Khuluma September 2017

PICASSO HEADLINE take me home please September 2017

Good?
with Zoë Brown
FOR THE MENU see pages 4 & 5

69







the topVIEW FROM

'G ood’ is relative. In primary school, I was ecstatic to get a gold star with ‘good’
written next to it. There was nothing better than good. The alternative was ‘not
enough effort’ or ‘a disappointing mark’ or an invitation to the PTA evening,
where you just knew that the all-powerful teacher would reveal to your parents
what a wicked and belligerent waste of a skidmark you really were.

Today you can pass matric while remaining ignorant of 70% of your syllabus, and it’s
psychological abuse to tell a child that they’ll live in a cardboard box if they don’t study.
So you are ‘good’ if you actually attend school and achieve 31%. Anything better than that
and you are into the territory of McDonald’s stupendous supersized superlatives: 50% is
super-mega-awesome, and there are simply no mortal words to describe a distinction.
With a 30% pass mark, the vocabulary simply runs out at the end of the fast-food menu.

Social media has not helped the status of ‘good’ either. How do you get more twitfacechat
followers if you rate your morning Weet-Bix as ‘good’? Despite being less appealing than the
cardboard box in which it is presented, it just has to be an ‘OMG!’, ‘Totally awesofrickintastic
fo shiz!’, or ‘YOLO’ – or nobody will give a hoot what happens after you have shovelled
down your bowl of mega-crunch, splendiferous, branstorming vuvuzela flakes.

How long we continue to say ‘good morning’ is questionable, as it might
just as well mean you woke up with cat sick on your face just before you
fell down the stairs and were run over by someone who achieved a ‘good’
pass. So rather have a funtabulously gloriforous kululatastic day!

Erik Venter, CEO: Comair Ltd

kulula.com SEPTEMMBEARY 20176 3









Contents 27
SEPTEMBER 2017

14
21
30 50

30
41

3 VIEW FROM THE TOP 27 CITY SLICKER Culture Clash; hardcore rockers Memphis May Fire
Our CEO reminds us that goodness is in the eye Jozi’s packing buzzworthy festivals this month. headline Joburg’s Krank’d Up festival; and Bastille’s
of the beholder. heart-stealing Dan Smith talks about what makes
30 DEALBREAKER him and his band tick.
14 THE GREATER GOOD Knysna’s wonderful water-edge lofts are back
Cover star Zoë Brown explains how easily you can in business. 56 READ BETWEEN THE LINES
do your bit to change the world. Joburg novelist Jassy Mackenzie talks about all the
32 BEYOND THE BOARDROOM bad elements that make her new thriller so good.
The guide After doing business in Mthatha, there’s much
magnificence to discover nearby.
21 TRIPWORTHY
How to get good cramps and better blisters in 35 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Mauritius this month. Africa’s busiest tourist destination is about to get
even busier – here’s where to stay.
23 ALL GOOD THINGS
On our radar this month we have an evil MTB race, 41 BACKSTAGE
a line-up of rock legends, cirque shows, a ‘crazy The king and queen of a fantastic musical talk
sock’ campaign, a beautiful marathon, a week of about their roles.
coastal cleaning and another week of tree planting,
a theatre festival in Cape Town, and a sensational 47 SEE THE MUSIC 53
Dutch dance act. Red Bull innovates yet again with its crowd-pleasing

8 SEPTEMBER 2017 kulula.com



68 116

Features

62 COVER STAR CONVERSATION
Zoë Brown and John Vlismas discuss the secret meaning behind
kitty litter.

68 TRAVEL
Muizenberg is booming; getting braaing with Anna Trapido; put your best
paddle forward in Martizburg; let Bear Grylls get you through onesies
season; between a rock and a good place in the Cederberg; and discover
the weirdest of weirds across SA.

110 LOCAL HERO
How one trip can do a lot of good.

116 BEHIND THE SCENES
Sit, stay, and teach your human how to behave.

Things to covet, crave & adore

121 FASHION & DESIGN

Style your sound. 106

125 TECHNOLOGY & GAMES

Improved connections are good for your diet.

128 ROAD TRIP
Technology so awesome it can’t wait for tomorrow.

133 MONEY MATTERS 121
Why it’s good to reach
for the moon.

139 KEEPSAKE
Slow down with Comair
at Lanseria International.

10 SEPTEMBER 2017 kulula.com



EDITORIAL
Edipor Keith Bain
Conpenp Manager Raina Julies – [email protected]
Conpenp Co-ordinapor Vanessa Payne
Copy Edipor Lynn Berggren-Goodwin

ART
Head of Design Spudio Jayne Macé-Ferguson
Senior Designers Anja Hagenbuch, Mfundo Archie Ndzo

Adverp Designer Nichole Liedeman
Producpion Edipor Shamiela Brenner
Cover Phopographer Gareth Hubbard
Cover Phopographer Colleen van Rensburg

