cresta calling - future group · 6. cresta moments. cresta marang’s . winter wonderland market...

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COVER (AWAITING APPROVAL)

ISSUE 03 2011

CRESTACalling

Breaking New Ground: Cresta Marakanelo Invests P40m into building Malapye Hotel

Win! A weekend away for two at Cresta Marang!

Cresta Zimbabwe Wins Social Responsibility Award

Cresta Calling 04 (h).indd 1 2011/08/31 10:05 AM

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Thapama

Waking up feeling inspired is all in a day’s work.

Cresta Thapama offers exceptional accommodation.A good night’s rest in your beautifully furnished, air conditioned bedroom will leave you feeling fresh, revived and inspired for a day full of success.

www.crestahotels.com

Bookings are essential. Please contact reservations on +267 241 3872

to avoid disappointment.

30816 Cresta Botswana AdsV4.indd 1 2/9/10 2:32:15 PMCresta Calling 04 (h).indd 2 2011/08/31 10:05 AM

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Thapama

Waking up feeling inspired is all in a day’s work.

Cresta Thapama offers exceptional accommodation.A good night’s rest in your beautifully furnished, air conditioned bedroom will leave you feeling fresh, revived and inspired for a day full of success.


Bookings are essential. Please contact reservations on +267 241 3872

to avoid disappointment.

30816 Cresta Botswana AdsV4.indd 1 2/9/10 2:32:15 PM

Content

COVER (AWAITING APPROVAL)

ISSUE 03 2011

CRESTACalling

Breaking New Ground: Cresta Marakanelo Invests P40m into building Malapye Hotel

Win! A weekend away for two at Cresta Marang!

Cresta Zimbabwe Wins Social Responsibility Award

PUBLISHERRichard Lendrum

EDITOR Rusununguko Tairoodza

FOR ADVERTISING CONTACTMuchaneta Musarurwa (Zimbabwe)+263 444 6000Priscilla Katholo (Botswana) +267 391 2222Rejoice Mthombeni (South Africa) +2711 881 1200

CREATIVE HEADRuhan Gudmanz

DESIGN AND LAYOUTLerato Thabe

PROOFREADERMegan Larter

MANAGING EDITORAndre Schild

Cresta Calling is published by:Future Publishing (Pty) LtdPostal Address:PO Box 3355, Rivonia, 2128

Physical Address:No 9, Third Ave, Rivonia 2128Telephone: 011 803 2040Fax: 011 803 2022Email: [email protected]: www.futurepublishing.co.za

Editor’s Note 4 Cresta Moments 4Cresta at INDABA Cresta Marakanelo Invests P40m in MahalapyeCresta Marang Raises Funds for Day Care CentreCresta Sponsors MTN Young Achiever AwardCresta Gives Abused Children a Bear HugBreaking New Ground: Cresta Marakanelo Invests P65m in Expansion and Refurbishments Cresta Chef’s competitionNew Staff AppointmentsCresta Zimbabwe wins Corporate Social Responsibility Award

Wine review 11

Healthy Eating 12

Mapungubwe and Great Zimbabwe: 14A common thread runs through it

Travelling tips 18 How green are you? 21

Regrading Cresta Botsalo 22

Premium Class 24

Useful Mobile Apps 26 Win With Cresta Hotels and Air Botswana! 28

Trivia 30

A division of Future Group (PTY) Ltd.

Stuart WilliamsJournalist/Photographer

Automotive Division

Cell: +27 (0) 82 438 8664e-mail: [email protected]

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We have crossed over to the second half of the year and I am awed at how time has gone by so fast. As Cresta we made big strides

during the first half of the year. Our Cresta Moments testify to this fact. We continue to spread our wings evidenced by the ground-breaking at Mahalapye in Botswana of our upcoming Cresta Mahalapye hotel. During the month of August, Cresta Lodge Gaborone will be celebrating 20 years of placing smiles on our guests’ faces, and as an organisation we renew our pledge to offer excellent service that will keep our guests and business partners smiling. The award presented to Cresta Zimbabwe for their HIV initiatives was another joyous occasion for us because we believe in solidarity with the communities around us in a continued effort to better them. As we forge our way to the close of the yea, we look forward to greater prospects of growth and will continue creating meaningful travel experiences for all our guests.

Happy reading

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Phone: +27 11 881 1200 • Fax: +27 11 881 1222 • E-mail: [email protected] Where one smile starts another.

You take care of business while we take care of you.

Experience the true warmth of African hospitality at Cresta Hotels, where we’ll do whatever it takes to make your business trip a success. Cresta Hotels is one of the largest hotel groups in the Southern African region, managing and operating thirteen properties.

Cresta Hotels hosts four different gateways each designed differently for you to choose which travelling experience will best suit your individual needs. ‘Urban Heartbeat’, ‘Urban Oasis’, ‘African Roots’ and ‘African Fingerprint’ are found across Botswana, Nigeria and Zimbabwe. Enjoy all the finest creature comforts while you take care of business and we take care of you.


Urban HeartbeatCresta Jameson, ZimbabweCresta President, BotswanaCresta Thapama, Botswana

African RootsCresta Bosele, BotswanaCresta Botsalo, BotswanaCresta Oasis, ZimbabweCresta Riley’s, Botswana

Urban OasisCresta Lodge, BotswanaCresta Lodge, ZimbabweCresta Marang Gardens, Botswana

African FingerprintCresta Churchill, ZimbabweCresta Mowana Safari Lodge, Botswana

Editors Note

ISSUE 01 2009

Cresta Calling

Welcome to the new look cresta calling magazine. we felt it was time for a change in keeping with our current marketing strategy and we have since engaged with a new publishing house to create our modern, updated look and feel.

many of our guests are frequent travelers, and part of our thinking in initiating the change, was to include plenty of tips to improve life on the move for the busy business person. In this issue, we have included specific features on countries where our hotels are located, to better inform our guests about the attractions of our various markets, and tips on how to get around. with all the attention zimbabwe is receiving at the moment, we couldn’t resist a look at Harare, the “sunshine city” and the host of attractions it offers. with the highest per capita income in sub-saharan africa, Botswana deserves a closer look and we provide greater insight for the curious business person - hence our comprehensive feature in this edition.

as always, this publication is a key communication tool to inform our guests about exciting developments in cresta Hospitality – see our cresta moments feature for more details. i hope readers will be as excited as we are about the cresta allen Hotel set to open in lagos this year. recession blues seem to be catching up with everybody and stories of tough times are a common occurrence in everyday conversations around town. all i can say is, “don’t allow anything to make you to lose sight of your goals. You may need to re-strategise, but don’t give up on your dreams.”

enjoy the read.

RusuRusunungko Tairoodza

Editors Note

ISSUE 01 2009

Cresta Calling

Welcome to the new look cresta calling magazine. we felt it was time for a change in keeping with our current marketing strategy and we have since engaged with a new publishing house to create our modern, updated look and feel.

many of our guests are frequent travelers, and part of our thinking in initiating the change, was to include plenty of tips to improve life on the move for the busy business person. In this issue, we have included specific features on countries where our hotels are located, to better inform our guests about the attractions of our various markets, and tips on how to get around. with all the attention zimbabwe is receiving at the moment, we couldn’t resist a look at Harare, the “sunshine city” and the host of attractions it offers. with the highest per capita income in sub-saharan africa, Botswana deserves a closer look and we provide greater insight for the curious business person - hence our comprehensive feature in this edition.

as always, this publication is a key communication tool to inform our guests about exciting developments in cresta Hospitality – see our cresta moments feature for more details. i hope readers will be as excited as we are about the cresta allen Hotel set to open in lagos this year. recession blues seem to be catching up with everybody and stories of tough times are a common occurrence in everyday conversations around town. all i can say is, “don’t allow anything to make you to lose sight of your goals. You may need to re-strategise, but don’t give up on your dreams.”

enjoy the read.

