Pretoria - Feb 2021

PRETORIA 

Ruqaya Kalla 

A modern goddess 

Eat your way 

to a happy heart 

ABELANA 

RIVER LODGE 

A jewel nestled 

in the African bush 

SHARE THE 

LOVE 

SHOPPING, PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD 

FEBRUARY 21

SHARE THE 

EXPERIENCE 

It is all about having an active lifestyle 

together. In the city or the great 

outdoors. Creating everyday adventures 

and going on holidays with family and 

friends. We have developed a broad 

range of products that let you and your 

kids share your passions - whatever the 

season and wherever you want to go. 

Available at Thule Partner Stores 

& select baby stores nationwide 

Shop online www.thulestore.co.za 

Bring your life 

thule.com

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CONTENTS 

WHY DON’T YOU… 

04 Explore five stops along the Magalies Meander with your valentine 

06 Have a love affair ... with books, wine and fabulous food 

GET IT 

Editorial 

Instagram: @getitptamagazine 

Facebook: Get It Pretoria Magazine 

Website: getitmagazine.co.za/pretoria 

National Group Editor and National Sales 

Kym Argo 

kyma@caxton.co.za 

Facebook and Instagram: 

Get It National Magazines 

Website: getitmagazine.co.za 

Workflow & Studio Manager Megan Brett 

Contributor Daniella Graham and Rialien 

Furstenberg 

Head of sales 

Bianca Pretorius 

biancap@rekord.co.za 

066 200 4266 

Distribution 

15 000 copies monthly 

Get It Pretoria is distributed free 

of charge. For a full list contact 

distribution@rekord.co.za 

WISH LIST 

08 No time for blues. We’re throwing a pink party (albeit alone at home) 

PEOPLE 

10 She spreads love, hope and kindness to whoever crosses her path. 

We chat to gorgeous intuitive and holistic healer Ruqaya Kalla 

BEAUTY, FASHION & SHOPPING 

12 Reshuffle your cosmetic bag … we’re dealing hot beauty cards 

14 Dress up (or down – it’s Valentine’s Month!) in rose-tinted styles 

16 Go for bold … we’re drawing inspo from the feisty Queen of Hearts 

FOOD & HEALTH 

18 Lockdown’s no picnic in the park, luckily one at home’s just fine 

20 This month’s all about (love) hearts, so find out how to care for yours 

BIRDING, GARDENING & DECOR 

22 We’re not gonna give you ‘The talk’. But birds and bees are involved 

24 Set the mood in your garden with gorgeous blooms 

26 Give the heart of your home a warm fuzzy glow 

TRAVEL 

32 Escape to the beauty of the African bush at Abelana River Lodge 

WIN 

34 A pink drink for the month of love … we’ve got a rosé spoil for you 

Competition rules 

The judges’ decision is final. Prizes cannot be 

transferred or redeemed for cash. Competitions 

are not open to the sponsors or Caxton 

employees or their families. Get It Magazine 

reserves the right to publish the names of 

winners, who will be contacted telephonically 

and need to collect their prizes from Caxton 

Northern branch within 10 days or they will be 

forfeited. Prizewinners’ names are published on 

our Facebook page monthly. 

FEBRUARY 21 

COVER LOOK 

Personality: Ruqaya Kalla 

Photographer: Jaco Bothma, Empire Photography 

Make-up artist: Elaine Boshoff, EA Academy West Rand 

Photographer/Image credit: 

00 Get It Sandton • Rosebank Month 08 

February 21 Get It Magazine 03

A hot date! 

Explore the Magalies Meander with your valentine 

You don’t need to travel far to enjoy a day in the country … the marvellous 

Magalies Meander is less than an hour’s drive away. Wherever you travel along this route, 

expect to see spectacular, sweeping views of the beautiful Magaliesberg mountains. 

There are so many things to do and see … we’ve highlighted five of our favourite stops. 

A haven of relaxation 

If the outdoors and adventure don’t quite tickle your fancy, then 

a day at the spa is one of the best ways to achieve inner peace, 

apart from meditating or eating an olive branch. And we’ve got 

just the perfect spa in mind. The award-winning, luxurious Mount 

Grace Spa is located on a hilltop offering gorgeous views of the 

Magaliesberg mountains. Think serene gardens, a hydrotherapy 

spa, a jacuzzi, rock pool, reflexology walkway and top-notch 

treatments. Bliss. Details: tsogosun.com/mount-grace-hotel-and-spa 

04 Get It Magazine February 21

Up, up and away 

Looking for a larger-than-life, unforgettable experience? Tucked away in the 

heart of Magalies and nestled within the gorgeous scenic landscape, the thrill 

of adventure awaits at Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safaris. It's sunrise … the 

silence of the flight is punctuated only by the occasional blast of the powerful 

burners and the faint call of a bird or animal far beneath. The thrill is indescribable. 

You’re hovering gently above the treetops of the beautiful Magalies River Valley 

or drifting majestically high above the Magaliesberg mountain range as the sun 

creeps over the horizon. Peaceful. Something you have to experience at least once 

in your life. After landing, savour a scrumptious breakfast at the Clubhouse Pavilion 

and Restaurant. Details: balloon.co.za 

Hearty country dining 

Whether a family breakfast, lingering 

lunch or romantic dinner is right 

up your alley, pull in at The Fat 

Olive Restaurant. Situated on 

the banks of a natural irrigation 

dam with expansive views of the 

distant Magaliesberg mountains 

(once again!), expect to be treated 

to delectable dishes that fuse a 

Mediterranean flavour into your 

dining experience. Keep an eye out 

for the birds and wildlife. It’s common 

to see a zebra family wandering to 

drink water or a blesbok herd thunder 

past. Details: thefatolive.co.za 

An aerial adventure 

There’s something exciting about 

cable car rides that’s hard to beat, 

especially if it’s a trip on the longest 

mono-cableway in Africa. Harties 

Aerial Cableway offers uninterrupted 

360° panoramic views of the 

Magaliesberg mountain range, 

Hartbeespoort Dam and surrounding 

areas. But, the fun doesn’t end when 

your ride stops. There are restaurants, 

express food stalls and stunning 

seating areas and bomas, a Dassie 

Loop Walkway and Kidzone, making it 

the ultimate family excursion. 

The Adventure Centre at the base 

station is the perfect way to end 

off the day, offering opportunities 

to paraglide, abseil, hike and more. 

Details: hartiescableway.co.za 

For the love of cheese… 

This may sound cheesy (see what we 

did here!), but a trip to Van Gaalen 

Kaasmakerij is something quite 

exquisite. You can do a tour around 

the cheese farm, which combines a 

demo of the cheese-making process 

with a special Dutch cheese tasting 

(and a slice of the most marvellous 

Dutch apple cake!). Or relax under 

the trees at Terrace Restaurant with 

beautiful views of the Magaliesberg 

mountains while you tuck into a 

cheese platter. They have lovely 

picnic hampers available as well, but 

you need to book at least a day in 

advance. And just before you hit the 

road, you really should pop into their 

Farm Shop for a variety of delicious 

cheeses, preserves, souvenirs and a 

wide selection of Dutch favourites. 

Details: vangaalen.co.za 


Book club 

Books. Wine. Food. The perfect love affair. 

