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traveller<br />
R65<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong><br />
GOT GAME?<br />
Get creative with<br />
these 8 recipes<br />
5<br />
CHANGES<br />
THAT<br />
CAN LOWER<br />
SA'S FUEL PRICE<br />
O%<br />
ALCOHOL ON<br />
THE ROAD<br />
How it affects you<br />
DRIVING<br />
TECHNIQUES<br />
FOR <strong>WINTER</strong><br />
This is how you<br />
shoot the stars in<br />
SUTHERLAND<br />
Experience a<br />
different Namibia<br />
after the rain<br />
PAY A VISIT TO<br />
■ Golden Gate ■ The Kruger ■ Bermanzi ■ Kaapsehoop
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong><br />
R65<br />
How it affects you<br />
traveller<br />
GOT GAME?<br />
Get creative with<br />
these 8 recipes<br />
CHANGES THAT<br />
5 CAN LOWER<br />
SA'S FUEL PRICE<br />
DRIVING<br />
TECHNIQUES<br />
FOR <strong>WINTER</strong><br />
This is how you<br />
shoot the stars in<br />
SUTHERLAND<br />
Experience a<br />
different Namibia<br />
after the rain<br />
PAY A VISIT TO<br />
■ Golden Gate ■ The Kruger ■ Bermanzi ■ Kaapsehoop<br />
O%<br />
ALCOHOL ON<br />
THE ROAD<br />
EDITOR<br />
Gerda Engelbrecht<br />
gerda.engelbrecht@media24.com<br />
ART DIRECTOR<br />
Sally Cronjé<br />
ASSISTANT EDITOR<br />
Petro-Anne Vlok<br />
Making<br />
memories on<br />
another winter<br />
holiday – Gerda<br />
enjoys a cup of<br />
hot chocolate<br />
on Mount Titlis<br />
in Switzerland<br />
(this was before<br />
Covid-19,<br />
naturally).<br />
From the editor<br />
REPRODUCTION<br />
Dewald Spies<br />
Kurt Ohlson<br />
PRODUCTION<br />
Kerry Nash<br />
CEO: MEDIA24<br />
Ishmet Davidson<br />
CEO: PRINT MEDIA<br />
Minette Ferreira<br />
GM: LIFESTYLE<br />
Nerisa Coetzee<br />
GROWTH MANAGER<br />
Lise Coetsee<br />
FINANCE MANAGER<br />
Jameelah Conway<br />
CIRCULATION MANAGER<br />
Armand Kasselman<br />
BUSINESS MANAGER – SALES<br />
Danie Nell<br />
danie.nell@media24.com<br />
GENERAL ENQUIRIES<br />
Amina Essop<br />
amina.essop@media24.com<br />
COVER IMAGE<br />
JAY CABOZ<br />
PRINTED BY<br />
CTP PRINTERS<br />
The unique charm<br />
of winter holidays<br />
The spring<br />
issue of <strong>AA</strong><br />
Traveller will be<br />
distributed in the<br />
first week<br />
of September.<br />
It's one of my favourite memories from my youth, and till this day, my mom loves to tell<br />
this story. I'm the youngest of four children, and my parents have always been crazy about<br />
travelling. As is custom, the school holiday in June is when Capetonians flock to the Kruger.<br />
At the time, money was tight (small wonder with four children attending school!), but after my<br />
dad retired, he bought a second-hand VW Camper, and he and my mom toured through the<br />
whole country.<br />
He later traded in the Camper for a teardrop caravan that he towed with his Toyota Tazz. My<br />
dad (now deep in his eighties) still says with a longing look in his eyes that his next set of<br />
wheels will be a delivery vehicle, and he will transform it into a mobile home. "All you need is a<br />
mattress and a small fridge!"<br />
All six of us would pile into the Kombi for holidays, with a very large, heavy tent between us.<br />
On one of these Kombi holidays – I was small and had just started school – we spent one night<br />
in Britstown in the Karoo. It was the middle of winter and a thick, white layer blanketed the<br />
dull-coloured grass of the caravan park. My parents slept in the tent, which we had to pitch in<br />
the dark, while my siblings and I slept in the Kombi. One of us had to lie on the front passenger<br />
bench. The rest of us slept in the back of the luggage compartment, which could change into<br />
a sleeping area when you collapsed the back bench. Earlier in the day, my middle brother had<br />
claimed the front bench for himself. "Three people can't fit in the back," he firmly stated. Deep<br />
into the night, we were awoken by the sound of my brother's chattering teeth.<br />
"Come, climb in here with us," my sister invited him, which he gladly did. The next<br />
morning, while holding a tin mug of steaming coffee, he proclaimed: "Three people<br />
can fit in the back. Actually, if need be, four people could also fit in the back..." For<br />
the rest of the holiday, we didn't have any issues with sleeping arrangements.<br />
I hope you make wonderful memories this winter.<br />
Gerda<br />
Gerda_travel<br />
3<br />
DISTRIBUTED BY<br />
ON THE DOT<br />
Published by Media24,<br />
a division of NASPERS.<br />
40 Heerengraght,<br />
CAPE TOWN 8001<br />
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED<br />
What do you think about the government's new regulation<br />
that lowers the legal alcohol limit for drivers to zero?<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller would love to hear from you, and we gladly<br />
accept letters, feedback and article contributions from<br />
readers. Write to us at aa@media24.com or send an email<br />
directly to Gerda at gerda.engelbrecht@media24.com.<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
12<br />
40<br />
Contents<br />
70<br />
4<br />
3 <br />
The joy of winter holidays<br />
Gerda recalls a cold night in Brits.<br />
6 <br />
The <strong>AA</strong> at your service<br />
Have a blast while learning<br />
how to be a better driver.<br />
7 <br />
What has the <strong>AA</strong> been up to?<br />
Willem shines light on exciting new<br />
developments and important issues.<br />
8 <br />
Tune in, dear member<br />
Layton talks about the<br />
<strong>AA</strong>’s new podcasts.<br />
10 <br />
This is how government can<br />
lower the fuel price<br />
The <strong>AA</strong> puts forward<br />
five suggestions.<br />
TRAVEL<br />
12 <br />
From Cape Town to Epupa<br />
Expecting a desert, Jay Caboz<br />
was surprised by Namibia’s<br />
lush green landscapes after<br />
an unusually rainy season.<br />
20 <br />
Glamping in the Kruger<br />
Camping doesn’t have<br />
to be a hassle.<br />
24 Kaapsehoop<br />
Mia Louw gets to know this quaint town.<br />
30 <br />
Golden Gate<br />
This national park has so much<br />
on offer, it warrants a return<br />
visit, says Evan Naudé.<br />
36 <br />
Take a breather in Bermanzi<br />
It's said to be the "prettiest"<br />
hike in the area.<br />
40 <br />
Shoot for the stars<br />
Gerda spends one night in Sutherland<br />
to test the new Canon EOS Ra.<br />
LIFESTYLE<br />
46 <br />
Take stunning landscape photos<br />
Sam Reinders shares 10 tips on how<br />
to improve your photography.<br />
.<br />
52 <br />
To the shops<br />
Fancy food for the trail and<br />
buy something for dad.<br />
56 <br />
These recipes are wild<br />
Use game meat from the hunting<br />
season to make these delicious dishes.<br />
62 Books<br />
Choose your next trip and be<br />
inspired by Grandma Gatewood.<br />
MOTORING<br />
64 <br />
Scale down<br />
Need to tighten the purse strings?<br />
Consider an alternative model.<br />
69 <br />
First impressions<br />
We test drive the Kia Picanto X-Line,<br />
the twins: Toyota Urban Cruiser and<br />
Suzuki Vitara Brezza, the Ford Figo<br />
Freestyle and the AudiQ3 Sportback<br />
74 <br />
Driving techniques<br />
Snow, mud, rain and gravel – driving<br />
tips to help prevent accidents.<br />
78 <br />
Behind the wheel with<br />
zero alcohol<br />
The <strong>AA</strong> explains why it won’t<br />
make a difference.<br />
80 <br />
Play along<br />
A Crossword, sudoku and a quiz<br />
for when you’re staying in<br />
82 <br />
Last word<br />
This is how you fit four<br />
friends and their luggage<br />
into a Opel Kadett.<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
The <strong>AA</strong> at your service<br />
ACCREDITED<br />
SALES AGENTS<br />
GET IN<br />
TOUCH<br />
To update your<br />
<strong>AA</strong> membership details,<br />
phone 0861 000 234,<br />
send an email to<br />
aasa@aasa.co.za or<br />
visit aa.co.za<br />
EASTERN CAPE<br />
Travel Experience, Port Elizabeth:<br />
041 368 6452<br />
Harvey World Travel, East London:<br />
043 726 0601<br />
FREE STATE<br />
Travel Experience, Bloemfontein:<br />
051 444 0571<br />
6<br />
THE <strong>AA</strong> IS ON CALL 24/7!<br />
CALL 0861 000 234<br />
JOIN THE WORLD’S FIRST<br />
SMART DRIVING CHALLENGE<br />
Are you ready to participate in a new, unique competition that rewards smart,<br />
safe and environmentally-friendly driving? Sign up for the challenge and have<br />
a blast while you help make the world a safer and cleaner place.<br />
The FIA Smart Driving Challenge is a<br />
worldwide competition that rewards<br />
smart, safe and eco-friendly driving.<br />
Equipped with a smartphone app<br />
connected to a digital platform,<br />
regular motorists can compete to<br />
become the world’s smartest driver<br />
by using their own car.<br />
When registering, participants<br />
will join teams led by racing stars.<br />
These prestigious team leaders will<br />
share tips with participants on how<br />
to improve their smart skills at the<br />
wheel. Ultimately, the best drivers<br />
will face each other in a final to win<br />
the challenge.<br />
HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?<br />
1. Sign up for the FIA SDC season.<br />
2. Download the FIA SDC app on<br />
your smartphone and connect<br />
to your car via Bluetooth. If your<br />
car does not have Bluetooth, you<br />
will receive a plug-in/hardware<br />
to connect. The plug-in works<br />
independent in diesel and petrol<br />
cars made 2001 (EU)/1996 (US)<br />
or later.<br />
3. Choose your team.<br />
4. Compete during your everyday<br />
driving!<br />
Stay up to date with the latest industry news by following the <strong>AA</strong> on<br />
Facebook: <strong>AA</strong>SouthAfrica, Twitter: <strong>AA</strong>SouthAfrica or at aa.co.za<br />
GAUTENG<br />
Travel Experience, Menlyn:<br />
012 348 2522<br />
Travel Experience, Benmore:<br />
011 884 4104<br />
Travel Experience, Park Meadows:<br />
011 615 7946<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Cresta:<br />
011 478 5312<br />
Travel Experience, Boksburg:<br />
074 175 2709<br />
Travel Experience, Centurion:<br />
012 653 5513<br />
Voetspore 4×4, Mega World:<br />
012 940 8999<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Foreign Travel, Kyalami:<br />
011 799 1042<br />
KWAZULU-NATAL<br />
Travel Experience, Musgrave:<br />
031 201 5244<br />
Travel Experience, La Lucia:<br />
031 572 7852<br />
Harvey World Travel, Shelly Beach:<br />
039 315 6330<br />
MPUMALANGA<br />
Dana Travel Agency, Nelspruit:<br />
013 753 3571<br />
WESTERN CAPE<br />
Club Travel, Tyger Valley:<br />
021 914 2265<br />
Constantiaberg Travel:<br />
021 715 2850<br />
Travel Experience, Cavendish<br />
Square: 021 683 1410<br />
Harvey World Travel, George:<br />
044 874 6930<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Let’s all be safe<br />
out there<br />
Letter from the <strong>AA</strong> CEO<br />
Dear Member,<br />
The <strong>AA</strong> recently held an outdoor event<br />
in Muldersdrift for cyclists and runners.<br />
Our purpose was to meet the public. It’s<br />
something I am keen on expanding as often<br />
as we can. Being on the road and interacting<br />
with the public, I think, is a necessary part of<br />
who we are. While we were there, we spoke<br />
to people about the new digital <strong>AA</strong> and our<br />
new standalone Rem-i Amica panic button.<br />
It was an amazing day with singing and<br />
dancing at our two stands – I even ended up<br />
dancing next to the road – and we met some<br />
incredible people. The cycling and running<br />
community are extremely welcoming; we<br />
had a wonderful day interacting with them.<br />
The Rem-i Amica remote panic button is a<br />
small device (it fits in the palm of your hand)<br />
that allows users to push a button to summon<br />
security or medical services from any one<br />
of the 180 security service providers who<br />
work with us. It’s a fantastic device which, we<br />
IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING EXCELLENT<br />
BENEFITS TO OUR MEMBERS, WE ALSO<br />
STRIVE FOR THE RIGHTS OF ROAD USERS.<br />
believe, provides essential security to those<br />
on the road enjoying their favourite activities.<br />
I mention this because it’s part of a new<br />
digital direction the <strong>AA</strong> is taking to ensure<br />
you are always safe. We still provide the<br />
trusted roadside and medical services – we’ll<br />
never stop doing that – but we’re adding<br />
more products, driven by technology, to<br />
make your lives easier and safer.<br />
While on the topic of safety, it struck me<br />
that too many of my fellow cyclists and<br />
runners are still at risk when they’re on the<br />
road. Road safety is a huge problem in our<br />
country, but we can only address it effectively<br />
if we all play our part. That means as runners<br />
and cyclists we must be aware of other<br />
traffic and road users (including, of course,<br />
pedestrians), and we must always make<br />
ourselves visible. At the same time, motorists<br />
need to respect that cyclists and runners<br />
share the road with them and have as much<br />
right to be there as anyone else. These are<br />
important issues, and I urge everyone who<br />
uses the road to play their part.<br />
Apart from providing our Members with<br />
outstanding benefits and services, we’ve<br />
also been busy championing the rights of<br />
road users in Parliament. In March, we made<br />
presentations to the Parliamentary Portfolio<br />
Committee on Transport relating to the<br />
proposals to lower to the blood alcohol levels<br />
for motorists to zero, and in early April we<br />
made representations to the Parliamentary<br />
Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources<br />
and Energy on our thoughts regarding how to<br />
better manage fuel prices in the country.<br />
There are articles in this edition which give<br />
you more on these presentations and our<br />
positions on them. It is worth noting, though,<br />
that both issues – and many more – are<br />
issues we believe we need to comment<br />
on because they are in the public interest.<br />
Our starting point is always how consumers<br />
will be affected, and we offer solutions we<br />
think are in the consumers’ best interests.<br />
That we have been invited to speak at these<br />
important meetings is testimony to the value<br />
of the <strong>AA</strong> and the esteem in which its opinion<br />
is held.<br />
Lastly, as I always do, I’d like to encourage<br />
you to download and install the <strong>AA</strong> app<br />
which is available in all mobile stores. It<br />
enables you to easily update your information<br />
with us and allows you to stay up to date with<br />
our latest and upcoming developments. Best<br />
of all is that it enables us to reach you quickly<br />
when you need us and not keep you on hold<br />
in your time of need.<br />
As I mentioned in my previous letter, the<br />
<strong>AA</strong> is moving forward, and we are taking you<br />
with us. It’s going to be an exciting journey;<br />
one I know will make your life better.<br />
Until next time.<br />
Willem<br />
WILLEM GROENEWALD IS THE<br />
CEO OF THE <strong>AA</strong>SA<br />
7<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
Opinion<br />
Getting our message out there<br />
for your benefit<br />
BY LAYTON BEARD, PR MANAGER, <strong>AA</strong> SOUTH AFRICA<br />
8<br />
The <strong>AA</strong> provides a range of services and<br />
benefits to its Members to keep them on<br />
the road, to keep them safe and to look<br />
after them in the event of any motor or<br />
personal security issues. There’s a lot<br />
the <strong>AA</strong> does to ensure that this happens smoothly,<br />
and a huge amount of time and effort is invested<br />
in ensuring our products and services meet the<br />
requirements of our Members and non-Members.<br />
But that’s not all we do. As I mentioned in my<br />
previous column, a critical part of the work we do<br />
is advocacy for road safety and advocating for the<br />
rights of consumers. For instance, the <strong>AA</strong> speaks on<br />
issues related to fuel price increases and decreases<br />
because these have a direct impact on all consumers’<br />
lives. Another issue is road safety: How safe are our<br />
country’s roads, is enough being done to reduce<br />
crashes and fatalities, is what is being done the right<br />
way forward or is planned legislation appropriate?<br />
We speak on these issues through various<br />
channels, and I’m sure many of you have seen, read<br />
or heard the <strong>AA</strong> being quoted on a range of topics.<br />
But we know that our message on road safety and<br />
championing the rights of consumers isn’t always<br />
going to hit the headlines, especially if there are<br />
other major events happening around South Africa<br />
or the world.<br />
Getting your message out as effectively as possible<br />
is important to us and, we believe, important for<br />
the South African public. It’s one of the reasons we<br />
started producing podcasts highlighting key issues<br />
and our advocacy efforts. A podcast is an audio<br />
recording made available on various platforms and<br />
forms part of a series of instalments. Podcasts are<br />
also available on smartphones, so you don’t need to<br />
fire up your computer to listen to them.<br />
Our podcast is called <strong>AA</strong> Connect and is also<br />
available as a video file through our YouTube<br />
channel which you can find at youtube.com/c/<br />
aasouthafrica/featured.<br />
We’ve produced several podcasts since December<br />
2020 and will continue to produce many more<br />
in the months ahead. You can find them on all<br />
popular podcast hosting sites such as Spotify,<br />
Google Podcasts, Player.fm, Apple Podcasts<br />
and Deezer, and they don’t cost you anything<br />
to download or listen to (except, of course, any<br />
internet charges). Another benefit is that you can<br />
download the podcasts on your phone and listen to<br />
them in your car.<br />
Many automobile clubs around the world also<br />
have podcasts like ours, and they are all relatively<br />
new. So far, we’ve produced podcasts on the need<br />
for child restraints in vehicles, on issues relating<br />
to insurance, on personal security and on e-tolls.<br />
We’ve just completed two new podcasts: one dealing<br />
with safety and security concerns for runners and<br />
cyclists and another dealing with safety and security<br />
concerns for older adults. The information is<br />
intended to inform and educate, and I urge you to<br />
take some time to listen or watch them.<br />
The <strong>AA</strong> has been around for more than 90 years,<br />
and we continue to provide immense peace-ofmind<br />
to thousands of people every day. But the <strong>AA</strong><br />
is looking ahead to the next 90 years, forging new<br />
products and services to improve the lives of all<br />
its Members to make them safer, more secure and<br />
better equipped to deal with any emergency. Join<br />
us on <strong>AA</strong> Connect and we’ll show you how this is<br />
being done.<br />
Catch you next time.<br />
Layton<br />
FollowLayton on<br />
Twitter @LaytonBeard<br />
Main photo: Getty Images/Gallo Images<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Five things<br />
government must<br />
do to reduce fuel<br />
prices in SA<br />
IT WON’T BE EASY, BUT THE <strong>AA</strong> BELIEVES THAT BY REVALUATING THE<br />
CURRENT PRICING MODEL AND WORKING WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR,<br />
THE GOVERNMENT CAN BRING DOWN THE PRICE OF FUEL.<br />
10<br />
Providing cheaper fuels to South African<br />
citizens will not happen with the flick of<br />
a switch. It will require a multi-faceted,<br />
multi-departmental approach with the<br />
involvement of the private sector. This is<br />
the view of the <strong>AA</strong>.<br />
In April, amid record high prices for fuel in<br />
South Africa, the <strong>AA</strong> made representations to the<br />
Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mineral<br />
Resources and Energy on how to mitigate rising<br />
fuel costs.<br />
“Our view is clear that a comprehensive, longterm<br />
analysis of the components of the fuel price<br />
needs to be done as a matter of urgency, and<br />
that all calculations relating to the fuel price be<br />
audited to determine if they are still relevant and<br />
appropriate to South African conditions,” says<br />
Willem Groenewald, CEO of the <strong>AA</strong>.<br />
Apart from focusing on the fuel price itself,<br />
Groenewald says extensive research must be<br />
conducted into every single element of the fuel<br />
value chain which contributes to the fuel price in<br />
South Africa. Alternatives must be sought if any<br />
elements are deemed too expensive, and each cent<br />
which is being charged must be justified.<br />
Key recommendations<br />
To mitigate the rising fuel costs, the <strong>AA</strong> made<br />
the following recommendations to the Portfolio<br />
Committee:<br />
1. An investigation into the current pricing<br />
model.<br />
2. Recalculating and auditing the existing<br />
elements within the pricing model.<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Special report<br />
In April, fuel<br />
prices hit<br />
record highs.<br />
The goverment<br />
needs to find<br />
ways to lower<br />
the cost of fuel<br />
in South Africa,<br />
says the <strong>AA</strong>.<br />
“Our view is clear that<br />
a comprehensive, longterm<br />
analysis of the<br />
components of the fuel<br />
price needs to be done as<br />
a matter of urgency, and<br />
that all calculations<br />
relating to the fuel price<br />
be audited to determine<br />
if they are still relevant<br />
and appropriate to South<br />
African conditions.”<br />
3. The cost of the Road Accident<br />
Fund (RAF) must be reduced.<br />
This can be done through better<br />
management and governance of the<br />
fund; improved road safety to reduce<br />
demand; better policing; safer roads, drivers<br />
and cars; better post-crash intervention; better<br />
pedestrian safety education and privatisation of<br />
the RAF (or at a minimum the semi-privatisation<br />
of claims management).<br />
4. Funds from the General Fuel Levy (GFL)<br />
should be better allocated and used, and issues of<br />
good governance that impact the economy and<br />
the R/USD exchange rate must be looked at.<br />
5. There should be more investment in<br />
alternatives to the country’s current reliance on<br />
fuel. For example, Transnet should be improved<br />
Visit<br />
aa.co.za or<br />
aasa.mobi<br />
for more<br />
information.<br />
to alleviate reliance on road freight. Provisions<br />
should be made for safe, reliable, sustainable and<br />
affordable public transport, and roads should be<br />
made safe for non-motorised forms transport.<br />
We need change<br />
If the current pricing model needs an overhaul,<br />
so be it, says the <strong>AA</strong>. Groenewald explains: “Our<br />
aim is to fight for the rights of consumers, and if<br />
that means we have to take a step back and relook<br />
how we’re doing things then that’s what needs to<br />
happen. Continuing with a pricing model because<br />
it’s historically the one we’ve always used doesn’t<br />
make sense; we must ask if there is a better model<br />
available and, if there is, we should consider<br />
replacing our existing one.”<br />
For example, an area that needs to be reviewed<br />
is the General Fuel and RAF levies. Groenewald<br />
explains that these levies contribute significantly<br />
to every litre of fuel sold, but citizens don’t see<br />
tangible benefits from these taxes.<br />
“Currently R6,11 on every litre of fuel is taxed,<br />
but there are several questions relating to the<br />
allocation and utilisation of these funds. For<br />
instance, we continue to fund the RAF through<br />
fuel taxes, but it is poorly managed, and a drain<br />
on our country’s resources. Apart from poor<br />
management, have we fully explored alternatives<br />
to compensate victims of crashes, and, critically,<br />
has the private sector been consulted for their<br />
inputs?” Groenewald asks.<br />
Another major issue is road safety and<br />
its associated costs. Government’s last<br />
estimate in 2015 was that road crashes<br />
cost the economy around R150bn<br />
annually. But, Groenewald says, there<br />
must be more of a focus on claims<br />
management, and on preventing the<br />
need for compensation in the first place.<br />
“We are being taxed to pay victims of<br />
crashes, but nothing is being done to prevent<br />
crashes. It’s the same with the GFL. Money is<br />
being collected, but there is little evidence of good<br />
governance in its allocation or utilisation. Citizens<br />
have rightly questioned why they should be paying<br />
so much when they don’t see the results of what<br />