RusuRusunungko Tairoodza

Editor’s note

Editor’s Note


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Cresta Moments

Cresta Hotels takes SA Tourism INDABA by storm C resta Hotels showcased its unique brand with a sumptuous

stand, echoing the look-and-feel of their hotels located in Botswana, Nigeria and Zimbabwe, at this year’s Tourism

INDABA, which took place from 6 to 10 May 2011. The eye-catching colour pallet of the furniture and décor on the stand proved a draw card for hundreds of visitors.Osbourne Majuru, Chief Executive Officer of Cresta was delighted with the turn out. ”It just shows that Cresta Hotels has a unique offering that visitors equated with excellence and quality. We look forward to hosting them at our hotels in the near future.”The SA Tourism INDABA is one of the largest tourism marketing events on the African calendar and one of the top three ‘must visit’ events of its kind on the global calendar. It showcases the widest variety of South African and other African countries from the best tourism products, and attracts international visitors and media from across the world. For two years in a row, INDABA has won the award for Africa’s best travel and tourism show. This award was presented by the Association of World Travel Awards.INDABA is a four day trade event that attracts over 13 000 delegates from the travel tourism and related industries.Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk summed up the spirit of INDABA 2011 best: “Tourism is not only about figures, policies, statistics and objectives – but about people being the key driver for economic development and job creation in the tourism industry.”Hotels, guesthouses, airlines, car rental companies and the

exhibitions and events industry again did a roaring trade at Africa’s biggest travel and tourism trade show.1610 exhibitors and over 7210 exhibition personnel across all imaginable tourism-related categories showcased their products, Operators, Game Lodges, Hotels, and Nature Reserves from all over Africa accounted for 83% of the total exhibitor presence. The INDABA attendance figures included nearly 3 000 international buyers and visitors; an impressive increase of 11% on the number of international delegates attending INDABA in 2010. Of the international delegates and buyers from 98 different countries that attended INDABA 2011, the highest number of delegates per country came from the United Kingdom (267), the United States (166), Germany (138), Zimbabwe (102) and the Netherlands (97).

I n May 2011, Cresta Marakanelo commenced with a ground-breaking ceremony for the new P40m Cresta Mahalapye Hotel. Falling under Cresta’s Urban Roots the

Gateway, 65-bedroom hotel and 200-seat conference centre is set to open toward the end of 2012 and will be the largest accommodation centre in Mahalapye.The hotel will boast a fully-equipped conference centre, presidential suites, a bar and fully-serviced restaurant. It will be a three-star graded property.Mahalapye is the seat of the Botswana Railways Head Office and is accessible from both Gaborone and Palapye. Cresta Marakanelo identified a need for more accommodation in the area and is capitalising on this opportunity.Cresta Marakanelo’s current strategy is to aggressively invest in its properties in order to create memorable experiences for its guests. In other developments, the company is investing P17m in refurbishing the flagship property, Mowana Safari Lodge.

Cresta Marakanelo Invests P40m in Mahalapye


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Cresta Moments

Cresta Marang’s Winter Wonderland Market raises funds for Francistown day care centre

C resta Marang Gardens recently joined forces with the Rotary Club of Francistown, Botswana, to hold a night market in the middle of winter. The aim of holding the

event was threefold: to give the community something to do on a bitterly cold night; to provide vendors with the chance to make some extra money by selling their wares; and most importantly, to raise money and awareness for a project that is being undertaken by the Rotary Club of Francistown - the completion of a day care centre in the village of Shashe-Semotswane, located approximately 25km outside the city of Francistown, in northeastern Botswana. Built 15 years ago, but never completed, the day care centre is one of a number of abandoned and incomplete buildings within the village of Shashe-Semotswane. One of the several in the area, the village has been particularly hard-hit by the recent economic crisis, yet it remains an attractive place, dotted with fine acacia trees and smiling faces. Its leader is Chief Balemetse Bailathuti, a respected elder and advisor to the community. As in most villages within Botswana, the Village Development Committee (VDC) consists of a group of residents who are elected every two years by the people of the village, and whose role is to assist in the community’s development.The VDC invited the Rotary Club of Francistown to take on the challenge of helping to complete the centre. This ambitious project required the assistance and support of all of the surrounding communities, and the Cresta Marang Gardens Hotel provided an ideal venue, with Cresta’s management and staff embracing the project wholeheartedly, putting all their energy into the initiative.

The stalls were bursting at the seams, the crowds descended, and the Winter Wonderland Market proved a great success. It provided vendors with a safe place to sell their wares; the community had a great venue to while away the cold winter night, browsing the stalls and sampling the various foods on offer. Most of all though, the night highlighted the very noble and ambitious project that has been taken on by the Rotary Club of Francistown. Such a success was the event that it is destined to become an annual event for the Rotary Club of Francistown, the Cresta Marang Gardens Hotel and indeed for the city of Francistown. Materials for the day care centre were pledged, money was donated, and pro bono plans for the building were drawn up by a local architectural firm, Nuttal Smith Architects (Pty) Ltd.


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Cresta Hotels and Air Botswana embrace Africa’s Radio TalentC resta Hotels and Air Botswana were key sponsors of the

MTN Radio Awards’ Young Achiever Award held earlier this year at the prestigious Sandton Sun in Johannesburg.

Six hundred people attended the event to share in the excellence and excitement of radio.The MTN Young Achiever Award recognises any individual under the age of 35 who is making his or her mark on the industry, whether on-air or behind the scenes. The award seeks to identify and acknowledge the efforts of an individual who has an intrinsic understanding and love for the medium of radio, respects its past, but who has great ideas about its future.Rusununguko Tairoodza, Sales and Marketing Director at Cresta Hotels, explains that, driven by the spirit of Ubuntu (a key brand philosophy), the company felt compelled to sponsor the award. “Radio plays an important role in ‘making one smile start another’ – which is the sentiment expressed in our payoff line. Radio is critical in terms of informing and educating communities, and sending smiles over the airwaves.”She adds that the MTN Radio Awards are viewed as important in order to promote young talent. In this way, they contribute to the continuous succession of quality radio communication. “The Young Achiever Award represents the future sustainability

of quality radio content. Our sponsorship of the award reflects our commitment to Africa.”Charmain Lemkus, Sales Manager: South Africa at Air Botswana, agrees, adding that since radio plays a vital role in community development, support for radio equals support for African communities.This year’s winner demonstrates all the talents of a Young Achiever. Smangele Mbatha has made a substantial impact within a relatively short time at Gagasi FM. She has lived up to the English meaning of her name: ‘We are amazed or surprised’. Smangele has come up with content which is viewed as daring, especially when viewed in the light of barriers and various limitations to dialogue around topical issues. She manages to get listeners to engage with the station and express their views. This is somewhat of an anomaly in a province which was previously seen as averse to such discussions and dialogue. She is not content with her listeners just being OK – she constantly seeks to find content that will evoke emotions, reinforcing her belief that to be a success on the radio, you either make people cry or laugh. Says Station Manager Patrick Bogatsu: “Her inherent creative skill brings a tangible difference to the production of the station’s content.”

Cresta Moments

SMANGELE MBATHA MTN RADIO AWARDS YOUNG ACHIEVER 2011


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Cresta gives abused children a bear hugT he South African Travel Women’s Club is a non-profit

organisation, which aims to facilitate networking opportunities for women in the travel industry.

Members of the club get together each month at a venue in South Africa, and a sponsor is then invited to showcase their products directly to their colleagues in the travel business on a one-on-one basis. Early this year, Cresta Hotels took to the stage to showcase their unique range of hotels in the locales of Zimbabwe and Botswana at the Michelangelo Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg.

The most important aim of these gatherings are the funds raised which are donated to the sponsor’s choice of charity. Cresta used a raffle to raise over R7 000 for their charity of choice - the Teddy Bear Clinic. The clinic is a non-profit organisation dedicated to ensuring that abused children are protected and rehabilitated. The clinic does not only work with children, but with parents and communities – empowering them with the knowledge and skills so that they can put an end to child abuse. Since opening its doors in 1986, the clinic has helped over 35 000 children and families.

Cresta Moments

C resta Marakanelo, is investing P65m into refurbishment and expansion of services at its properties, and the construction of a brand new hotel.

