamo Yethu informal settlement in Cape Town who could really turn your old tea bag into something special.

“Original T-Bag Designs is a collective of artists who live in an informal settlement in Hout Bay, South Africa. With recycled tea bags as their canvases they are painting themselves out of poverty”.

If you haven’t yet heard of the Original T-Bag Designs then you are missing out, this is such a unique and creative way of job creation and utilizing the creativity of people …

T-Bag Designs

Founded more than 11 years ago by Jill Heyes who had moved to South Africa from England as after seeing the poverty in the “informal settlement” of Imizamo Yethu she wanted to help and make a difference in the lives of the people. She began to teach some of the women basic craft skills and after some unsuccessful attempts to sell paper mache and potato printing products their perseverance kept them trying until they came up with something fabulous.

In 2000 the Original T-Bag Designs came to fruition. But what is this you are asking? These ladies from Imizamo Yethu, who are now in working in sustainable jobs, something that most people don’t take a second look at a used tea bag and create high quality artwork in the form of greeting cards, artwork and other products. It is also a fantastic initiative as it flies the “Proudly South African” banner.

T-Bag Designs

The ladies from the community have now become skilled and talented artists and employ some of the members of the Imizamo Yethu community who have disabilities to assist with the making of these products. The Original T-Bay Designs is now another destination that anyone who lands on Cape Town soil should make their way to because it is a fine example of what can be achieved with hard work, perseverance and a community spirit.

Original T-Bag Designs’ products can be purchased at the studio in Hout Bay in the Western Cape as well as from Hout Bay’s Mainstream Shopping Centre and at the V&A Waterfront’s Blue Shed Stall.

The Original T-Bay Design is now sending out a call to one and all to help them make their Christmas wish come true. And this is where we can all help. They would like to collect 50 000 used tea bags that they envisage will be used by the end of the year as they have huge orders for their very popular tea bag angels.

T-Bag Designs

These angels are made from the tea bags, which are dried and emptied and ironed and together with string create a very lovely skirt for the angel.

So the next time you have a cuppa using a tagged tea bag, please remember to save, dry, empty and send it to Original T-Bag Designs!

Let’s see if we can help this worthy project meet their target. Save those tea bags and send them as soon as possible so we can make their Christmas wish come true.

Send your Tea Bags to:
Original T-bag Designs
Unit 4 Kronendal Business Park
Main Road, Hout Bay, Cape Town.
Telephone: +27 (0)21 790-0887.
Website: http://www.originaltbagdesigns.com/

Photographs from and © Original T-Bag Designs

Organic Cape Town

Everyone’s talking organic and local. Eating organic is obviously a lot better for you, given the lack of chemicals used in growing the food. But is it always the best choice for the planet? And where do you go to find it?

Organic produce is important. We have spent a great deal of the 20^th century adding synthetic chemcials to our food supply and the organic movement is a return to the kind of farming that was ‘conventional’ before all this tampering with our food began …

In a nutshell, organic means: farming that replenishes the fertility of the soil, without the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides and insecticides; livestock are reared without the routine use of antibiotics and growth hormones, and organic produce may not be genetically modified.

Organic Cape Town

It is a highly regulated industry overseas (in South Africa not as much so), and one way to know for sure that what you buy is organic, is to look for certification. Processed organic food usually contains only organic ingredients, or if non-organic ingredients are present, they are only a certain percentage of the food (95% in the US and Australia, according to Wiki).

Organic food is a healthier option to food grown with the use of chemicals. However, when we start importing organic products then the cost to the planet suddenly becomes a lot higher.

Food miles are the distance your food travels from plough to plate, in other words, from the farm to your plate. Effectively, the further your food travels, the more CO2 emissions, the higher the cost to the planet. So, importing organic sugar from USA or avocados from Spain is costing the earth a lot more than avos produced on a farm in KwaZulu Natal. Better still, if they’re grown by a farmer local to you, they’re costing the earth even less.

Organic Cape Town

There is obviously a huge push then, to eat local – the closer to your home, the better. However, before we throw the bathwater out with the baby, there is another factor to consider. The theory that local is automatically better than imported organic produce doesn’t always hold water.

Locally produced beans that are grown using a lot of fertilisers and tractors are anything but carbon-friendly. By comparison, beans grown in Kenya, for instance, are produced in a highly environmentally-friendly way (nothing is mechanised), they use low-tech irrigation systems, and, most importantly, they provide employment to many in the developing world. Weigh that up against the air miles used to get them to the supermarket.

So, it isn’t as simple as buying local over organic every time!

For me, first prize is local and organic, and preferably with minimal packaging, if any. The idea is to buy locally produced food, or any goods and services actually, as close to your home as possible.

So where can you buy organic?

Box delivery schemes

Organic Cape Town

A good place to start, if you want to support both organic and local food, is organic box delivery schemes. There are now a number of these in Cape Town, and you are rather spoilt for choice. Shop around until you find one that suits you and your pocket.

The Ethical co-op has an excellent online facility and delivers to your door, Ganics, which now has a sister shop in Obz called Quensch, Wild Trading store in Woodstock that also has a Saturday morning market and on Fridays serves a lunch of local, organic and seasonal fare at their trading store, whilst you stock up on goodies.

