Khuluma May 2019

with Robby Collins

FOR THE MENU see pages 4 & 5

88







The year Commercial Air Services The percentage by which The number of tonnes of cargo
(Comair) began operating its charter our fleet reduced its fuel carried by us each year.
consumption per seat over
service between Durban and
Germiston’s Rand Airport. the last decade.

The number of The number of tonnes of 8
years that South potatoes that are peeled and
African Airways has cooked, before being served The number of litres of wine consumed
by our passengers annually.
been operating. annually by our catering
division, Food Directions. 8

The year KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, the the topVIEW The number of pieces of luggage
world’s oldest airline, was established. FROM we fly around Southern Africa on

The number of passengers in millions Unlike what happens when you roll a busy day.
carried by our fleet each year. the dice, we prefer not to leave our
numbers to chance. Our facts might be The landing speed – in kilometres per
random, but our numbers are amazing. hour – of a Boeing 737-800.
Whether you’re a trivia buff or brushing
up on your aviation knowledge, here

are the digits worth knowing…

The number of passengers in millions The distance in kilometres of the world’s The length in metres of the world’s
that pass through O.R. Tambo longest non-stop flight – between Singapore longest runway. It’s at China’s Qamdo
International Airport annually. and Newark. It takes 18-and-a-half hours. It Bamda Airport, which – at 4 334 metres
first beat the record for longest flight time in above sea level – was once also the
The year online check-in was October 2018, taking over from a 14 535km
introduced – by Alaska Airlines. world’s highest-altitude airport.
Auckland to Doha flight.
kulula.com
The length in metres of the longest And the Answer
runway used by our fleet – at O.R. Tambo to the Ultimate
International Airport. The shortest runway Question of Life,
we use is the East London secondary runway, the Universe and
Everything?
which measures just 1 585 metres.

MAY 2019 3

grubs up!

new 20R 00 new
hotties each
19R 50
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16R 00 R3900 Foodirections Veggie Roll
each each

21R 00 munchies
each
big fillers

bust that hunger!

R3900 Foodirections Meaty Roll
each

16R 00 R3900 Gypsy ham & cheese croissant
each each

7R 00 Assorted flavours: Choc-mint, lemon, passionfruit, coconut,
each strawberry, salted caramel, white chocolate delight

listen up 7R 00 combo
each
we've got bars 21R 00
each
indulge in a bar of your choice
Add a soft drink

16R 00 + or or
each
7R 00 Coke Coke Light Grapetiser
each

combo

21R 00
each

Add a cereal bar

or or

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+ or 19R 50 39R 90
each each

combo combo

32R 00 56R 00
each each
Add a hot beverage Add a Castle Lager

Regular or Coffee +
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the thirst busters try me quick! I am new
a limited edition
15R 90 and subject to 35R 00
each availability! each

24R 50 Am I the sweet
each
odd one out?
21R 50 Great! 30R 00
each each

39R 90 Try me, I'm
each sweet too
19R 50
each 16R 00 snack attack it's wine o'clock
each
salty/sweet the smooth operators
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pick a colour, red or white?

37R 00
each

the usual good stuff

assorted alcoholic beverages

26R 50 22R 00
each each

Choose me
and save a
few bucks

Please note: cashless payment is here
• Items are subject to availability - it’s sad but true.
• Alcohol is not for sale to persons under the age Only debit or credit card payments will be accepted.

of 18 - obvious!
• You will be required to swipe or dip your card using

a Zip-Zap device for payment.









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CONTENTS 29

Contents
MAY 2019

54 73

3 VIEW FROM THE TOP 41 RANDOM SHMANDOM Explore
Random aviation facts from the There’s method in our
Comair Captain! dietary madness. 53 PEDDLE-POWERED
PILGRIMAGE
22 LUCKY BREAK 47 KNOCK KNOCK Cycle your way through
Robby Collins says he owes his career One in the bush, one in the city, Namaqualand’s finest terrain.
to a combination of luck and chance. and one near the runway.
54 A TIME-TRAVELLER’S TOWN
Experience 59 Get lost in time in the Great
Karoo’s main hitching post.
27 TRIPWORTHY
Meet the genre-defying Nigerian 59 LUCKY FINDS
superstar who’ll be tearing up Random stops on the
stages across Southern Africa Robby Collins world tour.
this month.
67 MILESTONE
29 ON OUR RADAR Meet the ultimate frequent flyer.
From Disney to Shakespeare,
there’s a show, festival or 73 SERENDIPITY
stand-up comedian to fill Ah, yes, love is in the chase.
every spare moment this autumn.
80 HAPPENSTANCE
33 FIRE STARTERS Pick a destination, any destination.
There are no accidents at
Bush Fire in eSwatini. 91 ALPHABET SOUP
khuluma’s thesaurus or foodies.

