Invitation: International Tourist Guides’ Day – RSVP by 15 Feb 2010

On behalf of The Department of Economic Development & Tourism, please find attached invitation for you to join us on 18 February 2010 for International Tourist guides day.

As space is limited to 120, we look forward to receiving your confirmation of attendance before or by 15 February 2010.

Kind Regards

Zulfaa Booley

Office Coordinator

Tel: 021 686 3244 Fax: 021 686 9249

Mobile: 083 259 0002 / 073 331 3830

Email: admin

Website: www.africankaleidoscope.co.za

Tourism Radio Newsletter February

The No.1 travel information station Tourism Radio is a GPS driven information station for tourists. We tell you all about the area you are traveling through and draw your attention to prominent landmarks and highlights as you approach them so you don’t miss anything that South Africa has to offer. Press play to experience Tourism Radio…
Market Share It’s unfortunate that marketing isn’t an exact science. Marketing is about people, so it goes without saying that there isn’t one formula that is going to prove successful for everybody. In light of the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup, the tourism industry will be tested when it comes to the business of people. Regardless of the product or service you are selling, your marketing concept will force you to ask yourself four fundamental questions…Are you satisfying a need or a want? Have you defined your target market and are you talking to them? Are you capable of consistently satisfying your customers? And finally, marketing requires the participation of every single person within your business, is that the case? From top to the bottom, your marketing strategy cannot be entirely successful unless everybody within your organisation buys into your product or service. The concept also applies on a much larger scale because collectively we are all marketing South Africa as a tourism destination. Target market…the world. Its one of the rare occasions where everybody within the industry is working together to build South Africa’s brand, to satisfy the needs or wants of visitors and make sure that they keep coming back. So ask yourself, are you playing for the team? Tourism Radio can provide marketing solutions for your business. “We can provide a platform for clients to talk directly to their target market and reinforce their brand. It is a unique system whereby clients can deliver their message at the right place and the right time,” said Mark Allewell, COO of Tourism Radio and hummba. “New trends in marketing have begun to emerge. A couple of years ago, no one considered Location Based Marketing or LBM, but more and more we’re seeing a shift in clients who actually want to refine their communication with their target market.” Make use of the opportunity to engage with your clients, with people and make yourself heard. For more information about advertising on Tourism Radio contact David on 021 44 88 413 or email david. Have Mobile, Will Travel… hummba.com is a social network for travelers and mobile application that allows you to share your travel experiences. The enormous growth in Smart phone sales across the globe is proof that mobile applications are on the rise and the next biggest, can’t-live-without resource. At hummba, we are providing a platform for users to communicate easily, upload images to share with their friends and family straight from their mobile phone and offering users free location based audio guides to download. Our service is twofold, first to give travelers a useful, mobile product and secondly, to enrich the overall travel experiences by giving users an interactive tool that allows them to communicate and be creative live, with nothing more than a mobile phone. Download the application free at m.hummba.com or visit http://www.hummba.com/ to find out more. Pearls of Africa Pearls of Africa is an innovative website and travel service, designed as a resource for German speaking tourists to South Africa. Providing a host of travel related information, including accommodation, events and weekly news updates, Pearls of Africa talks was appointed as the German for Mpumalanga Tourism. Offering their clients a unique entry into the German speaking market, contact mf to find out more about advertising or visit www.pearlsofafrica.de Greenstuff for Hotels It’s finally hip to be green! The criterion for 50% of top end travellers is to look at location first, ‘greenness’ second and price, third. Eco-tourist destinations are getting more business than their competitors. To help hoteliers understand how to go green, Lorraine Jenks and her Hotelstuff/Greenstuff team have been invited to build and furnish a ‘Greenstuff Hotel’ at Hostex from 8 – 10 March 2010 in Cape Town as well as a ‘Greenstuff House’ for Decorex and the Natural & Organics show in 2010. The Greenstuff Hotel will be furnished with products and services of suppliers listed on her Greenstuff website enabling hoteliers to experience a real hotel that is green from floor to ceiling, inside and outside – furnished with only green, eco-friendly furniture, fabrics, appliances, lighting, kitchen and bathroom equipment, food, beverages and non toxic cosmetics and cleaning chemicals – the aim of these eco-friendly hotels is to give visitors a hands-on, touch and feel opportunity to see green products in situ. To help people understand the concept of going green and show them the vast range of eco friendly products and services available, the exhibit will be manned by the Greenstuff team, who will explain the concept of going green, as well as the criteria for classifying products as green. They will offer talks and tours through each room as well as demystify the jargon and explain carbon footprints, sustainability, biodiversity, alternate energy, water and waste management and product lifecycle impacts. This article was compiled by Judith Soskin Enjoy Tourism Radio with these tourism providers:

URGENT – TOACT/SATSA meeting Monday 15th Feb.