they’re paying for. It’s unfair,” he notes.<br />
The <strong>AA</strong> says private sector involvement in<br />
dealing with rising fuel costs has now become<br />
inevitable, and that it remains committed to<br />
working with government in the interest of<br />
consumers.<br />
11<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
The magical<br />
baobab trees at<br />
Epupa Falls.<br />
12<br />
After<br />
Photojournalist Jay Caboz expected scorched deserts<br />
when he recently travelled to Namibia,<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Namibia<br />
the rains<br />
13<br />
but unprecedented rainfall had transformed our arid neighbour into a green oasis.<br />
><br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
Namibia<br />
The Kunene<br />
River is the<br />
source of the<br />
Epupa Falls<br />
14<br />
Namibia is blistering hot in<br />
summer. This may be the<br />
most obvious statement ever,<br />
but until you’ve travelled<br />
through this country and<br />
experienced the scorching heat for<br />
yourself, you just can’t relate. It catches<br />
you completely off guard. It’s<br />
the kind of heat that saps the<br />
energy out of your bones, and<br />
you yearn for the cool reprieve of<br />
an air-conditioned car. At 44°C,<br />
Namibia takes heat to another<br />
level; so much so that sweat seems<br />
to cascade down your back as soon<br />
as you step out of your 4x4.<br />
But Namibia is also exquisitely<br />
beautiful, so you bear the heat, or<br />
you try to forget about it. Case in<br />
point – standing on the edge of<br />
the majestic Epupa Falls as golden<br />
light falls on the ancient baobab trees<br />
that grip the ledges of the falls, I’m left<br />
speechless. I’ve never seen anything like<br />
it. To reach this spot, I’ve had to drive<br />
5 200 km from my home in Cape Town<br />
to the northern most reaches of Namibia.<br />
The distance, the heat, the sweat... it was<br />
all worth it just to be able to get lost in<br />
the natural splendour of the falls.<br />
Namibia should be on every landscape<br />
photographer’s bucket list. This stark,<br />
arid country is home to stunning scenery<br />
and is famous for its desolate landscapes.<br />
What I anticipated was a dry, desert<br />
country. What I got instead was a lush,<br />
green oasis.<br />
Shadowfax, the<br />
Toyota Fortuner<br />
A few months ago, it rained – a lot.<br />
After years of drought, the National<br />
Aeronautics and Space Administration<br />
(NASA) reported January rainfall that<br />
was two to three times the norm in the<br />
north-eastern, central and southern<br />
parts of Namibia. In certain areas the<br />
downpours were so intense, some claim<br />
it’s the biggest rainfall they’ve had in over<br />
20 years. Dams filled and locals lounged<br />
on lilos on flooded desert saltpans.<br />
Nothing can fully prepare you for the<br />
northern parts of this epic country. It’s<br />
an area I think more South Africans<br />
should explore and appreciate. Unique<br />
landmarks, like the Epupa Falls and its<br />
baobabs trees, are exactly why<br />
our group of four landscape<br />
photographers crammed into<br />
Shadowfax (our mile-crunching<br />
Toyota Fortuner named after the<br />
trusty steed from The Lord of the<br />
Rings) and headed to northern<br />
Namibia.<br />
Hitting the road<br />
We travelled about 1 700 km<br />
from Cape Town to our first<br />
stop in northern Namibia – the<br />
Spitzkoppe Tented Camp and<br />
Campsites. Along the way, we drove past<br />
spellbinding scenery, the abandoned<br />
ghost town of Kolmanskop and Sossusvlei,<br />
the home of monster-sized dunes.<br />
The campsite is located just outside the<br />
Spitzkoppe Conservation Area, and a visit<br />
to the reserve is well worth it. After paying<br />
a R80 conservation fee (as well as R80<br />
per vehicle), we drove to the giant peaks ><br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Golden light at<br />
Spitzkoppe<br />
Travel in the time of a<br />
global pandemic<br />
A Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) PCR test is<br />
required at all ports of entry in and out<br />
of South Africa. Crossing the border<br />
into Namibia wasn’t too bad from my<br />
experience.<br />
On our way out of South Africa, we<br />
arranged a test from Ampath. The<br />
test must be done within 72 hours of<br />
crossing the border. It costs R850. We<br />
used a drive-through testing centre<br />
and received our results the next day.<br />
Remember to print the results to show<br />
at both the South African and Namibian<br />
border posts.<br />
You need a new test result when you<br />
return to South Africa. You can stop<br />
in Windhoek and get a PCR test. Or<br />
when you arrive at the border, you can<br />
have the South African Department<br />
of Health’s antigen test done (it costs<br />
R300). We chose the latter option.<br />
While there’s no way to tell how<br />
long the queues will be, we found<br />
the process to be seamless, and the<br />
antigen test was also much cheaper.<br />
Our results were processed within<br />
40 minutes, and we could continue<br />
through passport control.<br />
Please keep in mind that Covid-19<br />
travel regulations are subject to change.<br />
Always check what the latest regulations<br />
are before planning your trip.<br />
15<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
Namibia<br />
of the Spitzkoppe Mountain. Known<br />
as the Matterhorn of Namibia, these<br />
giant monoliths rise 1 728 m above sea<br />
level to stand out dramatically from the<br />
surrounding plains.<br />
Tucked away under the shadow of the<br />
giant peaks, we came across the most<br />
unlikely find – a rockpool filled with<br />
terrapins. It was the perfect spot to hide<br />
from the day’s heat and wait for the<br />
afternoon when the light of the setting<br />
sun colours the peaks blood red. We<br />
made our way to the Spitzkoppe Arch to<br />
catch the last remaining light.<br />
The area is also home to ancient<br />
San cave paintings, and a more recent<br />
historical event was when the area was<br />
used as a film location for the 1968 film<br />
2001: A Space Odyssey.<br />
Baobabs cling<br />
to the ledges of<br />
the falls.<br />
Epupa Falls<br />
16<br />
A green oasis<br />
The next leg of our journey took us<br />
450 km north to the famous Etosha<br />
National Park. It's known for its dry<br />
grasslands, with average rainfalls of about<br />
350 mm a year. Congregations of lions,<br />
zebras, springboks and elephants usually<br />
gather at one of the infrequent (often<br />
man-made) watering holes.<br />
But we arrived to find Etosha<br />
blanketed in luscious green grass. While<br />
beautiful to behold, it wasn’t helpful<br />
when looking for an iconic shot of lions<br />
sharing a water hole with their prey. The<br />
game had dispersed across the now many<br />
available watering holes, making it nearly<br />
impossible to shoot.<br />
To add to our disappointment, we<br />
discovered that the park's gate only opens<br />
at sunrise. South African national parks<br />
typically open an hour before sunrise,<br />
giving you the opportunity to see wildlife<br />
when they’re at their most active.<br />
We chalked up our misadventures to<br />
experience, sat back and enjoyed what<br />
wildlife we could find. Back at camp, a<br />
cold Tafel Larger helped wash away the<br />
frustration of missing out. What also<br />
helped lift our spirits was our home<br />
base – the Okaukuejo Camp. It’s the<br />
oldest tourist camp in Etosha, and it has a<br />
floodlit water hole where guests can enjoy<br />
the sights and sounds of wildlife roaming<br />
at night. Okaukuejo has the impression of<br />
deep African bush but with the luxury of<br />
electricity, a braai area, a shared kitchen<br />
and, most importantly, hot showers. It’s<br />
a great spot for sundowners; just look<br />
out for curious black-backed jackals who<br />
won’t think twice about stealing your<br />
unattended boerewors.<br />
After two nights fighting off hundreds<br />
of hungry mosquitoes (we used Peaceful<br />
Sleep like deodorant) it was time to move<br />
on.<br />
Garden of Eden<br />
We travelled 600 km north to the Epupa<br />
Falls, a majestic collection of waterfalls<br />
that stretch over a length of 1,5 km. Don't<br />
let out-of-date websites and rumours of<br />
rough roads intimidate you. The gravel<br />
roads, even in the remote northern parts<br />
of Namibia, are comfortably wide and so<br />
The rock arch<br />
at Spitzkoppe.<br />
well maintained that a sedan could drive<br />
on them with ease. And this destination is<br />
worth the drive!<br />
You need to travel along the D3700<br />
or the C43 to get there. Be sure to buy<br />
supplies and fill up your car in Opuwo.<br />
It’s 179 km from Epupa, and while there<br />
are villages closer to the falls, it’s the last<br />
major town, and there aren’t any shops or<br />
gas stations in the area surrounding the<br />
falls. You’ll spot Himba mud hut villages<br />
and dry riverbeds along the way, and<br />
you’ll know you’re close to the falls once<br />
you see the baobabs.<br />
When we arrived at the Omarunga<br />
Camp Lodge at 5 pm, it was a gruelling<br />
39°C. Luckily, we could set up camp<br />
under the makalani palm trees. The<br />
camp is within spitting distance of the<br />
waterfalls. We were quite surprised to<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
The light of the setting sun colours the peaks blood red. We made<br />
our way to the Spitzkoppe Arch to catch the last remaining light.<br />
Etosha<br />
discover that unlike the rest of Namibia,<br />
this region received extraordinarily little<br />
rain – only 10 mm in the last few months.<br />
The falls are created by the Kunene<br />
River, which forms the border between<br />
Namibia and Angola. Epupa is the<br />
Herero word for "foam" and describes<br />
the froth created by the cascading water.<br />
Scattered along the banks are majestic<br />
baobabs with thick knotted roots clinging<br />
to the waterfall’s ledges. Time takes on<br />
a different meaning here. You could<br />
spend hours watching the thousands and<br />
thousands of litres of water flow past the<br />
roots of these ancient trees.<br />
Epupa Falls is unlike any place I’ve ever<br />
visited – truly a Garden of Eden. You<br />
must travel far to get there, but it’s worth<br />
it. I wish we could have stayed a few more<br />
days.<br />
17<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
Moon Landscape,<br />
Swakopmund<br />
18<br />
The high life in<br />
Swakopmund<br />
A spur of the moment<br />
decision took us to<br />
the seaside town<br />
of Swakopmund on<br />
Namibia's west coast.<br />
Despite the cloudy<br />
weather, we went on<br />
a helicopter flip with<br />
Bateleur Helicopters.<br />
We flew over one of the<br />
oldest landscapes in<br />
the world, known as the<br />
Moon Landscape, and<br />
massive golden dunes<br />
and a flamingo-covered<br />
salt mine.<br />
The change in<br />
perspective over<br />
this intimidating, yet<br />
magnetic terrain, was<br />
extraordinary. I highly<br />
recommend getting<br />
“high” in Swakopmund.<br />
Images: Jay Caboz<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Namibia<br />
Spitzkoppe Tented<br />
Campsite (far<br />
left) and wilflife<br />
spotted in Ethosha<br />
National Park (left<br />
and bottom)<br />
We arrived to find Etosha<br />
blanketed in luscious green grass.<br />
GOOD<br />
TO<br />
KNOW<br />
BEST TIME TO GO<br />
You can visit northern Namibia<br />
year-round, but the best time to view<br />
game is between May and October<br />
(winter months). The rainy season<br />
is between November and May.<br />
DO I NEED A 4X4?<br />
No. A 4x4 would be ideal, but you<br />
can travel through most of Namibia<br />
in a normal sedan. While the main<br />
roads out of Windhoek are tarred,<br />
most of the country’s routes are<br />
on well-maintained gravel roads.<br />
WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED?<br />
Other than your Covid-19 test<br />
result, you also need a passport<br />
that’s valid for six months or more<br />
after your departure from Namibia,<br />
and children under 18 need their<br />
full birth certificates. You need<br />
additional documentation when<br />
crossing the border in a car. For<br />
more information on this, visit<br />
aa.co.za/namibia-cross-border.<br />
WHERE TO STAY<br />
The Spitzkoppe Tented Camp and<br />
Campsite is just 2 km from the<br />
Spitzkoppe Mountain Reserve.<br />
The campsite has a bar, pool and<br />
dining area. A double bush tent is<br />
R440 per night for two people.<br />
+264 81 805 3178, enquiries@<br />
spitzkoppemountaincamp.com,<br />
spitzkoppemountaincamp.com<br />
Okaukuejo Camp in Etosha has a<br />
pool, petrol station, small kiosk,<br />
restaurant, bar and water hole where<br />
you can relax and watch animals.<br />
Cost: R400 per four-people campsite.<br />
Book via the park's website<br />
etoshanationalpark.org. Or<br />
contact them via email: enquiry@<br />
etoshanationalpark.org.<br />
When visiting Epupa Falls, stay at<br />
Omarunga Lodge and Campsite. We<br />
paid R403 a night (R101 per person).<br />
It’s part of the Gondwana Collection<br />
hotel chain and has a restaurant,<br />
pool and bar. +264 61 427 200,<br />
bookings@gondwana-collection.com,<br />
store.gondwana-collection.com.<br />
A HELI FLIP IN SWAKOPMUND:<br />
A 15-minute flight with Bateleur<br />
Helicopters costs R2 910 for a<br />
single person (the cost drops if<br />
more people fly). +264 81 150 3234,<br />
bookings@bateleurhelicopters.<br />
com, facebook.com/bateleurheli.<br />
19<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
Camping car checks<br />
TO<br />
20<br />
credits here<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> 2020
car checks<br />
THE KRUGER...<br />
on the spur of the moment<br />
When she spotted a special offer for flight tickets to Skukuza,<br />
Gerda Engelbrecht couldn't resist. Off the family went for a weekend of camping.<br />
21<br />
credits here<br />
I<br />
have a love-hate relationship with camping. There, I said it.<br />
There are few things as lovely as waking up in a tent early on<br />
a Saturday morning with the sound of birds so close it feels as<br />
if they’re right next to you. That's the love part.<br />
But there are few things I hate more than struggling to get<br />
my tent set up after arriving at a campsite late on a Friday<br />
afternoon as dusk starts to fall. A clear memory from my<br />
youth is camping in the Kruger with my family. My dad bought<br />
a heavy canvas tent we loaded in our VW Kombi. Once the<br />
tent was up, you parked the Kombi under one of the flaps and<br />
zipped up the canvas, creating the effect of the tent being an<br />
extension of the vehicle. Sounds wonderful, right?<br />
><br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> 2020 | <strong>AA</strong> reisiger
In reality, that tent was enormous, and<br />
it took up almost all the Kombi’s luggage<br />
space, which is a problem for a family<br />
of six. It also took all six of us to set it up.<br />
We'd struggle for a half-hour, some of us<br />
holding onto the poles, knocking in pegs<br />
with a ten-pound hammer. No sooner<br />
would the job be done when my mom<br />
would suddenly be convinced that its<br />
entrance is facing the wrong direction.<br />
And we'd have to start the whole<br />
process over again. That's the hate part.<br />
Tent holidays in a jiffy<br />
These days, there is a solution for<br />
people who want to enjoy camping<br />
but don't want to buy the equipment,<br />
carry it around or set up and take<br />
down their camp. Tented Adventures in<br />
Pretoriuskop in the Kruger National Park<br />
go through all that trouble for you, giving<br />
you more time to just enjoy the fun parts<br />
of camping. And so, when we saw SA<br />
Airlink had discounted tickets from Cape<br />
Town to Skukuza, we gifted ourselves a<br />
luxury getaway and booked a weekend<br />
in the park.<br />
Stephan meets us on the Friday<br />
afternoon in pouring rain at the camp in<br />
Pretoriuskop.<br />
It’s late summer, and the Kruger Park<br />
has had so much rain in the past few<br />
days that most of the dirt roads are<br />
impassable. It doesn’t look as though the<br />
rain is going away anytime soon, either.<br />
I had my doubts on the prop aircraft<br />
about our decision to camp, but Stephan<br />
assuages all my fears. Our tent is large<br />
enough for us to stand and walk around<br />
inside. We have comfortable beds and a<br />
thick, colourful rug. And it’s all bone dry<br />
to boot.<br />
Milk tart in a tin mug<br />
While we go on a game drive, Stephan<br />
prepares supper. Steak and mealies<br />
over the coals, plus a salad. For starters,<br />
there’s vetkoek with chakalaka and<br />
dessert is milk tart in a tin mug.<br />
That night, we have a wonderful – and<br />
dry – sleep. Shortly after dawn, we see<br />
our neighbours digging trenches around<br />
their two-man tent. It's a family with two<br />
young kids, and they look a tad dazed.<br />
Tented Adventures can arrange game<br />
drives, but no one wants to brave the<br />
weather in an open vehicle. The rain falls<br />
as if someone is busy building an ark.<br />
As Capetonians, we visit the Kruger<br />
at least once a year, mostly in autumn<br />
GOOD<br />
TO<br />
KNOW<br />
22<br />
ACCOMMODATION<br />
We booked out tented<br />
accommodation through<br />
Travelcheck. Visit<br />
travelcheck.co.za and click<br />
on ‘experiences’. The tent<br />
was around R1 000 per<br />
person per night. And that<br />
includes a large breakfast<br />
and dinner. The required<br />
SANPark conservation<br />
fee is not included – that<br />
you pay on arrival at<br />
Pretoriuskop reception.<br />
Game drives are extra.<br />
The accommodation at<br />
Lower Sabie can be booked<br />
through SANParks directly<br />
(sanparks.org). We paid<br />
R2 400 for the self-catering<br />
cottage with a river view.<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Camping<br />
Images: Gerda Engelbrecht, Sally Cronjé<br />
or winter. This, as far as I remember, is<br />
my first visit in the summer. I can't quite<br />
believe it's the same park. And while<br />
many people warned us that we’d see<br />
fewer animals in the lush plant growth,<br />
we see four of the Big Five in the space<br />
of two days. Only the leopard eludes us.<br />
We also spot many, many bird species.<br />
We see hyenas at nine different times. It<br />
also helps that the park is a little quieter<br />
this time of year.<br />
The weather starts clearing on our way<br />
to Lower Sabie the following day. We<br />
added an extra night at this camp, as we<br />
usually see the best game in the Kruger<br />
on the H10 road towards the Tshokwane<br />
picnic spot. And sure enough, we've<br />
hardly turned off onto the road before we<br />
see two vehicles next to the side of the<br />
road. Their zoom lenses are trained on<br />
the long grass next to the road. Lions!<br />
By the time we order our roosterkoek<br />
at Tshokwane (they've made a plan<br />
with the thieving monkeys), we've had<br />
a wonderful show of giraffes bumping<br />
necks, elephants, buffaloes and kudus.<br />
And a vast number of babies of just<br />
about every antelope you find here.<br />
Back on the Lower Sabie Road from<br />
Skukuza, we come across a pride of<br />
young male lions tucking into their prey.<br />
But when the roughly 20 vehicles vying<br />
for position become more aggressive<br />
than the lions, we head back to camp.<br />
That night, around the campfire from<br />
our riverside chalet at Lower Sabie, we<br />
chat about what a brilliant idea this has<br />
been. We’ll definitely come visit the<br />
Kruger again for a weekend.<br />
23<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
Mountain mist<br />
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY MIA LOUW<br />
AND MYSTERY<br />
24<br />
Back in the 1880s, people<br />
rushed to the Drakensberg<br />
escarpment that towers<br />
over the De Kaap Valley,<br />
full of hope of finding gold<br />
in the area. This led to the<br />
establishment of the town<br />
of Kaapsehoop. Today,<br />
the wild horses, outdoor<br />
adventures and colourful<br />
hangout spots attract<br />
visitors here.<br />
I<br />
follow the Kaapschehoop road from<br />
Mbombela and aim southwest towards<br />
the village on the mountain. I’ve<br />
packed an extra jacket, a woolly scarf<br />
and waterproof hiking boots – you<br />
never know what the weather will do<br />
up there. Over the course of the next<br />
30 km, I climb 900 m higher above sea<br />
level. There might be bright sunshine in<br />
the Lowveld, but Kaapsehoop is gently<br />
tucked under a blanket of mist.<br />
The place used to be known as<br />
Duiwelskantoor (Devil’s Office). The<br />
story goes that the sandstone rock<br />
formations and mazes protruded like<br />
strange creatures above the mist. The<br />
name is actually a distortion of the<br />
English “Devil’s Contour”. And that<br />
referred to the steep and difficult<br />
contour paths travellers had to struggle<br />
up to get to the top of the plateau, writes<br />
Gerrit Haarhoff in Forgotten Tracks and<br />
Trails of the Escarpment and the Lowveld.<br />
On top of the plateau you not only see<br />
strange stones among the mist; in and<br />
around Kaapsehoop there are about 200<br />
wild horses, a few more than the number<br />
of people in the town. These horses are<br />
apparently descendants of the farm horses<br />
that were used here during the First<br />
Anglo-Boer War between 1880 to 1881.<br />
While you must be careful around<br />
the horses (and you should be; they’re<br />
wild), you don’t need to be around the<br />
many friendly dogs roaming the town.<br />
You might meet Ripley, Basil, Tjoppies,<br />
Potlood, Luna and the recent addition –<br />
Ticky. Ticky was a stray full of ticks when<br />
Ramona Marais spotted him on the side of<br />
the road in Mbombela.<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Weekend getaway<br />
MISTY AND (SOMETIMES) CALM<br />
Kaapsehoop is quiet during the week,<br />
but when you arrive on a Sunday over<br />
lunch, you’ll see plenty of cars and<br />
scooters at the first building on your<br />
on the wall warning you that this is not<br />
a fast-food restaurant. Sit back and sip<br />
your beer as you wait for your burger.<br />
The garden is a popular spot for fourlegged<br />
visitors.<br />
left, Bohemian Groove Café. The name<br />
fits the restaurant like a glove. On most<br />
Sundays, from 12 pm to 3 pm, a rock<br />
band provides entertainment while you<br />
tuck into Charl Fourie’s smoked eisbein<br />
or ribs in the garden.<br />
Artists Charl and Andrea Fourie<br />
opened the restaurant in 2011. The<br />
Fouries studied art at the Pretoria<br />
Technikon during the Voëlvry<br />
movement, and thereafter settled in the<br />
Lowveld with a restaurant in Sabie and a<br />
metal furniture store in Hazyview.<br />
Charl is a blacksmith, and so<br />
Bohemian Groove is decorated with his<br />
handmade furniture and lights, and<br />
artwork covers almost every piece of wall<br />
and zinc surface, creating an industrial<br />
steampunk feel inside the maroon<br />
building. Try their breakfast bowl – the<br />
‘bowl’ looks more like a ‘platter’ with<br />
egg, fried halloumi cheese, eggplant,<br />
mushrooms, fresh tomatoes, rocket<br />
leaves, basil pesto and beans.<br />
If you crave delicious pub grub, walk<br />
along the street for another 100 m or<br />
so to the Salvador Main Street Bistro<br />
for their peri-peri chicken livers, pizza,<br />
pancakes, baked potato or pasta. The<br />
DROP IN AT THE NAGKANTOOR<br />
Continue on Kruger Street and turn<br />
right into Kantoor Street, on the way to<br />
Kommissaris Plein where the old mining<br />
commissioner’s stone house still stands –<br />
it dates back to 1884. In Kantoor Street<br />
you’ll find the Nagkantoor hangout, the<br />
newest one in town. It is described as a<br />
“newspaper pub” and “media museum”,<br />
where visitors can get a glimpse into the<br />
world of seasoned journalists.<br />
The man behind Nagkantoor, De Wet<br />
Potgieter, had a colourful 40-year career<br />
in journalism. He was a court reporter,<br />
investigative journalist and the editor of<br />
a regional newspaper. He is now working<br />
on his sixth book. His previous titles<br />
including Apartheid’s Dirty Tricks Exposed<br />
and South Africa and the International<br />
Trade in Ivory and Rhino Horn.<br />
The walls are covered with the front<br />
pages of newspapers, news photos and<br />
souvenirs. A gigantic photo of singer,<br />
poet and newspaper man Koos du Plessis<br />
stands guard over the bar where I taste<br />
the Paardenpis Lager. Paardenpis is<br />
a pale ale brewed with Kaapsehoop’s<br />
