SA Times

THE VOICE OF SOUTH AFRICANS LIVING ABROAD

MAY 2011 ISSUE 21

WIN FOUR SOLFEST 2011 TICKETS

PLUSPLUS What’s Up, What’s Up,

meeting Xolani meeting Xolani Xala, a new SA Xala, a new SA

play, a quiz, wine play, a quiz, wine column, visa column, visa

advice, travel, advice, travel, social scene and social scene and

much moremuch more

Chatting to Arno

NudiesNudies back in town: back in town:

OUR OUR WILTING WILTING PROTEASPROTEASLooking aheadLooking aheadafter World after World Cup 2011Cup 2011

ERNIE ON ERNIE ON COURSECOURSE Plus Charl’s big win at the US Open

GIANT ON GIANT ON THE COURT:THE COURT: Kevin Anderson Kevin Anderson is our new is our new tennis startennis star

SAT 21 Cover.indd 1SAT 21 Cover.indd 1 5/5/11 11:55:315/5/11 11:55:31

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I have been very lucky lately – to get

to speak to not only Wynand Myburgh and Francois Van Coke but now also Arno Carstens of the

Springbok Nude Girls. The Nudies are heading back to London and other UK cities with plans for a new album in the pipeline. Make sure you don’t miss their shows – details in the magazine. We went a bit sports mad this edition. Ernie Els was stung by criticism of his PGA Wentworth course – and has made changes this year and we celebrate the huge win by Charl Schwartzel. Tennis is looking up too with 6’ 8” Kevin Anderson powering his way around the court, so Wimbledon could be more exciting than ever this year. And then there are the Proteas and their World Cup, what is the answer for our cricketers going forward? There’s a lot more and a small quiz on page 25. I hope you have a very happy May! SUSAN

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EDITOR’S Letter

18 HOWZAT PROTEAS? Pierre de Villiers takes a long, hard look at our cricketers…

22 BOOZE AND FOOD A Barry Vera recipe and SA Wines Online go Chardonnay

24 KULCHA Books, shorts, photos and a play at Soho Theatre…

26 LONDON LOCAL Part-time model Carmia Spies met the love of her life over here

28 TRAVEL Hostelling is now for everybody – where better than in Scotland?

30 SOCIAL SCENE The SA Times/TNT Freedom Day party in Putney was a rave!

CONTENTS22 Recipe and wine talk

4 WHAT’S COMING UP Your essential event guide for the coming months 7 HOMEFIRES/ VISAS Meet the ANC’s Xolani Xala and Breytenbachs column 8 NUDIES BACK ON SHOW Chatting to Arno Carstens about music, touring and the UK vibe 13 TENNIS ANYONE? We have a shot at Wimbledon glory with Kevin Anderson 14 ERNIE TO THE FORE The Big Easy, his Wentworth course and our champ Charl

Need to send money www.tntforex.combetween UK and home?

0870-898 8996

8 Arno in action:The Nudies are back

18 Leaving us ‘choking’

Editor Susan Miller Graphic design manager

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development Syed Ahmad Head of design

and production Jon Cooke Head of Marketing

& Events Jim Zambrano Marketing & Events

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SA Times 21 May ContentsP.indd 3SA Times 21 May ContentsP.indd 3 3/5/11 14:19:073/5/11 14:19:07

WHAT: Just Jinjer in Clapham WHEN: June 11WHY: They’re back in London. Playing the inaugural Southern Sounds music festival, which is all about ‘celebrating the best in Southern Hemisphere music under a Northern sky’. Back in SA after being based in LA for the past eight years, the band have lost none of their commitment to producing music that ‘touches the heart, body, mind and soul’ – and will make sure you enjoy a damn fi ne party too. They’re joining the epic INXS at the gig and other great acts too – including electronica gods Goldfi sh.

justjinjer.com, goldfishlive.com,

southernsoundsfestival.com

COMING UPLOOK AT WHAT’S

MAIL [email protected] and CATCH UP on whatzup in London and the UK on our website

DIARISE…AFRICA OYÉJUNE 18 AND 19 Head to Sefton Park in Liverpool for the UK’s biggest celebration of African music and culture. The annual event attracted over 50,000 people last year and organisers are hoping for even more in 2011. Enjoy the vibe as artists from across Africa, from South America and the Caribbean take to the stage. The two-day festival also hosts over 60 stalls selling a wide range of African arts, fashion and food and drinks. For tickets head to africaoye.ticketsource.co.uk

JAZZY ADAM GLASSER The harmonica virtuoso will be at the Landmark Arts Centre in Teddington for a unique evening blending township jazz and original compositions from his award-winning album Free at First and his soon-to-be-released new album Mzansi. He’ll be joined by British musos like Robin Apsland and Fank Tontoh.

landmarkartscentre.org, June 9

LONDON SA WINE AUCTION ON MAY 19Held in aid of the Jan Kriel School in South Africa, this evening at the Plaisterers’ Hall will have top SA wines up for auction and will include a wine tasting and the chance to meet wine makers and representatives of hugely respected Wine Estates. Collectable wines and special packages will be auctioned to raise funds for the Jan Kriel School, which is for learners who experience serious problems with written communication. Auctioneer Mike Ratcliffe, below, is Managing Director of Warwick Estate and a leading name in the Cape wine industry. Email: Ashton Smith at [email protected] or call 01727 792 818

4 southafricantimes.co.uk

What else is happening? Remember Fokofpolisiekar and Van

Coke Kartel are playing on May 27 at The Clapham Grand!

SA Times 21 May What's OnP.indd 4SA Times 21 May What's OnP.indd 4 3/5/11 14:20:203/5/11 14:20:20

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HOME FIRES May 2011 SAY WHAT ?“After running my race three or four weeks ago I know what I am capable of doing. If I don’t do it (qualify for the worlds and Olympics), it’s my own fault ”Oscar Pistorius South Africa’s double-

amputee sprinter aims to line up

against the world’s best able-bodied

athletes at London’s Olympic Games

– and knows he must still run his

fastest-ever 400m in order to qualify to

put himself on course for the Olympics

We spoke to Xolani Xala, 28, chair of the ANC London branch about how it was

re-formed after a hiatus since 1994.

