Cartoon – Blinded by Wealth
Cartoon – Blinded by Wealth
Deja un comentario
Archivo por días: enero 18, 2017
ATKV Oesfees, Solms-Delta 10 years old on 25 March 2017
The ATKV Oesfees at Solms-Delta, Franschhoek, will be celebrating another year’s successful wine harvest on Saturday, 25 March 2017.
Music van de Caab artists Die Soetstemme and Delta Langbroeke on stage with Nick Turner and Adriaan Brand
Join the workers of the valley, along with thousands of other music, food and wine lovers to share in the joy of a diverse cultural event, featuring some of the finest homegrown musicians, as well as some of South Africa’s most popular artists and bands.
The Franschhoek valley has a rich and lively music culture. The local Music van de Caab project, sponsored by Solms-Delta and Boschendal, under the leadership of the brilliant Adriaan Brand of Springbok Nude Girls, seeks to preserve and develop the diverse musical heritage of the rural Cape, including the fostering of local musical talent. The Music van de Caab acts that will be performing at the ATKV Oesfees include the Klein-Handjies Pre-school Choir and the “Kaapse Klopse”-style walking band, Langbroeke; a female choir ensemble Die Soetstemme; the Delta Valley Entertainers and the Lekker Lekker Delta group. Top South African talents who will be sharing the stage include Radio Kalahari Orkes, Manouche, Nick Turner, Riku Lätti, Bacchus Nel, Jackie Lätti, Hannes Coetzee, Die Papier Familie Orkes, Akkedis, Les Javan, Hemelbesem and Yoma, Brain Cloete, Churchil Naudé, Die Wasgoedlyn and Tribal Echo. A special treat this year will be a performance by the African Jazz Pioneers.
An annual ATKV Oesfees highlight is a performance by winners of the ATKV Riel Dance Final. The Betjies from Betjiesfontein were the winners of the ATKV 2016 Riel Dance competition in the Junior category and will take to the stage to entertain with their impressive footwork.
This year marks a very special occasion as the ATKV Oesfees reaches its 10th year milestone. Mark Solms from Solms-Delta says: “When we launched the ATKV Oesfees in 2008, we were not sure how it would turn out. But the celebration turned out better than we could have dreamt and the festival just keeps on growing. We proudly share our love for everything that unites us in this beautiful land, with our music and food and wine, and our deepest and best hopes for the years to come.”
“The ATKV’s objectives are to further Afrikaans and provide a cultural home for Afrikaans people. Afrikaans is one of the strongest indigenous languages in Africa, and creates exceptional opportunities for nation building, development and letting the South African landscape thrive. To do this with partners, further enhances the potential for success. Therefore, the cooperation with Solms-Delta is an excellent opportunity for the ATKV to celebrate Afrikaans and turn objectives into achievements, “says Japie Gouws, Managing director of the ATKV group.
Traditional food and excellent wines from the Solms-Delta farm will be on sale. There will be a special area for kids, managed by a professional events company, Cre8tive Kids. Children are registered and are looked after inside a specially fenced, safe area. They can look forward to playful activities all day.
Come join the special people of Solms-Delta for this annual gathering filled with thanksgiving and good cheer.
Ticket prices:
Earlybird: R99: January 2017 to14 February 2017.
Presales: R120: 15 February to 24 March 2017.
Tickets at the gate: R150: On day of event.
Kids 2 – 12: R40: Earlybird, presales and at gate.
Kids under 2: R1: Babies also get tagged so that the organizers have an exact count of all the festivalgoers.
Buy your tickets here:
Plankton.mobi:http://ift.tt/2jKvYiX
Shoprite Checkers.
Solms-Delta Tasting Room and Deli.
Computicket.
Web and social media:
Facebook: http://ift.tt/2jwR0UN
Twitter: @DieOesfees #ATKVoesfees
Instagram: atkvoesfees
Website: www.oesfees.co.za en http://ift.tt/2jwM8PA
Contact number for more information: 021-874 3937.
ATKV Oesfees 2017 in collaboration with kykNET.
ATKV Oesfees, Solms-Delta 10 years old on 25 March 2017
ATKV Oesfees, Solms-Delta 10 years old on 25 March 2017
The ATKV Oesfees at Solms-Delta, Franschhoek, will be celebrating another year’s successful wine harvest on Saturday, 25 March 2017.