Harvest of Hope offers a variety of vegetables grown in the townships enabling the poor to help themselves, Organic zone in Muizenberg offer two standard box sizes (which sometimes makes the decision a lot easier), Zetler Pharmacy in the city bowl, and Christiana’s whole food.

Markets
Capetonians are thoroughly spoilt when it comes to markets where you can buy organic and local products from the source themselves.

Organic Cape Town

The Rondebosch organic Market and the Neighbourgoods Market – both on a Saturday morning are both excellent. The Neighbourgoods Market is an experience on its own and is a great source of organic and locally produced foods. The Porter Estate Produce Market, also on a Saturday, at the Chrysalis Academy behind Tokai forest picnic area, is a feast of food and wonderfully child-friendly, and the new Earthfair Market in Tokai, near Builders Warehouse, not only trades on Saturday mornings, but also on Wednesday evenings from 14h00 until 20h00, and encourages patrons to bring their own packaging.

This already long list doesn’t mention staples like Imhoff farm which has a market on the first Saturday of every month, the Obz night market every Thursday from 4pm, the Nitida Farmers’ Market in Durbanville, the Joy Market, a community market in the city bowl, and Mielie’s organic market at Montebello every Friday from 9am.

Then there are the equally excellent markets a little further afield – the Stellenbosch Organic Farmers’ market, the Franschhoek Farmers’ Market, the two slow food markets – one at Willowbridge, and the Stellenbsoch Fresh Goods Market now moved to Oude Libertas, and the Camphill village market on the 1^st Sunday of every month.

Restaurants

Organic Cape Town

There are very few restaurants calling themselves organic. It is still a tricky promise to make – to be completely organic – as suppliers are like hens’ teeth and supply is inconsistent. More and more restaurants now promise to use local fresh produce as much as possible in a bid to meet the demand made by those wanting to eat in a more earth-friendly way. But challenge their claims, and make sure they really are doing so.

Only Sage Organic Cafe in the city bowl and kwaLapa at Montebello in Newlands actually call themselves organic. Sage Organic Cafe, in Gardens, uses organic wherever possible and menu orders are SLOW FOOD made with love! New kid on the block, kwaLapa at Montebello, has an amazing menu of organic and local fare and is set in amongst the trees in a wonderfully relaxing setting. Bird’s Boutique Café in Bree Street is a trendy eatery that serves organic on the menu, baked-by-hand goodies, and also has an organic box delivery scheme. They’ll also do catering too, if you’re prepared to entertain a wacky handwritten quote and fairly steep prices, but then it is organic and homemade.

La Cuccina in Hout Bay use organic ingredients wherever possible, the Picnic Basket in Fish Hoek sells organic vegetables and fruit and uses these in their menu, Green Beans Café in Westlake makes a to-die-for wheat-free carrot cake with organic carrot and spelt flour, and Woolworths’ in-store café has organic sugar on the table and offers organic coffee and other organic goodies on the menu.

Other great restaurants include: Ashtons @ Greenways in Upper Claremont where breakfasts are hard to beat, The Greenhouse, at Cellars-Hohenort Hotel in Constantia, and The Quaffery in Wynberg, which serves 100% organic coffee.

Shops
Some of the shops where you can buy fresh organic produce in Cape Town include: Creeds in Tokai, Farmstall in the City at Starke Ayres Garden Centre at Liesbeek Parkway, Millstone Farmstall and cafe at Oude Molen Eco Village in Pinelands (a great child-friendly venue), Organic Living in Constantia Village, Organics Alive and Wellbeing Natural medicine in Muizenberg, and Organic Zone in Lakeside.

Editors Note:
Our special thanks to Wanda of the award-winning Urban Sprout website for sharing this information with us.
For additional info and a great “green” read please visit: http://www.urbansprout.co.za/

“The children have been very cold lately as a result of cable theft, and the carpets could not have come at a better time,” says centre manager Ester Jaca. According to Jaca, the facility has also been in need of tablecloths for some time as their dining tables were bare. “Our dining room and boardroom will look very bright and welcoming with these smart new tablecloths,” she smiles …

Photograph: Children in the pre-school will now be able to lie down and play on a warm and carpeted floor.

It was through its association with the Tshwane Tourism Association that the CSIR ICC first heard about Mohau Children’s Home’s sterling work among disadvantaged communities in greater Tshwane. The ICC decided to assist. Community involvement lies close to the heart of the CSIR ICC staff, who regularly donate food to Jakaranda Kinderhuis and Bramley Centre in Pretoria whenever a surplus is experienced.

“Although we have supported several charities in the past, it is always infinitely rewarding to assist care facilities that do such exceptional work as Mohau,” says Bronwen Cadle, CSIR International Convention Centre Marketing and Sales Manager. “We would like to challenge all Tshwane hospitality establishments to take part in initiatives such as Mohau.”

Mohau Children’s Home opened its doors in 1997 as a residential care facility for orphaned, abused, abandoned, neglected and terminally ill children and their families who are infected or affected by HIV/Aids. The Home provides temporary or permanent residential care and community-based social services.