“It took time to set up the London branch – we started the plans in 2009 and the implementation in 2011.We had two years to research the ANC in London. It’s a very huge political party with a big history. We had to fi nd out what had been happening from 1961 to 1994 and then from 1994 to 2001. We know we won’t be able to match the footsteps of Oliver Tambo but we are going to walk in their footsteps – to do that we needed to do research.

“Another big challenge was to bridge the gap between the ANC veterans who were living in the UK from the 1960s and 70s and the new, emerging global South Africans who had recently arrived and came from a democratic SA. The thinking was not the same. We said let’s have a branch – before that the ANC Abroad was just a group of supporters. A branch meant we required at least 100 registered ANC members whose cards have come back from Luthuli House.

“We want to unite South Africans…we see a big gap and we know it is going to

Xolani Xala, ANC branch chair

Q I was too late to qualify to

apply for a settlement under

the previous settlement criteria.

I believe the new criteria for in-

defi nite leave to remain came into

effect in April this year? Can you

please provide me with an outline

of what the new criteria entails?

A The new settlement criteria came into effect on 6 April 2011. If you want to apply for settlement after this date, please take note of the following: A new income requirement has been introduced for Tier 1 (General). Tier 1 (General) migrants will now have to meet the same income criteria that applied when they last extended their permission to stay in the UK.

• Tier 2 (General), Tier 2 (intra com-pany transfer) or work permit holders must be paid the appropriate rates as per the Border Agency’s (UKBA) codes of practice, to qualify to apply.• Migrants in Tier 1 and Tier 2 must now pass the Life in the UK test – this is a test introduced by the UKBA that tests your knowledge of language and life in the UK before you apply for settlement in some cases, or all applications for naturalisa-tion as a British citizen. The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) route will not be suffi cient. There are however transitional arrangements in place regarding this requirement. • All applicants will need to be free of unspent criminal convictions when

Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants Ltd bring you the latest visa and passport news

they apply for settlement. Convictions for criminal offences may become ‘spent’ after specifi ed periods of time from the date of conviction if there are no further convictions in that time. The specifi c time periods are defi ned in legislation. Contact us for more information or if you want to apply.JP Breytenbach

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Breytenbachs Immigration

Consultants Limited

[email protected] or

www.bic-immigration.com

“Murdered AWB leader Eugene Terreblanche left R3m but no will. His wife was the sole heir”Gerrie Basson lawyer for Terreblanche

on News24. The far-right leader was

killed on his farm on April 3, 2010

be a challenge. There will be political programmes …and social events…in social clubs, business clubs – SA organisations, sharing the same interests. It can even be a non-South African organisation that shares our ideals.”

The branch will participate in the celebrations later this year to mark 50 years of ANC activities abroad and intends sending representatives to the ANC’s Mangaung conference next year. And London will shortly be joined by branches in other UK cities and even other countries such as Canada.

7southafricantimes.co.uk

SA Times 21 May homefiresP.indd 7SA Times 21 May homefiresP.indd 7 3/5/11 14:23:093/5/11 14:23:09


We chatted to singer Arno Carstens about the Nudies UK tour in May and June, his solo career and why bands should never say they’re splitting up forever…

WORDS SUSAN MILLER

Back on tour

Nude de Girls:rls:

SA Times 21 May NudiesP.indd 8SA Times 21 May NudiesP.indd 8 3/5/11 14:25:323/5/11 14:25:32

By the way, congratulations for being nominated for Record of the Year for Dreamer at the SAMAs.Whooo…I was a bit surprised. I am not really supposed to be there…because the album was not made in South Africa. It is quite interesting and wonderful and a great surprise.

SOLO AND NOTI wanted to ask you about being solo and performing in the band. Do you change as a performer?Ja, well – the Nudies are about fierce guitars and lots of energy. When I went solo I wanted to change it, I didn’t want to sound the same…after years of screaming at people. But then you miss it and so we try and do two or three shows every year. This year

because we did U2 (supported them in January in SA) we thought well, let’s make an album and go on a little tour.

Are you touring SA too?We’ll do like three gigs. I am definitely not going to go back to doing little clubs. The thing is I don’t want to do what we did in the 90s – like constantly touring. I think there comes a stage where you should say ‘less is more’.

About U2 – when you are opening or performing with another band, does it influence your choice of songs or do you just do your own thing?You need to check out what kind of music they play and what kind of

going to be interesting. We’re hoping that Van Coke Kartel will be joining us on the night, they are really good live – it would be quite an evening, we’ve always had good audiences in the UK.

Wynand (from VCK) said they were influenced by the Nude Girls.Ja, ja, they are the new generation, isn’t it. We were the 90s guys, and they were the next thing.

They said you led the way…Bless

It was such a conservative society…Well, fashion and things can change so much in 10 years. It was…the 70s were Rabbit and bands like that, the 80s was the Voëlvry tour with Koos Kombuis

and Valiant Swart and then in the 90s it was the Springbok Nude Girls and all the 90s bands. We were totally English compared to the Voëlvry and those guys …we wanted to be part of the world. It was when Mandela was out of jail and stuff like that. It was a cool time to do English songs. And now it jumps again and everyone is doing the Voëlvry again and singing in Afrikaans.

The first Nude Girls gig was in 1994 in Stellenbosch, was it before or after Mandela was released?The same time – all I remember was that year was a wonderful year – there was a great vibe around. The whole 90s was sort of optimistic and magic – it was the years of Madiba magic.G

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A rno Carstens is looking forward to the Springbok Nude Girls UK tour. After all – as he says

himself – he can only take a break for about two weeks – and then he needs to get working again. The Nudies last played here in 2007 and there has been a lot of water under the bridge since then. We asked him about it all.

