Carla Bosch:
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The sound of music slowly returning to the streets of New Orleans
A fearless and bold artist
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This Texas Zulu brings the pit braai home to you
Editorial Content Irma Green +2782 -745 -8693 irma@saffamag.com
Saffas love to mingle and more so when there is wine!
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Introduction
The best rib eye steak in town
Get all your local favourites in the USA
Your voice: what do you miss about SA?
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Beyers Truter is the King of Pinotage
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Fires on Table Mountain create havoc
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Kuier om ‘n tafel saam SA bekendes
Contact us
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Texas Zulu brings a braai home to you
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The city of festivals – New Orleans
This publication is supported by the South African Chamber of Commerce USA. Become a member. Click here
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Meet the team behind the chamber
It is as good as biltong, braaivleis, the Kruger National Park and Table Mountain. Your quarterly Saffa Mag will bring you the stories you long for, and share the successes of Saffas now living in the USA. We will publish interesting profile stories, art news, food and wine stories, and business information from the SA Chamber of Business in the USA. Keep an eye on your inbox and social media platforms to have access to this free mag. Saffa Mag is an interactive publication. Click on arrows, start buttons and links to immediately access content and watch the stories come alive on your screen. You can also download and print the publication for reading purposes. Enjoy the experience!
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Sooth your soul with a visit to the bush
Sales and Marketing Neil Diamond +1 (404) 960-6877 neild@sachamberusa.com
Sales and Marketing info@saffamag.com
Humour me: what's the latest from SA
Carla Bosch’s art lights up any room
Design, layout & web Mirelle Jacobs +2776 -812 -9379 mirelle@saffamag.com
No Saffa home should have to live without this classic favourite in the kitchen cupboard. Back home it is literally eaten with everything.
Ntaba Coffee Haus:
Biltong and droëwors:
Order here
Dutchy’s Gourmet Sausages is a South African store, specialising in a wide selection of all beef, pork-and-beef, and lamb sausages. Let their great products be the talk of your next gathering.
Click here to order
Mrs Balls Chutney/Blatjang:
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goodies for you
Dutchy’s Gourmet Sausages:
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Nothing beats the great taste of good South African biltong and droëwors on a Saturday afternoon while preparing for a braai or watching sport.
Tea time will never be the same if you can’t dip a lemon cream and get to eat it just before it falls into your cup!
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Add a little of Jimmy’s classic Steak Sauce to tenderise and flavour-boost your grilled meat. It might be called “Steak Sauce,” but you can really put it on anything - steak, chicken, seafood – name it, grillmaster! They also stock interesting braai tongs, aprons and braai gadgets.
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Jimmy’s classic Steak Sauce:
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Favourite
Lemon Creams:
Ntaba Coffee Haus roasts and serves direct African trade coffee and tea in our coffee ‘haus’ in Louisville, Kentucky. We know and work with each farmer to ensure that our beans come directly from the best farms and co-operations in Africa.
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Beer and wine pleasures
Join the South African wine lovers in the USA on Facebook
Andries and Vicki Enslin with Justine and Neil Diamond.
Justine Diamond, Cath Coetzer (Vice President SA Chamber in USA) and Elaine Bylos (secretary).
In Texas a great event was held in Fredericksburg with Safari Wines as partner.
Magda and Nico Odendaal from SA Emporium.
Sue and Mike Allpass.
Text
about
Saffas love to socialise and the these folks were recently snapped having a good time.
A jolly affair
Out and
South African Wine USA recently held a wine tasting in Atlanta. John Sizer from South African Beer, Wine and Spirits shared his wisdom and wine with guests.
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John Sizer hosted the event.
Do you have a truly South African event that you want to tell us about? Simply send all the details, photos and names with surnames to info@saffamag.com
Wine in Texas
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Martha Vinhas , Justine Diamond and Christa Wessels.
Be merry and drink wine! In Tampa, Florida a truly SA food and wine event was held and restauranteers from Naples, Florida delivered on great cuisine.
