JHB West - July 22

JOBURG WEST 

MARIKA 

WIN 

A fruity floral 

fragrance 

OPPERMAN 

Finding her sunshine 

THE 

RED HOT 

Trendy coats. Sassy scarves. 

Handy beauty buys. And ... wine! 

ISSUE 

DECLUTTERING 

Free up your space 

for a happier you 

SHOPPING, PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD 

JULY 22

contents 

Why don’t you... 

05 Markets, live shows and a Winter Wonderland are on our list 

book club 

06 Thrills. Heartache. And a happy-ever-after. Our top reads this month 

GET IT 

Editorial 

Instagram: @getitjoburgwest 

Facebook: Get It Joburg West 

Website: getitmagazine.co.za/joburg-west 

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 Rialien Furstenberg 

Head of sales 

Debbie Pienaar 

debbiep@caxton.co.za 

062-633-7652 

Distribution 

15 000 copies monthly 

Get It Joburg West is distributed 

free of charge. For a full list contact 

011 955 1130. 

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 

Western branch within 10 days or they will be 

forfeited. Prizewinners names are published on 

our Facebook page monthly. 

WISH LIST 

08 Winter chills? We’ve got plenty of must-haves to keep you warm 

People 

10 Marika Opperman wears many hats - mentor, content creator, 

influencer, property specialist and model 

beauty & fashion 

12 You don’t need to spend a fortune to keep your hands 

and nails in tip top condition 

14 Winter’s all about wrapping up in an oversized coat and a lovely 

scarf and you are ready to take on Jack Frost 

food 

16 Spread the food and wine warmth 

home & decor 

18 The many clever uses for trusty ol’ bicarb of soda 

21 Scent your home with one of these luxurious candles 

22 Clear up the clutter and reclaim your space (and sanity!) 

gardening 

24 Feed your Winter flowers and veggies and drink warm cups 

of infused lavender tea 

travel 

32 From tasting traditional coffee in an outdoor souq, to riding camels 

and experiencing all the five-star grandeur that Doha has to offer 

Win 

34 A bottle of Guess Bella Vita Rosa 

COVER LOOK 

Personality: Marika Opperman 

Photographer: Celeste Cilliers Photography 

Make-up & hair: Antoinette de Beer, EA Academy 

Leopard print top: Madelaine Clothing @ Ana-Paula Coffee Shop 

Jacket: Model’s own 

July 2022 Get It Magazine 03

A hot date! 

Markets, live shows and a Winter Wonderland are on our list 

01 

Enjoy a Winter Wonderland 

experience at the Baptist 

Maranata Grounds on July 1, 2, 8 and 

9. This picturesque garden will ignite 

with a spectacular display of lights 

while you can browse through stalls 

selling homemade crafts, yummy 

food and hot drinks. 26 Rosemary 

Street, Roodepoort. 5:30pm to 9pm. 

R60 for adults, R50 for pensioners, 

R40 for scholars from six to 18 years 

and free for kids under six years from 

plankton.mobi 

01 

If you are in the area, the 

Honeydew Urban Market 

is definitely worth a visit. Think 

homemade jams, farm-fresh veggies, 

artisanal cheeses, upcycled furniture, 

jewellery, accessories and fabulous 

crafts. Then enjoy coffee and cake at 

the Not Bread Alone Bakery. 9:30am 

to 3:30pm. Entrance is free. Open 

Tuesdays to Saturdays. 2 Johan Road, 

Honeydew. Details: 073-511-1880, 

follow @honeydewurbanmarket on 

Facebook and Insta. 

you are in the market for an updated 

look to your home, or just like gathering some 

décor inspo, Decorex is the place to be. With 

more than 700 exhibitors you can feast your eyes 

on latest décor and design trends, amazing 

room settings, eco interior, cutting edge kitchens 

28Whether 

and bathrooms and attend free workshops. Head 

to the Sandton Convention Centre from July 28, 29, 30 and 31. Definitely 

worth the drive. R135 per adult, R100 for students and pensioners and R25 

for kids under 12 from itickets.co.za 

10 

Get the family and head over to 

the Cedar Tree Craft Market 

for their fun-filled Sunday market 

on July 10 and 31. Apart from live 

entertainment, you can expect an array 

of excellent stalls selling high-quality 

products, crafts, mouth-watering foods 

and something to sip on. 10am to 3pm 

at the Khosa Sports Club, corner of 

Shannon Road and Frederick Cooper 

Drive, Krugersdorp. Pets welcome. 

Details: Chanelle on 081 500 6884, 

westsidemarkets@gmail.com 

10 

Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro 

shaped the future of opera 

buffa and is in many ways the perfect 

opera. Continuing the story of the 

characters from Il Barbiere di Siviglia, 

this masterpiece offers a good dollop 

of farce, adultery, role-playing and 

cunning scheming. It also touches on 

abuse and mental health issues, seen 

in the Countess’s poignant navigation 

of her fracturing marriage. 3pm at 

Roodepoort Theatre. R220 per person 

from webtickets.co.za 

22 

Bird lovers, be sure to join 

the African Bird Fair 

virtually on June 22 and 

23. There will be an epic line-up of 

speakers, exhibitors, presentations and 

workshops. Plus you can connect with 

fellow birders across the world. An inperson 

event will take place at Isdell 

House in Joburg where you can chat 

with the BirdLife team, browse their 

shop for birds and walk around the 

flourishing indigenous garden. Tickets 

from R100. For the full programme 

and to register for the virtual and/ or 

physical event, visit birdlife.org.za/ 

african-bird-fair-2022. 


Book club 

Thrills. Heartache. And a happy-ever-after. All is good with our world. 

The Interview reads like a movie (and surely there will 

be one) ... it’s all fast moving, tense, heart-pounding 

action from start to finish, with not even a tiny break for 

you to catch your breath. It starts off innocently enough 

... someone going for an interview for what appears 

to be a dream job. The meeting takes place on the 

13th floor of a London skyscraper on a Friday shortly 

after everyone leaves for the weekend. Great offices, 

professional looking interviewer ... all good. Until the 

questions start getting ... well, odd. And the interview 

gets really disturbing. And then all hell breaks loose, 

really. It’s locked doors and nervous security officers and 

climbing up lift shafts and trying to break windows and 

NOTHING. IS. WORKING! You’ll read it in one breathless 

sitting ... brilliant. If you haven’t read CM Ewan before 

*hangs head in shame*, read this, and then order his 

A Window Breaks and Safe House immediately! 

