12 TOP BLOG POST ON SOUTH AFRICA IN 2012 – by TandTSA

12 TOP BLOG POST ON SOUTH AFRICA IN 2012

1. January 2012: CLASSIC AND VINTAGE CARS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Powered From Behind

In the early 1930’s, Central European car designers believed that a rear engine would suit a small car best. This was because it permitted an aerodynamically-efficient body design and it was thought to be cheaper to build. Mercedes-Benz built a few experimental rear-engine cars and even a three-cylinder Diesel, but they proved costly to build. The 130H, with its engine at the rear, made its debut in 1934. It was the first Mercedes-Benz with a central tubular frame and like the 170, had independent suspension all round and hydraulic brakes on all four wheels. Sales were disappointingly low and production was terminated in 1936. 

1935 Mercedes-Benz Model 130H (two door) Jan

At least three of these cars were imported to South Africa but weren’t too popular due to price. This vehicle was purchased for the Museum from the Chrysler agents in Cape Town - traded in originally by a Dr. Du Toit. 

2. February: TRAVEL SOUTH AFRICA ON R320 THE FAMED HERMANUS WINE ROUTE

The picturesque “Heaven and Earth Valley” has been firmly established on the wine tourism map boasting a line-up of approximately 15 wine cellars; I spent two days exploring almost all of them, and will be doing two separate posts to cover it all.  As per usual Travel and Trade South Africa, leaves few stones unturned to provide our readers with the best possible images; because we truly believe in the saying “a picture is worth a thousand words”. 

HERMANUS WINE ROUTE

3. March:  SOUTH AFRICAN DIAMONDS AND TANZANIA TANZANITE

The Ayanda™ range of certified Tanzanite is exceptional in its colour, clarity and quality and is sourced directly from Tanzania. The Ayanda™ – The Queen of Tanzanite range often combined with diamonds, has introduced the rare and exquisite blue to deep violet stone to a market that is passionate about classic and contemporary design. 

SOUTH AFRICAN DIAMONDS AND TANZANIA TANZANITE

 
 4. April: WOOD FURNITURE PHASES AFRICA

African Furniture and African Decor by Phases Africa: Pictured in this image: A wood Rope Chair and Panga Panga Table: Table made from Panga Panga hand-crafted form untreated hardwood ties used to construct the railroads in Africa at the turn of the nineteenth century. Table Large 59”(l) x 24(w) x 28(h) or Medium 39”(l) x 20(w) x 28(h). The Rope chair is 54"(h) x 22(d) x 35(w) Seat 17" from ground. Cameroon Stool  - 40” diam and Colonial Man approx 6.8 feet tall.

WOOD FURNITURE © PHASES AFRICA

5. May: TRAVEL CAPE TOWN STAY AT THE ONE & ONLY

One&Only Cape Town is situated at the heart of the city’s working harbour within the fashionable Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Cape Town itself is located at the foot of Table Mountain at the northern end of Africa’s Cape Peninsula, where the Indian and Atlantic Ocean meet.  

THE ONE & ONLY

6. June: VINTAGE AND CLASSIC MOTORCARS

Buick Riviera 1972

In the 1970’s, when American styling could be described as “generic”, the Buick Riviera with its sharply pointed boat tail was definitely unusual. It was also indecently fast for its day, although that year was hampered by more stringent emission standards. As a consequence, the 1972 model was somewhat slower than its predecessor. 

Buick Riviera 1972

 7. July: TRAVEL SOUTH AFRICA KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

Kruger Park’s size is 7,523 sq miles (19,485 (km²). Home to a variety of wild life including the big five: Elephant approximately 13,750 - Lion an estimated 1,750 - 1000 Leopards and 37,130 Buffalo. Unfortunately, the last recorded count for Black Rhino in Kruger was only 590, and this was before 2011, when a record 450 rhinos were slaughtered by poachers in all of South Africa. Thus, Kruger’s Rhino count must have dropped significantly since then. All of this can be attributed to inhabitants of countries like Vietnam, the end users, naively believing the horns have medicinal benefits. It is time that these little men “man up” on their own account and stop believing killing innocent animals will do the trick.