14 MAY 2019 kulula.com



CONTENTS

117

Discover 103

101 THE VANISHING
Some days we
celebrate, some
days we mourn.

103 RANDOM ACTS
OF KINDNESS
The best kinds of
kindnesses are the
ones when nothing’s
expected in return.

111 BLOODLINE
You can’t choose
your family.

131 117 RUNNING OF
THE BULL
A loud, tyre-
screeching,
rubber-burning
four-wheel action
hero is coming
to town.

123 CONNECT &
COLLECT
Why cry when
you can buy?

127 FOCUS!
Random distractions are taking the
joy out of your working life.

131 CUTE ASS CAN BE
Go to McGregor and buy a book for
the donkeys.

16 MAY 2019



EDITORIAL
Editor Keith Bain
Content Manager Raina Julies – [email protected]
Content Co-ordinator Vanessa Payne
Copy Editor Nicci Collier

ART
Head of Design Studio Jayne Macé-Ferguson
Senior Designers Mfundo Archie Ndzo, Lesley-Ann van Schalkwyk

Advert Designer Bulelwa Sotashe
Production Editor Shamiela Brenner
Cover Photographer and retouching Sven Kristian
Makeup Artist Colleen van Rensburg

SALES
Project Manager Richard White
khlassifieds Project Manager Steve Norval
Sales Consultants Stephen Crawford, Jay Deary, Bonnie Eksteen,
Randall Grace, Nazeem Hoosen, Nikita Moore, Gavin Payne,
Andre Potgieter, Roman Ross, Clint Smith, Zelda Stein
Advertising Co-ordinators Johan Labuschagne, Merle Baatjes

PRINTING
Paarl Media Gauteng

MANAGEMENT
Business Manager Lodewyk van der Walt – [email protected]

Senior Bookkeeper Deidre Musha
General Manager, Magazines Jocelyne Bayer

KULULA.COM
Executive Director - Airline Division Comair Limited Wrenelle Stander

Head of Marketing, kulula.com Shaun Pozyn
Marketing Manager, kulula.com Bridgette Ramuluvhana
Brand Communications Manager, kulula.com Luane Lavery

COMAIR LIMITED
1 Marignane Drive, Bonaero Park, Kempton Park, 1619
Tel: 011 921 0111 | kulula.com contact centre: 0861 KULULA (585852)

To advertise in this magazine, please contact
Richard White (Sales Project Manager) at +27 21 469 2542

or email [email protected]
To advertise in the khlassifieds section, please contact
Steve Norval (khlassifieds Project Manager) at +27 21 469 2435

or email [email protected]

Copyright: No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent of the
publisher. The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited material. khuluma is published monthly by
Picasso Headline. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Picasso Headline, kulula or the Tiso
Blackstar Group. All advertisements/advertorials and promotions have been paid for and therefore do not
carry any endorsement by the publisher. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of its
contents, neither kulula, nor the publisher can be held responsible for any omissions or errors, or for any
misfortune, injury or damages that may arise therefrom. We reserve the right to edit interviews for

layout purposes.



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14 MAY 2018 kulula.com



MEET ROBBY COLLINS

  grew up in Durban where my career was determined by a lucky break Interview: Biénne Huisman, Picture: Sven Kristian
at school. Because – you know? – there’s always that one teacher
who really gets you. In my case, it was Mr Marais. He was very
encouraging of me doing stand-up comedy – not only did he give me
opportunities to stand up and entertain the whole class, but in the end,
he was the one who pushed me out into the world of entertainment. It
was the first day of Grade 11 and I had been misbehaving when Mr Marais
called me out and said, ‘Hey Robby, I’m not sure this school thing is for you.’
So I went home. My mother was like, ‘Why are you home?’ and I said,
‘I think I’m dropping out of school.’
And I did.
After that, I worked many, many jobs before the first comedy club opened in
Durban. I worked as a paperboy, an office clerk, a waiter, even a mechanic. I was

a horrible mechanic. To this day, I can’t even drive a car. I was just kind of
hanging around, acting like I knew stuff when the boss was around.
My mum, Carol, still lives in Musgrave in Durban. Initially,
I was wary of her coming to watch my shows. It felt to me
like having someone going through my WhatsApps,
checking out my secrets. I was so worried, thinking, ‘Oh,
no! Now my mum’s going to find out that I’m not a virgin!’
But that’s changed. Mainly because I think she knows
that I’m not a virgin anymore. I mean, I turned 32
in March.
I’m kidding, of course – my mom is super-
understanding and a huge fan of comedy. She laughs
at my most random jokes. And she’d probably laugh at
my WhatsApps, too.