Macmillan, available from Exclusive Books 

Paris. 2015. A crowd gathers to watch as a 

wealthy family’s American au pair is led away 

in handcuffs. Her nine-year-old charge is dead, 

and the au pair is being blamed by the child’s 

mother. But who really was to blame. Amanda 

Bestor-Siegal’s The Caretakers is set in the 

six weeks leading up to the event ... and the 

truth lies with six women - a chilly socialite and 

reluctant mother, an isolated teen desperate 

for her mum’s attention, a French teacher 

struggling to support her young students, 

and three au pairs - one incompetent, one 

socially anxious and desperate to belong, 

and the one accused of the crime. Secrets, 

miscommunication, misunderstandings ... 

all can have fatal consequences, and all play 

a part in the youngster’s death. Little, Brown, 

available from Exclusive Books 

Steenberg Five Lives Red Blend 2019 - an exciting new Bordeaux-style wine - 

chronicles the life of Catharina Ras, their pioneering 17th century founder. Her imagined 

life of adventure is told in five chapters, each of which is narrated on the five back 

labels (you have to collect all five chapters to get the whole story .. how clever). The 

plush wine embraces the silky elegance of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, is mediumbodied 

and lush with a smooth, velvety texture. Expect notes of blackcurrant cassis, 

basil and plum underpinned by an earthy character. You’ll find it for around R175 on 

steenbergfarm.com/buy-wine-online, or at leading bottle stores in your area. 

06 Get It Magazine July 2022

When Ruby was a child, she saw a boy from her school struggling against the 

ocean waves while his parents were preoccupied. Instead of helping him, Ruby 

dove under the water and held his ankle down until he drowned. She waited 

to feel guilty for it, but she never did. And, as Ruby will argue in her senior thesis 

while studying psychology at Yale, guilt is sort of like eating ice cream while on 

a diet. If you’re already feeling bad, why not eat the whole carton? Twenty-five 

years later, she’s in an interrogation room, accused of four murders, including that 

of her husband. But she’s only guilty of three! Will the one she isn’t responsible 

for her be the one to bring her down? Blood Sugar by Sascha Rothchild is darkly 

funny ... murder has never been sweeter! Trapeze, available at Exclusive Books. 

• Gosh ... love Sheila O’Flanagan, and haven’t read one of her novels for ages. 

What Eden Did Next is the story of Eden, who, after the death of her firefighter 

husband, Andy, knows life can change in an instant. Happy with life with her 

daughter, she meets someone new. But Andy’s mum has other plans for Eden. 

Funny, emotional, joyful, heartbreaking ... all you’d expect! A lovely big Winter 

read. Headline Review, available at Exclusive Books 

Three women. Three dates. One 

missing man. It’s Valentine’s Day. 

The first date’s a breakfast one ... 

unusual, since Joseph usually only 

sees Siobhan late at night in her hotel 

room. The second’s at lunchtime, 

and Miranda’s hoping to show off 

about her new job, and feels, after 

five months, her romance with Carter 

is now serious. The third is planned 

for early evening, when Josef Carter’s 

agreed to be Jane’s fake boyfriend at 

an engagement party. The No-Show 

by Beth O’Leary is a clever romance 

to keep you (and the dates) guessing. 

Quercus, available at Exclusive Books 

Here’s one we’ve been waiting for! 

A luxury resort with perfect sea and 

beautiful jungle. Two families on 

holiday. Everyone happy, despite the 

tension between the resort staff and 

locals, with violence threatening. But 

there’s tension rising between the 

couples, too ... and one person has a 

score to settle - and a sinister agenda. 

Alice Clark-Platts’ The Cove is all secrets 

and lies ... a jolly excellent thriller. Raven 

Books, available at Exclusive Books • And 

let’s keep the thrill factor high. It Ends 

at Midnight by Harriet Tyce is set on 

New Year’s Eve. A lavish party. Old 

friends together, setting the past to 

rights and moving on. Fireworks and 

champagne and celebrations. And 

one guest who’s there for one reason 

only. Revenge. Someone’s going to die! 

Wildfire, available at Exclusive Books 

Compiled by: KYM ARGO 


Wish list 

Winter chills? We’ve got you! 

Chapped lips? Not on our watch. Litchi 

& Titch Beauty Balms are healing and 

nourishing balms that comfort and 

hydrate dry and sensitive skin areas. So 

not only lips. They’re for everything from 

cuticles to heels to a child’s scraped knee. 

100 per cent plant based, they’re your 

skin’s best friend in Winter. R175 from 

litchiandtitchnaturals.com 

We do take full advantage of spoiling 

ourselves when the weather’s chilly. 

And a mug of steaming Vanilla Chai 

hits the right (sweet) spot every 

time! This Red Espresso instant chai 

latte is a blend of black tea, spices, 

caramelized coconut sugar and 

vanilla. It’s mixed with hot water, 

is vegan friendly and is made locally 

(we do love to support local). 

You’ll find it online on takealot.com 

for around R77. 

Winter cocktails? Yes ... when they’re infused 

with Spiced Fig or Pineapple and Cassia Bark, 

two of the new flavours from Secco Drink 

Infusion - along with the equally delicious 

Cherry Blossom. Simply pop a sachet 

into your favourite spirit, bubbly, wine or 

sparkling water. You can also infuse in boiling 

water for a flavoured tea. You’ll find them 

online at yuppiechef.com and takealot.com 

for around R149 for an eight-pack. 


Brilliant memoir 

Plenty of time, during Winter, to 

curl up with a good book and a 

history lesson. Lost On The Map 

is SA journalist and author Bryan 

Rostron’s story, one that spreads back 

250 years, of a family spread across 

the globe, helping to expand the 

British Empire and to paint the map 

red. A story of how, after the Anglo- 

Boer war and having emigrated to 

South Africa, one of his grandfathers 

became editor of the Rand Daily Mail, 

at that time a voice of the Randlords, 

while, ironically, his other grandfather 

worked for the Communist Party and 

printed revolutionary pamphlets for 

the violent 1922 Rand Revolt. In a 

bizarre twist, Bryan’s father managed 

the 1936 South Africa boxing team 

at the Berlin Olympics, where from 

under his nose their star boxer was 

recruited by the Nazis. Uncovering 

family secrets and mistaken myths, 

Bryan - who has worked as a journalist 

in Italy, New York, London and South 

Africa, and who’s author of six books 

- writes with humour, and offers an 

insight into modern day South Africa’s 

colonial past. Published by 

Bookstorm, you’ll find it for R320 at 

your local bookstore. 

You don’t need to be an aviation fan to love this print, one of the 

new Scotch & Soda designs inspired by trailblazing aviator Amelia 

Earhart. Like the icon herself, the Winter collection is all about effortless 

confidence, pushing boundaries and modern, contemporary spirit. 

The range is rooted in exploration and nature and the palette is 

neutral and gorgeous. Details: scotch-soda.co.za 



A second 

chance 

Failure. Rejection. Bullying. Most of us have experienced 

one of these at some point in our lives. Marika Opperman 

certainly did. But like a phoenix, she kept rising from the 

ashes. And today, at 41, she is a mentor, content creator, 

influencer, property specialist and model. 

Red hair. Freckles with pale skin. And 

the longest legs in school. Marika 

Opperman was often on the receiving 

end of bullies. But after school, things 

changed quite quickly for her. She 

set off for a gap year in London, set 

aside the bullies’ comments about her 

looks, and went for plenty of castings. 

There were many no’s, but eventually, 

she got a call back to appear in a prefashion 

week show for a hair brand. 