The investment includes the P40-million Cresta Mahalapye Hotel whose groundbreaking was conducted recently. The 65-bedroom and 200-seater conference facility will be completed in 2012, becoming Mahalapye’s biggest accommodation centre. Last week, Cresta Marakanelo Managing Director Tawanda Makaya revealed that the investment was part of a strategic operational rollout designed to improve guest experience and offer five-star treatment.He said besides the hotel, P13 million was being invested in the renovation of rooms and the restaurant at the flagship Mowana Lodge, while another P8 million was being directed towards a health and wellness spa to be run and managed by the Clarins brand.Another P4 million is being pumped into leisure activities that involve the purchase of new game vehicles and boats for safari activities. “The refurbishment does not merely consist of new decor and suites,” Makaya explained.“Every area of a guest’s experience through the lodge and grounds has been addressed to offer a five-star journey.”The African Fingerprint promise punctuates a unique journey and provides the background for an unforgettable experience.”The latest investment follows similar programmes in recent

years after the hotel group refurbished the President Hotel and Cresta Lodge in Gaborone that collectively cost P45 million. Other properties such as Cresta Botsalo in Palapye, Cresta Rileys in Maun and Cresta Thapama in Francistown were similarly refurbished.Established in 1987, Cresta Marakanelo operates eight hotels countrywide with 724 rooms under management, excluding the under-development Cresta Mahalapye. The group’s revenues jumped 12.6 percent to P95.6 million for the half-year ended December 2010, despite poor business over the World Cup and higher operating costs.

Reprinted courtesy of www.mmengi.bw

Cresta pumps P17m into Mowana Safari Lodge

Cresta staff at the fund raising event.


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The Cresta Hotels Chefs’ Competition

C resta Botswana’s Annual Salon Culinaire was held on Saturday, 16 July at Cresta Lodge Gabarone. The competition was open to all chefs within the group, and

a total of 23 entrants were received. One of the competition requirements stipulated that all entries had to be original and creative. Competition judges were Myra Sekgororoane, CEO of Botswana Tourism, Godfery Kupe and Abraham Jere from Gaborone Sun.

The categories and winners were as follows:

CATEGORY A- COLD PLATTERA selection of cold meats, fish, poultry, terrines, galantines etc with appropriate centerpiece (optional) on a suitable platter or mirror. This was a platter for eight to ten people; the aim was for customers to be able to sample each item of the platter.

The winner was Ellen Shanashandi from Cresta Mowana and the runner up was Malebogo Morwe from Cresta President.

CATEGORY B- MENUA menu for one person consisting of appetizer, main course and dessert displayed as individual servings.

This was won by Thapelo Kesilwe from Cresta Lodge Gabarone and the runner up was Malebo Phale from Cresta Mowana.

CATEGORY C- MAIN COURSEA main course for two people consisting of meat, poultry, fish, game etc on a suitable platter including garnish, vegetables and starch.

The winner of this category was Shaleshando Mukuwa from Cresta Mowana and the runner up was Nathaneil Kuma from Cresta Marang.

CATEGORY D- PASTRYOne whole cake, gateaux, mousse or selection of pastries for eight people and to be presented on a suitable platter.

Category D’s winner was Nonofo Isaac from Cresta Lodge Gabarone with runner up was Benson Matowe from Cresta President.

CATEGORY E- SHOWPIECE FRUIT/ VEGETABLEA carving of fruit or vegetables. Size not to exceed 1m3

WINNER - Masingo Nthami from Cresta Lodge Gabarone

The overall winner of the competition was Nonofo Isaac from Cresta Lodge Gabarone who made his mark and impressed the judges with his creation of a pastry platter. Congratulations to all participants!

Cresta Moments


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We are pleased to announce the following new appointments at Cresta Marakanelo

Welcome to the Cresta family!

New Appointments at Cresta Marakanelo Ltd.

Neo Nkele Cresta President Sales Manager

Dennis Mmolai Regional Sales Manager Chobe Area (Cresta Rileys & Mowana Safari Lodge)

Matlhodi Madikwe Cresta Lodge Sales Manager

Sego Mothibi Cresta Thapama Sales Manager

Caroline Kgathi Cresta Marang Gardens Sales Manager

Koketso Phalaagae Regional Sales Manager Cresta Botsalo & Bosele

Cresta Moments

Cresta Zimbabwe wins Corporate Social Responsibility Award

T Through teamwork and believing in the value of Social investment, Cresta Zimbabwe won the 2011 Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Social

Corporate Responsibility Award in the HIV and AIDS category. The award was received by Sarah Makombo, HR manager of Cresta Zimbabwe on 27 May 2011 at an annual business gala held to recognize individuals and organizations that have excelled in Social Corporate Responsibility. “We have a special calendar for the field and a Wellness Champions Team that ensures its continuous successful running. We have also put in place a budget that supports all the initiatives brought through the various channels and are determined to see this programme running like clockwork because we realize that issues of HIV and AIDS are a reality in our communities and some organizations ignore this truth at their own peril” said Makombo, in an interview with ZNCC.

The categories that were recognized were as follows:

1. Businessman of the Year2. Businesswoman of the Year3. Exporter of the Year4. Entrepreneur of the Year5. Best SME Person of the Year6. Tourism-Best Innovative Tourism Package/Products7. Best Social Cooperate responsibility - HIV and AIDS

The Cresta Hospitality award was in recognition of the strides they have made as an organisation to encourage their workforce to live positively through sensitization and wellness programmes.


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F rans Malan, the founder of Simonsig was the first producer of Methode Champenoise in South African when he pioneered Cap

Classique in 1971.Kaapse Vonkel became the first Cap Classique to use all three of the classic grape varieties used in Champagne when Pinot Meunier was introduced in 1997. Like Pinot Noir, a red grape variety, it has a delicious aromatic fruit flavours and blossoms early in the evolution of the wine.Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel continues to lend grandeur and charm to any day, anytime with its elegant taste and delicate touch of fine crisp bubbles which has earned this legendary Stellenbosch estate a distinguished standing amongst lovers of sparkling wine. When Frans Malan made the first bubbly he decided to name it Kaapse Vonkel (meaning Cape sparkle), which at the time he thought would become the generic name for all locally-made Méthode Cap Classiques. However, when other wine estates followed suit and gave their own names to their bubblies, Kaapse Vonkel retained Simonsig’s name, and today, more than 300 000 bottles of this famed fizz are produced annually - from just 10 000 bottles in the early days.But in the 40 years since it has been around, Simonsig must have been doing it right as Kaapse Vonkel is one of South Africa’s favourite bubblies, and has a host of awards from all over the world.There are not that many brands that have been around for four decades and doubtless if Frans Malan was still around, he would be pleased to know that his bubbly was still sparkling.“Today the Kaapse Vonkel is regarded as a ‘lifestyle wine’; not only as a wine to drink as a toast or for a celebration. And if you compare it to French Champagne, we offer great value for money. And how many wines do you know that you can drink with breakfast” shares cellarmaster - Johan Malan.

Every wine has a story – Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel

Wine Review

Wine descriptionA lively energetic wine, which forms a crown of bubbles in the glass. On the nose, Kaapse Vonkel shows lively floral and Chardonnay citrus fruit, which is complimented by the red berry flavours from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes. On the palate the wine shows elegant yeasty flavours with great finesse on the tongue.

Serving suggestionsAs an aperitif, the Kaapse Vonkel will add sparkle to any occasion. Delicious with fresh oysters, or pate. Excellent with lighter soup courses and ideal to accompany dessert as it is perfect for cleaning the palette. You’d be hard pressed to find a better wine to accompany your sushi.


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Health Corner

INGREDIENTS15ml olive oil1 onion chopped1 tablespoon good quality curry powder250g minced pork (no fat)250g lean beef mince1 teaspoon salt2 tablespoon chutneyFreshly ground black pepper to taste

PREPARATION Heat the olive oil in a heavy-based saucepan over the fire. Fry the onion until it is golden brown and add the curry powder and fry a minute longer. Allow to cool, then add the remaining ingredients and mix lightly with a fork. Shape the mixture into patties and braai over moderate coals for about 12 minutes or until they are done.

Serve with a salad of your choice.