Photograph: Refilwe Nchebisang, CSIR ICC Public Relations Intern (left) hands over the CSIR ICC donation to Ester Jaca, manager of the Mohau Children’s Home.

Mohau is based in the Kalafong Hospital grounds due to the dire need experienced at Kalafong and Pretoria Academic Hospitals – it is there that babies are often abandoned by their mothers who are infected by the HIV virus.

However, it soon became clear that the need for a care facility around greater Tshwane was far bigger than anticipated, not only for children infected by HIV/Aids, but also for those affected by the impacts of the pandemic. In 2004, the Mohau Children’s Home bought their first satellite house in Kilner Park, a residential area on the north-eastern side of Pretoria, which made it possible to increase the number of children accommodated from 35 to 45.

Jaca explains that the main reason for the purchase of the satellite house was to reintegrate children back into communities as the National Children’s Act does not allow the Home to accommodate children of 18 years and older.

How to get involved:
For more information about Mohau Children’s Home, or to make a donation please visit www.mohau.za.org, or contact Ester Jaca on 012 318 6762.

Note:
The CSIR International Convention Centre has a programme in place to train people from previously disadvantaged communities in skills required for employment in the catering industry. Many of the trained individuals are then employed by the CSIR on a full-time or part-time basis, or they apply for jobs elsewhere using their newly acquired skills. Another arm of the Centre’s community service is the donation of food or consumables that are not used during an event to charities in and around Pretoria. These donations are made on a regular basis on behalf of the event host, who is credited by name for the contribution.

For further information, contact:
Refilwe Nchebisang, Public Relations and Marketing Intern
Tel: (012) 841 3770

For those of us who can see and who can move freely through the world it can be hard to understand just how dependant a blind person can be on those around them. Being dependant on other people can be debilitating, soul destroying even. But being able to travel to and from work, being able to walk to the shops … these things, in the words of many guide dog owners, have quite literally been a god-send.

Terms & Conditions:

• The competition is open to all except employees of SA-Venues.com and SAGA, their families and advertising agencies.
• Decision of judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
• Competition closes at midnight on the 11th of October 2009.
• The winners will be announced here on the 12th of October 2009 by 12h00 and informed by email.
• Not transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash.

How the Calendar Came into Being

The 2010 South African Guide-Dog’s calendar came into being because of the calloused hands of a blind man. It seems a strange beginning, but one which led to thirteen fantastic wedding photographers from around the country agreeing to donate their time and talent to photographing guide dog owners and their dogs.

In 2007 a young Cape Town photographer, Roberta Crumplin, was struck by the cheerfulness and energy and incredibly calloused hands of a blind man collecting money in a shopping centre.

In chatting to the man, Roberta discovered his name, Roy, and that of his guide dog, Xass. She discovered that despite his blindness he had put his three children through university; that he ran a cane workshop for blind people, and that he was in fact collecting funds for an old age home that he was concerned about. His ability to do all of this, to move freely through the world, was as a direct result of having his guide dog. This was a man who didn’t simply sit back and allow life to happen around him, this was a man, who quite literally, got his hands dirty and worked, really hard, for everything that he had in his life.

Inspired by his sheer tenacity and determination, Roberta wanted some way to take Roy’s story further and so the 2008 Western Cape calendar came into being.

Roy was one of the first guide dog owners to be photographed for that calendar. Shot in his workshop, his deft fingers weaving the arm of a cane chair, and with Xass at his feet, Roy was the epitome of inspiration.

The calendar was a great success for SAGA; it helped to raise much needed funds for its new puppy training centre in Cape Town and it showed so very clearly and eloquently the immensely powerful relationship between the guide dog owners and their dogs. It was decided then to do a 2010 calendar that looked at the lives of blind people around the country and to use the insightful photography of some of South Africa’s top wedding photographers: Jean-Pierre Uys, Joe Dreyer, Greg Lumley, Andrea Carlyle, Dror Eyal, Dirk Visser… Testament to the character and generosity of these photographers is that almost everyone who was approached said yes straight without a minute’s hesitation.

SAGA breeds, rears, trains and places all of its own dogs. It is an enormous undertaking. Throughout the dog’s life SAGA stays involved and on hand. Your support of this calendar and of SAGA generally is what allows the organisation to provide the phenomenal and life changing service that they offer for blind people. We hope you’ll buy your calendar today and let it show you exactly what it is that your donation is helping to do – affording people who can not see the dignity of independence and mobility.

How to Order

To order the 2010 SAGA Calendar, please contact Laura Hodgson:
Email: laura.guidedog@gmail.com
Telephone: +27 (0)21 674 7395
Or download the order form and fax it to SAGA.

Useful Links:

• For more information about SAGA, visit South African Guide-Dog’s Association
• For more information about Roberta Crumplin, visit Big Day Big Picture
• For more information about Joe Dreyer, visit Joe Photography

Country comes to town - ‘From the Earth’ Expo

If you’re one of those city dwellers who yearn to exchange the mad rush of the city for the peaceful yet adventurous life that the country and farm offers – even just for the day, From the Earth is the expo for you. This unique concept of bringing everything that is homemade, healthy and natural right to your doorstep will take place in the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 16-18 October 2009 …

This Expo will emphasise man’s skills and creativity in transforming nature’s treasures into products that have become essential to our way of life. Come experience the goodness of the earth through demonstrations and workshops about the healing properties of herbs, pasta making and bread baking, cheese and wine pairing and preserving fruit.