It’s the first time the Nude Girls have been back in London since 2007, is that right?I played here last year, but the Nude Girls haven’t been there for some time.

You’ve been living/travelling between CT and London yourself?Yeah, for about three years…

Tell me more about your UK debut album Wonderful Wild. What was it like to work with UK producers?Well, I worked with Youth (The Verve’s producer) quite a bit – he’s quite a wordly guy so he didn’t really strike me as an English. We got along very well. At the end of the day it was the chance to meet a lot of musicians and they were all fantastic. Very professional – even though we didn’t know each other so well, literally after one day they knew my songs. You don’t have to spend a lot of time; I think there is a lot of competition in the UK so they have to be on the ball.

Back to the Nudies, I see the band is going to play other cities like Glasgow, Newcastle etc have you played in them before? Not the Nude Girls, but I have.

Do audiences differ in different parts of the UK?It’s all about them enjoying the music; if they’re into a party then we’re into a party. It depends on the artist and the audience. There’s no real difference.

Your last Nudies UK concert was in Shepherd’s Bush. You’re going back to the Shepherd’s Bush 02 Arena this time. What kind of audiences do you expect? Mostly SA expats?No, we’ve cultivated people from different countries, and anyway many of the South Africans over there have been there for 15 years or so, so they’ve acclimatised. They are more English than what they think they are. It’s


Walk this way…


10

We’ll play the hits, it’s quite a high energy performance, loud, quite heavy and alternate rock – I will have to start running to get fit!

You said the Nudies had played their last ever concert a few years ago. Then there is a comeback…should a band ever say never?It was a stupid idea when we broke up because we were young and stupid. We had had enough, we had reached the ceiling but it’s a thing a band should never say. They can take a break for a couple of years – eventually you will miss it because it is a magical time…and then it’s nice to do the music again. We are very cool now, we do a couple of shows a year and every two/three years we’ll make an album – it’s so relaxed. It started out just making music and then it became a business so that is normally when it starts going wrong.

How do you cope with tours?I sort of love it and hate it. But saying that, if I don’t work for more than two weeks it is not a good thing. There is only so much TV you can watch and so many times you can walk the dog…

Check the tour dates: nudegirls.co.za

Well, the Nude Girls can and now I can too. I’ve done three albums now and my next solo album I’m going to go a different route.

You’re talking about a double CD?Yes, I’m doing a duets album and have already got a couple of artists…. Lizzy Pattinson (sister of Robert of Twilight fame) and I am still working on Michelle Shocked…it will be somewhere between Robert Plant and

an alternative sound. That will be one CD and then the other one will be more my album and I will record a quarter of it in the UK.

Are you already busy on it?Ja, from January I will concentrate on it – that is easier than the Nude Girls one… that is a surprise as much for me as well as anyone because I don’t know what the fuck is going to come out there. But it is going to be cool.

What should audiences look forward to at your UK concerts?

audience they are expecting to have. That will influence what you are going to play. For instance with Metallica we would play a totally different set to what we played with U2.

How did it go with U2?Joburg was incredible, we didn’t know how the audience was going to react towards us – it was amazing, I couldn’t believe it, it was such a great response.In Cape Town, U2 were doing sound checks up to when the gates opened and the wind was blowing…so our sound was totally crap! The people on the ground could hear the music but everybody standing upstairs was at a loss as to why we were screaming away. We had hired the best soundman in South Africa just so if things went wrong we could feel we had done the best we could do…

Can you tell while you’re playing if things are going wrong?Ja, you can see that right in front of you are people who are enjoying it and then to the side there is more of a perplexed look…

Let’s hope the UK sound is good.The sound should be good! They have been doing it for a 100 years longer!

How is the new Nudies album going?Well, it is interesting, the last album we did, we did it in two and a half weeks. I am writing on my own, collecting songs but with the Nude Girls it is quite magic… between the

guys, when the band comes things will take shape. It would be nice to have a hit or two but in a way I simply want to make a more credible CD this time, that is maybe more musical, almost in a kind of an old-style… concept album.These days people just download singles so it would be nice to bring in a new musicality, where if you don’t have the whole album, you won’t get it. But then maybe people will just go ‘fuck it’. It is a nice idea to be more musical.

You’ve got to the stage where you can pretty much do what you want?

“We are cool now,we do a couple of shows a year”



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a victory that will stand him in good stead come Wimbledon.

“My end of year goal is to finish the year in the Top 20,” he explains. “There’s still a lot of tennis to be played and it’s just important to recognise the accomplishment [of winning the SA Open] and build in confidence for the rest of this year.”

To follow Kevin Anderson’s

progress see satennis.co.za, also

wimbledon.com

started at the Tennis Channel Open in Las Vegas two years ago when, as a qualifier, he made it all the way to his first ATP tour final, losing in three sets to Sam Querry. That famous win over Djokovic followed but it was on the grass at Wimbledon that the big-serving Anderson really caught the eye. In an epic contest, the South African, then ranked 95th in the world, pushed the seventh seed Nikolay Davydenko all the way, finally losing in five sets in the first round.

BOUNCING BACKAnderson bounced back from that disappointment to advance to the semifinals of the Atlanta Tennis Championships in July last year before winning his first Grand Slam match at the US Open over Somdev Devvarman in straight sets. Underlining his reputation as a real rising star, Anderson in February won the SA Open, his maiden ATP Tour title, jumping 19 positions in the rankings to a career high of 40. It was G

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W hen Novak Djokovic recently beat South African tennis player Kevin

Anderson in the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami he breathed a huge sigh of relief. While the 6-4, 6-3 scoreline might suggest otherwise, the most in-form player on the planet had to battle every step of the way to subdue the 6ft 8ins man from Johannesburg.

“The result doesn’t show what we had on the court definitely,” Djokovic said after the game. “I mean, I kind of expected him to be aggressive, but he was really going for the shots. He was really putting a lot of pressure on me. A lot. His serve was exceptionally well and hard to read.”