SALES
Projecp Manager Richard White
khlassifieds Projecp Manager Steve Norval
Sales Consulpanps Stezhen Crawford, Jay Deary,
Bonnie Eksteen, Randall Grace, Janine Hood, Nikita Moore, Marc Plastow,
Andre Potgieter, Clint Smith, Zelda Stein, Andre Theunissen
Adverpising Co-ordinapor Vanessa Payne

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

Senior Bookkeeper Deidre Musha
General Manager: Magazines Jocelyne Bayer

KULULA.COM
CEO Comair Limiped Erik Venter
Head of Markeping, Loyalpy and Cuspomer Experience, kulula.com Shaun Pozyn
Markeping Manager, kulula.com Bridgette Ramuluvhana
Brand Communicapions Manager, kulula.com Luane Lavery

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

To adverpise in phis magazine, please conpacp
Richard Whipe (Sales Projecp Manager) ap 021 469 2542,

or email [email protected]
To adverpise in phe khlassifieds secpion, please conpacp
Speve Norval (khlassifieds Projecp Manager) ap 021 469 2435,

or email [email protected]

Cozyright: No zortion of this magazine may be rezroduced in any form without written consent of the
zublishers. The zublishers are not reszonsible for unsolicited material. khuluma is zublished monthly by
Picasso Headline Reg: 59/01754/07. The ozinions exzressed are not necessarily those of Picasso Headline,
kulula or Times Media. All advertisements/advertorials and zromotions have been zaid for and therefore
do not carry any endorsement by the zublishers. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy
of its contents, neither kulula, nor the zublisher can be held reszonsible 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 zurzoses.



COVER STAR ZOË BROWN

The greater good
G rowing up, I wanted to be Miss
South Africa. I didn’t want that will be found for someone whose life is at
title for the glitz and glam, risk. I am proud to say I am an ambassador
but rather for the platform of hope for The Sunflower Fund, and I
urge you to register as a donor with the
that came with it, the opportunity to
SABMR. Joining the registry is
do good. I eventually so easy, and The Sunflower
Fund carries the entire cost
realised that I didn’t for having your blood stem
cell analysis performed.
need a crown to make If you don’t want to register

a difference. So I got as a donor, there are other ways
to help – like making a donation, or
into the media industry, purchasing a TOPE (Tube of Hope),
like the one I'm wearing as a top in
where I found countless this picture. Or you could volunteer

opportunities to place my at or attend events hosted by The
Sunflower Fund – 15 September
weight behind causes that I’m is Sunflower Day, so get involved.

really passionate about. And spread the word. Doing
good is not about wearing a
One such cause is The Sunflower badge of honour, it’s about
being human. And we're all
Fund, a charity organisation that in this together.
sunflowerfund.org.za
works in conjunction with the South
GET YOUR DOSE OF ZOË
African Bone Marrow Photograph: Gareth Hubbard
Zoë Brown is part of the Expresso
Registry (SABMR), Morning Show team and can be seen
on SABC 3 every weekday between
which finds The 6:30 and 9am. She’s also on the
suitable stem Sunflower airwaves – on Kfm 94.5’s Flash Drive
cell donors Fund’s TOPE can between 4 and 7pm every weekday
for patients be worn as a scarf or a ernoon and on her own show on
in critical headband, around your Saturdays, 2-6pm. Follow
need. wrist, or even as a top. @zbzoebrown on social media.
They’re R25 and
I was available from
Pick n Pay or
zando.co.za.

shocked when

I heard the statistics

of children and adults diagnosed with

leukaemia and other life-threatening

blood disorders – and the lack of

donors available to save them. Not

many people realise that stem cell

donation requires a very close

genetic match between donor

and recipient, and by joining the

national database, you improve

the odds that a suitable match

14 SEPTEMBER 2017 kulula.com



SPEND LESS TIME kulula.com
AT THE COUNTER

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Join our community and have access to agg
sorts of fun giveaways.

16 SEPTEMBER 2017



GIVEAWAYS COMPETITIONS

Free stuff

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18 SEPTEMBER 2017 kulula.com

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TRIPWORTHY THE GUIDE

wGUthIeDE g for

orth travellin

Words: Keith Bain; Picture: marssanya/shutterstock.com, Supplied N ow in its tenth edition, this month’s Ferney incredible conservation successes. It’s here, for
Trail is one of the oldest mountain foot example, that the Mauritius kestrel was brought back
races in Mauritius. The main event – a 50km from near extinction – in 1974, it was considered the
run across, through, up and over some challenging world’s rarest bird, with only four left in existence. Now
terrain – promises not only spectacular cramps but you can witness these small endemic falcons being
also utterly gorgeous scenery and adventure along the fed every day, and there are self-guided hikes through
way. It’s not only for extremists, though – three shorter the valley during which you see rare trees and walk
races happen on the day too, and last year around through sections of lush emerald-green rainforest, the
2 500 people took part. This year’s event takes place likes of which, one imagines, once covered the island.
on 9 September, with the finishing line at the entrance Don’t worry, hikes follow a much shorter route than
of the beautiful La Vallée de Ferney, a pristine nature the one traversed by the hardcore trail runners, and
reserve tucked between sugar cane plantations on you can follow your exertions with lunch at the nearby
the island’s east coast. The reserve protects various Falaise Rouge, which overlooks the sea.
endemic plants and birds and is the heart of some ferneytrail.com, valleedeferney.com