Bring the kids to witness the wonder of being close to sheep, cattle, pigs, alpacas, horses and poultry – all under one roof.  Products such as herbs, meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables will be housed in separate country lanes to give the visitor a complete and exhilarating experience of the diversity the land offers.  Spend some time around a real life show ring and view some of South Africa’s top animals in action.

The finer details:
Tickets at R50.00 for adults and R40.00 for pensioners, will be sold through Computicket and at the door.
Children 12 years and under will be admitted free.
The expo will be open on Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00 and on Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.
The organisers, Agri-Expo, can be contacted for further information at telephone +27 (0)21 975-4440.

Useful Links:
Cape Town Events
Things to Do in Cape Town
Cape Town Accommodation

Grow A Tree Starter Pack

Neutralising one’s “carbon footprint” seems to be the catchphrase of 2009. What does this mean exactly? Well the basic idea is to plant a tree to negate the effects of all of the carbon emissions we are responsible for, in our daily lives. The rule of thumb is:

“For every 5000 km you travel in a car or for every 5 hours you spend on a plane, you should plant 1 tree. If you never travel in a car or a plane, you should plant 10 trees to neutralize the effects of your household.”

So, now that you know what to do, how and where can you do it?

For those with green fingers, get down to your nearest nursery and buy the seeds with which to grow your own tree. Some indigenous options which will beautify your garden, sidewalk or neighbourhood include the Fever Tree, Cape Chestnut, Pompon Tree, Wild Pear and Forest Elder, though your nursery will be better able to advise you of the best options for your area.

Grow A Tree (based in Gauteng), the brainchild of Sean Hide, sells 12 varieties of indigenous tree seeds in brown, white or green hessian bags. But more than that, Grow A Tree is actively involved in educating children in South Africa about the importance of trees. If you don’t want to get your hands dirty, you can sponsor a tree for only R20, which will be planted in a community area. Visit: http://www.growatree.co.za

Another project well worth supporting is Indigenous Trees for Life (an initiative of Wildlands Conservation Trust, based in KwaZulu Natal). This conservation project is community based and teaches disadvantaged communities (primarily orphaned children) to grow indigenous trees from seed, which are then bartered for goods donated to the Wildlands Conservation Trust by corporate sponsors. The trees are then planted in communities leading to “Urban Greening”. Sponsorships and donations are most welcome. Visit: http://www.wildlands.co.za/Programmes_TreesForLife_Map.aspx

September, the beginning of Spring in South Africa, is Arbor Month. Food & Trees for Africa receive requests from schools and communities looking to “green” their environs and provide valuable information, advice and assistance. Make a donation, become a corporate sponsor, buy trees as a charitable gift, volunteer your time or simply use their CO2 Calculator to work out your carbon footprint. Visit: http://www.trees.co.za

Also check out:

• http://www.platbos.co.za/reforestation_project.html
• http://www.greenaplanet.co.za

Lillian Ngoyi © ANC

On this day in 1956, over 20 000 women of all races and ages from every corner of South Africa marched together towards the Union Buildings in Pretoria. These brave women were marching in protest against the pass laws that proposed even further restrictions on the movements of women.

Organised by the Federation of South African Women, the March was led by four brave women; Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, Sophie Williams and Lilian Ngoyi. The leaders delivered petitions to Prime Minister JG Strijdom’s office within the Union Buildings.

Women throughout South Africa had put their names to these petitions indicating their anger and frustration at having their freedom of movement restricted by the hated official passes.

To conclude the Women’s March the women sang freedom songs such as Nkosi sikeleli Afrika, however, the song that became the anthem of the march was “Wathint’ abafazi, Strijdom!”

Photos © ANC.org

wathint’ abafazi,
wathint’ imbokodo,
uza kufa!

When you strike the women,
you strike a rock,
you will be crushed [you will die]!

The march was a resounding success and South Africa recognises the bravery of these women who risked arrest, detention and banning by declaring 9 August National Women’s Day.

Useful Links:
Women’s Struggle in South Africa – For anyone interested in reading up more on this topic, this link will take you to the SA History site’s page on “The turbulent 1950s – Women as defiant activists”. There is a lot of interesting information available on this site.

This link – The Women’s March, 9 August 1956 – gives a very comprehensive account of the preparations for and events of this day we now commemorate every year. Interesting reading! We salute these wonderful Women.

Photo Credits:
Photos are © ANC.org Website.

Puss in Boots and Other Tails is a glorious kaleidoscope of immortal fairy tale classics – all of them loved by children of all ages. Skillfully adapted by multi-award winning director Joyce Levinsohn, these classics are reworked with contemporary music and themes, and are jam-packed with audience interaction. In this production the emphasis is on engaging the imaginations of the audience, who become an integral part of the performance.

