Khuluma December 2017

CREATURES FROM THE DEEP BEHIND THE SCENES

FREAKS FROM petrified and the MEC for The creature was
THE DEEP Agriculture faxed me (it described as 20 metres
was before cellphones long, with the head
The Japanese have some and emails) to “seek of a horse, the
rather unpleasant water and capture rather than lower body of a
spirits known as Kappa. destroy” the monster. Locals fish and the neck
Small, with ape-like faces and would not go near the river at of a snake.
tortoise shells on their backs, Kappa night and refused to assist me. Apparently
challenge humans to games of skill, if you see the monster you die.’ De Villiers
where the penalty for losing is death. found no trace of the creature.
They apparently also like to devour But it’s not all gloom, doom and nasty
children foolish enough to swim alone but, monsters. Desert-dwelling folks like
thankfully, they prefer fresh cucumbers. the Khoisan and Australia’s Aboriginal
Many still believe in this creature, and people have deep faith in the protective
there are signs near lakes warning of their and curative powers of water. Potentially
presence. Sceptics believe that sightings dangerous people are rendered harmless
are probably encounters with Japanese by being immersed or splashed with water,
giant salamanders. and spirits from burial sites or abandoned
settlements are warded off by wearing
Closer to home, another child-eating wet clay. The Khoikhoi believe that certain
creature hit headlines in 1997, when flowers are the spirits of girls who incurred
locals reported that a ‘giant reptile’ in the wrath of the rain gods. Daughters are
a river near Mount Ayliff in the Eastern warned to speak respectfully about rain or
Cape was taking children. The creature risk being struck by lightning. Given how
precious water is, we should probably all
was described as 20 metres long, follow similar advice.
with the head of a horse, the lower

body of a fish and the
neck of a snake, and
glowed green at
night. Bizarrely, Div

de Villiers of the Eastern
Cape Environmental Affairs

Department was
appointed to track
down the creature,
and he describes the

hunt in his book of short stories,
The Poacher. ‘Locals were

Pictures: Unholy Vault Designs/
shutterstock.com, Gleb Guralnyk/
shutterstock.com, Supplied

kulula.com DECEMBER 2017 199



wetTHE BIG THE SQUIRTS HEALTH, FITNESS & BEAUTY
Anthony Sharpe wets himself with
glee on a tour of South Africa’s most WET, WET, WET
exotic, therapeutic and downright
cleansing water-based treatments. Floating in the inky, airless void of the
cosmos, gazing down on our floating,
spherical home, astronauts are
frequently struck by just how much of
it is covered by water. Like the earth,
our bodies are also composed largely of
water – around 60%, in fact.

And so it was that I imagined myself
floating in space, my celestial body
being surveyed in my blueness by
a distant something-naut, and the
thought was a calming one. We are all
water. This was all totally normal on
our blue planet.

pictures: xxxxxxx

kulula.com DECEMBER 2017 201

HEALTH, FITNESS & BEAUTY THE SQUIRTS

Deprived of my physical weightlessness and utter silence. Deprived
and emotional burdens, my of my physical and emotional burdens,
surroundings might have my surroundings might have been a
been a stationary pool, but stationary pool, but my mind became a
my mind became a river. river. There I had flowed from state to
state, from supposition to conclusion,
Later, I was to re-enact my union with between different levels of consciousness,
the cosmos, far away in the Joburg until it seemed that my thoughts might
suburb of Craighall Park. There, I lay never solidify again. And it felt wonderful.
suspended in the flotation tank at Cloud 9 Freeing. Transcendental.
(cloud-nine.co.za), experiencing

I’d set out on a quest to uncover the WATER BISCUITS
healing properties of water. I began my
research in Cape Town by heading straight How long had I been in that room, enshrouded in darkness? It could’ve been days; it
for the city’s larniest spa: the 12 Apostles could’ve been weeks. I scratched at my stomach – thin and taut with hunger. I needed
Hotel & Spa (12apostleshotel.com). There, to eat. I heard the buzzing of a y in the room. It was dark, but in the absence of food
I marinated in the saltwater flotation pool, my senses had sharpened, like daggers drawn in the night. I stalked my prey, waiting for
whose water offers a similarly buoyant the right moment, then struck like a praying mantis, plucking my quarry from the air,
experience to the Dead Sea. The sensation dragging its wriggling, delicious body towards my slavering maw...
of reduced gravity is said to help ease
the symptoms of jet lag, and apparently e door opened and a light icked on. ‘Mr Sharpe! What are you doing?’ asked a
a 20-minute session is equivalent to two kindly nurse. ‘It’s 3pm, time for your requested tour of the property.’ She leaned forward
hours of sleep. As someone with zero to hand me a glass of water.
body fat, being able to float so easily was ‘I need steak, you banshee!’ I hissed, wild-eyed, swatting the glass from her hand. It
a unique sensation. It was super-relaxing, shattered against the wall, the sound like music to my nely tuned hearing. ‘How long
but that still didn’t stop me from dozing will you starve me?’
off afterwards in the spa’s Rasul chamber, ‘Mr Sharpe, you’re welcome to eat whenever you like,’ she answered calmly. ‘We do
caked in mineral-rich mud, until I was recommend fasting for more than two hours, however, in order to see any sort of e ect.
awoken by a gentle shower of artificial rain By the way, your bags are here.’
(for those who’ve awoken caked in mud,
in a field, in the rain, this is much more ough the supervised fasting therapy at Hoogland Health Hydro, in the
pleasant). Hennopsrivier Valley near Pretoria, is touted to help treat a range of ills including
autoimmune disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, high cholesterol and obesity, I
realised that perhaps it wasn’t for me, a er all. Still, if you’re brave, and patient, they have
a range of programmes designed around the liquid-diet regime. hoogland.co.za