Music van de Caab artists Die Soetstemme and Delta Langbroeke on stage with Nick Turner and Adriaan Brand
Join the workers of the valley, along with thousands of other music, food and wine lovers to share in the joy of a diverse cultural event, featuring some of the finest homegrown musicians, as well as some of South Africa’s most popular artists and bands.
The Franschhoek valley has a rich and lively music culture. The local Music van de Caab project, sponsored by Solms-Delta and Boschendal, under the leadership of the brilliant Adriaan Brand of Springbok Nude Girls, seeks to preserve and develop the diverse musical heritage of the rural Cape, including the fostering of local musical talent. The Music van de Caab acts that will be performing at the ATKV Oesfees include the Klein-Handjies Pre-school Choir and the “Kaapse Klopse”-style walking band, Langbroeke; a female choir ensemble Die Soetstemme; the Delta Valley Entertainers and the Lekker Lekker Delta group. Top South African talents who will be sharing the stage include Radio Kalahari Orkes, Manouche, Nick Turner, Riku Lätti, Bacchus Nel, Jackie Lätti, Hannes Coetzee, Die Papier Familie Orkes, Akkedis, Les Javan, Hemelbesem and Yoma, Brain Cloete, Churchil Naudé, Die Wasgoedlyn and Tribal Echo. A special treat this year will be a performance by the African Jazz Pioneers.
An annual ATKV Oesfees highlight is a performance by winners of the ATKV Riel Dance Final. The Betjies from Betjiesfontein were the winners of the ATKV 2016 Riel Dance competition in the Junior category and will take to the stage to entertain with their impressive footwork.
This year marks a very special occasion as the ATKV Oesfees reaches its 10th year milestone. Mark Solms from Solms-Delta says: “When we launched the ATKV Oesfees in 2008, we were not sure how it would turn out. But the celebration turned out better than we could have dreamt and the festival just keeps on growing. We proudly share our love for everything that unites us in this beautiful land, with our music and food and wine, and our deepest and best hopes for the years to come.”
“The ATKV’s objectives are to further Afrikaans and provide a cultural home for Afrikaans people. Afrikaans is one of the strongest indigenous languages in Africa, and creates exceptional opportunities for nation building, development and letting the South African landscape thrive. To do this with partners, further enhances the potential for success. Therefore, the cooperation with Solms-Delta is an excellent opportunity for the ATKV to celebrate Afrikaans and turn objectives into achievements, “says Japie Gouws, Managing director of the ATKV group.
Traditional food and excellent wines from the Solms-Delta farm will be on sale. There will be a special area for kids, managed by a professional events company, Cre8tive Kids. Children are registered and are looked after inside a specially fenced, safe area. They can look forward to playful activities all day.
Come join the special people of Solms-Delta for this annual gathering filled with thanksgiving and good cheer.
Ticket prices:
Earlybird: R99: January 2017 to14 February 2017.
Presales: R120: 15 February to 24 March 2017.
Tickets at the gate: R150: On day of event.
Kids 2 – 12: R40: Earlybird, presales and at gate.
Kids under 2: R1: Babies also get tagged so that the organizers have an exact count of all the festivalgoers.
Buy your tickets here:
Plankton.mobi:http://ift.tt/2jKvYiX
Shoprite Checkers.
Solms-Delta Tasting Room and Deli.
Computicket.
Web and social media:
Facebook: http://ift.tt/2jwR0UN
Twitter: @DieOesfees #ATKVoesfees
Instagram: atkvoesfees
Website: www.oesfees.co.za en http://ift.tt/2jwM8PA
Contact number for more information: 021-874 3937.
ATKV Oesfees 2017 in collaboration with kykNET.
ATKV Oesfees, Solms-Delta 10 years old on 25 March 2017
Scientist’s NASA experience is helping Nissan with autonomous drive technology
The Nissan Research Center (NRC) attracts global talent as a centre for open innovation by sharing its qualities and providing information to the public.
Brian Joss – Dr Maarten Sierhuis, the director of the NRC in Silicon Valley, is using his experience at NASA to work on autonomous drive technology for Nissan.