LUCKY For lanky-framed
Robby Collins, success
has meant preparation meets luck, plus
a string of random, fateful twists. He opened
for American comedian Dave Chappelle in Joburg
and Cape Town last year – to such uproar and acclaim
that Chappelle invited him back to the United States
for a nationwide tour in February. Robby has also toured
with Trevor Noah, performing over 50 shows around
Southern Africa (you can read about what they got up to
in Lusaka on page 61). You can catch Robby’s new, as-yet-
unnamed show, in which he mixes laidback humility,
self-deprecating wit and acute observations
of people, at the upcoming National Arts
Festival in Grahamstown. 27 June–7 July,
nationalartsfestival.co.za

22 MAY 2019 kulula.com



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will join Mickey and Minnie as they guide you through a winter DSISPNEECYTAOCNLIECE

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performances of this enchanting ice skating spectacle to give away –

one set for each of four shows happening in Tshwane (14 June),

Joburg (28 June), Durban (3 July) and Cape Town (10 July). For

a chance to win one set, simply visit khulumaonline.co.za and enter

your details on the competitions page.

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WORTH TRAVELLING FOR EXPERIENCE

THE BANKU KING

Nigerian-born Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade – aka Mr Eazi – has

rapidly emerged as one of Africa’s most lauded musicians,

creating a splash wherever he performs. He was at Coachella

last month, and this month will be popping up on stages

across Southern Africa. The London-based singer-songwriter

is known for a pioneering style of music that combines

elements of Ghanaian highlife with Nigerian patterns and chord

progressions. He calls it Banku, although he prefers not to be

boxed in by genre – and he’s not a fan of terms like ‘Afrobeats’

and ‘African pop’, saying, ‘It’s all music!’. His 2013 debut

mixtape, About to Blow, was followed by two attention-

grabbing singles in 2015 – ‘Skin Tight’ and ‘Leg Over’. The

latter song also featured on his 2017 breakout album, Life

Is Eazi, Vol. 1 – Accra To Lagos, and a year later he was signed

by Universal Africa. He also released another album, Life Is

Eazi, Vol. 2 – Lagos To London, which features collaborations

with the likes of Diplo, UK rapper Giggs, and Jamaican reggae

artist Chronixx. He’ll headline Joburg’s Bassline Fest where

he’s performing alongside 11 other artists, including Nigerian

superstar Așa, French-Ivorian songstress Dobet

Gnahoré, Kenya’s inimitable Blinky Bill, and

Alibombo from Colombia. The Africa Day

celebration forms part of the IGODA

festival circuit which includes

Mozambique’s Azgo Festival,

Bushfire in eSwatini (more
Words: Keith Bain, Picture: Supplied
about that on page 31),
& about
Zakifo in Durban, and