This salsa is good with beef, chicken and fish

INGREDIENTS2 corn cobs, husks removed1 avocado 90g stuffed green olives2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley3 spring onions, shredded1 tablespoon olive oil2 tablespoons lemon juice

PREPARATION Cook the corn cobs in a pan of boiling water for 5 minutes or until just soft. Drain, cool and pat dry with paper towels. Using a large sharp knife, cut the kernels from the cob and place in a single layer on a foil- lined grill tray. Grill under a very hot grill for 10 minutes, or until the corn is golden brown, turning kernels once during grilling to ensure even roasting. Allow to cool.

Peel the avocado and remove the stone. Chop the fresh avocado into small pieces.

Combine the corn, avocado, olives, parsley, spring onion, olive oil and lemon juice and season liberally with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss well to make sure the avocado is coated with the dressing. Cover and chill for 15 minutes before serving.

ROASTED CORN, AVOCADO AND GREEN OLIVE SALSA(SERVES 6)

BEEF CURRY FRIKKADELS FOR THE BRAAI(SERVES 8)Light meatballs with a curry tang

WE HAVE SOME DELICIOUS RECIPES ON THE MENU COURTESY OF OUR EXPERT CHEFS AT CRESTA HOSPITALITY

HEALTHY COOKING


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Health Corner

The light vegetable stuffing marries wonderfully well with the delicious flavour of the fish in this recipe, while the tomatoes add a splash of colour.

INGREDIENTS 1 sea bass 1.5kg2 red peppers180ml olive oil1 sprig thyme300g aubergines2 medium onions, finely chopped400g very ripe but firm tomatoesJuice of half a lemon2 tablespoons chopped parsleySalt and ground pepper

PREPARATIONThe peppers: Preheat the grill or oven to 240oC. Smear a little oil over the peppers and place them under the grill or on a baking tray in the oven, turning them until the skin bubbles and blackens all over. Hold the peppers under cold running water and rub them lightly with your hand to detach the skin. Pat dry with the kitchen paper. Leave the oven switched on. Halve the peppers, discard the white membrane and seeds and cut the flesh into small lozenge shapes. Put them into saucepan

with two tablespoons olive oil and thyme and sweat gently for 15 minutes. Discard thyme and put the peppers in a bowl.

The aubergines: Wash, dry and cut off the stems. Cut the aubergines into small dice. Gently heat four tablespoons olive oil in a frying pan, put in the diced aubergines and sauté for 10 minutes. Place in a bowl.

The onions: Heat two tablespoons olive oil in a saucepan, put in the onions and cook gently for 15 minutes. Place in a bowl.The tomatoes: Peel, deseed and cut into thin strips. Heat two

tablespoons olive oil in a saucepan, put in the tomatoes, add a little salt and pepper and cook for five minutes, then transfer to a bowl and keep it hot.

The fish: Scale the fish, lay it on its side, then, with a filleting knife, cut along the backbone towards the belly to open it up on one side, but do not cut through the belly. Repeat on the other side of the backbone.

Use scissors to snip through the backbone near the head and tail and lift out the whole backbone. This will gut the fish at the same time.

Still using the scissors, place your hand inside the fish, cut off the gills, then trim off a little of the tail and cut off the back fins. Quickly rinse the fish in very cold water and dry it well inside and out with kitchen paper. Season the inside of the fish with salt and pepper.

Mix together the peppers, aubergines, onions and lemon juice, season to taste and stuff the fish with the mixture.

Lightly brush the fish with oil on both sides and lay it on oiled sheet of greaseproof paper. Roll it up in the paper, twist the two ends and tie the paper loosely in three places with a kitchen string, taking care not to tie it too tightly where the paper touches the fish.

COOKING THE FISHPlace the fish in a roasting tin and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, and then turn it over. Reduce the oven temperature to 200 degrees and cook for another 20 minutes.

When fish is cooked transfer it onto a long serving dish, remove the string and the paper and keep it warm. Scatter a few of the hot tomatoes over the fish and sprinkle with parsley.

Serve the rest of the tomatoes separately in a sauceboat.

STUFFED SEA BASS IN A PAPER PARCEL (SERVES 4)

Pork ribs are always a real treat especially when they have been marinated in a spicy mixture.

INGREDIENTS750g pork ribs fat free 8cm in length2 tablespoons olive oil1 tablespoon good quality red curry

PASTE2 tablespoons lime juice1 tablespoon chopped lemon grass2 teaspoons grated ginger2 tablespoons chopped coriander

PREPERATIONCut the ribs into four rib sections. Combine the oil, curry paste, juice, lemon grass, ginger and coriander in a bowl and mix well. Brush the rib sections thoroughly with the marinade then place in a non-aluminum dish. Cover the dish and refrigerate overnight to allow all the flavours to develop.

Place the ribs on a wire rack over a baking dish and bake at 200oC in the oven brushing with the marinade for about 30 minutes or until browned and cooked through.Serve it with a salad.

SPICE PORK RIBS(SERVES 2)

WE HAVE SOME DELICIOUS RECIPES ON THE MENU COURTESY OF OUR EXPERT CHEFS AT CRESTA HOSPITALITY

HEALTHY COOKING


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Feature

A common thread runs through it

BY MICHELLE SWART


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I n Southern Africa, where the Shashe and Limpopo Rivers converge; Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe unite. This region, which is one of great cultural diversity and boasts a rich

heritage and an array of flora and fauna, was considered home by a selection of large human settlements that have thrived here over the centuries.

It makes sense then that the area has a rich and a variety of archaeological sites covering an extended period of time from as far back as the Stone Age, approximately one million years ago and the Iron Age dating back about 1 100 years, to historical sites from the Second Anglo-Boer War and the early British pioneers.

In this area is the sandstone Mapungubwe Hill, with its vertical cliffs and a flat top approximately 30m high and 300m long where the

remains of an important ancient culture were discovered. Described as one of the earliest class-based kingdoms on the African continent, it is said that one thousand years ago, Mapungubwe in Limpopo province was the centre of the largest kingdom the subcontinent, where a highly sophisticated people traded gold and ivory with China, India and Egypt. This Iron Age site which was discovered in 1932 was declared as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).

Mapungubwe is an area of open savannah at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers and abutting the northern border of South Africa and the borders of Zimbabwe and Botswana. Mapungubwe was home to an advanced culture of people for the time – the ancestors of the Shona people of Zimbabwe. They traded with China and India, had a flourishing agricultural industry, and their populations grew to around 5 000 people.

BACK TO THE BEGINNINGArchaeologists and various historians believe that the area of Mmamagwa in this region was originally inhabited by the San and Khoi, the origins of whom go back at least 120 000 years. These were Stone Age people who led either a hunter-gatherer lifestyle or one of nomadic pastoralism. Then, around 2 000 years ago, various Bantu-speaking groups began moving southward from North Africa for a variety of reasons including climatic change and increasing populations, and so began the Iron Age in Southern Africa. These groups of Bantu-speaking people moved southward down the western and eastern sides of Africa and brought about some dramatic changes to the people and cultures of the region. These Bantu-speakers also influenced the people living at Mmamagwa teaching them how to make and fire pottery, mine and smelt iron, gold and copper. Other characteristics of these new arrivals included the keeping of domestic cattle and cultivating crops of sorghum and millet. The Iron Age people were also traders and had developed trade relations with Arab traders, sailing down the East coast of Africa. This now meant that the Shashe-Limpopo Valley formed an important part of the Indian Ocean trade network.

The trade links that had been forged between the Iron Age groups and Arab traders also began to have a profound influence on the culture and lifestyles of these people, which gradually changed. These changes were more noticeable in the later groups occupying Mmamagwa, where cattle, for example, while still important, were no longer considered as the main indicator of wealth. It was rather the possession of imported trade goods such as beads, woven cloth and porcelain that gave people within the tribe status.