Combined meeting of TOACT and SATSA Tourism Transport members

Hi All

Our next meeting will be a combined meeting of TOACT and SATSA Tourism Transport members

The venue will be MTM Sciencentre Auditorium Canal Walk.

On Monday 15th February at 18h45

The subsequent meeting that will take place within the next 6 weeks will be a TOACT only meeting and will be the long overdue AGM.

The detailed Agenda will follow.

In the meantime I have a matter that will be discussed at the meeting. I have attached a traffic fine that was received by a Tour Operator last week. The vehicle was grounded and some of the pax had to wait for 4 hours for a back- up vehicle. This is a bizarre situation which is one of the challenges that TOACT is currently dealing with.

Regards,

Alvin

“Overweight” Tour vehicles grounded at weighbridge.

I have attached a traffic fine that was received by a Tour Operator last week. I understand that this matter has already come to your attention. In the case in question, as you know,, the tour operator was fined for being overweight with only 10 pax plus driver in his 14 seater Toyota Quantam.

As we at TOACT are currently dealing with this matter as well I am communicating with you to give you some feedback on our last meeting with the Traffic Dept. If you are taking up this matter yourself then please don’t hesitate to call on us for any input or assistance that you may need. We are also concerned that we may be covering the same ground that you have already covered.

We trust that this bizarre situation will be dealt with and have a reasonable and logical conclusion. However, If the operator does not have his case withdrawn and is fined, then we will be facing a precedent that will necessitate tour operators, if they wish to exercise their right to load 13 pax plus driver into a 14 seater Toyota Quantum with all the required operating licence and correct paperwork to do the following:

(This is ridiculous to the point of being humorous but this is how an operator will have to function if a ruling is not made…)

1. Make sure that your pax don’t average more than 68kg.

2. All pax will have to include their weight with their tour reservations as an indication but will have to be reweighed when boarding.

3. Pax must be weighed with handbags cameras, suitcases, aids such as wheelchairs, etc.

4. A scale will have to be carried by the guide to reweigh pax when they leave a restaurant, buy souvenirs etc.

5. If your vehicle weight is at the limit you are advised to take as little diesel/petrol as possible and make many stops along the way.

6. Make sure that you don’t have carpets in your vehicle and have tiny fire extinguishers, first aid kits etc.

7. Encourage jockeys to become guide/drivers.

8. Don’t give driver /guide a lunch allowance in order to help them to remain lightweight enough to retain their employment.

The other matter of serious concern is the BRT lane on the N2 from the airport to the City. This was also dealt with in the discussion below.

Terry Berrington and I called a meeting with the Traffic Chief yesterday. Here are his comments following the meeting below.

(Before Terry became a tour operator he was known to some of our tour operators when he served as the Traffic Manager, Blaauwberg Traffic Dept. “We’ll try to forgive him as we are told that he was only doing his job”)

Terry writes…

The purpose of this communication is to place on record, the contents and focus of today’s meeting held in the office of the Chief : Traffic Services Mr. Heathcliff Thomas, in Reed Street Bellville at 12:30, (Bellville Traffic Centre).

Present At The Meeting:

Mr. Heathcliff Thomas Chief: Traffic Services (City Of Cape Town).

Mr. Andre Nel Deputy Chief: Traffic Services (City Of Cape Town).

Mr. George Saunders: Acting Inspector Traffic Services (City Of Cape Town).

Mr. Alvin Kushner (Chairperson TOASA/TOACT)

Mr. Terry Berrington (Committee TOASA/TOACT)

Two aspects formed the core of the discussions namely;

(1) an overloading fine received by a tour operator from the Provincial Traffic Authorities which has the potential to set a dangerous precedent for the tourism industry in general, in the future and;

(2) The “Intention of the Legislation” regarding the utilisation of the N2 Bus Lane by Tourism Vehicles with a seating capacity of 9 seats and less (8 seats minimum), vehicles affected at this stage would include a Mercedes Vito and a Volkswagen TDI Kombi.

· Traffic Fine “Overloading” Toyota Quantum: (See attached summons) A Tour Operator was recently fined for overloading a 14 seater Toyota Quantum and the irony of the situation is that that only 11 seats in total were occupied at the time of the alleged offence!