Sakifo on Réunion

Island. Constitution TRIPWORTHY
Hill, 25 May,
bassline.co.za, get out
igoda.org

kulula.com MAY 2019 27



ON OUR RADAR SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE EXPERIENCE

Get out & about 1
1 If you think you’ve laughed hard this when the park is opened to the public. Aside 23
year, then wait till you set eyes on the from checking out the open-air artworks,
mayhem that’s unfolding on stage when you’ll find plenty of great food and wine to 45
these three super-talented musical mischief- tuck into – a host of restaurants and estates 76
makers collaborate. Anton Luitingh, Paul from the Cape’s Franschhoek Valley will have
du Toit and Lindy Abromowitz are reprising stalls set up, so come hungry and thirsty.
their parody of Broadway (and off-off-off- Cradle of Humankind, 11–12 May,
Broadway) musical for the fifth incarnation, in wintersculpturefair.co.za, webtickets.co.za
Offbeat Broadway 5. Theatre on the Bay,
until 11 May, pietertoerien.co.za 5 You cannot make this stuff up. Gate
69’s trio of wanton divas is going super-real
2 When random strangers cross paths in their latest show. It’s written and directed
in Kinky Boots, not only is a friendship ignited, by Christopher Dudgeon who is a strapping
but a line of wondrous high-heeled boots lad by day and – once he, um, tucks into a
made especially for drag queens is launched. dress and dons heels, a wig and a stuffed bra
This award-winning musical with songs by – transforms into an ice queen named Holly
Cyndi Lauper may make you feel good, but at night. Together with fellow Trolley Dollies
it also digs into social and economic issues. Molly (Rudi Jansen) and Cathy Specific
It stars Earl Gregory (as Lola, the drag queen) (Brendan van Rhyn), Holly will be taking
and Darren Craig, and promises to be the audiences on a back-door tour of their lives,
musical sensation this winter. The Fugard their truths and – heaven help us! – their
Theatre, Cape Town, from 12 June, dressing room. The show’s called NON-
thefugard.com Specific and includes a tapas dinner spread
and plenty of decadent laughs. Be quick: the
3 Being rescued in a forest by season runs only until 27 July. gate69.co.za
dwarves is possibly the most random thing
you can expect to happen after some 6 Disney On Ice returns to South Africa
spell-casting evil queen gives you a poisoned next month. In its new Magical Ice Festival
apple. You may know the plot of this classic show, Mickey and Minnie take audiences on
Brothers Grimm fairy tale, but you’ll still be a choreographed adventure where they
spellbound by the footwork in Joburg Ballet’s meet up with characters from The Little
rendition of Snow White – The Ballet Mermaid, Tangled, Frozen, Beauty and the
which Iain MacDonald has choreographed Beast, and many more tales from the Magic
to music by the great Russian composer Kingdom. The tour runs from 14 June until
Dmitri Shostakovich. The Teatro, Montecasino, 14 July, starting at Time Square’s Sun Arena
Fourways, 30 May–2 June, computicket.com in Tshwane before travelling to Joburg,
Durban and Cape Town. computicket.com
4 Winter is apparently coming, and at
the Nirox Foundation Sculpture Park that’s 7 In Peter Shaffer’s psychological thriller,
cause for celebration because it heralds Equus, Sven Ruygrok stars as Alan Strang,
the Winter Sculpture Fair, a weekend a teenage boy who – driven by some

kulula.com MAY 2019 29

EXPERIENCE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

10 8 strange pathological compulsion – 11 By modern standards, the plot for
9 brutally blinds six horses in Macbeth, Shakespeare’s bloodthirsty tale
12 11 a Hampshire stable. As his psychiatrist of all-consuming greed, sounds like one
13 delves into the boy’s memories morning at the Zondo commission. It’s still
and psyche, a complex relationship a poignant tragedy, and at least in The Words: Keith Bain, Pictures: Jesse Kramer, Thomas Skiffington, Val Adamson, supplied
14 between devotion, myth, spirituality Bard’s version, the bad guys eventually
and sexuality is revealed. Pieter face the music. Theatre on the Bay, Cape
Toerien Theatre, Montecasino, Joburg, Town, 15 May–1 June, pietertoerien.co.za
until 26 May, computicket.com
12 ‘The ultimate horror is our own
8 ‘Naughty but nice’ is how comedian death,’ says funnyman John Vlismas
Virgil Prins (stage name Prins) describes whose latest show, The End, dares explore
his new solo stand-up show, Unnecessary. the humour in this taboo subject. Vlismas
He says it’s been three years in the proves that in comedy, there are no sacred
making and will take audiences on cows, no subjects too scary. Pieter Toerien
a side-splitting biographic jaunt starting Theatre, Montecasino, Joburg, until
with his enrolment at university for 2 June, computicket.com
a law degree. Lyric Theatre, Gold
Reef City, 30 May, computicket.com 13 This little piggy went to market, this
little piggy went to town… But, hang on,
9 Ben Harper played his first gig this little piggy is named Wilbur and is
when he was 12 years old. The singer- actually a prize-winning piglet whose
songwriter and multi-instrumentalist friendship with an extraordinary spider
is known for his virtuoso guitar-playing named Charlotte is the subject of the
and has won three Grammy Awards famed children’s book by E. B. White.
from seven nominations and released Charlotte’s Web has been adapted for
14 studio albums. He’s coming to the stage as a play directed by KickstArt’s
Mzansi for Durban’s Zakifo Music Greg King, and with Mthokozisi Zulu
Festival on 1 June. He’ll also perform as Wilbur. Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre,
at Cape Town’s Grand Arena, GrandWest Durban, 13 June–7 July, computicket.com
on 4 June, and at the Sun Arena,
Time Square in Tshwane on 6 June. 14 Dazzling Ivorian songstress Dobet
howler.co.za Gnahoré is among the artists who’ll
be joining Mr Eazi (he’s the Nigerian
10 Marimba soloist Dylan Tabisher superstar in the yellow sweater you met
is one of the many musical wizards three pages back) at Joburg’s Bassline
performing at Classics for All in Fest on Africa Day. They’re also on the
Greyton and Genadendal this month. bill at the Zakifo Music Festival which
Tabisher will appear in the festival’s runs at various locations around Durban
opening performance, Clarimba, at (including The Winston, The Werehouse
Greyton’s Anglican Church. There and Durban Botanic Gardens) from
are 10 concerts in all, happening in 24 May until 1 June. Also performing are
venues such as the Moravian Church Moonchild, Sho Madjozi, Kenya’s Blinky
in Genadendal and at The Oaks Estate. Bill, Kid Fonque and Dope Saint Jude.
24–26 May, classicsforall.co.za bassline.co.za, zakifo.com