202 DECEMBER 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

THE SQUIRTS HEALTH, FITNESS & BEAUTY

There are few more relaxing DOGGY PADDLE
places on earth than
the Wild Coast, so I was You’re not the only
tempting a coma by going one who can bene t
in for the Bathing Ritual at from hydrotherapy.
the Umngazi Spa Exercise in a heated
pool can help your
canine companions (brookdale.co.za) thought when he saw me
recover from injury hanging onto the side of the pool, while
better and quicker, an octogenarian in front of me pumped
stimulate blood his arms like a locomotive. ‘I was about to
circulation, treat the drown!’ I bleated.
symptoms of certain
diseases, prep them ‘Mr Sharpe, the water is only a metre
for surgery and deep,’ replied the instructor, ‘and we’ve
help them recover only been exercising for five minutes.’ This
a erwards. at was not the tranquil escape I had in mind
Great Dane of yours when I arrived at Brookdale – what kind of
su ering from back spa coerces innocent people to exercise in
trouble? Low-impact, a swimming pool? Thankfully, everything
supported aquacise else about the hydro, located in the little
(ahem) might be just village of Nottingham Road in the KZN
the thing. ere are
a few clinics dotted
around South Africa.
Visit doggypaddle.
co.za, talarehab.co.za
and ahah.co.za, and
turn ‘Walkies!’ into
‘Paddle, Fido, paddle!’

DEEP BLUE SEA the sounds of the sea in, I could almost
imagine that I was floating in a coastal
My next stop was the Umngazi Hotel rock pool, except I was much warmer and
(umngazi.co.za) on the Wild Coast. There there was nary a crustacean attempting to
are few more relaxing places on earth invade my nethers. Plus, I was cradling a
than the Wild Coast, so I was tempting a glass of champagne in my hand instead of
coma by going in for the Bathing Ritual a frond of seaweed.
at the Umngazi Spa. Perched on a hilltop
– the highest point of the resort – the spa After all that relaxation, I figured
offers the opportunity to relax in a bath it was time to start taking my quest
overlooking the beach and the ocean. With seriously. Unfortunately, that’s not what
sliding doors flung wide open to allow the instructor at Brookdale Health Hydro

kulula.com DECEMBER 2017 205

HEALTH, FITNESS & BEAUTY THE SQUIRTS

through every

I couldn’t understand quite dry channel,
why executives needed their tugging at
own colon-cleansing clinic roots and
tearing all
from their path.
Or the doughnut

being injected with its

creamy payload, filled to

capacity. Or the water balloon, stretched

over the tap and ready to pop. Oh, heavens,

what if I pop?

Half an hour later, I stepped gingerly

out of the Executive Colon Cleanse

offices in Lynnwood, Pretoria. Knowing

the expression about what flows down

from the top in a business, I couldn’t

understand quite why executives needed

their own colon-cleansing clinic, but Pictures: Africa Studio/shutterstock.com, Mr Nai/shutterstock.com, Supplied

Midlands, is everything a tranquil escape journalistic rigour Hydrotherapy, the therapy is touted as a way
should be, from their ozonated indoor pool gone too far, I tell or hydropathy as it’s to cleanse the large bowel,
and private mosaic steam room to the myself. also known, overlaps with supposedly treating the
labyrinth and beautiful gardens. And really aquatic therapy, balneotherapy symptoms of ‘autointoxication’.
energetic octogenarians. Any remnants and others, all of which cover This concept has its roots in
of calm from my a wide range of treatments the physiological beliefs of
ranging from wraps, scrubs and the ancient Egyptians, and
alternating-temperature baths was expanded upon by ancient
to underwater exercise, steam
inhalation and, yes, Greek physicians. Although it

colonic irrigation.