Sierhuis came to the US in 1989 from the Netherlands and worked for IBM and NYNEX Science and Technology until 1988. After earning his PhD in artificial intelligence at the University of Amsterdam, he worked for NASA and Xerox PARC. He spent 12 years with NASA where he developed a computer language underpinning intelligent systems for use in robots, spacesuits and NASA’s Mission Control Center. In 2013, he joined Nissan where he heads the Nissan Research Center in Silicon Valley and leads multiple teams of researchers working on autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles and human-machine interaction and interfaces.
Maarten Sierhuis: working on autonomous drive technology for Nissan. Picture: Motorpress
Sierhuis started working at NASA Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley in 1998. After 12 years there, he went to Xerox PARC, where he served as director and ran research on multi-agent systems and human-machine interaction. It was at NASA, though, that he created much of what he’s putting to work for Nissan today. “We started with development of a simulation language that allowed us to model human behavior and multiple people working together. We were looking at how people might live on Mars and work with people back on Earth, as well as autonomous systems, including robots and smart habitats on Mars. We started first simulating this with our language, but once we started running this language in real time it also became a programming language for autonomous systems in genera,” Sierhuis said.
“We helped design how robots would work on Mars with people on Earth. After this success, we were asked to automate flight controllers in NASA’s Mission Control Center for the International Space Station. The final project I did at NASA used my computer language to automate a flight controller for the ISS. This system went live in 2008 and it’s still in use.
“To build the autonomous system for a vehicle on Earth is really like building a robot that drives 80 miles an hour very close to other robots.
That is very different from Mars, where there are not that many people – at least not yet! Many issues come up when you think about humans interacting with each other and with robots, because the car needs to be on the road with other people – pedestrians, bicyclists and other cars. The idea of multi-agent modeling becomes key: knowing what everybody is doing, so that the car knows not only what it needs to do itself, but also its relationship with others on the road. In urban areas, we have to deal with pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, cars, animals – the whole spectrum of interaction becomes a very important study. The work that I did at NASA is very relevant in this context.
“At NASA, I researched how humans and robots would work together on Mars in the future. When Nissan asked me to do that for vehicles on Earth, it was very difficult to say no. I have a particular view on how humans and autonomous systems should work together, and I really appreciated that people at Nissan had a similar idea. Nissan believes that mobility is for the good of society; that’s one of the reasons I decided to come here.
It’s exciting to think about a society where the right mobility system is used for the right purpose at the right time. We’re going to have trains interacting with shared vehicles that can seamlessly take me from work to home to school to pick up my children. Whatever I need to do in my life will be seamlessly integrated with mobility services at different places. I don’t believe that public transportation should go away. By integrating our vehicles – our trains, our planes, even our bicycles together into a society where we have more space for parks and beautiful landscapes – we’ll have more space for people.
Nissan’s vision of virtually zero fatalities and zero emissions is really a great motivator for doing research to move in that direction. Autonomous technology can be applied not only inside the vehicle, but also in the cloud, in trains and in other transportation systems. We should always be efficient in the way we move around and interact with others.”
*Extracts from an essay published in September 2016.
Scientist’s NASA experience is helping Nissan with autonomous drive technology
Mercedes’s 4.0 litre V8 biturbo engine drives most powerful E-Class yet
With the new generation of the E 63 S 4MATIC+, Mercedes‑AMG is taking the dynamic driving limits of the performance sedan to a new level.
Brian Joss – The vehicle’s heart is the powerful 4.0‑litre V8 biturbo engine. The E 63 S 4Matic+ achieves a new peak power of 450 kW. This makes the V8 the most powerful engine to have ever been installed in an E‑Class. At the same time, thanks to the AMG Cylinder Management intelligent cylinder shut-off system it has been possible to increase the efficiency of the engine significantly. By accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, the new executive sedan additionally achieves a new best value in its class.
The E 63 S 4Matic+: from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. Picture: Quickpic
The AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel drive is a completely new development combining the advantages of various drive configurations in one: torque distribution on the front and rear axles is fully variable for the first time. This ensures optimum traction, whatever the road conditions.