delicious spring water, especially for<br />
atmosphere is calm – there is even a sign Nagkantoor.<br />
><br />
Ramona (also known as “The Pottery<br />
Chick”) is officially Ticky’s owner, but<br />
he’s also regarded as the whole town’s<br />
pet. Ramona and her husband often lose<br />
the battle trying to keep him contained.<br />
No matter how high the walls, he often<br />
escapes to go and explore the world.<br />
He’ll follow hikers to the lookout<br />
point on the escarpment. Sometimes<br />
you’ll find him inside Bohemain<br />
Groove Café, where he listens to rock<br />
music as the locals keep an eye on him.<br />
Sometimes he chills outside on the grass<br />
at Salvador Main Street Bistro as he<br />
watches the horses drift down the street.<br />
When my soul leaves my body one<br />
day, and I may return to earth for a<br />
second chance, I want to be a dog in<br />
Kaapsehoop!<br />
25<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
“In Koos Doep’s earlier years, he also<br />
brewed his own beer, which he called<br />
Perdepis,” explains De Wet. Before<br />
Nagkantoor opened in August 2020, De<br />
Wet started a Facebook page with the<br />
same name that February. It’s sitting on<br />
8400 members and is an online hangout<br />
for anyone interested in the print media<br />
and the stories that appear in it.<br />
If you’re “interested in reading great<br />
tales and having a good time when<br />
visiting Kaapsehoop”, you’ll definitely<br />
get stuck at Nagkantoor. “Don’t worry,<br />
it’s downhill all the way to Mbombela,”<br />
is something I hear more than once at<br />
the bar. “Just watch out for the horses,”<br />
someone adds. There’s no doubt about<br />
it – you’re going to linger here. Best you<br />
book a room at the Silver Mist Country<br />
Inn across the road.<br />
Battery Creek<br />
waterfall<br />
26<br />
THAT’S HOW WE ROLL<br />
At Kaapsehoop Scootours, between<br />
Bohemian Groove and Salvador, Alita<br />
Steenkamp awaits the next group<br />
who’ll be heading down the mountain<br />
on 10 off-road scooters. Alita is also a<br />
journalist and De Wet’s wife. He’s on<br />
duty at the pub with Baasagent Potlood<br />
Pencil Potgieter, Nagkantoor’s dog<br />
mascot.<br />
There are five Scootours in South<br />
Africa, and they’ll soon be launching<br />
another two, but Kaapsehoop’s route<br />
is the longest one in the country – it’s<br />
6 km of downhill, mostly on single-track<br />
specially created through the Berlin<br />
plantation. “You have to bend your<br />
knees slightly when you’re on the bike,”<br />
explains Rudi du Plessis, co-owner and<br />
one of the tour leaders.<br />
Rudi’s recommendation makes it<br />
easier to weave your way through the<br />
trees, and even though you can speed<br />
downhill like a rally driver, Rudi will<br />
also tell you they’ve guided visitors from<br />
the age of six to 79. “It’s a wonderful<br />
activity for the whole family, because<br />
everyone can go as fast or as slow as they<br />
like,” he explains.<br />
At the end of the tour, there’s cold<br />
Oros waiting at a picnic bench next to<br />
the river, and the children will cavort<br />
on the swing that stretches over the<br />
water. “If you’re in a group of seven or<br />
eight people, book the last ride of the<br />
day. Then we light a fire here. We don’t<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Weekend getaway<br />
The town<br />
you can start at the Kaapsehoop hiking<br />
hut; the corrugated-iron house is located<br />
northeast of the town and the route takes<br />
two hours if you walk from there.<br />
It’s a good idea to call Berry Legg at<br />
Miz Gooz Berry to order a special picnic<br />
basket or backpack for your hike. Berry<br />
has been making magic in her kitchen<br />
for 24 years already; think sweet treats<br />
including cakes, biscuits, cupcakes and<br />
“old English toffee”, but she also makes<br />
heavenly salty snacks and proper food. A<br />
picnic basket costs around R220 per head.<br />
“Every basket is different and I pick<br />
flowers from my garden to decorate<br />
them,” Berry explains. It comes with a<br />
blanket, tablecloth, cloth napkins and<br />
a brown paper bag for the dirty cutlery.<br />
Inside, you’ll find guacamole with<br />
charge extra – you must just bring your<br />
own meat and drinks. It is wonderful to<br />
be next to the river at dusk,” says Alita.<br />
There are four tours a day that last<br />
about an hour and a half each. It costs<br />
R400 per person, plus R200 per extra<br />
passenger.<br />
There is another exciting tour just<br />
outside the town, at Kaapsehoop<br />
Horse Trails. For R350 per person you<br />
can explore the plantations, patches<br />
of natural forest and grasslands<br />
on horseback for an hour. There<br />
is also a campsite and self-catering<br />
accommodation at the Berlin forestry<br />
plantation.<br />
Christo Germishuys, owner of<br />
Kaapsehoop Horse Trails, is for a<br />
training technique called natural<br />
horsemanship. “It’s a gentler,<br />
psychological approach rather than a<br />
physical one. You work with the horse’s<br />
mind. Why do people say a horse should<br />
be ‘broken in’? Why would you want to<br />
break something in the animal’s being?”<br />
Christo also says that “wild horses” is<br />
the romantic name for the animals that<br />
graze around the town. “Calling them<br />
feral horses is more accurate. Although<br />
the horses have been wandering around<br />
here for many years, they are not wild<br />
animals in the true sense of the word.”<br />
Christo reckons a horse is a beautiful<br />
creature, but for him their beauty lies<br />
deeper. “The saying goes that a dog is<br />
man’s best friend. And it is true, you<br />
won’t find a horse that’s as faithful<br />
Miz Gooz Berry<br />
as a dog. But horses have meant so<br />
much more to humanity; they have<br />
transported us to the ends of the earth.”<br />
PICNIC ON THE ESCARPMENT<br />
In town, I see hikers aiming for the<br />
escarpment, through the sandstone<br />
mazes and krantz aloes, all the way to<br />
the lookout point. From here, you look<br />
down on the De Kaap Valley, and in<br />
the distance on the right is Makhonjwa<br />
Mountains and Barberton.<br />
The hiking route starts at the open<br />
square in the town, right by Gold<br />
Dust Trading. You can choose to start<br />
your walk at the white signpost titled<br />
Kaapschehoop Nature Trail, and the<br />
circular route takes about an hour. Or<br />
Picnic on the edge of<br />
the escarpment.<br />
peppadews and cheese and a biltong pâté.<br />
“I bake my seed bread with condensed<br />
milk, and there are crudités, goat’s milk<br />
cheese, olives, fried asparagus, marinated<br />
artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, honey<br />
and mustard chicken strips, quiche and<br />
fruit salad in the basket. For dessert you<br />
get old English toffee or fudge.”<br />
Berry caters for special dietary needs,<br />
including vegetarians, banting, keto and<br />
foods for diabetics. She also sells clothes<br />
and picnic baskets with antique cups,<br />
plates and cutlery in her shop.<br />
If you don’t want to walk alone with<br />
your snacks, contact JC Maritz on 063 199<br />
3129. JC is a tour leader for Kaapsehoop<br />
Scootours, but he has recently started<br />
guided hikes along the escarpment.<br />
Spend a weekend on the mountain and<br />
chances are you’ll run into JC and his<br />
faithful little beagle, Ripley. You’ll often<br />
spot the two of them walking down from<br />
the lookout point, or in front of The<br />
Little Shop next to Salvador, or on the<br />
way home for a beer at the bar. It’s truly a<br />
dog’s life on Kaapsehoop.<br />
><br />
27<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
Weekend getaway<br />
GOOD<br />
TO<br />
KNOW<br />
Escarpment Walk<br />
Kaaspehoop Horse trails<br />
HOW TO GET THERE<br />
The town lies 30 km southwest of Mbombela (via the<br />
Hermansburg and Kaapschehoop roads) and 284 km<br />
east of Pretoria via the N4. At Ngodwana you turn<br />
off and drive 14 km on the Kaapschehoop road to the<br />
town.<br />
WHERE TO STAY<br />
There are a multitude of options. Visit Kaapsehoop<br />
Accommodation (kaapsehoopaccommodation.co.za)<br />
or buy a Kaapsehoop Map & Info brochure (R10 at<br />
Bohemian Groove).<br />
If you want to get far away from everything<br />
and everyone, stay at Kaapsehoop Adventures;<br />
it's 8 km southwest of the town. It was initially<br />
Coetzeestroom; a hiking hut that was part of<br />
Komatiland Ecotourism’s four-day hiking trail.<br />
There are three rooms with fireplaces (two to<br />
three people per room), three teepee tents and<br />
everyone shares bathrooms and cooking facilities.<br />
kaapsehoopadventures.co.za, 082 452 9928<br />
The Little Shop<br />
Kaapsehoop Scootours<br />
28<br />
Bohemian Groove<br />
Kaaspehoop Adventures<br />
WALK AND BROWSE<br />
There are a handful of shops in the town where you’ll<br />
find delightful gifts. Gold Dust Trading Pawn Shop<br />
has plenty of antique furniture and second-hand<br />
books and clothes.<br />
Plat Anna is a tiny but colourful gift shop next<br />
to Salavador where you can buy clothes, décor,<br />
jewellery, jam, toys and cosmetics, including soaps<br />
and creams. To the left of Plat Anna is The Little<br />
Shop, the only grocery store in town. Here you’ll find<br />
the basic groceries such as milk, bread, soft drinks,<br />
canned food and wood.<br />
At Deliteful Glass Worx, Merle ter Bruggen sells<br />
stained-glass products including lampshades,<br />
windows, wind chimes and jewellery. You need to<br />
wander a little further along Kruger Street to find<br />
The Pottery Chick. Ramona Marais’ studio and shop<br />
are at the end of Watkins Street. Ramona describes<br />
her ceramic art as “Mediterranean and earthy”.<br />
Salvador<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS:<br />
Kaapsehoop Scootours: scootours.co.za,<br />
083 5766 541<br />
Kaapsehoop Horse Trails: horsebacktrails.co.za,<br />
076 108 0081<br />
Miz Gooz Berry: mizgoozberry.co.za, 082 883 6192<br />
KEEN TO TIE THE KNOT AT K<strong>AA</strong>PSEHOOP?<br />
The Silver Mist Country Inn owns a chapel, a large<br />
reception hall and Die Waenhuis restaurant.<br />
silvermistguesthouse.co.za, 082 860 4824<br />
Contact Charl Fourie of Bohemian Groove to rent<br />
his antique Volkswagen Kombi or Volla for your<br />
wedding. They’re also planning a VW Vintage Car<br />
Festival for 15 October. bohemiangroovecafe.co.za,<br />
072 650 7588<br />
Deliteful Glass Worx<br />
Nagkantoor<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Reisiger | HERFS <strong>2021</strong>
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Reserves<br />
Land of<br />
Dinosaur fossils, bearded vultures, epic landscapes and spectacular hikes –<br />
the Golden Gate Highlands National Park may be smaller than other parks,<br />
but it has so much on offer that it warrants return visits, writes Evan Naudé.<br />
30<br />
The view from the top<br />
of Brandwag Buttress<br />
is especially stunning<br />
at sunrise.<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Reserves<br />
Golden Gate gets<br />
its name from<br />
the imposing<br />
sandstone cliffs<br />
in the area.<br />
31<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
Reserves<br />
The predawn air bites my neck<br />
as I pull my beanie down<br />
low. My breath comes short<br />
and fast, and my thighs are<br />
on fire as I climb towards<br />
the top of Brandwag, an imposing<br />
sandstone buttress in eastern Free<br />
State. Already the horizon is becoming<br />
brighter, and a band of orange and pink<br />
pastels tints the skyline. Soon the sun<br />
will rise and flood the landscape with<br />
light. My goal is to witness this from the<br />
top of the mountain, so I quicken my<br />
pace. It’s a race between myself and the<br />
sun to see who will summit the Maluti<br />
Mountains first.<br />
I make it to the top with only minutes<br />
to spare. I pour a cup of coffee from my<br />
flask; I catch my breath, my muscles<br />
relax, and a stillness descends upon me.<br />
For a few moments, the world is quiet,<br />
respectfully awaiting the dawn. Then the<br />
sun breaks over the horizon and pours its<br />
warm rays over the world. The sandstone<br />
cliffs around me suddenly receive their<br />
trademark golden glow. As birds start<br />
their morning warble, the hum of a car<br />
floats up from the road down below, and<br />
I spot tiny human figures emerge from a<br />
cluster of buildings. It’s a new day in the<br />
Golden Gate Highlands National Park.<br />
A rich history<br />
Dinosaurs roamed this area long<br />
before humans first laid eyes on the<br />
Golden Gate’s stunning landscape.<br />
Fossilised dinosaur bones and<br />
footprints have been discovered in<br />
the park, and a collection of dinosaur<br />
eggs from the Triassic period (that’s<br />
more than 200 million years ago!) was<br />
unearthed in 1973.<br />
The earliest signs of human<br />
habitation (in the form of rock art and<br />
stone tools) in the area are that of the<br />
Khoikhoi. Some drawings can still be<br />
seen in the park, although examples<br />
of rock art elsewhere in the Free State<br />
and in the uKhahlamba Drakensberg<br />
Park in KwaZulu-Natal are more<br />
impressive.<br />
Go for a drive<br />
on the Oribi or<br />
Blesbok game<br />
viewing routes<br />
and keep an<br />
eye out for<br />
wildlife, the<br />
Langtoon Dam<br />
and the "vulture<br />
restaurant".<br />
In 1878, the settler Jan van Rheenen<br />
bought a farm in the area called<br />
Vuurland. It’s said that when he arrived,<br />
he was so taken by the beautiful<br />
late-afternoon glow of the sandstone<br />
formations that he promptly renamed his<br />
farm Golden Gate.<br />
In 1962, the government bought<br />
Golden Gate and declared it a national<br />
park. Since then, surrounding properties<br />
were incorporated into the park, and<br />
its area increased to 340 km² in 2007<br />
when it merged with the neighbouring<br />
QwaQwa National Park.<br />
Presently, there is talk that the park<br />
could gain an additional 18 000 ha if it<br />
merges with the adjacent Sterkfontein<br />
Dam Nature Reverse to form a larger<br />
Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Park.<br />
32<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
The Echo Valley<br />
hike leads you<br />
to a deep ravine<br />
with high curved<br />
rock walls.<br />
Where the wild things are<br />
Field reports from the British hunter<br />
and explorer Sir William Cornwallis<br />
Harris in 1836 noted that Golden Gate<br />
was teeming with thousands of black<br />
wildebeest, zebra and blesbok. Later<br />
generations significantly reduced the<br />
animal populations, and today the<br />
process of re-establishing wildlife is<br />
still ongoing. Currently you can spot ten<br />
species of antelope, including eland,<br />
black wildebeest, red hartebeest and<br />
the elusive oribi. Keen-eyed visitors<br />
may even see smaller mammals like<br />
black-backed jackals, caracals and<br />
striped polecats.<br />
Birders are in for a treat. Apart from a<br />
birding list of over 200 species, Golden<br />
Gate is one of the few breeding grounds<br />
for the rare bearded vulture and bald ibis.<br />
The road that cuts through Golden<br />
Gate, the R712, is public, so you might<br />
through the park. But if you want to<br />
maximise your chances of spotting<br />
wildlife, head to one of the park’s two<br />
game watching routes.<br />
The 4,2 km Oribi Loop leads you<br />
away from the main road and through<br />
the north-western corner of the park.<br />
Here you’ll find sweeping vistas of the<br />
Rooiberg Mountains to the north and<br />
the Drakensberg to the east. Roughly<br />
halfway along the loop, there is a large<br />
bird hide where a feeding project<br />
provides carcasses for the resident<br />
vultures. This “vulture restaurant” is your<br />
best bet to spot (and photograph) the<br />
unique bearded vulture. It’s luck of the<br />
draw whether these birds of prey will be<br />
present during your visit, so find out from<br />
the park offices whether a fresh carcass<br />
has been put out before you go.<br />
About 1 km east of the park offices<br />
lies another game viewing loop – the<br />
climbs away from the main road and<br />
swings by the Langtoon Dam before<br />
leading you southwards over wide<br />
grass plains where herds of zebra, red<br />
hartebeest and black wildebeest are<br />
abundant. It’s mountainous here, and it<br />
is worth planning your drive in the early<br />
morning or late afternoon because<br />
that’s when the sandstone cliffs glow<br />
in their trademark golden hues. Pack a<br />
picnic basket and stop at the Zuluhoek<br />
or Generaalskop viewpoints. You’ll soon<br />
forget about the rest of the world.<br />
Strap on your hiking boots<br />
Golden Gate's biggest drawcard is<br />
without a doubt its collection of hiking<br />
trails. There’s something for everyone,<br />
whether you’re a serious mountain goat<br />
or a casual saunterer. Thanks to the<br />
stunning topography, you’re guaranteed<br />
a rewarding outing no matter which route<br />
even spot a few animals while driving 6,7 km Blesbok Loop. This route quickly you choose.<br />
><br />
33<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
The public R712<br />
road, which bisects<br />
the park, is very<br />
scenic.<br />
The road that cuts through Golden Gate, the<br />
R712, is public, so you might even spot a few<br />
animals while driving through the park.<br />
34<br />
Deeper in the<br />
park, you'll<br />
discover<br />
picturesque<br />
views of the<br />
Drakensberg and<br />
herds of zebra.<br />
hour long hike, the Holkrans Hike, starts<br />
from the hotel chalets.<br />
The Cathedral Cave Hike is an easy<br />
four-hour guided trek to an immense<br />
sandstone cavern which often has a<br />
waterfall tumbling into its natural rock<br />
pool. It’s here where rare bald ibises come<br />
to breed each year, and subsequently the<br />
hike is closed in November. Moreover, this<br />
Six trails of varying lengths start<br />
from the Glen Reenen Rest Camp. My<br />
morning hike to the top of the 120m-high<br />
Brandwag Buttress takes less than an<br />
hour. On my way down, I head for the<br />
Boskloof Trail, an out-and-back trail<br />
leading up a lush valley. Next, I make<br />
my way to the nearby Echo Ravine Trail,<br />
which leads me to a sandstone ravine.<br />
My jaw drops as I follow the concave<br />
walls of rock on either side of me, and<br />
when I reach the final cavernous hall, I<br />
discover several crumpled notes and<br />
burned-out candles hidden between<br />
stones. It occurs to me that these are<br />
prayers and that this must be regarded<br />
by some as a holy place. Leaving the<br />
ravine, I take a detour to Mushroom<br />
Rock, another prominent buttress visible<br />
from the main road. It’s only when<br />
you stand directly below it that you<br />
appreciate its true size. It’s certainly the<br />
largest mushroom I’ve seen!<br />
By linking the Brandwag, Boskloof,<br />
Echo Ravine and Mushroom Rock trails<br />
together, I hiked for roughly three hours.<br />
All are family friendly, and should you<br />
hike them individually, each trail should<br />
take you about an hour. Another onehike<br />
is guided (booking is essential) and<br />
requires a minimum of five people.<br />
If you want more of a challenge, head<br />
for the four-hour long Wodehouse Hike.<br />
It too starts and ends in the Glen Reenen<br />
Camp. The trail leads you past the<br />
Brandwag Buttress and onto the top of<br />
the mountain, where it loops around to<br />
the east before passing Mushroom Rock<br />
on the way back to camp.<br />
Finally, the two-day Ribbok Trail takes<br />
hikers on a 28 km route through some of<br />
the more remote areas of the park. You<br />
need to be moderately fit for this one. It’s<br />
a challenging hike, and you need to carry<br />
your own cooking gear, food and sleeping<br />
bags to the rustic overnight hut.<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Reserves<br />
Photos: Evan Naudé. Additional source: Stuarts’ Field Guide to National Parks & Nature Reserves of South Africa (Chris & Mathilde Stuart)<br />
GOOD<br />
TO<br />
KNOW<br />
ENTRY While the main road<br />
through the park is free, you<br />
need to pay a daily conservation<br />
fee to access the game drive<br />
loops, hiking trails and other<br />
activities in the park. The daily<br />
fees are R59 per adult and R29<br />
for children.<br />
GETTING THERE Golden Gate<br />
is about three and a half hours<br />
south of Johannesburg. Travel<br />
on the N3 to Harrismith to enter<br />
the park from the east on the<br />
R712. Or travel via Bethlehem to<br />
Clarens for entry from the west.<br />
BEST TIME TO VISIT The park<br />
receives summer rains and<br />
plenty of it. Plan your visit in late<br />
summer or autumn when the<br />
worst of the wet weather has<br />
subsided, and the landscape is<br />
at its greenest.<br />
FOOD AND FUEL The Glen<br />
Reenen Rest Camp has a<br />
fuel station, curio shop and a<br />
restaurant. Clarens is only 22<br />
km from the park if you need to<br />
do a larger grocery shop.<br />
CONTACT 058 255 1000 or<br />
sanparks.org/bookings<br />
Office hours are Mondays to<br />
Sundays from 07:00 to 17:30.<br />
Rest your head<br />
Whether you are looking for an overnight<br />
spot with white linen and room service,<br />
a cultural immersion or simply a place<br />
to pitch your tent, Golden Gate has you<br />
covered.<br />
The Golden Gate Hotel has 54 rooms,<br />
many of which have spectacular<br />
views of the park’s iconic sandstone<br />
cliffs. Here you’ll find all the creature<br />
comforts imaginable, including a cocktail<br />
bar, coffee lounge, a sports bar and<br />
restaurant. If you prefer lighting your own<br />
braai fire, head for one of the 34 selfcatering<br />
chalets next to the hotel.<br />
A stone’s throw down the road (next to<br />
the park offices) is the Glen Reenen Rest<br />
Camp. Here you’ll find another collection<br />
of self-catering units, split into groups<br />
of rondavels, longdavels and family<br />
cottages with space for two to six people.<br />
Across the road lies the campsite. It's<br />
arguably one of the most scenic camping<br />
spots in the Free State.<br />
For a more secluded stay, book<br />
yourself in at the Noord Brabant<br />
Farmhouse, a self-catering farmhouse<br />
6 km from Glen Reenen Rest Camp.<br />
The beautifully restored house with its<br />
stone walls, wooden ceilings and antique<br />
furniture sleeps up to six people.<br />
The log cabins at the Highlands<br />
Mountain Retreat are without a doubt the<br />
most scenic lodgings in the park. Situated<br />
at a height of 2200 m, more than twice<br />
that of Table Mountain, the eight luxury<br />
cabins in the northern section of the park<br />
(accessible from the Oribi Loop) have a<br />
panoramic view of the Maluti landscape.<br />
A night spent here is a night spent in the<br />
realm of soaring eagles and vultures.<br />
At the Basotho Cultural Village guests<br />
are immersed in the Basotho lifestyle<br />
of bygone days as the entire rest camp<br />
is styled on an 18th century village.<br />
Accommodation is provided in selfcatering<br />
rondavels.<br />
More to explore<br />
The Basotho Cultural Village offers<br />
visitors three guided tours. The Museum<br />
Tour showcases the Basotho history and<br />
lifestyle, the Herbal Trail is a walking<br />
excursion with a traditional healer and the<br />
Cultural Route focuses on cultural heritage.<br />
At the Gladstone Stables (near the<br />
western entrance) you can get in the saddle<br />
and explore the mountains on horseback.<br />
The Wilgenhof Environmental Education<br />
Centre offers abseiling excursions for the<br />
more adventurous, while water lovers can<br />
get their fix with a canoe paddle on the<br />
Gladstone Dam.<br />
If, however, you are on full holiday mode<br />
and don’t want to break a sweat at all,<br />
simply pack a picnic basket and spend<br />
the day at the Meriting Picnic Site near the<br />
Brandwag Buttress.<br />
Golden Gate Highlands National Park<br />
looks small on a map when compared to<br />
South Africa’s other national parks.<br />
Nevertheless, you won’t be bored when<br />
visiting. In fact, you’ll probably need to<br />
come back to fully explore and appreciate<br />
all its natural beauty, rich history, hidden<br />
treasures and unique wildlife. After all, a<br />
visit to Golden Gate is a visit to the land of<br />
dinosaurs, bearded vultures and golden<br />
mountains.<br />
With two great game<br />
viewing routes and eight<br />
hiking trails, there is<br />
no shortage of ways to<br />
explore Golden Gate.<br />
35<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