Success! Being tall, and having red hair 

and freckles was the look the fashion 

world wanted. 

“I worked in housekeeping as well, so 

I joked that I pretend to be Cinderella, 

cleaning rooms and then off I go to 

a star-studded show. All of this gave 

me the confidence I so needed. And 

raised to always be on the lookout for 

business opportunities, I started to love 

doing more than one thing at a time.” 

When she returned home to SA, she 

worked in the hospitality industry for 

many years, her modelling career firmly 

on the back burner. A horrific accident 

followed, in which she fractured her 

back. She miraculously recovered fully 

recovered, but another severe setback 

and trauma awaited her – as a young 

mother of two kids she got divorced. 

“Urg, failure stared me in my face. There 

was one specific day when I woke up 

and thought that I simply cannot deal 

with this anymore. I must either just 

accept my circumstances and walk 

around with a label around my neck 

which weighs very heavy, or I must 

stand up, dress up and simply move on 

and fight against my struggles. Obvs 

the latter won! 

“A dear friend and kykNET presenter of 

Tyd met Aleit, the late Aleit Swanepoel, 

and myself joined forces on stage, 

where we did a series of motivations 

and inspiring talks. This gave me extra 

oomph to try and win the Mrs SA 

pageant. I did not make the top 50. I 

failed again ...” 

But after a couple of months, Marika 

was offered the opportunity to come 

back into the pageant. Although she 

didn’t win, Marika received the Woman 

Empowerment award and this year she 

is one of the mentors for several of the 

women who is part of this competition. 

“Don’t laugh, but I didn’t have an Insta 

account until two years ago. Hashtags 

and captions had me like ‘wait, what?’ 

But the competition required us to do 

social media tasks and I went all out, 

did a lot of research and equipped 

myself with the necessary skills. 

#Proudmoment and I’m glad to say it 

paid off.” 

It did indeed. In a big way, Marika got 

offered ambassadorship for Lamelle 

Research laboratories, Skin Renewal SA 

and more great brands – and creating 

content nowadays is second nature to 

her. Plus her modelling career is also 

booming, thanks to her being a whizz 

on social media. This all shows, that 

you are never too old to start or learn 

something new. 

“Living your passion or following 

your heart doesn’t always bring the 

bacon home, so a lot of us need 

another outlet. But so many women 

my age feel that it is too late to start 

their own thing or to try something 

new. No, it is not. We all have talents 

and strengths we can use to create 

something incredible. Maybe you 

can bake like Cake Boss, crochet 

the most beautiful items or create a 

masterpiece out of junk. 

“Gone are the days where you are 

expected to do only one job. We are 

mothers, wives, and business owners, 

manage several jobs, hustle hard and 

rise to the occasion. There are different 

reasons - some financial, others as 

a hobby or a drive deep down that 

pushes you to do more. We 

are so worthy and capable of so much 

more, if we only 

trust ourselves”. 

In between everything else, Marika 

does motivational talks and social 

media workshops for women, to show 

them the ropes and teach them about 

content creation. She is also involved 

in women empowerment workshops 

and boot camps at Shekinah in Mabula 

where women go on a retreat in the 

bush to find their sunshine again. 

Taking a breather is very important to 

her and she does this by having a glass 

of red wine with her husband, Louis, 

spending time with her kids,14-year-old 

Esti and 13-year-old Tommie, shopping 

for succulents, learning to play golf or 

cooking up a storm - did we mention 

she is a qualified chef as well? 

One thing is for sure, Marika is a multifaceted 

woman but believes she still 

has new goals to conquer. Her dream 

is to host a TV show focusing on 

empowering women and attaining 

equal rights for redheads, who 

according to her, will one day rule the 

world. You go, girl! 

Catch Marika on Minki’s show, Via, 

DStv channel 147 this month where 

she will be chatting about her Lamelle 

ambassador journey. 

Follow @marika.opperman on 

Insta, @MrsMarikaOpperman 

on Facebook, or pop her a mail 

for more info on her workshops, 

canellaproductions@gmail.com 


seven quick tips for moms to become a momfluencer? 

1. If you want to become an influencer, you can’t expect to be a jack (or jane) 

of all trades, master of none. Pick a niche that aligns with your image like 

travel, lifestyle, fashion, food, beauty, sports, gaming, entertainment, tech, 

health and fitness 

You don’t have to limit yourself to just one of these categories. You can combine 

two or more of these niches. Make sure the individual niches align with one 

another. For instance, you can combine travel and lifestyle or beauty and fashion 

when you decide on your niche. 

2. The key to successful social media marketing is to understand your target 

audience. Focus your outreach on the demographic most likely to appreciate 

your type of content, and this means finding the correct social network to post in. 

3. Get a ring light. Always look into the light and make sure your phone lens 

is clean. 

4. It is extremely important to publish unique and authentic content. Regardless 

of the type of content you create, it should be meaningful and valuable. 

Depending on your niche and distribution channels, you can choose different 

types of content such as blog posts, photos, videos, podcasts, etc. 

5. Don’t over-edit your face. 

6. Never do too sexy. Youngsters - we do not do sexy poses in underwear in front 

of the mirror. It is distasteful and often with a price to pay. 

7. Do not interact with strangers on a DM on a personal level. Always keep it 

professional. Keep in mind that not every engagement with your brand will 

be positive, so you should expect some negative feedback. Make an effort to 

respond quickly, politely and in the tone of your brand. 

six things she learned since turning 40: 

• To avoid being mutton dressed as 

lamb • To spend time with people who 

fill your cup • To be slow to anger and 

rich in love • To be in the moment 100 

per cent • To know it is ok to say no 

• To live guilt free, without regrets ... to 

choose joy 

Marika’s top ten beauty must-haves: 

• Lamelle skin care products - the 

Serra range does wonders for dry skin in 

winter and Urban Defence protects us 

from urban pollutants and the sun. Oh 

and the Ultra Renewal Cream … super 

magical for my skin. 

• I’m a firm believer to do deep peels, 

micro-needling and spoiling myself on 

the odd occasion for an Endymed Pro 

treatment at Skin Renewal West Rand. It 

is like having a non-surgical facelift. 

• Pink round Blistex – Say goodbye to 

chapped lips and hello to a kissablesmooth 

and hydrated pout. 

• Julienne self-dye brow kit – Because 

life is too short for bad brows or having 

no brows at all. That being said, I have 

very light brows, so doing my own 

eyebrow tinting every couple of weeks 

is so much easier, effective, and walletfriendly. 

• Catrice HD Liquid Coverage 

Foundation – Let me tell you, the 

first time I use it I was blown away. In 

a good way. It is a very good highcoverage 

foundation with a lightweight 

matte finish. Very affordable, but feels 

like a luxury. 

• Maybelline Super Stay Matt Ink 118 

Dancer – This gorgeous and classy red 

lipstick is waterproof, transfer-proof 

and fade-proof. And it lasts for hours. 