The Provincial Traffic Police issued this fine in the Worcester Area and forced some of the occupants/tourists (overseas visitors on tour) to disembark, delaying these people for a number of hours.

This to us as tour operators is obviously outrageous and we contend, irregular and damaging to South African Tourism as a whole.

The calculation done on this “overload” was executed at the Rawsonville Weighbridge and we have now discovered post this afternoon’s meeting that the authorities have in all probability, made an error in their calculation.

They chave harged the Tour Operator for exceeding the “Permissible Maximum Mass” of the vehicle by 200kgs. We would agree with their calculation if the vehicle in question was a goods vehicle, a Quantum Panel Van for example where axle weights etc are all important. Our contention is that weights on a passenger vehicle should be calculated completely differently.

Each passenger is deemed to weigh 68kgs multiplied by the number of seats in the vehicle, period!

The applicable seating is displayed on the Certificate Of Roadworthiness which appears on the windscreen of the vehicle and said certification is authorised by a registered Vehicle Testing Station. In short, this is the legal parameter in which a minibus should operate, (in terms of the disc displayed on the vehicle), axle mass, tare weights and the gross vehicle mass of the vehicle should then, no longer be used in a weight calculation, unless the stipulated number of passengers is exceeded, example, loading 17 passengers into a vehicle licensed to carry 14 passengers.

We need the Provincial Minister to take this matter up with the Provincial Traffic Police because the Tourism Industry cannot afford a repetition of this. I am quite happy to represent TOASA/TOACT and to state our case to the minister personally. In the interim I will obtain a legal opinion from Mrs. Matthee at the Provincial Legislation Offices regarding the above and report back to you soonest.

· N2 Bus Lane: The meeting held the opinion ( Mr. Thomas and Mr. Nel ) that the N2 Bus Lane is intended to move passengers rapidly and therefore is correctly restrictive regarding smaller vehicles such as a Mercedes Vito as an example. Our contention remains that tourism vehicles, smaller minibuses and 7 seaters should be permitted to use the bus lane. The Traffic Delegation did not seem vehemently opposed to our request that all tourism vehicles be permitted to use the bus lane, unrestricted and have requested that we submit a representation to Mr. Thomas in this regard. Mr. Thomas in turn will table the request at the next RTMC meeting and discuss the merits of our request with the Provincial Authorities. Our submission will be strengthened if Tour Operators, operating smaller tour buses submit their own individual representations to the TOASA/TOACT Chairperson which can then form an integral part of the report. TOACT Members are requested to expedite and let us have their written representations asap. Terry Berrington.

TOUR OPERATORS ASSOCIATION OF CAPE TOWN (est. 1994)

Tour Operators’ Association of South Africa incorporating Tour Operators’ Association of Cape Town

TOASA AND TOACT COMMUNICATION

toactmail

CHAIRMAN: ALVIN KUSHNER (Direct phone 021 551-5465)

Phone: +27 21 5515465

Fax: +27 21 5515216

Operating License for 2010 – URGENT

Direct answer from the Robert Carlise’s office with regards to special operating licences during the World Cup.

You will only require a special temporary OL, if your are contracted by a host City, the LOC or other government institution to provide transport services to fans, players organisers etc – into the identified areas around stadia, public viewing areas and routes closed off for exclusive use for Fifa 2010 operations etc. Your current OL will allow you to operate the ‘normal’ tourism transport services during the world cup. We are working on a communicaitons plan with the Department of the Premier to inform existing operators of when exactly they will require the special 2010 temporary OL’s, and when their current OL’s will suffice.

You can also speak to Bernie or members of her team at the special 2010 help desk that we have set up at Goulburn Centre – or call them at 0215971100.

If a special 2010 temporary OL is required – we have made arrangements for fast-tracking applications – including setting up a dedicated e-mail address to which you can mail your (scanned) application – WorldCupLicence. Electronic payment of the application fee (R100) is also possible – the help desk will advise you of the reference number to be reflected on your EFT.

Hope this helps – call us if you need more info.

Regards
Yasir

MY Ahmed PrEng
Chief Director
Department of Transport and Public Works
9 Dorp Street
Cape Town
South Africa
Tel : +27 (0)21 483 2137
Fax : +27 (0)21 483 2618
email : yahmed

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(“the PGWC’).