A fearless artist
Q&A
In an interview given from her Texas home, Carla says although her art career has gone through various phases where she painted a variety of subjects, landscapes remain her passion. She paints mainly acrylics and her bold impressionistic approach allows her work to carry a lot of emotion. Her artwork has a magical effect and lights up any room. Carla’s father, Anton Gericke, probably knew his daughter had a special talent when he arranged for her to take art classes when she was in Standard 5. She, in turn, says her dad opened his children’s eyes to the beauty around them. “When we travelled, he would take the time to show us how beautiful light fell on a mountain or how the sun would break its way through the clouds. He often took me to galleries so we could admire the beauty of the art. “He is an artist in his own right, but as a full-time pharmacist he could only create during his free time or when he took leave. He always encouraged me to live my dream and now, since he retired, he can also practice his first love,” Carla says. She studied Interior Design at the Tshwane University of Technology, but chose painting as her career. Carla’s hard work paid off and soon well-recognised art galleries requested her work. Most of these galleries are loyal supporters to this day, and three of the most recognised art galleries in South Africa have hosted extremely successful Carla Bosch solo exhibitions. With her art career blossoming, Carla has frequently been asked to paint certain subject matter and from this a series of clowns, coastal and harbour scenes and street settings was created. Her impressionistic approach allows her to paint from the eyes of her soul, and maybe this is why there is such powerful emotion within her artwork. “At first I had to paint what was in demand in order to make a living. My concentration span isn’t long, and my creative process is broken into short sessions, but I paint fast. “Being an artist always sounds romantic to others, but it can be physically and emotionally challenging, taking a lot of focus and hard work. I have developed a love for the palette knife technique and it took many hours of practice to refine the skill. The hard work paid off as it has proven to be very popular with collectors,” she explains. Carla’s ambition to establish herself as an international artist led her to apply for an EB-1 Extraordinary Ability Green Card in the USA. Based her artistic achievements and talents, it was duly awarded to her in January 2015 and she emigrated with her husband, Elroy, and their children, Sarah and Daniel. Their first home was in California and, due to a changed market, she had to adapt to her environment. “I ventured into Plein Air paintings, which took me outdoors where I painted what I saw.” En plein air, or plein air painting, is the act of painting outdoors and contrasts with studio painting as it forces the artist to paint what is right in front of her and requires more of a realistic approach. “There are Plein Air competitions held all over the US and, typically for one week, you have to choose your scene from the immediate surrounding areas and paint it on sight. Painting outside can be very challenging. I’ve had to deal with anything from freezing conditions, rain, wind, extremely hot weather, changing light conditions and sometimes crazy people, but I love the pressure it creates, and it has allowed me to open my eyes to a new world.” Carla says she was in her element as this provided an ideal opportunity for her, Elroy, Sarah and Daniel to explore their new home country. The family moved to Texas two years ago and "we now live in a smaller town on the outskirts of Austin". “We feel more at home here and have been welcomed by the warm Texans. We have been well received by people in our community and it resembles a bit more of what we missed. It takes time to build relationships and it is no different elsewhere in the world. In South Africa we lived in Pretoria and the Cape and found that it takes many years of investment to settle in and make friends.” When asked what her advice to young artists is, Carla is quick to answer: “Be fearless. When we are children we don’t have any fear and will try to paint, draw and give freedom to our creativeness. Artists need to cling to this freedom and to explore their art without fear. Don’t copy others' work but rather draw inspiration from it and most importantly, be authentic.” Carla’s personality is as bright as her art and although she longs for her family in South Africa, she says she will remain fearless in her journey to brighten up the world.
Favourite holiday in the USA: Camping with the family. Her fondest memories are of time spent at Joshua Tree on the southern side of the Arizona desert. Favourite holiday in SA: The Kruger National Park. Carla and her family spent eight days in Kruger this past December. When they were still living in South Africa they would easily spend a month in the park. Did you hold on to certain South African traditions? We speak Afrikaans at home and we love to braai. My son is more of a traditionalist but we do miss our culture and beautiful language. What goodies do you miss? South African sweets, Appletiser and Cream Soda. Whenever we receive guests or go to SA we use the opportunity to stock up on Bovril, Iced Zoo cookies and rooibos. Baking in the US poses a challenge when I can’t find ingredients for certain recipes and I often have to improvise with replacements.
The first artwork Carla Bosch ever sold, to a teacher at her school, was a beautiful landscape painting of cosmos in overcast weather. Little did she know then that her name would one day rank among the top artists in the world.
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Being an artist always sounds romantic to others, but it can be physically and emotionally challenging, taking a lot of focus and hard work,she explains. - Carla Bosch
Be fearless. When we are children we don’t have any fear and will try to paint, draw and give freedom to our creativeness.