Weekend getaway<br />
BY MELANIE VAN ZYL<br />
HEAVENLY<br />
HIGHLANDS<br />
Bermanzi's two-day Back to Base Trail slots into a weekend gap perfectly.<br />
Fill up with one tank of fuel, tie up your laces and get lost in nature.<br />
36<br />
We sip cold wine,<br />
camp cups clinking<br />
together in festive<br />
cheer. After months<br />
forced apart by<br />
lockdown, two friends from nearby<br />
Mbombela (Nelspruit) join my partner<br />
and me at Vakashani Guesthouse<br />
in Mpumalanga. A leisurely threehour<br />
Friday afternoon drive from<br />
our home in Joburg and here we sit,<br />
jabbering away with Mia and Hank on<br />
the beautiful Bermanzi property. We<br />
lounge on the broad rocks, sunbathing<br />
like happy dassies. Only when the<br />
wind rushes up the sheer cliffs do we<br />
withdraw to the sheltered boma beside<br />
our thatched lodging.<br />
Vakashani Guesthouse is one of<br />
three accommodation options at<br />
Bermanzi, but it undoubtedly boasts<br />
the best views. Our two-storey, unfussy<br />
guesthouse perches on what feels like<br />
the edge of the world and overlooks<br />
mountainous kloofs between Emgwenya<br />
(Waterval Boven) and eNtokozweni<br />
(Machadodorp). Tonight, we braai;<br />
tomorrow, we descend into their folds.<br />
THE PRETTIEST TRAIL<br />
We wake unhurriedly on Saturday to<br />
dawn breaking as impressively as dusk<br />
had disappeared the prior evening.<br />
After hot coffee and dunked rusks<br />
enjoyed on the sunny stoep, we pack a<br />
picnic lunch and prepare to depart on<br />
>
Bermanzi is one of several individual properties<br />
that initially formed the Num-Num Hiking<br />
Trail, a renowned multi-day hike.<br />
37<br />
Many hikers<br />
consider this<br />
route to be one of<br />
the most scenic in<br />
the area.<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
Weekend getaway<br />
38<br />
the 12 km circular trail. "Not to brag,<br />
but hikers always say that ours is the<br />
prettiest trail around here," Bermanzi<br />
owner Attie van Niekerk says, explaining<br />
our route on the paper map.<br />
Bermanzi is one of several individual<br />
properties that initially formed the<br />
Num-Num Hiking Trail, a renowned<br />
multi-day hike. Today, you can still link<br />
these various paths together; only now<br />
it goes by the name of High Five Hiking<br />
Trails. Attie tells us that our hike should<br />
take roughly six hours to complete. We<br />
depart at around 9 am, and we have<br />
plans to picnic halfway.<br />
Our entry to the hike is down an<br />
old, craggy ox wagon trail. During<br />
the South African War, local families<br />
took this exact route to seek shelter<br />
down in the valley, and we later pass<br />
their stacked stone kraals. Beyond the<br />
battered cliff edges, we find ourselves<br />
in a small canyon and meander gently<br />
down the mountainside progressing<br />
through shallow forests before being<br />
unceremoniously spat out into vast<br />
grasslands again.<br />
Gazing out across the ridge towards<br />
Barberton, Mia spies hills dotted with<br />
tall aloes and suikerbossie trees. Purple<br />
wildflowers patch the pathway too,<br />
and we continue along the easy-going<br />
contour line, relishing the marvellous<br />
views of the Komati Valley to our right.<br />
The trail is signposted, plus extra white<br />
footprints painted onto strategic rock<br />
points ensure there's no getting lost, but<br />
we also have Attie's paper map just in<br />
case we make a wrong turn.<br />
Roughly an hour into the hike, we<br />
drop down another contour line, and<br />
we find oursevels in a forested ravine<br />
trudging beside a shaded stream.<br />
We deviate slightly off the trail to<br />
visit a serene rockpool – one of many<br />
swimming spots to come – and Hank<br />
braves the icy mountain waters for a<br />
refreshing dip. Bermanzi means “the<br />
mountain where the water is”, and that<br />
rings true down here.<br />
There are a few ladders and<br />
suspension bridges along the route,<br />
but all remain secure and sturdy under<br />
our hiking boots (although we do tend<br />
to cross them one by one). So far, the<br />
The stunning view<br />
makes the climb<br />
worth the effort.<br />
GOOD<br />
TO<br />
KNOW<br />
GREEN FLAG HIKING CLASSIFICATION: The Bermanzi Day Hike<br />
is a two-day, self-guided and self-catering base camp trail.<br />
ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTER: Pristine<br />
ACCOMMODATION: Excellent<br />
LENGTH: 12 km on the first day and either 4 km or<br />
8 km on the second day before departure.<br />
DIFFICULTY RATING: Moderate<br />
FACILITIES AND SAFETY: Good and in safe environment<br />
COST: Vakashani Guesthouse has two bedrooms and one dormitory<br />
with excellent self-catering facilities. Bring charcoal to braai (nonindigenous<br />
firewood is available but burns quickly). It costs R2 000<br />
per night for one to six people, and hiking comes complimentary.<br />
For more information, visit bermanzi.co.za.<br />
Images: Supplied<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Bermanzi means “the<br />
mountain where the<br />
water is”, and that<br />
rings true down here.<br />
course has been laid-back, and we keep<br />
to the edge of the babbling Bank Spruit<br />
for the most part, working our way<br />
towards a most noteworthy lunch spot.<br />
To get there, we must leave the<br />
glorious shade, natural swimming pools<br />
and cool forest by clambering upwards.<br />
We snake along the edge of rocky<br />
ledges to reach the foot of the Uitkoms<br />
Waterfall, which is said to be the second<br />
tallest in the province (Lisbon Falls<br />
on the Panorama Route is the first).<br />
Resuming our dassie positions, we<br />
spread out picnic treats across the rocks<br />
and admire the dramatic drop.<br />
Once refuelled with cheese, biscuits,<br />
coffee and citrus, we're ready to tackle<br />
the last portion of the hike. I can't help<br />
but recall that adage before strapping<br />
on my pack again – what goes down<br />
must come up! So, we start the trek back<br />
to the plateau above.<br />
There's a little rock climbing and<br />
dassie-hopping on our ascent, but (save<br />
for a steep section or two) the hike<br />
remains reasonably relaxed and rich<br />
rewards await at the top.<br />
We pause only to admire the ancient,<br />
twisted trunk of a majestic yellowwood<br />
tree, and before long we stand right<br />
above the waterfall. Views from these<br />
heights are superb, but I am more<br />
impressed by the route that got us here.<br />
I can now trace the path, my finger<br />
following the emerald line of riverine<br />
forest, and we're all chuffed at managing<br />
the sheer climb in record time. Our<br />
return to Vakashani Guest Lodge<br />
requires a short stroll on flat farm<br />
roads, and the entire trail plus picnic<br />
break took us five hours leaving another<br />
golden afternoon at our disposal.<br />
That evening, around another fervent<br />
fire, we agree that it is the variety of<br />
landscapes encountered and diverse<br />
terrains that make this trail so<br />
delightful. We are all eager for another<br />
outdoor dose before departing and<br />
agree to do the short 8 km hike early the<br />
next day. With its waterfalls, swimming<br />
spots, forest and fields, this hike offers a<br />
memorable experience.<br />
39<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
Winter getaway<br />
STARRY NIGHT...<br />
40
South Africa is blessed with various destinations<br />
that are perfect for astrophotography, especially<br />
in the Karoo in winter. Gerda Engelbrecht spent<br />
one night capturing the stars at Rogge Cloof<br />
outside Sutherland.<br />
Adjust your ISO to<br />
around 400 and<br />
keep the shutter<br />
open for about<br />
20 minutes to<br />
see star trails.<br />
I’m momentarily completely<br />
disoriented in the dark and not<br />
sure which way to go. Earlier in the<br />
afternoon, André Jordaan, the estate<br />
manager at Rogge Cloof, promised to<br />
give me a bottle of the reserve’s select<br />
wine if I take a night-time photo of a<br />
new unit on the farm with the Milky<br />
Way as a backdrop. I eagerly said yes.<br />
The new unit is only a few hundred<br />
steps from my accommodation in the<br />
Wolskuur.<br />
During the day, I tested camera angles<br />
and found a spot for my tripod. But<br />
the darkness of night deep in the veld<br />
outside Sutherland is indeed Class 1<br />
on the Bortle scale (see the sidebar on<br />
pg.42). It’s so dark, I battle to see where<br />
I am. What I think is the building, is<br />
actually a sandbank, and the road is<br />
nowhere to be found. Am I still walking<br />
in the right direction? I have a torch, but<br />
it’s the new moon, and the torchlight is<br />
swallowed up after a few centimetres by<br />
a large gaping dark void. This, then, is<br />
what true darkness looks like. I do not<br />
know which way to go.<br />
Luckily, there’s a windmill groaning<br />
in the light evening breeze, and it<br />
gives me a sign of the direction the<br />
building might be, otherwise I would<br />
have panicked. It is difficult to describe<br />
to a city dweller how dark the Karoo<br />
veld can get. Especially when there’s no<br />
moonlight. This darkness, however, is<br />
exactly what you want when you’re going<br />
to be taking photos of the night sky.<br />
Before I left, colleagues advised me<br />
to download an app to help me find the<br />
Milky Way, but at 8 pm, it was already so<br />
dark here at Rogge Cloof that the Milky<br />
Way hung crystal clear in the sky.<br />
It's indescribably beautiful.<br />
NEW HORIZONS<br />
I happened to be looking for<br />
accommodation in Sutherland and came<br />
across Rogge Cloof when I unexpectedly<br />
got a call from Canon. The brand-new<br />
Canon EOS Ra just arrived in South<br />
Africa, and Canon would loan me a new<br />
model for a week (one of the perks of<br />
my job). This camera is in Canon's range<br />
of single-frame mirrorless cameras, and<br />
the brand's first one in decades that’s<br />
specifically aimed at star photography. I<br />
couldn’t resist!<br />
Rogge Cloof, a game and dark sky<br />
reserve, has fairly high-speed internet,<br />
and it’s available to visitors for free. This<br />
meant that I would be able to stay for a<br />
night or two. During the day I could do<br />
my normal day job thanks to the online<br />
access, and at night I could shoot the<br />
stars. Unfortunately, I miscalculated<br />
one of the long weekends, and Rogge<br />
Cloof was already fully booked. The<br />
><br />
41<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
Winter getaway<br />
42<br />
cook would have his hands full preparing<br />
meals for the weekend’s visitors, but if<br />
I'd be willing to cook for myself, I could<br />
still come for one night, said Corlia Janse<br />
van Rensburg, who works at the reserve.<br />
I decided one night in Sutherland was<br />
better than nothing.<br />
I leave Cape Town on a Thursday<br />
morning and arrive at Rogge Cloof<br />
just after lunch. The reserve is easy to<br />
get to; it is on the R354 (the road to<br />
Sutherland), and the main entrance is<br />
about 10 km outside the town. From the<br />
main entrance, it is still another 11 km<br />
across the reserve on a well-maintained<br />
dirt road. Corlia dryly remarked that I<br />
was the first one to arrive there driving<br />
a Mini. Although Rogge Cloof also has<br />
five cheetahs on the reserve, I only saw<br />
The special infrared<br />
filter on the Canon<br />
makes the blue sky<br />
appear slightly bluer,<br />
but the colours are in<br />
no way distorted.<br />
springboks and bontebok. After 11 km,<br />
you arrive at an electrified fence and a<br />
second gate, and then the friendly staff<br />
of Rogge Cloof await you.<br />
The reserve's facilities are beautiful<br />
and can accommodate around 50 people<br />
at any one time. The Rittersaal is a<br />
restored farmstead from the 1700s and<br />
has a slightly medieval feel. The breakfast<br />
room right next door boasts glass<br />
walls on two sides to bring the Karoo<br />
area inside.<br />
The reserve offers a variety of<br />
accommodation, from single-room<br />
cottages for two to houses that<br />
accommodate eight. Many of them are<br />
buildings that have sprung up on the<br />
farm over the centuries. André proudly<br />
shows me how they incorporated some<br />
of the old features of the buildings into<br />
the new design, including wire that was<br />
used to sift wool in the unit where I am<br />
to spend the night. It feels like home.<br />
All the units have wood stoves, and the<br />
reserve provides wood in the winter<br />
– Sutherland turns into a fairy-tale<br />
wonderland when it snows.<br />
That night, armed with my flask of<br />
coffee, I sit and guard my camera. You<br />
don’t have to – a thief wouldn’t be able<br />
to get close – but I’m afraid that if I<br />
put this very expensive Canon down, I<br />
won’t be able to find it again in the pitch<br />
blackness. There is no noise, other than<br />
the creaking of the windmill. And so, the<br />
peace of Sutherland descends upon me.<br />
What is the<br />
Bortle scale?<br />
HOW DARK IS DARK? Sutherland<br />
is a one on the Bortle scale, a<br />
numerical scale with nine levels<br />
that indicate the brightness of<br />
the night sky. It quantifies the<br />
visibility of the stars and celestial<br />
bodies, as well as the level of<br />
light pollution that makes it<br />
impossible to see them. John E.<br />
Bortle created and published the<br />
scale in the February 2001 issue<br />
of Sky & Telescope magazine<br />
so amateur astronomers and<br />
astrophotographers could<br />
measure the darkness of<br />
different terrains. The scale<br />
ranges from Class 1 – the<br />
darkest possible night sky –<br />
to Class 9, which is usually<br />
in a city centre at night. The<br />
scale uses several criteria to<br />
determine the darkness, and<br />
not only observations with the<br />
naked eye. Class 1, the level at<br />
Rogge Cloof, requires that:<br />
• the zodiacal light be visible;<br />
• M33 (the Triangulum Galaxy)<br />
can be seen with the naked eye;<br />
• the Milky Way casts an<br />
obvious shadow;<br />
• airglow be visible;<br />
• Jupiter and Venus complicate<br />
adaption to night vision;<br />
• and the environment must<br />
be basically invisible.<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Star photography 101<br />
YOU NEED<br />
• A destination that is truly dark. Even at<br />
night, streetlights can get in the way of night<br />
photography. There should be as little as<br />
possible man-made light for kilometres,<br />
which means you should be far away<br />
from civilisation.<br />
• A camera that has a shutter that can stay<br />
open for long periods of time. Look for a<br />
setting such as “bulb mode”, which is usually<br />
showed by a capital B. Some smaller pointand-shoot<br />
cameras also have settings for<br />
night photography that work amazingly well.<br />
Check under “scenes”.<br />
• Something to stabilise the camera, such as<br />
a tripod. But when the shutter stays open<br />
for 40 minutes, a tripod may not be stable<br />
enough. I parked the camera on a heavy<br />
sandbag on the ground and a kitchen bench.<br />
In the Karoo, large flat rocks also work well.<br />
• A remote control for your shutter. You can<br />
get it relatively cheaply at Orms or takealot.<br />
This stops the camera from moving as you<br />
click on the shutter.<br />
• Hours of patience. If you shoot the Milky Way,<br />
the lens will stay open for about 30 seconds,<br />
but for galaxies it’s around 40 minutes. And<br />
at 40 minutes per photo, you can imagine<br />
that you won’t take many photos per night.<br />
It's a bonus if you can set up the camera<br />
somewhere and leave it there, but that’s not<br />
always possible. You’ll have to wait in the<br />
dark, so pack a flask of coffee and bring a<br />
friend for company.<br />
HOW TO SHOOT THE NIGHT SKY<br />
Practice, practice, practice! Shoot photos of<br />
the Milky Way with a high ISO (about 3600 in<br />
my case) and a shutter speed of 30 seconds<br />
or less. When shooting star trails, adjust<br />
the ISO as low as 400, and keep the shutter<br />
speed open for up to 40 minutes. Because<br />
the Canon EOS Ra has such a super-sensitive<br />
filter, I got the best results in 20 to 25 minutes.<br />
Remember to set the camera's focus to<br />
infinity. Look for the infinity sign (it looks like a<br />
sideways 8) in your sights.<br />
"...at 8 pm, it<br />
was already<br />
so dark here<br />
at Rogge<br />
Cloof that<br />
the Milky<br />
Way hung<br />
crystal<br />
clear in the<br />
sky. It is<br />
indescribably<br />
beautiful.<br />
43<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
Winter getaway<br />
What I thought of the Canon EOS Ra<br />
44<br />
The EOS Ra has the same specifications<br />
as the Canon EOS R, but with a stronger<br />
infrared filter that enables the camera to<br />
transmit four times as much hydrogen<br />
alpha light compared to another EOS<br />
R camera. That’s the feature that makes it such a<br />
star at night. The camera is ideally equipped for<br />
astrophotographers. For example, you can use the<br />
30x magnification feature on the camera window<br />
to evaluate your photos now and then – important,<br />
because you need to adjust the night photography<br />
settings according to the environment and not all<br />
photographers get it right on the first try.<br />
The fact that the touch screen can rotate at various<br />
angles makes it easier for you to place the camera on<br />
rocks or walls at interesting angles, without having to<br />
roll around in the dust. Serious astrophotographers<br />
can also mount the EOS Ra on a telescope. The<br />
camera captures time-lapse videos in 4K and has an<br />
ISO that can be increased to 40 000. I'm sorry I didn't<br />
have time to test this function, though it does give me<br />
an excuse to borrow the camera again.<br />
Canon also loaned me the wide-angle RF 15-35mm<br />
f / 2.8L IS USM lens, which can be considered as its<br />
flagship lens for the RF series.<br />
Would I recommend this camera? It’s a<br />
definite yes from me. I found my groove<br />
from the second pic. After 30 seconds<br />
on the tripod, the night sky shone on<br />
the camera’s screen. With the star<br />
tracks, I overexposed one because<br />
the shutter was open for too long, but<br />
after that, I saw astonishing results. It's<br />
trickier to get your composition right<br />
in the dark, so my horizon is not always<br />
level, but it does create a dramatic<br />
effect. If you consider these photos<br />
THE SERIES<br />
Canon EOS RF:<br />
About R22 000<br />
(body only)<br />
Canon EOS R:<br />
About R30 000<br />
(body only)<br />
Canon EOS Ra:<br />
About R53 000<br />
(body only)<br />
Canon EOS R6:<br />
About R45 000<br />
(body only)<br />
Canon EOS R5:<br />
About R80 000<br />
(body only)<br />
were taken during my first two hours with the camera,<br />
you can only imagine what the quality would be once<br />
you’ve been taking photos for a year with this one.<br />
Some online reviewers warn the EOS Ra is only<br />
good for night photography as the infrared light meter<br />
distorts ordinary colours in daylight. I found that the<br />
Karoo sky appeared a little bluer in daylight but is by<br />
no means distorted. Pics taken inside a dark room were<br />
bright thanks to its light sensitivity. So, it's not true that<br />
you cannot use the camera for ordinary photography.<br />
That said, the EOS Ra is ideally a camera for night<br />
photography and will probably only be a serious option<br />
if you already have another camera in your camera bag.<br />
I love night photography, and I would love to have<br />
such a camera at my disposal to take night photos<br />
in different places in the country: the Cederberg<br />
mountains, Gannagabos outside Calvinia, Namibia,<br />
the Kalahari Desert and the Kgalagadi, Gamkaskloof<br />
outside Calitzdorp, Anysberg outside Ladismith. This<br />
camera will provide great fun in the remote parts of<br />
Southern Africa.<br />
I wished out loud a few times that I could take the<br />
Canon EOS Ra to Iceland or Scandinavia to shoot<br />
the Northern Lights (the aurora borealis). I've been<br />
to both destinations before, but my photos<br />
were so-so, and I think I'd be able to do<br />
much better with the EOS Ra.<br />
The EOS Ra doesn’t come cheap. If<br />
you can buy in that price range (R52<br />
000 for the camera without the lens), I<br />
suggest you also look at the Canon EOS<br />
R and EOS R6, which are both leaders<br />
in their class and are brilliant for<br />
bird, wildlife and macro photography,<br />
plus took very decent night photos in<br />
Sutherland and Tromsø, Norway.<br />
Photos: Gerda Engelbrecht<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Social with us<br />
@ Poopourri_SouthAfrica<br />
021 913 3962 | www.poopourri.co.za<br />
Distributed by FMCG 1 Sales.<br />
AVAILABLE AT:
Lovely<br />
LANDSCAPES<br />
We live in a beautiful world, so go out and capture it! Here are 10 tips that will help<br />
take your landscape photography up a level. WORDS & PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA REINDERS<br />
46<br />
Landscape photography is one of the most rewarding<br />
and enjoyable forms of photography. Who doesn’t<br />
want to spend more time outside to breathe in the<br />
fresh air and connect with nature? Whether you are<br />
a seasoned professional or a hobbyist out on a road<br />
trip, here are tried-and-tested tips on how to make<br />
your mountains more majestic, your fields more<br />
endless and your skyscapes more dramatic.<br />
A truly amazing landscape shot is the perfect showstopping<br />
addition to your photography portfolio and<br />
is a sure-fire way to boost your Instagram following<br />
(if that is your thing).<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Photography tips & tricks<br />
GET YOUR GEAR<br />
In general, the higher the resolution of your camera, the better equipped<br />
it is for taking landscape photos. While there isn't a specific brand or<br />
kind of camera that you must use, it’s best to ensure that the camera’s<br />
aperture can open to at least f16/f22 (some bridge cameras can't do<br />
this). That said, the best camera is the one you have with you, and some<br />
of these tips can even be used with your cellphone’s camera!<br />
1. LOCATION LEGWORK<br />
Find the perfect setting and that’s<br />
half the battle won. To discover<br />
new, cool spots that haven’t been<br />
photographed to death, you'll need<br />
to go out and explore. Or if it’s an oftphotographed<br />
location, try to find a<br />
unique angle on it.<br />
You might just find that researching<br />
locations is the best part of shooting<br />
landscapes. To find out more about<br />
a location, use Google and online<br />
maps or chat to people who have<br />
visited the area, locals or the local<br />
tourism office.<br />
Some photographers also geotag<br />
their images when they post them to<br />
online sites like Flickr.<br />
You need to plan for when the<br />
light will be best for your photo.<br />
There are apps that can help you<br />
visualise what a location will look like<br />
at a particular time of day. Sunlight<br />
and moon positions can give you<br />
the information you need to find that<br />
great scene.<br />
2. THINK BIG<br />
To convey the scene’s vastness, a large<br />
depth of field (large f/stop number, for<br />
example f16/f22) will give you the sense<br />
that “everything” is in focus.<br />
What should I focus on in this case?<br />
If you have a definite subject in your<br />
landscape – a person, tree or any object<br />
that that anchors your focus and leads<br />
you into the landscape – focus on that<br />
using either your autofocus system or<br />
focusing manually. If the landscape is<br />
devoid of a subject, put your camera<br />
on manual, and set it to infinity (many<br />
lenses have a meter that will show a<br />
sideways figure 8 which represents<br />
infinity). This allows the camera to focus<br />
on as much as possible in the image. A<br />
good example of when to use infinity<br />
focus is when photographing the Milky<br />
Way. It may be hard for your camera<br />
to autofocus on a point in the distance.<br />
Switch to manual focus and rotate your<br />
lens to infinity.<br />
><br />
47<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
Photography tips & tricks<br />
48 Which shooting mode should I use?<br />
Most cameras have a small icon of a<br />
person in a frame indicating a portrait<br />
and an icon of a mountain for landscapes.<br />
This landscape shooting mode works<br />
but only to a degree. Rather use the<br />
camera’s more powerful Av/A (Aperture<br />
