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Published by tasch, 2017-05-29 09:45:22

Khuluma June 2017

Keywords: Khuluma,Khuluma Magazine,Khuluma online,Khuluma online magazine,Khuluma flipbook

TWO’S COMPANY BEHIND THE SCENES

Portraits of Nik Rabinowitz: Sven Kristian, Pictures of Riaan and Vasti Manser: XXXX Nik: Yes, yes. The two-and-a-half-day Vasti: About four more months. We can only go two and a half metres
argument? were so into each other. We didn’t see away from them.
Vasti: It wasn’t an argument. We just anybody else, and we couldn’t speak to Vasti: I remember sometimes I went
didn’t talk to each other. anyone else from the outside world. It outside and sat in his chair, furthest
Riaan: So I was working on the was just us. away from the cabin. Or he would sit
electronics after we capsized. Water Nik: What kind of breakthroughs outside the cabin door, with his back
had gushed into the cabin, the happened for your relationship? facing the cabin door.
electronics were wet, and I was trying Vasti: We were dating for very long, Riaan: It’s therapy money can’t buy.
to repair it. It was sweltering hot and for probably 15 or 16 years before we Nik: Well, it certainly paid dividends.
I had to take the panel off the whole went on that first trip. And obviously You’re now married and…
time, test each of the little wires, and I wondered why this man isn’t asking Vasti: Yes, there’s a bun in the oven.
then put it back again. And Vasti had to me to get married? I think I felt unsure Riaan: You see? I’ve proved something
just sit there, doing nothing. Eventually of the relationship. But, for Riaan, it to a lot of people. After two and a half
she got so furious, because I wouldn’t wasn’t like that at all. I guess we had years of riding on a bicycle around
allow her to fiddle with any of the wires. different views, and on that trip we got Africa, many people believed I wouldn’t
She wanted to have an input. She said, to speak about it. Imagine, we’d lived be able to have a child – because I didn’t
‘I’m not inferior, I shouldn’t be second or together for about 10 years, and it took wear padded shorts, you know? So I
first mate, I should be in charge.’ that first trip for us to actually speak proved them all wrong.
Vasti: It was like in those movies where about it. Nik: Do you have any family
they put you in an interrogation room Nik: You had the conversation? adventures in mind?
and turn up the heat to make you Vasti: Yes, we had the conversation. Vasti: Our dream is to get a yacht, sail
uncomfortable. It was so hot, and we Riaan: Another thing we learnt is not to the world, and home school our kids.
had this big panel in front of us, we sweat the small stuff. When you’re out Nik: Any more solo adventures for
really knew nothing about electronics, there, you realise that it’s all petty. you, Riaan?
and our satellite phone had broken. And Nik: What happens when you have a Riaan: I think I’m retired now, hey.
I said, ‘Why don’t you let me do things…’ situation on the boat where you don’t Nik: Parenthood will be your greatest
Nik: How long did you still have to go want talk to the other person? You adventure yet, I imagine.
without comms? actually just want to leave, but you Riaan: Yes, it will be.

kulula.com JUNE 2017 105



TASTY TREATS BACK IN THE DAY

foodFUNKY
Got the munchies? No problem. Today we simply head
for the fridge, open a cupboard, call a delivery service,
or pop out to the corner store. Urban life means there’s
food at every turn. Explorers in days gone by weren’t
so fortunate. When hungry, they’d have to trap it, kill
it, pluck or skin it. Then boil, roast or dry it. Would-be
vegetarians had to scuffle around in the dirt for tubers
or search for berries and fruit. Gaynor Lawson takes a
look at what Mzansi’s early inhabitants ate.

pictures: xxxxxxx O nce upon a time in southern
Africa, food was seemingly
kulula.com plentiful. The plains were full of 107
fresh nyama (meat on the hoof), and the
rivers flowed clean and clear. Those who
chose to stay put had herds of livestock
to feed from. But those less fortunate,
the nomadic or displaced (through tribal
wars or drought), had to live off the land
or starve, and there was no room for
fussy eaters. Protein was a treat in any
shape or form, and insects and reptiles
were generally easier to catch than

JUNE 2017

BACK IN THE DAY TASTY TREATS

feast today, Dias was attacked by local inhabitants for

plus the shells, taking water: ‘They defended the watering

if carefully place with stones thrown from the top

pierced, could be of a hill … and Bartolomeu Dias shot a

used to carry water. crossbow at them and killed one of them.’