Beautiful costumes and ingenious décor help the versatile cast keep the audience spellbound while discovering the magic of theatre, as they travel with Puss in Boots on an exciting, fun-filled voyage around the world – to Persia, Japan, Africa and Australia, going from palaces to desert sands and lots of destinations in between.

Puss in Boots and Other Tails will weave a magic spell that’s sure to delight children of all ages.  This production has been made possible by the generous support of the National Arts Council, Department of Arts and Culture and National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund.

When, where, how much?
Puss in Boots and Other Tails will run at the National Children’s Theatre (NCT), 3 Junction Avenue, Parktown, from Monday 7 September and will run until Saturday 17 October 2009.
During the government school term, performances are weekdays at 9.00am and 10.30am.
During school holidays, performances are Mondays to Saturdays at 10.30am and 2.30pm.

Ticket prices:
R60 (children) and R70 (adults).
Block bookings and specials are available for schools, groups and birthday parties.

Tickets:
Bookings can be made through Computicket: 083-915-8000 or the theatre: 011 484-1584.
Booking is essential.
There is ample parking available within the grounds of the complex.

Useful Links:
Parktown Attractions
Parktown Accommodation
Johannesburg Accommodation
Gauteng Events
Things to Do in Gauteng

A solar collector

The time is NOW, the colour is GREEN and the question is: “What are you doing to save our Planet?” Eco living is on everybody’s lips and if it isn’t, it should be! Recycling, conservation and renewable energy have been around for many years.

Fossils fuels are polluting our environment and alternative energy sources are here! Many establishments are already saving the planet 1 kilowatt hour at a time by using various energy saving ranges, which are becoming increasingly affordable and available in South Africa and the world over.

Do we really need to consider making changes to our comfortable lives? Is it really our responsibility? If not ours, then whose?

Do we realize the vast effect the human population has had on biodiversity since the start of the industrial revolution? It’s time to reverse these effects and do whatever we can to create a sustainable future.

Surely these extreme measures must be for all those hippies that chain themselves to trees in protest against whatever cause they read about in the latest “flower power” magazine? I will admit that chaining yourself to a tree is pretty extreme, but it’s time we all started caring for our environment and did something to ensure our future!

Here are just a few things that will make a difference:

• Switch lights off when you are not in the room
• Use energy saving lamps for your light fittings
• Only fill the kettle with the amount of water you intend to use
• Use water saving devices such as low flow shower heads
• Incorporate water harvesting in your home (grey water systems and/or rain water collecting tanks)
• Convert to solar hot water
• Recycle your glass, paper and metals
• Carpool or use public transport when possible, or better yet, ride a bicycle if not travelling far (good for your health too)
• Don’t use products with volatile organic compounds in them
• Source local produce, with a lower carbon footprint, along with offering seasonal menus to reduce high bills needed to keep produce fresh out of season
• Start a compost heap
• A worm farm for organic waste
• Plant an indigenous garden
• See “green” establishments around South Africa that have already incorporated some of these practices and get inspired.

While not all of these options may be right for you, incorporating just one or two of them into your daily life, will make a difference. For example, converting just 1 conventional 200 litre geyser to solar, causes a reduction of 2.9 tons of carbon dioxide per year.

In South Africa we have an abundance of sunlight which directly translates into free energy, that is ready for harnessing and re-use. Cold Core Solutions can help you harness this energy, using innovative ideas that are cost effective, and give us all a “greener future”. At Cold Core Solutions we are as passionate about the environment as we are about luxury and comfort.

Contact Cold Core Solutions for your tailormade energy needs.
Tel: (021) 845-4181
E-mail: info@coldcore.co.za

Great White Shark

The following aquatic conversation is based (albeit very loosely) on true fictional tails. The names of the Great White Sharks have been concealed in order to protect their predatory identity.

Overheard on location in Gansbaai:

Shark 1: “Where are they? They know its winter and we’re practically lurking around in schools this time of year!”
Shark 2: “I don’t know but I didn’t floss my pearly whites on seaweed to impress the sardines, they better show up soon I’ve got some scaring to do” …

Shark 3, Shark 4, Shark 5, Shark 6 and Shark 7 appear from the shadows of the deep Indian Ocean.

Shark 1 (to group): “Hey! We’ve got the shotgun on the first shark-cage divers in Shark Alley”.
Shark 2 (to group): “Yeah, go find Nemo or something!”

Shark 3, Shark 4, Shark 5, Shark 6 and Shark 7 disappear back into the shadows of the deep Indian Ocean.

Great White Shark

Shark 1: “Don’t you love the part when the people think we’re gonna bite straight through the cage they’re submerged in”.
Shark 2: “I know, like we don’t realize they’re completely safe behind steel enforced bars! You know for mammals they’re not that smart”.
Shark 1: “That’s why they need the dive master with them at all times”.
Shark 2: “Some of them have never even snorkelled before!”
Shark 1: “They’re not as amusing to me as the ones who choose to breath from those tanks; haven’t they heard of gills?”
Shark 2: “The irony is they go out of their way to protect us“.
Shark 1: “As if we’re not in control in our own natural environment”.
Shark 2: “I bet the biggest guy in the group will pee in his wetsuit first”.
Shark 1: “How can they forget that we have the most heightened sense of smell in the animal kingdom?”