The respect Djokovic has for Anderson is further enhanced by the fact that the last time the two locked horns in the tournament, in 2008, the South African came out on top, causing a major upset. Judging by his form the last couple of years, it’s won’t be the only time Anderson claims a huge scalp. Anderson’s impressive run

FACT FILEBorn – May 5, 1986Age – 25Hometown – JohannesburgHeight – 6’8”Weight – 89kgsHome – JohannesburgTurned pro – 2007World Rank – 33 (in April 2011)Coach – Michael Anderson (his father) & Louis Vosloo

atpworldtour.com


Tennis star Kevin Anderson could cause a few upsets at Wimbledon this year WORDS PIERRE DE VILLIERS

Ace of Joburg…

SA Times 21 May TennisP.indd Sec1:13SA Times 21 May TennisP.indd Sec1:13 3/5/11 14:27:233/5/11 14:27:23

onc urse…

Charl’s winning ways

SA Times 21 May golf featureP.in14 14SA Times 21 May golf featureP.in14 14 3/5/11 14:56:193/5/11 14:56:19

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A bout a year ago Ernie Els cut a very disconsolate figure. His demeanour had nothing to do

with his form but rather the news that his efforts to redesign the West Course at Wentworth – one of the greatest golf venues in the world – did not go down too well with fellow pros. After Els had a hand in making alternations to 17 of the 18 holes in a £6,5million revamp at the club, the likes of Lee Westwood and Paul Casey voiced their disapproval, the latter going so far as to say that, in future, traditional courses had to be protected like historic buildings. Clearly stung by

the criticism, Els fired back: “If they had criticisms they could’ve handled it differently. That’s the sad part, a lot of the guys I’ve known for a long time came out and basically put the knife in and I don’t appreciate that.”

NEVER GOING TO GIVE UPA lesser player may have been left deflated by the row but, since the controversy, The Big Easy has rolled up his sleeves and joined designers at Wentworth to improve the West Course and ensure that this year’s BMW PGA Championship is enjoyed by players and fans.

CHAMPION CHARL SCHWARTZEL (SEE LEFT)

Fact file:Born – August 31, 1984Age – 26Hometown – JohannesburgHeight – 5’11” (1.80m)Weight – 72kgsHome – Vereeniging, SATurned pro – 2002Joined European Tour – 2003Joined US PGA Tour – 2011European Tour wins – 7US PGA Tour wins – 1Major wins –1 (2011 Masters)

The South African won the US Masters on April 10, 50 years after Gary Player became the first non-American to win the title. Charl was the first Augusta National champ to finish with four straight birdies. Player sent his congratulations via Twitter saying “That is how you finish like a champion”– and the 26-year-old Schwartzel replied: “Proud to follow your tradition!”Trevor Immelman, the 2008 champion also tweeted the new champ pointing out that there would be South African food at the Champions Dinner again next year – as the defending champion gets to choose the menu for the Masters champions’ dinner.A keen player from his childhood years, Schwartzel used to caddie for his father and took part in Ernie Els’ junior programme where he happened to meet one Louis Oosthuizen, last year’s British Open champion. After watching Oosthuizen win the Open, Schwartzel said he knew he could do it too.“That was a huge inspiration,” he said. “We grew up together from a young age. We played every single team event, and we represented South Africa for so long. We are basically the best of mates. So we know where our level of golf is, and just to see him do it made me realize that it’s possible.”So South Africans have won two of the last three majors – that’s seriously big stuff! Sapa


Top of Els’ to do list over the last few months has been the Par 5 18th hole which, under the original renovation, underwent the biggest facelift – a brook now cutting across the fairway in front of a new smaller, more undulating green. Complaints from some pros that the 18th has lost its drama since players don’t try and reach the green in two anymore, has clearly not fallen of deaf ears. The 18th green has been lowered by 50cm and made over 25 per cent bigger, increasing the size of the target and creating more areas in which it is realistically possible to place the pin.

“I believe that in excess of 50 per cent of players will take the new green on in two at the BMW PGA Championship,” says Els. “To get this absolutely as we all wanted has required two bites at the cherry, but I think I speak for everyone in saying this ultimately is the best solution for this iconic finishing hole.”

Els and his design team have also spent some time improving the 8th hole. The spine that runs through the centre of the green has been softened while the slope of the green towards the water has been made less steep and the greenside bunker a little

“It’s about getting the right mix of sands, the finished cocktail CHRIS KENNEDY”

Wentworth course



WOMEN ON THE UP:

SA women’s golf is also going

through a purple patch:

• Lee-Anne Pace (pictured) qualified for the Ladies European Tour in 2008 and really made a breakthrough in 2010 with five wins – including at the Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open and the Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open – ending the season at the top of the Order of Merit.• Ashleigh Simon was the youngest player to win the ladies’ South African Amateur Stroke Play. She turned professional the day after her eighteenth birthday and won the 2007 Catalonia Ladies Masters, her third event as a professional. She became the youngest ever professional winner on the Ladies European Tour.• Kim Williams won five South African Provincial stroke play tournaments and also represented South Africa at The Spirit in Texas and at the Mexican Women’s Amateur Championship and Pairs where she was runner-up in the individual event. PdV

shallower. Such is the attention to detail when it comes to the new course that the designers spent months getting the perfect sand for the bunkers – a compromise between a sand’s ability to drain and offer the right level of porosity with the need to provide a firm playing surface.

“That’s the Holy Grail,” says Chris Kennedy, Wentworth’s courses manager. “We’re testing sand for porosity both in the lab and here on the golf course. Also, we’re carrying

out hydraulic tests for ball compression to help reduce the likelihood of plugged lies. It’s all about getting the right mix of sands, the finished cocktail if you like, and that’s what we’re striving for. We’re

working extremely hard and we’re confident we’ll find the best possible solution.”