A further highlight is the AMG Speedshift MCT (Multi Clutch Technology) 9‑speed sports transmission. It is combined for the first time with a wet start-up clutch. This has enabled more agile response times to be achieved.
The Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4Matic+ has a price tag of R1 868 400
Mercedes’s 4.0 litre V8 biturbo engine drives most powerful E-Class yet
Book Review: The Street
The Street
Paul McNally
Picador Africa
Review: Brian Joss
Ontdekkers Road, Johannesburg, has changed a lot since I lived in nearby Florida, just off Die Ou Pad, more years ago than I care to remember. What hasn’t changed though is its length – it’s many kilometres long and stretches almost to Krugersdorp. It was home to a couple of bio-cafes, butchers, hardware stores, banks, motor dealers and bottle stores, and the people who had businesses there were for the most part hard-working and honest, at least those who I knew or with whom I had a nodding acquaintance. In places it was down-at-heel but if there was any drug dealing it was well hidden.
Journalist McNally, who works in radio and is a founding member of the Citizen Justice Network tells the story of Ontdekkers Road today. It is a street inhabited by drug lords, dealers, murderers, vigilantes, honest citizens ,and corrupt cops who are in cahoots with the dealers, taking bribes, left right and centre, without any sense of shame. But in the cesspool that is Ontdekkers Road, one man Raymond, from his shop, is recording in his notebook the daily activities of the dirty cops and storing the details on a flash card. But what he wants is for the police to be accountable. Raymond is not above bearding the lion in his den: speaking to the commanders of the various police stations that fall into the Ontdekkers Road area: this includes Sophiatown, which used to be known as Triomf in the apartheid years, Florida and Brixton, whom he persuades to come and watch the activities on the strip or tell them who the corrupt cops are. Then McNally introduces Raymond to Colonel Khaba who has been deployed to Sophiatown from Johannesburg. Khaba was previously at Ladysmith, where apparently something went wrong but he doesn’t elaborate. In addition to Khaba there is Wendy, a police reservist whose policeman husband was murdered by a drug lord and her adult son is an addict, so she also wants what Raymond and Khaba want, an honest police service. They have their eye on Obi, a drug dealer and Lerato, a police officer who terrorise Ontdekkers Road and the dealers, not to arrest them but to take bribes. McNally tells the story as he sees it and through the voices of the various characters, good and bad. There are some interesting vignettes, especially one about the pastor whose church was above Raymond’s shop. Every drug dealer under the control of Obi, who was trying to take over from another drug lord, a Nigerian, Chuba, had to attend Sunday services but then the pastor started skimming the take. The Street is an insightful look at the breakdown of law and order and is probably a microcosm of what happens across South Africa.
Book Review: The Street
Tsogo Sun appoints General Manager of new Cape Town hotel complex
“Dynamite comes in small packages” is definitely characteristic of Chandreshwar Singh, the newly appointed General Manager of Tsogo Sun’s hotel complex in the Cape Town city centre.
Chandreshwar Singh
Raised in Umtata in the Eastern Cape, Singh is well suited and in a perfect place in his career to take on the challenge of opening and leading the team of the dual hotel complex set to open in September 2017.
The new property will consist of two products in one complex, a 202-bedroom latest-design SunSquare Cape Town City Bowl hotel and a 302-bedroom new generation StayEasy Cape Town City Bowl hotel. Each will have its own unique character and appeal, but the overriding offering in both is affordable and stylish, high-quality accommodation.
No stranger to Tsogo Sun or to Cape Town, Singh describes his new position as a huge opportunity. “This will be my first General Manager position and if I look back to where I started, I have come full circle and will now be managing my own hotel. It’s something quite special to open a new hotel and I am humbled at being selected to do so,” says Singh.
Singh, who comes from a conservative Indian family and who started his studies in Chemical Engineering, began his career journey running a back-packers in Durban. In 2000 he moved with his wife and children to Cape Town and started working at the Table Bay hotel, stocking and refilling the mini bar. It was during this time, immersed in the constant energy and hype of the 5-star hotel, that Singh realized he wanted to have a career in hospitality. With a fiercely determined attitude, he worked his way up to concierge, valet driver and then on to reception and the front office department as the Assistance Front Office Manager. After 6 years at the Table Bay, Singh moved to Arabella Sheraton (which rebranded to The Westin in 2007) where he held the position of Front Office Manager for 3 years. 2009 saw Singh join the Tsogo Sun group at the Southern Sun Newlands hotel.