A RIVER RUNS previous watery has been discredited for almost a
THROUGH IT assignments are being century by thorough scientific studies,
shattered by a sensation that would best colonic irrigation remains popular in the

SQUIRT! Dear heavens! It’s getting biblical be described as instantaneous flooding. alternative-medicine community.

down below. I glance down and half expect I feel as the dry scrub Karoo must feel Me? I’ll stick with a high-fibre diet for

to see the animals filing in two by two. when an April storm lashes the land with now. Maybe washed down with lots of

What am I doing here? This, surely, is torrents of rain and flash floods race water. executivecoloncleanse.co.za

206 DECEMBER 2017 kulula.com





SURFIN’ ‘N’ STYLIN’ FASHION & DESIGN

pictures: xxxxxxx waveAFRICAN (NEW)

Acclaimed locally and internationally for his decades
of groundbreaking creative work, Peet Pienaar tells

us how he’s now channelling his innovative flair to
create designs for new African-inspired surf brand,

Mami Wata.

kulula.com DECEMBER 2017 209

FASHION & DESIGN SURFIN’ ‘N’ STYLIN’

Africa has incredible waves and amazing
landscapes – it also comes with a total fresh
opportunity for African design

W e want to create Africa’s audience through being strongly African.
first great global surf brand.
About two years ago, my co- Africa has incredible waves and amazing
founders Andy Davis and Nick Dutton had
a conversation after a surf in Cape Town landscapes – it also comes with a total
about the problematic lack of African
surf stories. They discussed how Africa fresh opportunity for African design. It’s
has fostered many indigenous surfing
cultures, yet there aren’t any brands telling traditionally based on a stereotypical
that story. They decided they wanted to
connect people to Africa through surfing Hawaiian design style and only tells
adventures and travel by creating Africa’s
first truly global surf brand. Andy thought stories of blonde, white surfers. You can buy
I could create this brand, so we had our Surfing as a sport excludes Mami Wata surfwear,
first meeting via Skype when I was in the identity of others, so for accessories and boards
Medellín, Colombia. I was very excited me it was about making online at mamiwata.surf, or
because I could see how it would allow Mami Wata less about sport
me an opportunity to redesign the entire and more about Africa, with visit the store in
category of surfing, which is in real need of real African stories that are Cape Town at
a revamp. 81 Rose Street,
Bo-Kaap.
We wanted to redesign the idea of ‘surf
culture’ and make it appeal to a broader more inclusive and diverse than

the typical Western surf narrative.

I came up with ‘Mami Wata’ because

I was looking for something uniquely

African that links you to the ocean.

Mami Wata exists in many cultures as a

water spirit or goddess. Her name literally

means ‘Mother Water’ in West African

pidgin English. The image I chose of her

210 DECEMBER 2017 kulula.com





SURFIN’ ‘N’ STYLIN’ FASHION & DESIGN

The inclusion of humour CHALLENGING STORIES
is very specific in African
design – you don’t see it From exploring the homoerotic
anywhere else. hero worship of rugby players to
videotaping himself undergoing
kulula.com circumcision to heading up multi-
international award-winning Afro
magazine and e President design
studio, acclaimed artist and designer
Peet Pienaar has never shied away
from challenging societal, cultural and
design norms. His work as creative
director of Mami Wata is as much
about celebrating the continent’s
legendary surf breaks and the iconic
surf lifestyle of our continent as it is
about creating African design that’s
beyond cheap stereotypes.

pictures: xxxxxxx has an interesting story – it originated
from posters of a celebrated snake dancer
who travelled through Africa in the late
19th century. This image of a woman
with long, black hair and a large snake

slithering up between her breasts fired
the imaginations of the Africans who
saw it and became the definitive
image of the goddess. The snake
she holds is symbolic for me about
how she takes away bad things.
Legend has it that she brings those
she seduces to a new spiritual
understanding.
African wax print textiles are seen
as traditional African design, despite

the fact that they’ve mostly been
designed in the Netherlands. This means
that much African fabric available today
actually has roots in Europe. This is why
I decided to look at historical processes
of weaving, line thickness and colours
created in Africa for Mami Wata’s designs.
I didn’t look at a specific culture and use
their designs, as that would have been

DECEMBER 2017 213

FASHION & DESIGN SURFIN’ ‘N’ STYLIN’