‘More than just a mantra, “cook, eat, repeat” is the story of my life’ . Nigella’s new book is 

an utterly delicious combination of recipes, essays, and ideas. It’s so much more than 

just a recipe book … it’s Nigella’s love affair with food and family. There’s fancy(ish) 

… beetroot, rhubarb and ginger soup, and pasta with clams and bottarga; comfort 

… marrowbone mince, and lasagne of love; simple … a fish finger sandwich with 

old-school bread, a squirt of Japanese mayo and hot sauce and iceberg lettuce is her 

go-to meal when she’s harried, hungry and has no time to cook. And after a busy day, 

or to kick off a cocktail party – a mean, green, dirty martini. Cook, Eat, Repeat … a 

foodie joy! • Not only is pork one of the most versatile meats, it’s one of the leanest, 

healthiest meat proteins and – hugely important in our current economic climate – 

offers the best value for money. Oink! by Billy Forssman, with contributions from local 

food celebs, is a celebration of pork’s wide range of flavours and textures. It’s all about 

the smell of bacon sizzling (best wake-up call ever), about Sunday roasts with perfect 

crackling and weekend braais. The Perfect Pork Cookbook … scrumptious. 

Welgegund Heritage Wines only bottles premium high-end wines in 

great years – and 2019 proved to be great indeed. So the trio of justreleased, 

award-winning, limited-edition, numbered bottles are highly 

rated. There’s a Welgegund Heritage Wines Chenin Blanc 2019, a 

Cinsault 2019, and this bright Grenache Noir 2019 – soft, smooth 

and refined, which you should serve cooler than your usual red, and is 

lovely with a charcuterie board, salmon or a smoked mussel pot, or after 

dinner with chocolate fondant. Details: welgegund.co.za 


Oh … we do love a pie. Comfort food at its best. And let’s face it, we’re all needing a little comfort these days. 

The Pie Room boasts as being the definitive pie bible from self-confessed pastry deviant, chef and London’s King of Pies, 

Calum Franklin, who guides you through the techniques and tools you need to perfect pastry, then presents a whole host 

of delicious recipes … sweet and savoury. There are light options for us to make now in Summer (the Moroccan chickpea 

and feta pie is delish); child-friendly family meal options (mac ‘n’ cheese pie, anyone?); and showstoppers (the venison and 

bone marrow suet pie is a proper show-off meal). Also loads of old faves … think the ultimate sausage roll, hot pork pies, 

vol-au-vents, lamb hotpot and more. Great puds – the fig, honey and pistachio clafoutis is a winner, as well as side dishes 

and sauces. Yum, yum, yum. • What with the lockdown, then the festive holidays, some of us have a little extra weight we’d 

like to lose. And if you’re a banting fan, and one of the many who bought the popular Banting 7 Day Meal Plans but wanted 

more vegetarian options … here we go. Banting 7 Day Meal Plans Vegetarian, has 100 great recipes, and the authors, Rita 

Venter, Natalie Lawson and Kim Blom, show you it is possible to follow a low-carb, banting or keto lifestyle while observing 

the choice to not eat meat. • We’d eat Italian every night if we could … and it would be jolly easy with The Vegetarian Silver 

Spoon cookbook, crammed with classic and contemporary Italian recipes. From snacks and small plate ideas to pizzas and 

soups, pastas and crêpes, veggie tarts and grains to sweet, sweet desserts, this book is just page after page after glorious 

page of heavenly Italian dishes – all of which are vegetarian, some dairy-free, gluten-free and vegan, too. 

A Table for Friends is the most delightful book. It celebrates 

the joy of eating with friends and family, with loads of simple 

but wonderfully inviting recipes. Skye McAlpine says her table is 

always filled with family, friends and whoever she can persuade to 

join her for lunch or dinner – squeezing more of them than really 

comfortable around the table in their kitchen … which is exactly 

how she likes it. She shares her secrets to her stylish but relaxed 

way of hosting … writing about low-effort starters, laying the 

table, washing up (don’t do it until the next morning) … and all 

her recipes include her suggestions on what to serve with each 

dish. Lovely no-fuss, unpretentious food (she has ‘a really good 

green salad’, and ‘a really good tomato salad’ ) … and there’s 

everything from last-minute late-night dinners to large and 

festive celebratory gatherings. If we had to select just one, this 

would be our top cookbook choice. Brilliant. 


Wish list 

Pink party valentine vibes … even if we’re staying home! 

Fashion to make you blush 

An arty collection that screams sexual 

and romantic freedom couldn’t be 

more appropriate than on Valentine’s 

Day … and that’s just what you’ll find 

in the Desigual Miranda Makaroff 

Range. It’s said to be the ‘freest capsule 

yet’ by this brand from Barcelona 

… and, trust us, it’s bound to make 

you blush. Think, women entangled 

with nature. Images of orgies. And 

deconstructed sexual symbols. It’s all 

so very seventies … just take a look 

at this bag, R1949. The inspiration 

for the collection is said to have 

come to Miranda during a vacay in 

Ibiza … her imagination ran wild 

with the message, ‘Let’s be free’. 

There are items for him and 

her. You’ll find Desigual 

in Sandton City, if you 

don’t mind the drive, or 

check out this range, 

and others, online. 

Details: desi-sa.co.za 

Compiled by DANIELLA GRAHAM 

Bold. Comfy. And oh-so-trendy. 

We love kicking back in Converse 

sneakers … and these Chuck 

Taylor All Star Move Diamond 

Metal Platform ones are so fashionforward, 

we just have to have a pair! 

R1399. Details: converse.co.za 


‘A good upbringing means not that you won’t spill sauce on the tablecloth, but that you 

won’t notice it when someone else does,’ so the Russian playwright Anton Chekhov said. 

But we don’t mind spilling the beans on the table linen from Not So Naked Tables. This 

new boutique brand has a small but impressive collection of tablecloths and napkins in 

limited edition prints imported from Europe. With only a few items of each textile, the 

table linen is quite exclusive – so your friends probably won’t have the same design as 

you! You can choose from various sizes, or have your table linen custom made to fit your 

dining set-up. We love that you can mix and match designs to express your own style. 

The brand’s founder, Stephanie Mayne has some fab table decor tips … in fact, she inspired 

this pretty table set-up pictured – perfect for a pink party while isolating at home. From R1400 

a tablecloth, from R50 a napkin. Details: Call Stephanie on 083-779-0005. A hint for setting up a 

table … if you don’t want to use fresh flowers as we have, you’ll find that Biggie Best has a really 

lovely selection of faux plants. We’re particularly fond of the cute soft pink allium faux plant 

(pictured right), R149. Details: volpes.co.za 

Fab food made simple 

Healthy, homestyle and hearty 

meals that won’t break a sweat 

(or the bank). This is what you’ll 

learn from Jan Kohler’s new 

recipe book Pink Gin and Fairy 

Cakes. We think the cover’s so 

pretty! There are more than 

200 pages of simple recipes 

from snacks through to 

desserts (blueberry ice 

cream, anyone?). Brush up 

on some cocktail recipes 

and ideas for hosting so 

you can really wow your 

friends when the lockdown 

restrictions ease. For now, 

it’ll show you how to make 

cooking a family affair. R410. 

Details: Order a copy from 

burbleonline.co.za 

Do you feel loved when 

your partner shows they’re thinking 

of you and remembers special occasions? 

Pandora’s recent study found around 50 per cent 

of participants do. If you’re going to spoil – or be 

spoilt – you simply must check out Pandora’s new 

valentine’s pieces. You’ll find hand-finished designs 

made with 71 per cent recycled silver. This Pandora 

Rose Snake Bracelet (R2999) with the Pandora 

Rose Sparkling Entwined Hearts Charm 

(R1199) is on our lust list. Details: 

pandorashop.co.za 


Healer 

withheart 

Tenacious, smart, and with an extensive list of qualifications 

and achievements to her name, holistic healer Ruqaya Kalla 

is all about kindness, love and a generous dose of positive vibes. 

pandemic. Job losses. 

