Pretoria

PRETORIA

Linda van der Walt

turns petals into

pure inspiration

Win a case

of De Krans

Moscato Perlé

Collagen banking ...

future-proofing

your skin

BLOOM, FEAST

& DISCOVER

Celebrate your garden, savour Summer dishes,

get recipe inspo and uncover a Karoo gem

SHOPPING, PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

OCTOBER 25

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CONTENTS

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

getitmagazine.co.za

Facebook and Instagram:

@getitnationalmagazines

Workflow & Studio Manager Megan Brett

Journalist Rialien Furstenberg

rialienf@caxton.co.za

Sales Manager

Sajedah Ameer

067 658 4933

sajedaha@rekord.co.za

Distribution

12 000 copies monthly

Get It Pretoria is distributed free

of charge. For a full list contact

distribution@rekord.co.za

THIS MONTH

05 Magic, music, and must-do moments

06 Book Club ... page turners and a violet red-hued wine

08 Wish List ... all things fresh and blooming

10 Social ... My F*k, Marelize movie premier

11 Social ... fashionistas at the launch of A’mi Collectif

12 Social ... Sasol New Signatures Art Exhibition

PEOPLE

14 Linda van der Walt flourishes where flowers and passion bloom

16 Two creatives Vian Meyer’s and Beck Glass scoop merit awards

BEAUTY

18 Your skin’s smartest investment yet

FOOD & DRINKS

20 Yummy easy-to-prepare lunches

22 Flip through easy 15 minute family meals to show-off dinner party dishes

GARDENING

24 Grow your own little pharmacy

26 Bring your garden to life with colour and scent

TRAVEL

30 Graaff-Reinet: Uncover a Karoo gem

WIN

08 A case of De Krans wines perfect for a garden party

32 A luxe Roberto Cavalli fragrance

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.

COVER PHOTO CREDIT

RIALIEN FURSTENBERG

OCTOBER 25

30

October 25 Get It Magazine 03

A hot date!

This month is packed with magic, music, and must-do moments!

04

Smooth jazz royalty in

the capital! Legendary

saxophonist Kenny G is back in

South Africa, playing his timeless

hits like Songbird and Forever in

Love, plus music from his latest

album Innocence. It will be an

evening of silky-smooth melodies,

soulful improvisation, and

breathtaking showmanship. Doors

open at 7pm at SunBet Arena,

Time Square. No under 13 years.

Tickets from R795 per person via

Webtickets. Details: breakout.events

11

Join a marvellous morning

filled with bubbly, bites,

crafts, and networking with a

group of women from Sip Sparkle

Support making a difference. Enjoy

a guest speaker from dōTERRA

Essential Oils, a craft session,

and stalls with beautiful gifts. All

proceeds are in aid of Joshua van

der Merwe, helping him rise and

rebuild on his journey with a spinal

injury. 9am at Mooikrans Venue

and Garden. Tickets cost R395 per

person and include bubbly, snacks,

a craft pack, and a goodie bag.

Details: Carol at 082-789-0239 or

carol@amazingsa.com

11

Vivaldi by candlelight …

pure magic! Experience

the timeless beauty of The Four

Seasons and more of Vivaldi’s

masterpieces in an unforgettable

candlelit concert at the Voortrekker

Monument. Surrounded by the warm

glow of hundreds of candles, this

enchanting evening promises an

intimate atmosphere and world-class

performances that bring the music

to life. Concert starts at 6.30pm. From

R450 per person via feverup.com

08

Maria Lorca Montoya

and her dancers bring the

passion and rhythm of Spanish

dance to the theatre stage.

Expect the intensity of Flamenco

– brought to life by guest dancer

Komani Hara – alongside the

elegance of Danza Estilizada

and the playful flair of Rumba.

Adding even more wow-factor

are Nkosana and Bafana from

Via Vyndal Pantsulas, bringing

their homegrown energy and

lightning-fast footwork to the

stage. With dazzling costumes,

soulful music, and passion in

every step, this dynamic show is

pure magic. Curtain up at 7pm at

Fairtree Atterbury Theatre. From

R195 per person via seatme.co.za.

Details: Maria Lorca Montoya

at info@mlmontoya.com

23

A cut above the rest … with a splash of danger! The legendary musical

thriller Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street comes to life

this month. Step into the dark, twisted world of Victorian London as Sweeney

returns from exile, teaming up with the scheming Mrs Lovett in a chilling tale of

revenge, justice, and meat pies with a secret. Expect hauntingly beautiful music,

suspense, and dark humour — plus a daring splash zone for brave theatre-goers.

Shows run from October 23 to November 1at 7.30pm at Die Centurion Teater.

Tickets from R300 per person via quicket.co.za

24

The annual Crafters Fair Christmas Market returns with over 250

exhibitors from across the country. Think handmade arts, crafts, and oneof-a-kind

gifts — from quirky to beautiful, there’s something for everyone on your

list. 9am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday from October 24 to November 8 at Moreleta

Church. Entry is just R10 (kids under 12 free) at the gate.

If you have a date for the Get It diary page, email the info at least a month in advance to rialienf@caxton.co.za


Book club

New on the shelves ... books to enjoy with a glass of wine on the side!

Dinner plans were cancelled (and it was promising to be a great dinner). Steve

Cavanagh’s Two Kinds of Stranger is an edge-of-your-seat read, and there was

no chance of putting it down for a dinner date. The story of a woman who has

it all ... dreamy husband, perfect apartment, the ultimate job. She’s an internet

celeb, known for her random acts of kindness. #RAK. But when she’s betrayed, live

on social media, millions of people are watching. She’s already lost everything

... then an apparently chance encounter with a stranger and one of her #RAK

plunges her into a nightmare. Featuring Cavanagh’s Eddie Flynn, it’s a nail-biting

thriller. Headline • In Last Chance, Stephen Leather has Spider Shepherd infiltrate

a group of professional killers, known as The Office, who’re carrying out hits for

the Iranian government across the European continent. The targets are wealthy

and privileged, and after a slew of murders in London, MI5 has had enough. The

Office must be destroyed. And obvs Spider - the secret services’ most dangerous

weapon - is the man to do it. Hodder & Stoughton

Compiled by: KYM ARGO

Syrah is one of the most compatible wines to enjoy with food and one of the

most generous wines to enjoy with friends. Launching this month, the 2022 La

Motte Syrah was matured in 300-litre French oak barrels for 15 months ... the

violet red-hued wine has aromas of ripe mulberries, black olive and a subtle hint

of aniseed, while the palate has a fresh and juicy profile with a smooth, mellow

texture, brimming with vibrant cherry fruit. The medium-bodied wine character is

wonderful with rich, flavourful dishes, grilled foods (including grilled vegetables),

game dishes (particularly those incorporating stewed fruit and sweet aromatic

spice components), peppercorn-crusted steaks and barbecued meat in a sticky,

sweet marinade. The wine’s abundant fruit also latches on to the sweetness in

jelly, chutneys and berry sauces. Details: la-motte.com

06 Get It Magazine October 25

Adore Shari Lapena’s books. In She

Didn’t See It Coming, Bryden and

Sam have it all. Thriving careers. A

smart apartment in a luxury condo.