Priority) mode for better results. It will<br />
let you concentrate on your chosen<br />
aperture (which is crucial in landscape<br />
photography) while the camera makes<br />
the other calculations for you.<br />
When using a high aperture number (say<br />
f22), the corresponding shutter speed<br />
may be extremely slow. That’s why a<br />
landscape photographer’s best friend is a<br />
tripod. Buy one that is sturdy enough for<br />
your needs but also lightweight enough<br />
to easily move around.<br />
3. COMPOSITION:<br />
A solitary scene will arguably be dull, so<br />
compose your landscape as you would<br />
with any other photo. Think about what<br />
is interesting to the viewer. Pay attention<br />
to the geographical elements in front of<br />
you and how they intersect with each<br />
other. For example, consider the line of<br />
the horizon or the shape of a mountain<br />
or a dam, and determine where these<br />
elements should be positioned for<br />
maximum interest. Are there shadows<br />
or reflections that you can exploit as<br />
main areas of interest? Consider some<br />
foreground interest to draw the viewer in.<br />
The following general composition tools<br />
all lend themselves to great landscapes:<br />
Let the lines lead you<br />
Leading lines are just that – lines that<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
lead your eyes into the frame (or even out<br />
of it, depending on the photographer’s<br />
intention). Objects like jetties, railroads,<br />
pathways and fences create compelling<br />
landscape images that can transport the<br />
viewer deeper into the scene. They can<br />
guide your viewer to the focus of your<br />
image. They can also guide your viewer<br />
through the flow of a scene or setting, or<br />
they can vanish into the distant horizon.<br />
The larger the aperture number (from<br />
f/16 to f/22) the more of the total scene<br />
will be in focus.<br />
Rule of thirds<br />
The rule of thirds pertains to landscape<br />
photography as well. The advantage<br />
with landscapes is that the photographer<br />
has much more time to reflect on the<br />
scene and compose the photograph. If<br />
your camera can overlay a grid, turn on<br />
the feature and use it to help compose<br />
your pictures. Work on creating a flow<br />
in the photograph that takes the viewer<br />
on a journey through the scene you are<br />
capturing. Where do you want them to<br />
visit? It is your job to guide them there.<br />
Add foreground interest<br />
A great landscape photograph has depth.<br />
This means something needs to be in the<br />
foreground: a tree, a piece of driftwood,<br />
a sailboat, or, well, your road trip partner!<br />
Wherever you are, look for foreground<br />
objects that help tell your story.<br />
4. CHANGE YOUR<br />
PERSPECTIVE<br />
Want a unique landscape image? Try a<br />
different perspective. Put your camera on ><br />
49<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
The so-called golden hour occurs not only an hour or<br />
so before sunset but also an hour after sunrise.<br />
50<br />
ONLY GOT A<br />
CELLPHONE?<br />
No problem. These<br />
days most top-range<br />
cellphones take<br />
amazing images. If you<br />
feel you need to pimp<br />
yours out, there are<br />
hundreds of options<br />
you can try. You can buy<br />
lenses that clip onto<br />
your phone that will<br />
expand what it can do.<br />
Popular options include<br />
wide angle, macro,<br />
telephoto and fisheye<br />
lenses. Nifty!<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Photography tips & tricks<br />
the ground or climb on top of something<br />
(a koppie, the roof of your car, a bridge).<br />
5. DON’T RELY TOO MUCH<br />
ON POST-PRODUCTION!<br />
There is nothing worse than a landscape<br />
photograph that doesn’t look real.<br />
Adjusting the horizon or changing your<br />
exposure or saturation can make a big<br />
difference, but it’s important to not rely<br />
too much on post-production tools<br />
and filters when it comes to landscape<br />
photos.<br />
Rather set yourself up for success while<br />
you are shooting by using the right<br />
settings and techniques. Pay critical<br />
attention to white balance (the “cloudy”<br />
setting often gives a great result even<br />
in the absence of actual clouds) and<br />
deepen colours by manipulating your<br />
exposure compensation and shooting<br />
slightly on the under exposed (darker)<br />
side. Shoot in RAW mode if possible so<br />
that any post-production tweaks don’t<br />
result in loss of quality.<br />
6. CHASE THE LIGHT<br />
Set your alarm. The so-called golden<br />
hour occurs not only an hour or so<br />
before sunset but also an hour after<br />
sunrise. Don’t stay under the duvet and<br />
miss out. Midday light will lead to lots<br />
of shadows, so rather take a siesta to<br />
recharge your batteries (both literally<br />
and figuratively). Also, try to avoid<br />
shooting when it’s too sunny. Cloudy<br />
weather is best (see tip 9).<br />
7. LENS CHOICE<br />
The best lens for landscape<br />
photography is usually, but not always,<br />
a wide-angle one. There are times<br />
when you will want to focus on small<br />
details, like the moon rising over a<br />
distant mountain peak. For these rare<br />
examples, a zoom or telephoto lens<br />
will come in handy and will help you<br />
think outside the box regarding your<br />
compositions.<br />
Regardless, the workhorse lens for<br />
shooting landscapes will be your<br />
favourite, good-quality, wide-angle lens.<br />
Even when your subject is small, you<br />
may be best served by getting closer to<br />
it with your wide-angle lens rather than<br />
zooming in with a longer lens.<br />
8. ADD A PERSON<br />
A landscape photograph with people?<br />
Believe it or not, adding a human subject<br />
to your landscape photograph can make<br />
your scene more impressive. While a<br />
beautiful view is gorgeous to look at,<br />
seeing a person in the scene invites us in<br />
as we imagine ourselves in their shoes.<br />
With the addition of a person (or an<br />
animal or some other human element like<br />
a car), viewers can really get the scale<br />
and the vastness of your landscape.<br />
Bring along a friend on your photography<br />
adventures or set up your tripod and<br />
timer and do a self-portrait!<br />
9. DRAMATIC SKIES AND<br />
THE IMPORTANCE OF<br />
CLOUDS<br />
A blah sky makes for a blah photograph.<br />
While the golden hours around dawn<br />
and dusk can make even the dreariest<br />
vistas beautiful, consider all your options.<br />
Clouds often add interest and drama to a<br />
photo. Even a few fair-weather cumulus<br />
puffballs can make a world of difference<br />
to an otherwise uninteresting landscape.<br />
Streaky cirrus clouds reflect pinks and<br />
oranges during sunset, and dramatic and<br />
contrasty cumulonimbus clouds change<br />
the tone of a photo entirely. Use them<br />
compositionally and consider the way<br />
they change the light in your photograph.<br />
Ultimately, they are like giant soft boxes<br />
giving everything a more muted tone.<br />
10. STRAIGHT HORIZONS<br />
Your horizon line needs to be straight,<br />
so turn on your grid line feature. Then<br />
double-check you’re not accidentally<br />
chopping the top off your subject, be it a<br />
mountain, a building or trees. Remember,<br />
you can do a lot to improve a mediocre<br />
image with editing, but you can’t do<br />
anything to rescue bad composition.<br />
Samantha Reinders is a<br />
freelance photojournalist<br />
with a love for the open<br />
road. She’s worked for<br />
National Geographic and<br />
was the Photo Editor at<br />
Weg/go! magazine for<br />
four years. Recently she<br />
worked on a gripping<br />
photo essay on the<br />
Covid-19 pandemic in the<br />
Eastern Cape for The New<br />
York Times.<br />
51<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
COMPILED BY GERDA ENGELBRECHT<br />
LUXURY<br />
WHEN IT<br />
MATTERS<br />
You love the outdoors, but you don't want to feel<br />
the winter chill while you sleep, wear uncomfortable<br />
shoes or limit your diet to bully beef. Here are fab<br />
items for your next adventure (and they make for<br />
wonderful Father's Day gifts too).<br />
52<br />
A PROPER CUP OF COFFEE<br />
If you don't feel like having instant coffee on your next<br />
hike, then Roux Bean from Montagu is your solution.<br />
Their single-serving bags of filter coffee fit on top of any<br />
coffee cup. You just add boiling water. When we tested it,<br />
the coffee was fresh and the strength was perfect!<br />
PRICE: R55 for five (the more you order, the cheaper<br />
they get)<br />
ORDER FROM: orders@rouxbean.co.za<br />
PAP IN A JIFFY<br />
You can't go wrong with<br />
maize pap. You can have<br />
it for breakfast, lunch or<br />
dinner. It's filling and can be<br />
served a hundred different<br />
ways. A-maize-zing sells<br />
ready-made pap in 250g<br />
and 500g tubes that can<br />
easily fit into a backpack or<br />
camp crate. You can have<br />
dinner ready long before the<br />
tent is pitched. Ready-made<br />
polenta is also available.<br />
PRICE: R230 for a box of<br />
20 x 250g tubes<br />
ORDER FROM:<br />
a-maize-zing.co.za or buy<br />
single tubes at selected<br />
Spar stores<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Gear<br />
TASTES LIKE HOME<br />
Over instant noodles and canned food on your hike or 4x4 adventure? Here are two easy<br />
and delicious alternative food options for you to try.<br />
Mamma Afrika is the brainchild of<br />
Catherine Cartwright, a South African<br />
4x4 enthusiast and multiday hiker who<br />
makes "adventure food" for those who<br />
love the outdoors. Catherine says that<br />
she simply reached a point where she<br />
was fed up with having to eat bland<br />
instant noodles while in the most<br />
beautiful natural settings. On the menu<br />
for lunch or dinner, she has Moroccan<br />
butternut tagine, East African peanut<br />
butter stew, Ethiopian dhal, mushroom<br />
risotto and jollof rice. Made from natural,<br />
flavourful ingredients (you won't find any<br />
unhealthy or tasteless additives), the<br />
meals are dehydrated. You simply add<br />
it to a pot of water and cook until it has<br />
swelled out again. The portions are large.<br />
The butternut tagine was a highlight.<br />
For breakfast, Mamma Afrika offers<br />
oats in four different flavours: apple,<br />
cinnamon and almond; nectarine<br />
and chia; pear and chocolate; and<br />
mango and turmeric. Fantastic!<br />
PRICES: R20 for breakfast<br />
and R85 for mains<br />
ORDER FROM: mamaalles.com<br />
The Dri Food Co is also a South African<br />
company that manufactures dried food. Hikers<br />
rate their products highly. On offer is smoky<br />
butternut and kale macaroni, aubergine curry,<br />
green bean stew, red lentil dhal, Thai green<br />
curry made with sweet potatoes and lentils.<br />
They also have packets of dried veggies:<br />
aubergines, baby marrows, cabbage, green<br />
beans, mushrooms, onions, peppers, potatoes,<br />
sweet potatoes, spinach and tomatoes. It will<br />
come in handy if you ever develop scurvy while<br />
on your 4x4 holiday deep in the bush. Add these<br />
vegetables to your potjie to give it a health kick. For<br />
breakfast, they have oats in six different flavours:<br />
apple and cinnamon; banana and chocolate;<br />
banana, pineapple and coconut; chilli, banana and<br />
chocolate (delicious); “pienk pap” (beetroot and<br />
apple); and “sun kissed” (pear, butternut and ginger).<br />
PRICES: Mains from R95; breakfast from<br />
R28 and dried vegetables from R75<br />
ORDER FROM: drifoodco.com<br />
HOME<br />
COMFORT<br />
Sometimes in<br />
winter you just want<br />
to stay home and<br />
curl up with a good<br />
book. Sapmok<br />
slippers are just as<br />
comfortable as they<br />
look (I ordered a<br />
pair). They also have<br />
vellies with wool on<br />
the inside, which<br />
are just as welcome.<br />
PRICES: R1 350<br />
for the slippers<br />
and R1 600 for the<br />
vellies.<br />
ORDER FROM:<br />
sapmok.com<br />
53<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
Gear<br />
54<br />
SLEEP TIGHT<br />
Taking a tent on a hiking trip<br />
has its pros and cons. On the<br />
one hand, if it rains, you can<br />
sleep drily, and after a day of<br />
walking, you want to be cosy.<br />
On the other, you have to lug<br />
the extra weight around. Here<br />
is a solution: Campcraft sells<br />
ultralight tents for hikers.<br />
The Black Diamond<br />
Spotlight Bivy is a one-man<br />
tent with a design that will<br />
turn heads, but it only weighs<br />
510 g and is 10 x 19 cm when<br />
you unfold it. Want more<br />
space? Choose the Black<br />
Diamond Firstlight (1,3 kg<br />
en 15 x 33 cm).<br />
Also check out their carbon<br />
trekking poles and light-weight<br />
cooking equipment.<br />
PRICES: One-man tent<br />
from R4 599 and two-man<br />
tent from R7 699. Carbon<br />
trekking poles from R899.<br />
ORDER FROM:<br />
campcraft.co.za<br />
BOOTS MADE FOR HIKING<br />
Merrell is renowned among hikers and 4x4<br />
enthusiasts, and their new Erie hiking boots<br />
won't disappoint. Its appearance is aimed at<br />
those who like the retro look, but it has all the<br />
modern technology to make it as light as a<br />
feather and reliable. The upper is a silk-like,<br />
waterproof suede, and the sole is made<br />
from super soft foam.<br />
No doubt that these will become<br />
your favourite hiking boots.<br />
PRICE: R2 399<br />
ORDER FROM:<br />
merrell.co.za<br />
PULL UP YOUR SOCKS!<br />
Hikers often talk about shoes, but they don't<br />
discuss socks nearly as much as they should.<br />
If you end up with blisters after a long hike, it's<br />
often not your boots that are to blame, but rather<br />
your socks. Here are two reliable stalwarts from<br />
Falke and one new addition to their range. They<br />
have secret socks options, but I prefer to wear<br />
longer socks with my hiking boots. Falke socks are<br />
manufactured in South Africa.<br />
The Falke Advance Performance Wool<br />
Hiker is a new product from Falke. They are<br />
ergonomically designed (specifically made for a<br />
left or right foot) and are fortified on the heel and<br />
toe with a subtle seam that won't chafe. They are<br />
made of 38 percent wool, 37 percent acrylic, 14<br />
percent polyamide and nine percent Drynamix (a<br />
polyester mix that keeps your feet dry). The two<br />
percent elastin ensures that they fit nicely and<br />
don't bunch up in your shoe. Hikers often shun<br />
wool socks because they think they're thick and<br />
heavy, but these are light and comfortable. Perfect<br />
for winter.<br />
The Falke Hike/Walkie is a classic. They<br />
have a seamless toe that won't chafe, a special<br />
design that aids ventilation and the sole has extra<br />
cushioning – ideal for long treks. They are made<br />
from 46 percent wool, 46 percent Drynamix, six<br />
percent polyamide and two percent elastin.<br />
If you want to try something that offers the best<br />
of both worlds, get a pair of Falke Advance<br />
Performance Cool Hiker. These are thin<br />
on top, but the sole is well-cushioned. They are<br />
composed of 79 percent Drynamix, 19 percent<br />
polyamied and two percent elastin.<br />
All three types of socks come in various colours<br />
and contain odourless insect repellent (for hiking in<br />
the veld). They are also are great Father's Day gifts.<br />
PRICES: From R150 to R200<br />
ORDER FROM: falke.co.za<br />
Photos: Getty Images/Gallo Images and supplied<br />
This selection of products was chosen by the editorial staff, and the various brand featured didn’t pay for the exposure. All prices mentioned can change without notice.<br />
Delivery costs are not factored into the prices. The editorial staff can’t accept responsibility for orders.<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
COFFEE ANGELS<br />
Simple and elegant, our disposable coffee filter fits with ‘wings’ on<br />
any cup and is essential for that weekend away or camping trip.<br />
Filled with premium Arabica coffee that we have air roasted to perfection;<br />
these little Angels will bring some coffee heaven to your day!<br />
10 PIET RETIEF STREET, MONTAGU TEL: 084 952 6803<br />
EMAIL: ORDERS@ROUXBEAN.CO.ZA<br />
www.rouxbean.co.za
LEG OF SPRINGBOK ON THE BR<strong>AA</strong>I, CHILLI-CHOCOLATE PIE, BACON-<br />
WRAPPED FILLET AND BURGERS WITH APRICOT AND BRANDY SAUCE<br />
– HERE ARE EIGHT LEKKER RECIPES FOR WHEN YOU GOT GAME FROM A<br />
HUNT, OR ASK YOUR BUTCHER FOR THESE CUTS.<br />
56<br />
BACON-WRAPPED<br />
FILLET<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Recipes<br />
BACON-WRAPPED FILLET<br />
Serves 4<br />
Cooking time 20 minutes (plus<br />
marinating overnight)<br />
125ml (½c) brown sugar<br />
125ml (½c) soy sauce<br />
1 whole game fillet, about 600g (we<br />
used springbok)<br />
125g streaky bacon<br />
1 Mix the sugar and soy sauce well and<br />
pour into a sealable plastic bag. Add the<br />
fillet and seal the bag. Let it marinade in<br />
the fridge overnight.<br />
2 Remove the meat from the marinade<br />
and wrap the bacon strips around it. Let<br />
the bacon pieces overlap so that the fillet<br />
is completely covered. Use toothpicks to<br />
keep the bacon in place.<br />
3 Braai the fillet over medium hot coals,<br />
brushing it with the marinade every now<br />
and then. Turn after about 5 minutes and<br />
cook on the other side until the bacon<br />
is crispy. Move the coals to one side or<br />
move the fillet to the cooler side of the<br />
braai and allow it to slowly cook up high<br />
for another 5 minutes or so for a medium<br />
rare fillet. If it’s a ticker piece of meat, or<br />
you prefer meat that’s less rare, you’ll<br />
need to cook it for longer. Remove from<br />
the braai and allow to rest under a piece<br />
of foil for 5 minutes.<br />
4 Cut the fillet into slices and let your<br />
guests enjoy it around the braai. Or serve<br />
it on a bread bun with camembert, rocket<br />
leaves and microgreens.<br />
TIP: There is a big difference between the<br />
weight and size for different game fillets.<br />
For this recipe, you can use any type of<br />
game but be sure to adjust the amount of<br />
marinade and cooking time according to<br />
the size of the meat.<br />
MARROWBONE AND GAME<br />
POTJIE WITH PEACHES<br />
Serves 6 – 8<br />
Cooking time 3 hours 10 minutes (plus<br />
marinating overnight)<br />
1kg game shoulder or leg (we used<br />
springbok, but you can also use kudu or<br />
impala)<br />
MARROWBONE AND GAME<br />
POTJIE WITH PEACHES<br />
For the marinade<br />
1 bottle (750ml) quality dry red wine<br />
1 cinnamon stick<br />
1,25ml (¼t) ground ginger<br />
Pinch of saffron<br />
For the potjie<br />
Salt and pepper, to taste<br />
30ml (2T) butter<br />
500g mutton marrowbones<br />
250g smoked bacon, roughly chopped<br />
1 onion, chopped<br />
2 sprigs rosemary<br />
1 cup large, dried peaches<br />
30ml (2T) brown sugar<br />
2L lamb stock<br />
1 Cut the meat into cubes. Mix the<br />
marinade ingredients in a large bowl,<br />
add the meat and leave it in the fridge<br />
overnight.<br />
2 Preheat the oven to 160°C. Remove<br />
the meat from the marinade, dry it with<br />
paper towels and flavour with salt and<br />
pepper. Don’t throw away the marinade!<br />
You’ll use it later. Heat a wide, flatbottomed<br />
pot that has a tight-fitting<br />
lid on the stove, melt the butter and<br />
working in batches, quickly brown the<br />
meat and marrowbones over high heat<br />
(see tip below).<br />
3 Lower the heat and add half of the<br />
bacon, the onion and rosemary sprigs<br />
to the pot. Fry for about 5 minutes. Next,<br />
add the peaches, sugar, marinade and<br />
stock. Pop on the lid and let the meat<br />
cook in the oven for 2 hours. Remove<br />
the lid and put it pack in the oven for<br />
another hour.<br />
4 Fry the rest of the bacon until crispy<br />
and sprinkle over the dish just before<br />
serving.<br />
5 Serve with quinces cooked in star<br />
anise, vanilla pods and sugar. It’s also<br />
delicious with rice or potato mash.<br />
MEAT BROWNING TIP: When browning<br />
meat, you don’t want it to seep juices<br />
or steam. To avoid this, let your meat<br />
reach room temperature before you<br />
start browning it, make sure you pan is<br />
hot and brown your meat over high heat.<br />
You also don’t want to crowd the pan, so<br />
work in batches if need be. ><br />
57<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
Recipes<br />
LEG OF SPRINGBOK<br />
ON THE BR<strong>AA</strong>I<br />
Serves 4<br />
Cooking time about 2 hours 30 minutes<br />
LEG OF SPRINGBOK<br />
ON THE BR<strong>AA</strong>I<br />
1 leg of springbok (about 1,2kg)<br />
Salt and pepper, to taste<br />
25ml freshly ground coriander<br />
For the marinade<br />
100ml olive oil<br />
45ml (3T) lemon juice<br />
20ml soy sauce<br />
15ml (1T) balsamic vinegar<br />
For the jus<br />
375ml (½ bottle) red wine<br />
125ml (½c) sugar<br />
1 sprig rosemary<br />
1 garlic clove<br />
58<br />
1 Flavour the springbok leg with salt,<br />
pepper and coriander. Mix the marinade<br />
ingredients in a large bowl (one in which<br />
you can marinade the meat). Place the<br />
springbok in the bowl and marinade for<br />
at least an hour (longer is better).<br />
2 For the jus, cook the wine, sugar,<br />
rosemary and garlic in a pot over<br />
medium heat. The jus is ready when it<br />
sticks to the spoon.<br />
3 Put the meat on a braai grid over<br />
medium hot coals and cover with a<br />
casserole lid. You can also cook this in<br />
a kettle grill, but the casserole lid works<br />
just as well. The cooking time depends<br />
on several factors, but 10 minutes is a<br />
good start; 20 minutes may be too long.<br />
4 When done, allow the meat to rest for<br />
about 10 minutes. Serve with the sauce<br />
and braai sides.<br />
CHILLI-CHOCOLATE<br />
GAME PIE<br />
Serves 6<br />
Cooking time 3 hours 30 minutes<br />
(excluding time for the filling to cool<br />
down)<br />
For the filling<br />
1,5kg game shoulder or leg (we used<br />
kudu)<br />
45ml (3T) flour (optional)<br />
60ml (¼c) butter<br />
250g brown or portabellini mushrooms<br />
1 onion, chopped<br />
3 large carrots, chopped<br />
1 small red chilli pepper, whole<br />
15ml (1T) cumin seeds<br />
5ml (1t) ground coriander<br />
1 pinch chilli flakes<br />
500ml (2c) dry red wine<br />
250ml (1c) beef stock<br />
1 can (400g) chopped tomatoes<br />
10ml (2t) fresh thyme leaves<br />
2 fresh bay leaves<br />
50g dark chocolate (70% or 80% cocoa),<br />
broken into pieces<br />
Salt and black pepper, to taste<br />
For the pie<br />
1 to 2 rolls puff pastry (depending on<br />
the size of your pie dish), defrosted<br />
1 egg, beaten<br />
1 Preheat the oven to 160°C. Cut the<br />
meat into 4 cm cubes and remove any<br />
sinew. Add the meat and flour (if using)<br />
to a plastic bag and give it a good shake.<br />
2 On the stove, melt the butter in a wide,<br />
flat-bottomed pot (it must also have<br />
a tight-fitting lid). Working in batches,<br />
quickly brown the meat over high<br />
heat (see meat browning tip on pg 57).<br />
Remove from the pot.<br />
3 Leave the mushrooms whole or<br />
cut them into large chunks. Add the<br />
mushrooms, onions, carrots, chilli<br />
pepper and spices to the pot and fry<br />
over medium heat until slightly brown.<br />
CHILLI-CHOCOLATE<br />
GAME PIE<br />
4 Add the wine, stock, tomatoes, thyme<br />
and bay leaves. Bring to a boil and add<br />
the meat. Let it simmer for 5 minutes,<br />
then pop on the lid and put the pot in<br />
the oven for 90 minutes. Remove the lid<br />
and cook in the oven for another hour.<br />
Test if the meat is soft. If not, put it back<br />
in the oven for another 30 minutes. If<br />
the meat is done, stir in the chocolate,<br />
taste and add salt and pepper. Leave<br />
the filling to one side to cool down<br />
completely. Put it in the fridge.<br />
5 When you’re ready to make the pie,<br />
preheat the oven to 180°C. Add the filling<br />
(it must be cold) to your pie dish. Roll out<br />
your puff pastry. The pastry will shrink,<br />
so remember to trim it so that you have<br />
at least 1cm overhang right around your<br />
pie dish. Lay the pastry on top of your<br />
dish and crimp and seal the edges.<br />
Cut a small hole in the middle to allow<br />
steam to escape. Brush the pastry with<br />
the beaten egg.<br />
6 Bake the pie for 20 to 30 minutes, until<br />
the pastry puffs up and is golden brown.<br />
TIP: Puff pastry puffs up much better if<br />
it’s still very cold. So, if you’re waiting for<br />
the oven to reach the right temperature,<br />
rather pop your prepared pie in the<br />
fridge until the oven is ready. You can<br />
also replace the pastry with potato<br />
mash.<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
GAME POTJIE<br />