Losing loved ones. 

Financial constraints. 

We’re surrounded by 

so much uncertainty, 

sadness and 

negativity. Will this 

ever end? Did 

someone steal the 

light at the end of the tunnel? 

And then … you meet Ruqaya Kalla, 

who – despite all of this – radiates so 

much positive energy and gratitude, 

you almost want to box it and spread 

it across the world. 

A successful entrepreneur and an 

intuitive and holistic healer, Ruqaya 

has spent years sharpening her skills 

and training across the globe. She 

specialises in intuitive holistic healing, 

neurolinguistic programming, 

personal growth coaching, is a 

body talk practitioner and access 

bars facilitator. She also uses all of 

these skills in her practice – a highperformance 

life coach for adults and 

children. Her clients, by the way, range 

from famous actors to musicians. 

On top of this, she is also a mother 

of five. Some of whom she’s been 

busy homeschooling over lockdown. 

Good grief. How does she do it? 

Easy. ‘Live life one day at a time’. 

‘Go with the flow. Take each day as it 

comes, live in the present moment 

and remember to be grateful for 

every little thing.’ And, she says, if you 

feel you have nothing to be grateful 

for because you feel something is 

wrong in your life, then you start 

from the bottom. ‘Do you have legs? 

Arms? Eyes? 

‘Yes? Then be grateful for that. Or 

take a look in the mirror. Everyone 

takes the little things for granted. 

We complain about getting stuck in 

traffic, but forget that we have a car to 

drive. We complain about our families 

when there are so many who have 

lost theirs and wish for one more day 

with them. 

‘Gratitude, no matter how small, 

breeds abundant blessings. 

However, I also stress gratitude for 

life’s lessons. Without them, there will 

be no growth.’ 

On top of everything else, Ruqaya’s 

also one of the authors in a bestselling 

book – Ignite The Modern Goddess – 

which launched worldwide last year. 

‘I was honoured to be asked to be 

one of the authors – one of a group 

of amazing women from all walks of 

life. At times I second-guessed myself 

… It was lockdown and I had to 

homeschool the kids. But, being loyal 

I felt I couldn’t let everyone down. The 

book revolves around the fast-paced 

modern world and how many women 

have forgotten how they, in their 

natural state, can overcome anything 

with ease and grace; that their beauty 

and self-worth shouldn’t depend on 

other people’s opinions. My chapter 

is about receiving. A lot of women 

struggle with receiving … whether 

it is a compliment, gift or even if 

someone wants to pay the bill for 

them. As givers, we immediately feel 

guilty and overcompensate, instead 

of just taking it in. Do you know that 

you’re actually robbing people of the 

opportunity to do something nice for 

you, something that will make them 

feel good as well? 

‘So next time, when you find yourself 

on the receiving side, do not brush it 

off. Take it in (but like really) and just 

say thank you.’ 

When Ruqaya is not studying new 

ideas, theories and practices, or seeing 

clients, she can be found taking off to 

exciting new locations. 

Although she often used to travel 

between New York and SA for work, 

and says New York is like her second 

home, it is obviously not possible at 

the moment. 

‘I’ve been fortunate to have seen 

quite a bit of the world. Iceland and 

its natural beauty is breathtaking and 

also my favourite so far. The Maldives 


is also very exquisite and the energy 

there is just something else. I would 

love to travel to Peru to climb Mount 

Machu Picchu. Then again, I would like 

to see every country in the world at 

least once.’ 

‘I live by the mantra that travel is the 

only thing that costs money but 

leaves you richer. People say that I 

must find it so hard because I cannot 

travel now. No, why must it be hard? 

Or feel bad and upset about it? Simply 

put, it is what it is. I live in the now, 

and it is not possible to travel now, so 

I’ve accepted it. 

‘With 2021 barely having started, 

it remains evident that looking 

after our health and well-being is a 

priority more than ever before. 

‘The first person you need to value 

and appreciate is yourself. We’ve 

been told by society not to be 

selfish and arrogant. I do feel that 

we actually misunderstand and take 

that statement too literally. Taking 

care of yourself is not selfish, but a 

priority. Before your flight takes off, 

you are told that if the masks drop, 

to put it on yourself first before 

helping anyone else. So if you don’t 

take care of yourself, how are you 

going to take care of those around 

you? 

Only when you prioritise your own 

well-being, will you be able to go 

out and help those around you.’ 

Life is short. 

Live your most beautiful life. 

Every. single. day. 

Quick facts … 

Her greatest challenge is procrastination. 

She spoils herself with facial treatments and 

splurges on skincare products. 

Her motto in life is to give out love wherever 

you go. 

She loves make-up, and her favourite item is 

Too Faced Born This Way concealer. 

She can dance, and holds a note 

when singing. 

You can make her day with a bunch of roses. 

Any colour but yellow. 

She wants to go skydiving. 

There are three books she thinks changed 

her life … Robin Sharma’s The Monk Who Sold 

His Ferrari; Awaken the Giant Within by Tony 

Robbins, and Becoming Supernatural by Dr 

Joe Dispenza. 

MAKE 2021 YOUR BEST 

Work smart 

Give every opportunity a chance 

Take time to meditate or pray 

Be consciously grateful for every single 

little thing 

Be flexible 

Be present with your family 

Make sure to take time for self-care 

(nature walks, a good book, series or 

treatment you enjoy) 

Details: ruqayakalla.com or follow her on 

Instagram @ruqayakalla. 

Text: RIALIEN FURSTENBERG. • Photographer: JACO BOTHMA. • Make-up: ELAINE BOSHOFF. 


Clarins Joli Rouge 

Velvet matte, 

luxuriously hydrating 

and long-wearing 

lipstick (for valentine 

smooching). R400 • 

Wink, wink. Clarins 

Mono Eye 

Shadow Velvet 

long-hold cream 

eyeshadow, with a 

fabulous smoothing 

effect, in White Shadow 

and Women In Black. 

R390 each. 

We love a 

primer, and 

Filorga Pore 

Express is one of 

our faves. A doubleaction, 

anti-ageing primer 

designed for combination 

to oily skin, it instantly blurs and 

mattifies the complexion – bye-bye enlarged 

pores, shine and other skin imperfections. R500 

• Filorga Global Repair Intensive Serum is a 

gorgeous, rich, restorative, anti-ageing serum 

designed specifically for more mature 

skin. R1395. 

Royal flush 

We’ve been dealt a love(ly) deck of cards this 

month … so reshuffle your cosmetic bags 

and make space for these beauties. 

It’s been called ‘your Botoxalternative 

anti-ageing 

moisturiser’ … Claire 

Hill S8-28 Anti-Ageing 

Moisturiser is a lightweight 

nourishing lotion 

that smooths away fine 

lines by naturally relaxing 

your facial muscles. Happy 

Valentine’s Day indeed! R1475 

• Claire Hill WPC Eye Complex 

is an advanced anti-ageing 

eye gel, with ingredients that 

naturally tighten blood vessels, relax 

muscles, reduce visible wrinkles and 

pigmentation, and is ideal for mature, 

sensitive skin. Top tip: If your skin’s 

irritated by Vit A (Retinols), this is a great 

alternative. R1865. Details clairehill.co.za 

Compiled by: KYM ARGO. Photos: MEGAN BRETT. 