A cherished daughter. The perfect

life for the perfect couple. Until Sam

receives a call at his office. Bryden –

working from home that day - has

failed to collect their daughter from

daycare. After collecting her, he

races home, where he finds Bryden’s

car in the underground garage, her

laptop open on the table in the

apartment, her cell phone nearby, her

keys in their usual place in the hall.

Everything’s normal ... except Bryden

is nowhere to be seen. It’s as if she just

walked out. But how can she have

disappeared from her own home?

And did she even leave the building

at all? Twists and thrills from start to

finish. Penguin Random House

Also ...

Let The Bad Times Roll by

Alice Slater. When her brother

goes missing, his worried sister

Caroline hosts a dinner, hoping

to gain some insight from

those who knew him best.

There’s just one stranger at the

table, a psychic who claims

to have met the missing man

some time before. Before the

dinner’s over, doubt blooms,

tempers fray and secrets spill.

Hodder & Stoughton • Never

Flinch by Stephen King.

The police receive a letter

from someone threatening

to ‘kill 13 innocents and 1

guilty’. A women’s rights

activist’s events are being

disrupted. Two unrelated

events converge in a chilling

and spectacular conclusion.

Hodder & Stoughton

For these and more brilliant reads,

visit exclusivebooks.co.za

Starting at the end, and ending at the

beginning, Kill Your Darlings is the

story of Wendy and Thom Graves. He’s

become a bit of a disappointment

to her - what with his drinking,

flirting, and knowing too many of the

couple’s deadly secrets. So Wendy

thinks it best she get rid of him. That

way she’ll also bury the secrets that

bind them. Peter Swanson’s mystery

will have you speed reading ... anxious

to find out what the secrets are that

make Wendy so desperate to kill

Thom off. Faber

The Woman in Ward 9 is Laura. One who has no idea why she’s lost her

memory, or why she was found covered in someone else’s blood. And Emma

is a psychologist - the only person Laura will talk to. Emma has six days to help

unlock Laura’s memories - and to find out what she’s hiding! Headline • Nightmare

stuff. A bus driver and ten pupils - ranging from first to sixth grade - are hijacked

and kidnapped, then put into a shipping container buried underground. Not

a great day for driver, Jessa, who’s trying to stay under the radar since she

lied on her job application about her past, or for 12-year-old Sage, exhausted

after looking out for her younger sister all afternoon. The kidnappers promise

everyone will be let out once a ransom has been paid. But it’s dark. It’s cramped.

And it’s getting more and more difficult to breathe. Such Quiet Girls by Noelle W

Ihli ... a massively suspenseful read. Pan Books


Wish list

Celebrate Garden Day ... and all

things blooming!

Floral tablecloth, R379, and porcelain

cup, R149, from H&M at superbalist.com


At our garden party we’ll be enjoying

the De Krans Premium Moscato Perlé

range. With delicious fruit flavours of

muscat, litchi, apricots and hints of

honey and exotic spice, as well the

slight fizz and balanced acidity, the De

Krans Premium White Moscato Perlé

is the perfect light white. The De Krans

Premium Red Moscato Perlé has 15

per cent Pinotage added to give it the

red shade, and changes the fruit profile

considerably to flavours of berries,

litchi, soft prunes and muscat, with

strawberries, blackcurrants and exotic

spice on the palate. And the De Krans

Premium Rosé Moscato Perlé dazzles

with a beautiful, pink blush colour – a

result of a touch of Pinotage added

to the Muscadel and Hanepoot. This

natural sweet wine is packed with fresh

tropical fruit, strawberry and candy floss

flavours, with exotic spice and muscat

aromas and a balanced, fresh acidity.

With the fresh new labels launched last

year, this trio is a delightful choice for

your garden party, date night, brunch

with the girls. So well-priced - R89 from

dekrans.co.za - and you’ll also find

them at your local wine stockist. And if

you fancy winning a case, pop over to

@getitptamagazine on Facebook or

Instagram, find the post and follow

the prompts.


This sheer floral applique dress stunner comes

with a nude slip dress ... it’s the perfect dress

for a Summer wedding, a sundowner

cocktail event, a garden party. Glorious!

R1449.50 from meandb.shop

October 12 is Garden Day ... the annual movement

for green fingered folk to take a break from the

planting, watering and weeding and instead

celebrate the fruits of their labour with family and

friends. Whether you have a rolling lawn, volunteer

at a community garden or have a few plant boxes

on your balcony, everyone is invited to participate

... throw a lavish lunch, have a picnic on the lawn,

hide in a green corner with a great book. For

fabulous ideas, step-by-step guides for creating

a flower crown, invite templates visit gardenday.

co.za. And share your Garden Day photos on social

media, using #GardenDaySA or send them via

WhatsApp to 074 288 1487.


Chaos,

comedy

& heart

Hold onto your popcorn. My F*k, Marelize!

has leapt from meme to movie, and it’s pure,

unfiltered chaos – in the best way possible.

The Grove Mall rolled out the red carpet as

cast, celebs, and film lovers gathered for a

night proving that storytelling is anything

but predictable (yes, kind of like cycling into

a rugby post in an empty field!). Hilarious,

heartfelt, and proudly homegrown – this

one’s an instant classic with a deeply human

story at its heart.

Jenny Griesel, Je-ani Swiegelaar

Righard van Jaarsveld,

Johnny Potsanyane

Tana van Rooyen, Mia-Anne O’Kennedy

Karlien van Jaarsveld

Lee Scott, David de Villiers, Nadia Beukes, Willem Botha

Marelize Horn,Wilmari Horn


Angelique Janse Van Rensburg

(Owner of A’mi Collectif), Nadia Beukes

Marilette Stroebel, Sasha Stroebel, Hanneri de Wet

Step into style

Adré Müller, Heidi Coelho

Big news, fashionistas … A’mi Collectif has officially launched

at Menlyn Maine and Southdowns Shopping Centre! Think

brand-new spaces, fresh collections, and pieces you won’t find

everywhere (because once they’re gone, they’re gone). They’re

all about effortless, timeless style that makes you feel like the

most confident version of yourself. Oh, and did we mention?

They’re bringing in exclusive international labels and celebrating

amazing local designers. Pop in, explore, and let your wardrobe

thank you later.

Tammy Barnard Sune Chari Sutton, Rhona Erasmus Refelwe Tshabangu, Bontle Manana

Images: SOCIAL MEDIA CLUB


Thabo Mofokeng

2025 Sasol New Signatures winner, Juandre van Eck

The future of

art starts here

Bold ideas. Fresh talent. And the power of art to move us. The

highly-anticipated 2025 Sasol New Signatures Art Exhibition has

arrived! Now in its 35th year, this iconic platform shines a spotlight

on SA’s emerging creatives. The Pretoria Art Museum buzzed at the

awards ceremony, where Augury After Autogogues by 2024 winner

Miné Kleynhans was unveiled. Don’t miss the exhibition of the

2025 winners and finalists, on show at the Pretoria Art Museum until

November 2. Pure inspiration!