• Just Pure Body Butter – The best 

to eliminate Winter skin. It is velvety 

soft, really nourishing and made up of 

all-natural products. Pure bliss when 

you apply it. 

• Caribbeantan Bronze Shimmer 

Cream - My legs look so damn fine 

when I use this! Haha. Apart from this, it 

works for any occasion because it gives a 

beautiful, subtle and glamorous glow. 

• Bombshell by Victoria Secret – A 

Bombshell attitude in a bottle! Which 

makes me feel sexy and confident 

too. Not a heavy perfume with a 

fruity-floral vibe. 

• Aqueous cream – Every home should 

have this. Especially if you don’t want 

the whole family to dig into your Just 

Pure Body butter! 

Text: RIALIEN FURSTENBERG. • Photographer: CELESTE CILLIERS. • Make-up and hair: ANTOINETTE DE BEER. 


The Body Shop Almond Nail 

& Cuticle Manicure Oil, R185. 

Details: thebodyshop.co.za 

Sorbet Mani-Care Strength 

Treatment with keratin, 

amino acids and biotin 

strengthens, hardens and 

reinforces brittle and weak 

nails. R98.99 from clicks.co.za 

Catrice Magic 

Repair Nail Oil with 

vitamin E, almond, 

macadamia, argan, 

jojoba and avocado 

oil. R89 from 

superbalist.com 

Nailed it! 

Perfectly groomed nails really are 

an essential. And you don’t need to 

spend a fortune to keep your hands 

and nails in tip top condition. 

Nails not done. Last minute date. 

Kiss imPRESS Color Press-on 

Manicure to the rescue. R149.95 

from Dis-Chem. 

Essence 24/7 hand cream & mask, 

delicately scented with ginseng, 

provides instant relief for dry and rough 

hands and can double up as a mask if 

left overnight. R72.95 • Essence Gel Nail 

Colour Trend Edition is 50 shades of 

fun ... from Bubble Trouble and From Dusk 

Till Yawn to Go Bananas! R39.95 each. All 

from Dis-Chem 

Oh K! Beauty Intense Moisture Hand Mask 

with hyaluronic acid and violet extract, 

R99.99 from www.mrp.com 

Bramley Argan Oil & Macadamia Hand Cream, 

fragranced with delicious sweet floral flavours 

reminiscent of succulent honey, R17.99 from PEP stores. 


Sh’zen 

Cuticle 

Cream for 

hands heals 

and repairs 

damaged, 

split cuticles, 

R199. • Sh’zen 

Matrix Oil 

for nails. Give 

your nail beds 

a boost of 

Vitamins A, D 

and E to help 

stimulate nail 

growth and 

strengthen them, 

R239. Both from 

shzen.co.za 

Find just the right winter shade 

from the MAVALA Iconic Color 

Collection inspired by the 

wonders of nature. Sultry deep 

red Manaus, a woodsy tan Muscat 

and a delicate sandy beige 

Salamanca. From R105 at 

Dis-Chem or Clicks. 

Details: mavala.co.za 

Eau Thermale 

Avène Cicalfate 

Mains Hand Cream 

repairs and soothes 

dry, irritated skin. It’s 

fragrance-free and 

perfect for sensitive 

skin. R155 from 

Dis-Chem. 

Catrice Iconails Gel Lacquer range is high-gloss and lasts up to 

seven days - without a top coat. It’s vegan-friendly, enriched with 

acai oil and has a gel-shine finish... plus plenty of new shades to 

try. R75.95 from Dis-Chem, Clicks and takealot.com. 

Beauty tip: Acai oil is renowned for its nourishing, moisturising and 

regenerating effect, and supports the high-shine finish. 

Compiled by: KYM ARGO & MEGAN BRETT 


AND IT’S A WRAP 

From a classic dad coat to the essential insulated jacket ... Winter’s all about wrapping 

up in an oversized coat. Add a scarf and you’re ready to take on Jack Frost, and win! 

This soft, wrap coat 

would work as well 

over a dress or paired 

with casual jeans as 

it does in this more 

formal, structured 

look. Warm wool, large 

pockets (essential), 

and HOW gorgeous is 

this desert rose shade! 

R2899 from Country 

Road at Woolworths. 

Rain. Wind. Frost. Nothing’s 

going to get through this 

Balkan insulated jacket. 

Another essential that you’ll 

wear for years, so worth buying 

a good one. R2609 from 

takealot.com • But is it art? 

Make a fashionable statement 

with this SoGood-Candy Frida 

Khalo art print scarf, R199 

from takealot.com 


A pair of jeans. A classic 

white shirt. And a plain, wellcut 

dad coat. Never. Ever. 

Out of style. And an essential 

in every smart girl’s Winter 

wardrobe. Black coat, R1499 

from Woolworths. 

Nothing wrong with 

a touch of colour. Our 

fave combo is hot pink 

and pure orange, so 

we love this soft-touch 

scarf with fringing, 

R619 from Zara. 

So gorgeous ... you’ll wear this forever! 

Oversized, long, double-breasted woollen 

garden coat with brightly coloured Japaneseinspired 

floral print, designed by María Escoté. 

R9749 from Desigual. Details: desi-sa.co.za 



Spread the 

food & wine 

warmth 

Stellenbosch Hills’ Paprika Mushroom Soup 

This soup - created by Ilse van der Merwe 

(www.thefoodfox.com) - can be served as a 

starter in smaller quantities, or as a main course 

with toasted bread or chunky croutons. It 

serves three to four as a main, six as a starter. 

You’ll need: 4 tablespoons butter; 2 

tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 2 large 

onions, chopped; 500g brown or portabellini 

mushrooms, sliced; 3 or 4 garlic cloves, finely 

grated/chopped; 4 teaspoons sweet paprika; 

2-3 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, stalks 

discarded; 2 teaspoons dried origanum; two 

cups chicken/vegetable stock; 1½ cup dry 

white wine; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 cup 

milk; 3 tablespoons flour - cake or white bread 

flour; one cup fresh cream; salt & pepper; 

15ml lemon juice 

To serve: A handful Italian parsley, finely 

chopped; fresh bread/baguette, buttered & 

toasted, (or chunky croutons); a few dollops 

sour cream or thickened cream (optional) 

To make: In a large wide pot over medium-high 

heat, melt the butter and add the oil. Add the 

onions and fry until soft (about five minutes). 

Add the mushrooms, garlic, paprika, thyme 

and origanum and continue to fry for about 

10 minutes, stirring until the mushrooms have 

softened and the bottom of the pot starts to 

become sticky. Add the stock, wine and soy 

sauce and bring to a simmer - cook for five 

minutes. In a medium jug or mixing bowl, add 

the milk and flour and whisk to mix thoroughly. 

Then, add the mixture to the pot along with 

the cream. Stir well and bring to a simmer, 

seasoning with salt and pepper. 

Simmer for five to ten minutes until the soup 

has thickened, stirring often. Remove the pot 

from the heat and stir in the lemon juice, then 

taste and season further if needed. 