Between 850 and 900 years ago a new group, known as K2, made the Limpopo Valley their home, occupying an area of around 30 000 km2. There are a large number of K2 sites around Mashatu, but Mmamagwa is one of the most notable ones. The Iron Age sites at K2 and Mapungubwe were inhabited between 1 000 and 1 300. Archaeologists believe that both sites were once capitals of African kings and each culture is identifiable by a series of decorative patterns used on their pottery. The Mapungubwe culture is well represented at Mmamagwa through the numerous decorated pottery fragments and other items to be found there. Mapungubwe hill is the site of three royal graves and was the centre of a terraced settlement. It is believed that the Mapungubwe people were responsible for the first stone walls which were built on the top of the cliff about 700 years ago and it is thought that that building of these walls was due to further shifts in the social structure of this group of people. Apparently royalty moved away from the village in the valley below, to reside on top of the cliff. It is believed that the chief and his family, advisors, bodyguards and the witchdoctors physically isolated themselves from the villagers, living in virtual seclusion.

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As a whole, it is thought that Mapungubwe was the centre of a rich African kingdom with a population of about 5 000 people living within it. As a bustling trade centre between 1030 and 1290, its people mined and smelted copper, iron and gold, spun cotton, made glass and ceramics, grew millet and sorghum, and tended livestock including cattle, goats and sheep and even dogs. Indications are that the Mapungubwe people created objects of iron, copper and gold for practical and decorative purposes – both for local use and for trade. Pottery, wood, ivory, bone, ostrich eggshells and the shells of snails and freshwater mussels indicate that many other materials were used and traded with cultures as far away as East Africa, Persia, Egypt, India and China. It seems foreign trade was an important part of life in the area and large quantities of glass beads were obtained in exchange for gold and animal skins. It is said that Mapungubwe traded with ancient Ethiopia through the ports of Adulis on the Red Sea and the ports of Raphta (now Quelimani) and Zafara (now Sofala) in Mozambique.

Its people had a sophisticated knowledge of the stars, and astronomy played a major role - not only in their tradition and culture, but also in their day-to-day lives.

The Mapungubwe culture lasted only a short while before climatic changes had a dramatic effect on the Limpopo Valley. The lack of sufficient rain to grow crops and raise livestock forced people away from the Limpopo Valley in a north-easterly direction. With the shift away from the Limpopo, the control of trade moved as well, and ultimately led to the formation of the Great Zimbabwe culture, and the associated Great Zimbabwe capital, with its magnificent stone palace, court and walls.

A FORGOTTEN PEOPLEThe remains of this ancient society, now known as the Kingdom of Mapungubwe, lay forgotten for more than seven centuries until a local resident revealed their existence to academics from the University of Pretoria.

The first piece of their history was dug up by a farmer named Van Graan. Early in the April of 1933, The Illustrated London News reported a remarkable discovery in the South African province of the Transvaal: a grave of unknown origin, containing much gold work, was found on the summit of a natural rock stronghold in a wild region. This site, Mapungubwe Hill, is on the farm Greefswald where the international borders between South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana meet. Since the site was discovered, numerous research and news reports have told the story of Mapungubwe and its culture.. When it was discovered, the University of Pretoria excavated the site and found that the gold objects from the Mapungubwe graves, such as the rhinoceros, sceptre and bowl, were originally gold sheet or foil covering wooden carvings. Some of these objects, such as the sceptre and rhinoceros, were possibly symbols associated with a person of special significance or high status, such as a king. The person was eventually buried with these objects in accordance with traditional customs and social or religious beliefs.

The most spectacular of the gold discoveries is a little gold rhinoceros, made of gold foil and tacked with minute pins around a wooden core. The rhino, fea tu red in one o f Sou th A f r i ca ’s new na t iona l o rde r s - t he Orde r o f Mapungubwe - has come to symbolise the high culture of Mapungubwe. The rhino is also a symbol of leadership among the Shona people of Zimbabwe.

Mapungubwe and its neighbouring K2 sites are National Monuments and therefore the cultural objects from these sites have been proclaimed as part of a specifically declared heritage collection. The Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape became South Africa’s fifth World Heritage site in July 2003 and in May 2004 it was officially announced as Mapungubwe National Park.

Today, the Mapungubwe Museum at the University of Pretoria promotes the largest archaeological gold collection in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Mapungubwe National Park

Raphta (Quelimani)

Great Zimbabwe Ruins

Zafara (Sofala)

Proin at eros non eros adipiscing mollis. Donec semper turpis sed diam. Sed consequat ligula nec tortor. Integer eget sem. Ut vitae enim eu est vehicula gravida. Morbi ipsum ipsum, porta nec, tempor id, auctor vitae, purus. Pellentesque neque. Nulla luctus erat vitae libero. Integer nec enim. Phasellus aliquam enim et tortor. Quisque aliquet, quam elementum condimentum feugiat.

Tellus odio consectetuer wisi, vel nonummy sem neque in elit. Curabitur eleifend wisi iaculis ipsum. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et facilisis nisl. Vivamus luctus elit sit amet mi.

Aliquam aliquet, est a ullamcorper condimentum, tellus nulla fringilla elit, a iaculis nulla turpis sed wisi. Fusce volutpat. Etiam sodales ante id nunc. Proin ornare dignissim lacus. Nunc porttitor nunc a sem. Sed sollicitudin velit eu magna. Aliquam erat volutpat. Vivamus ornare est non wisi. Proin vel quam. Vivamus egestas. Nunc tempor diam vehicula mauris. Nullam sapien eros, facilisis vel, eleifend non, auctor dapibus, pede.

Proin at eros non eros adipiscing mollis. Donec semper turpis sed diam. Sed consequat ligula porta nec, tempor id, auctor vitae, purus.

www.cresta-hospitality.com

The official Cresta Hotels newsletterIssue No/Quarter No Year, or December XXXX.

Red, green, yellow and brown are the colours of the elements and the changing seasons of Africa. But even as they are distinct, they are unambiguously part of a whole.

Cresta

Introducing the Cresta Hotels experiential Gateways

The gateways are not merely places of entry or passage. Instead they are definitive points of reference along a journey. With this in mind, the philosophy behind the gateways is this: as destinations in their own right, the Cresta hotels should define and enrich any African hospitality experience, regardless of the purpose of the visit. Such an experience should also be a comprehensive one. It must indulge and captivate all the senses: sight, smell, touch, hearing and taste.

African FingerprintAfrican Roots

HotelsWhere one smile leads to another

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Proin at eros non eros adipiscing mollis. Donec semper turpis sed diam. Sed consequat ligula nec tortor. Integer eget sem. Ut vitae enim eu est vehicula gravida. Morbi ipsum ipsum, porta nec, tempor id, auctor vitae, purus. Pellentesque neque. Nulla luctus erat vitae libero. Integer nec enim. Phasellus aliquam enim et tortor. Quisque aliquet, quam elementum condimentum feugiat.

Tellus odio consectetuer wisi, vel nonummy sem neque in elit. Curabitur eleifend wisi iaculis ipsum. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et facilisis nisl. Vivamus luctus elit sit amet mi.

Aliquam aliquet, est a ullamcorper condimentum, tellus nulla fringilla elit, a iaculis nulla turpis sed wisi. Fusce volutpat. Etiam sodales ante id nunc. Proin ornare dignissim lacus. Nunc porttitor nunc a sem. Sed sollicitudin velit eu magna. Aliquam erat volutpat. Vivamus ornare est non wisi. Proin vel quam. Vivamus egestas. Nunc tempor diam vehicula mauris. Nullam sapien eros, facilisis vel, eleifend non, auctor dapibus, pede.

Proin at eros non eros adipiscing mollis. Donec semper turpis sed diam. Sed consequat ligula porta nec, tempor id, auctor vitae, purus.

www.cresta-hospitality.com

The official Cresta Hotels newsletterIssue No/Quarter No Year, or December XXXX.

Red, green, yellow and brown are the colours of the elements and the changing seasons of Africa. But even as they are distinct, they are unambiguously part of a whole.

Cresta

Introducing the Cresta Hotels experiential Gateways

The gateways are not merely places of entry or passage. Instead they are definitive points of reference along a journey. With this in mind, the philosophy behind the gateways is this: as destinations in their own right, the Cresta hotels should define and enrich any African hospitality experience, regardless of the purpose of the visit. Such an experience should also be a comprehensive one. It must indulge and captivate all the senses: sight, smell, touch, hearing and taste.