Caitlin Greenberg, Talitha Els

Pfunzo Sidogi, Cate Terblanche

Miné Kleynhans


Marie Coetzee,

Tanya Steyn

Snelihle Asanda Maphumulo

Nozipho Mbatha

Sarah Rice, Emily Rice

Tammy Lee Baikie

Sarah Volker


PETALS, POETRY

& POSSIBILITY

Text & image: RIALIEN FURSTENBERG.

Blooms and insights

If your life right now were a bouquet,

which flowers would be in it? A mix of

orchids for resilience, roses for love, and lilies

for peace. Together they tell the story of

where I’ve been and where I’m going.

What small daily rituals bring you joy or

keep you grounded? Lighting a candle

when I bath, meditating, writing a few

thoughts. And if I can get outside and feel

the sun on my skin—that always resets me.

The plant that reminds you to keep

going? A rose. So small, delicate, and fragile.

Yet they light up any garden.

Fave flower to gift? Orchids. They’re lasting,

graceful, and always make people feel

special. They feel like a luxury gift that says:

‘you are special to me’.

Something you can do at home to keep

flowers looking beautiful for longer?

Change the water every two days and trim

the stems. It makes such a difference.

Fave flower quote? Osho’s ‘If you love a

flower, do not pluck it… Love is not about

possession, love is about appreciation.’


Ever had something you poured your

heart into just … fall apart?

Linda van der Walt knows that feeling

all too well. But here’s the thing – she’ll

also tell you it’s not the end of the

world. In fact, it might just be the start

of something even more beautiful.

When roadworks and location challenges forced the

closure of Plaaslik – the gorgeous store that had proudly

supported more than 120 local suppliers since lockdown –

it felt like the end of a dream.

For founder Linda van der Walt, the shop was never just a

business. It was a living, breathing community of makers,

creators, and kindred spirits who found a home within

its walls.

“It was 120 stories, relationships, and dreams. Closing it was

heartbreaking. But it made space for something new.”

She admits the journey wasn’t easy. “I tried everything

to keep my business open, to keep positive and to keep

hopeful. But sometimes endings are just beginnings in

disguise. When you fall, you see who is in your corner. It’s

never easy to let people down, but I learned that I didn’t

have to keep standing alone.”

Finding the sun in greenhouses

Just as she was coming to terms with Plaaslik’s closure, fate

brought Linda full circle to LVG Plants – the family-owned

leaders in indoor plant production she had collaborated

with more than a decade earlier while styling their office

interiors. At the very moment it felt like everything was

falling apart, they invited her to step in as an independent

creative consultant, guiding product development,

marketing, and PR.

And what a world to step into. LVG is celebrating four

decades in business, an incredible legacy built on passion

and perseverance. The scale is huge ... 110,000m² of

greenhouses and a reputation as a wholesale supplier to

South Africa’s major retailers.

Inside their lush tunnels, roses, orchids, zantedesias,

anthuriums, begonias, cyclamens, and poinsettias flourish –

each nurtured with care before finding its way into homes

across the country.

“For me, flowering plants are a necessity, not a luxury. What

would life be without them?”

Her creative eye and the network she built through Plaaslik

brought fresh energy to LVG’s world of flowers. She began

shaping large-scale floral installations and storytelling

experiences at events like Decorex, KAMERS, and leading

trade shows.

“When I surrendered, when I thought I was in my winter

season, I found the sun again – through flowers.”

Creativity woven through every medium

Flowers may be her current canvas, but Linda’s creativity has

always been multifaceted. “Creativity is storytelling, whether

it’s a necklace, a floral installation, or a poem. It’s all about

creating emotion and leaving someone with a memory.”

That shift into LVG’s floral world opened the door to

something completely new – LND Creative Studio. Free

from the limits of a physical shop, Linda discovered the joy

of working on a bigger canvas. Her vision? Sleek, minimalist

floral installations for corporate functions, retail, weddings,

birthdays, funerals – really any occasion that calls for a

backdrop to make it bloom. “It was proof that even after

an ending, there’s always another beginning – often more

beautiful than you imagined,” she reflects.

At the same time, she continues to nurture Fabrikate Studio,

the jewellery brand she founded in 2013. With its minimalist

wooden pieces inspired by nature, simplicity, and shape, it

reflects her deep appreciation for form and detail. “Whether

it’s flowers or jewellery, it’s always about creating something

that resonates and tells a story.”

And then there are her words. Under the pen name

Reënboog Vrou Koba, Linda is working on her first

poetry collection. Poetry, she says, became her lifeline in

difficult times. “It became my safe space. Writing helps me

process, heal, and connect. I always write for myself first. It’s

my therapy. But when someone else connects with it, that’s

the gift on top.”

Earlier this year, she hosted her first poetry reading, a

vulnerable yet liberating experience. Today, one of her

poems stands proudly alongside Anton Smit’s monumental

sculptures at the Pretoria National Botanical Garden.

“To see my poetry standing alongside Anton Smit’s powerful

sculptures is surreal and humbling. Words have weight, and

creativity has no limits.”

Blooming with purpose

Beyond the artistry, Linda’s work is finding new meaning in

community through Together We Bloom, LVG’s NGO. This

initiative uses flowers not just for beauty, but as a vehicle for

hope and change in communities.

Her philosophy is rooted in resilience. “You are allowed to fall.

You are allowed to rise again. And when you do, you’ll see

that life has even more beauty waiting for you.”

Her journey is proof that even in seasons of loss, new growth

is possible. Flowers have become both her work and her

metaphor – a reminder that beauty can return after winter.

A life in full bloom

Today, in LVG’s vast greenhouses filled with orchids, roses,

and begonias, Linda van der Walt is thriving again. Her

story is one of falling, rising, and finding a new rhythm – a

reminder that even when the season feels like winter, spring

is waiting just around the corner.

And as she says: “When you allow yourself to bloom again,

you discover that life has even more colour than you

ever imagined.”

Details: linvdwalt@gmail.com or follow @lvgplants, @together.

we.bloom, @lnd_creative_studio on Facebook and Insta.


ART WITH ATTITUDE

Two creatives, two fresh takes – and both scooped merit awards at this year’s

Sasol New Signatures. From Vian Meyer’s tassel masterpiece to Beck Glass’s fearless

exploration of flux, their stories show that art is equal parts patience, passion and play.

Text: RIALIEN FURSTENBERG. Images: SUPPLIED.

Winning a Sasol New Signatures merit award is no small

feat but for Rebecca Louise Glass, better known as Beck, it

feels like another step in a journey that’s equal parts playful,

thoughtful, and deeply personal. Currently in her third year

of Fine Arts at the University of Pretoria, Beck is someone

who has always gravitated toward creative expression.

Ballet shoes and modern dance classes filled her childhood,

while ceramics came later, each medium leaving its imprint.

By Grade 10 she’d made the call … Art wasn’t just a passion,

it was her path.

THE WORK: SELL–FISH

Her award-winning piece, Sell–Fish, is as intriguing as its

name. Imagine a surreal fish market scene, where Beck

herself slumps in a chair dressed in a fish costume. It’s the

kind of work that rewards a second, third, even fourth look

... every time you notice some odd, delightful detail tucked

in the corner. “I’ve always loved adding small, strange details

to my work that only reveal themselves after a while,” she

says with a smile.