When European Not exactly polite behaviour, Bart!

settlers landed on the By the 1800s, European settlers had

shores of South Africa, one reached the Eastern Cape and Natal, and

of the main issues was their lack of they had to learn quickly to rely on their

understanding about sharing. Water in own resourcefulness and skills if they

a drought-prone country is a precious

resource. Those who had access to

fresh water via a stream or This
waterhole would be likely page, from top

to share – as long as a to bottom:

mammals (which, being tastier, had to be request to drink and Although picking the wrong ones
faster and sneakier at hiding away from also water the horses can be fatal, mushroom foraging
hunters). You’d be lucky to be munching has always been an option for explorer
on grasshoppers, locusts, mopane worms
(actually caterpillars that get their name was worded politely types and people living off the land; fried
from hanging around in mopane trees),
lizards and similar creepy-crawlies (the and accompanied grasshoppers and locusts are still all the
French were not the first to eat frog legs). with a gift. But no rage in Asia; frog legs aren't solely the
To find a batch of ostrich eggs was a treat result of French kitchen experiments;
comparable to a crayfish-oyster-caviar
one told the original bugs, grubs, worms and caterpillars

seafaring explorers are all feasible sources of protein
about this. In his journal, – something pioneers and
explorers always

Vasco da Gama mentions knew.

an incident where Bartolomeu

108 JUNE 2017 kulula.com



UNDERSTANDING ALLERGIC
SYMPTOMS AND IgE

Celebrating the 50 year anniversary of the discovery of Immunoglobulin E

Most people are aware that allergic symptoms are caused by the Research in the 80’s
release of powerful signal substances such as histamine that can demonstrated exactly
cause everything from mild reactions such as a runny nose or how IgE binds to other
skin rash to severe symptoms such as asthma, eczema and even compounds, based on a
systemic shock. But it wasn’t until the 1980s that scientists understood how deeper insight into IgE-
these symptoms came about – or the central part that IgE antibodies played receptors, which opened
in the process. the door to a better
understanding of the origin
In principle, allergic reactions are misguided inflammatory reactions of allergic symptoms.
triggered by normally harmless substances from our day-to-day environment –
allergens. An allergen is typically a protein found in for example plant pollens,
animal dander and foods such as peanut, egg and milk.

In allergic individuals, one or more of these allergens may be recognised
as potentially dangerous. On first exposure, their immune system starts to
produce antibodies that can bind to that antigen to protect the individual in
the future. In atopic allergy (the most common type of allergy), the antibody
formed is IgE.

It was discovered that an allergic individual’s ‘memory’ of having first
been exposed to an allergen is stored as IgE antibodies attached side-by-
side on a special type of white blood cell. These blood cells, known as
mast cells, contain the powerful signal substances that on their release
create the inflammatory response we call allergy. On second exposure,
sensitized individuals may suffer a reaction if the allergen cross-links
adjacent IgE antibodies, triggering the release of the inflammatory
chemicals from inside the mast cell.

This is why measuring levels of IgE antibodies in blood is a good way
of determining the risk of allergic reaction, and why IgE-testing is still a
leader in allergy diagnostics.

The rest is history. IgE history.