The braai has just arrived on your USA doorstep in the shape of a fire-pit braai from Texas Zulu! Jonathan & Robyn Hamp-Adams, founders of this exciting venture, explain where the idea came from: “We relocated with our family from our home in Johannesburg, South Africa to the United States in 2015. From our start in Chicago and ultimate arrival in Houston, Texas in 2020, it has been a dream of ours to be able to share some of the gems of the African continent with our new countrymen”. “To this day, we still own ‘a piece of Africa’ as we acquired our first 43-inch fire-pit from Keith Hamilton in Johannesburg. However, it never made it across the Atlantic. This fire-pit has brought many hours of fond memories with family and friends and is affectionately named the ‘problem solver’. Many glasses of good South African wine have been consumed, and old and new problems have been settled, around the dancing flames of this African boma.” Jonathan says they wanted to recreate the same atmosphere at their new home in Texas but couldn’t find an equal type of pit anywhere. “Having built a well-established network of suppliers, manufacturers and global supply chain specialists over the years, we set out to find and bring not only the fire-pit, but more of the best of Africa, to the USA. With the help of two Texan friends, Jim and Kade, we imported a container of fire-pits and the journey began.” And the rest, as they say, is history! You can now also own your own genuine South African- made pit in the USA. Jonathan says they moved to the US when the company he works for, Grundfos, offered him the opportunity to relocate. “It was a tough decision as, unlike many, we never saw leaving SA in our long-term plans. We were privileged to be given such an amazing gift for our children to have a different life experience. It has also meant that we have been able to help back home and share some of our good fortune. This was also part of the reason for starting Texas Zulu,” he explains. He is currently Grundfos' Regional Director for the Americas, having been recently promoted from Grundfos USA President. Like most families, Robyn is the force behind Jonathan and of course the team that created the Texas Zulu business. Their son Nicholas (23) is at Cornell University, having graduated last year from Purdue and daughter Sarah (19) is at Cal Poly. Their beagle, Emma, also relocated to the US with them. Moving as part of a company relocation afforded them what Jonathan calls “a magic carpet ride”. “We were so fortunate to be relocated and I really admire the grit and guts of those families that tackle this adventure on their own”, he says. “Life in the USA is so different, but also so much easier in many respects than SA. Things generally work well, and you don’t spend long hours thinking about how the external environment can have a negative impact on your family. That said, it is hard being away from the family and friends you grew up with. My daughter found high school tough going and that made it much harder for us to settle.” After five years they have adapted well and Jonathan now even has a good pair of Texan boots and a Stetson in his cupboard. The family try to visit SA at least once a year (pre-Covid) returning to their small cottage in Kenton-on-Sea for a holiday and the beat of the African bush. Back in the USA, they love to visit the west coast of California which he calls “fantastic, spectacular and beautiful”. Jonathan comments that parts of Hawaii remind them of SA and west Texas resembles the Karoo with its dry and harsh landscape. “It's just superb for outdoor activities”.
into your backyard
When you mention South Africa, you immediately think about, and yearn for, the outdoors and of course a braai. Irrespective of your background, we South African’s all love gathering around our fires, braaing a sizzling steak, shisa nyama, or boerewors and sipping on a good wine or cold beer.
Bring a
taste of sa
“Life in the USA is so different, but also so much easier in many respects than SA. Things work and you don’t spend long hours thinking about how the external environment can have a negative impact on your family.”
Do you want your own braai-pit? Contact them on www.texaszulu.com
From left: Nicholas, Robyn, Jonathan and Sarah.
RECIPE
Buy one rib eye steak from your local butcher or supermarket. We get ours from the HEB here in Texas. It needs to be about two hands big (one pound) and lekker thick, but not too thick. If your wife says it’s too big, then you know you have selected the right one.
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Now for the action!
Drizzle some olive oil on the skillet and place your steak at 45 degrees on one side of the skillet. Close the lid and start the timer. There should be a nice sizzling sound – pretty impressive if you have visitors.
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best rib eye steak:
After 1:30 to 1:45 sec (YES that’s correct, its fast) open the lid and flip the steak to the other side of the skillet at 45 degrees. Baste lightly with the butter and close the lid.