No employee of the PGWC is entitled to conclude a binding contract on
behalf of the PGWC unless he/she is an accounting officer of the PGWC,
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The information contained in this message and its attachments may be
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Stellenbosch Wine Routes Newsletter: February 2010

It’s harvest time in Stellenbosch – what a magical time! I spoke to a couple of our local winemakers about the anticipated 2010 harvest, and this is what they had to say: Says Bruwer Raats of Bruwer Raats Family wines : “I think this will definitely be a very challenging harvest seeing that we received about a third of our annual expected rainfall during the first week of November. Vineyards sustained severe wind damage in October and November and then we experienced those early January heat waves. “This will be a vintage that will expose people who use average or standardised vineyard practises. On the other hand, those who are capable of adjusting to this season’s difficult challenges, will still have the ability to make very good wines. Obviously all of this will result in a lower yield when compared to last year. I’m expecting to start harvesting my Chenin middle next week, which is about a week earlier than normal due to the lower crop, which results in the fruit ripening earlier.” Villiera started their 2010 harvest on Wednesday, 13 January, by taking in pinotage for their sparkling wines. With the harvest traditionally starting earlier than grapes for white/red wines, Villiera’s sparkling harvest is almost coming to an end. “We are approximately five days earlier than last year, but just because the earlier varieties were earlier, does not mean that the same will apply to the rest of the harvest,” says Simon Grier, viticulturist at Villiera. Grier and his team are expecting to start harvesting grapes for their still wines by the end of next week depending on the ripeness and varietals. “At the moment the quality of the grapes are really great and the grapes have been very healthy. We’ve had no rain since November and therefore very little rot. We’re now keeping an eye out on the customary February heat waves. If the current cooler conditions continue, I think we’re looking at a very exciting vintage.” According to Grier, their yield has been very similar to last year, but not all local producers will be as fortunate. Grier expects that the yields will vary quite a lot depending on where the farms are located. “The heavy winds we experienced in the Stellenbosch area during November caused significant damage for some producers and were followed by an outbreak of mildew. This can potentially have a huge effect on yield volumes. Specifically vineyards located in valleys where the wind funnelled have been reporting significant losses of up to 60% on last year’s volumes.” To all of our members and readers I haven’t yet seen or spoken to – may this be a year to remember, filled with friendship, humour, love and prosperity! If you want this year’s Valentine’s Day to be an unforgettable experience, venture out to the heart of the Cape Winelands. With close on 60 wineries on the Stellenbosch American Express® Wine Routes open on Sundays, lovers will be spoilt for choice between fine dining establishments, deli-style eateries, bistros, braai restaurants and picnic destinations. A few who come to mind are lunch at Simonsig, Waterkloof, Bodega at Dornier, Jordan, Spier Hotel Restaurant and Avontuur Estate. Or try a picnic at Warwick, or even a midnight moonlight picnic and movie at Overgaauw. Whether you choose to explore the beautiful architecture of this historic Town of Oaks on foot, browse through the myriad of art galleries and craft shops or simply share an intimate lunch and glass of wine at one of the characterful street café’s, Stellenbosch is the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable experience. Nature lovers can make the most of a sultry summer Valentine’s Day and enjoy the bounty of Mother Nature with a kaleidoscope of outdoor adventures such as bird watching, horse riding, game drives, cycling, and hiking trails to choose from. I suggest the Dirtopia sunset hike, or how about live music at Delaire Graff Estate! Asara, Zorgvliet and Zevenwacht also offer accommodation specials – for a complete list of events and specials, click HERE. Guided walks are now offered on the Schapenberg hills near Sir Lowry’s Pass on the second Saturday of every month. Walks can be planned at other times for groups of 6 or more. Walks will meander between fynbos and vineyard and vary from half day to full day and wine tasting will be offered at up to 6 of the top wine estates on the Helderberg sub-route, including Waterkloof, Onderkloof, Mount Rozier, Journey’s End, Wedderwill and Idiom. All monies from the walks go towards the preservation of the highly endangered fynbos of the region. The next scheduled walk is on Saturday 13 February 2010. The February walk will start at Mount Rozier parking area at 07h00 (to beat the heat) and climb to the Schapenberg ridge and west to the historic Schapenberg beacon where there is a 3600 view over False Bay, the Peninsular, Helderberg and Kogelberg. Wine tasting offered will be at Waterkloof, Onderkloof and Journey’s End. Waterkloof has a restaurant for lunch! Cost depends on number of participants (maximum 20) including wine tasting and snacks, but not lunch. Contact Di at 021 8581532 or info, or visit www.walksforwine.co.za. On Saturday, 27 February 2010, Spier will host the annual Spier Wine Harvest Festival – a celebration to bless the grape harvest. The lawns in front of Eight – Spier’s new ‘farm to table’ restaurant – will be transformed into a wine wonderland. Adults can lounge under the trees and enjoy great food and wine, while children join in a host of interactive games. There will be wine tastings and scrumptious specialty food stalls to create the ultimate wine picnic. This can be enjoyed either on the lawn, or around the harvest table alongside the Eerste River. Games for all include grape stomping, croquet and boulle. For kids there will be t-shirt and face painting, and loads of entertainment, including tractor rides to the vineyards, storytelling, magicians, an obstacle course and