Shark 1 and Shark 2 chuckle.

Shark 2: “Ssssshhhh … I hear something”.

Distant sound of rotors.

Great White Shark

Shark 1: “Feed, fish, foe, fum; I smell the blood of tasty chum”.

Shark 1 and Shark 2 encircle the boat with daring displays of dorsal fin.

Shark 1: “I’ll meet you back at Dyer Island when the shows over, I’m in the mood for some yummy seal dessert”.
Shark 2: “OK cool, but don’t hog the underwater cameras this time I’m trying get an animal agent maybe do an ad for Colgate or something”.
Shark 1: “Deal; but attack with your good side in profile so they can admire your length”.
Shark 2: “I’ll do more than that; I’ll give them the experience of a lifetime”.
Shark 1: “Yeah, that’s what I’m talking about, a wild African adventure to tell their great grand kids about!”

* Note: No seals were harmed while overhearing this conversation *

“Shark” Links:
South Africa Shark Cage Diving
Visit the White Shark Embassy
Great White Shark Cage Diving
Swim with Sharks in Gansbaai

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, known affectionately as Madiba, will be turning 91 tomorrow, Saturday the 18th July 2009. This is a milestone for anyone, however at 91 years Madiba continues inspiring and encouraging South Africans and the World to better themselves and those around them, when most individuals could only hope to make even a slight impact on their immediate surroundings at this age …

In an effort to celebrate Madiba’s legacy the Nelson Mandela Foundation is urging the globe to join together in their bid to create an official Mandela Day (18 July). This day will not only be symbolic in celebrating the man who changed South African history, but will enable and encourage individuals to improve the circumstances of those around them. This global movement for positive change will only be made possible by individuals giving of themselves …

The 67 minutes campaign that will be taking place globally on 18 July 2009 asks that participants give 67 minutes of their time to make an imprint and in doing so impact on some of the following social issues human rights and civil liberties, hunger and poverty, education and literacy, health issues, environmental issues, social enterprise and economic development. Your 67 minutes can be spent however you feel it would benefit those around you, you could work in a Soup Kitchen (as is Helen Zille, leader of the Democratic Alliance), visit the sick or elderly, be a volunteer or just make someone’s day better. Every little bit counts and 67 minutes is not much time at all considering Madiba has spent the past 67 years making the world a better place.

Mandela Day

To inspire you here are some of the ideas where you can spend your 67 minutes: The South African National Blood Service  will be holding a blood donation drive around South Africa, you can visit their website (link below) for details of drives in your area.

If you’re planning on visiting the Mandela House on Mandela Day be sure to write your message in the book on display as the Soweto Heritage Trust would like to present this book to the Foundation in honour of the day. Rekopane Inclusive Development Centre, a boarding centre for children under 10 years with multiple disabilities is inviting volunteers to help paint their premises, contact Tumi on +27 (0)11 022 3572 to volunteer.

Moyo Restaurants around South Africa will be donating 20% of the proceeds from the à la carte “Madiba Menu” to selected charities, so book your table now.  The Librarian Association of South Africa will be cleaning up the environment and areas surrounding the libraries in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg, why not clean up the environment in your area?

The Imizamo Yethu Community will be working hard to clean up the Hout Bay area in Cape Town, contact Thozama on +27 (0)82 747-3142 to help. Or turn your 67 minutes into a long lasting project, why not make a vegetable garden and when the veggies are fully grown distribute them to clinics, schools and soup kitchens who could really use them. The Delta Park Vegetable Garden Club doing this in Johannesburg, but why not do this in your area?

Mr Mandela, we’d like to wish you a wonderful birthday and thank you for being such an inspiration to all people, however, I only know how to wish you Happy Birthday in 3 of the 11 official languages – but they are sincere and heartfelt …

Happy birthday, veels geluk met jou verjaarsdag (Afrikaans) and Imini emnandi kuwe (Xhosa). We hope that Mandela Day is a day that sparks change and improves the lives of those who most need it.

http://mandeladay.com/ - Mandela Day
http://www.nelsonmandela.org/ – Nelson Mandela Foundation
http://www.sanbs.org.za/ - South African National Blood Service
http://www.mandelahouse.com/ - Mandela House

Oliver Foundation

The Oliver Foundation has a mission. To work with local communities to help build a sustainable future for people and the environment. The UK-based organisation made a commitment in 2007 to focus its support in the Eastern Cape. It works predominantly in rural areas, bringing about change by developing and supporting programmes that have a social, environmental, educational and economic impact on those it effects.

And with good reason. Over seven million South Africans live in dire circumstances,  surviving on less than R5 a day. 26% of the country’s poverty stricken households are based in the Eastern Cape. As a result of a lack of proper education, unemployment rates are believed to be as high as 70% …

The Oliver Foundation supports projects that create opportunities for disadvantaged, vulnerable young people who need empowerment and the tools to help them reach their potential. These programmes don’t just focus on education and empowerment, but also instil a sense of pride and respect in the individuals involved, so that they build self confidence and a sense of responsibility.