kulula.com SEPTEMBER 2017 21



1 2 ON OUR RADAR THE GUIDE
4 3
thin gsALL GOOD
5
3 6 1 South Africa has a new UNESCO ‘crazy’ walk across the country as part of
World Heritage Site – it’s the ‡Khomani the Crazy for Walking Campaign ,
pictures: xxxxxxx 7 Cultural Landscape and recognises the starting on 1 September and arriving in
ancestral lands of the ‡Khomani San Cape Town on 10 October, also known as
kulula.com people, acknowledging their 70 000-year ‘Crazy Socks Day’. So look out for the
survival in a harsh thirstland spanning the walkers, and get ready for October by
desert where South Africa meets making sure you have a pair of zany,
Botswana and Namibia. khomanisan.com colourful socks to wear on Crazy Socks
Day. crazyforwalking.co.za
2 The three-day Dr. Evil Classic
MTB stage race takes riders through a 5 See knife thrower Andrei Homanau in
gut-wrenching tour of riveting Garden action with his brave assistant Darya
Route terrains, testing their mettle and Sharamet in Enchanted , the latest
stamina as they pass through vineyards thrilling cirque experience landing in
and forests, up fynbos-covered slopes, and Green Point on 1 September. It’s
along the beautiful coastline. It starts and performed in a 450-seater Belgian
finishes at Wittedrift in Plettenberg Bay, spiegeltent, and acts include crossbow
and only 350 cyclists get to compete. contortionist and silk artist Orissa Kelly,
21-23 September, drevilclassic.com cloud swing and hoop artist Tom
McKinnon, laser and bubble magic man
3 Ten South Africa rock legends – Thomas Favaro, and a disco roller-skating
including Francois van Coke, Kobus duo. enchantedcirque.com
de Kock, Jason Hinch and Albert Frost
– will bring their A game to the stage for 6 The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon
the third annual Blood Brothers concert happens on 17 September and includes a
in support of the cancer-fighting Vrede 10km race and a fun run. The main event
Foundation. It’s at 1 Fox, The Sheds, is preceded by a pair of trail runs – 12km
Joburg on 30 September, and kicks off and 22km – on 16 September.
with a 90s pre-party until the main show sanlamcapetownmarathon.com
gets going at 8pm. plankton.mobi
7 Get involved and contribute to a better
4 With an eye on bringing awareness to ocean – and cleaner beaches – by doing
World Mental Health Day on 10 October, your bit on International Coastal
a group of people are embarking on a Clean-Up Day on 16 September,

SEPTEMBER 2017 23

THE GUIDE ON OUR RADAR 9 when some 120 000 volunteers will get 11 Cape Town Fringe gets underway Words: Keith Bain; Pictures: Deon Robbertze, Eric Nathan, Danielle Davenport, The Famous Frouws, John Hishin/Gameplan Media
their hands dirty and clear up trash that’s this month, with theatrical events
8 11 littering our precious resources. happening in various venues across the
14 cleanupandrecycle.co.za city from 21 September to 8 October.
10 The multi-genre celebration of
12 8 Witness strongman Gilberto performance incorporates the Cape
Salgueiro Filho balance on top of a Town Buskers Festival, which happens
13 tower of chairs in the big top tent at the V&A Waterfront from 5 to
that’ll be nomadically moving around 8 October. capetownfringe.co.za
the country like a real old-fashioned
circus – without the caged animals. In 12 Hartbeespoort is the location for the
the spirit of Madame Zingara, the Hartiwood Street Food and Film Night
Fantastic Grifizzi Brothers is a Market , which features food and drinks
madcap travelling Bohemian circus stalls, live music and movie screenings in
with acrobatics, drumming, Argentinian Pretville, a make-believe 1950's town put
boladeros, contortionists, slapstick together from movie sets and props – it
comedy and music. It’s family friendly even has vintage cars and entire diners
too, and hosts a restaurant on a done out in time-warp pastel shades.
double-decker bus, plus a choice of food 5-10pm, 16 September,
trucks where you can get affordably hartiwoodfoodandfilmshow.co.za
priced meals. The show’s on the move,
so check the website for details. 13 Rapper Aewon Wolf, who
thegrifizzibrothers.com coincidentally performs a song entitled
‘Khuluma’, is among the artists
9 These fancy-shmancy earrings performing at the Capital Day Festival
contain two cushion-shape diamonds in Tshwane on Heritage Day. The music
set in 18-karat yellow gold. They’re festival happens at Harlequins Cricket
part of the Shimansky Natural Fancy Oval, and the line-up includes Die
Yellow Diamond Collection, and are Heuwels Fantasties, Soweto Gospel Choir,
available at select Shimansky stores Matthew Mole, Bobby van Jaarsveld,
while stocks last. shimansky.com Cara Frew, Kyle Deutsch, Shekhinah and
Sketchy Bongo. capitalday.co.za
10 Join the treevolution by heading
to the Amathole Mountains in the 14 Introdans, one of the finest
Eastern Cape and taking part in neo-classical dance companies on
Hogsback’s Festival of Trees hosted earth, is in South Africa this month
by Terra-Khaya, a gorgeous eco- with Wonderland , a show that deftly
sustainable backpackers. Events run combines mind-boggling choreography
from 22 September and include a with a cast full of talent and superlative
four-day tree-planting festival, local physiques. They perform in Durban as
musicians and DJs, good food and part of the Jomba! Contemporary Dance
environmental workshops. The festival Experience, at the Elizabeth Sneddon
is followed by an eco-week Theatre on 1 and 2 September, and in
(25-29 September). Cape Town at the Baxter, 5-9 September.
terrakhaya.co.za/festival-of-trees computicket.com