Nothing 

lovely 

about brown 

spots. This 

SVR Clairial 

Creme 10 helps 

extended brown 

spots disappear 

… lightening your 

complexion. It’s 

hypo-allergenic 

and you’ll see 

results in around six 

weeks. R567 from 

absoluteskin.co.za 

Optiphi Adagio has the 

perfect balance between 

wood, spice and sweet … it’s 

a lovely, feminine fragrance and 

just perfect for the heat of Summer 

and the month of love. R835 

from optiphi.com 

Placecol Excellence Gravity Lift 

Solution promises to give your face 

a visible lift and strengthens sagging 

skin. It tightens, firms and plumps the 

skin, erasing fine lines and wrinkles, 

and increasing radiance and vitality. 

R750 from placecol.com 

The easiest way 

to exfoliate 

is with these 

Skinderm Pure 

Exfoliating 

Glo Pads, 

which have 

AHA and BHA 

and remove 

dry, dull, tired 

skin, leaving 

your skin glowing, 

smooth and radiant. R395 

from Takealot. 

For those 

who love the 

vibe of the city, is there 

anywhere more romantic than NYC? We think 

not. Elizabeth Arden 5th Avenue NYC Red is 

all sweet red apple and strawberry and jasmine 

sambac … luscious and intense and passionate. 

R515. Details: elizabetharden.co.za 


Looks 

Valentine’s Day is all about keepsakes, and top 

of our lust list is this elegant Forever Close To My 

Heart Diamond Locket crafted by La Kaiser for 

Jimnojean. The 14kt solid gold pendant with a 

natural 1.2mm white diamond is on a 45cm 14kt 

solid gold chain, and you can place a pic of a 

loved one inside the locket. R5000. 

Details: jimnojean.com 

to make 

’em blush 

Charming coral. Stunning salmon. And pink 

in every shade. We’re looking at the world 

through rose-tinted glasses … and we’ve 

found looks that would give even the 

bad-tempered Queen of Hearts rosy cheeks! 

Nothing shady about these Miu-Miu 

pink gradient violet sunglasses. R4350 

from Sunglass Hut. Details: za.sunglasshut.com 


Kicks to foster love 

If these love(ly) sneakers 

will do anything, they’ll 

remind you to love yourself, 

love others and love the 

world … all of which is 

precisely the ethos behind 

the Desigual el Love 

Spring Summer 2020 

collection. Quite fitting for 

Valentine’s Month! They’re 

also helluva stylish … love! 

R1949 from Desigual. 

Details: desi-sa.co.za 


Ooh, this lilac bucket bag with beaded fringing 

gives us all the feels of the roaring twenties. It has a 

shoulder strap and a magnetic clasp closure. R699 

from Zara. Details: zara.com/za 

Lacy and racy swimwear to turn heads 

Have you ever felt more comfortable in your intimates 

than in your swimwear? Well, this is just how the Swim 

Intimates brand came about … and the range of 

bikinis – which could easily pass off as lingerie – is really 

gorgeous and oh-so-flattering. We’re gushing over the 

pretty field of flowers bikini. R499 for the top. R399 for 

the bottoms. Details: swimintimates.co.za 

From a picnic date 

to a trip to the 

bush, this pith 

helmet will 

give you 

some 

stylish 

safari 

vibes 

wherever 

you wear it. 

R595 from 

Elizabeth 

Summer. Details: 

elizabethsummer.com 

Wear your heart… 

On your sleeve? No, never 

mind that … we’re going 

to pop these Wilma heart 

baguette stone studs in our 

ears. Bling bling. R149. They pair 

perfectly with the cute and casual 

Ulla Babydoll Cami. R699. And voila! Your 

daytime date outfit is sorted. Both from 

Forever New. Details: forevernew.co.za 


Love burns bright 

Oranges and lemons. Reds and pinks. And striking designs. Inspired by the feisty 

Queen of Hearts, we’ve fallen for all things bold and beautiful. 

WIN, 

WIN, WIN 

To win a bottle of Roku Gin, pop 

over to our Facebook page 

(@getitpretoriamagazine), find our 

Roku Gin post, and tag a gin-loving 

friend in the comments section. 

You’ve got until February 10 

Turn heads 

with this 

pineappleshaped 

cartoon 

cushion. 

R120 from 

Takealot. 

Details: 

takealot.com 

and you can collect your 

prize after the alcohol 

ban lifts. 

Create the perfect 

atmosphere with 

this pink hyacinth 

fragrance diffuser 

from Woolies. 

R229. Details: 

woolworths.co.za 

A toast to your valentine (when the alcohol ban lifts) 

When there’s no longer a restriction on the sale of alcohol, here’s one of the 

first gins to pop into your shopping basket. The flavourful Japanese spirit, 

Roku Gin pairs perfectly with an arrangement of sweet delights, and 

the hexagonal shape of the bottle means it’ll look really trendy on your 

drinks trolley. For a real taste sensation, try the Roku Surimu gin and tonic 

cocktail. Just add 35ml Roku Gin to 15ml lemongrass syrup, stir and then 

top up with half soda and tonic. To make the lemongrass syrup, just blend 

200ml sugar syrup with a bag of lemongrass – leave four sticks for garnish 

– and strain. You’ll find Roku Gin for R299 at Makro, Pick n Pay, Checkers and 

selected TOPS at SPAR. Details: suntory.co.jp/wnb/rokugin 

Discover your 

fortune with one 

of these heartshaped 

fortune 

cookies dipped 

in milk or white 

chocolate from 

Woolies. R14.99. 


If you’re anything like us, you can’t miss out on a sweet treat come Valentine’s Day … but perhaps you’re still focusing on your health 

goals after the festive season indulgences. Look no further than GD Chocolate Loaded Logs. They’re blended with raw honey 

and GD’s dark chocolate – so they’ll satisfy your sweet tooth – and you don’t need to feel guilty for indulging as they’re loaded with 

healthy goodness! There are four flavours … there’s the chewy and malty Collagen Loaded Log, citrus and tangy Vitamin C Loaded 

Log, an energy-boosting and malted-nutty tasting Maca Moringa Loaded Log and the coco-nutty and chocolatey Turmeric Loaded Log 

with anti-inflammatory benefits. Around R24.75 at health stores. Details: gdchocolate.com 

Is there anything quite as romantic as candlelight? We think 

not. And when the wax is designed in sensual moulds like 

these male and female bust candles by Okra Candles 

for Jimnojean, we’re quite certain they’ll set the mood for 

your valentine. You’ll find them in burnt orange, taupe, pale 

blue and pale gold – all with wonderful scents. R250 each. 

Details: jimnojean.com 

Step out in style 

wearing these gorgeous 

Chloe ballerina flats from 

House of Cinnamon. They 

have a leather trim and a 

bow, with a wonderfully 60s 

feel about them. We’ve got 

our eyes set on a red pair, 

but you’ll find them in black, 

navy and tan too. R1275. 

Details: house-ofcinnamon.co.za 



We know we can’t 

venture too far from 

our own garden for an 

al fresco snack 

given the lockdown 

restrictions, so roll 

out this large picnic 

rug with snazzy 

leather handle on 

your lawn. R495 on 

Dial-a-Picnic SA’s 

online shop. Details: 

picnicsouthafrica.co.za 

Create a delicious charcuterie-and-cheese 

platter on this Joie de Vivre heart board, 

R369 on Dial-a-Picnic SA’s online shop. 