Oliver Foundation

The programmes supported by the Oliver Foundation are thus not only community based but developed in consultation with locals so that mutual goals in the area are taken into account. Very often the foundation is the link between small organisations who need support – funds, good business practices, accountability etc. – and the business community with the means to supply this.

An example of the kind of work the Oliver Foundation does is their Kids to School project, which raises funds to send those children who can’t afford the school fees or uniforms to school. Many children’s parents, or as is often the case their grandparents, cannot pay the fees, meaning that children often do not go to school at all. In 2007 alone, the foundation sent 61 children from the townships to school, with a uniform a ruck sack and stationery.

To find out more about The Oliver Foundation visit:
Website at http://www.theoliverfoundation.com/ or
Donate to this cause at http://www.justgiving.com/oliverfoundation/donate/ (via Just Giving).

Useful Links:
Eastern Cape Attractions
Eastern Cape Things to Do
Eastern Cape Accommodation

SA-Venues.com

The eyes of the world have been focused on South Africa recently for obvious reasons – the Dalai Lama’s unfortunate banning from the conference intended to tackle racism ahead of the 2010 World Cup, our new president, our banks have remained largely protected against the direct effects of the global financial crisis, and the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

The tourism industry also reported a buoyant year in South Africa for 2008, despite the global slowdown. Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk has commented that although the industry is not immune to the effects of the crisis, we can still expect a target figure of 10 million visitors next year.

And it is small wonder that South Africa receives the attention it does, given the incredible natural beauty of the country, the geographical diversity it exhibits and the fascination the country holds for visitors as an ongoing experiment in racial harmony. This despite the existence of two diverse and parallel universes – that of a glitzy, scenic first world and the other face of sprawling townships, alarmingly high HIV/AIDS statistics and poverty.

10 Years

SA-Venues provides a first rate, first-hand account of what it means to travel this beautiful country, where to find the ultimate accommodation along with detailed accounts of different parts of the country right down to the suburbs, towns and highlights you might want to visit. The website, which allows you to deal direct – no commissions, no service fees and excellent rates – has recently been given a face-lift and it is now even easier to find South Africa accommodation, tours and safaris, things to do in and around your destination with easy-to-use maps and a regularly updated list of special offers.

Here’s to ten more years of providing our users with some of the best travel news, views and options in the country!

Visit South Africa!

Street Crafts

Anyone who travels round the streets of the Mother City cannot fail to be moved by either the extreme beauty or the dire poverty that makes up much of Cape Town life. Each journey can be an emotional roller-coaster ride – joy, sadness, enchantment, anger, hope. But for me one of the most powerful and recurring themes has been an absolute respect and admiration for the extraordinary craftsmanship and dazzling inventiveness of the street artists that ply their bead work, paintings and metal sculptures around a number of major intersection across town.

Wow! These guys are good, transforming all manner of bits of recycled plastic and tin into wonderfully imaginative gifts, recreating everything, from penguins to Harley Davidson’s, lamp shades to flying pigs in elaborate vibrant bead work, or painting lively and cheeky slices of township life onto the back of old cupboard doors, adding rows of tiny 3D shacks made from tin cans. Two particular favourites of mine are the funky chickens made out of plastic bags, and the ingenious wind mills made from old aerosol cans.

One major advantage of a dashboard deal is that you can assure that all the money goes to the artist and their family, and it’s great to be able to put a face to your chosen piece. It is also worth noting that these street artisans take commissions, and will more than happily create your dream gift (a friend of mine ordered a flying dolphin mobile to hang above his unborn child’s crib). And if something is a bit pricy, you are more than welcome to haggle. Some people get overwhelmed by the sheer passion with which these vendors sell their wares, and when two or three vendors approach you at once, trying to outdo each other. Street vendors are masters of the hard sell, so just look the products over and be firm about what you want.

Street Crafts

There are a number of key locations around town, each with places to pull over, where the artists take advantage of the lights to parade their work. The junction between the M3 and Newlands Avenue is a particularly popular spot, as is the entrance to Constantia Village Shopping Centre, Constantia Road, (with breathtaking metal sculptures), and the corner of Rondebosch Common, close to the Silwood Shopping Centre.

One thing that you are bound to encounter whilst driving around town is ‘Funny Money’ an A4 flyer packed with cartoons and gags and witty proverbs, sold on a donation basis at many busy intersections, the product of a wonderful piece of reciprocal back scratching between Cape Town’s poor and a printing company called Topcopy. There’s something for everyone – bazaar adverts, true stories, pseudo scientific nonsense such as ‘How you undress reveals your personality’, and even a ‘Let’s learn Xhosa’ section.

Also, keep a lookout for The Big Issue, also at major traffic lights (robots), which, since its inception, has given ‘a hand up, not a handout’ to over 10 000 people across South Africa. It costs R12, but feel free to give a little extra. So when driving around Cape Town, it’s always best to keep a pile of loose change handy.

Useful Links:
Cape Town Attractions
Cape Town Accommodation
Cape Town Hotels

Arum Lily Reed Frog

Chris Spengler, owner of Afton Grove Country Retreat in Noordhoek – Cape Town, reports having recently found an Arum Lily Reed Frog (Hyperolius horstocki) on the glass pane of a dining door at the lodge recently.