24 SEPTEMBER 2017 kulula.com





THE GOOD BUZZ THE GUIDE

JoburgCITY SLICKER As spring takes hold
of Africa’s Big Apple,
the metropolis is abuzz
with live music, art and
fabulous places to
gather for food,
drinks and a
good night’s rest.

Star t the night on a high everything you
could possibly
Pre-show drinks? Look no further than need or want in this
the hugely sociable Circle Bar, just off bustling precinct –
to one side of the big open-plan lobby- after your final round
lounge of the Crowne Plaza hotel in of drinks, it’s a short
Rosebank. It’s an ideal place to meet up elevator ride up to genteel, no-nonsense,
before the jazz festival (see below) or noise-proof bedrooms.
unwind after catching a heart-stopping Crowne Plaza Johannesburg
performance. Grab a place at the bar or – The Rosebank, corner of Tyrwhitt
step into one of the famed circular private and Sturdee avenues, Rosebank,
booths. The hotel is walking distance 011 448 3600, crowneplaza.com.
(just two blocks) from the Rosebank
Gautrain Station and close to just about

Hear the golden voice

Salif Keïta – the ‘Golden Voice of Africa’ – is among the luminous artists performing at the
20th annual Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival. The Malian Afro-pop singer-songwriter
is globally celebrated not only for his enchanting vocal ability, but also for creating some
of the continent’s most captivating songs – audiences who fall under his spell invariably
claim they understand the emotions underlying his songs, despite having no reference for
the languages he performs in. Also on the festival’s line-up this year is Cape jazz superstar
Abdullah Ibrahim, plus Thandiswa Mazwai, Tutu Puoane, Benjamin Jephta, Caiphus
Semenya, the legendary Hugh Masekela, and many more. Sandton Convention Centre,
28-30 September, joyofjazz.co.za.

kulula.com SEPTEMBER 2017 27

THE GUIDE THE GOOD BUZZ

Wish upon a dish Embrace the future

There’s almost anything you could wish for on the menu at Something of a coup for Sandton,
Wishbone, a café-style bistro and bar that’s perfectly located for the Signature Lux Hotel ushers
pre- and post-jazz concert meals. To suit Joburg’s diners’ diverse tastes, chef in a new way of thinking about
Peter van Schaik has put together an eclectic menu packed with unpretentious dishes. accommodation. Located right next
It starts with a biltong and mushroom omelette, and works through salads and tapas, to Nelson Mandela Square, strolling
and also has sushi, gourmet burgers and pizzas, sandwiches, pastas, curries, stews, distance from the Gautrain station,
scrumptiously slow-roasted lamb shoulder, a fab seafood risotto, and a berry-centred and just 300 steps to the Sandton
dark-chocolate fondant. And, for art lovers, Wishbone’s walls also serve as a gallery Convention Centre, the hotel has
space, with changing exhibitions. Mon-Fri 7am-9pm, Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 9am-4pm, modelled itself along the lines of
The Piazza, 11 Alice Lane, Sandton, wishbonebistro.co.za. a low-cost airline. So, rather than
providing fancy frills that you don’t
Meat and greet See what ’s on the wall need but that hike up prices, you get a Words: Keith Bain; Pictures: Greg da Silva/shutterstock.com, Supplied
chic, comfortable room that’s geared
Chef David Higgs is at it again. His This striking image, part of a series
latest dining venue – attached to entitled ‘Evergreen’, is by Cape towards tech-savvy millennials and
his phenomenally popular live-fire Town-born Robin Rhode, who is the their particular needs. Standard
restaurant, Marble – is called featured artist at the FNB Joburg features are uncapped Wi-Fi and
The Butchery. As the name implies, Art Fair, an annual celebration of Samsung Smart televisions with
the new space isn’t just for sit-down contemporary African art. Typically, live-streaming Netflix and Showmax
dining but also sells take-home cuts the event features thought-provoking movies. Plus you get to tap into such
of meat. Given how picky David is talks and live performances, and next-gen conveniences as round-
with quality, you can expect to find you can join informative walkabouts the-clock self-service check-in and
the best stuff on market, and the introducing some of the work being technology enabling your smartphone
selection includes game, rabbit exhibited by galleries from across to function as your room key. And, in
and cured meats, and both dry- the continent. It’s a chance to meet recognition of the need to think about
and wet-aged cuts. David’s team artists too, and the Fair forms part of creating a sustainable future, there’s
the city-wide Art Week Joburg. a water-purification system that
of butchers – or blockmen Sandton Convention Centre, dispenses safe drinking water, helping
– will provide expert 8-10 September, to reduce the plastic pile-up created
advice on home fnbjoburgartfair.co.za by packaged water.
preparation. Daily 135 West Street, Sandton,
10am-10pm, Trumpet 011 085 9500,
on Keyes, corner Jan signatureluxhotels.com.
Smuts Avenue and