Tsogo Sun’s Cape Town City Bowl hotels – artist impression
It was as Southern Sun Newlands that Singh gained further exposure in the many departments within the hotel from front office, to housekeeping, reservations, and security, to food and beverage. He was also part of the team who hosted the players during the 2010 Soccer World Cup, as well as hosting the IPL teams when the IPL moved from India to South Africa.
From Southern Sun Newlands, Singh moved to Southern Sun Waterfront where remained for just under 2 years. In 2012 Singh took up the position as Deputy General Manager at the Southern Sun The Cullinan hotel where he was occasionally required to act in the capacity of General Manager.
Seeking new challenges and an opportunity for growth, Singh moved to Johannesburg in January 2016. Here he joined the InterContinental Johannesburg Sandton Towers team as Hotel Manager, gaining experience in working with international travellers and an international brand.
Later in 2016, Singh was then selected to take on the role of General Manager at the new hotel development in Cape Town, under the leadership of Tsogo Sun’s Cape Town Operations Director, John van Rooyen.
Commenting on Singh’s appointment, van Rooyen says “we are thrilled to have Chandreshwar joining our Cape Town team once again. Having extensive experience in running hotel rooms, we feel that he is the perfect fit for this exciting development, right in the heart of Cape Town’s buzzing Bree street precinct.”
Included in the complex will be 5 banqueting and conference facilities, with the largest catering for up to 140 delegates; Tsogo Sun’s trendy and fast growing casual dining offering Vigour & Verve; a rooftop pool and bar with panoramic views; a fitness centre; retail space and approximately 300 undercover parking bays.
The new hotels will form part of Tsogo Sun’s portfolio of over 90 hotels and 14 casino and entertainment destinations in South Africa, Africa, The Seychelles and Abu Dhabi.
For more information, visit tsogosun.com, follow @TsogoSun on Twitter and Instagram or like /TsogoSun on Facebook.
Tsogo Sun appoints General Manager of new Cape Town hotel complex
Wednesday Morning Edition
Good morning all,
This Edition is sponsored by the Pomodoro Restaurant.
LATEST LOCAL NEWS
Veteran Tour takes on Prince Alfred Pass
George – The George Old Car Show, driven by Oakhurst Insurance Company Limited, is celebrating its 21st year of existence on 11 and 12 February 2017.
Veteraantoer durf Prins Alfredpas aan
George – Die George Oumotorskou, gedrewe deur Oakhurst Versekeringsmaatskappy Beperk, se 21ste bestaansjaar word op 11 en 12 Februarie 2017 gevier.
George Municipality celebrates International Disability Day
The George Municipality’s department of Community Development Services celebrated the International day of people with disabilities on the 9th December 2016.
Mayoral project benefits bus service
An enthusiastic team of 30 champions have been deployed to inform and assist GO GEORGE passengers during the latest series of route refinements.
Electricity outage – 2nd February 2017
Man kills neighbour’s dog after it allegedly bit his child
The Mossel Bay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has spoken out against an incident where a man shot and …
Wave of fires ‘suspicious’ – City of Cape Town
Meanwhile, firefighters had been deployed to Vakansieplaas, Mossel Bay. According to the Mossel Bay fire brigade, no buildings were currently at risk …
LATEST SPORTS NEWS
SWD host CSA Franchise Colts Tournament
South Western Districts Cricket will again be the hosts for the Cricket South Africa franchise academies week that will start in Oudtshoorn on Sunday, 22nd January 2017.
Sedgars SWD Cricket League fixtures
Three crucial fixtures will be played in the Sedgars SWD Premier League competition on Saturday.
Sedgars SWD Cricket League results
Union Stars (175/7), thanks to match-winning performances by Anver Venter (78 with the bat) and Merlin Masimela (5/12 with the ball) are still the log leaders in the Sedgars Premier League after a 120 victory over George (55 all out).
The SWD Cricket Coaching Department will be running two CSA accredited Level 1 Coaching Courses during February 2017 for coaches in the both the Mossel Bay and George regions.