The half-human, half-fish figure came from an unexpected

spark. While sketching late one night, she reimagined Jan

Matejko’s famous painting Stańczyk – the weary jester

slumped at a party – and saw her own fatigue mirrored

there. That gesture of exhaustion became the heart of

her print.

INSPIRATION AND MEANING

Layered into Sell–Fish are echoes of Kafka’s Metamorphosis,

a nod to transformation and alienation, and to Beck’s

own feelings of being caught between childhood and

adulthood. “I had the responsibilities of an adult, but in

some ways I was still dependent on my parents. The work

became a way of navigating that in-between space, that

feeling of being in flux, constantly shifting from one role

to another.”

But Sell–Fish is more than self-portraiture. It’s also a quiet

question about what it means to “sell yourself” as a young

artist in a hyper-connected, social media-driven world.

“As emerging artists, we’re told we have to be available all

the time. Constantly online, constantly visible. For me, it’s

about finding the balance between self-advocating and still

keeping boundaries around what I’m comfortable sharing.”

ROOTS AND RELATIONSHIPS

That reflective streak has roots in her upbringing. Beck grew

up on a farm near the Kruger National Park, in the heat

and wide open space of a close-knit community. While

the bushveld itself hasn’t shaped her art directly, her family

certainly has. Her father, endlessly creative in the kitchen

and beyond, and her older sister, also an artist, helped

nurture and guide her path.

LIFE BEYOND THE STUDIO

Outside the studio, Beck is happiest cooking for herself

and friends, or making little artworks as gifts. She’s still

in that fortunate space where her practice doesn’t yet

feel like “work”, though she’s quick to acknowledge what

student life has taught her. “Good sleep matters. And so do

friendships. They carry you through.”

She lights up when talking about artists she admires ...

Diane Victor, Francisco Goya, Mark Rothko and dreams

of one day owning a Rothko or an etching by Gustave

Doré. If she weren’t making fine art, she muses, she might

be tattooing. For now, though, her focus is on preparing

for her final year and continuing to explore themes of

automatism. “Art is a tool. It helps me express and explore

the concepts I most need to understand at the time.”

IN FLUX

And that’s really the magic of Beck’s art ... it never just hangs

on the wall. It moves, it questions, it nudges us to notice

that being in flux – that in-between, ever-changing state –

can be a work of art in itself.


For design lecturer and graphic designer Vian Roos,

persistence truly pays off. His 2025 Sasol New Signatures

merit award didn’t come on the first try, or even the

second. “This was my fourth time entering. The first time

I didn’t make it through. The second and third, I was a

finalist. Each year I felt I still had something new to say. So

… persistence really paid off.”

It’s a fitting lesson for an artist whose work explores the

space between order and imperfection, human touch and

machine precision. And it’s also perfectly captured in his

piece, 2916.

THE WORK: 2916

At first glance, the artwork looks crisp, graphic, almost

mechanical. Two square panels filled with thousands of

neat tassels. Step closer, though, and its humanity reveals

itself. Each tassel has been made by hand. “The idea

started with simply making tassels. I was interested in the

process. The final design actually came much later. I had a

completely different idea at first, but eventually it evolved

into these two squares.”

In the end, he made exactly 2916 tassels. Yes, he lost count

a few times. Yes, he took over the dining room table to

keep them in order. And yes, halfway through, he had that

“what have I gotten myself into?” moment. “But never to

the point where I wanted to stop,” he laughs. “The process

was calming. It forces you to slow down. The discipline

makes the result worthwhile.”

PATIENCE AND PROCESS

Patience, he admits, doesn’t always come naturally. “If I

know something is being done in a cumbersome way,

I can get impatient. But mostly, I enjoy being in the

moment. With this work, as I went along, I actually found

better, more productive ways to make the tassels. So the

process kept evolving.”

For Vian, it’s not just about repetition. It’s about what that

repetition communicates. “From a distance, the work

looks very orderly. But up close, the imperfections come

through. I want people to pause, really look, and reflect on

the invisible labour and care behind the structure.”

INSPIRATIONS AND DINNER GUESTS

Vian’s inspirations range widely. He dreams of a dinner

table where Mark Rothko, Claude Monet, and South

African artist Bettie Cilliers-Barnard all sit down together.

“Rothko and Monet fascinate me in how their works

completely pull you into a moment. And Bettie Cilliers-

Barnard. Her artworks were among the first I ever

encountered. I’d love to ask her how she approached

colour and form with such fearless confidence.”

Closer to home, his biggest inspirations are even

more personal. “My mother and grandmother,” he says

without hesitation.

EVERYDAY JOYS

Despite his meticulous practice, Vian keeps things

grounded. “I enjoy time with family and friends, and

exploring food spots around Pretoria. Those little everyday

moments really recharge me.” At home, his happy place,

he can unwind, but the city sparks him too. The Pretoria

Art Museum, the sweeping views from Tom Jenkins Drive,

the energy of the CBD, and the Jacaranda-lined Amos

Street in Colbyn where he grew up.

When he’s in the studio, tea fuels his creative sessions,

always accompanied by music. His playlists stretch from

Tom Odell and Perfume Genius to Lady Gaga, David

Bowie, The Dead South, and Sufjan Stevens.

LOOKING AHEAD

Vian describes himself in three words: curious, persistent,

enthusiastic. It shows. Beyond design and art-making, he

lectures full time, a role that brings him joy. “If I weren’t in

the creative field, I’d probably be doing something foodrelated.

I love the creativity of cooking and how it brings

people together. Maybe I’d be running a little restaurant.”

For now, though, his focus is on pushing his practice

further. “Right now, I’m inspired by materiality and labour

– how the things we often overlook carry meaning. You

can expect me to keep experimenting with the balance

between precision and imperfection.”

And for 2026? “I want to focus on starting my PhD

in Design.”

Like his tassels, Vian’s journey is built one patient,

persistent step at a time. The result … intricate, thoughtful,

quietly human is well worth the wait.

View Beck and Vian’s works at the Pretoria Art Museum until

November 2.


Collagen o’clock

Collagen banking: saving youth for later use

If you have ever wished you could ‘pause’

your skin’s ageing clock, collagen banking

might be the closest thing you’ll find to

an aesthetic time machine. Think of it

as saving for your skin’s future, building

and preserving your collagen reserves

now so that your complexion remains

firm, smooth, and luminous – combating

natural decline.

‘Collagen banking’ is the latest buzz

term that focuses less on chasing a

quick fix and more on building your

skin’s long-term health and, with it,

developing forward-thinking, positive

skin behavioural traits. It’s a proactive

prevention and skin protection, and

the dividends can’t be ignored. For

those juggling everyday aggressors that

accelerate collagen loss like high UV

exposure, stress, lifestyle choices, and

environmental aggressors, the thinking

behind this concept is simple – the earlier

you start, the better the payoff.

The science behind collagen banking

Collagen is the protein made by

fibroblasts that gives skin its structure

and bounce. In our twenties, collagen

production starts slowing down by about

1 per cent per year, a rate that accelerates

in our thirties and forties. By the time we

notice fine lines, sagging, or dullness, a

significant portion of our collagen stores

are already depleted.