Serves 6<br />
Cooking time between 2 hours and<br />
8 hours 30 minutes (depending on<br />
cooking method)<br />
1kg game meat, cut into 4cm cubes<br />
125ml (½c) cake flour<br />
Olive oil, for frying<br />
400g shallots or small onions, peeled<br />
Cloves from 1 whole garlic bulb<br />
60ml (¼c) brown sugar<br />
250ml (1c) dark beer<br />
1 can (410g) cherry tomatoes, drained<br />
30ml (2T) Worcestershire sauce<br />
30ml (2T) soy sauce<br />
1 sprig thyme<br />
40g dried mushrooms, finely chopped<br />
1 Roll the meat cubes in the flour. In a<br />
wide pan or a flat-bottomed cast iron pot,<br />
quickly brown the meat in warm olive oil.<br />
Do this in batches (see meat browning tip<br />
on pg 57). Remove the meat and keep it<br />
to the side. Add a little more olive oil to<br />
the same pot and fry the whole onions,<br />
garlic cloves and sugar until the onions<br />
turn dark caramel here and there.<br />
2 In a slow cooker, add the onions, meat<br />
and the rest of the ingredients and cook<br />
on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Or<br />
add the above ingredients to a potjie and<br />
slowly cook over medium-low coals for<br />
90 minutes. You can also add everything<br />
to an ovenproof dish and bake it in the<br />
oven at 150°C for 90 minutes or at 100°C<br />
for 7 hours.<br />
3 Serve immediately with rice.<br />
125ml (½c) beef stock ><br />
59<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
60<br />
BAKED CREAMY FRIKADELLE<br />
Serves 4<br />
Cooking time 35 minutes<br />
500g game mince<br />
4 garlic cloves, minced<br />
10ml (2t) fresh thyme leaves<br />
2,5ml (½t) ground cumin<br />
2,5ml (½t) ground coriander<br />
Salt and black pepper, to taste<br />
30ml (2T) butter<br />
250g portabellini mushrooms<br />
50ml soy sauce<br />
50ml balsamic vinegar<br />
250ml (1c) cream<br />
1 In a large bowl, mix the mince with the<br />
garlic, herbs and spices and flavour with<br />
salt and pepper. Shape golf ball-sized<br />
frikadelle and let them set in the fridge<br />
for a while.<br />
2 Preheat the oven to 180°C. Melt the<br />
butter in a wide, heavy-bottomed<br />
ovenproof pot or pan and quickly brown<br />
the frikadelle. Remove from the pot and<br />
keep to the side. In the same pot, brown<br />
the mushrooms and remove when done.<br />
3 Next, deglaze the pot by pouring in<br />
the soy sauce and vinegar and scraping<br />
the bottom of the pan to release any<br />
browned bits. This will add flavour to<br />
your sauce. Return the frikadelle and<br />
mushrooms to the pot and let it simmer<br />
for 5 minutes.<br />
4 Add the cream and bake the frikadelle<br />
in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes until<br />
done. Serve with rice, mashed potatoes<br />
or bread.<br />
Recipes by: Aletta Lintvelt and Johané Neilson<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Recipes<br />
GAME BURGERS WITH<br />
BRANDY AND APRICOT<br />
SAUCE<br />
Serves 6<br />
Cooking time 40 minutes (plus 20<br />
minutes resting time)<br />
GAME PIE WITH HERB<br />
DUMPLINGS<br />
For the patties<br />
500g game mince<br />
250ml (1c) breadcrumbs<br />
1 egg, lightly beaten<br />
1 small onion, finely chopped<br />
2 garlic cloves, crushed<br />
30ml (2T) ground cumin<br />
10ml (2t) ground coriander<br />
5ml (1t) ground ginger<br />
2,5ml (½t) ground cloves<br />
Salt and pepper, to taste<br />
For the apricot sauce<br />
1 can (410g) apricots in syrup<br />
15ml (1T) oil<br />
1 onion, finely chopped<br />
2 garlic cloves, crushed<br />
10ml (2t) ground ginger<br />
30ml (2T) brandy<br />
60ml (¼c) water<br />
For the burgers<br />
2 handfuls of lettuce or rocket leaves<br />
1 red onion, sliced into ring<br />
6 buns, sliced open<br />
1 Mix together the ingredients for the<br />
patties in a large bowl. Divide into six<br />
balls and flatten slightly with the palm<br />
of your hand. Allow to rest in the fridge<br />
for 20 minutes. This will help keep the<br />
patties firm while you cook them.<br />
2 For the sauce, drain the apricots but<br />
save 2 tablespoons of syrup. Heat the oil<br />
in a potjie and fry the onion and garlic<br />
until soft and translucent. Add the ginger<br />
and cook for another minute. Stir in the<br />
brandy, apricots, syrup and water and<br />
cook for about 10-12 minutes, or until the<br />
apricots are soft.<br />
3 Fry the patties over hot coals or in hot<br />
oil in a pan over medium high heat. Flip<br />
as soon as it’s golden brown and firm on<br />
the one side. Cook on the other side until<br />
done.<br />
4 To assemble the burgers, arrange a<br />
few leaves and red onion rings on the<br />
bottom half of each bun. Put a patty on<br />
top and spoon the apricot sauce over.<br />
Top with the top half of the bun.<br />
GAME BURGERS WITH A<br />
BRANDY AND APRICOT SAUCE<br />
GAME PIE WITH HERB<br />
DUMPLINGS<br />
Serves 6-8<br />
Cooking time 3 hours 20 minutes<br />
For the filling<br />
60ml (¼c) oil<br />
2 onions, chopped<br />
2 carrots, peeled and chopped<br />
2 celery stalks, chopped<br />
1 pack (250g) streaky bacon, snipped<br />
into pieces<br />
2 garlic cloves, crushed and chopped<br />
125ml (½c) flour<br />
Salt and pepper, to taste<br />
1kg game meat, cut into 2cm cubes<br />
125ml (½c) red wine<br />
60ml (¼c) water<br />
1 can (410g) whole tomatoes<br />
1 cinnamon stick<br />
2 star aniseeds<br />
For the dumplings<br />
500ml (2c) cake flour<br />
15ml (1T) baking powder<br />
2,5ml (½t) salt<br />
45ml (3T) butter<br />
45ml (3T) dried mixed herbs<br />
180ml (¾c) milk<br />
1 For the filling, heat 2 tablespoons oil<br />
in a deep saucepan and fry the onions,<br />
carrots, celery, bacon and garlic for 2<br />
to 3 minutes. Remove from the pan and<br />
keep to the side.<br />
2 Flavour the flour with salt and pepper<br />
and roll the meat in the flour. Dust off<br />
any excess flour. Heat the rest of the<br />
oil in the same saucepan and quickly<br />
brown the meat (see meat browning tip<br />
on pg 57).<br />
3 Add the vegetables back to the<br />
saucepan, as well as the rest of the<br />
filling ingredients. Let it simmer for about<br />
2 hours or until the meat is tender and<br />
the sauce has slightly thickened. Scrape<br />
the bottom of the pan with a wooden<br />
spoon to release any browned bits.<br />
4 To make the dumplings, sift together<br />
the dry ingredients (except herbs) and<br />
rub in the butter until the batter looks<br />
like breadcrumbs. Mix in the herbs and<br />
slowly add the milk until you have a<br />
firm dough. Carefully top the meat with<br />
spoonsful of dough.<br />
5 Close with a lid, add a few coals on top<br />
and cook for 40 to 50 minutes or until<br />
done. Serve immediately.<br />
61<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
Books<br />
Cosy<br />
GERDA ENGELBRECHT<br />
with a book<br />
It's winter, so some days you just want stay indoors and catch up on reading. In this issue we<br />
have two new guides on game reserves and two classics that document epic journeys.<br />
62<br />
Walk with the Big Five<br />
Winter is the best time to view<br />
game, which is why so many<br />
South Africans head to national<br />
parks and reserves this time of<br />
year. But why not experience the<br />
wild from a different angle... on<br />
foot! Walking Safaris of South<br />
Africa – Guided Walks and trails<br />
in national parks and game<br />
reserves by Hlengiwe Magagula<br />
and Denis Costello (published<br />
by Penguinrandomhouse) is a<br />
thorough guide of different trails<br />
in nature parks and reserves, from day hikes that start at game<br />
park camps, to hikes where you overnight at lodges or multiday<br />
excursions where you sleep in the veld under the stars. This<br />
book is more than just a guide; it's an adventure read.<br />
PRICE: R270 at takealot.com<br />
Two journeys that will inspire you<br />
If you've always dreamt of an epic<br />
hike like the Inca Trail or the Camino<br />
de Santiago, but you need some<br />
encouragement to fully commit, then the<br />
captivating story of Grandma Gatewood<br />
(Grandma Gatewood’s Walk – the<br />
inspiring story of the woman who saved<br />
the Appalachian Trial) might just be the<br />
final push you need. At the age of 66,<br />
Emma told her children that she was<br />
going for a walk, and she showed<br />
up at Oglethorpe to tackle the<br />
murderous Appalachian Trail<br />
(AT). At 2050 miles (3300 km),<br />
it's one of the longest hikes in<br />
the world. Emma didn't have<br />
any specialised equipment. She<br />
carried the few items she had in<br />
a homemade bag on her back.<br />
At night she wrapped herself in<br />
a plastic shower sheet (no tent<br />
or sleeping bag), and during the<br />
day she walked distances of up<br />
to 20 miles in her beat-up canvas shoes.<br />
Leaves and wild berries were often all<br />
she ate. Grandma Gatewood is legendary<br />
figure amongst hikers, so I'm not giving<br />
anything away when I say that in 1955 she<br />
was only the seventh person, and the first<br />
woman, to successfully complete the<br />
AT. After that she added two additional<br />
records to her name: She was the first<br />
Drive with the Big Five<br />
You should visit the Kruger at<br />
least once, but it shouldn't be the<br />
only park on your list of must-see<br />
holiday destinations. South Africa<br />
has dozens of reserves with<br />
heaps of charm and character.<br />
And chances are you'll have less<br />
cars to compete with when you<br />
try to get that perfect photograph<br />
of a lion. Stuarts’ Field Guide<br />
to National Parks & Nature<br />
Reserves of South Africa by Chris<br />
and Mathilde Stuart (published by Penguinrandomhouse) lists<br />
all the game viewing spots in your province, and contains a<br />
wealth of information on the history, geology and fauna and<br />
flora of the parks. It's a handy guide to have when deciding<br />
where to go for your next holiday.<br />
PRICE: R350 at takealot.com<br />
person to hike the AT three times, and<br />
she still holds the record for the oldest<br />
woman to complete the AT (she was 71 at<br />
the time). Her story is masterfully told by<br />
author Ben Montgomery.<br />
On the Road by Jack Kerouac is one<br />
of those books that people often<br />
recommend, but I've never gotten<br />
around to reading it. Now that I finally<br />
have, I can see myself returning to it<br />
again and again. This autobiography tells<br />
the story of the months Jack spent<br />
hitching rides on Route 6 in America<br />
(from New York to San Francisco).<br />
What draws you in isn't necessarily<br />
what happens along the road (the<br />
journey isn't very eventful) but rather<br />
Jack's descriptions of the people he<br />
met along the way.<br />
PRICE: R369 (Grandma Gatewood)<br />
and R185 (On the Road) at takealot.<br />
com<br />
The books were selected by the editors and the publishers had no input in the reviews. Prices are subject to change.<br />
The editors accept no responsibility for delivery. Images: Gerda Engelbrecht and provided.<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
BY JULIET MCGUIRE<br />
WHEN YOU NEED TO<br />
DOWNGRADE<br />
Whether the pandemic has negatively affected your finances, or you’re<br />
looking for ways to cut costs, choosing a less expensive vehicle may<br />
be your best bet (and it doesn’t have to feel like a downgrade).<br />
Few people have been left unscathed by the Covid-19 pandemic<br />
and many have suffered financially. Couple this with the fact that<br />
we’re driving less and you'll find that some people are considering<br />
downgrading to a more budget-friendly vehicle. This buying-down<br />
trend emerged before the pandemic and has now intensified<br />
because of it. If you’re considering downgrading, let me help you with your<br />
decision. A budget-friendly car doesn’t have to feel like a downgrade. Here<br />
are four options that will keep a smile on your face and money in the bank.<br />
64<br />
TIGUAN<br />
Priced from<br />
R513 500<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Motoring<br />
VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN TO VOLKSWAGEN T-CROSS<br />
Families need space, so I know what you’re<br />
thinking: “How on earth can a family go<br />
from a Tiguan to a T-Cross?” But hear me<br />
out because it is doable (and just keep your<br />
bank balance in mind).<br />
The Tiguan has a boot capacity of<br />
500 litres and a split rear seatback, but the<br />
T-Cross is not small. The boot is 377 litres,<br />
and the rear bench can slide forward to<br />
create more space. While the Tiguan offers<br />
more choice when it comes to its engine<br />
line up, namely diesel and petrol options,<br />
the T-Cross only offers a petrol engine,<br />
but it is a good one. The 1.0 three-cylinder<br />
turbopetrol in the T-Cross produces 85 kW<br />
and 200 Nm of torque, so it is no slouch.<br />
The claimed fuel consumption is very low:<br />
4.9L/100 km. The 1.4-litre four-cylinder<br />
turbopetrol in the Tiguan produces 92<br />
kW and 200 Nm (so not far off from the<br />
T-Cross) or 110 kW and 250 Nm. The<br />
Tiguan also has 2.0 engines available, but<br />
let’s compare apples with apples.<br />
T-CROSS<br />
Priced from<br />
R345 700<br />
When it comes to standard features, the<br />
T-Cross (from the Comfortline model up)<br />
will offer more than enough in the form<br />
of all-round electric windows, a multifunction<br />
steering wheel, park distance<br />
control (front and rear) and cruise control.<br />
The range topper will give you a wireless<br />
charging pad and a host of other features.<br />
These are all features that are found in<br />
the Tiguan as well. And the T-Cross also<br />
comes with a host of standard safety<br />
features such as six airbags (dual front, side<br />
and curtain), ABS with EBD and electronic<br />
traction and stability control with hill-start<br />
assist. The T-Cross comes standard with a<br />
three-year/120 000 km warranty, a threeyear/45<br />
000 km service plan and a 12-year<br />
anti-corrosion warranty.<br />
Don’t be put off by the car’s smaller size.<br />
Take the T-Cross for a test drive, and I am<br />
certain you will love it as much as you love<br />
the Tiguan. And keep in mind that you’ll be<br />
saving yourself around R200 000.<br />
THREE TOP<br />
TIPS WHEN<br />
BUYING A CAR<br />
1 BUDGET<br />
This seems obvious, but<br />
I can’t tell you how many<br />
emails I have received from<br />
people who have bought a car<br />
that was above their means and<br />
are now looking to downgrade.<br />
When it comes to your budget<br />
also consider other factors such<br />
as fuel price, maintenance costs,<br />
insurance, new tyres, etc.<br />
2<br />
DO THE<br />
RESEARCH<br />
I cannot express this<br />
enough. Do not base your carbuying<br />
decision on the look of<br />
a car you’ve seen on the road.<br />
Go online and read articles,<br />
watch videos, get on forums<br />
and take note of pricing, reviews<br />
and feedback from existing<br />
customers. The more you know<br />
about the car you want to buy,<br />
the better equipped you will be to<br />
strike a fantastic deal.<br />
3 KNOW<br />
YOURSELF<br />
You need to ask yourself<br />
one main question when buying<br />
a car (besides what you can<br />
afford): “What are my needs<br />
and requirements?” There is no<br />
point in looking at a Mazda MX-5<br />
if you have kids. Figure out how<br />
much space you need, whether a<br />
manual or automatic will suit you<br />
best, do you have back issues<br />
and require a car that’s easy to<br />
get in and out of, do you travel<br />
with kids or other passengers<br />
most of the time, etc.<br />
><br />
65<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
CRETA<br />
Priced from<br />
R374 900<br />
66<br />
HYUNDAI CRETA TO HYUNDAI VENUE<br />
The first generation Creta, which launched<br />
back in 2017, became one of South Africa’s<br />
best-selling compact SUVs. The second<br />
generation arrived last year and appears<br />
to be heading in the same direction.<br />
It’s no wonder why it’s so popular. It’s a<br />
touch more spacious than most of its<br />
competitors and offers customers real<br />
value for money.<br />
Before we chat about the Venue, let’s<br />
look at the latest Creta. It's offered with<br />
a choice of three engines. The 1.5-litre<br />
naturally aspirated, four-cylinder petrol<br />
unit gives you 84 kW and 143 Nm and a<br />
claimed fuel consumption of 6.5L/100<br />
km. The 1.5-litre turbodiesel produces<br />
84 kW and 250 Nm and achieves 5.9L/100<br />
km. The 1.4-litre turbopetrol produces<br />
a rather sporty 103 kW and 242 Nm and<br />
claims 7.1L/100 km. This engine is mated<br />
exclusively to a dual-clutch transmission.<br />
The value-for-money drawcard comes<br />
from the standard specification offers<br />
and Hyundai’s much-loved service and<br />
warranty. Across the Creta range you can<br />
expect air conditioning, Apple CarPlay<br />
and Android Auto, electric side mirrors,<br />
park assist, a rear park camera and<br />
cruise control. The top spec models get<br />
a wireless charging pad, LED daytime<br />
running lights and artificial leather trim.<br />
Safety wise, the range gets ABS with EBD,<br />
electronic stability control, hill-start assist<br />
and up to six airbags depending on model.<br />
“Why on earth would I then opt for a<br />
Hyundai Venue?” you ask. Well, because<br />
it offers the same exceptional value<br />
for money and costs almost R100 000<br />
less. The engine of choice is a 1.0-litre<br />
turbocharged, three-cylinder petrol unit,<br />
which gives you 88 kW and 172 Nm. This is<br />
similar to the 1.5-litre you find in the Creta<br />
and both vehicles have the exact same<br />
fuel consumption (6.5L/100 km).<br />
When it comes to standard spec on<br />
the Venue, you’re also getting just about<br />
everything, especially if you look at the<br />
Fluid or Glide models. They come with<br />
a multifunction steering wheel, cruise<br />
control, an eight-inch touchscreen with<br />
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and<br />
two USB ports. Safety features include<br />
six airbags, ISOFIX anchorage points,<br />
Electronic Stability Control, ABS with EBD<br />
and hill-start assist.<br />
So, you see why going from a Creta<br />
to a Venue won’t feel like much of a<br />
downgrade? The only major difference<br />
is space, but the Venue still offers a<br />
roomy cabin and a boot capacity of 350<br />
litres (vs. the Creta’s 430 litres). Still not<br />
convinced? Check out the Venue’s service<br />
and warranty plan: a five-year/150 000<br />
km vehicle warranty, seven-year/200<br />
000 km drivetrain warranty and a threeyear/45<br />
000 km service plan.<br />
VENUE<br />
Priced from<br />
R297 500<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | AUTUMN <strong>2021</strong>
Motoring<br />
COROLLA<br />
HATCH<br />
Priced from<br />
R376 500<br />
STARLET<br />
Priced from<br />
R209 000<br />
TOYOTA COROLLA HATCH TO<br />
TOYOTA STARLET<br />
The Corolla name is synonymous with success.<br />
Over the years, Toyota has sold about a<br />
bazillion. In 2019, we saw the arrival of the<br />
Corolla Hatch, and even though it’s seen as an<br />
affordable car, some budgets don’t stretch that<br />
far anymore. The most obvious alternative to it<br />
is the Starlet.<br />
The Corolla Hatch is essentially an Auris with<br />
the name Corolla slapped on the back, but it<br />
has a slightly slicker appearance. The interior,<br />
although modern and packed with the latest<br />
tech (the updated version that is), isn’t that<br />
spacious, especially in the rear. So, you won’t<br />
feel like you’re compromising on space if you<br />
move to the Starlet.<br />
And when it comes to features, there are<br />
many similarities. The Starlet kicks off with<br />
air-conditioning, electric power steering,<br />
dual 12-volt power outlets, electric windows,<br />
tilt-adjustable steering column, 60/40 split<br />
rear seats, power-adjustable side mirrors and<br />
remote central locking. The top of the range<br />
XR model adds park distance control, reverse<br />
camera, climate control, push-start and cruise<br />
control. The Corolla Hatch models kick off with<br />
dual-zone climate control, cruise control, a<br />
reverse camera, one-touch power windows and<br />
speed-sensitive door locking. There are a few<br />
extras on the Xʀ model like leather upholstery<br />
and Blind Spot Monitoring.<br />
From an engine point of view, the Corolla<br />
Hatch is powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged<br />
engine pushing out 85 kW and 185 Nm. The<br />
claimed fuel consumption is 6.1L/100 km. The<br />
Starlet is powered by a naturally aspirated<br />
1.4-litre, four-cylinder engine producing 68 kW<br />
and 130 Nm. Fuel consumption is claimed at just<br />
5.1L/100 km (for the manual). Both the Corolla<br />
Hatch and the Starlet are offered with manual or<br />
automatic transmissions.<br />
A side note on the Starlet: It’s actually a Suzuki<br />
Baleno with a Toyota badge on it. Suzuki and<br />
Toyota teamed up, and this was the first product<br />
to come out of the collaboration. Whether you<br />
opt for a Starlet or a Baleno, you'll buy a car that<br />
is packed with standard spec and an aftersales<br />
service with an excellent reputation.<br />
The Starlet is sold with a three-services/45<br />
000 km service plan and a three-year/100 000<br />
km warranty. The Corolla Hatch comes with<br />
six-services/90 000 km service plan and threeyear/100<br />
000 km warranty. ><br />
67<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
Motoring<br />
AUDI A6<br />
Priced from<br />
R960 500<br />
68<br />
AUDI A6 TO AUDI A4<br />
This is probably the one that feels the<br />
least like a downgrade. These two cars are<br />
so similar in so many ways, but you’ll be<br />
saving yourself around R300 000. That’s<br />
the cost of a Hyundai Venue, but we’re<br />
not talking about budget cars now; we’re<br />
talking about premium luxury, something<br />
that customers in this segment don’t want<br />
to compromise on. So, let’s take a closer<br />
look at these two cars.<br />
When you consider that most customers<br />
are buying SUVs these days, it is a wonder<br />
that manufacturers still insist on these<br />
executive sedans. But take either the A6<br />
or the A4 for a test drive, and you’ll realise<br />
there is little to fault either. The A6 is the<br />
bigger of the two and offers a little more<br />
in terms of street cred (especially the firebreathing<br />
S6, but let’s stick to the more<br />
standard models).<br />
The A6 comes with two engine variants.<br />
The A6 40 TDI S tronic with its 2.0-litre<br />
turbodiesel producing 140 kW and 400<br />
Nm and the 45 TDI features a 3.0-litre<br />
turbodiesel pushing out 183 kW and a<br />
whopping 600 Nm.<br />
For interest’s sake, the S6 is powered<br />
by a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine that<br />
delivers 331 kW and 600 Nm.<br />
The A4 offers three engine options. A<br />
2.0-litre four-cylinder, turbocharged engine<br />
producing 110 kW and 270 Nm, the more<br />
potent version with 140 kW and 320 Nm.<br />
And like the S6, there is an S4 with its<br />
3.0-litre turbo pushing out 260 kW and 500<br />
Nm. A diesel option will be out soon.<br />
You’ll find Audi’s latest Touch Response<br />
MMI screen and 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit<br />
in the A4 as well as in the A6. The A6’s<br />
interior is slightly more premium with a<br />
dual screen set up, but both cars have Audi<br />
Connect as standard. It delivers internet<br />
services to the car via an embedded SIM<br />
and the myAudi app, which allows digital<br />
access to the vehicle, anytime, anywhere.<br />
The driver can access important vehicle<br />
information, manage data and configure<br />
and set up certain services. So, you can<br />
call up real-time information about the<br />
vehicle and keep an eye on the fuel level,<br />
range, service appointments, warning<br />
messages and other functions.<br />
Both cars are excellent, but if you need<br />
to tighten your belt, then going from an A6<br />
to an A4 will hardly feel like a downgrade.<br />
Even the boot space is similar: 530-litres on<br />
the A6 vs. 480-litres on the A4.<br />
Both ranges come standard with a<br />
five-year/100 000 km Audi Freeway plan.<br />
AUDI A4<br />
Priced from<br />
R666 500<br />
Images supplied. Prices correct at time of going to press.<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Motoring<br />
FIRST<br />
IMPRESSIONS<br />
If you’re in the market for a compact SUV, read on!<br />
Motoring journalist Juliet McGuire shares her takes<br />
on the Kia Picanto X-Line, Toyota Urban Cruiser,<br />
Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Ford Figo Freestyle<br />
and Audi Q3 Sportback.<br />
MODEL CHOICE Kia Picanto 1.2<br />
manual X-Line<br />
PRICED FROM R237 995<br />