We’re creating garments that are We create everything from scratch
built to last and survive your African and all the fabrics are woven in SA. For
surf adventures instance, our Mfazazana board shorts are
inspired by the Mfazazana point break in
cultural appropriation, but what I did look hand-painted signs, and in many other rural KwaZulu-Natal. The Mfazazana is
at is the use of pattern and geometrical areas – humour is always very much a part styled from a two-way stretch cotton,
shapes as a result of process, as well as of it. For me, incorporating humour was polyester and spandex mix fabric. It’s
how cultures in Africa use appropriation very important, as I think it makes a brand designed to fade naturally and styled for
within their culture as part of design. accessible. Every Mami Wata product natural performance. Using 80 g saddle
includes unique details such as tags with thread, Mami Wata has triple-stitching on
The inclusion of humour is very specific African sayings and cards for natural all main seams, and double-stitches along
in African design – you don’t see it cures. One, for sea urchin stings, advises the hems – we’re creating garments that
anywhere else. Fabric has been used as a you to ‘crawl up the beach and piss on are built to last and survive your African
communications tool in most of Africa for the wound’. surf adventures.
political campaigns and malaria fighting,
All our products are made locally and
based on sustainable practices. It’s crucial
for us to create an international brand
with serious local impact. It’s difficult at
times when it comes to manufacturing
and keeping prices affordable, but finding

the right local suppliers has been an
incredible experience. Creatives have
to be more aware of the effect of
what we do in order to change
things in the world.
Master shaper and SA surfing
champ Hugh Thompson
agreed to create seven
boards for us in honour of
his favourite African waves.
I designed the patterns to go with

each board, mostly taking reference
from plants, fish and the historical fabric
methods of each particular region.

Our brand ambassador Ayuvile ‘Avo’
Ndamase is an incredible local surfer
with an amazing style. I met Avo last year
in Port St Johns, his hometown, when we
went to shoot our [award-winning] short
film, Woza. He grew up in the Transkei and
was taught to surf from a very young age.
Even when he’s walking he does these surf
moves as he imagines taking waves.
His movement is very similar to
contemporary dance.

214 DECEMBER 2017 kulula.com





SURFIN’ ‘N’ STYLIN’ FASHION & DESIGN

With Woza we wanted to focus on When you speak to
an African surfer in an African context, African surfers they’ll
rather than on white surfers chasing tell you that surfing is
wave after wave only. The story is about more a calling than
Avo, who hears these voices in his head – a sport
they’re calling him to the sea. They make
Interview: Carla Hüsselmann, Pictures: Mami Wata, Supplied him crazy, so he consults a sangoma who realistic and not think it’s a wave we’re Western enough and always be
tells him he has been taken over by the catching. I do think there’s very good second-hand versions of what
water spirit, but that it’s a blessing, not design in Africa and I do think markets are already exists.
opening up more for alternative stories.
a curse. When you speak to African But I don’t think it’s time to relax and think So I think it’s very important to take
surfers they’ll tell you that surfing is we’ve made it – it needs constant our African role seriously because that
more a calling than a sport – Africa hard work to create trust in African is where we can’t be beaten. We have
has this whole other dimension to design beyond exotica. an inferiority complex when it comes to
surfing that is linked to spirituality. playing a part internationally. But we have
I was criticised for using film African creatives who step outside our own set of problems, which allows for
directors from outside Africa for the narrow confines of what the world – unique design solutions by us, which can
Woza, but I felt it very important and Africans – think it means to be never be repeated in developed countries.
to use people with a fresh eye for African are often criticised as being
Africa. We’re so blinded by what ‘not African enough’. The alternative That makes us incredibly fortunate
we think we see and what we is that African designers will never be to be able to create new things. Our
think Africa means. So I chose problems are also our new gold.
Argentinean directors Pato
Martinez and Francisco Canton,
who I’d worked with before.
They filmed in very dangerous
situations, making sure they got
the shots they were after, including
when they had to play at bullfighting
with a car spinning out of control.

I don’t surf, because I grew up in North
West Province on a farm. But I do love
the connection to nature it brings – it’s
amazing how you’re able to dance with
water and this dance just never ends.

After a two-year stint in Bogotá,
Colombia, I’m living in Mexico City. Apart
from working on Mami Wata, I’m still
working as part of a think-tank using
design as a tool to change poverty in
mostly emerging countries, plus there’s
another film project and I have other great
clients like Tribeca coffee.

Since I can remember I’ve been hearing
that ‘it’s Africa’s time, it’s the African
renaissance’. I think we must be more

kulula.com DECEMBER 2017 217



WAR ON WATER WASTAGE TECHNOLOGY & GAMES

saviouWATER rs
Only two and a half per cent of the world’s water is I n some parts of the world it’s
classified fresh and drinkable and supplies are drying up. plentiful, melting on snowy peaks
With Cape Town water usage restrictions in place we turn and running into rivers that feed
our attention to entrepreneurs working to save, harvest lakes and reservoirs. In others, there are
and protect our precious supply. no renewable sources of it whatsoever. In
2017, Capetonians have had a taste of the
gloomy forecasts firsthand – a city with
underground rivers and natural springs is

gagging for its supply of fresh water to
be renewed. There have been clouds in

the sky, but rain’s been scarce.
It’s a worldwide worry.
Whatever your take, leading
global investment banking,
securities and investment
management firm,
Goldman Sachs, has

described water as ‘the petroleum of
the next century’. That may well be, but
what about its value as something we
all need to survive right now? And what
is technology doing to save us from
ourselves?