“Collagen banking means taking a

proactive approach, stimulating the

production of the protein before it

declines early. The more collagen you

produce and preserve now, the better

your skin will look later,” explains Dr Alek

Nikolic, renowned aesthetic medicine

specialist and founder of the Dr Alek

Nikolic practice.

“There are nearly 30 different types of

collagens in our skin, but the two types

we should be focusing on are type I and

III, as these two types spearhead tissue

regeneration and are responsible for the

skin looking tighter,” he says.

These are some of the most effective options for collagen banking

1. MICRONEEDLING

Also known as collagen induction therapy, microneedling uses ultra-fine

needles, which includes Dermapen, to create tiny micro-injuries in the

skin. This triggers your body’s wound-healing response, flooding the

area with growth factors that help produce fresh collagen and elastin.

Over time, this leads to improved texture, reduced fine lines, and a more

youthful glow.

• Best for: Early signs of ageing, uneven skin tone, and acne scars.

• Frequency: Every 4 - 6 weeks for best results.

2. LED LIGHT THERAPY

LED light therapy uses different wavelengths of light to stimulate

cellular repair. Red light penetrates deep into the skin to boost collagen

production and reduce inflammation, all without pain or downtime.

• Best for: Sensitive skin, post-treatment recovery, and ongoing

collagen maintenance.

• How often: Weekly sessions or as a post-treatment booster.

3. CHEMICAL PEELS

Chemical peels remove the outermost layers of dead skin cells, revealing a

smoother, more even complexion beneath. This controlled exfoliation also

signals the skin to produce new collagen, especially when done regularly.

• Best for: Pigmentation, sun damage, dullness, and textural concerns.

• How often: Every 4 - 8 weeks, depending on peel strength.

4. PRP THERAPY

Popularly referred to as the ‘vampire facial’, this uses your own plasma,

which is rich in growth factors, to speed up regeneration. This is then

reintroduced into the skin via microneedling or injection, accelerating

collagen production and skin regeneration.

• Best for: Significant collagen boost, post-acne scarring, and early sagging.

• How often: 2 - 3 sessions a year.

5. BIOSTIMULATOR FILLERS

Injectables like Sculptra, Profhilo, Skinvive, gradually stimulate collagen

formation over months due to the time needed for the body to stimulate

collagen production. This injectable renews the skin by improving the

appearance of wrinkles for up to 25 months after the last treatment.

• Best for: Gradual, reliable volume and firmness boost

• How often: 2-3 sessions a year for maintenance.

When to start

The best time to start collagen banking is before deep wrinkles and sagging

set in, ideally in your mid-to-late twenties or early thirties. But it’s never too

late to begin; even mature skin can benefit from treatments that encourage

collagen renewal.

Collagen banking isn’t about looking ten years younger overnight; it’s

about building a strong and healthy foundation, so your skin looks healthy,

resilient, and radiant for the next decade and beyond.

Details: www.dralek.co.za


Institut Esthederm Intensive

Pro-Collagen+ Cream is ideal

for people aged 30 and over

combating loss of firmness

and definition of facial

contours. R1535 online at

Skinmiles, Ederma, Lasermed,

SkinSmart or Cosmetology.

Restore youthful skin, hair and nail health.

One heaped teaspoon of The Laser

Beautique Skin Food Collagen Amino

Acids mixed into your coffee, smoothies,

yoghurt, or water daily stimulates

fibroblasts and boosts collagen.

R495 from thelaserbeautique.co.za

Like a daily vitamin

dose for your skin,

Sh’zen Collagen

Boosting Serum is

a silky, nourishing

serum which

supports and

enhances collagen

production to

visibly restructure,

firm and plump

up the skin.

R589 from

shzen.co.za

Nuxe Merveillance Lift

Oil Serum is infused with

an ultra-corrective Micro-

Algae Oil. Just 3 drops

and you’ll see smootherlooking,

more supple and

toned skin helping firm your

skin every day by stimulating

collagen production. R1055

from woolworths.co.za

Revive tired-looking eyes with a

lightweight Gatineau Collagene

Expert Eye Cream. Visibly reduces

under-eye bags, puffiness and dark

circles. R1195 from Dis-Chem.

New Leaf Marine Collagen

Tablets with a blend of Type

1 collagen peptides, enriched

with Vitamin C and hyaluronic

acid, designed to support

your body’s natural beauty

and strength R380 through

faithful-to-nature.co.za


YUM

Delicious. And

healthy. A win

win for lunch

this Summer,

with a trio of

easy-to-prepare

dishes from

Rediscover

Dairy. Tuck in!

Recipes: Rediscover Dairy • rediscoverdairy.co.za

POTATO FRITTERS WITH SMOKED SALMON, WHIPPED FETA CREAM CHEESE, FRIED EGG & PICKLED RED ONIONS

This scrumptious dish is so healthy. The whipped feta cream

cheese spread is high in protein, and the salmon helps you

achieve your omega-3 fatty acid needs.

You’ll need: 3 medium-sized potatoes, 1 small onion finely

chopped, 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese, 1 large clove garlic

minced, 2 whole eggs, 1/4 cup plain flour, 1/2 Tbsp baking

powder, 1 Tbsp fine sea salt, freshly ground pepper, 3 Tbsp

vegetable oil

For the whipped feta cream cheese: 125 g cream cheese at

room temperature, 100 g soft feta, finely grated zest of 1

lemon, 1 Tbsp lemon juice, 2 Tbsp finely chopped dill

Toppings: 120 g smoked salmon, dill sprigs to garnish, red

pickled onion slices, and a fried or poached egg.

To make: Place the cream cheese, feta, lemon zest, lemon

juice and dill in a small food processor and blitz until

smooth. Pop into a bowl, cover with cling wrap, and then

into the refrigerator.

Preheat the oven to 80ºC. Using the coarse side of a cheese

grater, grate potatoes into a colander over a large bowl. Peel

and finely slice the onion, then add it to the potatoes. Add 1

teaspoon of salt and mix well. Let this sit for 10 minutes for

excess moisture to come out, then rinse well with running

water before transferring the mixture to a tea towel, then

squeeze out as much liquid as you can.

Place the potato and onions into a clean, dry mixing bowl.

Add the cheese, garlic, eggs, flour, baking powder, salt and

pepper. Mix well.

Heat about half the oil in a medium-sized frying pan over

medium-high heat. Make sure the pan is hot before you

begin to cook the fritters - drop a small amount of the

batter into the pan and wait for it to sizzle before you start

to fry them up. Pack three to four tablespoons of batter into

a potato cake, then pop it into the pan, gently pressing it

down to flatten it slightly. Cook for about four minutes until

golden brown, then flip and cook on the other side. You

can cook a few at a time, depending on the size of your

frying pan.

Once done, place the cooked fritters on an ovenproof plate

on a piece of kitchen paper (to soak up any excess oil) and

pop them into the warm oven while you make the rest.

To serve, stack a few fritters on top of one another, add a big

dollop of lemon feta cream cheese, then garnish with dill

and a generous helping of pickled red onion. Add a healthy

helping of fresh smoked salmon to the side. For that extra hit

of protein and goodness, top with a fried or poached egg.