Jellico Street, Rosebank.

28 SEPTEMBER 2017 kulula.com



THE GUIDE DEALBREAKER

dazeISLAND This month at
O nce upon a time, not too long rooms and suites with views across the The Lofts Boutique Hotel,
ago, Knysna’s Thesen Island was lagoon and wonderful proximity to the best you’ll pay R9 890 per couple
a derelict sawmill and timber of Knysna. Each individually designed room for a luxury loft room, or R3 650
yard. Then, thanks to a breathtaking is spacious, contemporary without being for an exclusive lagoon room;
architectural reimagining, the island bland, and tremendously comfortable self-catering units start at
was transformed into Knysna’s spiffiest – the open-plan lagoon suites are virtually
neighbourhood, packed with many fine above the water with glass doors to let R3 380 for two people.
eateries, great shops and galleries, and in the views and balconies from which to The Boatshed, Thesen Island,
hundreds of Cape Cod-style wooden admire your surrounds.
houses with private moorings. Thesen’s Knysna, 044 302 5710,
original old timber-frame boatbuilding In lieu of a full-blown restaurant, guests thelofts.co.za.
shed, which had stood neglected at the are given breakfast vouchers for nearby
water’s edge, was resuscitated and given a cafés, including the rather addictive pastries and breads in the country. The
bold industrial refurbishment. At one end, artisanal French-Austrian bakery île de rest of your time can be spend mellowing
The Lofts were installed – character-filled païn, where you’ll invariably find yourself on your balcony or lazing in the Atrium, an
lingering, drooling over some of the finest open-plan wood-beamed lounge where
you can order snacks and drinks. For
ultimate relaxation, you can have someone Words: Keith Bain; Pictures: Supplied
else work the tension from your body in
the spa. Or, if you’re feeling more energetic,
borrow a kayak to explore the canals
around Thesen Island – you can even pack
a picnic to enjoy somewhere along the
way, or paddle across the harbour, all the
way to the old railway bridge. And then get
yourself back in time to plan the evening’s
culinary adventure after witnessing a
magical sunset across the lagoon.

30 SEPTEMBER 2017 kulula.com



THE GUIDE BEYOND THE BOARDROOM

Mthatha?BUSINESS IN DELVE
It may be all business all the time, but once your
meetings in Mthatha are over, you’re just down the road Nelson Mandela Museum Mthatha’s
from some of the country’s most wonderful getaways. biggest attraction is hoqsed in the
recently qpgraded Bhqnga Bqilding. It was
SLEEP PLAY once the seat of the Transkei Parliament, Words: Keith Bain; Pictures: Supplied
bqt now it contains historic docqments
Mayfair Hotel The new kid on the Mdumbi Beach and Coffee Bay and photos patching together Madiba’s
block is also the smartest hotel in town, Althoqgh Mthatha itself is inland, it’s not long joqrney. More emotionally gripping,
geared towards an qpmarket clientele, too far from some of the most scenic thoqgh, is a visit to the nearby village of
with everything in its rightfql place and stretches of coastline yoq’ll ever see. For Qqnq, where Madiba lived oqt his final
plenty of slick, comfortable, well-eqqipped sqrfers, there's Mdqmbi Beach, a seclqded years, and where an offshoot of the main
patch of paradise hemmed in by milkwood mqseqm, known as the Nelson Mandela
rooms. There’s also a sqper-sized forests. Nearby is Coffee Bay, a favoqrite Yoqth and Heritage Centre, gives fqrther
penthoqse for larger families. getaway for backpackers and bohemians insight into the great man’s life.
Sitqated in the heart of Mthatha, – from the village yoq can walk along the Open daily from 9am until 4:30pm,
it’s geared towards bqsiness beach to see one of SA’s most impressive nelsonmandelamuseum.org.za.
travellers, with all the geological phenomena, the offshore rock
mod-cons yoq’d expect and stack known as Hole in the Wall. EXPLORE
well-kitted conference facilities.
And, given the lack of great dining Hluleka Nature
Reserve On the coast,
establishments in town, it’s good to aboqt 90km soqtheast
know that Mayfair serves good meals and of Mthatha (and a
has a spiffy bar adjoining the restaqrant. mere 20km soqth of
35 Errol Spring Avenue, 087 550 2639, Port St. Johns), this
mayfairhotel.co.za. 772ha reserve is a
slice of pqre heaven
– it’s among the Wild Coast’s best-kept
secrets, with lagoons opening onto rocky
shores and golden beaches backed by lqsh
forests. It’s all wild and majestic and raw,
and there are wooden cabins positioned
to make the best of the view. Follow the
paths throqgh the forests to open hilltops
from where yoq might spot whales and
dolphins – or cows on the beach. There are
antelope and zebra, and some incredible
birds, inclqding Cape parrots and Knysna
tqracos, ospreys and fish eagles.
043 701 9600, visiteasterncape.co.za.