GARY PLAYED A PART TOOErnie Els is not the only

South African to try his hand at designing a course

at Wentworth. In 1990 Gary Player, along with John Jacobs and Bernard Gallacher won the competition to build the

Edinburgh course with a design that preserved as

many trees and retained as many natural features as possible in an area that was originally the Great Wood. They managed to create a golf course that was capable

of testing the game’s best players, but at the same time playable to the handicap golfer. Ten Senior Masters have taken place at the Edinburgh course, the first won by Gary Player himself.

* For more information on the Wentworth Club call +44 1344 842201 or visit wentworthclub.com

The BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP is from May 26 – 28

Visit wentworthclub.com, europeantourtickets.com

HOT NEWS:• South Africa has won a five-year deal to host a $10million World Golf Championship starting in 2012, which would include the 70 best players in the world. It will be the fifth in a series of World Golf Championships – and only the second hosted outside the US. Sunshine Tour’s Gareth Tindall said it was hoped the event would be around December 1 to coincide with Wolrd Aids Day. He said getting the tournament was the most significant milestone in the history of professional golf in SA, and that it being for five years was equally as important. As the new tournament could well clash with the Nedbank Golf Challenge it is unclear when it is due to begin and the SA schedule could well be ‘shuffled’. Tindall said both the Cape or Johannesburg would be considered for the event but the venue would have to to be in the same time zone as Dubai ‘to suit broadcasting purposes.’ Sapa

Ernie Els in action

Getty Im

ages


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All choked upAfter yet another disappointing World Cup campaign, the Proteas face uncertainty – but there are the players and the depth of talent for them to come back!

WORDS PIERRE DE VILLIERS

SA Times 21 May CricketP.indd 18SA Times 21 May CricketP.indd 18 3/5/11 14:59:163/5/11 14:59:16

player still establishing himself (JP Duminy), a rookie (Faf du Plessis) and, in Johan Botha and Robin Peterson, two blokes whose main job is to bowl teams out. Perhaps inevitably, they couldn’t get the job done when it counted against a disciplined New Zealand side.

WARRIOR WANTEDWhen the rot set in against New Zealand, how much would South Africans have liked to see a warrior like Mark Boucher striding out to the wicket – a man who, on countless occasions, has batted with the tail to get the Proteas over the line. Or what about someone like Albie Morkel, an IPL star who could launch a counter attack and put the pressure back on the Black Caps? If the coaching staff still believe SA could have done without a player in the Lance Klusener mould they clearly didn’t see India’s Yuvraj Singh change games with his power hitting. G

etty

Imag

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S o, where to now for South African cricket? Embarrassed in the World Cup, saddled with

a Test captain who is better at scoring with Irish singers than at the crease and in desperate need of a decent coach, these are indeed uncertain times for the Proteas. Clearly, SA cricket needs to reassess and refocus but not before the powers-that-be pick through the wreckage of another putrid World Cup campaign

When the Proteas capitulated against New Zealand, cries of “chokers” reverberated throughout the cricketing world. Was South Africa’s depressing loss really just another pressure-induced failure by talented but mentally fragile players or should the selectors carry some of the blame? Closer inspection suggests the latter.

Given South Africa’s record in World Cups there would always be a situation in India where panic spread like a gastro bug through the batting line-up during a tight run chase. When that happened the Proteas would need players in the middle and lower order who could perform the Heimlich manoeuvre when the choke started. In the minds of the selectors the best candidates for the job was a


Selectors have to be honest and admit they got the balance of youth and experience wrong at the World Cup, something they have to address if the Proteas are to become the best side in the world. Fortunately, such is the depth of talent in South Africa, you can’t help but be optimistic about the

future of the national side.In Hashim Amla,

Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers, South Africa have three batsmen who should find themselves in the top ten of the ICC

ranking at all times, while Dale Steyn

with his fast, late swing and Morne Morkel with that steepling bounce are the most feared opening bowlers in the world. Add

the fact that the Proteas now have a genuine

wicket-taking spinner in Imran Tahir and they will be a

handful

Imran Tahir in flight

Bat man: AB de Villiers


20

on any surface around the world, if well captained and coached.

STEP FORWARD GARY KIRSTENWho, then, should step into the void left by the stop-gap measure that was Corrie van Zyl? India’s former coach Gary Kirsten seems the most natural choice. The way he managed the big egos in the Indian side was impressive and tactically the former South African opening batsmen got things spot on during the World Cup. The question is whether Kirsten can strike up a good working relationship with Graeme Smith who, as Test captain, still casts a big shadow over the Proteas. If rumours – and Herschelle Gibbs’s controversial book – are to be believed Smith and a handful of senior players run the show when it comes to the South African cricket team, something Kirsten would certainly not abide. Throw in the spectre of political interference that forever hovers over SA cricket and Kirsten might just think that a lucrative IPL coaching contract is the way to go.

PLAYING HEREIf you want to watch South-African born stars in England, try the County Cricket matches.Some of the most impressive:

■ LONWABO TSOTSOBE (Essex)Arguably the most improved fast bowler in the world, ‘Lopsy’ (pictured) has bowled with such control and venom of late that he broke into the top ten of the ICC’s one-day bowler rankings. A distinct lack of game time during the World Cup is sure to fire him up even more.

■ ANDREA AGATHANGELOU (Lancs)Born in Rustenberg, the 21-year-old has a first-class average of 37 and bowls a bit of leg-spin as well.

■ ZANDER DE BRUYN (Surrey)After scoring 2,497 first-class runs at an average of 38.4 at Somerset, the former Proteas all-rounder has joined Surrey for the 2011 season.

■ JADE DERNBACH (Surrey)One of the many South African-born players to bolster English ranks, the 25-year-old bowler was called up to the England squad during the World Cup. He has a decent first-class record of 148 wickets at an average of 32.44

BRING BACK ‘LOPSY’Finding the right person to captain the one-day side is another quandary facing the Proteas. Twenty20 captain Johan Botha seems to be in the driving seat but is by no means an automatic choice to make the team. The World Cup showed us that Tahir and Robin Peterson are now South Africa’s best one-day spinners while the in-form Lonwabo Tsotsobe has to be brought back into the fold, as the Proteas start playing on bouncier, seaming wickets. The last thing SA cricket wants is a John Smit-situation where a coach tries to accommodate a player with great leadership qualities but who is not the best in his position.