Serve hot in bowls, scatter with chopped 

parsley, toasted bread or croutons, and if you 

wish, a dollop of sour cream or cream. 

A fire. A glass of smooth wine. And a bowl of earthy 

soup. Hello Winter ... we’re loving having you here! 

We’re always looking for easy-but-delicious recipes ... hearty enough 

to beat the winter chill but not needing hours spent in the kitchen. 

Stellenbosch Hills always comes to the (dinner) party, with dishes using 

their food-friendly wines. This creamy, hearty, earthy mushroom soup, 

made in a Hungarian style, is all earthy paprika, fresh cream, white wine 

and lots of herbs. A versatile dish - which also happens to be meatless, 

so great for vegetarians, it pairs beautifully with Stellenbosch Hills’ latest 

vintages wines - a 2021 Chenin Blanc and 2018 Merlot. The recipe uses 

the Chenin Blanc (a fine balance, fruity character and crisp acidity ... think 

a burst of passion fruit and stone fruit with notes of melon, green apples 

and litchi, held together by a hint of lemon zest), but is hearty enough 

to serve with the full-bodied Merlot (which sings of red, black and 

mulberries as well as ripe plums on a backdrop of oak spice and hint of 

cloves). You’ll find the wines online at stellenbosch-hills.co.za, the Merlot 

sells for around R94, the Chenin Blanc for around R63. 


Let’s be honest, we don’t need the many 

(excellent) tips Ross Dobson shares in Firepit 

Barbecue. Really ... telling us how to cook with 

fire! But his recipes ... they’re worth having. Lovely 

new ideas to get us out of the boerewors and 

chop rut ... like spiced quail with Vietnamese lime 

and pepper dipping sauce, Chinatown pork, 

prawn and chorizo skewers. Fabulous veggie 

dishes, too, since so many guests now prefer to 

avoid meat. Murdoch Books, R435 

The wine that was almost never made ... 

It’s lovely, at the end of a glorious dinner, to sit with a glass of 

great wine and tell a good story. 

And does this Delheim Edelspatz Riesling - grand elder of 

South African Noble Late Harvest wines - have a story. It’s the 

wine that was almost never made, was regularly delivered to 

De Tuynhuys when Nelson Mandela held office as president, 

celebrated British wine authority Oz Clarke rated Delheim 

one of the best producers of dessert wine in the world, and is 

made from a single 35 year old Riesling vineyard. The almostnever-made 

story kicks off with the farm’s famous patriarch, 

the late Spatz Sperling, finding excessive rot in his grapes 

after a particularly rainy and cool period leading up to 1979 

harvest, and wrote them off as basically useless material. 

Having nothing better to do than wallow in his sorrow, he 

went to collect the mail, bumped into fellow winemaker Frans 

Malan from Simonsig, and shared his mood. The response he 

received was unexpected. “No man, Spatz!” declared Frans. 

“Those are the best grapes for a noble late harvest.” What 

had seemed to be a flop, turned out to be one of Delheim’s 

greatest treasures. Delheim Estate winemaker Roelof Lotriet 

says the rarity of this wine cannot be stressed enough, 

especially considering the decline in Riesling vineyards due 

to the difficulty in producing high-quality wine from them. 

He describes the newly released 2020 vintage Edelspatz as 

“showing classic botrytis characteristics with elements of 

honeysuckle, dried peaches and marmalade; finely balanced, 

the palate offers layers of bright fruit and orange blossom”, 

adding that the wine can be enjoyed now or cellared for up to 

30 years. The wine sells for R330 and may be ordered directly 

from Delheim’s online store at delheim.com 

Go Dark this Winter. 

Paserene - the boutique 

Franschhoek winery - has 

just announced its first 

release of Dark – a fullbodied 

and broody 2018 

Syrah. Part of the Elements 

range, it is, according 

to Paserence co-owner 

and third-generation 

winemaker Martin Smith, 

all spicy treacle, cherries, 

and antique leather, as 

well as blackcurrant and 

cola, dried plums and 

liquorice. Deep and bold, 

it’s sumptuous on its own, 

or served with comfort 

food like rich stews and 

roasts. It’s R205 a bottle 

from your local bottlestore 

or from paserene.com 



30 

Clever ways 

with bicarb 

Who needs expensive products when you can use trusty ol’ bicarb of soda? 

This cheap and eco-friendly household staple offers loads of uses to make your 

life easier. You probably have a box in your cupboard already. Bonus! 

Household uses: 

• Have you ever opened your fridge and ... whew ... awful 

odour? Bicarb helps freshen a smelly fridge by neutralizing 

bad odours. To try this trick, fill a cup with bicarb and place 

it in the back of your fridge. 

• Combine one tablespoon of bicarb with five drops of 

essential oil. Spoon the mixture into a clean spray bottle, 

add distilled water and shake for an air freshener. 

• Get whiter, brighter clothes by adding a small cup of 

bicarb to a load of laundry (along with your regular liquid 

detergent) to get clothes cleaner and brighter. 

• From worktops to fridges, the sink and even your cooking 

utensils, you can clean the whole kitchen naturally by 

mixing bicarb with an equal amount of lemon juice and a 

bit of water. Apply the paste with a sponge to the appliance 

and scrub thoroughly. 

• Most kitchen drains can be unclogged by pouring in a 

cup of bicarb followed by one cup of vinegar. Give it several 

minutes to work, then add one litre of boiling water. Repeat 

if necessary. If you know your drain is clogged with grease, 

use a half cup each of bicarb and salt followed by one 

cup of boiling water. Let the mixture work overnight, then 

repeat if necessary. 

• Freshen up rugs by sprinkling bicarb on the carpet, wait at 

least 15 minutes (preferably overnight), and then vacuum. 

The same goes for a smelly pet bed! Sprinkle, wait 15 

minutes and vacuum. 

• Kill garden weeds naturally by sprinkling bicarb into the 

cracks on your driveway and walkways. Rather avoid using 

it to kill weeds in your flowerbeds and gardens, as it may 

harm your other plants as well. 

• For a quick test of your garden soil’s acidity, scoop some 

soil into a small container and moisten it with water. 

Add some bicarb to the surface; if it bubbles your soil is 

very acidic. 

• Add a teaspoon of bicarb to your vase of flowers to keep 

the bunch looking and smelling fresher for longer. 

• Grimy grout lines? Make a simple grout cleaner by mixing 

together enough hydrogen peroxide and bicarb to form a 

paste. Apply the mixture to dirty grout and scrub with an 

old toothbrush. 

• Adding bicarb to your dishwasher is an easy way to get 

cleaner dishes and a cleaner dishwasher in one! Just add 

a couple of teaspoons of baking soda to your dishwasher 

along with your usual detergent. 

• Whether it was a leftover curry or spaghetti bolognese that 

did the damage, you can easily revive your old Tupperware 

or plastic food containers. If yours are stained, greasy or 

smelly, soak them overnight in a bowl of hot water with a 

sprinkling of bicarb to leave them spotless. 