30 MAY 2019 kulula.com





BEATS IN THE BUSH EXPERIENCE

Africa’s largest and
most inclusive

world music festival,
MTN Bushfire happens at House
on Fire in eSwatini’s Malkerns Valley.
There are loads of accommodation options
(including camping and glamping) and
travel packages available, and aside from
music, there’s great food, a craft market
and wonderful cultural happenings

and workshops, too. 24–26 May,
bush-fire.com

kulula.com Fire might have been MAY 2019 33
discovered by accident,
but the performers who’ll
be lighting up the stages
at Bushfire in eSwatini
certainly aren’t chosen at
random. Thea Beckman
chats with some of the
artists who’ll be burning
their way into the souls
of 26 000 festival goers

this month

EXPERIENCE BEATS IN THE BUSH

THE PATRON SAINT parents returned home when she was She had her first serendipitous break
OF HIPSTER NIGERIA two. The buzz and energy of West in France when she auditioned to be
Africa’s most badass city finds its way a guest artist for Les Nubians, the
Since the release of her first single – into her folksy, soul-infused pop in the musical duo comprising sisters Hélène
‘Fire on the Mountain’ – Aṣa (which form of a distinct Afrobeat rhythm. and Célia Faussart. For Aṣa, it was
means ‘little hawk’ in Nigeria’s Yoruba Her earliest tutelage began with her a humbling lesson in placing patience
language) has won over a broad father’s eclectic collection of American before pride. ‘I waited 10 hours to get
international following. It’s all thanks soul classics and traditional Nigerian a five-minute slot in their rehearsals,’
to a soulful voice channelling cerebral records. It was when she moved back she says. ‘But it was worth the wait: I got
lyrics that have placed her at the to Paris to study that her art developed signed! I always wondered what would
forefront of Africa’s rapidly growing a heartbeat of its own, and she began have happened if I had walked out of the
music scene. Although born in Paris writing the powerful songs that got audition in anger at how I was treated.’
as Bukola Elemide, the Nigerian singer- her noticed.
songwriter grew up in Lagos after her As it turns out, Aṣa’s default setting
is to sing about love: ‘I didn’t realise until
we had just about finished recording my
last album that 80% of the songs were
about love.’

Apparently love sells, because her
first album, released in 2007 and simply
titled Aṣa, went platinum and charted
on radio stations across Africa, Europe,
and Asia. After two further studio albums
– Beautiful |mperfection (2010) and 
Bed of Stone (2014) – Aṣa remains
as humble as ever, downplaying the
enormous impact she’s had. ‘I’ve learnt
not to be a hero,’ she says. ‘I can’t save
the world, but if I am able to inspire
a handful of people who will in turn
inspire others, then I am happy.’

She says her stage persona is a far
cry from the person she sees herself
as. ‘Sometimes I don’t even know who
I become,’ she says of the passionate,
fiery performances for which she’s
known. ‘The stage completely transforms
me. It’s a spiritual feeling. Maybe it’s the
crowd – you feed off their energy and
it is a shared moment we will never
have again.’

34 MAY 2019 kulula.com





BEATS IN THE BUSH EXPERIENCE

EAST AFRICA’S
QUEEN OF CHILL

Hailing from the loins of Kenya,
Maia and the Big Sky produce a rich stew of
sexy melody, contagious rhythms, and English
and Swahili vocals. Their skilful blend of soul
and funk has earned them widespread acclaim.
The daughter of musical legend Sal Davis, Maia
von Lekow has a voice that’s effortlessly, almost
lazily honey-sweet. Breathy, sexy, and with just a
touch of husk, she has been called a ‘songbird who
causes ripples’, and yet she says her musical career
began where many accomplished musicians claim
to have found their voice: singing in the shower.
‘When I was young, I would sing around the house
all the time but never thought of pursuing music as
a career because I was very shy.’ Nevertheless,
there were jam sessions, and during her teens
she met a band called Solid Groove. ‘One day, I got

a call from them saying that their singer had
quit last minute, and could I fill in…?’