Whether the SA cricket authorities have learnt from their mistakes will only become clear when a humbled Proteas side take to the field again. Hopefully by then our most talented batsmen AB de Villiers will no longer be breaking his back behind the stumps, Gary Kirsten will be in charge and the Proteas will be hellbent on getting some seriously angry supporters back on their side.

“Can (Gary) Kirsten strike up a good … relationship with Graeme Smith who, as Test captain, still casts a big shadow over the Proteas”

Getty Im

ages‘Lopsy’is turning out for Essex

Captain in action




HOME MADE FOOD

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Barry Vera of Shaka Zulu Opened August 2010RECIPE: OSTRICH CARPACCIO

I love to research a dish and fi nd out its history. Being from an Italian family makes me appreciate the food of Italy. Beef carpaccio was created in 1950, when a tearful Contessa Amalia Nani Mocenigo informed Giuseppe that her doctor had forbidden her to eat cooked meat. He returned with a platter of fi nely sliced raw beef, with a dressing of mayonnaise, Worcester-shire sauce and lemon juice. Asked for its title, he replied: “Carpaccio”, think-ing of the rich reds and whites of the Renaissance painter Vittore Carpaccio.

My version uses ostrich seasoned with Ras el Hanout spice and peppadews.

500g centre-cut ostrich fi llet 1tsp sea salt 1 tsp ras el hanout 2tbsp extra virgin olive oil 100g frisee leaves & baby red chard 12 peppadews stuffed with creamed feta

Dressing: 2tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1tbsp horseradish cream 1tbsp lemon juice 2tbsp single cream Sea salt and pepperGarlic Crisps:5 garlic cloves, as large as possible, peeled

Barry Vera

BOOZE & FOOD

In March I visited Stellenbosch to see family and friends and of course to visit as many wineries as pos-sible in two weeks. It was whilst sipping Sauvignon Blanc and enjoying a spit-roast lunch at Backsberg Estate that I was reminded how spectacular the winelands are. For tourists it must be the most incredible place to visit with its historic towns, world-class restaurants and wine tasting experiences. Many wineries offer extras but have thankfully maintained their focus on producing high quality wines. An example is Jordan Winery in Stellenbosch. This is a family-run estate with husband and wife team Gary and Kathy Jordan producing the wine. It has grown fantastically and now has a fabulous restaurant to complement their magnifi cent wines. My personal favourite is the Jordan Unoaked Chardon-nay, which has fresh limey-citrus notes and undertones of

tropical fl avours, which is simply ideal now we’re into summer.

Melanie

Christian, SA

Wines Online,

sawinesonline

.co.uk

SUMMER IN A GLASS…

1 cup olive oilSlice the garlic very thin. Heat the olive oil in a 10-inch saucepan over medium-high heat until very hot. Line a plate with two paper towels. To test the temperature of the oil, add a slice of garlic. If it sizzles, add the rest and cook until crisp and light golden brown. Keep the slices from sticking together, the moment they turn light golden brown in colour transfer them to the paper towels to drain. Season with fi ne salt.

For the Carpaccio:Ask for the ostrich in one piece, trimmed of fat and sinew. Rub it with the salt and ras el hanout. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and sear the ostrich: about a minute per side. Remove and cool.

For the dressing:Whisk the olive oil, horseradish, lemon juice, sea salt and pepper in a bowl. Whisk in the cream or milk until runny. Wash and spin-dry the leaves.

Finely slice the ostrich, using the full length of a long, sharp knife. Use the fl at side of the blade to stretch each slice. Ar-range the ostrich on four plates. Season. Add a little dressing onto each ostrich slice. Dress with the leaves, add the garlic crisps, three peppadews per person and fi nish with a little olive oil and sea salt.

Visit: shaka-zulu.com, Stables Market, Camden NW1 8AB

SA Times May Food pageNEWP.indd Sec1:22SA Times May Food pageNEWP.indd Sec1:22 3/5/11 15:01:163/5/11 15:01:16

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BOOKS… than just a fictional adaption of my family history,” he says. “It is a dymanic and engaging story that I

hope will capture a glimpse of issues.” Definitely worth a read to see how and where we all fit in!

PERMANENT ERROR Pieter HugoPrestel Publishing £30 hardcover

A truly shocking collection of photographs by Capetonian Pieter Hugo, illustrating the way our rubbish or ‘techno-trash’ has taken over many people’s lives.

The images capture the boys and men of Agbogblishie, Ghana, a suburban dump near Accra, who harvest the metals – copper, steel and aluminium – burning them in

the same place that they graze their cattle. Truly a wasteland and a deadly one as the toxic smoke emits chemicals that will harm humans and cattle and the whole environment too. An appalling look at how some people must live.

Picture left: copyright © Pieter Hugo, 2011


Kulcha Arts and books SHORTS

THE DELTA What: The latest action adventure thriller by Tony Park is out now in the UK, published by Quercus. So: Business Day says it’s an ‘adventure story with danger and romance’.And: The Daily Mail calls it an ‘all-action, old-fashioned full-on Boy;’s Own romp, which is break-neck in pace, with narrow escapes from death on every page.’

NOMINATED FOR:Ivan Vladislavic and David Goldblatt’s photography-fiction collaboration, TJ & DOUBLE NEGATIVE, has recently won he 2011 Kraszna-Krausz Book Awards, in the category of Best Photography Book. Their win was announced at the Sony World Photography Awards in Odeon Leicester Square on April 27.

THE MTN SAMA NOMINEES:What: The nominees for the 17th Annual MTN South African Awards were announced last month.And: Loads of our favourite groups like Freshlyground, Goldfish, The Parlotones and Van Coke Kartel were nominated in a seemingly endless list of categories. Read them all if you have a load of time on your hands! So real SA Music fundis visit the website – or watch our website for the winners – to be announced on May 20 and 21.