Picnic perfect 

Be it a romantic date 

or a Mad Hatter’s tea 

party, try these picnicky 

delights … but if the 

Queen of Hearts has 

taught us anything, it’s 

for heaven’s sake, don’t 

steal any tarts! 

If you’re looking for something 100 per cent delicious to sip with 

zero per cent alcohol – perfect during the restrictions on the sale of 

alcohol, try Bavaria non-alcoholic beer. You may notice the bottles 

in the 0.0 per cent malt beverage range have a trendy new look … it’s 

in celebration of the brewery’s 300th anniversary. The fruity flavours are 

super-tasty … we enjoy the ginger lime and apple. Around R79.99 for a 

six-pack which you’ll find at Pick n Pay, SPAR, Checkers and Makro. 

Details: Follow @bavaria_za on Instagram. 

So you want to set the 

mood… Try the JBL Clip 

3. This Bluetooth speaker 

is small enough to 

attach to your belt 

or backpack but is 

rugged enough 

with a loud 

sound to use 

outside. It’s 

waterproof 

with a battery 

that’ll last up 

to 10 hours. We 

fancy this one 

in the colour sand. 

R999. Details: istore.co.za 


The perks of picnics at home during lockdown … home-cooked meals! 

AN EASY-TO-EAT STRAWBERRY 

CHEESECAKE IN A JAR 

Makes eight small jars 

You’ll need: 200g shortbread biscuits 

(crumbed); 200g cream cheese; 

200ml double cream; 90ml icing 

sugar; 10ml vanilla extract; 500g 

strawberries, halved or quartered. 

How to: Crush the biscuits with a 

rolling pin, divide between the jars. 

Whisk the cream cheese, cream, 

75ml icing sugar and the vanilla 

extract until softly whipped. 

Add half of the strawberries and 

the remaining sugar into another 

bowl and crush with a fork to form a 

purée. Ripple the purée through the 

cream and divide between the jars. 

Top each cheesecake with remaining 

strawberries, secure the lids and chill 

until ready to pack up. 

JUICY CAJUN CHICKEN AND MANGO SKEWERS 

It’s still mango season … hooray! This tasty fruit is ideal for 

picnics at home, and it’s high in vitamins A and C as well 

as biotin, and the mineral potassium. Mangoes are also a 

source of vitamins B1 and B6 and free from fat, sodium and 

cholesterol. For a sweet summer treat, the South African 

Mango Growers’ Association shared this recipe for a batch 

of sticky Cajun chicken and mango skewers… 

How to: Toss raw chicken wings in Cajun spice with honey 

and mango juice. Grill on the braai or under an oven grill 

until crispy and slightly blackened. Serve on skewers with 

mango slices and lime wedges. It’s like summer on a stick! 

Details: @SAMangoes on Facebook or @MangoesSA on Insta. 

PORTABELLO AND LEMONY RICOTTA PUFF PASTRY TART 

Krone RD shares this tasty recipe – fitting for Valentine’s Day. 

You’ll need: 1 sheet ready-rolled puff pastry; 250g smooth 

ricotta cheese; 1 lemon (zested and juiced); 1 handful fresh 

oregano leaves (chopped); 6 large portabello mushrooms; 

olive oil; salt and pepper; baby greens or rocket for serving. 

How to: Place the sheet of puff pastry on a tray lined with 

baking paper and score a border 2cm in from the edge all 

the way around. Prick the pastry centre using a fork. Leave 

to rest in the fridge for about an hour. Meanwhile, preheat 

the oven to 220˚C with an empty baking sheet in it to get 

hot. When the oven reaches temperature, carefully lift the 

puff pastry using the baking paper and place it onto the 

hot tray. Blind bake (baking without the filling) the puff 

pastry sheet until golden brown all over. This should take 

about 20 minutes. Remove the pastry from the oven and 

allow to cool. Press down the centre of the pastry so you 

are left with a puffy border. 

Whisk the ricotta, lemon zest, lemon juice and oregano 

together. Season well with salt and pepper. Spread the 

mixture into the centre of the tart. Top with portabello 

mushrooms and season them well. Toss the baby greens in 

a little olive oil and lemon juice, and scatter it over the tart 

before serving. 

When lockdown restrictions lift, be sure to order Krone RD 

MCC and pair it with this dish. 

Compiled by DANIELLA GRAHAM and RIALIEN FURSTENBERG 


GOOD for your HEART 

When you care for your heart, your entire body benefits. We’ve got a 

few healthful food tips to keep your ticker in tip-top condition. 

Compiled by RIALIEN FURSTENBERG 

With so 

much talk about 

our hearts (broken 

or not), there is no 

time like Valentine’s 

Month to show your 

heart some love. After 

all, this muscular organ 

works hard, without breaks, to 

keep you alive. So, you need to 

do your part. 

Herbalife Nutrition’s Florencia Braga 

shares five easy pointers to strengthen 

your heart. 

CHEW THE FAT 

For long-term heart health, some fats 

are better than others. There are two 

types of fat: saturated and unsaturated. 

Saturated: This ‘bad’ fat is found in 

red meat, full-cream dairy products, 

cheese and many commercially 

prepared baked goods. Major sources 

of saturated fat are fast, snack and 

processed foods such as pizza, 

dairy desserts, bacon, hamburgers, 

and cookies. 

Unsaturated: This is a healthy 

fat, and there are two kinds 

– monounsaturated and 

polyunsaturated, also known as 

Omega-9, -6 and -3. Omega-9 fats are 

mostly present in olive oil, almonds 

and avocados, while you can get 

Omega-6 fats from sunflower oil and 

seeds, corn and soy oil, pine nuts, 

pecan nuts 

and Brazil nuts. 

Fish-sourced Omega-3 

fats are also useful for 

our heart health. They can be found 

in fatty fish like herring, salmon and 

sardines, and can contribute to the 

maintenance of normal blood pressure, 

blood triglycerides concentration and 

heart functions. 

(DON’T) SPILL THE SALT 

Excessive sodium intake is linked to 

high blood pressure, which can put 

strain on your heart. Healthcare experts 

advise that you limit your sodium 

intake up to 2g per day (or up to 5g = 

5ml of salt per day). Tip: Keep a 2.5ml 

measuring spoon in your salt container 

to know how much you are adding, 

rather than grabbing the salt shaker. 

BE 

MODERATELY 

MERRY 

You can still enjoy a 

drink with a kick, but 

don’t go overboard 

– no more than one 

drink a day for women 

and two a day for men. One 

drink is a small glass of wine 

(120ml), a can of beer (340ml) or a tot 

of any spirit (25ml). 

GET ACTIVE 

Getting your heart rate up through 

exercise not only reduces the risk 

of cardiovascular disease, but it also 

improves your bones and muscle 

tone. Aim for at least 150 minutes 

of moderate-intensity physical 

activity or 75 minutes of vigorousintensity 

physical activity throughout 

the week. 

PORTION WITH CAUTION 

Try to portion your plate according 

to the ‘plate model’ where half of 

your plate consists of non-starchy 

vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, 

tomatoes, cucumber and carrots), a 

quarter of your plate consists of high 

fibre starches (brown rice, wholewheat 

pasta, sweet potato, butternut) 

and a quarter of your plate consists of 

lean protein (grilled skinless chicken, 

fish, lean mince, ostrich meat, soya.) 


Heart-happy foods 

Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, 

raspberries and blackberries can 

significantly reduce the build-up of 

bad cholesterol, a culprit contributing 

to heart disease and strokes. 