kulula.com DECEMBER 2017 219

TECHNOLOGY & GAMES WAR ON WATER WASTAGE

WATER FROM THE AIR WATERLESS WASHING

A former surfer, 25-year-old Grant Did you know that skipping a shower can save 80 litres of water, while going sans bath
Vanderwagen, says the idea of could preserve 120 litres or more (depending on how decadently deep you like to go)?
desalinating seawater does not And you can do this in a hygienic fashion by cracking open a sachet of Dry Bath Gel and
sit well with him. ‘It seems to me spreading its odourless, biodegradable solution over your body.
that this is like using one resource
to create another. The sea already The gel, which kills germs and bacteria encountered on the skin, was developed by
has much in it that needs to be water-saving innovator and BSc graduate, Ludwick Marishane, who invented it a decade
protected.’ Vanderwagen’s solution? ago, while still in high school. He continues to produce the gel through his company,
He’s developed ‘H20 Catchers’, a Headboy Industries. Marishane has received numerous accolades for his invention,
system that harvests water from including being awarded first runner-up in the Science, Technology and Innovation
fog. Vanderwagen says there are category of the 2017 SA Youth Awards. This is more than deserving when you consider
similar systems made using cheaper that the gel could protect people from treatable diseases caused by the bacteria that live
materials to create the mesh-netting in stagnant water – such as trachoma, an eye infection resulting in blindness.
device that is strung up on structures
RESTRICTORS AND SHOWERHEADS
such as telephone poles – these
capture up to 12 thousand litres Then there’s Abel Namuramba, founder consumers the power to ‘make a
of water a day. ‘In comparison,
our system is more stable, of Isiphiwo Fusion. His claim to fame: huge difference to our water crisis’.
sophisticated and durable
– it could last up to 20 ‘Never let a good crisis go to waste’. Equally inspiring is Namuramba’s own
years,’ he says.
Vanderwagen says This water- and energy-saving backstory: unable to finish school,
that a pilot fog farm
should ideally be enterprise deals in water saving devices he gathered work experience and
set up for one year,
using 1 000 devices such as affordable water restrictors focused his energies on building his
which could be
expanded later. ‘Wine, and showerheads that help you to own company.
fruit and other farmers
– who have the space for, cut down on the amount of water ‘I’ve taken guys off the streets
say, 100 such devices on their
consumed. He says that he’s able and given them opportunities
land – would never have to pay for
irrigation water again.’ to help people save as much in order to rehabilitate

as 30% on their water and them,’ Namuramba

electricity bills. enthuses, explaining that

Namuramba says Isiphiwo means ‘gift’

the devices also give in IsiZulu.

220 DECEMBER 2017 kulula.com



TECHNOLOGY & GAMES WAR ON WATER WASTAGE

NO MORE WASTAGE According Words: Vanessa Rogers, Keith Bain, Pictures: Chinnapong/shutterstock.com, Happy Stock Photo/
to statistics shutterstock.com, Wollertz/shutterststock.com, Carodejnice/shutterstock.com, Supplied
Joburg computer science student, Tshepo Nkopane, has added another solution gathered by
into the mix. He is the co-founder of EnviroCentral, which has developed software Skipping Rocks
to measure water consumption using a portable device. Lab, some 36 billion
plastic bottles are made in
While it’s still in a prototype phase, Nkopane has been chosen as a finalist in the the UK each year – that figure
SAB KickStart Ignite competition, directed at young entrepreneurs. is increasing by 4% per year.
In the USA, it’s 50 billion, with a
‘I believe that in chaos there is opportunity, and I saw opportunity in this,’ explains mere 23 percent being recycled. Now,
Nkopane, who was inspired to develop his technology while reading an article on that’s pretty awful, but here’s the really
the high costs of water leakages; apparently to the tune of R7bn and 25% of clean horrifying bit no-one tells us: Producing a
water in the country, year on year. 1 litre PET bottle consumes up to 7 litres
of water and 200g of crude oil – and its
‘I think water is still taken for granted,’ says Nkopane, ‘but if there are financial production generates 30g of waste. That waste
penalties for using too much water, perhaps people will start to be more mindful will take 700 years to decompose. This waste
and waste less.’ often ends up in the oceans and is likely to enter
our own food chain through our consumption
EAT YOUR WATER BOTTLE of fish. Over 30% of plastic bottles have a
capacity of 500ml or less – if you’re
One of the best pieces of tech news of the year came from Skipping Rocks using that size bottle for once-off
Lab an innovative sustainable packaging start-up based in London. ey’ve drinking water, the wastage
pioneered the use of natural extracts from seaweed to create materials with is extreme.
low environmental impact. eir rst product is Ooho, and it’s the greatest
breakthrough in packaged water yet. Designed speci cally to replace
those nasty little plastic bags of water handed out to marathon runners
and at similar events where you’re not meant to stop every time you need
to hydrate, Ooho are portable capsules of drinkable water. ey are made
entirely of seaweed and plant material so they biodegrade in six weeks or
less – in fact, the containers are edible. ey also require signi cantly less
energy to produce. It may seem weird to pop a so , globby rubbery ball
of water into your mouth, but it’s an incredible way of alleviating the
terrible onslaught of single-use plastic packaging. e company has
begun testing avoured waters and health
shots at shops, festivals and running
events – they’ve been made available in
20ml, 55ml and 150ml sizes. Next year,
they should be rolling out everywhere.
skippingrockslab.com