Rub a steak seasoning rub into the steak. I like “The Salt Lick Steak Seasoning” from saltlickbbq.com or Griller’s choice from Prasek’s. Don’t be shy with the seasoning and rub it all over
I have always loved braai’ing a large fillet on hot coals for guests. This remains my go to when lighting my Texas Zulu fire-pit , but since arriving in the USA, I have had to learn how to use my gas braai. This has opened new possibilities for steak braai'ing. I was shown a YouTube video a few years ago showing how the “Steak BBQ World Champion” from the USA does his steaks, and it has transformed my steak slider when getting things going before the main braai.
Prepare a piece of tin foil big enough to wrap that sucker up when it comes off the grill.
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Make sure you have your phone on timer as this is super important.
After 1:30 to 1:45 sec, open and brush the area clean where the first round was and flip the steak and place it at the opposite 45 degree angle. (This ensures you get a nice gross grill pattern). Baste lightly with the butter and close the lid.
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Take a cast iron skillet and place it in your Weber gas braai (I guess you can do this on your regular coal Weber as well) and crank it up to at least to 450 F to 500 F or hotter if you can get it that hot.
Melt some butter in a small bowl for basting. You can add some fresh garlic if you love it like I do.
Now you must be patient – The wait is definitely worthwhile. DON’T be tempted. After 15min to 20min you can open the foil and remove the steak.
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Slice it into even slices and serve it on a lekker braai board. Your American friends will think you are the original great African hunter.
After 1:30 to 1:45 sec, place the steak quickly onto the foil and wrap it up nice and tight and closed on each end.
Sponsored
Following the 1997 acquisition of 100 hectares in the Bottelary Winelands of Stellenbosch, the landholding increased again in 2018 with the purchase of a 50ha spread of vineyards known as Kriekbult between the winery and the Simonsberg as viewed from the deck of the bistro at Beyerskloof. Since Beyers Truter planted his first vineyards, he has worked tirelessly to perfect his brand and has earned the title of the King of Pinotage. In 1991 he became the first South African to win the International Winemaker of the Year award. Opting for a slightly more relaxed life, Beyers has now entrusted his son, Anri and the Beyerskloof family with the daily running of the cellar and bistro. Earlier this year Beyers was honoured with the 1659 Award for Visionary Leadership for his efforts and initiatives to create a lasting legacy in the South African wine industry. His mission to have his Pinotage internationally recognised was celebrated by his peers and the global wine industry. Click here to see the 2021 harvest at Beyerskloof The vineyard and winemaking team have been hard at work since the start of our #harvest2021. Enjoy the video and let us know which wines you are most looking forward to from the 2021 harvest?
Beyerskloof Pinotage
Shop here
Thirty years ago, the brand which has become synonymous with Pinotage was ‘born’ when the first vineyard was planted at the small home farm off the Koelenhof road, bought in 1988.
Visits to the USA led to a story book wedding and an exciting new venture of Wine and Horses across two continents.
The story behind
Photo: Beyerskloof FB
As the founder of SA Chamber of Commerce USA (SACCUSA), Neil brings with him years of experience as an astute businessman and a wealth of knowledge of serving in government structures for many years. At the beginning of 2020 he joined his family, who as been living in Atlanta for two years. As the Municipal Manager of Mbombela (Nelspruit, White River, Hazyview and Barberton) in the beautiful Lowveld situated in Mpumalanga province, Neil has made a valuable impact on the council and its interaction with the business community of the area. His announcement to relocate to America was received with much sadness from his community, but his legacy was a council which received clean audits with fully functional infrastructure. The vision of the chamber is to benefit the business community living in the USA and who has links with South Africa. “We work for the promotion of trade and tourism between the countries to promote investment, economic inclusion & growth.” He has already established a close working relationship with South Africa’s Consul Generals, Thandile Sunduza (Los Angeles), Phumzile Mazibuku (Chicago), Motumisi Tawana (New York) and the South African Ambassador in Washington DC, Nomaindiya Mfeketo. It was recently announced that well-known businessman, Robert Gumede, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Advisorty Board of the chamber. In a press release shortly after the announcement, Robert said: “The SA Chamber of Commerce USA has a critical role to play to grow foreign investment in South Africa and enthusiastically promote the wide array of opportunities available for trade and investment in the country’s economy. It is important to note that South Africa, as an economic giant, is a gateway to the rest of Africa’s 1.3bn population and vast business opportunities.” Robert is a South African businessman and philanthropist and one of Africa’s most accomplished business leaders and investors. He is a global entrepreneur and the Executive Chairman of the diversified, 12,000 staffed, Guma Group of Companies. The group is a leading black-owned investment company and leaders in the field of information technology, mining, energy, tourism, infrastructure development and hospitality. The chamber has, since its inception, held social events at various SA establishments and an e-commerce zoom event during February. “The plan in the next few months is to grow our footprint to more states. We have established chapters in Texas, California, Florida, Kentucky, Chicago, New York, Virginia and Georgia. We will communicate our activities on our fb page and via emails. I want to encourage Saffas in business to contact me directly”, Neil said.