more. At 12:00, Spier’s cellar master Frans Smit will bless the harvest in the traditional way. Gerald Clarke and his band will entertain with guitars, cellos, accordions and singers. Tickets are R50 and can be purchased at Spier on arrival. The festival runs from 10:00-16:00. For more info, visit www.spier.co.za, or phone 021 809 1100. Rianie Strydom, celebrated winemaker for two of South Africa’s top brands, Haskell and Dombeya in Stellenbosch, has been invited to attend the Wine Entre Femme gathering, taking place in Napa Valley California, from January the 29th, until February the 2nd. Wine Entre Femme is an informal and non-competitive gathering of women in wine who have a strong desire to make connections, share ideas, information and support other women in wine. Rianie is the first South African woman in wine to enjoy this honour, after being nominated by United Kingdom wine guru, Jancis Robinson MW. Women winemakers and vintners from around the world will gather with leading winemakers and vintners from the Napa Valley for three days of workshops, tastings, seminars and networking, culminating in a trade and press tasting representative of more than 50 labels, on February 2nd, at the Metropolitan Club in San Francisco. StreetSmart SA, a non-profit organisation dedicated to the social integration and upliftment of street children, has expanded its horizons to include leading restaurants in the Stellenbosch winelands, giving them the opportunity to plough back into the community. StreetSmart is well established in Cape Town and has since December 2009 started in Stellenbosch with six restaurants on board. The new StreetSmart restaurants include Rust en Vrede, Wedgeview Country House & Spa, Overture, The Big Easy, Bodega and Jordan Restaurant. Johan Swanepoel and Nic Dupper of River Manor Boutique Hotel and Spa, are the driving force behind the Stellenbosch committee. “One of the great aspects of this program is that the money raised in Stellenbosch will be allocated to local street children charities. It is an easy, no-effort process for restaurants to run and diners feel good about helping out,” said Nic. Participating StreetSmart restaurants raise funds by adding a R5 donation to each table’s bill. This donation is voluntary and diners have the option to donate more, or not at all. All funds raised through restaurants go to the StreetSmart beneficiaries, who spend the funds on education, skills training and family reunification programs, helping street children to live a viable life in society. While StreetSmart is still in the process of evaluating potential beneficiary organisations in the winelands, all the funds raised in the area will go towards uplifting the lives of local street children thereby ensuring that every cent raised by winelands restaurants gets ploughed back into their community. For more information or to make a donation contact, StreetSmart at Tel: 021 418 0621, email streetsmart or visit www.streetsmartsa.org.za. Waterford Estate is now offering a Wine Drive – a safari type Game Viewing Landrover has been fitted out with bucket seats (maximum of 10 pax per trip) to take guests around the 120ha property that is situated on the slopes of the beautiful Helderberg Mountain. The standard of comfort can be compared to the vehicles used by Singita and Londolozi Game Reserves on their Game Drives. Waterford Estate has chosen to use only half of the total land for the planting of vines, in order to preserve and maintain the natural flora and fauna of the beautiful Blaauwklippen (blue stone) valley. As part of their biodiversity program, they wish to show visitors their intensions in terms of sustainable agriculture, since they are aiming to achieve an organic approach to wine farming. The Cape is home to the largest and most spectacular concentration of flowers and plants found anywhere on earth. It is Waterford’s intention to play a small role in preserving the Cape Floral Kingdom by leaving sections of the property untouched, while showing guests some of the Cape’s natural beauty. Guests will also be able to taste the wines made from the respective vineyards while amongst the vines. While out in the vineyards, they are able to explain “terroir” to guests, and get them to smell the soil and rocks in which the vines grow, while enjoying the beautiful vistas, geography and topography of the Cape Winelands. At certain vantage points, the team stop to explain the 350 year history of South African winemaking, while looking at Table Mountain and Constantia, where it all started in 1652. The Wine Drive commenced early January 2010, and reservations can be made by e-mailing cellardoor, or phoning 021 880 5316. Costs are ZAR500 per person, duration 1½ to 2 hours. Guests will taste the Waterford Estate Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Kevin Arnold Shiraz, and top of the range wine, The Jem. On Thursday 10 December 2009, the Mangwanani Spa at Zevenwacht was tragically engulfed by uncontrollable flames. Staff and clients were immediately evacuated. Sprinklers were activated and gas bottles removed from the Spa. Every effort was made to extinguish the fire, but powerful winds fanned the flames. The Spa burnt down within 20 minutes. All the staff received immediate trauma counselling and are dealing with the situation well. Some staff members have been transferred on a temporary basis to assist at other branches around the country and those remaining is assisting with outside events. Mangwanani Zevenwacht will be re-established at the Zevenwacht Wine Farm as soon as possible. For more information, visit www.mangwanani.co.za. The winners of our Sundays in Stellenbosch competition are Emil and Heidi Meyer from Brackenfell. Congratulations! You have won lunch for four people at the Simonsberg Cafe, and one night’s accommodation for 2 couples at the Oakleaf Lodge, breakfast included, to the value of R2100! To enter our competition, e-mail your contact details to info. Good luck! To all our members – we wish you well for the 2010 harvest. To our readers – you are invited to come join us during this busy time, to see your favourite Stellenbosch star in the making. I look forward to seeing you! Annareth Bolton CEO Stellenbosch American Express® Wine Routes Proudly sponsored by:

Stellenbosch American Express® Wine Routes, Suite 224, Postnet, X5061, Stellenbosch, 7599 Tel: +27 21 886-4310 | Fax: +27 21 886-4330 | Email : info

Valentine stargazing at the Taalmonument

R20 adults l R10 children www.taalmonument.co.za No fires and dogs

Valentine stargazing at the Taalmonument *Indien u Afrikaanse nuusflitse wil ontvang, stuur ‘n e-pos met “Afrikaans” as onderwerp na kommunikasie. The Magellanic Clouds is the theme of the stargazing evening at the Taalmonument in Paarl on Saturday 13 February, the evening before Valentine’s Day. From 20:00 – 23:00 members of OOG (Orion Observation Group), an informal stargazing club from the Boland, will share their telescopes with visitors, focusing on well-known constellations and planets. Guests are advised to bring along binoculars. The evening starts with a picnic from 18:00. Visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic baskets or to order Volksmond Coffee Shop’s special Valentine picnic basket at R120 for two persons which includes a bottle of sparkling wine (tel. 021 863 2800 or e-mail volksmond). The event will be cancelled if the weather is bad. Entrance is R20 for adults and R10 for children. For bookings call tel. 021 872 3441 or 082 729 2716 (also for weather enquiries). No dogs or fires are allowed. Safe parking will be available and access is controlled at the gate. The last stargazing evening of the season is scheduled for 13 March, when Saturn, the lord of the rings, will be the focus. For more information about events at the Taalmuseum or Taalmonument, call 021 872 3441 or visit bemarking to receive regular news updates about events. If you don’t want to receive any newsflashes in the future, e-mail kommunikasie with Unsubscribe as the subject. Amira Clayton Kommunikasie-assistent I Communication Assistant Die Afrikaanse Taalmuseum en -monument T +27 (0)21 872 3441 / 076 017 6026 F +27 (0)21 872 3642 kommunikasie www.taalmuseum.co.za www.taalmonument.co.za Lid van / Member of: Paarl Tourism, Cape Town Tourism, SATSA