This brave step out of the shower and onto
the stage was the start to an award-winning
career that has seen Maia and her Big Sky band
performing at festivals all over the world, from
Africa Utopia in the UK to the Perth International
Arts Festival in Australia. This is not to mention
a tour with legendary singer-songwriter Tracy

Chapman and collaboration with American
musician and record producer Anderson Paak.
Being so extensively travelled, Maia is a wealth
of globe-trotting advice: ‘I had a performance
in Morocco and, earlier in the day, I was craving
greens. I found a restaurant and ordered a salad.
Well, I got food poisoning on the day of the show

and had no choice but to perform. It was the
longest hour of my life. Never eat risky food

a few hours before you get in front of an
audience of a few thousand people.’

What gets Maia fired up, aside from bad salad,
is the feeling of release on stage, something she
is looking forward to at Bushfire. ‘The magic that
flows between the audience and me, the electricity
between my band members… all mixed together,

we make a hot and steamy love potion!’

kulula.com MAY 2019 37

EXPERIENCE BEATS IN THE BUSH Pictures: Chris Saunders, Sofia Sanchez & Mauro Mongiello, Thomas Skiffington, Timo Frank, Supplied

RAGING AGAINST kulula.com
THE MACHINE

It’s difficult to believe that anything as sentimental
as a love story led to the rise of a band responsible
for the aggressively energetic music that comes
out of this particular duo. A duo that might well be
considered progenitors of proudly South African
psychedelic rock. But a fairy tale it is…

Once upon a time in 2010, in the suburban
wasteland of Tshwane’s Kilner Park, Andreas
Schönfeldt met Martinique Pelser and the two
fell in love. Andreas played guitar and could
shout into a mic, while Martinique played drums
and could also shout into a mic. Aside from the
consequential screaming match, their romance
blossomed along with their creativity and so
they formed a garage band, invested in some
recording equipment, and started cranking out
albums under a frankly inappropriate name:
Make-Overs. They claim they chose this
seemingly unassuming name to purposefully
contrast with their hot, angry-sounding music.
If they’d been more honest and less ironic, they’d
probably have called themselves ‘Red Hot Angry
Pimples’ or ‘What a Hangover Sounds Like’.
‘“Make-Overs” is such a friendly, happy, and non-
macho name for a rock band,’ says Martinique.
‘We wanted a name that would sound safe and
misleading to contradict our abrasive sound.
We also liked how the name pointed towards
renewal and change.’

Right up front, their music – which they describe
as ‘trash-pop-garage-punk-something’ – presents
itself as clashing, chaotic noise and if you ever
wanted to annoy (or scare) the hell out of your
neighbours (or anyone within listening distance),
this would be the way to go. But their musicianship
is craftier and more complex than it lets on at first.
‘We appreciate a very diverse range of music and
art from both the underground and commercial
spectrum but strive to create something true
to ourselves. The result is a very raw, energetic
onslaught that sometimes rumbles into more
trance-like and motoric grooves created by guitar
and drums.’

38 MAY 2019





HOW YOUR TASTEBUDS DECIDE EXPERIENCE

F or a species that is written up in the
textbooks as omnivorous, Homo sapiens
are a picky and opinionated bunch. Very
few of us just randomly eat everything that is non-
toxic. Instead we manifest a wide range of regional,

cultural and individual dietary preferences. Some
such preferences are healthy, others are downright
dangerous but almost invariably there is method in

our madness.
Finicky food habits are not confined to modern,

rich and spoilt urbanites with access to an
internationally sourced supermarket selection.
The social anthropologist Jeremy MacClancy
has observed that the hunter-gatherer tribes –
nomadic peoples who do not farm and can eat only
what nature has to offer – are choosy too. Kalahari
Bushmen know about 100 desert plants