Tip: This whipped lemon feta cream cheese can be used as a

delicious high-protein dip or a spread, and when combined

with yoghurt, it makes a great salad dressing. Nutritional tip:

Cooking the potato and allowing it to cool down before use

will improve the GI load of the potato fritters. Serving the

potato fritters and whipped cream cheese with salmon or

any other lean protein, e.g. chicken breast pieces, lean or fine

biltong, or chopped nuts, will increase the protein content of

the meal, keeping you fuller for longer.


COTTAGE CHEESE WAFFLES

A wonderful lunch dish created by Sam

Linsell for Rediscover Dairy.

You’ll need: 1 cup low-fat cottage

cheese (you can use full- fat or fat-free

smooth cottage cheese too), 4 large

free-range eggs, 10 Tbsp oat flour, 4

Tbsp ground flaxseed/flaxseed flour, 4

Tbsp chopped chives (optional), ¼ tsp

salt, ¼ tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp ground

black pepper, 80 g grated mozzarella or

Cheddar (optional) - approximately 10 g

per waffle

To serve: Cream cheese, sliced avo,

smoked salmon, fried eggs

To make: Place all the ingredients

except the cheese into a bowl and

whisk until well combined. Allow to sit

for 5 to 10 minutes to thicken slightly

and for the moisture to be absorbed by

the oat flour.

Heat a non-stick waffle iron until ready

to cook. Lightly spray with cooking spray

or oil if necessary. If the iron is non-stick,

it shouldn’t require any oil.

If you’re using cheese, lightly sprinkle

a pinch of it on the base of the waffle

iron, and then scoop about ¼ cup worth

of batter onto the iron. The quantity

will vary depending on the size of your

waffle maker. Sprinkle another pinch of

cheese over the batter, close and cook

until golden brown on both sides.

Remove and top with a fried egg, cream

cheese, avo and salmon.

AVO HALLOUMI RITZ

A new twist on a classic.

You’ll need: 300 g peeled and pre-cooked prawns, 300 g halloumi

(more or less an average-sized block), 4 limes, 3 ripe avos, micro herbs,

paprika, a little butter for frying

For the sauce: 2 Tbsp tomato sauce, 2 tbsp sour cream, 2 Tbsp

mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp finely chopped chives, a squeeze of lime

To make: Heat some butter in a pan, and once hot, add your seasoned

prawns. Cook for a few minutes until browned. Squeeze the juice of a

lime onto the prawns and remove from the heat. Set aside to cool.

Thinly slice the halloumi. In a clean pan, add some butter, once hot

pop it in and fry it on both sides until nice and golden. Set aside.

In a bowl, combine the tomato sauce, sour cream, mayonnaise,

chives, and a small squeeze of lime. Give it a good mix and set aside

until ready to use.

Halve the avos, take the stone out and remove the skin. Thinly and

carefully slice them so that they form pretty fans.

On a wooden or marble board, fan out your avos, then arrange

the prawns and halloumi slices on top. Dollop the avo ritz mayo

on top, and garnish with micro herbs, a sprinkling of paprika and

lime wedges.


Dinner is served

Sarah Graham’s blog, TV series

and previous books have put

her firmly in the ‘my favourite’

category when it comes to easy

but inspiring dishes. Her seventh

book, Simple Suppers - A Year

of Easy and Delicious Family

Dinners, will rapidly be your

new best friend in the kitchen.

With suggestions for every day of the week, through the

seasons, the dishes are perfect for family suppers - Summer

sausage traybake, easy fish traybake, or friends invited for a

casual dinner - Greek lamb meatballs with whipped feta and

flatbreads, salmon and potato bake. And for pud - her pear

and pecan Biscoff crumble takes the cake! Penguin

From easy

15 minute

family meals

to show-off

dinner party

dishes, these

five cookbooks

have you

covered ...

starter, main,

pud and eat!


Celebrate with Paul Hollywood - of

the gorgeous blue eyes and host of

GBBO. Mini chocolate logs, strawberry

heart shaped scones, elderflower

cupcakes, panforte keep things

sweet, while for those who prefer

savoury, there are glorious recipes like

savoury Autumn roulade, hand-held

beef pies, garlic and onion focaccia.

You really should make Paul’s iconic

chocolate cake - which may be the

most famous cake in the world! - and

our must-have ... his ultimate rocky

road - crammed with honeycomb

and almonds, pistachios and apricots.

Baking is like a hug, he says. It’s a joy.

It’s a little bit indulgent. “I think we

should all be looking for an excuse

to celebrate as often as we can.” We

agree. Bloomsbury Publishing


Lightly curried West Coast

black mussels. Durban bean

curry. Bunny chow. Oepsies.

Cape Malay bollas. Local flavour

on every page in Timeless

South African, Ilse van der

Merwe’s celebration of 101

iconic dishes. With lavish

images, there’s everything

from slap pap with butter

and sugar to soetpatats to

jaffles, from Cremora tart, to

chutney chicken (if you were

cooking in the 80s, you’ll

remember this chutney and

mayonnaise chicken dish).

Filled with memories as well as

recipes. Penguin

From the lemon curd to the

beets with walnut dukkah to

the eggplant and zucchini

soup, all 100 of the delish

recipes in 7-Ingredient

Mediterranean have just

that, a handful or less of

easy-to-find ingredients.

There’s a delish spicy

chocolate halvah we can’t

wait to make, a simple but

impressive cucumber, mint

and sumac salad, and lamb

kebabs that’ll work well as

the next braai. Cider Mill Press

Karl Tessendorf’s The Good

Stuff is just that ... a book with 80

kick-ass (as he describes them)

recipes for every occasion.

‘Stick-to-your-ribs food that

makes you weak at the knees,’

he boasts. And he’s not wrong.

Short rib gnocchi al forno.

Vindaloo sweet potato curry.

Braaied chicken, sausage and

leek pie. Tiramisu-ish brownies.

Even the salads are substantial

... there are two potato salads

we’ll make on repeat. The

South African-style French-dip

sarmies are a thing of beauty,

as are the Boxing Day gammon

braaibroodjies. Heaven! Penguin


garden pharmacy

Think your garden is just for show? Think again! From juicy blueberries to

immune-boosting lemons, your backyard can double as a natural medicine cabinet.

Here’s how to grow your own little first-aid kit – all fresh and all homegrown.

Text: LIFE IS A GARDEN. Images: SUPPLIED.

Sweet potatoes

This super starch is packed with fibre, vitamins and

minerals. Sweet potatoes are packed with beta carotene,

Vitamin A and other antioxidants responsible for aiding

the immune system and supporting a healthy heart, teeth

and eyes. Sweet potatoes, especially the orange ones, aid

the mucous membranes and ensure a healthy gut. This

nutrient-dense, high fibre root veggie is versatile and can

be added to your diet in both sweet and savoury dishes.

Sweet potatoes can be grown in a variety of soils with some

homemade compost, a good sunny spot, daily watering

with adequate draining, and a little patience. We love sweet

potatoes as they are not only a wonderful medicine but

also a delicious and versatile ingredient with health benefits

for the whole family!

Red bell peppers

Another immune-booster superfood for a go-to natural

remedy, rich in vitamins A, C and K, is red pepper. These

beauties are rich in antioxidant vitamins A and C and help

to prevent cell damage and support the immune function.