SA Chamber
Neil Diamond has become used to the quick jokes when he introduces himself. Being a people’s person all his life, his name has more than often set the tone for conversation and broken the ice in difficult conversations.
“We work for the promotion of trade and tourism between the countries to promote investment, economic inclusion & growth.”
Unlock business opportunities through the
Robert Gumede, Chairman of the Advisory Board .
The SA Chamber of Commerce in USA requested assistance from the South African embassy to help resolve the delay of applications for agricultural workers with their H2A Visa. The Embassy of South Africa helped facilitate a meeting with the USA Embassy and Consulates in South Africa and worked tirelessly to aid 3000 H2A workers. Continuous negotiations are underway to make sure H2As can reach their employers in the USA.
To show support for health workers during the difficult Covid-19 peak period, SACCUSA held an outreach to Saint Joseph’s Hospital. Care packs with treats were delivered to the hospital. Photo: Miguel Texeira and Neil Diamond
“ It is important to note that South Africa, as an economic giant, is a gateway to the rest of Africa’s 1.3bn population and vast business opportunities.”
The Ambassador of South Africa, Nomaindiya Mfeketo.
Why join the SACCUSA?
Motumisi Tawana Consul General New York.
Thandile Sunduza Consul General Los Angeles.
Consul General of South Africa in Chicago Phumzile Mazibuko.
· actively link, connect and network members; · unlock new business opportunities between South Africa and the USA; · always project South Africa in a positive way that will promote investment; · advance transformation, inclusion and representativity of all South Africans; · reflect South Africa’s unity, diversity and cultural richness; · work with the embassy to lobby for more bi-lateral trade and investment between the USA and South Africa Enquiries: neild@sachamberusa.com
During a recent visit to South Africa, SACCUSA President Neil Diamond, met with Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism in Mbombela. Various investment opportunities were discussed in an effort to establish better working relationships between the two chambers.
HUMOuR ME
When you get to Checkers and realise you forgot your canvas bags again.
MEME: Zuma a favourite source of humour Shopping in SA will never be the same for many since shoppers have to pay for plastic bags.
Well-known South African stand-up comedian Schalk Bezuidenhout kept South Africans entertained for the past year with his lockdown video posts. Schalk was born in Kempton Park or, as he calls it, - 'The New York of the East Rand'. In Kempton Park the traditional Afrikaans way of living was a good life. Your mother's breast milk would be brannewyn en coke and you would walk kaalvoet to school. His family and friends stood back as they watched Schalk evolve from an Afrikaans conservative caterpillar into a beautiful drama queen butterfly, complete with a moustache and furry afro. It was obvious to Schalk's parents that he would study drama, and to help numb the pain they sent him away to study at the University of Cape Town. While studying in Cape Town Schalk slowly began to realise that there was so much more to life than boerewors and rugby, and started doing stand-up in April 2011. On stage Schalk is fun and energetic and appeals to people of all kinds and colours.
Watch this
Sad, bad, ugly or good… in SA someone will make fun of it
Watch Schalk’s video on his upcoming matric farewell here
Saffas are never afraid to laugh at themselves even if it is about funerals.
Schalk keeps South Africans entertained during lockdown
Hamiltons and Hoyo Hoyo only have six suites each where guests are treated like royalty.
The luxury and uniqueness of Imbali and Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge and its neighbour, Hamiltons Tented Camp, rank this bouquet among the best safari lodges in Kruger and its surrounding areas. All managed by Extraordinary, it forms part of 16 exclusive lodges and hotels managed by the group in South Africa. At Imbali we were greeted by a herd of elephants drinking at the waterhole, with only a dry riverbed between us. It was as if the Kruger had sent a world-class marketing team to handle the welcoming ceremony. The three lodges fall within a 10 000 hectare private concession. Imbali boasts 12 immaculate suites offering unrestrained luxury, while both Hamiltons and Hoyo Hoyo only have six suites each where guests are treated like royalty.