Visit www.isitallergy.co.za to
download your free Allergy Guide e-book

TASTY TREATS BACK IN THE DAY

Pictures: Andrey Pavlov/shutterstock.com, nelik/shutterstock.com, were to survive. If they hadn’t let it boil for an hour. It was then left to suet puddings were made from
Napat/shutterstock.com, elena moiseeva/shutterstock.com, brought it with them, or could grow it or brew on the stove all day, and served with blood and fat; intestines were used for
flywish/shutterstock.com, Oleksandr Lytvynenko/shutterstock.com, find it (they learned a lot from the locals hot milk, ‘half and half’. sausage casings; tallow was poured
Kate Higgs/shutterstock.com, boyphare/shutterstock.com about what to eat from the veld), they had into moulds to make candles. Even the
to either ‘make a plan’ and improvise, or go Settler women had to be incredibly tails, hooves and brains were consumed:
without. resourceful. They experimented with everything but the oink was eaten, as
foodstuffs that they would once have the saying goes. Boer soldiers on the
Substitutes for coffee included stale refused to eat, and created dishes from move sometimes created biltong using a
bread toasted with sugar, wheat bran, the most unlikely ingredients. They had to method once used by marauding Huns.
ground acorns, roasted peach or prickly learn quickly about what was safe to eat: Game meat would be cut into strips and
pear leaves, carrots and ripe figs. Boer one wrong mushroom could be fatal (you placed between the saddle and saddle
commandoes drank mielie-meal ‘coffee’ can read about how this still applies today blanket to be ‘cured’ by the heat and salty
when they couldn’t get the real stuff. on page 37). sweat of the horse’s body.
British women learned about so-called
‘bush tea’ from their Boer neighbours. Porcupines and hedgehogs were Eggs were a vital source of protein and
There were different varieties depending roasted, baked in clay or stewed. preserving them was important. Lard or
on the district, including rooibos, honey butter was rubbed over the eggs before
blossom, and vlei tea. The traditional way Apparently the skin is tastier than pork layering them in a bath lined with coarse
of making a wild cuppa was to add a cup crackling once the quills are salt, ensuring that the shells didn’t touch.
of bush tea to six cups of boiling water and removed. The skin was More salt was added to fill all the spaces,
simmered in water until making the bath airtight. According to
tender, then cut into another old recipe, eggs steeped overnight
pieces, grilled over in oil could keep for a month. When there
the embers and were no chickens or other poultry to lay
served with lemon eggs, the lady of the household would
and butter. head to the veld. If lucky, she might find
Aardvark was wild-bird eggs; tortoise eggs were also a
another delicacy, find and apparently make fine omelettes.
with the neck spiced with
When trekking into unknown territory,
herbs and salt and pepper before being Europeans sometimes had to ‘go bush’ and
marinated in vinegar for a few days and resort to eating like the nomadic tribes.
then pot-roasted. Tortoise, leguaan, Settler diaries record that ground ants
crocodile, and even baboons, lions and (‘rysmier’) and termites are nutritious and
elephants were considered palatable. apparently tasty. This recipe might not
Cooks had to rely on the men folk to put take off in today’s kitchens, though: ‘Dig
meat on the table, and when it arrived, up an ant heap and collect the white ants.
you couldn’t be picky about what it was. Simmer until the stomachs break, when
If the lads had taken a bit too long to a spongy substance drops to the bottom
get home and the meat was ‘high’, there of the pot and the ants rise to the surface
was a simple remedy: the meat was to be skimmed off. Meat and onions are
boiled with a lump of charcoal, which added, and you have a tasty pot.’
supposedly sorted out the issue of
slightly tainted meat. They were certainly on to something.
Research reveals that protein-per-hectare
If they wanted meat, settlers obviously yield from termites is five times that of
had to hunt or slaughter their own. Every ordinary cattle.
part of the animal was used. Tongues and
hams were cured and smoked; black and

kulula.com JUNE 2017 111



THRILLS AND CHILLS HEALTH, FITNESS & BEAUTY

WinterKeith Bain suggests a few ways to HIT
LIST

keep fit and stay healthy this winter.