Elephant in Kruger has right of way © Noleen Kutash

8. August: SOUTH AFRICA'S RENOWNED CONTEMPORARY SCULPTOR

"I am interested in making things that prompt a sense of the complexity of the present." Marco Cianfanelli - born in Johannesburg in 1970.
Marking the 50-year anniversary of what began Nelson Mandela’s ‘long walk to freedom’ – and the piece of land that, quite randomly, irrevocably altered the history of South Africa – is a quietly powerful new sculpture, set into the environment of this silently potent space. Made possible by the Department of Co-operative Government and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) the uMngeni Municipality, the Apartheid Museum and the KwaZulu Natal Heritage Council (AMAFA) in association with the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory, this historic memorial site was inaugurated and unveiled on the 4th of August 2012, by President Jacob Zuma. 

Nelson Mandela Sculpture by Marco Cianfanelli

9. September: OSTRICH EGG LIGHTING

By Phases Africa (dot) com: A soft lighting effect is created by tiny holes in this beautiful chandelier created from naturally colored ostrich eggshells.  Ostrich eggs, sourced from farmed birds, have been widely used in South African homes for decorative effect since colonial times.  The organic shape of the egg works equally well in contemporary designs. The chandeliers are available in different sizes.  The 3-tier chandelier has 11 eggs; the 4-tier has 19 eggs and the five-tier, 29 eggs.  The iron framework comes in two different finishes – matte black or rust.  Architectural Digest Magazine, included an Ostrich egg chandelier in one of their issues, the picture was taken, in the entrance of the world famous Saxon Hotel, Johannesburg.

© Ostrich Egg Chandeliers - available at Phase Africa 

10. October: VINTAGE AND CLASSIC CAR SHOW 2012 (part 1 of 3)

Held in Hermanus, in the Western Cape, on the 6^th of October2012.

The 1948 CJ2 Willy's Jeep was brought over by the American troops to the UK during the cleanup operations after the Second World War the first story attached to this jeep was that Sir Winston Churchill sat in the passenger side during a parade and due to the size of his stomach got stuck. 

He told the driver to keep driving up and down while he tried to free himself to no avail, eventually with little petrol they headed out into the country and radioed for assistance whereby they managed to get his stomach out with castor oil, while he still sat motionless, no doubt puffing away. The jeep then ended up in the hands of royalty I am told and landed in Houtbay many years afterwards under the ownership of Victoria Spencer. Who later was romantically involved with Guy Wood. I purchased the jeep from Guy Wood who has consequentially defected to the UK. The jeep has never been rebuilt or restored in any major way. I am told by a Willy’s Jeep authority it is arguably the best condition original Willy's Jeep in the country. by Shiloh Noone (owner.) 

Willy Jeep - CJ2 -1948 © Noleen Kutash

11. November: FASHION IN SOUTH AFRICA

Gavin Rajah is an entrepreneur in the world of fashion and marketing. Gavin Rajah as a brand is synonymous with discerning style, and is a household name in SA. The United Nations has appointed him a UNICEF Ambassador for the work he has done to uplift the lives of vulnerable communities in South Africa and with this appointment he joins the ranks of Roger Federer, Shakira, Ricky Martin and Angelique Kidjo in working for children's causes.

12. December: COCKTAILS AND VIEWS CAPE TOWN

RADISSON BLUE HOTELS WATERFRONT - Tobago's Bar and Terrace

Address: Beach Road - Granger Bay - 8002 Cape Town - South Africa   T: 021 441 3000

Opening hours:  11:00 - Midnight

Tobago’s Bar and Terrace offers spectacular views and is an ideal spot for sipping seaside cocktails.  Here on the deck beside the rim flow swimming pool, you can enjoy Atlantic Ocean sunsets in an informal setting yet lively atmosphere. Who knows you may just decide to stay for dinner....