222 DECEMBER 2017 kulula.com



224 DECEMBER 2017 kulula.com

RAD RIDES FOR SUMMER ROAD TRIP

bBuEACgH gies MINI COUNTRYMAN

Summer is here and the coastal roads The Mini brand is constantly in a state
and beaches are calling. Aaron Borrill of flux – cleverly morphing with every
picks five of the coolest rides for your passing year in an attempt to occupy
next seaside cruise. as many niches as possible. Over
the past few years the company has
kulula.com developed into a sophisticated and
sought-after carmaker made cool by
the company’s outlook on quirky design
riffs, functionality, connectivity and
performance. Take the Countryman –
while it’s essentially more maxi than
mini this oxymoronic notion does serve
a purpose: it’s the most practical Mini
ever made. Naturally it’s aimed squarely
at those wanting the bigger dimensions
of a crossover without losing any of the
regular car’s quirkiness, performance
and handling abilities. And this recipe
works. The new Countryman is 200mm
longer than its forebear, with 75mm
having gone into the wheelbase to
increase cabin length. Not only has
it got four doors, there are also roof
racks for surfboards, a raised ride
height and a 450-litre boot which
is expandable by way of sliding
and folding the 40:20:40 back-row
seats. Very nifty indeed. Apart from
the overly plastic interior and slim
line leather seats the Countryman
is a pretty difficult car to fault.
There’s no denying how intriguing
it is from a visual perspective – full
of character and rich in versatility.
It’s quite possibly the ultimate holiday
chariot for the style conscious, and
costs R428 500.

DECEMBER 2017 225

ROAD TRIP RAD RIDES FOR SUMMER

FIAT 500C Popcorn RANGE ROVER EVOQUE
for petrolheads CONVERTIBLE
It’s not the most practical vehicle in Hunky Scott Eastwood headlines
our ensemble but with looks this this summer’s big screen car crime Driving the Evoque Convertible is a
chic the Fiat 500C and its foldable saga. Overdrive opens in local cinemas on pretty immersive experience – more so
ragtop make a pretty convincing 1 December and the action revolves around a than the regular hard-top SUV and there
case when it comes to open-top pair of ace drivers – brothers who happen to be are a number of reasons for this. First, it
motoring. For starters it’s an legendary car thieves, too. When they steal a rare provides open-top motoring and pretty
appreciably compact-looking 1937 Bugatti from a mafia boss in Marseille, though, seamlessly at that. The roof’s operation
thing, which makes chores like they find themselves faced with an offer they can’t is impressively silent. And quick – just 18
parking relatively simple. Although, refuse. Like any good car heist movie, it’s got chases, seconds to stow away at speeds of up
if you’re planning on hitting peak- beautiful women, and high-speed thrills – and if you to 50km/h.
season Clifton, you still need to want to feel like you’re in the driver’s seat,
find a space to squeeze into. It also it’s showing at NuMetro’s effect- And once the roof is tucked away, the
looks gorgeous – a slew of retro laden 4DX cinemas, too. Evoque proves to be a decent drop-top,
styling cues taking responsibility so far as wind noise goes. The windows
for the kerbside drama. The 500C stand tall ensuring the cabin stays
carries its heritage-themed exterior sheltered from the howl of Cape Town’s
into the cabin, with a body-coloured summery Southeaster.
dashboard and a touch of chrome
thrown in for good measure (some As far as performance benchmarking
models even get cool digital dials goes the Evoque loses out to its hard-
which offset the period-specific cues topped siblings – it feels a smidgeon
quite superbly). underpowered and its indecisive
nine-speed gearbox can be a pain too.
And what of its interior space? That said, the core ethos is more about
Well, those with claustrophobic cruising and less about bruising other
tendencies should take heed: It’s driver’s egos. It may be the slowest
pretty tight inside here and lack of convertible at this price point (costing
rear doors exacerbates this even about one million smackaroos) but it’s
further. There's no denying the style it also the most spectacular by far.
exudes in spades – especially for a car
that comes in at under R250 000. Just remember to pack
the sunblock!