HIT THE SLOPES HIT THE CRADLE

Why fly to Europe for prime powder, Following the success of last month’s inaugural Dryland Glacier
when it’s an easy and wonderful trip
into Lesotho for high-altitude snow- Cradle Traverse, the Cradle of Humankind near Joburg is destined
bound fun in the Maluti Mountains?
Southern Africa’s premier winter to become a major hub for mountain-biking getaways. The two-
sports playground, Afriski Mountain
Resort, has everything you need stage route revealed not only a magnificent landscape that’s worth
– whether you’re brushing up on your
snowboarding techniques or learning exploring, but also a wondrous mix of flat and hilly terrains that
to ski for the first time. It’s even okay
if you simply want to throw a few took riders across game farms where antelope roam free, and along
snowballs at your mates. Plan now
for August’s Afriski Winter Fest a network of rocky trails at Avianto in Muldersdrift. The route included
(24-27 August), a fun-filled après-
ski gathering with four stages of live stretches along the Crocodile River, trails through the open farmlands of
music plus a three-day pass allowing
access to the slopes, with snowboards Lammermoor, steep climbs culminating in terrific views, and even some riding along
and ski-gear rental included.
winterfest.co.za the Cradle Moon Dam wall. The 2018 Glacier Cradle Traverse is pencilled in for

3-6 May. In the meantime, the 27km circuit around the Cradle Nature

Reserve is just 10km from Lanseria.

cradletraverse.co.za

kulula.com JUNE 2017 113



























FOUR PASSES, ONE SCARY MACHINE ROAD TRIP

Face lift
With its carbon wing,
reprofiled bonnet, acid-
orange roll cage, lowered
suspension and those orange
bits on the wheels, the M4
GTS looks like it's done

serious time in a
tuning shop.

The first pass on our planned route any form of traction loss, which will likely It’s the car’s appearance, though, that’s
is Sir Lowry’s – a 9.5km stretch that end up in a loss of rhythm more than getting all the cheers from onlookers,
rises almost 500m before dropping into anything else. including that of the local police force
the Elgin Valley in Grabouw. I’ll admit who’ve gravitated towards it like bees to a
it’s not the most exciting of roads, but it As I approach Viljoen’s Pass, I’m honey pot. I don’t blame them – its frozen
does represent the gateway to the more starting to understand what all the fuss dark-grey metallic paintwork is quite
enticing roads on this adventure. However, is about. The more I drive the GTS, the enticing. Bulky and squat, it projects its
before darting left into Grabouw, the faster it becomes as the front wheels intent with the clever use of aggressively
Peregrine Farm Stall provides a small communicate all sorts of information to styled bumpers and visual trickery such as
stop to stretch the legs and grab one of my hands through the helm. In fact, I’m a large a carbon-fibre wing (an adjustable
the restaurant’s famous pies. Since it’s a certain that if I were to drive over a series item), exquisitely ornate alloy wheels,
popular tourist stop, it’s always buzzing, of coins I’d be able to tell the heads from carbon-ceramic brakes, a carbon-fibre
and soon I’m on the move again. the tails. Its agile and limber nature comes roof and bonnet, as well as a rear diffuser.
as a result of rigorous weight-saving Set against this green and lush backdrop
After a couple of corners it’s clear this measures that give it an edge over the it may look out of place, but here in the
car was designed more for lefts and rights regular M4. There are still a few luxuries, mountains the GTS has never been
than pin-straight roads. The ride quality is however, like the aircon and sound system. more at home.
exceptionally hard, but that’s always been
the hallmark feature of track-honed BMW As I approach the lead-up to
specials. Again, the notion of a race car Franschhoek Pass it’s clear that the
fills my mind. The granular feel from the Sonderend River isn’t as full as it’s been
steering, feedback from its underpinnings, in the past (a direct result of the severe
and connection with the front wheels instil drought crippling the Western Cape), but
in you an unparalleled sense of control neither is the fuel tank, which has taken
and trust. The adhesion levels are sublime quite a beating getting me here. While
thanks to the fat, low-profile Michelin Pilot I’ve tried to mollycoddle the throttle as
Sport Cup 2 tyres that get stickier and best I can, it doesn’t take away from
quieter the warmer they get. As a result,
you almost have to overdrive it to initiate