• Scrub away marks on your wall. Simply make a 50/50 paste 

of bicarb and water and find any scuff mark or crayon art on 

your painted wall, gently rub in and wipe away. 

• Salvage a burned pot. Scrape out as much food as you 

can and then fill the pot a quarter full of water. Pour in a half 

cup of bicarb and bring the water to a boil. Turn it off and 

let it sit overnight. In the morning, you can clean off the 

black gunk with ease. 

• Make a winter day activity for kids. Boil two cups of bicarb 

with one cup of cornflour and 1¼ cup of water until 

thickened. Remove from the heat and cool. It makes a fun, 

pliable modelling clay that’s good for a day. 


Health & beauty: 

•Sprinkle a small amount of bicarb into your shampoo 

to remove build-up from shampoo, conditioner, serums, 

and other products. Wash as usual and rinse thoroughly 

for cleaner, more manageable hair. 

• Fill a bowl, large enough to fit your hairbrushes, with 

warm water. Add 1 tsp of bicarb and soak the brushes 

for 20 minutes. Remove the brushes from the water and 

leave to dry on a towel. 

• Use bicarb as a replacement for mouthwash. It may 

help freshen your breath and even has antibacterial and 

antimicrobial properties! To make your own mouthwash, 

add half a teaspoon of bicarb to half a glass of warm 

water, then swish as usual. 

• Brighten dingy nails by using three parts bicarb and one 

part water to brighten your manicure! Rub the mixture 

over your hands and fingers in a gentle, circular motion 

to exfoliate and smooth your skin. Rinse clean with warm 

water and apply polish as usual. 

• Running short on toothpaste? Bicarb is the perfect 

solution to get you by. Simply slowly add water to 

the bicarb until you create a paste. Store in an airtight 

container and brush your teeth as normal. 

• For a spot treatment, mix a spoonful of bicarb with a 

small amount of water until it forms a thick paste. Apply 

to a pimple, leave on for 15 minutes, and rinse off with 

warm water. The bicarb will help to minimise redness and 

draw out impurities. 

• Chapped lips? Mix equal parts honey and bicarb (you 

could add sugar for a little more exfoliation). Apply 

the mixture to lips and rub gently in a circular motion. 

Don’t forget to apply lip balm afterwards to keep 

them moisturised! 

• For a relaxing end to a long day, add half a cup of bicarb 

to your bath to neutralize acids on the skin and help 

wash away oil and perspiration while you soak. Best of all 

... it makes the skin oh-so-soft. 

• Bicarb is an incredible exfoliator that unclogs the pores 

and lightens dark underarms. Lemon, on the other hand, 

is a powerful antiseptic and a natural bleaching agent. 

Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda and lemon each to 

make a paste. Scrub it over your underarms for about 5 

minutes, wash it off using lukewarm water, and finish up 

by moisturising your skin. Repeat this method three or 

four times a week for effective results. 

• End of the day and smelling less-than-perfect? A quick 

dusting of bicarb under your arms will absorb your 

natural odour to leave you feeling fresh. 

• Cure heartburn with bicarb by making your own 

antacid. Mix half a teaspoon of bicarb with 50ml of water. 

Drink up! 

• Freshen up after your spinning class by 

sprinkling some bicarb inside your shoes and 

your gym bag, while you’re at it! Just tap it out 

before you use them again. • When your sterling 

silver stops shining, get rid of tarnish by making a 

paste - three parts bicarb to one part water. Apply it 

with a lint-free cloth (not a paper towel, which can 

scratch), and rinse. • When cooking green veggies, 

add a sprinkle of bicarb to the water and then bring 

to a boil as usual. The bicarb will help preserve 

the veggies’ bright green colour as they cook. 

• Adding a small amount of bicarb to your 

morning omelettes can make them extra 

fluffy! Just add ½ teaspoon of baking 

soda for every three eggs in 

your omelette(s). 

Compiled by: RIALIEN FURSTENBERG 

But wait, there’s more: 


Candle burning guide 

We chatted to the Heritage team (who 

make some of our favourite scented 

candles) ... they share some guidelines to 

ensure that your candles burn perfectly 

every time. 

Scented candles 

Trim the wick To ensure an even and 

smoke-free burn, the wick should be 

trimmed to 5mm before each burn. 

The best time is when the candle wax is 

completely cool. A long wick can cause 

the flame to flicker too high, resulting in 

the blackening of the glass. 

Create a melt pool To get the most 

out of your candles and maximise scent 

throw, it is ideal for the entire surface of 

the candle to liquefy. When lighting, it’s 

important that you have enough time for 

the wax pool to touch the inside of the 

glass. This should take three to four hours 

on a large candle and could take slightly 

longer on smaller, classic candles. Wax has 

a ‘memory’ and if you extinguish it too 

soon, this may result in tunnelling. 

The 4-hour rule Allow your candle to 

rest for two hours before relighting. 

This will help preserve the fragrance 

of your candle and prevent unsightly 

debris and soot from dirtying the wax. As 

with the initial burn, one should never 

exceed a four-hour burning time in any 

subsequent burns. 

Never blow out your candle Blowing 

out your candle generates a lot of smoke 

and debris, mixing with the liquid wax. 

When the wax is melted, it’s best to 

gently turn the wick into the liquid wax to 

extinguish it, so no smoke is created. After 

extinguishing, always re-centre the wick to 

burn the candle the next time evenly. 

General Candle Care 

Never burn candles in a draft – this will 

cause an uneven burn • Always protect 

the table or surface on which the candle 

rests • Store your candle in a cool, dry 

place away from direct sunlight • Keep 

away from children, curtains, pets and 

anything flammable • Never leave a 

burning candle unattended. 

Details: heritage-africa.co.za 

Scent your home with one of these luxurious candles 

This Heritage Maluti Spiral candle, 

which has a burning time of 35 hours, 

is a tribute to the people of Lesotho, 

The Basotho, and is inspired by the 

traditional tribal blanket customarily 

worn as a badge of the brave. R229 

from heritage-africa.co.za • With the 

festive smell of spicy roasted pears, 

this jar candle with floral lid looks as 

good as the scent. R399 from @home 

• Imagine the scent of clean towels 

warm from the dryer. And ... relax ... 

Yankee Candle in Fluffy Towels, R410 

from adamsdiscount.co.za • Yankee 

Candles Jasmine & Sweet Hay has 

the scent of golden fields warmed 

by the late afternoon sun. With a 

burning time of 38 hours, it’s R410 

from adamsdiscount.co.za • When 

you buy a Cape Island Black Gold 

candle you support Care For Wild, a 

wildlife orphanage that cares for baby 

rhinos affected by poaching. R335 

from capeisland.co.za 



We all know that 

overwhelming feeling of 

being surrounded by too 

much “stuff”. Whether it 

be cupboards of neverworn 

clothing, cabinets 

of never-used glassware, 

or piles of old magazines, 

clutter is the bane of the 

modern lifestyle. 