African FingerprintAfrican Roots

HotelsWhere one smile leads to another

www.crestahotels.com • www.airbotswana.co.bw

Cresta Hotels and Air Botswana

Congratulates

Smangele MbatheGagasi 99.5 FM

YOUNG ACHIEVER

MTN RADIO AWARDS 2011


18

Travel

NAMIBIA

WINDHOEK: Sitting on Namibia’s central plateau, Windhoek rests at around 5 450 feet in altitude making this a good place to begin exploring the highlands. The sights include the Christuskirche, a beautiful white trimmed landmark, Alte Feste, a fort converted into a museum that is worth an afternoon to explore, and take a pictures of the parliament buildings, another popular landmark. Just outside the city, the Daan Viljoen Game Park, cut by a river with stunning vistas is an easy day trip.

ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK: Most tourists come to Namibia for the wildlife, and 321Km north of the capital, the Etosha National Park is one of the top destinations. Mostly savanna with a dried seabed that is occasionally hydrated by rainfall, you will find zebras, cheetahs, giraffes, elephants, and lions, plus many more creatures concentrated more around the water springs in the area around the drier winter months. To the west 100 miles is the Skeleton Coast, getting its name from the extreme arid landscape that greeted shipwreck survivors.

LÜDERITZ: About 300 miles south of Windhoek is the German town Lüderitz, near the off-limits diamond mined area called the Sperrgebiet. While here, stop by and see the informative Lüderitz Museum, with nice collections of the history of the local area and people, and the Felsenkirche, a Lutheran church landmark. Trek 150 miles southeast to Fish River Canyon, a parkland dominated by the 17 mile wide gorge that also offers picnic and camping sites along with walking and hiking trails.

SECURITY: General street smarts are advised in the capital, but avoiding the Angola border is advised. Mines are a big part of the country’s economy, with large amounts of diamonds being brought to the surface, as a result, the mines are guarded – don’t test their sense of humour.

LOCAL CUSTOMS: Locals in the bigger towns frequently wave at each other as they pass by, making a common and welcoming society, but only use your right hand for greeting, eating or passing items, as the left is considered dirty. Days usually end with a sundowner, or a drink to say goodbye to the sun.

CURRENCIES: The South African rand is accepted 1:1 within Namibia, despite the dollar being much weaker in comparison in South Africa. Currencies are best exchanged in the capital, although credit cards and traveller’s checks can be used through most larger towns and cities.

WHEN TO VISIT: The winter season from May to October is the most comfortable time to visit the country. 21March is the national celebration for Independence Day, and Oktoberfest is cheerfully celebrated in late October.

FOOD: Namibian cuisine varies depending on the region and sub-culture, but important parts of the diet can include the buterpits or nara melon, porridge or soup made from cornmeal, called mielie pap, or from millet, called mahango, and stews of lamb, goat or fish, along with vegetables like peppers, onions and pumpkins. Boerewors are large German-influenced sausages, often eaten with breads and fruit.

PHRASES: Yes = ja, no = nee, hello = hallo, please = asseblief, thank you = dankie.

TIPPING: Check your bill, as a 10% service charge may have already been added, and include the same if it has not.

Places to see and travel tips when visiting Southern Africa


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Travel

MOZAMBIQUE

MAPUTO: Mixing colonial with African cultures, Maputo overlooks Maputo Bay near the southern tip of Mozambique and has attractive walkways and memorable views. See the Museum of the Revolution, helping to capture the earlier culture, the Catholic Cathedral and the nearby Botanical Gardens, both worth a quick visit, the train station designed by Gustave Eiffel of the Eiffel Tower, and the Municipal Market, where traditional African weavings are sold beside spices and produce.

BEIRA: A unique daytrip starts in Beira, more than 500 miles north of Maputo along the Indian Ocean coast, to see the Praça, or main square of the city, the cathedral a few blocks away and then the dark Tchunga Moyo market. Head 150 miles south to Bazaruto Archipelago for the Marine National Park, stunning above and below the water with beaches and coral reefs, and then continue another 150 miles to the beaches of Tofo and Barra, where tourist amenities make this an easy place to relax and enjoy. Maxixe and Inhambane are two towns near the beaches that can take you in for the night.

MOZAMBIQUE ISLAND: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mozambique Island has a collection of temples, mosques and churches, plus the Palace and Chapel of São Paulo which dates from the 1700s and now used as a local museum. Other sights are the Fort of Saint Sebastian and the Museum of Sacred Art, both worth a few hours to properly explore. About 150 miles to the north on the mainland is Pemba, the biggest town in the area with the Makonde woodworking shop, and a developing tourist region around Wimbi Beach.

SAFETY AND TRAVEL: Avoid walking around at night and overt displays of wealth, in fact, keeping minimal cash on hand or hiding a stash of bills are both good ideas. Take care when traveling off-road, as not all minefields have been marked. Women should travel in groups, and countryside exploration should be done by convoy, with multiple groups giving safety in numbers.

DRESS CODES: The local culture is a mix of Arab, African and Portuguese. Expect disruptions to restaurant and store hours during Ramadan, when Muslims fast during daylight hours, and dress casually and modestly, covering shoulders and legs to the knee.

Currency Exchange: Banks are typically open weekdays until just before noon, however, traveller’s checks have better acceptance than credit cards. The South African rand is commonly accepted, and the US dollar is easily exchanged at exchange bureaus which give better rates than the banks themselves.

When To Visit: Although birdwatchers have the best time during the rainy season, most visitors prefer the more comfortable conditions of the dry season, with August and September the best time to go on safari.

PHRASES: Yes = sim, no = não, hello = olá, please = por favor, thanks = obrigado.

TIPPING: Tipping is not completely standardized, however, typically a 5% to 15% gratuity is appropriate depending on the quality of the restaurant and service.

Written by Ian Mackenzie, Colin Mackenzie, and James Mackenzie. Content republished from www.worldtraveltips.net, Copyright © World Travel Tips


20

Travel

A s carbon footprint initiatives become government-legislated requirements in countries such as South Africa, more travel industry players are feeling the pressure to toe the line in

offsetting or reducing their carbon footprint.“Where travel policy is concerned, it is probable that future government ‘carbon taxation’ will provide the impetus toward widespread adoption of environmental travel policies,” says Sure Travel corporate manager, Jim Weighell.He adds, however, that ‘green taxes’ on air tickets, although a common practice internationally, do not seem to be making a significant impact on sustainable tourism. Further to that, the biggest challenge in achieving required outcomes is likely to be the higher cost of direct flights versus less expensive, indirect alternatives.“The only issue with carbon offsetting is the price of direct flights over a shorter route as opposed to multi-legged flights. These are often cheaper but longer, which obviously increases mileage and the footprint,” says Wings Corporate Travel head of products and solutions, Pano Stamatiadis. Stamatiadis adds that although Wings strives to offer the shortest route possible to their clients, that objective is not always achievable. “In this recessionary time, it is often the cost that dictates the route and not the length,” he says.Weighell concurs, whilst offering a slightly different take on the issue. He says that “it is the developers of new technologies such as aerodynamics, engine design and alternative fuels that will provide real carbon reduction”.

AIRLINESSetting a good example for the rest of the continent, Kenya Airways has become the first African carrier to subscribe to a United Nations (UN) initiative aimed at carbon reduction. South African Airways, Egyptair and Mozambique Airlines are expected to follow suit later this year.The UN’s Clean Development Mechanism, which is being administered by the International Air Transport Association, will see participants earning credits in the form of certified emission reductions.Online travellers booking flights with Kenya Airways have the option of paying a surcharge on their tickets to offset the carbon footprint of their flight. The surcharge is voluntary and, therefore, has no implication for those travellers who decline the opportunity to do their bit for the fight against global warming.Outside of Africa, the Asia & South Pacific Initiative to Reduce Emissions (ASPIRE) partnership is launching regular ‘green’ flights across Asia and the Pacific. The initiative offers gate-to-gate environmental best practice flights between pairs of airports across the Asia-Pacific region.The first of these flights – Auckland to San Francisco – became operational in February 2011, followed by the second, between Los Angeles and Singapore, in May.ASPIRE was established in 2008. It’s a partnership between Airways New Zealand, the Federal Aviation Administration and Airservices Australia. Membership has since been extended to

Howgreenare you?