SA Springfontein by Graeme Williams

THE GUPTAS Fred GuptaAuthor House $14.95 (Amazon)South African-born Fred Gupta spent mostof his life in Mafeking and now lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with his wife. This book tackles the hot topic of migration and having a sense of belonging. As expats ourselves, the subject is close to many of our hearts. Gupta’s family travelled more than most, with his grandfather being from India and his father being South African while obviously he has made the move to the US. He realised the importance of understanding the parallels of struggles that different generations face over time and in differrent countries. “This is more

FIGURES & FICTIONS AT V&AThey say: It “sets out to challenge our preconceptions about South Africa and the role of photography as a mediator of the country’s complex post-apartheid culture, society and politics. During apartheid, photography was a key medium for depiction of the harsh reality of life, but this generation of photographers has had to seek new ways of looking at a country where the rigid certainties of race or power have crumbled…Graeme Williams’ series The Edge of Town is one of the highlights here” (see left) writes Sean O’ Hagan in The Observer. Fisun Guner on theartsdesk.com says that 17 years after apartheid’s end, this exhibition of 17 photographers is a vivid snapshot of what it means to be a South African today. Visit: vam.ac.uk

SA Times 21 May Arts OneP.indd 24SA Times 21 May Arts OneP.indd 24 3/5/11 15:10:003/5/11 15:10:00

Why: CONVICTIONS presented by the Synergy Theatre Project is all about new plays written in prison and afterwards and is on at the Soho Theatre. Eleven years of working with prisoners has borne fruit – this collection of two full productions and three readings. The plays include Every Coin by Carlon Campbell Robinson and The Archbishop And The Antichrist by Michael Ashton on from May 16 to 21. Directed by Lucy Kerbel, it was inspired by the TRC hearings in South Africa, chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Michael Ashton is out of prison but began playwriting by taking part in one of Synergy’s courses – having lived in South Africa; he imagined an encounter between Tutu and an Afrikaans mass murderer awaiting execution in a South African jail. The play explores the limits of forgiveness in a country facing the imperfect process of truth and reconciliation in the wake of terrible crimes. When: Whole series May 9 to 21How much: From £10

Soho Theatre, 21 Dean St, W1D

3NE, sohothreatre.com

25

SHORT QUIZ Just for fun…(hopefully anyway) don’t bother to think!

When you think of SA, you think of:1. Sunny skies2. Braaivleis3. Chevrolet4. None of the above

Musically you really smaak:1. Steve Hofmeyr2. Freshlyground3. Die Teelepeltjies4. Nooit man! Death Metal!

Ag shame, it’s tough when:1. The weather is so bleddy grey2. It’s grey hey3. Grey, I say my china4. All of the above

When you think of Die Antwoord:1. It’s enough to make you cry2. Cry with joy3. I’m a Rich Bitch and proud4. Ag, they done good hey

The Proteas and the World Cup:1. It’s enough to make you cry2. Cry3. Chokers to a man4. What Proteas? You mean the flower show?

Don’t you hate it when:1. It’s grey, man2. Then it rains3. People don’t get the now now 4. Or the just now

Visiting the visa office:1. It’s enough to make you cry2. A river of tears3. Time stands still4. Ag shame, they do the best they can hey?

South Africans as Antipodeans:1. When did that happen then?2. Aren’t we?3. Beer, rugby and attitude. What’s not to like?4. Ja, but only if we beat them all at sports

When I go back to SA, I will:1. Rush to the beach2. Rush to the mountains3. Rush to my fenced in safe suburb4. Rush to the bush and just chill, you know?


Kulcha THEATRE

SA Times 21 May Arts 2P.indd 25SA Times 21 May Arts 2P.indd 25 3/5/11 15:04:243/5/11 15:04:24

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Having found the love of her life over here, it’s no surprise that part-time model, aspiring photographer and office administrator Carmia feels right at home…

Carmia Spies

What I like about London is...

The different lifestyle and freedom to do whatever your heart desires. The parks are one of my favourite things about London- it’s sort of my “replacement” for the beach back in SA. There’s nothing better than to go to the park with all your friends on a sunny day – having a braai, playing games and just enjoying the awesome company around you!

What infuriates me about London

is... some of the people! They are just plain rude and couldn’t give a damn about any one else. Other than that, I have sort of got used to the weather now (but nobody can control it anyway), just wish the sun could shine a bit more!

I relax by... modelling (I’m a part- time model) – it’s not like a job for me, I just like modelling. I get pam-pered, wear really interesting/funky

clothes and meet amazing people. I also do the odd photography – my partner and I are busy learning dif-ferent tricks for our Nikon D3100.

My work day... consists of me stay-ing busy from the time I walk in to the offi ce at 9am until I leave at 5pm.

I love my job... I’ve met interest-ing people and experienced great achievements so far.

My work/life balance is... work-ing out just fi ne thanks! I am happy where I am in life, I have an incred-ible partner and my career is going in the right direction...I am excited about what the future has in store...

I miss South Africa’s... accents, biltong, pineapple tropica juice, beaches, braai meat, chocolates, vetkoek, koeksisters...I can go on forever...ha ha, it’s not that bad – I

just go overboard when I visit home!

I would like... to be able to visit home more often. I miss my family and friends.

Best of all would be... if I get my British passport before the end of the year. No more Schengen Visas!

Love is... so many little things that make you happy in life and that give you that warm fuzzy butterfl y feeling in your stomach...I found my one true love in London. I’m the happiest girl in the world!

To sum up... I have become a better person since moving to London – I’m independent, confi dent and able to achieve my dreams. I have been living here for the past 5 years and still miss SA, but this has become my new home. I just have to think that my family are constantly on holiday!

LONDON LOCAL


FAST FACTSName: Carmia SpiesAge: 24Job: Office adminstrator/part-time modelCompany: Hartwig Care LtdAgency: Dilema ModelsBorn: Port ShepstoneAre you another London Local?