The entire world has one thing in common - we are Covid-fatigued and need some soul time. As soon as borders open and you can visit South Africa again, include a bit of bush therapy in your diary. Irma Green, who lives in the heart of the beautiful Mpumalanga province in SA, shares her recent experience in the Kruger National Park.
your soul with bush therapy
Imbali Safari Lodge is set on the banks of the Nwatswitswonto River in the central Kruger. All suites are steeped in modern-day opulence and luxury. Beautifully appointed interiors, with only the finest furniture, imported linen, and fine mosquito netting, guarantee you'll have a good night’s rest. Each suite has a plunge pool with stunning views over the riverbed and onto the plains beyond. Meals are served on the deck and in the dining room, where an impressive Jackalberry rises through the decked floor. The cuisine was world-class and served with a selection of the best South African wines. Morning game drives kick-off at dawn and the game viewing lived up to the expectation. In some plain areas up to five species were grazing together and, at one stage, there was great excitement when the vehicle followed a male lion for kilometres as he strolled on either the road or just next to it.
Imbali
This lodge, with six luxury “beehive” suites, is built in the style of Tsonga architecture with earth-coloured walls, outdoor showers and private game viewing decks, all charmingly decorated with African fabrics, decor and art sourced from local Tsonga communities. Here one can also enjoy Nomadic African Spa treatments.
Hamiltons Tented Camp
The beautiful Hamiltons Tented Camp is named after Colonel Stephenson Hamilton, who played an instrumental part in establishing the Kruger National Park. The camp epitomises colonial lifestyle and I felt as if I was on the set of the epic movie Out of Africa in which Meryl Streep and Robert Redford played the lead roles. Hamiltons takes you back to a bygone era of balmy evenings sipping drinks while dressed in white cotton. Hamiltons epitomises luxury with an outstanding safari experience. The magnificent tented suites boast teak floorboards, outdoor showers and slipper baths that overlook the seasonal river where herds of elephants bath and drink water daily. The suites and main lodge are connected by raised timber walkways set among the ancient Jackalberries. Expect the unexpected and be prepared to forget about connecting to the outside world. There is neither Wi-Fi nor cell phone signal at either Hamiltons or Hoyo Hoyo. For more info, click here.
Hoyo Hoyo
My love for music has led me to many different cities and towns, but visiting a city with its whole fibre entrenched in music, fun and parties made it one of the most memorable times of my life, and almost 10 years later I still have contact with people I met on the journey. It is hard to explain the vibrancy and energy created by the music one experiences everywhere you go. We were fortunate to stay in a hotel on Bourbon Street, in the heart of the action. It was situated in the French Quarter, with its origins dating back to the 1700s, where a lot is done to preserve the architecture and no modern style developments are found. The narrow streets are lined with interesting little shops ranging from clothing and antiques to souvenirs and buildings which are brightened by flower baskets hanging from their widows and patios. The Mardi Gras held here is attended by people from across the globe and one can find the most exquisite feather masks and items like voodoo dolls and small musical instruments. At 18:00 every night Bourbon Street is closed off to traffic and makes way for buskers, jugglers and street musicians to entertain visitors. Whether you love rock, bluegrass, jazz, country or the excitement of a piano duet, your taste will be satisfied. It has become a “global” street where you will meet people from everywhere in the world and party like you are long lost friends. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival was the main reason we visited New Orleans and for three days we moved between a selection of stages and listened to Latino sounds, African beats, the deep base only a rock stage can provide, the sweet notes of jazz and some soul soothing sounds from the gospel tent. We saw the legends Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and the Beach Boys perform and understood why Springsteen owns the title “The Boss” in the USA. Other highlights of the visit to New Orleans included a swamp tour, boating in the deeper forest area with its abundance of alligators and from where one could view how the swamp people made a life living on the water’s edge. Covid-19 has had a massive impact on New Orleans and the city has just announced that it is now in a modified phase three state.
New Orleans of old was a city alive with the vibrant sounds of music coming from bars, known for its Creole cuisine and a host for many celebrations and festivals. Irma Green reminisces about the time she spent there.