Black beans: They are packed with 

heart-healthy nutrients. Folate, 

antioxidants and magnesium can help 

lower blood pressure. Their fibre helps 

control both cholesterol and blood 

sugar levels. 

Swiss chard: This dark green, leafy 

vegetable is rich in potassium and 

magnesium. These minerals help 

control blood pressure. Swiss chard 

also has heart-healthy fibre, vitamin A 

and antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. 

Oats: The antioxidants present in oats 

are beneficial for heart disease, and 

the dietary fiber helps lower the bad 

cholesterol without affecting the 

good cholesterol. 

Tomatoes: A high-potassium food, 

tomatoes also contain the antioxidant 

lycopene. They may assist in lowering 

cholesterol while also keeping blood 

vessels open. This in turn lowers your 

risk for heart attacks. 

Dark chocolate (at least 60–70 per 

cent cocoa): Contains flavonoids 

called polyphenols, which may 

help blood pressure, clotting and 

inflammation. 

A healthy treat – date and chocolate balls 

You’ll need: 

40g dark chocolate (broken into 

pieces); 15ml cocoa; 45ml low-fat milk; 

5ml vanilla essence; 250g pitted dates 

(finely chopped); 100ml desiccated 

coconut; extra coconut and cocoa to 

decorate with. 

How to: 

Place chocolate in a glass bowl and 

melt over gently simmering water. 

Mix cocoa with some of the milk to 

form a paste and mix with remaining 

milk and vanilla. Stir some of the 

melted chocolate into the milk 

mixture until smooth. Mix into the 

warm chocolate. Stir in dates and 

coconut. Place spoonfuls of the 

mixture onto baking paper and 

sprinkle with coconut or cocoa and 

allow to set. 

Alternatively, allow to cool slightly and 

then roll into balls. Roll balls into extra 

coconut or cocoa, if preferred. Cool in 

the fridge. 

Head over to cookingfromtheheart.co.za 

for more heart-healthy recipes. 

More than ‘just water’ for 

the health-conscious 

Health is the new wealth, so they say, 

but we know the feeling when the 

healthy option doesn’t seem quite 

so appealing … especially when it 

comes to social drinks. That’s why 

we’re raving about A1 Fruit Water. 

It’s natural sparkling water infused 

with citrus fruit … think grapefruit, 

lemon and mandarin – our fave. You’d 

honestly never guess these tasty thirst 

quenchers are zero calories, and free 

of sugar, sweeteners, preservatives 

and gluten. They’re vegan and 

diabetic friendly too. After all, the 

aim of A1 Fruit Water is ‘hydration by 

nature’. R399 a case, and you’ll find it 

on Takealot. 

Details: a1fruitwater.com or follow 

@a1sparklingwater on Facebook 

and Instagram. 


The birds and 

Don’t panic ... we’re not about to give you ‘the talk’. We’re sharing apps, books, 

facts and treats that have to do with these marvellous creatures 

Have you ever spotted a bird and wished you had your bird 

book nearby? We know we have. We may not carry our bird book 

around but if there’s one thing that’s guaranteed to be in our 

back pocket wherever we go, it’s our phone. That’s why the new 

app, BirdPro, is so handy. It’ll help you to identify and find out 

more about birds and their calls, and it’s not just for amateurs, 

we’re sure birding enthusiasts will find something to learn too … 

like the names of birds in 16 languages. It’s said to be a groundbreaking 

app and it won the Most Innovative Solution for 2020 in 

the MTN Business App of the Year Awards. Even better, it proves 

local really is lekker as it was developed by Linden resident, 

Herman van den Berg. Details: Download BirdPro on the App Store. 


The 2020 lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic 

was bound to make many of us feel a little grumpy 

at some point, but wildlife photographer Lynne 

Wilde didn’t quite expect to find a grumpylooking 

crested barbet in her Bryanston garden. 

When she could no longer ignore his ‘insistent 

calls’, she decided to feed and photograph him, 

and she named him Grumpy Crestie. She let her 

imagination run wild with what he would say if he 

could speak a language like English, and so she 

began to capture his daily antics and post them 

on a local Facebook group. Her posts made many 

smile, and it wasn’t long before Grumpy Crestie had 

built such a strong fan base that Lynne decided he 

needed his own Facebook and Instagram pages. 

She continued to document photographs and a 

daily diary of the bird and his bride, Lady Chatterly, 

and fans lapped up the posts. To end off last year, 

Grumpy Crestie’s photos and antics were compiled 

into a colourful, witty and downright amusing 120- 

page book – terrific for your coffee table and to take 

your mind off even more lockdown restrictions in 

2021. Order the book online and have it delivered 

to your door. R299. Details: You’ll find the link to order 

the book on the Grumpy Crestie Facebook page, and 

you can follow @grumpycrestie on Instagram too. 


the bees 

There’s a reason we say ‘as busy as a bee’… 

Bees are awfully busy creatures, especially in the summertime. The gardening 

app Candide started the #PolliNationSA movement to encourage South 

Africans to grow bee-friendly plants. 

Here are 10 things you can do to help the busy bees… 

1. Plant a veggie and fruit garden … even in a small patch. 

2. Place pebbles and rocks in a shallow plate of water outside in the shade. 

3. Plant a variety of flowers that last from early Spring to late Autumn in clumps 

so bees can find them easily. 

4. Use bee-friendly pesticides and natural remedies like vinegar, Epsom salt and 

essential oils. 

5. Support organic farmers rather than farming methods that use pesticides. 

6. Buy raw honey from local beekeepers … it’s more nutritious than some of 

the types of honey bought in stores which can be processed, pasteurised and 

loaded with added sugars. 

7. Help solitary bees by setting up a Candide Solitary Bee Hotel in your garden. 

It’s a rectangular piece of wood with a few holes of different sizes bored into it to 

mimic the natural breeding nests to attract solitary bees. R240 from candide.co.za 

8. Square off a section of your lawn that can grow wild and free as bees don’t like 

lawn without flowers. 

9. Don’t weed your garden as some – like dandelions – can be a great source of 

food for bees. 

10. Stay still if a bee is around or lands on you – it’s probably just trying to see if 

you have any nectar and will most likely fly away. Learn to love these creatures. 

Check out the #PolliNationSA campaign by downloading the free Candide App 

on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Details: candide.co.za 

‘Sweets for my sweet, 

sugar for my honey,’ 

so The Searchers 

sang, and the 

Darling Sweet Raw 

Veld Flower Honey 

has us singing 

all sorts of sweet 

nothings. R140 

for 500g. Details: 

darlingsweet.co.za 

If you’re looking for a way to 

moisturise and strengthen your hair 

while getting the frizz and tangles 

under control (hands up those who 

holidayed in humid KZN), try Crème 

of Nature’s Moisture Replenish & 

Strength Hair Mask. It uses natural 

ingredients of pure honey, coconut 

oil and shea butter. R199.95 from 

Clicks and Dis-Chem. Details: 

@cremeofnature_sa on Instagram 

‘A slice of pecan pie in a glass of Jack’ 

… this is how the master distiller 

describes Jack Daniel’s Tennessee 

Honey. It has a light sweet-honeyed 

aroma with that Jack Daniels classic 

sugary charcoal fragrance. When 

the ban on alcohol lifts, try it with 

lemonade, dry lemon or on the rocks. 

Around R279 for 750ml. 

Details: jackdaniels.com/en-za 


LOVE 

gardening 

Heart and soul 

It may be a bit cheesy but we 

don’t care … after all, who can 

resist hearts during Valentine’s 

Month? Look carefully at the new 

‘Heart and Soul’ petunia and you will 

see the pretty hearts on the petals. 