TIDY HOUSE 

TIDY MIND 

When your home, office or desk is in 

a state of disorder, the overall feeling 

of stagnation and irritation can lead 

to a cortisol response, which in turn 

can have a negative impact on your 

health. High cortisol levels can lead 

to weight gain, particularly around 

the face, midsection and upper back, 

muscle weakness and acne, among 

other things. 

While the task of tackling this beast 

and getting rid of your clutter may 

seem momentous, it really is worth it 

in the end – taking the time to create 

a comfortable, tidy living space not 

only improves the aesthetic, it makes 

the world of difference to your mental 

(and physical) well-being. This doesn’t 

only refer to cupboards, shelves and 

floor space; it can just as easily refer 

to digital devices such as phones, 

laptops and computers, and even 

calendar and diary entries. We’ve put 

together five points to help you make 

the decision to clear up the clutter 

and reclaim your space (and sanity!) 

Text: MELLISSA BUSHBY 

Home sweet home 

- Go through your kitchen and bathroom cupboards and 

throw away or recycle anything that is old or expired. This 

includes foodstuffs, medicines, cosmetics and toiletries. 

- Pack away seasonal items such as heavy blankets when 

the weather starts to warm up. The same thing goes for 

cookware that isn’t in daily use. Make sure they have a 

designated spot that is out of the way but accessible 

when the need arises. 

- Get rid of rubbish. Broken or old toys, incomplete 

sets, chipped mugs, documents from way back 

when, and books you will never read again, can 

either go in the bin or be donated to a worthy cause. 

22 Get It Magazine July 2022

Clutter-free office space 

• Getting motivated is even harder 

when you have to wade through 

chaos on your desk. Wherever possible, 

opt for digital copies. Bank statements, 

bills and in some cases receipts can 

all be sent via email. Likewise, if you 

no longer need hard copies, scan in 

important documents and store them 

on a hard drive. 

• Tidy up your stationery. Pens and 

pencils can go into a holder, paper 

clips and drawing pins into glass jars, 

and accordion or box files go a long 

way towards keeping things tidy and 

aesthetically pleasing. 

• Recycle old and unimportant 

documents, or if they are of a private 

nature, shred them. There is no point 

in keeping outdated bills, receipts or 

documents; they can easily become 

overwhelming. 

Be strict with cupboard 

space 

• Anything that is superfluous, 

worn through, full of holes, too 

big or too small can go to charity. 

Those jeans you wore 20 years 

ago that you hope to one day 

fit into? Say goodbye. They are 

taking up space and could be put 

to better use elsewhere. 

• Pack your clothes into seasonal 

sections by storing out-of-season 

items in a specified place. When 

the seasons change, swap your 

wardrobe around. 

• You could even go as far as 

creating a uniform style, setting 

aside specific outfits to wear on 

a daily or regular basis. This way 

your choices are more efficient 

and you can weed out items 

that you no longer wear or use 

(including lingerie, jewellery and 

make-up). 

Decluttering life skills 

• Come up with a planning system that you can follow, be it in a digital format 

or a bullet journal. Be consistent and you’ll find that your social calendar, work 

commitments, finances and leisure time will run more smoothly. 

• Learn to say no. Is there a monthly event you attend that you really don’t 

need but feel obligated to go to? Opt out. Friends that you’ve grown apart 

from? Gently say no thank you. Being mindful about your time is just as 

important as looking after your space. It will also enable you to spend more 

time doing something you really love. 

• Remember to set goals, in both the short and long term, 6 months, one 

year and five years. Set aside time with yourself once a month to make sure 

you are keeping on track. In this way you keep on top of what is important 

without the weight and added stress and chaos that clutter brings into 

your life. 

Digital decluttering 

• Many people don’t realise this because it’s a case of out of sight, out of mind, 

but clutter on your phone or laptop is just as bad as physical clutter, draining your 

battery while hogging storage space. If it’s important, back it up on a hard drive 

or cloud storage. 

• Delete apps that haven’t been used recently, old or blurred photos, downloaded 

documents or conversations. Not only will this free up space and make your 

device run more efficiently, but you’ll be able to find what you are looking for 

without having to scroll through three years’ worth of photographs. 

• Organise what’s left by arranging it into categories. In this way, you streamline 

your device and (hopefully) won’t need to spend as much time staring at 

a screen. 

In a nutshell 

1. Reduce your commitments 

2. Re-evaluate your relationships 

3. Reassess your routines 

4. Simplify your rooms 

5. Streamline your cupboards 

6. Clean out your drawers 

7. Organise your work area 

8. Declutter your phone and computer 

9. Set up an organised system to keep 

on top of things 

10. Start small. 


Nourish 

Feed your Winter flowers and veggies, drink warm cups 

of infused lavender tea, rest well and give your family the 

vitamins they need to stay fighting fit. 

We’re planting … Florist’s primrose, also known as German primrose, 

for its clusters of large, conspicuous flowers in a range of vivid colours. 

The Primula Obconica ‘Original’ series features deep blue, deep orange, 

and bright red flowers edged with white and can be grown outdoors in 

a mixed border, among spring bulbs or in containers as well as indoors. 

Plants are compact and sturdy, with attractively textured leaves. If planted 

in July as a spring flower, it will provide lush colour through to November. 

Plant in semi-shade, in fertile soil that drains well and keeps the soil 

evenly moist, especially in hot weather. As indoor plants they need bright 

light, high humidity and water as soon as the top of the soil feel dry. 

Details: ballstraathof.co.za 


Tantalise the senses with fragrant pot lavender 

‘Blue Magic’. The blue flowers and aromatic 

silvery-grey foliage is the perfect winter pickme-up. 

Pot lavender likes a warm, sunny room, 

or even a windowsill that receives some morning 

sun. Let the soil dry out slightly before watering. 

Why not use the leaves to make a calming 

lavender tea. Put a sprig in a cup, pour over 

boiling water and let it infuse for two or three 

minutes and remove. Add some honey for a sweet 

treat. A spray of leaves under the pillow will help 

you sleep at night. At the end of its flowering 

period, cut back and plant in full sun in the garden 

or in an outdoors container. Details: lvgplant.co.za 

Garden tasks for July 

• Prune the roses from mid to end July and refresh 

the soil around the roses with lots of compost and 

a slow release fertiliser. • Feed winter flowers and 

veggies with a liquid fertiliser. • Water spring bulbs 

for 40 minutes once a week. • Water the veggie 

garden once a week and protect frost-tender 

veggies with frost cloth • Turn the compost. 

• Put out food for the birds 

Veggie of the month 

Here’s a great way to intrigue the kids. Let them 

sprout garden cress on water-soaked paper towels 

and then gently plant the sprouted cress in a pot 

or hanging basket that’s kept in a sunny sheltered 

area. It’s a natural and healthy way of supplying 

the family with vitamins A, B, C, K, and Manganese. 