Vitamin K promotes proper blood clotting, strengthens

bones, and helps protect cells from oxidative damage.

They are packed with carotenoids Lycopene and Betacryptoxanthin,

which have cancer-fighting properties

especially for prostate, bladder, cervix, pancreas and lung

cancer. When planting red peppers, loosen the soil deeply

and mix in fertiliser, manure or compost thoroughly. They will

start bearing fruit about 11 weeks after planting – not a long

time for such a superfood!

Blueberries

Another champion choice for your natural first aid kit is

the powerhouse of antioxidants - the blueberry. These

delicious little morsels are packed with flavonoids that not

only support your immune system but also reduce the

chance of contracting upper respiratory infections - your

first line of defence against colds and flu. Blueberries have

a certain flavonoid called quercetin, usually found in dark

blue and red fruits, which has antiviral properties. Quercetin

also helps to prevent inflammation in cells and helps to

protect the upper respiratory tract. You can easily add these

little virus-fighting bombs to a smoothie, or give them to

kids as a superfood snack. Avoid paying a pretty penny

for blueberries, and instead, grow your own! They thrive

in sunny spots sheltered from harsh wind, grow in beds or

pots, and love rich, well-drained soil.


Lemons

Growing and tending to a lemon tree teaches patience,

commitment and embodying what it means to reap

the fruits of your labour, and for some it even represents

childhood memories and a sense of nostalgia. This powerful

medicine is loaded with Vitamin C and is rich in potassium

with twice as much Vitamin C as oranges. Lemons support

and strengthen the immune system in fighting off the

winter nasties. If your granny believed in drinking lemon

water, either hot or cold, she was onto something. Freshly

squeezed lemon juice increases the absorption of iron,

which further promotes a resilient immune system. Lemons

are a great source of flavonoids - a powerful antioxidant,

which improves blood circulation and lower the risk of

having a stroke.

Garlic

The cure-all, champion vegetable! Classified as part of

the onion genus, garlic is jam-packed with the good stuff.

It has antimicrobial, antiviral and antifungal properties,

which help relieve cold and flu symptoms. Garlic is high

in nutrients and vitamins, especially flu-fighting Vitamin C

and B6, which assist your body in recuperating faster and

shortening your downtime. Planting garlic is fairly easy -

pop them in the ground about 5cm apart in a sunny spot

with well-drained soil. Whether you are nursing a cold or

preparing your body to fight one, a couple cloves in the

garden are recommended as part of your first aid kit!

MORE GREEN REMEDIES:

Aloe Vera

What it helps with: Sunburn, minor burns, skin irritation,

insect bites.

How to use: Break off a leaf and apply the gel directly to

the skin.

Lavender

What it helps with: Anxiety, insomnia, headaches,

insect bites.

How to use: Crush the flowers and inhale for calming effects,

or make a soothing tea. Dried lavender under the pillow

can help with sleep.

Chamomile

What it helps with: Stress, digestive discomfort, skin rashes.

How to use: Brew into a calming tea or apply cooled

chamomile tea bags to irritated skin.

Mint - Peppermint or Spearmint

What it helps with: Indigestion, nausea, headaches,

congestion.

How to use: Chew fresh leaves for digestion, make a tea for

nausea, or inhale steam with mint leaves for blocked sinuses.

Rosemary

What it helps with: Improves memory, boosts circulation,

relieves muscle pain.

How to use: Steep in hot water for tea, or use infused oil for

a natural massage remedy.

Lemongrass

What it helps with: Fever, anxiety, digestive issues.

How to use: Brew fresh stalks into tea or use the essential

oil for relaxation.

Ginger (can grow in pots too)

What it helps with: Nausea, sore throats, inflammation.

How to use: Fresh slices in hot water with lemon make a

soothing tea.

Thyme

What it helps with: Coughs, sore throats,

antibacterial support.

How to use: Steep in hot water as a natural throat tea, or

use as a steam inhalation.

Details: lifeisagarden.co.za or follow @lifeisagardensa on

Facebook and Insta.

Text: ALICE COETZEE

We’re planting ... roses. Because after

all, October is rose month! Here is our

pick of three new deliciously fragrant

roses in shades of lavender, soft pink

and lilac. Lavender Lane is a lush

shrub rose with sumptuous blooms

that exude a sweet, captivating

perfume. The old-fashioned charm

of Fortune Teller combines huge,

quartered blooms with a strong

fragrance and Twice in a Blue Moon

is an updated version of the classic

Blue Moon’ with a perfume that is just

as strong as the original.

QUICK TIPS:

• Plant your rose bush in well-dug,

generously composted soil that

drains well.

• Water deeply once a week, and more

often in the heat of Summer.

• Fertilise once a month with a rose

fertiliser in Spring and Summer.

• Cut off dead flowers to encourage

new buds.

Details: ludwigsroses.co.za

Patio plant of the month

Did you know that hibiscus is one of the most popular commercially grown

plants - along with roses, azaleas, carnations and orchids? Compact pot varieties

are perfect for patios and small gardens. These tropical summer beauties come

in a range of brilliant colours - the firm favourite being the sunny golden-yellow

bloomer with a deep red throat. Their glossy green leaves add to the lush effect,

and as patio plants they like plenty of sun with some afternoon shade. Hibiscus

needs regular watering in summer and monthly fertilising as they are hungry

plants. To keep plants neat and bushy, trim after flowering. Once they have done

duty on the patio or balcony they can be planted out in a sunny position in

fertile soil that drains well. Details: lvgplant.co.za


SOW

SHADES

of

COLOUR

Brighten up your garden with

deliciously fragrant roses,

sweet and tangy tomatoes and

gorgeous hibiscus

Vegetable of the month

Don’t just think red when you think tomato. Heirloom Rainbow Mix from

RAW seeds includes purple, green, red, pink, yellow, black, orange and

white varieties of beefsteak tomatoes. All in one seed packet! The flavours

range from mild to sweet to tangy.

Sow a few seeds at a time in seed trays or directly into well dug-over and

composted soil. Space plants 60cm apart and keep soil moist during

germination, which takes seven to 14 days. Water regularly and control

whitefly and other pests with an environmentally friendly insecticide like

Ludwig’s Insect Spray Plus. Stake and support plants, especially those

with large fruit. Let fruit ripen on the plant for maximum flavour and

use as soon as possible after picking because the fruit bruises easily.

Details: rawliving.co.za

Garden tasks for October

• Add colour with Summer bedding

plants like dahlias, gazanias, marigolds,

salvia and for sunny beds and begonias,

impatiens, and coleus for partial shade.

• Annuals that grow quickly and easily

from seed are alyssum, cosmos, lavatera,

portulaca, California poppy, and

nasturtium. They all do best in full sun.

• It is also a good time to plant Summerflowering

perennials like coreopsis,

gaillardia, rudbeckia, gaura, pelargoniums,

penstemon, Echinacea, Shasta daisies and

perennial verbena.

• Water regularly and spread a layer of

mulch over beds to conserve water and

keep the roots cool.

• Mow lawns at least once a week, but if it

is very hot and dry, mow less frequently

and set blades higher.

