Getaway September 2021

Agig like this is a lifetime goal. You can imagine scores of exotic destinations; helicopter shuttles between assignments; the front seat of the safari vehicle; the edge of the infinity pool. But the reality is far from that, and it’s far further since the pandemic took hold. Pick n Pay is an exotic destination for me. My cat is the most remarkable creature I’ve seen in months. Our staff and contributors are predominantly at home on screens – we communicate in memes. But every now and then, someone escapes. And that’s when I get my thrills. Their stories flood my inbox. A sentence captures the scent of the sea crashing into a Greek isle; a paragraph transports me to the misty Midlands; an aerial photograph lifts me up until I’m floating above…

Jay Caboz THE WONDER OF TIDAL POOLS (P 46) As long as he can remember, Jay Caboz has been obsessed with pointing a camera at things and shooting them. He happened to carry that childhood fascination into a career travelling the beaten paths of Africa as a journalist. A chance move to Cape Town set him on a path towards photographing the frigid seascapes of the Atlantic. It wasn’t long before he stumbled upon Cape Town’s uniquely shaped tidal pools, each with its own picturesque identity. Years later, you can still find him out and about photographing them at ungodly hours. Lucy Corne KIMBERLEY (P 96) Originally from the UK, Lucy Corne did not grow up with clear skies or an abundance of vast open spaces so the first time she visited the Northern Cape…

CELEBRATE NATIONAL HERITAGE DAY On 24 September each year, South Africans celebrate their heritage – usually over a traditional backyard braai, but often at special Heritage Day events, when they proudly and joyfully dress in their traditional outfits. With 11 official languages in South Africa, there is a large diversity of cultures and traditions on display on the day. In KwaZulu-Natal, 24 September was known as SHAKA DAY in commemoration of the Zulu leader, King Shaka. UMXHENTSO is a traditional Xhosa dance popularly performed by traditional healers during their ceremonies. Young buskers can often be seen on trains, at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town and in other areas of various cities, performing the dance. Mopane worms are highly favoured by the Venda and are usually eaten dried or cooked. These high protein caterpillars…

NAMAQUA QUEST 3–5 September Taking place in Namaqualand in the Western Cape, riders on this three-day mountain bike stage race can enjoy the spring flowers as they cycle through the Copper mountains outside the small town of Okiep on day one, Goegap Nature Reserve on day two, and a private farm just outside Springbok on day three. namaquaquest.co.za RUN2NOWHERE 11–12 September Established in 2017, Run2Nowhere is hosted in McGregor in the Western Cape and is aimed at trail-runners who would like to attempt their first twoday run. There are three route options: McEasy (10km), McClassic (20km), McBrave (30km). Runners also get the opportunity to relax and explore the town with family or friends. run2nowhere.co.za PROTEA PAINT NIGHT 17 September You don’t have to be an artist for this evening of creativity. You’re seated with your canvas, paint, and…

1914 The passenger pigeon was declared extinct. The species was hunted into extinction by American settlers who slaughtered them for their meat. They were also considered pests as vast flocks decimated crops. From a species once so numerous that they filled the skies from one horizon to the next, their numbers dropped to zero in just 50 years. The last passenger pigeon died in the Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio on 1 September 1914. 1928 Scottish doctor and bacteriologist Alexander Fleming accidentally discovered the antibiotic penicillin. A decade and a half later, his discovery saved the first patient. 1965 chemist Stephanie Kwolek invented the lightweight fibre used in bulletproof vests and body armour. The fibre is five times stronger than steel and has saved many lives. This material can be found in cellphones,…

WINNING LETTER Buy the 4×4! After living in Asia for three years as digital nomads, it’s been a joy to come home as a result of Covid and experience South Africa. Our goal has been to visit all the national parks in 2021, and squeeze a few trail races in between. After reading about the Lone Men of Kaokoland in your February issue (Eden by another name), it’s been placed high on our bucket list. So what’s stopping us? After not having a car for three years we rushed to get something when we got home. We contemplated a Jeep and the old Jimny model but we landed on a Hyundai Accent. It’s a great set of wheels but our lack of four-wheel drive has allowed us to laugh at many of our…