The Nature College: Newsletter 2010.1

2010/01/31

NEWSLETTER JAN 2010 What makes us different? We are not an Association – we are Training Providers. We care about our students – you will never be a number with us. We do things for your benefit. We have the freedom to be creative, with the result that our training is the most relevant as well as maintaining the highest standard in SA. New Qualification in Anti-Poaching The Nature College is ideally placed to present this Unit Standard Based Programme. We have extensive experience in Wildlife management and associated security. We have put together a Unit Standard Based Programme which we believe will equip candidates with the skills to be excellent in the field of Anti-Poaching. Our decision is not to use the prescribed Skills Programmes approved by THETA, because we believe that these are too unfocused to be of any real value. By consultation we have zoomed in on the skills that really matter, and this is put together in a programme comprised of SAQA registered Unit Standards, but the combination is unique to our programme. Merit Category System This is a system giving recognition to guides who have proven themselves. Visit our website to familiarize yourself with the criteria of the Green, the Tiger’s Eye and the Platinum Awards. If you comply, contact us with your portfolio so that we can issue you with your Merit Award. A tribute to Liza-Marie Wallis. Liza-Marie came to The Nature College after an unsuccessful stint at a trainer in the E-Cape. After she wrote our Intro exam, scoring the same as for her previous Level 1 exam with FGASA, we realized she had a problem expressing her thoughts when writing exams. We adapted the assessment method to compensate and she passed her exam. She then completed the Trails Guide and Tracking courses. We assisted her finding a job at a very busy lodge in the W-Cape. Here she distinguished herself. Within her first few weeks she had a very dangerous encounter with a buffalo bull. She was guiding a group of clients on quad bikes, when one client’s bike stalled with an imminent charge from the buffalo threatening. Thinking quickly she rushed to the client and loaded her on her own bike before speeding away, as the buffalo attacked the abandoned bike. Liza-Marie has gone on to face some very adverse conditions in the local town, being exposed to armed robbery and break-ins. She just calmly went about her business being a very good guide. We salute your perseverance and bravery and are proud to be your training provider. We happily present you the Green Award. First Provider to apply for Approval for the new qualification in Conservation Guardianship The Nature College has just submitted its brand new qualification 59389 National Certificate in Conservation Guardianship to THETA for approval. This makes us the first provider in SA to apply for approval for this qualification. After months of dedicated developmental work by Kobus lubbe and Johan Fourie, the programme strategy, assessment strategy and programme material for the 28 Unit Standards comprising the qualification has now been submitted to THETA for approval. This means that there is no waiting time for the learner, we are ready to roll. Candidates for this programme must be employed by a Nature Reserve as a Field Ranger because a large component of the programme is about the practical skills obtained by working in the field. [The late Oom Dawid Bester is featured in this photo, taken while we were doing tracker training in Namaqualand National Park ] Best Practice Workshop The Nature College will shortly (end of Feb) be running its annual Best Practice Workshop, which is attended by all our assessors and training facilitators. The purpose of this workshop is to: · review our position in the market · assess our training and assessment procedures and material · develop new ideas If you have a novel idea that you would like to put on the agenda, contact us. Our Training Programme for 2010 · Introductory (NQF2) Field Guide Course 10 – 24 Jan 2010 – R7410 incl VAT · Advanced (NQF4) Field Guide Course 7 – 18 Feb 2010 – R6099 incl VAT · Introductory (NQF2) Field Guide Course 14 – 28 March 2010 – R8151 incl VAT · Introductory Tracking Course 18 – 25 Apr 2010 – R4577 incl VAT · VPDA Course Phalaborwa 23 – 28 May 2010 – R4012 incl VAT · Introductory (NQF2) Field Guide Course 16-30 May 2010 – R8151 incl VAT · Trails Guide Course 9 – 15 Jun 2010 – R4577 incl VAT · VPDA Course Phalaborwa 25 – 30 July 2010 – R4012 incl VAT · Advanced (NQF4) Field Guide Course 8 – 19 Aug 2010 – R6708 incl VAT · VPDA Course Phalaborwa 23 – 28 Aug 2010 – R4012 incl VAT · Introductory (NQF2) Field Guide Course 12 – 26 Sept 2010 – R8151 incl VAT · Introductory Tracking Course 10 – 17 Oct 2010 – R4577 incl VAT · Trails Guide Course 7 – 13 Nov 2010 – R4577 incl VAT Our books remain best-sellers Our readers tell us all the time how much they enjoy using our books – easy to read and of full of relevant information. Samuel Vries of Tswalu says the book An Introduction to Nature Guiding taught him so much about guiding skills, information he could not find in other publications. · An Introduction to Nature Guiding – R140 (VAT & postage incl) · The Nature Guide – R230 (VAT & postage incl) · Animal Alert – you and the big ones! – R110 (VAT & postage incl) · Logbook – R35 (VAT & postage incl) All our books are obtainable from our office – contact us. Guiding and a PDP The issue of not being able to get a PDP is hugely frustrating for guides under 21. Unfortunately lodges are applying the law incorrectly. The law clearly states the following: · When transporting paying passengers on a public road you need a PDP, otherwise not. · On a game lodge on private roads you do not need a PDP. · On a public road with non-paying passengers e.g. transporting staff to the nearest town) you do not need a PDP. Insurance companies cannot insist on upholding legislation that is not valid on private land. If you are a victim of this process, we can assist you with legal aid that will cost you nothing. Equestrian Guide The good news is that at last we have a way of qualifying Equestrian Guides. SAQA has released a new Unit Standard called Conduct a guided adventure experience (SAQA 355816). This is applied to no less than 45 adventure activities, amongst other Horse trailing/safaring. We are now submitting our programme to THETA for approval, which means that we can accredit those candidates who have already done the Equestrian Guide Course with us. Learners can now do a registered qualification as Equestrian Guide. From a personal perspective we will advise that this unit standard is combined with a guide qualification to give you a really meaningful qualification.