The Red Data listed species – Western Leopard Toad (Bufo Pantherinus) is resident for most of the year on the lodge grounds at Afton Grove Country Retreat. Other species that also occur at Afton Grove are: Clicking Stream Frog (Strongylopus grayii), Cape Sand Frog (Tomopterna delalandii) and Clawed Frog / Common Platana (Xenopus laevis).

“It is a long time since I have been this excited about finding a small 35mm long beastie like this” reports Chris. “I often hear their call & have searched amongst the Arum Lilies during winter in the nearby wetland on a number of occasions to find this species, but without success. To think that this little beauty actually came looking for us!”

Frogs are very good indicators of the health of an ecosystem as they have the ability to absorb oxygen through their skin! If the local eco system becomes polluted, no more frogs! Following their tremendous success in the eco-tourism sector, Chris now plans to develop a Frogging list and route for the area.

For more detail contact Chris at Telephone: +27 (0)21 785-2992
To send an E-Mail visit: Afton Grove Country Retreat

One of our preferred and recommended South African accreditation associations is the Guest House Association of South Africa (known in short as GHASA). Their service offers many benefits. For us at SA-Venues.com the major benefit is that overseas visitors easily identify with the GHASA logo, are aware that the establishment they are considering booking with is a credible, assessed establishment and therefore their confidence in booking with that establishment is high. Over and above this the Association offers their members numerous additional value added services (marketing, advice and friendly, accessible staff) so it is a worthwhile investment getting your accommodation registered with GHASA.

The Guest House Association of South Africa (GHASA) was established in 1992 and has over the past 14 years become well known as experts in quality guest house accommodation. The organization was subsequently privatized and more recently, changed the name to Guest House Accommodation of South Africa (acronym still GHASA), because they no longer operating as a Section 21 (not for profit) association.

Some of the many benefits of being a member of GHASA:

• Credibility – GHASA take on only professional, commercial establishments
• Great marketing opportunities – The GHASA website is marketed extensively
• Assistance and valued advice – especially useful for new owners and managers
• Star Grading – if you’ve not been graded, speak to GHASA about requirements
• Special supplier deals – GHASA can help you save money
• Recognition – The GHASA logo has become synonymous with quality

For information on getting your establishment registered with GHASA:

• Contact: Guest House Accommodation of SA (Pty) Ltd
• Your contacts are: Lyndsay or Natasha
• Telephone: 021 7620880
• E-mail lyndsay@ghasa.co.za
• Website: http://www.ghasa.co.za

Useful Links:
South Africa Accommodation
Südafrika Unterkunft

Tsotsi

Tsotsi, the South African film about a Johannesburg Shantytown thug won the Oscar for best foreign language film on Sunday, making it the first film from the country to win the award.

The film which was directed and written by South African Gavin Hood features a searing performance by Presley Chweneyagae a gun-toting grown up AIDS orphan, who becomes an emotionally dead gangster until he learns the value of human life when he is forced to care for a baby he has mistakenly kidnapped.

“We may have foreign language films, but our stories are the same as your stories. They are about the human heart and emotion,” said the film director Gavin Hood.

The film is based on famed playwright Athol Fugard’s only novel, a 1950s tale about the dehumanising effects apartheid was having on the lives of black South Africans. Tsotsi’s win is the crowning moment of the South African film Industry which has earned recognition throughout the world.

Tsotsi

At the previous Oscars another South African film “Yesterday” received an Oscar nomination for best foreign film and another South African film uCarmen eKhayelitsha won a Golden Bear award at the 2005 Berlin Film Festival.

At the Awards on Sunday night (5 March 2006), Director Gavin Hood said the following in his acceptance speech:

“God bless Africa. Wow. I have a speech, it’s in my pocket, but that thing says 38 seconds. But mine’s way too long. Go to tsotsi.com and there is a huge long list of people. Because I’m accepting this not for myself. This is for best foreign language film. “.

It is sitting right there to start with. Please stand up Presley Chweneyagae and Terry Pheto. My two fantastic young leads. Put the cameras on them, please. Viva Africa. Viva. I’ve got ten seconds. Ten seconds I just want to thank my fellow nominees who I’ve become deep friends with. We may have foreign language films, but our stories are the same as your stories. They’re about the human heart and emotion. It says please wrap. Thank you so much. Thank you to the Academy. Thank you

Related Links:
“Tsotsi” – The Official Website
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

“The fact that South Africa is hosting the first international Wine Tourism Conference and Expo in Southern Africa is testament to the quality of the local industry.”

The conference will also bring value to the tourism industry according to Nokhuthula Dube, CEO of Cape Town Routes Unlimited. She said South Africa’s reputation for producing exceptional wine has added a greater depth to the country’s image. She said:

“In terms of wine produced globally, South Africa ranks ninth in volume production and is responsible for 3,1% of the world’s wine. This makes the local industry a valuable global player in a growing market.”

Source » TravelInfo.co.za

Useful Links:
For further information see:

• Paarl Attractions
• The Cape Winelands
• South Africa Wine Tourism Conference