At 18:00 every night Bourbon Street is closed off to traffic and makes way for buskers, jugglers and street musicians to entertain visitors.
I personally have not been infected, but we have all been affected. A large portion of the population here are in the service industry and entertainment. These poor folks went through a rough patch. All bars had to completely shut down. The French Quarter was eerie; completely deserted. Restaurant owners had to find innovative ways to stay afloat. Unfortunately that meant major staff and menu reductions and the food was pick up only. The full shut down lasted until about September. Since then there has been a phased reopening starting with outdoor - bars, eateries at a reduced capacity. Bars just recently got the okay to stay open until midnight, but that rarely happens because a culture shift of drinking at home has really taken hold. Bands and musicians are the last to get approval to play because the mayor does not want to encourage congregating and dancing. Although things are slowly coming back, there are still major bans on public gatherings. The Mardi Gras was cancelled this year for the first time (that wasn’t due to war). As it stands now, the French Quarter is picking up, tourists are returning, music is heard in the streets, and small gatherings are allowed. Masks are still required in businesses and shops. They are also necessary in restaurants but they can be removed once seated. Unfortunately not all businesses were able to survive the shutdown, and that’s heart breaking.
New Orleans resident, Daphne Calypso Bellefontaine says:
When visiting the city remember:
Tomato sauce or ketchup, cookie or biscuit, sidewalk or pavement? These are just a few words that could cause some confusion when you first land on American soil. Google uses American English, a dialect of British English. The Brits claim they have the purest form of English and their accent has been rated as the most attractive English accent in the world. Neither here nor there, but if you are used to British English you may have a chuckle or two while adapting to your new way of speech. How long did it take you to learn that a drawing pin is referred to as a thumb tack - a short pin that has a large, flat head and is used to attach papers and pictures to a wall or bulletin board? Have you figured out that sticky tac is indeed Prestik (by the way a brand name) and scotch tape (another brand name) is cello or sticky tape?
did you
Minced meat Ground beef Candy Sweets Treats Biscuits Elevator Lift Biscuit Scone Plaster Band aid Rubber Eraser White Out Tipex Trunk Car boot Ticket Till slip Styrofoam Polystyrene
• Every person must wear a mask or face covering while in public, except during personal outdoor recreation. • Indoor gatherings are limited to 150 people, and outdoor to 250 people, with masks and social distancing required. • Restaurants, bars, breweries and event venues can serve alcohol between the hours of 6am and 1am (including to-go drinks). Packaged liquor sales in the French Quarter and CBD are limited to the hours of 6am to 1am. Bars may open at 50% capacity indoors or 100% for outdoor seating (or up to 250 seated patrons outdoors, whichever is fewer); outdoor seating, drive-thru, takeout, and curb side pickup service is also allowed. • Conference venues and meeting rooms are limited to 50% capacity. • At restaurants, bars, breweries, libraries, offices, and other businesses, no more than 15 individuals may be seated at a table. • Live entertainment may be performed at bars, restaurants, concert halls, music halls, and performance and event venues with a special event permit. They must also follow the capacity limits based on the business type. Additional safety guidelines, including proper ventilation, must also be in place.
What
say?
Lus vir kuier om ‘n tafel met Afrikaanse legendes?
Die sanger met die diep rasperstem, Theuns Jordaan, het in Desember aangekondig dat hy reeds in September 2020 met leukemie gediagnoseer is en met behandeling begin het. In vroeg Maart vanjaar het hy ‘n beenmurgoorplanting ondergaan en sterk tans aan. Jordaan se treffers Soos bloed, Beautiful in Beaufort- Wes en By Jou weerklink in menige huis. Sy liedjie Namibsroos, kan hier geluister word.
Op die Faceblook-blad, Kom ons praat Afrikaans, word daar heerlik in Afrikaans saamgekekkel. Solank jy binne die reëls bly en slegs Afrikaans gesels, niks politiek bysleep nie en natuurlik ook nie adverteer nie, kan jy met mede-Afrikaanses saampraat.
Beyerskloof Pinotage is ‘n Suid-Afrikaanse gunsteling. Vir dié onderhoud met Beyers Truter het Christo Snyman in die Beyerskloof-kelder gaan kuier. Beyers deel sy agtergrond en hoe hy ‘n wynmaker geword het.