Tell us all about yourself or a

friend at yoursay@


SA Times May London LocalP.indd Sec1:26SA Times May London LocalP.indd Sec1:26 3/5/11 15:02:183/5/11 15:02:18

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Mine’s a Scotch THIS SUMMERThere’s something magical about Scotland – and what with its summer festivals, wonderful scenery and epic walking opportunities, there’s every reason to go!

WORDS AMY MCGUINNES

Edinburgh’s principal shopping street, but there are smaller shops on Rose Street and designer boutiques on George Street. Ocean Terminal in Leith is its biggest shopping centre. It’s got the only Harvey Nicks in Scotland, the five storey store is on the eastern end of St Andrew Square, with superb views of the city and the Firth of Forth.Glasgow Youth Hostel from £13.50pn

Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel from £17pn

Stirling Castle and the Battle of Bannockburn site are a few of the historical landmarks at hand.

Glencoe was written into the history books in 1692 when the resident MacDonalds were murdered by Campbell soldiers in what became known as the Glencoe Massacre. The ghosts of the MacDonalds are said to roam the Lost Valley – are you brave enough to visit?Stirling Youth Hostel from £17.25pnGlencoe Youth Hostel from £15pn

SHOPS SWEETIE, SHOPSGlasgow boasts the UK’s largest retail contingency outside London; it is a shopaholic’s paradise. From Versace to Topshop, John Lewis to Debenhams, you won’t be disappointed. Braehead, Silverburn and Glasgow Fort are all also worth a visit. Princes Street is

T hose of us who holiday regularly in Scotland know that it offers more than just kilts, whisky and

bagpipes; it’s packed full of fun and adventures. Whether it is city chic, cultural exploits or outdoors adventure – hostelling is a great way to see this treasure trove.

Hostels are open to everyone and in response to customer demands, offer dormitory accommodation but also private rooms and family rooms and depending on the location a lot of our rooms are en-suite as well.

Why hostelling? It is an easy way to have fun, discover new places and meet people. If you are looking for peace and quiet you will also be able to find it.

STIRLING AND GLENCOEBring Braveheart back to life! In Stirling, the Wallace Monument, historic

On the move

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THERE AND ABOUTScotland has a modern and efficient road, rail and ferry network, which has good access to almost all parts of the country.Scotland has five international airports and budget airlines offer flights to and from other parts of the UK, including London.The M74 motorway leads from the west coast of Scotland to England and you can drive from Glasgow to Manchester in three hours. There is an extensive bus network from other parts of the UK and there are regular trains from London to Edinburgh and Glasgow – including sleeper trains.This article originally appeared in The Scottish Hosteller.syha.org.uk


WALKING AWAYEscape from the stresses of your life by visiting Corrour and Loch Ossian in the Lochaber area of the Scottish Highlands. Disembark from your train at the remote Corrour train station, which appeared in the popular cult movie ‘Trainspotting’. One thing you can be sure of is you won’t be seeing any Renton, Tommy or Sickboy characters here; this wonderful location is more popular with hill walkers and rambling groups. Corrour has a number of different walks at various physical intensities. There are over 20 peaks of more than 3,000 feet within easy reach of Corrour. Or if you’d rather stay on flat ground, why not try the 9-mile walk around Loch Ossian. Relax at the end of the day at the Corrour Station House and be fed a mouth-watering meal in their licensed restaurant.Loch Ossian Youth Hostel from £18pn Corrour Station House and Restaurant from £29.50 B&Bpn

MOUNTAIN BIKE MOMENTSCombine a visit to one of the Scottish islands with an activity break; grab your bike and head to the Isle of Arran where you can enjoy mountain bike trails, lovely scenery and mostly quiet roads. You can cycle from Brodick ferry port to Lochranza, a route that should take 1½ to 2 hours. If you are not feeling so energetic the bus will get you there as well. If you listed the most attractive features of Scotland, then tried to squeeze them all on to one medium sized island, you’d end up with Arran. This explains why it’s affectionately known as “Scotland in

miniature”! The island is cut in half by the Highland Boundary Fault, a geological division that makes the north rugged and hilly, whereas the south is gentler and lower lying. Savers tip: Public transport facilities on Arran are good. A bus service circles the island and connects with the ferry services at Brodick and Lochranza. Lochranza Youth Hostel from £15.95pn

FUNKY FESTIVALS Every summer Edinburgh is taken over by festival fever. Highlights include the Military Tattoo and the world’s biggest Arts festival – the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe. Summer is also about music festivals. Rock Ness, Loopallu and Belladrum are only a few.Savers tip: Look out for free acts in Edinburgh’s Festival and Fringe.

Edinburgh Central Youth Hostel from £17pnEdinburgh Metro Youth Hostel, open during summer festival season, from £24.50pnUllapool Youth Hostel from £17.50pnInverness Youth Hostel from £15.50pn

CASTLES M’LORD & LADYEdinburgh, Stirling, Culzean… there are over 250 castles, but perhaps none as unique as Carbisdale Castle in Culrain. Built for the Dowager Duchess of Sutherland in 1906, it served as a royal refuge during the war. It includes a gallery and art collection. Overlooking the river Kyle, many walks and mountain bike trails start at the front gates. Nearby Dornoch Cathedral is impressive, and not just because Madonna chose to get married there!Carbisdale Castle Youth Hostel from £20.50pn

Corrour Station House

Lochranza

Carbisdale Castle

SA Times 21 May TravelP.indd 29SA Times 21 May TravelP.indd 29 3/5/11 15:07:033/5/11 15:07:03

SOCIAL SEENFreedom Day 2011, The Larrik Inn, Putney Bridge, London, April 30 Photos: Nicola Bellinfantie/TNT Images

southafricantimes.co.uk30

SAT 21 Social Scene.indd 30SAT 21 Social Scene.indd 30 4/5/11 12:23:334/5/11 12:23:33

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