Oudtshoorn High (205 all out) pulled off a surprise victory against Outeniqua (166 all out) by 39 runs in the only u/19 Super League SWD Schools fixture that was played on Saturday.
International News
Click here for the latest International News
The Latest: Tony Orlando to perform at an inaugural ball
WASHINGTON – The Latest on President-elect Donald Trump (all times EST):. 10:50 p.m.. Tony Orlando has joined the list of entertainers performing at galas around Washington the night of Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Australia says suspended MH370 search could resume in future
The deep-sea search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 ended on Tuesday without any trace being found of the plane. FILE: Wing Commander Rob Shearer looks through binoculars on the flight deck of a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 Orion …
Xi says world needs China, US to have stable relationship
Xi has apparently told Joe Biden that he “positively appraised” his efforts to increase friendship between the two countries.
UN Urges Israeli-Palestinian Calm, Return to Talks
United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov, speaks during a press conference in Gaza City, Feb. 17, 2016.
National News
Click here for the latest National News
ANC slams Madonsela over Absa apartheid bailout report
Johannesburg – The ANC wants the Public Protector report linking Absa to billions of rands in bailout funds from the apartheid government made public.
Working parly document on SABC reveals urgent recommendations
Urgent steps that include a recovery of wasteful expenditure, a forensic audit and operational changes are recommended to clean up the rot at the SABC and ensure no political interference in the daily functioning of the public broadcaster.
Dlamini-Zuma may be appointed to Cabinet to ease succession
President Jacob Zuma is considering appointing Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to Cabinet when she steps down on January 27 as African Union Commission chairperson, easing her path to succeeding him as national leader, government officials said.
Business News
Click here for the latest Business News
Sterling basks in glow of May’s Brexit speech; stocks slip
The twelve-sided 1 pound coin, the design for which is based on the three pence piece or Threepenny bit.
‘Eskom is not the Vatican so pay up or get cut off’
Eskom has instituted scheduled power cuts in five municipalities that have not settled their electricity debt and declared that it cannot favour compassion over its balance sheet.
Nationalise Reserve Bank, Cosatu tells government
Johannesburg – The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) on Tuesday called for government to nationalise the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb).
World Bank says SA investment tax incentives skew growth
The current set of investment tax incentives (ITIs), employed by the South African government, has influenced the flow of private capital to less productive sectors of the economy, reveals a new report by the World Bank.
Sports News
Click here for the latest Sports News
Coach Domingo taking it one series at a time
Russell Domingo has said that despite the fantastic run the Proteas are on at the moment, his job as coach is not 100% safe.
Ghana win, Egypt draw on return
Runners-up in 2015, Ghana started their latest Africa Cup of Nations bid with victory over Uganda thanks to Andre Ayew’s penalty on Tuesday, while Egypt drew 0-0 with Mali on their long-awaited return to the tournament.
Venus rolls back years despite elbow injury
Melbourne – Venus Williams rolled back the years to move smoothly into the Australian Open third round on Wednesday despite an elbow injury that forced her out of the doubles competition.
Comrades Marathon changes route
The marathon will also have a certified distance of 86.73 kilometres, which is slightly shorter than the two most recent up-run routes.
PRESS RELEASES
Tsogo Sun appoints General Manager of new Cape Town hotel complex
“Dynamite comes in small packages” is definitely characteristic of Chandreshwar Singh, the newly appointed General Manager of Tsogo Sun’s hotel complex in the Cape Town city centre.
The most popular Valentine open-air concert presents some of SA’s most popular voices
The month of love is just around the corner – and with it the much-anticipated fourth annual ‘Valentine under the STARS’, Cape Town’s most romantic classic-meets-pop open-air concert.
Old School Romance at Lanzerac this Valentine’s Day
Sweep your partner off their feet this Valentine’s Day at Lanzerac Wine Estate in Stellenbosch. The perfect destination for that someone special in your life.
REGULAR COLUMNS & OPINION PIECES
Has ageing wine become irrelevant?