kulula.com JUNE 2017 127

ROAD TRIP FOUR PASSES, ONE SCARY MACHINE

the fact that calling the GTS thirsty is an 'The M4 GTS Franschhoek, but there are many little
understatement. There’s no time, however, represents the restaurants and delis punctuating the
to mull over its efficiency because the complete antithesis to main road – ideal spots for waiting out the
main act of this story looms large: the nannied driving congestion. Ryan’s Kitchen on Huguenot
Franschhoek Pass. culture we’ve become Road is great for a late lunch/early dinner.
accustomed to these But before heading home via Helshoogte
Some of you will know that motor- days. The driving I take one final blast up and down
sport tycoon ‘Mad’ Mike Whiddett experience is bereft of Franschhoek Pass before the light fades
recently drifted this pass in a sensational the cotton wool and beyond the distant horizon. As the raw and
video that subsequently broke the velvet trimming of disruptive soundtrack ricochets down the
internet – the aftermath is still clearly modern M cars.' valley beneath me, it’s clear that despite
etched on the road surface. The GTS’s its many flaws as a daily drive the GTS is
sixth sense appears to have picked up sun turns the perfect shade of marmalade perfect in every other way.
on what happened here and coerces me and the golden hour closes in, there’s no
to engage Sport+ on the drivetrain and other place I’d rather be than in the now. The M4 GTS represents the complete
steering as a result. This is motoring nirvana and it’s on roads antithesis to the nannied driving culture
like these where the GTS makes sense – we’ve become accustomed to these
I love the first part of Franschhoek Pass not in traffic or driving to work. days. The driving experience is bereft of
from the Villiersdorp side – it’s fast and the cotton wool and velvet trimming of
flowing and allows for a steady rhythm Depending on the time of day, traffic modern M cars, and while its only 30kg
and a chance to get your eye in. It’s not congestion can be a real issue leaving lighter than the standard M4, the way it
long before I have the pass all to myself. devours corners makes that figure feel
Weaving through the many corners, I begin more like 250kg.
to feel at one with the M4, a connection
I’ve only ever read about. Right now as the The M4 GTS is the stuff of legends.

128 JUNE 2017 kulula.com





Yo hoTREASURE, AHOY SECURING THE TREASURE CHEST MONEY MATTERS
Swashbuckling adventure, anyone? Well,
pack your cutlass, don your eye patch, and ho!
grab your bottle of rum. To help you become
a financially free pirate, Katherine Graham I ’ll be honest, Joey Fehrman’s book
has distilled a few money-savvy techniques Pirates of Financial Freedom isn’t
that’ll help you double the doubloons in your going to win the Booker Prize. It’s
treasure chest. no Treasure Island. But it’s light and
entertaining and will teach you the basic
concepts of being financially free, with
a few cannon-firing sea battles and bar
brawls thrown in for good measure.
Here’s the low-down of what Joey,
son of the ship’s captain, teaches the
miscreant crew about money.

LESSON 1:
LIVE BELOW YOUR MEANS

You may have a big house, a fancy
car and eat out every week, but your
bank account is empty and you’re
always stressed out about money.
‘There is a misconception that living
below your means implies that you
can’t have fun or own luxurious things,’
says Joey in chapter 3. ‘That’s not
true. The difference is that people in
financial trouble buy luxurious things
by borrowing money and paying high
interest rates. Wealthy people wait until
they can actually afford those luxurious
items and pay cash.’

kulula.com JUNE 2017 131

MONEY MATTERS SECURING THE TREASURE CHEST

LESSON 2: LESSON 4: DO YOU HAVE WHAT
KNOW YOUR NET WORTH BUDGET EFFECTIVELY IT TAKES?