Clever! This novelty petunia produces 

lots of large single flowers on a nicely 

compact and bushy plant. To bring out the 

hearts, plant it in full sun, in soil that drains 

well and give it the tender loving care of 

fertiliser once a month. It’s also a great 

option for hanging baskets and containers. 

Details: ballstraathof.co.za 


Indoor plant of the month 

Roses are always a winner during Valentine’s Month, and for 

long-lasting blooms, pot roses are the best. Choose one with a good 

selection of buds in addition to the open flowers. There are so many 

colours that it is easy to give your loved one their favourite. And let’s 

face it, there is nothing more appealing than a perfect rose bloom 

in miniature. Pot roses can be displayed in any position that receives 

bright light, indoors or on the patio. Remember roses love water, 

so keep the soil moist. After flowering, take the pot outdoors and 

cut back the stems to 5cm above the ground. As soon as it shoots, 

fertilise with a liquid feed and after two months it will flower again. 

It can then be taken back indoors, kept as an outdoor pot rose, or 

planted in the soil where it will receive at least six hours of sun a day. 

Details: lvgplant.co.za 

Veggie of the month 

For those who like it hot, the range of table-top 

dwarf pot peppers grow happily indoors, producing 

mild to hot chillies. The compact plants (15 to 35cm 

tall) bear fruit in the pot and can be harvested when 

needed. Grown indoors they need bright light 

and medium watering; let the soil almost dry out 

before watering again. For good fruit production, 

apply a liquid fertiliser at half strength every two 

weeks. Plants can remain in the pot (both indoors 

or outdoors) or transplanted into the garden, where 

they need morning sun and afternoon shade. The 

names say it all: hot burrito (Red), hot carrot (yellow), 

hot fajita (red), macho (red), cosmo (purple) and the 

ever-popular jalapeño. Details: ballstraathof.co.za 

Garden tasks for February 

Help plants to survive the heat by watering regularly and 

mulching beds to keep the soil cool. • Summer annuals looking 

tired? Replace them with heat-hardy marigolds, zinnia, salvia, 

and portulaca. • Cut back pelargoniums and trim ivy leaf 

varieties that have become untidy. • Water the lawn regularly 

and in very hot weather set the mower so that the grass is 

higher to shade the roots. • Delay fertilising until the end of 

February or early March when it is cooler. • Vegetables that 

get midday and afternoon sun can be protected with a 20 or 

40 per cent shade cloth. This also helps to save water because 

they do not need watering as much. • Keep pests under control 

with an organic insecticide like Ludwig’s Insect Spray or 

Margaret Roberts Organic Insect Spray. • Keep your birdbaths 

filled with fresh water for the birds and butterflies. 

Text: ALICE COTZEE 


Is there anything worse than 

chopping under a dim light? We 

think not. That’s why we’re after 

one of these indoor pendants 

from The Lighting Warehouse 

that’ll make our kitchen not 

only bright but super stylish 

too. Choose Dormer (left), 

R799, or Jozi (right), R499. 

Details: lightingwarehouse.co.za 

The heart of a home 

Lockdown’s not easing up … so here’s to spending many more hours in our kitchens 

NEED HIGH RES IMAGE 

If you’re a wine aficionado, you 

probably don’t only have an eye 

out for new bottles to add to your 

collection but how to store them 

too. Miele has a fantastic range of 

wine conditioning units to provide 

the best storage conditions, no 

matter how long you plan to keep 

a bottle. The company advises it’s 

best to store wine in a constant and 

steady climate… Heat is one of wine’s 

biggest enemies. UV rays can cause 

chemical reactions in wine. Vibrations 

can damage wine in the long term. 

And an odourless environment is 

essential. The wine conditioning units 

are pricey but worth it. From R39 999. 

Details: miele.co.za 


If binge-watching reality TV cooking shows has taught us anything, it’s 

just how important presentation is when it comes to plating a meal. 

And when you start off with unique and stylish crockery, we feel half the 

battle’s already won. Cue Setamono Japanese Homeware which has a 

range of gorgeous handcrafted Japanese artisan ceramics. We’re pretty 

sure you’ll find your friends drooling even before the meal is served! The 

tableware has wonderful textures, colours and glazes, and you’ll also find 

some lovely kitchenware, like a huge selection of Hibachi table grills. For our 

Valentine’s Day spread, we’ve got our eyes set on this Makoto plate … 

this one’s a medium size for R330. Details: setamono.co.za 


Everything but 

the kitchen sink... 

Now there’s a saying we know pretty 

well but, trust us, if your kitchen sink 

had the hansgrohe Talis M54, you’d 

be finding a way to protect it with 

all your might. With a smooth, high 

arc design and subtle temperature 

indicators, this slender tap is a perfect 

fit for a modern, open-plan and 

sociable kitchen. It uses technology 

to reduce water consumption, and 

there’s a pull-out spout to wash your 

veggies or dishes – so convenient! It’s 

easy to clean too … just rub off the 

limescale build-up with your finger. 

You’ll find it in matt black and chrome. 

From R4480.20. 

Details: hansgrohe.co.za 

Spruce up the most important 

room in your home with this 

super-handy Jasper 

five-hook kitchen plaque 

from Mr Price Home. R129.99. 

Details: mrphome.com 

It’s all in the details … and we’re 

sure your guests will enjoy tucking 

into their meals with this 16-piece 

stainless steel cutlery set in rose 

gold from Mr Price Home. R349.99. 

New year, new look 

If we perfected anything in 2020, it was the art of nesting … and for most of us 

during lockdown, our kitchens were the room in our homes that brought us the 

most joy. (Remember all the loaves of banana bread and sourdough we baked?) 

If the heart of your home needs a bit of spit ’n polish, you’re probably looking 

for a trendy new paint colour. Try Plascon Golden Syrup … it’s a warm, sunny 

yellow that’s thought to be a positive and uplifting colour, which is why it’s the 

company’s favourite hue for 2021. Go on, give your kitchen that warm fuzzy glow 

and feel inspired to continue cooking up a storm this year. If you’re really not sure 

how to use this colour, just ask the colour advice team. 

Details: colouradvice@kansaiplascon.co.za 


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At ONE with nature 

A roaring lion was our alarm clock. 

Giraffes played hide and seek. And 

fireflies surrounded us on a game drive. 

The beauty of the African bush is the 

backdrop of Abelana River Lodge, 

which is nothing short of luxurious. 

Text: MEGAN BRETT. Photographs: ABELANA GAME RESERVE & MEGAN BRETT. 

Our field ranger didn’t miss a beat during our drives, 

not even this small chameleon crossing the road. 

A pretty grey heron soaks up the African sun. 

A giraffe stands proud for a safari photo op. 

The bush fever hit when we were on our first game drive 

and we spotted a giraffe in the middle of the road, barely a 

few metres from us, standing tall and proud as he gave us a 

cautious look. There’s just something captivating about the 

feeling of exclusivity on a safari and having this prominent 

creature with long beautiful eyelashes look straight at you. 

We arrived at the entrance of Abelana River Lodge in 

Phalaborwa all hot and bothered from the long drive … 

but that feeling quickly subsided as we walked through this 

gorgeous lodge and caught sight of the infinity pool, which 

overlooks the Selati River and straight out into the reserve. It 

was then we knew this trip was going to be something special. 