Cooling system problem forces Ford to recall 4 566 Kugas
Ford South Africa has issued a safety recall for Kuga models equipped with the 1.6-litre engine to address an engine overheating condition that could cause a fire
Fiat’s Panda Cross showed its mettle in Dakar 2017
The Panda Cross: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Fiat brand played a starring role at the 2017 edition of the world’s toughest race, the Dakar, entering a car closely derived from the multiple award-winning Panda utility car.
Until next time…
Bruce
Wednesday Morning Edition
The most popular Valentine open-air concert presents some of SA’s most popular voices
The month of love is just around the corner – and with it the much-anticipated fourth annual ‘Valentine under the STARS’, Cape Town’s most romantic classic-meets-pop open-air concert.
The spectacular annual concert, which features a dazzling line-up of local and international musicians performing some of the world’s most celebrated love songs, has positioned itself as one of Cape Town’s top outdoor events and is known for its high production value. Such is its popularity that, based on the success of previous years’ performances, ‘Valentine under the STARS’ 2017 was booked out exclusively before public tickets went on sale. However, event organisers Opulent Living Experiences, proudly supported by Rabie Property Group and the Century City Conference Centre and Hotel, are delighted to announce a second concert for Sunday 12 February.
The open-air concert will take place at the beautifully landscaped Century City Square, which forms part of the Century City Conference Centre and Hotel. Just a 10-minute drive from the city centre, with ample parking and secure environs, the Square provides the perfect setting for a fairy-tale evening under the magical Cape Town summer sky.
Heading the line-up of artists is international singer Titilayo Adedokun, born in Nashville, Tennessee to parents of Nigerian origin. Known for her unparalleled ability to captivate an audience, Titilayo’s talent spans a number of different genres, from classical, musicals and spirituals to jazz, blues, Latin and African. She worked with director Franco Zeffirelli in the title role of his Aida at Teatro Verdi in Busseto, Italy and has performed with the late Adolph Greene and Betty Comden, as well as with Lauren Bacall and Tommy Tune. Her latest album, “Look at Me” is mainly self-composed and showcases her musical diversity with influences ranging from jazz, blues, funk and Yoruba (from Nigeria) music to songs inspired by her “three little girls”.
Sharing the stage with her will be local pop star Ike Moriz. Described as “a smooth vocal treat” and “SA’s answer to Bublé”, Ike has released a total of 17 albums, ranging from indie rock/pop to jazzy swing, lounge, blues and Latin/easy listening. He recently returned from Germany where he had a sell-out tour promoting his latest album, “Love Swings”, comprising original swing, jazz and Latin songs inspired by some of Cape Town’s most renowned jazz musicians.
Adding her inspirational voice to the line-up will be well-known Cape Town songstress and TV personality, Rouchelle Liedemann, a deeply passionate recording artist known for her smooth, powerful voice. She has performed at some of South Africa’s most prestigious music events, including last year’s Women’s Day Concert, ‘Divas Unite’, and her solo performance at the International Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization was televised live in 73 countries. Her latest gospel album, “Nuwe Begin” was nominated for a SAMA award just six months after its release.
Fellow Capetonian, Riaan Hunter, is bound to steal more than a few hearts with his rich baritone voice. Riaan studied classical singing at the University of Cape Town and was a member of the all-male vocal group BRAVO!, originally formed for an Il Divo tribute show. He made his musical debut at the young age of 20 and has never looked back, amassing fans for both his solo and group performances, as well as his album “Net hier by jou”.
In what promises to be an enchanting performance, the accomplished singers will be backed by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra led by the exciting young conductor, Brandon Phillips. Adding to the magic of the evening will be the sweet sounds of The Grey, a new violin duo featuring young, classically trained violinists Donné de Kock and Ellani de Jager. Not your typical classical musicians, their repertoire includes mashups of Bach and ACDC, Vivaldi and Sia, Queen, tangos from Piazolla, love songs and film theme songs.
As in the past, the evening will be hosted by the award-winning TV presenter and star of SABC’s Expresso breakfast show, Katlego Maboe, a talented singer in his own right who never fails to get audiences dancing in the aisles.
“If music be the food of love”, as Shakespeare famously said, then Cape Town audiences are in for a feast from this array of classical crossover talent. And with tickets much in demand, music lovers are encouraged to book soon to avoid disappointment!