32 SEPTEMBER 2017 kulula.com





NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH THE GUIDE

GOOD,

restBETTER,

Everything changes on 22 September.
That’s the date on which the Zeitz
Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
(MOCAA) finally opens its doors in
the V&A Waterfront’s smart new
Silo District. MOCAA promises
to be the world’s finest gallery
exclusively devoted to 21st Century

African art, and
is likely to be one
of Cape Town’s
hottest cultural
attractions. But
where will all the
art lovers stay?
Keith Bain visits
the Waterfront’s
three newest
hotels…

kulula.com SEPTEMBER 2017 35

THE GUIDE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Also
on the sixth
floor (left) is The
Willaston – a plush,
masculine bar wone out in
velvet anw herringbone tiles
– as well as the Granary
Café anw all kinws of
inviting seating

areas.

THE SILO There
is no point
When you walk into its compact lobby, coming to Cape Town
it’s like you’ve stepped into a parallel without having a wrink
universe, one that’s very different from on the Sky Terrace, where
the working dry dock that’s right outside. there’s a rooftop pool, a bar
It’s a very tasteful, elegant mix of cement anw an open-air lounge, all
and marble and some far-out artworks, of which afforw views
although when you look up, you see the unlike any you’ve
silo’s original grain hoppers embedded in ever seen.
the ceiling. The trick of the hotel is to keep
surprising you. When you depart the tiny kulula.com
lobby by elevator and pop out on the sixth
floor, you’re suddenly surrounded by bold
colours, luxurious fabrics, Persian carpets,
Chesterfields and velvet sofas, and light
streaming in through enormous outward-
bulging windows that, from the outside,
make The Silo's grey concrete walls
look like they're studded with gigantic

diamonds.
theroyalportfolio.com/the-silo

36 SEPTEMBER 2017

RADISSON RED NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH THE GUIDE

Cape Town’s newest hotel opens its doors The hotel is
to the public on 12 September and is designed with all
kinds of technological
literally a hop, skip and a jump from the enhancements, including
Zeitz MOCAA. It is also an entirely different online check-in, with room
keys downloadable on
breed. It’s part of Radisson’s new range your smartphone, and
of ‘experience-driven’ hotels, which have super connectivity
been envisioned as the sleeping quarters
throughout.
of choice for millennials – people who
aren’t afraid to travel solo and who like to
engage deeply with their destination. More
importantly, though, the vibe is all about
helping guests feel connected – digitally,
with each other, and with the city. So there’s

massive emphasis on everything that’s
local – food, artworks, music, experiences.

The ‘studio’ rooms are fairly snug, but
they all have huge windows – pick one
facing the harbour or the city, so you’re
assured of epic views. Or you can ask for
one with a balcony facing MOCAA itself.

radissonred.com/cape-town

kulula.com SEPTEMBER 2017 37

THE GUIDE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH THE MANOR HOUSE Pictures: redchocolate/shutterstock.com,
AT QUEEN VICTORIA KateMacate/shutterstock.com, JMCM/shutterstock.com,
Although Natalya Levish/shutterstock.com, Marco Rullkoetter/shutterstock.com, Supplied
it'll never be HOTEL
classed as cheap
or inexpensive, special Well, didn’t I feel posh? Arriving at
opening rates apply at what’s essentially a small, private
The Manor House until mansion on the V&A’s embankment
the end of September, and getting butler vibes from a lad
named Alex. I was led upstairs to one
so hurry. of the four vast and lovely rooms,
each done out in soothing, neutral
shades, with a balcony affording views
of Table Mountain and the Waterfront.
The gigantic bathroom, with its white
marble floors and vintage-style Victorian
basins and faucets, included arguably
the world’s greatest shower. Best,

and most important of all, that
bed – being in it was like floating
on the world’s most comfortable
cloud, swaddled in 400-thread

count Egyptian cotton linens.
newmarkhotels.com

From
The Manor
House, it's an easy
10-minute ramble –
through the V&A’s waterside
shops and restaurants, over
the swing bridge, past the
Clock Tower – to reach
Zeitz MOCAA.