Random
shmandom

Look at any plate of food and you’d
be hard-pressed to figure out the
hows and whys that determined
which ingredients came together
to create your meal. But there are
a host of methods in the seemingly

random madness of human food choice

kulula.com MAY 2019 41

EXPERIENCE HOW YOUR TASTEBUDS DECIDE

to be edible, but only 14 Global Public Health found that at influential flavour experience
varieties are considered desirable. least part of what is often dismissed as continues after birth via breast milk.
They hunt warthogs and antelope, random food fussiness can actually be Repeated exposure at these stages to foods
but think ostrich tastes bad, and zebra attributed to specific genes that govern like broccoli, for example, makes children
meat is dismissed as smelly. People in taste in a predictable manner. Variants significantly more likely to accept them
the past were no less picky. A dislike of the TAS2R38 gene, for example, have later. According to Peter Hepper,
of zebra pales into insignificance been found to encode for taste receptors director of the Fetal Behaviour
when one considers the culinary that determine how strongly someone Research Centre at Queen’s
peculiarities of Saint Veronica, the tastes bitter flavours. Researchers at University in Belfast, ‘foetuses
12th-century mystic, who claimed Philadelphia’s Monell Chemical Senses exposed to garlic in the womb
Center have found that this same gene are more likely to prefer garlic
to live exclusively on a diet of also predicts the strength of sweet-tooth in later life.’
spiders and cat vomit. cravings among children. Cat sick and spiders
Perhaps poor Saint Veronica notwithstanding, there are
couldn’t help herself. Maybe Environment and experience also often cases where there
her genes were to blame influence food preference and choice. seems to be medically
for her funny food choices. A paper published in the December 2007 beneficial method in the
A recent twin study from issue of the journal Pediatrics argues that madness that is food choices.
the University of North what we may think of as random choice There is now substantial
Carolina School of evidence to support the notion that
actually has its origins in the womb what we perceive to be ‘comfort food’
with exposure to different flavours can be genuinely comforting.
via amniotic fluid. Subsequent

42 MAY 2019 kulula.com



EXPERIENCE HOW YOUR TASTEBUDS DECIDE

New research by the Australian Centre additive health benefits. Maybe we just mihlata (sweet potato and jugo beans)
of Neuropsychotherapy has shown that got lucky, but it seems more likely that and the buttermilk-laden boerekos
eating steamed potatoes can be more a degree of non-random, focused folk staple, mielie bread.
effective than anti-depressant drugs in wisdom and experiential understanding
treating winter depression. Scientists at was involved in the creation of our For those rare few whose genes,
the Massachusetts General Hospital have culinary classics. Modern dieticians environment and history allow them to
discovered that, like Prozac, the omega-3 have scientific studies to prove that be truly omnivorous, there are now
fatty acids found in salmon elevate combining proteins and carbohydrates random food-picking apps to help with
dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain lowers the glycaemic index of a meal the potentially overwhelming abundance
and reduce the risk of depression. and enhances health outcomes. South of options. For the rest of us, there is
African traditional cooks just call that a lady selling grilled mielies on every
Some of South Africa’s most Pedi-style dikgobe (sorghum and mixed street corner. Could be worse. Could be
commonly combined ingredients have bean mélange), Tswana korong le dinawa cat sick and spiders.
(cowpeas and wheat), Tsonga xginya xa

AN A-MAIZE-ING TAKE-OVER growing to support their trans-Atlantic mining in Kimberley and (a er 1886) Words: Anna Trapido, Pictures: stevanovicigor/istock.com, Pablo_K/istock.com, Povareshka/istock.com
tra c in human lives. South Africans rst gold mining on the Witwatersrand
Maize currently makes up at least 40% of encountered it by way of Mozambique, introduced millions of migrant
Mzansi’s total calories consumed, takes where it was known by the Portuguese mineworkers to a cheap, fast growing,
up over 60% of the country’s land under word for maize, milho, from whence we standardised white maize variety by way
cereal cultivation, and is also central to get our word mielie. of mass catering in compounds. White
the South African sense of self. But have maize became associated with money
you ever wondered why? Its ubiquitous Written reports from 16th- and and modernity as migrant men visited
presence and popularity in South Africa 17th-century missionaries and traders their families in rural communities
is no random accident. Mzansi’s food suggest that Southern Africans initially across Southern Africa. rough most
favourite is not indigenous to Africa and regarded the new ingredient with of the 20th century, large-scale white
did not simply blow onto our land by suspicion and preferred their traditional farmers were rewarded with state
chance. Every bowl of Xhosa umphokoqo sorghum and millet. is changed aid and water subsidies to develop
(phutu and amasi), Tsonga tshopi amidst the social turmoil of the Mfecane an increasingly homogenous maize
(pumpkin and mielie meal) and Venda (1815–1835) when quick-to-mature industry to feed the needs and economic
tshidzimba (peanuts, jugo beans and mielies sustained refugees who ed Zulu
samp) tells us about the social, political imperial expansion and successive constraints of the migrant labour
and economic agendas of those who came waves of state building in what is system. So it was that
before us. James McCann’s magni cent now Lesotho, Mpumalanga a series of economic
history of corn in Africa, Maize and and eSwatini. e incentives favoured
Grace, o ers evidence that the crop was spread of maize was maize over
introduced in the late 15th century by also facilitated by indigenous (and
Portuguese slave traders who considered the mining industry. much more water-
the region’s indigenous grains too slow From 1869, diamond wise) ingredients.