Kirchhoffs Garden cress (Lepidium sativum) unlike 

watercress, is not invasive so gardeners can grow it 

all year round. It’s a fast grower with a peppery tang 

and aroma, great for garnishing, in salads and in 

sandwiches. Once the garden cress is planted out, 

feed with a liquid fertiliser, like Margaret Roberts 

Organic Supercharger, at half strength. Keep the 

soil moist (it must not dry out) and the cress will be 

ready for harvesting within 14 days. Snip off with 

sharp scissors. Sow a new crop every two weeks. As a 

spring crop, it can be grown in the garden, in fertile, 

well prepared rich soil. Scatter sow or in thick rows, 

on its own or among chives and other low growing 

veggies. Details: kirchhoffs.co.za 

Text: ALICE COETZEE 


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To advertise here call 011 955 1130 

Cover make-up & hair done by 

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We specialise in professional mobile makeup, 

hairstyling, microblading, airbrush make 

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064 681 2312 



Discovering Doha 

From tasting traditional coffee in an outdoor 

souq, to riding camels and experiencing all 

the five-star grandeur that this developing 

Middle Eastern city has to offer - we share 

some of our most memorable moments 

after a week spent in Doha, Qatar. 

Text: LEAH SHONE 

The sweet, fragrant smell of incense wafts past us and the gentle sound of shop owners peddling their wares buzzes in 

the background. A waiter bends and places a tray on our table. On it sits a gold, Arabic coffee pot filled with piping hot, 

aromatic ‘Qahwa’ (pronounced gahwa), a local brew made from green coffee beans and spices. It’s served alongside a bowl 

of sweet, syrupy dates with a warm, tahini-like dipping sauce. 

It’s my first visit to the Middle East and my senses are tingling as I take in the sights and sounds around me. It is late in the 

evening and we are seated at an outdoor coffee shop in the Souq Waqif marketplace in the city of Doha. 

Anyone who loves to travel will tell you that simply observing or ‘people-watching’ is by far the best way to learn about a 

country’s people and their customs. This culturally-rich souq, which dates back to the 19th century, provides the perfect 

space to do exactly that. 

Seated at a table next to us, a group of elderly Qatari men, dressed in their traditional white tobes and red chequered 

keffiyeh’s (head scarves), chat quietly amongst themselves, cradling the prayer beads they are holding. 

Our designated tour guide for the week, Saleh Abujundy, has captivated us with stories about the locals sitting around us 

and advises us on how to correctly accept or decline another cup of qahwa. All of this is in stark contrast to the five-star 

luxury we’ve been enjoying thus far on our media trip to Doha. Qatar, the host nation for the up-and-coming Fifa Soccer 

World Cup this November, is a country on the move, but one that is still wonderfully, deeply rooted in tradition. And therein, 

I think, lies its magic. 

As part of a massive drive towards tourism, journalists and those in the travel industry are being invited to experience all 

that this Arabian country has to offer. Whether you’re passing through and need to kill a day or two on a long layover, or are 

planning to stay a while longer, this abundant and welcoming Middle Eastern destination is most certainly worth a visit. 


WORLD CLASS HOSPITALITY 

AND MODERN FLAVOURS 

As one of the richest countries in the 

world, Qatar and its capital city Doha lack 

nothing in the way of world-class dining 

and hospitality. During our stay, we were 

spoiled with luxurious accommodations 

at the Ritz Carlton Sharq Village in Doha 

and dined at some of the top restaurants 

in the city. 

Amongst our most memorable meals 

was an incredible Indian lunch spread at 

the Jamavar restaurant in the Sheraton 

Grand Hotel and a dinner at Wolfgang 

Puck’s award-winning restaurant, Cut, 

situated at the five-star Mondrian Hotel. 

A stand-out favourite, however, was the 

delightful and bold tastes of Persian 

cuisine we enjoyed at the glitzy Parisa 

restaurant situated in the Souq Waqif. 

With its sparkly, bright-coloured decor 

and live, traditional music, this is the 

perfect place to stop for dinner or lunch 

when shopping at the souq. 

HERITAGE & HISTORY MEETS 

MODERN-DAY GRANDEUR 

The city itself is remarkable and home to 

a multitude of futuristic skyscrapers and 

inspiringly beautiful buildings created by 

some of the world’s top architects. There 

are museums in abundance and a trip to 

the contemporary Msheireb Downtown 

Doha (the world’s first sustainable 

downtown regeneration project) and 

the National Museum of Qatar (designed 

by French architect Jean Nouvel and 

inspired by the desert rose crystal), are 

both absolute musts. 

Get It editor Leah Shone at the 

National Museum of Qatar 

Qatar’s capital city, Doha, is a thriving metropolis and home to a 

multitude of futuristic skyscrapers and beautiful buildings. 

Exploring the Souq Waqif 

marketplace at night is a 

must when visiting Doha. 

All the museums offer in-depth, interactive tours, allowing you to discover the 

rich history and heritage of this remarkable country - from pearl diving in the 

19th century to the discovery of oil in the late 1930s and natural gas in 2001. 

During our stay, we were chaperoned by the passionate team from Discover 

Qatar who went out of their way to show us as much of this beautiful city as 

possible – including, of course, a desert safari! 

No visit to the desert is complete without a little camel ride and sand 

dune 4x4 adventuring and, in the capable and experienced hands of our 

driver Zahid, we got to enjoy the thrills and views of the remarkable desert 

landscape at one of only a handful of places in the world where the desert 

meets the ocean. 

TRAVEL IN TRUE LUXURY 

Every holiday starts and ends with the trip itself and the true Qatar experience 

starts and ends with flights on Qatar Airways. Recently voted the best airline 

in the world, there is simply no more luxurious way to fly than Qatar Airways 

Business Class QSuite, offering the ultimate in privacy and comfort (with 

your own pod with a lie-flat bed, delectable cuisine and wonderful service). 

Heaven. 

If business class isn’t an option, the Qatar economy flights, too, offer fantastic 

service and comfort (we do highly recommend pre-booking seats though – 

upfront and aisle are a must if you can!). 

Qatar is a beautiful, rich (both culturally and economically) and diverse 

country with much to offer in the way of tourism and hospitality. With the 

Fifa World Cup less than five months away, the atmosphere is electric as 

they ready themselves to welcome the international world to their beautiful 

capital city of Doha. 

Details: Qatar Airways: www.qatarairways.com; Discover Qatar: 

www.discoverqatar.qa 


Spoil 

Hottest new fragrance 

July 

in town ... from Guess 

We’re in love with the new Guess Bella Vita Rosa. It’s a fruity floral 

fragrance which opens with flirtatious notes of sparkling Italian lemon, 

juicy cassis and bright quince, followed by a lush exotic floral heart 

composed of jasmine, magnolia blossom, cypress and muguet, and 

ending off with a dazzling blend of orris flower, moss, sandalwood and 

sensual skin musks ... creating an unforgettable feminine trail. It’s all 

about joie de vivre, seeing life through rose-coloured glasses, looking 

for all that is positive and beautiful in this world. From R999 from 

Truworths, Foschini, Edgars, Dis-Chem. To stand in line to win a bottle, 

pop over to @getitnationalmagazines.co.za on Instagram before July 25 

and follow the prompts.

JHB West - July 22

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