226 DECEMBER 2017 kulula.com



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RAD RIDES FOR SUMMER ROAD TRIP

VOLKSWAGEN KOMBI CALIFORNIA BEACH

The beach and the Volkswagen Kombi go at the beach after a surf session.

hand-in-hand, a fact that’s been witnessed Additionally the signature sliding door

all across the world from as early as provides easy access for all occupants

the 1950s. This particular Volkswagen and their possessions.

Kombi, the California Beach, pays homage The cabin is luxurious and

with tasteful touches and optional visual spacious and includes

garnishes that hark back to the two-tone a raft of high-end

colour schemes of the original concept. gadgets such as a

From the outside, the California Beach fancy stereo system,

has a stylish exterior and comes adorned adaptive suspension

with Volkswagen’s contemporary styling and active cruise control.

cues such as the bold horizontal grille, However, it’s the variability of the seating

chiselled flanks and expressive headlamps. layout that makes the Kombi a veritable

There’s also a nifty manually- playground in terms of

operated ‘pop-up’ roof that reconfiguration. We love it,

accommodates a sizable and you can transport the

bed - ideal for camping entire extended family

or sneaking in a little kip for R833 700.

Pictures: nfmlk/shutterstock.com, rangizzz/shutterstock.com, JEEP WRANGLER versatility that makes it an adaptable height and a proven drivetrain.
Liashenko Iryna/shutterstock.com, ADELART/shutterstock.com, Supplied machine, particularly when it comes to Did I mention how menacing the
Nothing embodies summer living better customising the user experience. The
than the iconic Jeep Wrangler. After all doors and hardtop roof are all removable 3.6-litre V6 soundtrack is? The noise
there’s a pretty pertinent reason why options that transform it into the is pretty addictive but you shouldn’t
you’ll see so many of them trundling ultimate beach mobile and we like that. get overly zealous with the throttle
along our coastal stretches – not only are Furthermore, it’s a veritable off-roader pedal as it’s got a propensity to chug its
they beastly looking things, but they’re complete with flared fenders, raised ride petrol rather than sip it. Look past this
also capable at dismissing all kinds of
obstacles. It’s this heightened sense of and there’s no denying the status the
Wrangler bestows upon its driver and
occupants – a modern beach buggy
if ever there was one, even if it’s
priced at just over R600 000.

kulula.com DECEMBER 2017 229



THE SPLURGE SURGE MONEY MATTERS

Lipstick
DIPSTICK

With a new year looming luxuries tend to perform well in a luxuries, things that can get you
and the economy groaning, recessionary environment.’ through hard times... The biggest surge
South African consumers in movie attendance came in the 1930s
are avoiding big-ticket Lipstick sales did brilliantly in the during the Depression.’
items and turning to small 1999/2000 worldwide recession and
spoils for a pick-me-up. then dropped when economies later Given the current depressed
Time to change your recovered. When the next recession conditions, consumers are more aware
lipstick colour, perhaps, hit in 2008, it wasn’t lipstick that
writes Katherine Graham. performed well, of what they’re spending their money
though; it was nail on. ‘Everything from new car
A n online survey representing varnish, although the sales figures to the financial
a cross-sectional sample of same phenomenon results of major retailers
was at work. As like Woolworths and
SA society (i.e. my Facebook Lauder himself told Pick n Pay have all reported
TIME magazine, ‘We declines,’ states Robert
friends) revealed that wine, sushi, have long observed Grace, head of strategy at
the concept of small M&C Saatchi Abel. The
chocolate and coffee are their favourite average shopper’s

‘affordable luxury’ spoils. Francois Brands that deliver an escape from the reality
of crime and politics are doing well – and
Engelbrecht maintains that his consumers are prepared to pay for the benefit

cappuccino on the way to work keeps

him sane. Ursula Mmushi says when she

wants a small splurge, she gets her hair

done, while Sisanda Dlakavu admits that

perfume is her one weakness. ‘I like to

smell nice,’ she says.