Druk hier
taal
Die bekende Snyman-musiek- broers wie se treffers Trein na Margate, Toeter Skoeter, Huistoe en 10 000 myl die voete laat jeuk, vier tans hul 29ste jaar in die bedryf en het, ongeag die uitdagings wat met Covid-19 gepaardgaan, nie stilgesit nie. Christo, Cobus en Nic het pas ‘n heerlike kuier-program, Broers om die Tafel, op hul Youtube-kanaal bekend gestel. In hul eerste program gesels die drie oor hul loopbaan propvol treffers en dan met Steve Hofmeyr. Christo het aan Saffa Mag gesê daar is nog heerlike kuiergaste soos die Springbokke, Duane Vermeulen en Breyten Paulse asook wynmaker, Beyers Truter van Beyerskloof, wat eersdaags om hul tafel gaan kuier. Jy kan nou elke tweede week self aansit en lekker saamkuier as jy op dié knoppie klik!
gooi
Het jy geweet dié Bok-held het huishoudkunde op skool gehad en kan ‘n heerlike maaltyd voorberei? Kyk na dié intieme onderhoud wat Duane Vermeulen met Christo Snyman gevoer het en hoor interessante brokkies oor die Rugby Wêreldbeker-toernooi.
dit in jou
Kekkel-en-kloek op dié bakkiesblad!
Theuns Jordaan
Devastating fires caused massive destruction in the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) and adjacent areas recently. The fire started on Sunday, April 18 and quickly spread to a wide area due to high wind speeds and above normal temperatures. Only due to the collective efforts of 125 TMNP rangers, 170 fire and rescue workers, the South African National Defence Force, Working on Fire teams and many volunteers who worked tirelessly around the clock was the fire brought under control. The Rhodes Memorial was gutted on Sunday morning and soon after 4 000 students at the University of Cape Town had to be evacuated from their residences. The historic Jagger Library, which contained rare collections of African books and archive material, was partially destroyed in the blaze. SANParks estimates that the fire has destroyed 600 hectares of land. For more info, click here.
Photo: www.ewn.co.za
Today we celebrate Freedom Day. On April 27, 1994 South Africa held its first democratic elections where anyone could vote regardless of race. For the majority of South Africans, who had never voted before, their dignity was restored and the country transformed into a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society. The Saffa Mag team is proud to present you with its first edition. You may be living in another country but you can stay in touch with your roots! The magazine is free and proudly compiled for your pleasure.
Think South Africa and images of the bushveld will inevitably pop up in your mind. Covid-19 has impacted severely on the tourism industry with almost no international visitors coming through the borders. Nobody knows when things will normalise again and the industry is gearing itself to stay afloat until 2023. If you do miss the bush, subscribe to Alnatural Green’s Youtube channel click here.
Heavy rainfall during February caused havoc across the north-eastern and central parts of the country. Spectacular scenes were recorded at the Augrabies Falls National Park during the heavy rainfall.
Dam levels increase
newsclips
Freedom Day
If you miss the bush, follow Alnatural Green
from South Africa
Wild fires gut Table Mountain
Heidi Wissing I recently had an epiphany. After many years of feeling unsettled and feeling like I had one foot in each continent- I suddenly saw it differently. It’s like having children - you don’t have to divide your love between your children- it grows to accommodate each child. We don’t have to split our loyalty between 2 countries- I am blessed to be able to say I have two home countries, each with its own wonders and it’s own trials. This has been a game changer for me.
The FB Group “South Africans in the USA” has almost 8000 members who regularly engage on a variety of subjects. Recently one member asked whether there was one thing Saffas regretted leaving behind in SA.
Nicolette Venter To me the difficult part is when loved ones are ill or there is death in the family or someone needs you and you can’t be there for them. A phone call sometimes is just not enough. But that is the choice we made and we have to live with it and make it work and focus on the positive. If that doesn’t work, I just think about loadshedding.
South Africans in the USA
Owen Sweet Absolutely nothing, moving to the United States was the best move l ever did. My family and friends are just a phone call away, and there seems to be more South Africans here than in South Africa. I will always be an African and my heart is there, but l love this country.
Emile Lester Eks so-called coloured, so my roots Issie hele wereld ... die meeste van os is, ma os is in denial... ek miss alles vannie Kaap en Suid Afrika, ma try ons local versions te create en local brasse te maak. Issie maklik ie, ma os kap aan.
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