44 MAY 2019 kulula.com





THREE FOR LUCK EXPERIENCE

REST ASSURED

KNOCK KNOCK

Who’s there? You – if you play your cards right! Three hotels: one in the bush, one in the city, and one
near the runway for an early-morning getaway

1 The shepherd’s tree with its heavily scented flowers is known by many names. In Afrikaans, it’s witgat, Tswana people call it
xukutsi or motlhôpi, and to the VhaVenda it’s muthobi. It’s also known as the ‘Tree of Life’ thanks to its many virtuous uses. While
giraffe, gemsbok and kudu browse its leaves, humans can mash its roots to make porridge or use it to make coffee and beer or even
to treat haemorrhoids. It’s a common tree at Pilanesberg National Park, one of the country’s most accessible Big Five reserves, just
three hours from Joburg. Set within an ancient volcanic crater between the dry Kalahari and the wet Lowveld, Pilanesberg’s
transition zone vegetation supports a considerable array of animals – aside from the usual suspects, visitors can spot rarer species
such as wild dogs, roan, sable and tsessebe. Perfectly situated to take advantage of all the reserve has to offer, aha Shepherd’s
Tree Game Lodge affords tremendous comfort and such extras as a spa and an outdoor boma for dinners beneath the stars.
Whether you’re enjoying the views from your room, from one of the public decks, or from the pool (pictured above), there’s an
endless supply of gorgeous vistas out and across the Pilanesberg’s ancient landscape. By day, you can head off on game drives and
bush walks with knowledgeable rangers – or consider an early-morning balloon ride, a quad-biking adventure, or a stint in one of
the photographic hides for rare, up-close glimpses of the reserve’s abundant game and birdlife. aha.co.za

kulula.com MAY 2019 47

EXPERIENCE THREE FOR LUCK

23

2 A CAPITAL IDEA 3 AIRPORT PITSTOP Words: Keith Bain, Pictures: Supplied

The Capital Group has made its mark by creating super- Not to be confused with the Leonardo DiCaprio movie
modern urban apartment-hotels that appeal to both time- about airline tycoon Howard Hughes, The Aviator Hotel
pressed business travellers and leisure guests with nothing is a functional overnight pit stop near Joburg’s O.R. Tambo
but relaxation on their minds. Top of their agenda? Finding International Airport. They provide free, round-the-clock
locations in the heart of a destination, conveniently situating shuttles for the quick highway-dodging trip between the
you close to the action. Plus, as part of their habit of breaking compound in Kempton Park and the terminal of your
hotel norms, they can offer you digs that include everything you choice, and there’s a full-on restaurant, swimming pool,
need to feel like you’re at home (including full kitchens if you and conference centre should you find yourself with
wish). The group’s newest opening – scheduled for 1 May – is a longer-than-average layover. Most importantly, though,
located in Joburg’s Melrose Arch precinct, which means you’re they have an abundance of compact but comfortable
moments from stylish shops, fantastic restaurants, and many rooms to make your wait for your flight a restful one.
of Joburg’s business hubs. The Capital Melrose continues The rooms are nothing fancy – carpets and tiles, face
the group’s preference for clean lines, unfettered layout and brick and mirrored walls – but decor details include slick
soothing colour schemes – rooms in relaxing, neutral shades references to the aviation theme, and each unit has all the
combine with super-contemporary furnishings and big spaces. modern conveniences you should need (including fibre for
Choose between a studio or an apartment with one or two solid Wi-Fi access). Accommodations come in a variety of
bedrooms – and there’s a handful of ground-level units with configurations – the executive twins are especially designed
their own garden. As if all that’s not enough, there’s a large to make it possible for colleagues to share digs. And the
pool, full-scale restaurant and bar, a gym and conferencing silky white linens are a godsend after a long flight. You
facilities. An energetic vibe and on-the-go staff come standard, might not find Leonardo here, but you will get a good
so check in here for a permanent buzz. thecapital.co.za night’s sleep. theaviator.co.za

48 MAY 2019 kulula.com