The river is home to an abundance of wildlife and a variety 

of bird species. You may even be lucky enough to have a 

giant kingfisher land on the edge of the balcony of your 

room. And as for rooms, there was no need to call dibs on 

any of the 20 newly rebuilt rooms … they all face the river so 

the view is incredible. 

Imagine waking up at 4am to the sound of a lion's roar. Gosh, 

did that awaken the inner beast in us! To top that off, on our 

very first day we saw hippos splashing and wheezing away 

from our balcony, and we spotted some beautiful birds from 

our private outdoor shower. Yes, being naked in nature is a 

thing … and it’s a sure way to start your day feeling refreshed. 

If that doesn't get you going, the bush coffee at Dube Dube 

dam on your early morning game drive will. We were already 

buzzing by the time we stopped for a cuppa, just minutes after 

we’d spotted a glorious grey heron soaking up the sun. 

The safari game drives are just amazing … to think, you could 

easily be the only vehicle exploring more than 15000ha at any 

given time. It’s a complete authentic safari experience. The 

giraffes stole the limelight on this trip … we spotted them 

all around the reserve, and they put on quite the show … 

ambling, chewing bones for calcium and attempting to hide 

behind trees to try to camouflage themselves – their version of 

hide-and-seek! 

After a three-hour game drive, you really work up an 

appetite and Abelana sure knows how to put out a breakfast 

spread, including hot meal options … we never say no to 

eggs Benedict! 

There’s so much to choose from – the main area of the lodge 

has indoor and outdoor dining areas, lounge, beautiful bar and 


a pool. We could easily spend the whole day sipping rock 

shandies and cooling off in the infinity pool, listening to the 

calls of nature and the trickle of running water while gazing 

at the river. It’s seriously tranquil. Or maybe escape and 

lounge on the bedroom’s balcony with a good book. 

The afternoon game drives are just as stunning as the 

morning ones. Vic, our field guide, was so knowledgeable … 

there was no question he couldn’t answer. Not to mention 

that he has eyes like a hawk … he didn’t miss a thing, not 

even a chameleon crossing the road went unnoticed. 

This reserve is home to the Big 5 with a rich diversity of fauna 

and flora. The bush is thick and lush, and the terrain is varied. 

We were all particularly set on spotting a lion throughout 

the trip, especially after waking up to his roar on the first 

morning, but unfortunately, he had a way of hiding from us. 

We were thrilled to see all sorts of other animals, like zebra, 

waterbuck, wildebeest, impala … the list goes on. We even 

crossed paths with two cheeky elephants who came over 

to say hi. The afternoon drives carry on until after sunset. 

One memorable moment happened as we headed back to 

the lodge. Our guide stopped in the middle of a bridge and 

turned off the vehicle. As we kept dead still, in pitch-black 

darkness, with just the reflection of the water and the stars 

above, we saw flickers of light surround us as fireflies circled 

the area. It was magical. 

Back at the lodge, the soft lighting combined with the 

contemporary and African-influenced decor set a warm 

and welcoming tone. On the first night, while we wined 

and dined in true VIP style, we chatted with CEO, Ian 

Beauchamp, who told us the lodge is committed to 

sustainable tourism, and he and his team work with the 

Mashishimale community to create jobs for them while 

conserving and protecting the wilderness. After all, abelana 

means ‘to share amongst each other’. 

The food is another highlight, and every night you can 

expect something different, either an à la carte menu, a set 

menu or a braai with a wide selection of salads. All meals 

throughout the trip were well portioned and beautifully 

presented. The coconut and butternut soup with crispy 

butternut shavings was a real hit. 

A staff member will safely escort you when you retire to your 

exquisite and spacious thatch en-suite room for the night, 

should you encounter a hippo. 

We so enjoyed lazing about the infinity pool, 

admiring the natural beauty of the river. 

The luxurious en-suite rooms with a balcony 

overlook the Selati River. 

Returning at night can be rather romantic. As you enter, you 

will find a bed covered in draped netting lit by gorgeous 

hanging lampshades – making this the perfect spot to bring 

along that someone special. Not to mention the bathroom 

with his-and-hers basins, long-hanging mirrors and an openplan 

shower – all in plain sight of the river. We particularly 

enjoyed sleeping with our sliding door open and mesh door 

closed, making it easy to fall asleep to the sounds of nightlife 

in the private reserve. 

Just when we thought we’d experienced it all, we were 

taken on an hour-long safari to the Abelana Safari Camp 

on the south side of the reserve which is among distinctive 

rock formations. We had one of the most memorable 

sundowners high up on a deck on top of 'The jewel of 

Abelana' as it’s known by some. We sipped away as we 

watched the sunset and even spotted impala drinking 

water over 100m down below. 

This campsite is completely off-the-grid and can 

accommodate eight people in four luxury tents. Perfect for 

intimate get-togethers and guests looking for a more rustic 

stay. We're told that if you’re lucky, you might even see a 

leopard walk around the camp at night. 

On our last day, the reality of going back home sank in, but 

to our surprise, we could reminisce over a lovely bush spread 

of tasty snacks, fine wine and G&Ts in all sorts of flavours. 

When we returned to the lodge, the boma next to the river 

was lit and the braai was on the go. As the night was still 

young, we couldn’t resist one last dip in the pool. 

Our three-night stay was a real treat … and it ended on a 

high when we finally spotted a lion on the early morning 

drive before we headed home. 

If you’re looking for long-lasting memories among the 

beauty of the African bush, then look no further than 

Abelana Game Reserve. 

One night’s stay at Abelana River Lodge in an airconditioned 

suite with en-suite indoor and outdoor showers 

is R7500 a person a night sharing. This includes all meals, teas 

and coffees, morning and afternoon/evening game drives 

with qualified guide and tracker and an optional walk. 

Details: 061-952-4302, res@abelanagamereserve.com or 

abelanagamereserve.com 


Spoil 

February 

The rosé we love the most 

We’re playing Queen of Hearts this Valentine’s 

Day, and trust us when we tell you a bottle of the 

extraordinary Jean Roi Cap Provincial Rosé 2018 

will capture your true love’s heart. What’s more, this 

premium rosé from Anthonij Rupert Wyne is 

guaranteed to take your love for this style of wine up 

a notch too. A blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Shiraz, 

the pale copper pink wine takes its cue from the 

international Summer drinking styles, and is a fusion 

of fresh fruit flavours – think melon, peach and 

nectarine with a little lemon zest twist. Its regal bottle 

is embossed with JR (paying homage to Jean Roi, 

the French Huguenot from Provence who pioneered 

the L’Ormarins Wine Estate’s 300-year-old viticultural 

history), and the wine is lovely for a valentine toast 

at sunset, but is also perfect with delicious nectarine 

caprese salad, with grilled prawns and crayfish, or 

seared duck breast served with a raspberry jus (just 

a few ideas for your valentine dinner date). Oh … 

and just to set the record straight … it’s not only 

for the girls. Real men do most certainly drink pink. 

This wine costs around R240 a bottle, and you can 

get it from specialist wine stores as well as directly 

from Anthonij Rupert Wyne at rupertwines.com. 

Since we really, really love our readers, we’re giving 

away a case of this wine for you to share with your 

valentine (or not, as the case may be … nothing 

wrong with a little self-love). To enter, all you need do 

is visit our Facebook page (@getitpretoriamagazine) 

or Instagram page (@getitptamagazine), and tag a 

rosé-loving friend in the comments section. 

Entries close February 26. 

Prizes will only be delivered once the alcohol ban is lifted.

Pretoria - Feb 2021

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