• The following Summer vegetables can

be sown: carrots, beetroot, green beans,

butternut, baby marrows, cucumber,

eggfruit, radishes, Swiss chard, sweet

peppers and chilli peppers, tomatoes,

pumpkin, sweet corn and sweet melons.


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Step back in time

Graaff-Reinet. Fossils from millions of years ago. The Valley of Desolation.

And the Drostdy Hotel. This historical town is worth exploring.

The fourth oldest town in South Africa

deserves more than a stopover on the drive

down to the Cape.

Established by the Dutch East India Company

in 1786, Graaff-Reinet was originally

established as a trading post, expanding

trading inland from the Cape. This Eastern

Cape Province town was the starting point

for Great Trek groups, and here you’ll find

more national monuments than in any other

town in the country. So there’s history. And

it’s everywhere. And it makes for a fascinating

- and massively enjoyable - destination.

Base yourselves at the grand, gorgeous

Drostdy Hotel, which was built in the early

1800s and turned into a hotel in 1878. A

century or so later, it was bought by Anton

Rupert (who grew up in the town) in

conjunction with Historical Homes of South

Africa. After Rupert’s death 20 years ago, it

was refurbished and donated by the Rupert

family to the SA College of Tourism.



The hotel is glorious ... with firm nods to the historical Cape Dutch

influence and traditional Karoo aesthetics. It’s all plush armchairs and

sofas and acres of botanical and bird prints, walls of antelope skulls and

antique writing tables, and carefully curated ornaments. The gardens are

magnificent, landscaped to perfection, with sculptures in the grounds, and

many rooms - once old workers’ cottages - grouped around central, private

pools, with loungers to relax in and quiet little nooks to hide with a book

and a bottle of wine.

Talking wine, there’s an elegant cellar, The Vinoteque, lined with bottle after

bottle of exceptional wine ... this is Rupert country, after all! A lovely option

is a private wine tasting with the resident sommelier ... a tasting of four or

five wines takes about an hour; the charcuterie board served with this gives

added appeal.

Graaff-Reinet appears to have a good restaurant on

every corner, but we wouldn’t bother leaving the hotel.

Breakfasts (don’t hesitate to order the eggs Bennie with

salmon on a potato rosti), lunches (if you finish the

Wagyu beef burger, you’re a hungry bugger) and dinners

(the lamb curry and pearl barley risotto vie for top spot,

while the three-course set menu is fine, fine dining) are

served in De Camdeboo - a proper old-school restaurant

- or out on the pretty verandah if the weather plays nice.

If you’re feeling sociable and festive, there’s a cozy bar (if

it’s chilly, be sure to explore the warm cocktail options ...

hot chocolate with Baileys went down a treat); if you’re

after a little quiet time, there’s a library and lounge, or

head to the hotel’s Africology spa, the inviting Wijnkamer

wine shop, and the Imibala Art Gallery, which showcases

local artists and has regularly updated exhibitions

featuring diverse collections for viewing and for sale.

A private

wine tasting.

A Wagyu

burger. And

an Africology

spa treatment.

Happy days.


After all that, you’re

exhausted ... and the

bedrooms and suites

hold massive appeal.

Decorated in typical Karoo

style, they’re fabulously

luxurious ... vast comfy

beds, enormous baths

that take forever to fill

(blissfully indulgent), some

smaller bachelor-size

rooms ideal for business

travellers, others more

generously sized with

dedicated relaxing areas ...

all with every amenity you

could wish for, and then

some! And there are a few

pet-friendly rooms, for

those travelling with their

best friends.

Rooms from R2400 per room (low season, two

people sharing) per night, which includes breakfast.

Details: drostdy.co.za, or 049 892 2161

Don’t leave town without ...

A visit to the Valley of Desolation in the Camdeboo

National Park - one of the town’s main tourist attractions

- more than 100 000 people visit annually. All majestic

dolerite cliffs and columns - believed to be a product of

volcanic forces that have taken 200 million years to form

there are breathtaking views over the Karoo, and it’s far

more beautiful than its name suggests. There are a few

hikes - one an easy hour-or-so walk, the road to the top

is tarred, and here are a few viewpoints and a picnic spot

... Ask The Drostdy team to pack you up a picnic basket

and spend a few hours there. Spectacular sunsets! Also

look out for the wildlife ... gemsbok and kudu, buffalo and

Cape Mountain Zebra, and birds for Africa.

Another must to add to your itinerary is a visit to Karoo

Origins - The Fossil Centre. In 1934, Dr Sidney Rubidge, a

Merino farmer in the area, was asked by his 10-year-old

daughter, Peggy, what fossils were and where they were

found. The two went off searching and found a collection

of ‘bony-stones’, one of which revealed recognisable

features ... three parallel bones, which eventually proved

to be the three front teeth of a large carnivorous reptile.


This discovery was the start of Rubidge’s fossil collection, one

that bought him worldwide recognition. Five months ago his

grandson, Bruce Rubidge, opened The Fossil Centre - just across

the road from The Drostdy, a no-expense-spared research and

exhibition centre with hundreds of fossils - discoveries from

rocks in the area that go back up to 300 million years ago. You

can see fossils that give evidence of a mass extinction that

happened 252 million years ago, with 90 percent of the species

at that time being obliterated within a relatively short space

of time. It’s a mind-boggling experience ... a journey into the

world a million years ago, one filled with incredible creatures

that lived long before the dinosaurs, including the ancestors of

tortoises, lizards, mammals and humans. There’s an animated

video, and visitors can watch a technician exposing fossils from

the surrounding rock. The centre is an NPO, which plans to

provide education outreach, and a walk-around or guided tour

will fascinate visitors of all ages. So worthwhile!

Not much of a weekend away without a little shopping... and

credit cards will burn at the boutiques in the town. Decor, leather

goods, delis, sensational mohair knits and throws - this is prime

a Angora goat farming area and is known for mohair and delis.

Hello You is highly recommended for lunch or a snack, and pop

into the Afrikanis Rum Tasting Room for a bottle to take home.

Details:

Karoo Origins The Fossil

Centre - fossilcentre.co.za

Valley of Desolation -

sanparks.org


Spoil

October

The latest fragrance masterpiece

from Roberto Cavalli

Inspired by the fashion house’s

most iconic symbol, Roberto Cavalli

introduces its latest fragrance

masterpiece - Roberto Cavalli

Serpentine. A luxurious scent, made

to be ‘opulent yet sensual as it wraps

around the body’, it’s a mesmerizing

Floral Woody Ambery composition

- all Bergamot and Black Currant,

Jasmine Sambac, Magnolia, Rose

Petals and Lavender, Golden Saffron

and Vanilla Madagascar and Tonka

Bean. The bottle’s adorned with a gold

snake wrapping exquisitely around

the white bottle - and on the 100ml

bottles, the snake jewel detaches

into a wearable bracelet, seamlessly

blending high fashion with fragrance

allowing you to carry the symbol of

strength and seduction wherever you

go. Available in 100, 50 and 30ml,

priced from R1299 to R2399, you’ll

find it at Edgars or bash.com

To win a bottle, pop over to

@getitptamagazine on Instagram

or Facebook, find the Spoil post and

follow the prompts.


Pretoria - Oct 2025

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