Clearly the so-called ‘lipstick

indicator’, a phrase coined by Leonard

Lauder, ex-chairman of Estee Lauder,

is not only an abstract theory, but an

economic reality. ‘When an economy

enters troubled waters, this does

not spell bad news for all

categories,’ says Audre

Biciunaite of Euromonitor

International. ‘Affordable

kulula.com DECEMBER 2017 231

MONEY MATTERS THE SPLURGE SURGE

frugality can be seen in the rise in house Affordable luxuries tend to perform
brand product sales, with a recent well in a recessionary environment.
Nielsen report showing that no-name
brands now account for R10 out of every growth of 10%, making it an attractive Whatever your spoil of Pictures: Sofia Zhuravetc/shutterstock.com, Lukiyanova Natalia frenta/shutterstock.com,
R50 spent at supermarket tills. Given category,’ says Loren Dryer, general choice, there’s no denying the NinaMalyna/shutterstock.com, A Aleksii/shutterstock.com, Vracovska/shutterstock.com
that SA is ranked by Bloomberg as the manager at Estee Lauder. veracity of the lipstick indicator, as my
second most stressed country in the Facebook survey revealed. One friend
world behind Nigeria, it’s understandable According to MAC Cosmetics, lipstick confided, ‘Even though my husband isn’t
that consumers need a pick-me-up. sales are booming. ‘Lips are definitely in, earning as much as he used to, we still
with current trends including gloss, ombre, eat butter. I can’t bring myself to buy
‘Brands that provide that instant feel- nude, glitter, stained, matte and metallic,’ margarine!’ Enough said.
good factor or deliver an escape from says MAC senior artist Raine Tauber.
the reality of crime and politics are doing
well – and consumers are prepared to
pay for the benefit,’ says Grace.

A new dress or pair of shoes may
not be on the cards for cash-strapped
female consumers, but beauty products
are. ‘Sales in cosmetics and accessories
have been fairly flat over the past two
years,’ says Sally Rothman, director of
the GfK Consumer Panel. ‘However, the
lipstick market is reaching more South
Africans and showing continued growth.’

This is backed up by other beauty
experts. ‘In South Africa, the prestige
makeup category is showing retail

LITTLE LUXURIES FOR MEN: DIY, GROOMING & CRAFT BEER

When times are tough, make-up isn’t the only little luxury out there; Not because the standard fare isn’t selling, but because people

certain DIY products also do better. ‘While the rest of the home- who once had their drinking repertoire spread across expensive

improvement market has seen a decrease in units sold, sealants and categories, such as whisky and wine, have been scaling down.

adhesives have continuously seen growth over the past couple of So they're picking beer as a cheaper option, but then choose the

years,’ asserts Sally Rothman, director of the GfK Consumer Panel. most luxurious beer option to give themselves the ‘reward' they’re

‘ ere are probably multiple reasons behind this, but you can’t seeking. In other words, you may not be able to a ord Johnnie

look past the fact that a bucket of paint costs around R310, with Walker Black, but a Devil’s Peak IPA will do just as well, while still

adhesives and sealants only costing R70 and R40 respectively.’ giving you something to brag about to your mates.

Beer, it seems, is also doing pretty well – especially Sales for male grooming gear are also trending up.

good beer. And it doesn't take much market research to ‘We have a wide range of male customers with varying

recognise that it’s the premium beers that are performing needs, from a full “face beat” to a touch of concealer

well – simply observe the cra ales ying o the shelves or neatened brows,’ says MAC senior artist Raine

despite the much higher price tag than the standard SAB Tauber. ‘ e biggest trends we’re seeing at the moment

brews. What the market researchers will tell you is that, are skincare and beard care, with men favouring brow and

right now, there’s a downturn in mainstream beer sales. essential oil products.’

232 DECEMBER 2017 kulula.com





pupsSEA UNDERWATER CIRCUS KEEPSAKE

Words: Keith Bain, Photograph: Steve Benjamin/Animal Ocean Seal Snorkeling T hey may look bloblike and ‘For their first three months, the pups you for
awkward when they’re have huge eyes and can’t swim, they a quizzical
shuffling about on land, but have no blubber because they’re designed look. You’ll spend
in the water, seals are skilful acrobats, to sit on the rocks and drink milk. When around an hour in the
darting through water with dexterity they slip or are washed off the island water, with some likelihood
and ease. Snorkelling trips to see we do what we can to rescue them and of spotting other marine
them are pretty effortless, too. return them to the island.’ animals – dusky dolphins, sunfish
Steven Benjamin, owner of and southern right whales – en route.
Animal Ocean Seal Snorkeling, In water, the seals tend to be very sealsnorkeling.com
has two boats taking people inquisitive, often coming right up to
out from Hout Bay Harbour to
spend time with the Cape fur
seals that breed on Duiker Island.

Tours start with a 10-minute
bounce in a rubber duck to a shallow
spot near the island that between 5 000
and 8 000 seals call home, depending on
the time of year. During November and
December seals return to the island to
mate and give birth. ‘The females have a
delayed fertilisation period so although
they mate in November, they give birth
at pretty much the same time,’ explains
Benjamin. ‘They must give birth at the
start of summer because during winter big
swells can wash them off the island. They
need to be strong enough to swim under
their own steam and get back onto the
rocks or they drown.

kulula.com DECEMBER 2017 235



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For enquiries or more information email us on [email protected]

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