Wealth is measured not by your pay If you want to pour rum over your These are only the first five lessons –
cheque, but by your net worth i.e. assets cereal instead of milk (as Rusty you’ll have to read the rest of the book
minus liabilities. (As Rusty the Cook puts does), you need to budget for it. if you want to find out about saving for
it, ‘I’ve done lie-a-bill-a-tease before. ‘Budgeting is about moderation, not your retirement and investing in the
That will be where you lie all your bills elimination,’ advises Joey midway stock market. But the good news is
on the floor and they tease you since you through chapter 5. He says most that adopting a disciplined approach to
can’t pay them.’) people have no idea where their money money doesn’t have to mean living a
goes every month. ‘In order to live boring life. Joey sums it up best when
So how do you calculate your net below your means, you need to know he says, ‘Being in control of your money
worth? The first step is to draw up where you are overspending. That’s rather than it being in control of you will
a list of your assets (what you own) why keeping a budget is a good idea. make you a happier pirate. Aye!’
and liabilities (what you owe). Assets It lets you figure out where your
could include your house, your car, your money is going, prevents you from Though he looks
savings, the money in the bank and your overspending and, most importantly, super-young, entrepreneurial
pension fund. Liabilities could be your it makes sure that your biggest investor and author Joey Fehrman
mortgage, vehicle loan, credit-card debt, priorities are funded first.’ is an Ivy League graduate who studied
etc. Now subtract your liabilities from for years to become a Chartered Financial
your assets. Do your assets exceed your LESSON 5: Analyst charterholder, the gold-standard
liabilities by a comfortable margin? GIVE AND YOU SHALL designation in the finance industry. He has
Well done. RECEIVE over seven years’ experience in finance, having
managed millions of dollars for wealthy
What if your liabilities have the upper When you’re drawing up your budget, families and institutions, looked over
hand? Then you’ll know what your leave room for giving. Even if it’s not prime portfolios, provided financial
first priority should be going forward: much, at least you’ll be setting up advice, and developed profitable
reducing your debt (see lesson 3). Joey’s the habit of donating some of your
advice is make sure your net worth money to charity. ‘When I was a kid, investment strategies.
is consistently increasing: ‘Calculate my allowance went into three jars: one poffbooks.com
it every six months to check that it’s for saving; one for spending; and one
heading in the right direction.’ for giving away,’ says Joey in chapter 6.
‘I believe that the way you act now with
LESSON 3: small amounts of money will be the
KEEP DEBT LOW same way you act when you have large
amounts of money.’
‘The only thing pirates should be
swiping are their cutlasses, not their This act of giving makes room for
credit cards,’ says Joey. Your bonus you to receive, according to Owen, the
could be smaller than you expect and ship’s captain. ‘Everybody knows the
your raise may not happen, so don’t more ye give, the more ye get,’ he says.
spend money until it’s in the bank. ‘There be some mystical force when
As Joey tells Rusty, intent on splurging you be giving away treasure. Treasure
on designer pirate hats, ‘Don’t spend goes out one door and more treasure
like you’re already rich, wait for it comes in another door. I think the secret
to actually happen. Otherwise the to being rich be simple: give more and
debt and stress will pile up until it more will come back to yar.’
becomes overwhelming.’

132 JUNE 2017 kulula.com





THE ENLIGHTENED EXPLORER KEEPSAKE

clarityMOMENTOF
I was in awe of my surroundings hold my breath for a very long time, have any fears, you don’t have any
Interview: Nik Rabinowitz; Photograph: Alan van Gysen and very connected – on a unique so I’d just go with the flow completely, doubts, you’re just 100% in the present
level – to everything around gliding in the middle of the ocean moment, and your mind is blank.
me. Even the animals that followed – 1 000, maybe 2 000, kilometres
me – they became part of my family, from land in the middle of the Atlantic Speak to a yogi or a sadhu who
you know? When you’re in flow and in Ocean. I’d be just underneath the spends six months meditating
sync with your environment, you’ll find surface, gliding in this immense crystal in a cave in the mountains and
yourself in an incredible space. After pool of electric-blue water where the finds enlightenment, and he’ll
60 days at sea, I was aware that I was visibility is 40 metres. Unbelievable. probably describe a similar state of
witnessing a new world unfold around consciousness. It’s something amazing,
me as layers of meaning peeled open. You have to be very comfortable and I’ll probably never get to that
and be able to let go of all fear, all space again, but it was incredible to
Sometimes I’d put my goggles on doubt, all everything to be in that experience it at least once in my life.
and go down into the water, keep my space and completely in the moment – Chris Bertish (read more about
hand on the rudder, and just hold my where there are no thoughts. You’re his solo trans-Atlantic SUP crossing
breath. Because I surf big waves, I can not thinking about anything, you don’t on page 54)

kulula.com JUNE 2017 135







khlassifieds
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What am I?

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