21

Travel

include the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau.“We are pleased to be able to implement these flight procedures and will be monitoring the flights closely to track fuel and emissions savings. But we expect to reduce fuel burn by two tons and achieve a carbon emission savings of around 6.3 tons for each Los Angeles-Singapore sector,” says Singapore Airlines senior vice-president of flight operations, Gerard Yeap.The aviation industry is currently responsible for approximately 2% of the world’s carbon emissions, but this figure is expected to increase due to the strong growth anticipated in this sector.In Europe, commuters are encouraged to use efficient rail services as an alternative to road and air transport. Although there are significant carbon output benefits to be derived from the use of rail, Africa currently lacks the rail infrastructure to follow suit. With developments in this space, though, it’s hoped that that situation will change in the future.Stamatiadis says that Wings Corporate Travel has developed a product called ‘goCO2‘ to which they subscribe and their clients have the option to join them. “This allows us and our clients to consolidate all travel mileage, be it car or air, and monitor our travel-related carbon footprint using this data,” he says.“We have also partnered with a carbon offsetting company, which allows this data to be fed directly into a programme for carbon offsetting.”

Stamatiadis says they encourage customers to subscribe to their product. They also provide CO2 data on each customer quote to make them aware of their carbon footprint.Carlson Wagonlit Travel’s (CWT) carbon footprint strategy has its roots in a partnership with CarbonNeutral®, a world-leading carbon offset and climate consulting company, which provides emissions management services. These include greenhouse gas assessment, independently verified carbon footprint analysis, internal and external emissions-reduction programmes, access to a portfolio of verified carbon offset projects, and certification of CarbonNeutral® travel status.A carbon calculator at the time of making a travel booking and post-trip carbon reporting, both generate awareness for travellers and enable CWT clients to fully manage their carbon emissions, as they continue to travel and grow their businesses.Debbie Duncan, senior manager of global business development at CWT, says that although many organisations discuss the carbon footprint issue, they are not very proactive. “We need to remember that every little effort adds to the total

result”, she says. “The more active companies become, the more their staff will recognise the importance of ‘going green’.” Weighell believes that Sure Travel are well aware of this importance, to the extent that his company offers client advisory services, including advice on environmental policy development and carbon footprint reporting. But, he concedes that this area of the industry appears to be rather undeveloped.


22

“Environmental policy is in its infancy insofar as business travel is concerned, and reporting by airlines and hotels is somewhat rudimentary”, says Weighell. He adds that although many companies do not currently have environmental policies in place, government initiatives are likely to result in an increased focus on carbon emission reduction in the short to medium term.Sure Travel actively participates in environmental initiatives such as ‘Project Icarus’, which offers advice and policy modelling for companies wishing to develop effective carbon reduction programmes. The company also contributes to the National Business Initiative, a key participant in the South African government’s carbon disclosure programme, which is set to drive environmentally-friendly options within the travel industry. “Adoption of an environmental policy is at the discretion of our client companies”, says Weighell. “The motivation for doing so will range from it being ‘the ethical thing to do’ to reducing exposure to possible new carbon emission taxation imposed by government,” HRG Rennies Travel recognises the importance of environmental responsibility and is ‘committed to the conservation of natural resources, conducting business in a responsible manner and complying with local and national legislation’, says business development director, Bronwyn Philipps.Their commitment to ‘greening’ is strengthened by their strategic partnership with Cleaner Climate, a leading carbon services provider. They are putting in place future strategies which include measuring and managing travel-related carbon emissions and supporting ‘green’ traveller behaviour. “In 2009, HRG Rennies Travel undertook a carbon-footprint assessment to identify appropriate carbon emission goals, following which an HRG Rennies Travel ‘green’ policy document was formulated to guide employees on climate change issues and how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at work and at home,” says Philipps. “The company then appointed ‘Green Champions’ at each branch and they encourage staff to use natural resources efficiently and to reduce, re-use and recycle materials.”

HRG Rennies Travel’s global partner, the Hogg Robinson Group (HRG), recently won the coveted Corporate Social Responsibility Award at the 2010 Business Travel & Meetings Show’s Innovation Awards in London. HRG’s corporate social responsibility portfolio includes a number of solutions that assess the impact of travel plans, reduce carbon emissions and help organisations meet environmental targets.Philipps says there has been strong interest from the corporate market about ‘green’ travel procurement. “Conservatively speaking, 40% of our customer base has made some sort of enquiry regarding greening options and we believe this figure will grow in future,” she adds.So, plenty of examples of how the travel industry is taking up the challenging of ‘going green’. But, still a long way to go, in terms of awareness and proactivity, yet a step in the right direction, with some major players already stealing a march on their competitors, as the issue becomes an even bigger talking point on the world travel stage.

CURRENT TRAVEL INDUSTRY INITIATIVES:• The car rental sector of the travel industry is playing a leading

role in the reduction of its carbon footprint, with major players such as Avis having initiated carbon reduction, waste recycling, energy and water conservation programmes.

• Europcar has created water and waste recycling facilities at depots and uses energy saving sensor lighting.

• Airlines operating new generation aircraft are contributing to carbon reduction, since these aircraft are more energy efficient.

• Many hotel groups now include energy and water management programmes.

• Other companies offer carbon offset donation schemes for ‘green’ projects or tree planting.

Reprinted with permission from (Business Traveller Africa)

Travel


23

We are pleased to announcethat Cresta Botsalo Hotel inPalapye is now upgraded toa three star hotel by BotswanaTourism Organisation

We’ve got some stars for you


24

T he fact that the Volkswagen Group is a master at sharing vehicle platforms and architecture has led some motoring scribes in Europe to query the credentials of the

underpinnings adopted by subsidiary company Audi’s A1, which are said to be based on those of sister brand Seat’s Ibiza.The argument goes that, in Europe, the Seat badge represents affordability and, from this perspective, the Audi’s relatively basic torsion beam rear suspension tends to emphasise the fact that the A1’s DNA may belie its sophisticated, refined appearance.Point is, torsion beam suspension has been used for decades by many manufacturers across a variety of models – so it’s not only Audi that deems the set-up to perform satisfactorily from handling, safety, packaging and comfort aspects.That view is confirmed on the road when, even if pushed hard into corners, the A1 responds to steering inputs with enviable agility, able to cope with swift directional changes and fierce braking or acceleration manoeuvres without losing composure. And the vehicle’s comfort factor is not in question, either, despite the fact that it has a short wheelbase, a characteristic that usually tends to promote a choppy ride.Driven quickly over our test route, the A1 impressed time and again for its nippiness, stability, grip and equanimity. It’s a pleasingly responsive car to drive.

Powered by a 1,4-litre TFSI engine that produces 90kW, the test model featured seven-speed S-tronic transmission combined with start-stop fuel saving technology, the idea being to enable drivers to reap the benefits of high performance along with low fuel consumption.While the turbocharged power plant enables the A1 to reach velocities in excess of 200km/h – exactly 203km/h by Audi’s calculation – it is helped in part by a recuperative energy system that uses an intelligent voltage controller at the generator to recover kinetic energy during braking and coasting phases.The energy is stored temporarily in the battery before being directed back into the electrical system the moment acceleration is needed, relieving the load on the generator and helping the engine to deliver its power with least effort. Additionally, maximum torque of 200nm is produced from 1 500 revs/min to the 4 000 rpm mark, helping to endow the car with smoothly positive, low gear characteristics. And the dual-clutch, S-tronic transmission – which automatically swaps cogs within a few hundredths of a second – delivers its drive with almost no perceptible lag in pulling power.The gearbox tips the scales at about 70kg and is compact, its two clutches running dry to increase efficiency as well as helping to reduce weight, part of the vehicle’s fuel saving strategy which

Premium class!