General admission tickets for Sunday 12 February are R350 and can be bought through Computicket. Doors open at 18h30 and the concert begins at 20h30. Food and beverages will be on sale.
Limited VIP tickets for 12 February are also on sale for R1 200. These include prime seating, as well as complimentary food and drinks served in a stylish lounge area before and after the concert, as well as during interval. VIP guests will also have the opportunity to meet and mingle with the performers. For VIP tickets, contact Opulent Living on 021 422 3191 or email vip@valentinestars.co.za.
The most popular Valentine open-air concert presents some of SA’s most popular voices
Old School Romance at Lanzerac this Valentine’s Day
Sweep your partner off their feet this Valentine’s Day at Lanzerac Wine Estate in Stellenbosch. The perfect destination for that someone special in your life.
Treat your partner to a romantic picnic for two, an old school dinner or a delicious wine and chocolate tasting for the ultimate in Valentine’s Day treats. Magnificent views and five-star treatment are guaranteed to complete a perfect day out.
The lush lawn area above the Cellar with panoramic views of the Jonkershoek Valley will be set out beautifully for the picnic. Included in your picnic basket is a selection of delicious gourmet treats as well as a bottle of the recently released Lanzerac Dry Rosé 2016. Your selection includes Neufchatel Cheese with homemade Sesame Crackers, Tomato and a Sweet Chili Sauce; a selection of mouth-watering Home Cured Meats served with a Peach Pickle, Biltong and Nuts; a mini French Artisan Baguette served with Cream Cheese; and a crispy Bacon, Smokey Paprika and Emmental heart shaped Quiche. Complementing your beautifully presented picnic is a selection of decadent sweet delights. Shortbread Hearts, Rose Turkish delights, Strawberries with a Dark Chocolate and Amarula dipping pot, and Red Velvet Macaroon Cupcakes are guaranteed to complete what promises to be the perfect Valentine’s Day. Pomegranate, Lime and Apricot Ice Tea jars and the estate’s Dry Rosé will beautifully enhance the flavours of the picnic treats.
The cost for the picnic is R550 per couple and will be made available from Tuesday, 14 February to Sunday, 19 February.
A special dinner extravaganza is planned for Tuesday, 14 February at the Lanzerac Hotel. Celebrate Old Fashion Romance this Valentine’s Day by indulging your partner in yesteryear romantic nostalgia – a time which celebrated the chivalry of gentlemen’s etiquette, love letter exchanges and serenading. Enjoy a tranquil evening in Lanzerac’s Lady Ann Courtyard with a three-course set menu of old time classic dishes.
The cost for the dinner is R500 per person, which includes a welcome drink and special entertainment.
Booking for both the picnic and dinner is essential. To book or for queries contact Johan van Zyl on fnbman@lanzerac.co.za or 021 887 1132.
Pressed for time, but keen to still show off your romantic side? The Wine and Chocolate Experience for Two offered at the Lanzerac Tasting Room is perfect. Available from Friday, 10 February to Tuesday, 14 February (between 9am and 4pm) at a cost of R110 per couple your pairing selection includes the following:
Lanzerac Dry Rosé 2016 paired with Turkish Delight
Lanzerac Sauvignon Blanc 2016 paired with Safari Fruit White Chocolate
Lanzerac Chardonnay 2016 paired with Lemons and Limes White Chocolate
Lanzerac Merlot 2014 paired with Cherry Cigar Dark Chocolate
Lanzerac Pinotage 2014 paired with Chocolate dipped Maraschino cherry
Lanzerac Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 paired with Cape Malay Milk Chocolate
To book your wine and chocolate experience, contact Lucrecia Gordon on winetasting@lanzerac.co.za or 021 886 5641. Booking is essential.
February is perfect for Rosé and bubbly, and Lanzerac Wine Estate is inviting you to take up their amazing wine offer. Between the 1st and 20th of February the Lanzerac Dry Rosé 2016 will be available at a discounted price of R64 per bottle (normal price is R80). During this time you can also purchase two bottles of the superb Lanzerac Blanc de Blancs MCC for R300 (normal price is R360). This not-to-be-missed offer is only available at the Lanzerac Tasting Room.
Old School Romance at Lanzerac this Valentine’s Day
El Salvador 