38 SEPTEMBER 2017 kulula.com





BACKSTAGE THE GUIDE

Title boutHESAID/SHESAID
Andile Gumbi and Nondumiso Tembe are the heavyweight stars
of King Kong, a reimagining of the great 1950’s musical about a
legendary South African boxer whose life took a tragic turn. We asked
them what it’s taken to bring their characters to life.

HE SAID…

Andile Gumbi made
tis Broadway debut
as Simba in tte stage
musical version of
Disney’s The Lion King.
He plays Zweli in tte Mzansi
Magic soap opera isiBaya, and in
2015, The Sowetan declared tim one
of Mzansi's sexiest celebs. He says
Ezekiel ‘King Kong’ Dlamini migtt be
tis most ctallenging role yet...

kulula.com SEPTEMBER 2017 41

THE GUIDE BACKSTAGE

‘Ezekiel craves greatness. He’s a bit of a FALLEN HERO
showman, thinks highly of himself, and
wants to be the world’s greatest boxer. Directed by Jonathan Munby, King Kong
He wants to be the champion. In trying tells the story of a boxing champion named
to achieve his goals, he makes mistakes, Ezekiel Dlamini. He called himself ‘King
some of them beyond his control, and Kong’ and was poised for greatness, but his
his life is driven in a direction that he isn’t life took a bleak turn and ended tragically. In
prepared for. He kills a guy in self-defence, 1959, his story became the subject of South
and his arrest and criminal record prevent Africa's first black musical, a jazz opera set
him from going to fight in London. Such in Sophiatown. It was seen by 200 000 South
wasted opportunities stir anger and Africans and went to London’s West End,
disappointment that weighs so heavily where it launched the international careers
on him that he starts losing bouts to of Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela.
smaller boxers. Defeat at the hands of a Nearly 60 years later, the reimagined King
middleweight drives him on a downhill Kong, with a tweaked storyline and additional
spiral. He starts drinking, losing touch with music, is up and running and transfers to the
reality, and ultimately kills his girlfriend in Mandela eatre in Joburg on 12 September.
an outpouring of rage. Of course, without kingkongstagemusical.com
her, he has nothing to live for…
allows his circumstances to drag him classes a month or two before we
‘So it’s a challenging role, with a tough downhill. Trying to put myself in that started rehearsing. I wanted to familiarise
emotional journey that’s really kicked state of mind is challenging, because myself with the science of boxing. We’ve
my backside. What’s toughest is getting I’m a very positive person who makes rehearsed with a stunt coach, a fight
to grips with Ezekiel’s darker side. It a point of not disappointing those who captain who’s taught us how to throw
gets very dark. Later in his life, when count on me. But Ezekiel really allows and take punches convincingly. We want
everything starts falling apart, instead himself to be depressed, to be knocked the audience to sees boxers on stage, not
of trying to regroup and fix the mess, he down by life’s punches. He loses his mind actors pretending to be boxers. Our boxing
and becomes abusive and is driven to the trainer has not only shown us how to fight,
darkest depths. Getting myself into that but also how to look like professional
mental state is very difficult – it’s not who boxers in everything we do on stage – even
I am. So that’s been my biggest struggle when we walk, we walk like boxers.
– getting into a headspace I’m totally
unfamiliar with. ‘With TV there are cuts and retakes
if you make a mistake. You get to repeat
‘I’d never boxed before and I wanted scenes to make them better. With theatre
to really understand my character as there are no second takes – you have
a physical being, so I took up boxing to run with it. If you forget lines or

42 SEPTEMBER 2017 kulula.com



THE GUIDE BACKSTAGE

something goes wrong, you have to push
through somehow. Theatre keeps you
on your toes. The beauty of it is that the
emotional journey of your character is
continuous – with TV and film, you shoot a
scene today and then you wrap, go home,
come back a few days later, and have to
try and pick up the emotional connection.
That’s why I love theatre.’