AUDI’S A1 SETS HIGH STANDARDS FOR PREMIUM SUPER-MINIS WITH REGARD TO PERFORMANCE, ECONOMY AND COMFORT. WYNTER MURDOCH REPORTS

Car Review


25

incorporates the start-stop unit as a major focal point.The latter technology is designed to shut off the engine when the vehicle is stationary and the driver’s foot is on the brake, automatically starting the motor as soon as the pedal is released. Though not as refined for quiet operation as some rival systems, the Audi unit works well enough – instantly cranking the engine to enable prompt pull offs.An on-board computer with an efficiency programme linked to the driver information display in turn benefits fuel saving ability, offering data relevant to consumption in the form of which energy guzzlers – such as the

climate control system or the rear window defogger – are active and how much fuel they are using.But the car is more than a just a model of fuel efficiency – it is open as well to enthusiastic driving. Audi quotes the 0-100km/h acceleration time at 8,9 seconds and, with maximum power delivered at 5 000 revs/min, keeping the engine at optimum revs is easy enough. Adding to enjoyment is the exhaust note, which is suitably gruff under full throttle without becoming intrusive. Braking performance is also strong, a factor particularly noticeable in the wet. Steering, though electrically assisted, is accurate and, at 2,5 turns lock to lock, it’s quick, too.Couple those factors with a responsive engine and a stable chassis and the fun factor looms large.Inside, the A1 lives up to its positioning as a high-end product, with intelligently placed switchgear; comfortable, supportive seats; automatic control for wipers and lights; plenty of handy storage areas and an aura of safety, solidity and quality that emulates that of larger models in the Audi range.On the downside, luggage capacity of 270 litres with the seats up is less than that of the Ford Fiesta’s (295 litres) or Citroën DS3’s (285 litres), though it significantly betters the Mini’s apologetic 160-litre capacity. In all, the A1 has the cabin quality and powertrain responsiveness we’ve come to expect from Audi, the model setting high standards for premium super-minis with regard to performance expectations coupled with economy and comfort. It is an enjoyable and capable car.

Premium class!

Car Review

SPECIFICATIONSAudi A1 1,4 TFSI Ambition S-tronic

ENGINE Type Turbocharged, inline four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHCDisplacement 1 390ccPower 90kW at 5 000 revs/min Torque 200Nm at 1 500 revs/min

PERFORMANCE (CLAIMED)0-100km/h 8,9 seconds Top Speed 180km/h

TRANSMISSIONType Seven-speed S-tronic dual clutch with electro- hydraulic controlDrive wheels Front

DIMENSIONS Length 3 954mmWidth 1 740mmHeight 1 416mmWheel base 2 469mmTrack f/r 1 477 / 1 471mm

WHEELS & TYRES Wheels 7,5J x 17 alloy Tyres 215/40 R17

FUELType PetrolTank capacity 45 litresEconomy 5,2 litres/100km


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Useful Mobile Apps

TWEETDECK

TweetDeck is your personal browser for staying in touch with your contacts across Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and more. It uses a column-based user interface to help you monitor, manage, and engage in your social worlds. TweetDeck’s columns are fully customizable; enabling you to have as little or as many as you like from your different feeds and services; and it has stacks of features that easily make it the number one free Twitter client in the App Store.

EVEX APP

This app gives women a way to include more exercise in their hectic daily lives. Everywhere Exercise (EvEx app) gives photos and instructions on how to perform exercises that can be done anywhere. If you are at the grocery store standing in line or even while at a meeting, you can use EvEx and get the best exercise for that situation. EvEx can be used as a supplement to your personal workout plan or even be used as your workout program. Available for Iphone & Ipad in the App Store.

NATALIE MACLEAN WINE PICKS AND PAIRINGS APP

A new free mobile application has changed the way wine lovers find, buy, and enjoy wine. The Natalie MacLean Wine Picks and Pairings app lets you use your smartphone camera to snap a picture of any bottle label bar code in the liquor store. With one click, you get tasting notes, scores, and food pairings.

The app’s key features allow you to:• Instantly access tasting notes, scores, prices, recipes and

food pairings• Search 150 000 wines liquor stores across the country• Track your purchases in your virtual cellar with just a few

clicks• Create a wine journal with your own wine notes and pictures

in the app• Share your wines and pairings on Twitter and Facebook

The application is available on App Store, Blackberry App World and Android Market.

PAGEONCE PRO

Is a personal finance management tool that helps you organize and track the different aspects of your finances right from a single application. More specifically, Pageonce Pro lets you manage everything from your online bank accounts, stocks and finances, and credit card accounts to flier miles, text/data usage in your Blackberry and even your total minutes from one place, thereby not requiring the users to download multiple apps in to their Blackberry to meet all these functionalities. The Pageonce Pro Blackberry app is available for download from Blackberry App World.

PAYPAL APP

Send money to your friends and family, anytime, anywhere in the world. It is fast, easy, and secure. Just log in, enter the amount and the recipient’s phone number or email address, and the rest is a snap. You can even send money in 23 different currencies. In addition, to make it easier, you can choose to send money with PayPal directly from your contact list.

In order to use the PayPal app for Blackberry, first you need to register for your PayPal account online. Since the app is going to deal with your personal information, including bank account number, they are not taking any chances. The security measures are stringent at best, and involve multiple steps to start with. The PayPal application can be downloaded free of cost and is available from Blackberry App World.

Tech Page

HERE ARE FIVE HELPFUL MOBILE APPS THAT YOU CAN DOWNLOAD AND WILL ENABLE YOU TO GET MORE USE OUT OF YOUR SMART PHONE.


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Pride

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Pride


Competition

Win With Cresta Hotels and Air Botswana!

In this issue of Cresta Calling we are pleased to be giving away a fantastic prize of a weekend away for two to Cresta Marang in Francistown, Botswana. The prize includes two return air tickets on Air Botswana for two, transfers to and from the hotel and a bottle of sparkling wine and a romantic dinner in the hotel gardens for the lucky couple.

To win, simply answer the following question: Which Cresta hotel is situated in Francistown?

Email the answer and your name and contact details to: [email protected]

Terms and conditions

• Competition is not open to staff and immediate family members of Cresta Hotels, Air Botswana or Future Group (Pty) Ltd

• Entries will only be accepted via an email submission

• Closing date for the competition is 15 November 2011

• Winners will be selected solely by Future Group and will be contacted telephonically or via email

• Winner’s names will be published in the Issue 4 of Cresta Calling

• Winners will be required to pay any government departure taxes

• Air travel is on standby

• The judge’s decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into

• Prizes subject to availability. Prizes not transferrable for cash

• Prizes to be redeemed through Cresta Hotels and Air Botswana only


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ZIMBABWE INTERESTING FACTS

• The capital city of Zimbabwe is Harare.

• Lake Kariba, located on the Zambezi river and forming part of the Northern border is, by volume the largest artificial lake and reservoir in the world

• The Zambezi River is the fourth-longest river in Africa, and runs through six countries on its journey from central Africa to the Indian Ocean. It powers two main sources of hydroelectric power, Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe and the Cahora Bassa Dam in Mozambique.

• Zimbabwe has a population of just under 13 million people

NIGERIAINTERESTING FACTS

• English is the business language spoken in the country, apart from the three hundred other languages spoken

• Nigeria is the 12th largest producer of petroleum in the world and the 8th largest petroleum exporter

• Nigeria has the highest rate of twin births in the world, compared to any other country.

• Nigeria has the second largest newspaper market in Africa (after Egypt), with an estimated circulation of several million copies daily (2003).

• Apart from being a regional power, Nigeria is also listed amongst the “Next Eleven” economies.

BOTSWANA INTERESTING FACTS

• The capital of Botswana is Gaborone and is pronounced Ha-bo-ro-nee

• Botswana has a population of just over 1.5 million people and is about the same size as France or Texas

• Botswana has nicely blended their traditional culture with modern ideas. With a fascinating history including Bushman, Hottentots, English colonization, and more

• The Pula which means rain, is Botswana’s current currency, it replaced the South African Rand in 1976

• The Kalahari Desert covers a large percentage of Botswana as well as parts of Namibia, South Africa and Angola.

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Help Desk: (+267) 3105476, e-mail: [email protected]

a click away, book and pay online @

www.airbotswana.co.bw


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