SERVICE PLAN two year/30 000 km<br />
WARRANTY five year/unlimited km<br />
FUEL CONSUMPTION 5.0L/100 km<br />
KIA PICANTO X-LINE<br />
I cannot get enough of these pocketfriendly,<br />
SUV-inspired hatchbacks. Kia<br />
has added to its ever-popular Picanto<br />
range by introducing the X-Line model.<br />
You could call it the “adventurous”<br />
Picanto. As Stephen Crosse, sales<br />
director of Kia SA, put it: “It’s the perfect<br />
car for here, there and anywhere.”<br />
The X-Line has a series of bespoke<br />
design details to make it stand out<br />
from the standard Picanto. There is a<br />
redesigned radiator grille as well as<br />
a unique front and rear bumper, not<br />
to mention the expected wheel-arch<br />
mouldings and faux skid plates. The<br />
15-inch alloy wheels complete the look.<br />
Choose the new shade Astro Grey, add a<br />
sunroof and you will be the most stylish<br />
Kia Picanto X-Line on the road.<br />
The inside features an eight-inch<br />
touchscreen infotainment system with<br />
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also<br />
boasts a reverse camera and parking<br />
sensors. It replaces the previous Smart<br />
spec level and adds two-tone artificial<br />
leather upholstery. Not forgetting<br />
all-round electric windows, automatic<br />
headlight activation, electrically folding<br />
mirrors, a colour instrumentation info<br />
screen and vanity mirrors for the driver<br />
and passenger.<br />
At 255 litres, it has a similar boot size to<br />
the Figo Freestyle, but the rear legroom<br />
is not as generous. On the safety front,<br />
you’re looking at two airbags and ABS<br />
with EBD. And powering the X-Line is<br />
a 1.2-litre engine giving you 61 kW and<br />
122 Nm. You can opt for a four-speed<br />
automatic transmission, but the fivespeed<br />
manual would be my choice.<br />
Thanks to the vehicle weighing way<br />
under a tonne, it feels rather lively.<br />
It’s only 5 mm higher off the ground<br />
that its standard sibling, so you’ll need<br />
to decide whether you want to pay for<br />
what is really a bit of added styling cues.<br />
Keep in mind, however, that it's well<br />
equipped and feels upscale.<br />
*The previous Picanto achieved a threestar<br />
rating in the <strong>AA</strong>’s #SaferCarsForAfrica<br />
programme. Its parts were the most expensive<br />
in the city cars and entry level category of<br />
the yearly <strong>AA</strong>-Kinsey report. The cars with<br />
the cheapest parts in this category were, in<br />
order, the Renault Kwid, the Ford Figo and the<br />
Hyundai Atoz.<br />
><br />
69<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
70<br />
TOYOTA URBAN CRUISER<br />
Just read my Vitara Brezza impression<br />
on the opposite page if you want to<br />
save yourself a few minutes because<br />
the Toyota Urban Cruiser is a Vitara<br />
Brezza with a Toyota badge stuck<br />
on it. Jokes aside, this is the second<br />
product to come from the Suzuki/<br />
Toyota collaboration. First was the<br />
Toyota Starlet, which is the Suzuki<br />
Baleno with a Toyota badge on it.<br />
Confusing, right! Let me add some<br />
context: Manufacturers have been<br />
collaborating for years because it<br />
allows them to leverage each other’s<br />
strengths. Toyota has hybrid technology<br />
and Suzuki builds quality compact cars.<br />
Together they make compact, hybrid<br />
autonomous vehicles.<br />
But back to the Urban Cruiser. As<br />
much as it is the same car as the Vitara<br />
Brezza, there are a few differences<br />
worth mentioning. The Urban Cruiser<br />
is offered in a three-guise strategy,<br />
namely Xi, Xs and the range-topping XR.<br />
All three models have a touchscreen<br />
infotainment system boasting Apple<br />
CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as<br />
keyless entry and push start, all-round<br />
electric windows, air-conditioning, tiltadjustable<br />
steering, power-adjustable<br />
mirrors, LED headlamps and LED<br />
Daytime Running Lights, as well as Rear<br />
Park Distance Control. The Xs adds<br />
climate control and a reverse camera,<br />
a secondary glove compartment, rear<br />
armrest and 60/40 split backrest.<br />
If you want all the bells and whistles,<br />
you can opt for the flagship XR model,<br />
which boasts automatic headlights,<br />
cruise control, auto-dimming rearview<br />
mirror, rain-sensing wipers, dual<br />
12-volt power outlets, front armrest,<br />
leather steering wheel and the<br />
inclusion of two tweeter speakers. The<br />
convenience factor is also amplified<br />
by glove box illumination, a cooled<br />
storage compartment, map reading<br />
and front footwell lights, as well as<br />
luggage compartment illumination.<br />
You’ll probably notice that this is almost<br />
identical to the Vitara Brezza offering,<br />
but Toyota knows it needs to stand out<br />
and has added, as standard to the lineup,<br />
its Toyota Connect system, which<br />
includes an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot and<br />
once-off, complimentary 15GB data.<br />
Once linked to your profile, you can<br />
manage your vehicle via the MyToyota<br />
App, for example schedule service<br />
bookings, get vehicle information and<br />
much more.<br />
The Brezza’s 1.5-litre engine is also<br />
found in the Urban Cruiser. The entrylevel<br />
Xi model is only available with a<br />
manual transmission, but the other two<br />
models come with the automatic option<br />
as well. Where Toyota doesn’t impress<br />
as much as Suzuki is with its service<br />
plan and warranty (three services/45<br />
000 km and three years/100 000<br />
km, resepectively). The Suzuki has a<br />
four-year/60 000 km service plan and<br />
MODEL CHOICE Toyota Urban Cruiser<br />
1.5 XR manual<br />
PRICED FROM R294 500<br />
SERVICE PLAN three services/45 000 km<br />
WARRANTY three year/100 000 km<br />
FUEL CONSUMPTION 6.2L/100 km<br />
five-year/200 000 km warranty. And the<br />
Urban Cruiser is a tad more expensive.<br />
But Toyota knows that it can rely on its<br />
reputation as a reliable brand and the<br />
drawcard of its huge dealer network.<br />
Either way, both offer value for money<br />
and are fantastic compact SUVs.<br />
*The Urban Cruiser has not been tested in<br />
the NCAP crash tests as part of the <strong>AA</strong>’s<br />
#SaferCarsForAfrica programme. It's likely to<br />
feature in the <strong>2021</strong> <strong>AA</strong> Kinsey Report, in which<br />
the costs of vehicle parts are compared.<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Motoring<br />
SUZUKI VITARA BREZZA<br />
After a long wait, India’s most popular<br />
compact SUV, the Vitara Brezza,<br />
has finally hit local shores. Why is<br />
it called the Vitara Brezza and not<br />
just the Brezza? Because it makes<br />
sense to use the legacy of the Vitara<br />
name in a country where it’s rather<br />
popular. This newcomer sits at the<br />
bottom of the Vitara line-up, offering<br />
customers an entry point to this range.<br />
Compact SUVs are currently all<br />
the rage. In fact, 20 percent of all<br />
new passenger cars sold in South<br />
Africa are compact SUVs, so it’s no<br />
wonder Suzuki decided to bring its<br />
bestseller to our shores. One reason<br />
to love this category is the higher<br />
ground clearance, and the Brezza<br />
sits at 198 mm, so you can easily<br />
navigate dumps and dirt roads.<br />
The Brezza has sufficient space,<br />
but don’t expect to put a rear-facing<br />
baby seat in the back and then put<br />
someone in the front passenger seat<br />
because it’ll be a tight squeeze.<br />
The boot is reasonable at 328<br />
litres and will easily fit a compact<br />
pram. The rear bench splits in a<br />
60/40 configuration, which will<br />
help with any odd-shaped parcels.<br />
Overall, the Brezza has enough<br />
space for a small family past the<br />
rear-facing car seat phase.<br />
Something it has in abundance is<br />
value for money. Even though this is<br />
a budget compact SUV, Suzuki has<br />
your back in terms of tech and spec.<br />
Both the GL and GLX come standard<br />
with a large, seven-inch touchscreen<br />
that boasts Apple CarPlay and Android<br />
Auto, not to mention a reverse camera,<br />
Bluetooth, an auxiliary and USB<br />
port, as well as a multifunction<br />
steering wheel, automatic climate<br />
control, electric windows allround,<br />
rear parking sensors,<br />
remote central locking and a<br />
rear armrest with cupholders.<br />
The GLX model adds niceties<br />
such as cruise control, a leather-clad<br />
steering wheel, a centre armrest up<br />
front, push-start button and keyless<br />
entry, automatic rain-sensing wipers,<br />
an auto-dimming rear mirror, autofolding<br />
side mirrors, additional tweeters<br />
for an overall sound experience and<br />
even an air-conditioned glovebox.<br />
Under the bonnet there is<br />
a naturally aspirated, 1.5-litre<br />
engine which produces 77 kW<br />
of power and 148 Nm of torque.<br />
You can choose between manual<br />
or automatic. If it is convenience<br />
you’re after, choose the automatic,<br />
otherwise, the manual is great.<br />
Suzuki also didn’t scrimp on<br />
standard safety features. All models<br />
come with ABS brakes with emergency<br />
brake-force distribution and brakeassistance,<br />
airbags for the driver and<br />
front passenger, pre-tensioners and<br />
force limiters on all seatbelts and<br />
ISOFIX mountings for child seats.<br />
MODEL CHOICE Suzuki Vitara Brezza<br />
GLX manual<br />
PRICED FROM R289 900<br />
SERVICE PLAN four year/60 000 km<br />
WARRANTY five year/200 000 km<br />
FUEL CONSUMPTION 6.2L/100 km<br />
The service plan and warranty are<br />
class leading at four years/60 000<br />
km and five years/200 000 km,<br />
respectively. This alone will<br />
certainly be a drawcard when<br />
considering a compact SUV.<br />
*The Vitara Brezza has not been tested<br />
in the NCAP crash tests as part of the<br />
<strong>AA</strong>’s #SaferCarsForAfrica programme.<br />
However, it will most likely feature in<br />
this year’s <strong>AA</strong> Kinsey Report, which<br />
compares the costs of component parts<br />
among cars in different categories.<br />
><br />
71<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
72<br />
FORD FIGO FREESTYLE<br />
I’m all for budget cars trying to look<br />
like SUVs. I can’t explain it because<br />
it doesn’t make much sense. You’re<br />
basically paying for kit (and a bump in<br />
ground clearance) to make your car<br />
look like something it’s not. But there is<br />
something endearing about it, and the<br />
Ford Figo Freestyle is very endearing.<br />
But with strong competition from the<br />
Suzuki Ignis, Renault Sandero Stepway<br />
and the recently launched Honda WRV,<br />
it has its work cut out for it.<br />
So, what does the Figo Freestyle<br />
offer? Well, it’s a crossover version<br />
of the super successful Figo, which<br />
now offers a smidge more space than<br />
most of its budget car rivals. Add the<br />
crossover treatment and you’ve got<br />
yourself the Figo Freestyle. The whole<br />
SUV craze involves the desire for higher<br />
ground clearance, and this little guy<br />
offers 16 mm more than its standard<br />
sibling. It has skid plates to make it<br />
look even more like a SUV and bigger<br />
wheels and wheel-arch mouldings. So,<br />
you get kit as well as practicality, and<br />
who doesn’t want to be able to better<br />
manage bumps in the road?<br />
There are two derivatives: the<br />
Trend and the Titanium. The more<br />
expensive Titanium has a 6.5-inch<br />
colour display for the SYNC3 system,<br />
which incorporates Bluetooth, Apple<br />
CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s a shame<br />
the Trend doesn’t offer this (these days<br />
connectivity is a must). The Titanium<br />
model also boasts a reverse camera,<br />
keyless push-start, automatic climate<br />
control, an auto-dimming rear-view<br />
mirror, automatic headlamp activation<br />
and rain-sensing wipers.<br />
When it comes to safety, the<br />
Titanium again is the way to go,<br />
although the Trend does come with<br />
driver and passenger airbags, ABS<br />
brakes and remote central locking<br />
with drive-away locking function. The<br />
Titanium adds side and curtain airbags,<br />
as well as Ford’s MyKey that allows<br />
owners to programme a key for<br />
younger drivers that can inhibit<br />
incoming phone calls, restrict<br />
top speed, reduce audio system<br />
maximum volume and disable the<br />
audio system altogether if occupants<br />
are not using safety belts.<br />
Both derivatives are powered by the<br />
same naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol<br />
engine that produces 91 kW (which is<br />
3 kW more than the standard Figo but<br />
believe me when I say that you won’t<br />
feel it) and 150 Nm. The front wheels<br />
are driven by a five-speed manual<br />
gearbox which is slick and smooth<br />
shifting. The fuel consumption is<br />
claimed at a low 5.5L/100 km, although<br />
I was seeing a slightly higher reading<br />
of around 6.8L/100 km, which is still<br />
quite low.<br />
This car is great for those who are<br />
looking for something with a little more<br />
character than the average budget buy.<br />
It offers quite a lot in terms of value for<br />
money and excels when it comes to<br />
standard spec levels and space. Did<br />
I mention the boot is 256 litres? It isn’t<br />
massive but competitive, and the rear<br />
passenger space is very impressive.<br />
If you can’t afford the much-loved<br />
Ford EcoSport then consider the Figo<br />
Freestyle.<br />
MODEL CHOICE Ford Figo Freestyle 1.5 Titanium<br />
PRICED FROM R263 200<br />
SERVICE PLAN four year/60 000 km<br />
WARRANTY four year/120 000 km<br />
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 5.5L/100 km<br />
* The Figo hasn’t been tested in the<br />
NCAP crash tests as part of the <strong>AA</strong>’s<br />
#SaferCarsForAfrica programme. In last year’s<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Kinsey Report, which compares the costs<br />
of vehicle parts, the Ford Figo came in second<br />
in its category (city cars and entry level). Only<br />
the cost of the Renault Kwid’s basket was<br />
lower.<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Motoring<br />
AUDI Q3 SPORTBACK<br />
I like things to be practical, but I have<br />
come to realise that not everyone<br />
feels this way. Some cars are made for<br />
people who pick style over practicality.<br />
The Audi Q3 Sportback is a car for<br />
such a person. I’ll always choose the<br />
standard Audi Q3 (it offers more and<br />
costs less), but having spent time in the<br />
Q3 Sportback, I would be happy with<br />
having it as my second car. I will, of<br />
course, need more money in the bank,<br />
but this is all hypothetical.<br />
This is the first compact crossover<br />
from Audi, and it’s a beautiful offering.<br />
With its sloping roofline and sporty<br />
elegance, it caters to the more image<br />
conscious. What’s more, you can<br />
choose from 10 exterior colours,<br />
including the new metallic colour Dew<br />
Silver. My favourite is Turbo Blue.<br />
If you’re an S Line fan, you’ll be<br />
happy to know that all the trimmings<br />
are standard, including the prominent<br />
aluminium elements around the grille,<br />
bumper and air inlets. You might be<br />
happy with 18-inch wheels, but you<br />
can get 19-inch if you prefer. And then<br />
for the real style-conscious individual,<br />
you can check the Black Styling<br />
Package box and get a more dynamic<br />
appearance in the form of dark<br />
surfaces on the bumpers and gloss<br />
black detailing.<br />
Unfortunately, the sportiness ends<br />
with the exterior styling. The interior is<br />
the same as the standard Q3 and as for<br />
the drive, it’s also the same (albeit more<br />
refined). The Q3 Sportback model of<br />
choice for me, the 40 TFSI Quattro S<br />
MODEL CHOICE Audi Q3 Sportback S<br />
Line 35 TFSI S tronic<br />
PRICED FROM R718 810<br />
SERVICE/WARRANTY PLAN five year<br />
/100 000 km Audi Freeway plan<br />
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 7.3L/100 km<br />
Line, is powered by a 2.0-litre, fourcylinder<br />
turbopetrol engine producing<br />
140 kW and 320 Nm. It’s not sluggish,<br />
but it won’t blow your hair back. It’s<br />
perfectly mated to a seven-speed<br />
automatic transmission. You can opt for<br />
the 35 TFSI S Line, but that is powered<br />
by a less punchy 1.4-litre turbopetrol<br />
engine. That said, it’s still a fantastic<br />
engine and performs well, so unless<br />
you really must have the quattro<br />
system, then take the 35 TFSI for a spin.<br />
It might provide all the power you need<br />
but at a lower price.<br />
Essentially, the Q3 Sportback is just<br />
a sexier looking standard Q3. I hate to<br />
use the word “sexy” here, but that’s<br />
what it is. It is sleeker and more eyecatching,<br />
but it’s more expensive than<br />
the standard Q3, and you’re getting<br />
less car in a way. That said, as<br />
much as the boot is slightly smaller<br />
(410 litres on the Sportback vs. 550<br />
litres on the standard Q3) and the rear<br />
seats don’t offer as much headroom,<br />
it is by no means cramped inside.<br />
You’ll just need to evaluate your<br />
needs (and budget) to make an<br />
informed decision.<br />
*The Q3 hasn’t been tested in the NCAP crash<br />
tests as part of the <strong>AA</strong>’s #SaferCarsForAfrica<br />
programme and wasn't in the 2020 <strong>AA</strong> Kinsey<br />
report. It may feature in the 2121 report.<br />
73<br />
Images: Supplied. Prices correct at time of going to press.<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
74<br />
Travelling<br />
safely in<br />
dangerous<br />
conditions<br />
Rain, ice and snow, mud and gravel – many South<br />
Africans motorists will have to brave at least one of<br />
these in their lifetime. Here are safety tips on how to<br />
get from A to B, whether in poor weather conditions<br />
or on unusual driving surfaces, without incident.<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Motoring<br />
S<br />
outh Africa might not be the<br />
biggest country on the map, but<br />
weather patterns across regions<br />
can differ quite significantly. If you<br />
live in the north, you’re used to<br />
driving in wet conditions in summer. Certain<br />
areas have to deal with ice on the road. People<br />
in the Cape experience all four seasons in a<br />
week. And those who like to go off the beaten<br />
track, often find themselves on gravel or<br />
muddy roads. We share driving tips for four<br />
different conditions – wet, ice and snow, mud<br />
and gravel.<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong>-PROOF YOUR CAR<br />
Car batteries can give you more grief in<br />
1 winter because more amps are needed to<br />
start a cold engine. And you don’t want to get<br />
stuck somewhere in the freezing cold with<br />
a car that won’t start. Be sure to check that<br />
your car battery is in good working order.<br />
2 You should always ensure that your tyres<br />
have enough thread, but it’s especially<br />
important in wet, snowy and icy weather.<br />
The law says you should have at least<br />
1 mm tread, but many tyres have tread wear<br />
indicators at 1.6 mm. If the thread is level<br />
with the indicators, you need to replace<br />
them.<br />
3 As the days get shorter, many people<br />
commute in the dark. Check that all your<br />
lights are working properly.<br />
4 Use a scraper (a credit card will work)<br />
to remove frost that might have formed<br />
on your windscreen overnight. Your car’s<br />
air-conditioner can also help demist your<br />
windscreen. Be sure that your windscreen is<br />
completely clear before you drive.<br />
5 Always have enough fuel. Remember that<br />
you might get stuck, and you’ll need to keep<br />
your car running to keep warm.<br />
6 Check your wiper blades.<br />
WET<br />
It’s winter, and Western Capetonians will have<br />
to brave wet conditions on the road (if you live<br />
in an area that gets summer rain, save this info<br />
for later). Tyres have only half as much grip<br />
on wet road as dry ones, and crashes in wet<br />
conditions are common:<br />
■ It takes longer to come to a halt on wet<br />
surfaces, so you’ll need to break earlier.<br />
Double your safe following distance from<br />
the car in front of you. If you haven’t checked<br />
your brakes in a while, now is a good time to<br />
do so.<br />
■ Slow down! Adjust your speed to the<br />
weather conditions. Just because the limit<br />
is 120 km/h, it doesn’t mean you should<br />
travel at this speed. And take it slow around<br />
corners. Drive to the conditions.<br />
■ Are both your front and back wipers working<br />
properly?<br />
■ Aquaplaning occurs when your car lifts off<br />
the surface and skims across the water like a<br />
speedboat. It’s a real danger when driving in<br />
wet conditions. It can happen when the tread<br />
on your tyres is so worn down that it can’t<br />
channel water away. So, be sure to check<br />
your tyres (do this regularly regardless of<br />
the weather).<br />
■ Keep your headlights on. It’ll improve your<br />
visibility and make your car more visible to<br />
other motorists.<br />
■ Avoid low-lying bridges, even if you think<br />
you can make it. The water may be deeper<br />
than you think. Also, if you’re driving through<br />
standing water, slow down before you enter<br />
it. Driving too fast may cause the car to pull<br />
to the side.<br />
><br />
75<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
ICE AND SNOW:<br />
Snow in South Africa? It’s more common<br />
than you think. Come winter, many people<br />
travel to places that are often blanketed<br />
in snow, like Ceres in the Western Cape,<br />
Hogsback in the Eastern Cape, Sutherland<br />
in the Northern Cape or Sani Pass in<br />
KwaZulu-Natal. Here are tips on driving in<br />
icy or snowy conditions:<br />
■ Slow and steady will get you to your<br />
destination safely. Rather drive in a lower<br />
gear, and take it slow around corners<br />
(you should start decelerating before you<br />
reach the turn).<br />
■ Pull away in 2nd gear. Gently ease your<br />
foot off the clutch to avoid wheel slip.<br />
■ Drive as smoothly as possible. Tyres have<br />
less grip on snow or icy roads, and any<br />
sudden movements can cause them to<br />
completely lose their grip.<br />
■ We’ve mentioned that you should double<br />
your stopping distance in wet conditions.<br />
On snow you should triple it, and it<br />
should be even more on ice.<br />
■ If you want to slow down, use engine<br />
braking (this means you release the<br />
accelerator and shift down gears) instead<br />
of the footbrake. Touch the brake to<br />
indicate to those behind you that you are<br />
slowing down. If you have an automatic<br />
car, check if it has an ice mode setting.<br />
■ When heading up a hill, you want to<br />
keep your speed consistent and avoid<br />
changing gears, so you don’t want to get<br />
stuck behind a slower car. It might be<br />
best to wait for the car in front of you to<br />
finish climbing the hill before you head<br />
up. Shift to a low gear when heading<br />
downhill and avoid braking if possible.<br />
■ In countries that experience a lot of snow,<br />
you can buy snow tyres, but since our<br />
weather is milder, they are rarely sold<br />
locally. You can invest in snow chains<br />
(especially if you’re driving on mountain<br />
passes with compact snow). These are<br />
fitted over your tyres and will give you<br />
more traction.<br />
■ Don’t use your windscreen sprayers<br />
when it’s cold. The water will freeze onto<br />
the windscreen, and your wipers won’t<br />
be able to clear the ice.<br />
■ Always keep your headlights on in<br />
heavy snow.<br />
■ If you hit an icy patch and lose control,<br />
keep calm. You need to allow your<br />
car to pass over the ice, so try to keep<br />
your steering wheel straight. Avoid any<br />
sudden movements and instead of<br />
hitting the brakes, lift your foot off the<br />
accelerator.<br />
Snow and icy<br />
conditions on the<br />
Sani Pass<br />
IS IT WORTH IT?<br />
Before heading out in adverse<br />
weather conditions, whether it be<br />
rain or snow, ask yourself: "Do I<br />
really need to go out? Can this trip<br />
wait until later when the weather<br />
is better?" If you can’t postpone<br />
your trip, prepare for the eventuality<br />
that you could get stuck for<br />
an extended period. Remember<br />
to take a fully charged cellphone,<br />
blankets, appropriate clothing,<br />
food and water.<br />
76<br />
SOURCES: <strong>AA</strong>.CO.ZA, ARRIVEALIVE.CO.ZA, BLOG.TRACKS4AFRICA.CO.ZA, CARANDDRIVER.COM,<br />
EXPERTAFRICA.COM, MOBIL.COM, RAC.CO.UK, THE<strong>AA</strong>.COM, WIKIHOW.COM.