SHE SAID… in the show. They’re flawless, perfect. contemporary Interviews: Keith Bain; Pictures: jocic/shutterstock.com,
I couldn’t help wondering how I could teenage boys and Dejan Popovic/shutterstock.com, Supplied
Multiple award-winning possibly measure up to what she did. then essentially
actress and There’s something so special about the conjures up the
singer-songwriter way she sings – the way she dances story and takes
Nondumiso Tembe has above the notes and sort of flirts with the us back in time to
an international career songs. That’s very different from me. I am the Sophiatown of
that includes roles in classically trained and have a big vocal the 1950s – and
HBO’s True Blood and range, but I am more of a belter, an R&B then we recreate
local soap Generations. and neo-soul singer. So I’ve had to focus on that world and bring it to life. At the
working out how to perform those songs in story’s heart is a message about
Last year, she starred in a way that brings out the best in my voice, understanding and owning your power,
the feature film, Zulu Wedding. rather than copying her voice. and being responsible with it. King Kong
In King Kong she plays Joyce, was an inspiration and a symbol of hope
the role that propelled Miriam ‘This production was originally mounted and courage and strength to the black
Makeba to international stardom almost 60 years ago, so today there are community during a difficult and painful
in the early 1960s. very few audience members who would time in our history. But at the same time
have seen the original. But we’ve been sure he’s a tragic figure, because his greatest
‘Taking on a role originated by the Miriam to pay homage in small ways – we have strength led to his ultimate demise. So the
Makeba? Man! I think if I’d had too much recreated one of Miriam Makeba’s iconic story serves as a cautionary tale. In a sense
time to think about it, I would have been dresses, for example. We’ve incorporated there’s a message about not squandering
very intimidated and overwhelmed by the little nods to her, like little kisses up to the freedoms and opportunities you have.
prospect. It’s kind of a huge responsibility. heaven. It’s very important to me that It’s a universal message, which is important
My audition started as a Skype session I celebrate Miriam Makeba and pay because our production intends touring
between the director who was in London homage to the group of artists that was internationally. Aside from that, it’s a
and myself in LA. Then I flew to New York involved in the original, because it was really wonderful, action-packed musical
to meet him and the musical director a people like her who paved the way for the with lots of spectacle to simply enjoy.
few days later. And a few weeks later, likes of me and made it possible for me to Hopefully audiences will ride the wave
I woke up in Cape Town. I literally had two thrive on an international stage in 2017. with us and feel inspired, moved and
weeks to wrap my head around the fact I’m blessed with an international career touched by the show.’
that I had landed this beast of a role, pack because of artists like her.
up my life in LA and get to Cape Town to
start rehearsals. ‘This reimagining of the story has been
recontextualised in order to resonate more
‘Miriam Makeba and I are very different with a young contemporary audience.
vocally. She was among the greatest Our narrator encounters a group of
vocalists of our time, so it was intimidating
to hear her recordings of the songs I sing

44 SEPTEMBER 2017 kulula.com





SEE THE MUSIC THE GUIDE

titan sCLASH OF THE
One of the world’s most innovative live music
experiences – the Red Bull Culture Clash – is about
to shake Orlando Stadium to the core.

G ird your loins, steel your
nerves. It all goes down on
23 September – four music
crews competing in a confrontational
format that’s had huge success wherever
Red Bull Culture Clash has been staged
in front of braying fans. With four
simultaneous stages vying for attention,
it’s a musical battle in the true sense of
the word, each crew – or ‘sound system’
– trying to pull as much support and
love and noise from the crowd as can be
mustered using music and showmanship.

To complicate matters, this is a multi-
genre affair, pitting different styles of music
against one another other, and compelling
the teams to constantly up their game.

kulula.com SEPTEMBER 2017 47

THE GUIDE SEE THE MUSIC

Admiral
and Jahseed
and the African
Storm sound

system

Patoranking forces each crew to tackle an
and the Red
Hot sound opponent’s genre of music, so

system everyone has to come well-

The teams are led by some of the oiled and prepared for
biggest in the business. On the hip-hop
stage, AKA will lead the Top Boyz sound musical flexibility. And in
system, while Nigerian reggae dancehall
wizard, Patoranking, takes charge of the round four – Armageddon
Red Hot Afrobeat crew. There’ll be DJ
Tira with her Durban Massacre house – each crew gets two
music sound system, and on the dancehall
stage the African Storm crew will be run short sets during which DJ Tira
by the legendary reggae duo, Admiral to throw down their and the Durban
and Jahseed. Each crew will also invite biggest anthems and Massacre sound
undisclosed special guests to perform, work the crowd into
so there’ll be surprise twists and turns system
throughout the night.
a froth.
The Culture Clash is divvied into four
rounds, with each crew performing In typical battle fashion, the
for up to 15 minutes per set, and rules
around the kinds of tracks that can be outcome of each round is decided
played in each session testing each sound
system’s ability to cope under mounting by the volume of the crowd’s
pressure. Disqualifications will face crews
throwing down tracks that have already reaction. And if results are too close to
been played, and there are rules to drive
originality and freshness. call, an electronic decibel reader is used

While the first two rounds are pretty to determine the winner scientifically.
much about getting a feel for the crowd,
round three – Sleeping with the Enemy – Although, with so much action-packed

entertainment unfolding through the night,

it’s doubtful whether it really matters too

much which crew goes home victorious. AKA
and the Top
Boyz sound Words: Keith Bain; Photographs:
Tyrone Bradley/Red Bull Content Pool,
system Azamatovic/shutterstock.com,
katies place/shutterstock.com

48 SEPTEMBER 2017 kulula.com