Motoring<br />
MUD:<br />
When it comes to mud, your best bet is to<br />
avoid it completely. Mud that gets stuck<br />
and dries on your undercarriage can cause<br />
extra friction and wear. This can damage<br />
your vehicle’s parts. If you have no choice,<br />
remember to properly clean your car’s<br />
undercarriage as soon as possible, and<br />
keep these tips in mind:<br />
■ Before driving through mud, get out of<br />
your car and check how deep it is. You<br />
can use a stick, otherwise you’ll have to<br />
walk through the mud. Also check for any<br />
debris. If it’s too deep, or there is debris,<br />
turn around and choose another route.<br />
■ Some cars have mud driving modes,<br />
traction control or 4W drive. Activate<br />
these if you have them. Otherwise, shift to<br />
a lower gear (2nd or 3rd).<br />
■ Try to maintain a steady, medium<br />
speed. Don’t speed through the mud<br />
(that’s dangerous), but you need some<br />
momentum to get through it. If you need<br />
to accelerate, press the accelerator pedal<br />
slowly and gently. And don’t suddenly hit<br />
the brakes.<br />
■ Avoid deep ruts because you can easily<br />
get stuck in them.<br />
■ If you get stuck, there are several things<br />
you can try. Try to “rock” your vehicle out<br />
by switching between drive and reverse.<br />
If your wheels spin continually, stop and<br />
turn your tyres to an angle and try again.<br />
For additional traction, lower your tyre<br />
pressure. Two other options are pouring<br />
sand onto the ground around your tyres<br />
(assuming you travel with a bag of sand<br />
or sand is freely available nearby) or<br />
placing your car mats slightly under the<br />
front of your tyres. Alternatively, dig your<br />
tyres out with a shovel.<br />
A bad secion of<br />
the Pot River<br />
Pass near Elands<br />
Heights in the<br />
Eastern Cape<br />
Images: Getty Images/ Gallo Images<br />
GRAVEL:<br />
If you’re heading to a rural destination,<br />
chances are you’ll have to drive on a gravel or<br />
dirt road. Not all gravel roads are equal. Some<br />
are easier to traverse than others, but most<br />
sedan-type cars should be fine driving on this<br />
type of surface. However, keep the following<br />
in mind:<br />
■ Are your tyres in good condition? Driving<br />
on gravel or dirt with worn tyres is a recipe<br />
for disaster.<br />
■ Tyres, even those in good condition, have<br />
less grip on gravel versus tarred roads.<br />
This means you need to drive as smoothly<br />
as possible. Avoid jerking the steering<br />
wheel and sudden stops or accelerations.<br />
For extra traction, you can decrease your<br />
tyres between 10 and 20 percent. Just<br />
remember to reflate them when back on a<br />
tar road.<br />
■ Slow down, especially when approaching<br />
intersections, hills and corners! Even wellmaintained<br />
gravel roads are dangerous<br />
when travelling at high speeds. Also,<br />
sections of the same stretch of road can<br />
differ greatly, from loose to hardpacked<br />
gravel. Driving at a slow speed will help<br />
you stay in control. The worse the road<br />
gets, the slower you should go.<br />
■ Dust can affect visibility, and you might<br />
share the road with farming vehicles,<br />
cyclists or even escaped livestock. Driving<br />
slower means you have more time to stop<br />
for possible dangers. And on the subject of<br />
dust – try to generate at little as possible by<br />
slowing down when you drive past other<br />
cars, people, cyclists, or any buildings or<br />
homes. It’s the polite thing to do.<br />
■ You’ll notice existing tracts in the road. Try<br />
to stick to these.<br />
■ Keep a safe following distance. You want to<br />
give yourself enough time to brake safely if<br />
need be. Increase your following distance<br />
if dust obscures your vision. The car in front<br />
of you can also kick up small rocks, and if<br />
you’re too close behind, these can damage<br />
your windscreen and headlights.<br />
■ Be considerate. Many gravel roads are<br />
quite narrow, so move to the side to allow<br />
other vehicles to pass.<br />
77<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
BY PETRO-ANNE VLOK<br />
GOING TO<br />
ZER<br />
At first glance a zero-alcohol limit seems like the perfect solution to help curb drunk<br />
driving in South Africa, but it’s much more complicated than that, says the <strong>AA</strong>.<br />
78<br />
Drunk driving is a serious problem in<br />
South Africa. Even though research on<br />
this topic is fragmented and disparate<br />
(and needs to improve, says the <strong>AA</strong>), the<br />
2016 Traffic Law Enforcement Review<br />
Committee, which conducted a comprehensive review<br />
of traffic law enforcement, stated that South Africa<br />
is “known globally for having among the highest<br />
number of traffic fatalities caused by drunk driving”.<br />
And a 2020 report by the Road Traffic Management<br />
Corporation, the South African Medical Research<br />
Council and the University of South Africa found<br />
that alcohol is implicated in at least 27.1 percent of all<br />
fatal crashes involving driver error of any type. The<br />
report adds that this number might be even higher.<br />
Now, proposed amendments to the National<br />
Road Traffic Act seek to reduce the<br />
alcohol limit. The amendments<br />
bill, which was published at the<br />
end of October last year, wants<br />
to change both the legal<br />
blood alcohol content (BAC)<br />
limit and breath alcohol<br />
concentration, which are<br />
currently 0.05g/100ml and<br />
0.24g/1000ml respectively,<br />
to zero.<br />
You would think that this is a<br />
step in the right direction, but the<br />
80%<br />
In a 2018 survey by the <strong>AA</strong>,<br />
80 percent of respondents<br />
said that there aren’t enough<br />
law enforcement efforts that<br />
focus on combatting drinking<br />
and driving.<br />
<strong>AA</strong> believes that going to zero is going to do little to<br />
improve road safety, that it’ll overburden an already<br />
under-resourced traffic law enforcement sector, and<br />
it might even criminalise innocent drivers.<br />
“We’re by no means advocating drunk driving,”<br />
says Layton Beard, <strong>AA</strong> Public Relations Manager.<br />
“We’re saying that we currently have good laws<br />
in place – the 0.5 level is a good limit and in line<br />
with world standards – but the laws we currently<br />
have aren’t properly enforced. Creating a piece<br />
of legislation won’t make a difference if the<br />
implementation framework isn’t strengthened.”<br />
It won’t change driver behaviour:<br />
The <strong>AA</strong> believes that people who drive drunk<br />
won’t alter their behaviour because they know that<br />
regardless of what the limit is, chances are slim<br />
that they will face serious consequences<br />
if caught. Many South Africans believe<br />
they can drive drunk because it’s<br />
unlikely that they’ll be arrested, and<br />
even if they are, chances are they<br />
won’t be prosecuted.<br />
“Some even see getting away<br />
with drunk driving as a badge of<br />
honour,” Layton adds. And this<br />
belief is based on facts: “Only six to<br />
seven percent of drunk driving cases<br />
are prosecuted,” Layton states. The<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Special report<br />
ADDITIONAL SOURCES: RTMC.CO.ZA; <strong>AA</strong>.CO.ZA<br />
Images: Getty Images/Gallo Images<br />
whole implementation framework – law enforcement,<br />
state laboratories and the prosecution structure – is<br />
severely strained and struggling to cope, he explains.<br />
Firstly, there are too few traffic law enforcement<br />
officers, and they don’t have the necessary resources,<br />
whether it’s blood alcohol tests or cars, to properly<br />
implement the law. “I’ve said this before – we need<br />
more boots on the ground.”<br />
He adds that there is a 96 percent backlog in<br />
processing blood samples at laboratories, and the<br />
turnaround period is over 11 months.<br />
Add to this a court system that’s severely strained,<br />
and you get a situation where most drunk driving<br />
cases are never prosecuted.<br />
The move to zero could result in an increase of<br />
arrests (since more people could be over the limit),<br />
and the <strong>AA</strong> believe it will stretch the overburdened<br />
system even more. “If traffic police, the labs and the<br />
courts are already struggling to cope with the amount<br />
of drunk driving cases, what will happen if even more<br />
people are arrested each year? The system will be too<br />
stretched,” Layton adds.<br />
It will criminalise innocent drivers<br />
A zero limit means that anyone with even the<br />
smallest trace of alcohol could be arrested and<br />
treated as a criminal. The <strong>AA</strong> says that the proposal<br />
fails to consider the following factors, which can<br />
result in many drivers unfairly ending up with<br />
criminal records:<br />
1. Medication and antiseptic products: If you use<br />
mouthwash or medicine, like cough syrup, you could<br />
end up with a positive breath test result.<br />
2. Gut fermentation system (auto-brewery<br />
syndrome): The fermentation of ingested<br />
carbohydrates in the gastrointestinal tract can<br />
result in a temporary spike in an alcohol reader on a<br />
breathalyser.<br />
3. Alcohol in religious activities: Small amounts<br />
of alcohol used for religious purposes, for example<br />
sacramental wine, communion wine, altar wine,<br />
won’t impair driver behaviour, but it will deliver<br />
positive results.<br />
In the <strong>AA</strong>’s comments on the bill, which they<br />
sent to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on<br />
Transport in November last year and expanded on<br />
in oral submissions to the committee in March, they<br />
propose that the limit be changed to 0.2%. This will<br />
cover the situations mentioned above.<br />
What does the <strong>AA</strong> propose?<br />
Better enforcement and education are key. Instead<br />
of a zero-alcohol limit, the <strong>AA</strong> would prefer a zerotolerance<br />
approach to drunk driving. “There is a<br />
huge difference between a zero-alcohol limit and zero<br />
tolerance,” Layton explains. “Zero tolerance means<br />
that everyone in the value chain – law enforcement,<br />
the labs and the prosecution – treat drunk driving<br />
offenders as priority cases. Zero tolerance means the<br />
system is working as it should to prosecute drunk<br />
drivers, but unfortunately that’s not the case.” There<br />
should be more traffic law enforcement officers out<br />
on the road, and they should have all the necessary<br />
equipment to test for drunk driving. The state<br />
laboratories and courts should also be beefed up<br />
to effectively prosecute cases. “People should fear<br />
drinking and driving. They must believe that they<br />
will get caught and face serious consequences,”<br />
Layton adds.<br />
Public awareness and education campaigns that<br />
carry the message that drunk driving is dangerous<br />
and anti-social behaviour should be ramped up.<br />
“Drunk driving isn’t stigmatised. Some people are<br />
even proud of the fact that they do it, and that needs<br />
to change,” Layton says.<br />
The <strong>AA</strong> believes that a more holistic approach to<br />
road safety is needed, and they stand by their support<br />
of the wide-raging proposals put forward by the 2016<br />
Traffic Law Enforcement Committee. Trying<br />
to solve just one issue – drunk driving<br />
– won’t effectively deal with the<br />
country’s annual road fatalities<br />
since there are various other<br />
factors at play. For<br />
example, pedestrians are<br />
the road user group with<br />
most fatalities on South<br />
African roads, and the<br />
<strong>AA</strong> says more attention<br />
should be given to the<br />
issue of drunk walking.<br />
*At time of going to print, the National<br />
Road Traffic Amendment Act, which will<br />
move the alcohol limit to zero, was set<br />
to come into force by June <strong>2021</strong>.<br />
21%<br />
The amount of responds in a 2018<br />
survey by the <strong>AA</strong> who said that<br />
it would be “very easy” to bribe<br />
a police officer if caught drunk<br />
driving. Sixteen percent answered<br />
“easy” and 31 percent said<br />
“somewhat easy”.<br />
79
Blockbusters<br />
CROSSWORD 96<br />
Capital of<br />
Zimbabwe<br />
Recede<br />
Condiment<br />
Prison<br />
room<br />
Take by<br />
force<br />
Lie on<br />
the beach,<br />
eg<br />
Walled<br />
hilltop<br />
town in<br />
Tuscany<br />
(3,9)<br />
Bullets<br />
Network<br />
Hiking<br />
shoe<br />
Thwart<br />
Utilise<br />
North<br />
(abbr)<br />
Indefinite<br />
article<br />
Garble<br />
Prohibit<br />
Jogged<br />
Hazy<br />
Seaweed<br />
Computer<br />
component<br />
Originated<br />
Heredity<br />
unit<br />
Prompt<br />
"I see!"<br />
Fizzy<br />
drink<br />
Astating<br />
(symbol)<br />
Exists<br />
Arctic<br />
abode<br />
Articles<br />
Bury<br />
After<br />
Hours<br />
(abbr)<br />
Hung<br />
loosely<br />
Big cats<br />
Before<br />
Until<br />
now<br />
Indium<br />
(symbol)<br />
Purpose<br />
Ocean<br />
Firesetting<br />
crime<br />
Scandium<br />
(symbol)<br />
Left of<br />
the driver<br />
Matures<br />
Beam<br />
Pismire<br />
Oganesson<br />
(symbol)<br />
Sort<br />
Pain<br />
reliever<br />
Season<br />
Handle<br />
Regatta<br />
boats<br />
80<br />
Edinburgh<br />
natives<br />
Tuber<br />
Thus<br />
Not you<br />
Timid<br />
Street<br />
Nobelium<br />
(symbol)<br />
Finished<br />
In the<br />
direction<br />
Lather<br />
Corn<br />
units<br />
Orchard<br />
Canvas<br />
holder<br />
Annoy<br />
Verse<br />
writer<br />
Edge<br />
Crocus<br />
bulb<br />
Allow<br />
Steal<br />
Old<br />
French<br />
(abbr)<br />
Green<br />
space in<br />
Manhattan<br />
(7,4)<br />
Either<br />
. . .<br />
Per<br />
annum<br />
(abbr)<br />
Ferret-like<br />
animal<br />
Regret<br />
Block<br />
Belongs<br />
to me<br />
Appeared<br />
Beer<br />
ingredient<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
Puzzles<br />
QUIZ<br />
SUDOKU Easy<br />
Can you identify these South African locations?<br />
1 The Khoi refer to this famous South African place as ||Hui !Gais,<br />
which means “where the clouds gather”, “place of snakes” or<br />
“stone place” – the latter refers a well-known stone building in the<br />
city that has five bastions.<br />
8 1 5<br />
3 7 6 2 5 8<br />
9 6 2 1<br />
1 3 7<br />
3<br />
1 9 4<br />
6 8 5 1<br />
9 2 7 8 6 5<br />
5 2 8<br />
Images: Getty Images/ Gallo Images. Source: Plekname van Suider-Afrika. Answers: 1. Cape Town. 2. Spektakel Pass. 3. Vrede<br />
2 This pass is located east of Buffelsrivier in a famous flower region.<br />
It’s rumored that its name refers to an incident where a bunch of stately<br />
women clumsily fell off an ox wagon.<br />
3 The inhabitants of this Free State town quarrelled bitterly about<br />
what to name the town. In the end, its Afrikaans names refers to<br />
what follows the resolution of a dispute.<br />
Crossword 95<br />
G L D A T<br />
H A V A N A B L O G S<br />
L P T A W O K<br />
P A R S E A T N U<br />
A L S E A B K E<br />
P I Z Z A H S C R U B B E D<br />
M E E T S A K A Z E B R A<br />
P R E T C H B I A S A Y<br />
D E P O S E U N I F D<br />
R E P H I L A N D E R E R<br />
D I T T O A N T R E G O R E<br />
O O P T P I E R C E R A<br />
R U N N E R A M A D D M<br />
S I E N A R A V E N U P<br />
P U T T A T O L L S<br />
P E N E A S E L A<br />
Z I P P E R I N O<br />
R E T I R E D N U T<br />
SUDOKU Hard<br />
6 2 5 9<br />
3 2 5<br />
3 7<br />
9 1<br />
2 5 8 7 6 3<br />
8 1<br />
7 5<br />
9 2 7<br />
3 1 4 8<br />
6 1 2 4 8 5 9 3 7<br />
7 3 4 2 9 1 5 8 6<br />
8 9 5 6 3 7 1 4 2<br />
9 6 1 8 7 3 2 5 4<br />
2 5 8 9 1 4 7 6 3<br />
3 4 7 5 2 6 8 9 1<br />
4 2 6 7 5 8 3 1 9<br />
1 8 9 3 4 2 6 7 5<br />
5 7 3 1 6 9 4 2 8<br />
sudoku<br />
hard<br />
2 6 8 9 1 5 4 3 7<br />
3 7 1 4 6 2 5 8 9<br />
5 4 9 8 7 3 6 2 1<br />
9 1 3 6 4 7 2 5 8<br />
8 5 4 2 3 9 7 1 6<br />
7 2 6 1 5 8 9 4 3<br />
6 8 5 3 9 4 1 7 2<br />
4 9 2 7 8 1 3 6 5<br />
1 3 7 5 2 6 8 9 4<br />
sudoku<br />
easy<br />
81<br />
<strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong> | <strong>AA</strong> Traveller
Last word<br />
The Kadett that put on a show<br />
BY WICUS PRETORIUS<br />
82<br />
The red Opel Kadett<br />
was an emergency<br />
purchase. My green<br />
Mazda had rusted away<br />
under my feet, and<br />
even though it was a 323, you could<br />
(especially when it was raining) hear<br />
it disintegrating 1-2-3 beneath you.<br />
That was its final winter.<br />
I soon realised that the red Kadett<br />
was suffering from the same ailment;<br />
before long it became evident that<br />
its previous owner (a deceptively<br />
good-natured oom) had patched<br />
the bodywork of that 1400 more<br />
than once – and by the time spring<br />
arrived there were marks on the<br />
rear hatch door and on two of the<br />
windowsills. For a moment, I though<br />
rust was one of those “optional<br />
extras” you could order with a new<br />
car. Leather seats, sunroof – and<br />
paint that flakes and bubbles.<br />
But there was more to come! Next<br />
was a smoky exhaust, and spark<br />
plugs that suddenly – and always<br />
without warning – lost their spark<br />
one by one. The Kadett would hiss<br />
and sputter like a garden hose<br />
cracking after being left in the sun<br />
for too long. That car was literally<br />
gasping for air.<br />
But my rust bucket had an ace<br />
up its sleeve: its ability to swallow<br />
the entire holiday load of four<br />
varsity buddies every December and<br />
get us safely from Cape Town to<br />
Herolds Bay.<br />
We were old hands at camping,<br />
so we were organised. Our beds<br />
had to be warm, our drinks cold<br />
and our feet clean. This meant that<br />
the Coleman, a groundsheet and<br />
small mattresses were the first to be<br />
loaded. And a small dustpan brush,<br />
plus the four-man tent of course.<br />
And a camping chair for each of<br />
us. Also, the braai grid, gas bottle<br />
and ring burner. And a gas lamp.<br />
And always the old transistor radio<br />
with a wire hanger for an antenna<br />
that was hung in the tree to supply<br />
background music.<br />
From Cape Town, there were only<br />
three of us, which meant that half<br />
of the back seat rest, divided into<br />
two, could be collapsed to<br />
make space for our clothes,<br />
pillows and sleeping bags.<br />
And for our food and booze<br />
for the first night, which<br />
always included two sixpacks<br />
of Savannah because<br />
that’s the number of bottle<br />
tops you needed to hammer the<br />
ground sheet into the ground<br />
before you could pitch your tent.<br />
Soft items could easily change<br />
shape to fit into any small gaps.<br />
The Kadett was packed to capacity<br />
but the doors could close at least<br />
– and as soon as we were over the<br />
mountain at Sir Lowry’s Pass, that<br />
Opel would be cruising and we’d all<br />
be sitting comfortably.<br />
But trouble awaited in Still Bay.<br />
That’s where passenger number<br />
four’s generous parents would<br />
stand at the ready with half a sheep,<br />
a bundle of firewood – and his<br />
suitcase of course. And camping<br />
chair. And sleeping bag and<br />
pillow. The Kadett could take no<br />
more stuff.<br />
The Coleman, which was full of<br />
maps, Blitz, takkies and other loose<br />
items, was emptied and filled with<br />
the meat. The loose items were<br />
shoved under the front seats and in<br />
the cubby hole.<br />
The sleeping bags were unrolled<br />
and stacked one on top of each<br />
other on the back seat. The two<br />
friends sitting there were raised, as<br />
if in a Landy on safari, but the roof<br />
was too low, so for the last 130 km,<br />
they sat with their heads together<br />
like Siamese twins.<br />
Luckily, we didn’t have far<br />
to travel. Unfortunately, it was<br />
summer.<br />
At our camping spot, the four<br />
of us tumbled out of the car. Our<br />
neighbours – fancy folk with a<br />
brand-new bakkie and a Wilk<br />
Amethyst caravan – were appalled.<br />
WICUS<br />
PRETORIUS is<br />
the editor of the<br />
décor magazine<br />
Tuis|Home.<br />
The rust on my Kadett wasn’t exactly<br />
the precious gemstone that their<br />
home-on-wheels had been named<br />
after.<br />
But we were considerate and<br />
friendly… and (mostly) wellbehaved.<br />
And towards the end of<br />
the holiday, Oom Free State sent<br />
over a bowl of lamb chops and<br />
Tannie Free State sent lamingtons.<br />
The Kadett may have failed in their<br />
eyes, but we had passed the test with<br />
flying colours!<br />
It was only on the last day of<br />
our holiday that I realised that it<br />
was actually the Kadett that had<br />
impressed our neighbour the most.<br />
When we started to break up our<br />
camp, Oom Free State pulled up<br />
one of his own camping chairs, sat<br />
down, cracked open a beer, and drily<br />
remarked:<br />
“I saw you piling out of this car,<br />
but now I want to see how you get<br />
back in – because it’s sure to be the<br />
best show in town.”<br />
And, sipping on his beer, he kept a<br />
close eye on us, watching as the red<br />
Kadett – rust and all – managed to<br />
swallow four varsity buddies and all<br />
their stuff: the Coleman, the ground<br />
sheet, mattresses, the tent, camping<br />
chairs, braai grid, gas cooker,<br />
clothes, pillows and sleeping bags…<br />
Oom Free State was the one left<br />
gasping for air.<br />
Illustration: Lynne Fraser<br />
<strong>AA</strong> Traveller | <strong>WINTER</strong> <strong>2021</strong>
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