The Nature College +27 28 551 2562 www.naturecollege.co.za

The cost of making wine

One of the hottest discussion topics around wine is pricing. Everyone normally has the same question. If I am able to buy a red wine for R25 a bottle, am I being ripped off when I pay R80, R90 and even R120 a bottle for something interesting? In today’s newsletter I am going to show you exactly what the various wine production costs are and, by way of example, what it costs me to make my wines. Business suicide some might say, but I personally feel that if BLANKbottle is about honesty, then this is something you have a right to know and need to understand. (In my next newsletter I will be looking at possible reasons why wine could sell for less. And, on the other hand, why you are most probably not being ripped off when you pay R600 a bottle from a top producer!)

In order to address the subject of pricing properly I have to oversimplify. Obviously there are millions of ways to look at this, but this is simply my personal view, based on BLANKbottle’s reality.

To me, business is not just about the bottom line. My reality is that business is about people. My goal which I’m working towards, is to price my wines in order for everyone in the production chain to provide for their families. AND, at the same time, following my passion, having loads of fun and aiming to add value to the customers’ lives through the wonderful adventure we call wine.

That said, let’s start with a cost breakdown. A red wine costs the same as a wooded white wine to make, so I will be looking at the cost of quality wooded wines.

• You can’t make a good wine from average quality grapes. We need established, well looked after vineyards which takes time, effort and a lot of hard work to establish. These vineyards produce roughly 4 -5 tons of grapes per hectare per year. It depends a little on the cultivar but on average this is what we get. The operational costs of a vineyard in Stellenbosch according to Vinpro (organisation who represents SA wine producers) is about R29 000 per hectare / year. In order for the farmer to make it worth his while I would think he needs to make at least a 30% Gross profit. He therefore needs to get R37 700 per hectare / year. If he gets 5 tons a hectare, the winemaker needs to pay him R7 540 per ton to keep him in business.

• I rent space at wineries and pay R2500 per ton to destem and ferment. I get 500 litres of wine per ton grapes (after fermentation, ageing, filtration). When the wine hits the barrel it is already at R10 040 per ton and R20.08 per litre.

• All my reds, as well as some of my whites, go to barrel. Let’s say I make use of 20% new oak, 20% 1st fill, 20% 2nd fill, etc. You would therefore use a barrel for 5 years. Let’s assume the wine only stays in barrel for 12 months. A new barrel costs R12 500. Over 5 years it is R4020 per year at an interest rate of 13% per year. You get 225 litres from a barrel and therefore another additional cost of R17.87 per litre for the wood.

• Storage during ageing is 30c per litre per month and therefore R3.60 per year per litre. Then follows stabilisation (R1/litre). Up to the point of bottling we are on R42.55 per litre. We get 750ml into a bottle, therefore R31.91 per bottle (only wine).

• Then follows bottling (R0.41 per bottle – Mobile bottling unit), bottle (R3.74 per bottle – Consol burgundy), cork (R2.11 per bottle – Natural cork), front label (R2 per bottle including plates), back label (R0.50 per bottle), capsule (R0.37 per bottle – polylaminated silver capsule), box (R0.61 per bottle – printed brown 6 pack), divider (R0.16 per bottle – carton divider), box label (R0.09 per bottle) and extras like transport/lab/labour (R1 per bottle). The government then adds on to this excise duty of R1.49 per bottle. This brings us to R44.39 per bottle.

• If you borrowed the money from the bank you need to pay the bank an interest of maybe 13%. Let’s ignore this for now. In order to pay himself for his trouble, as well as the overheads of the business, the winemaker needs to make a 30% gross profit. He therefore needs to sell that wine for R57.71 per bottle to make it worth his while. Add 14% VAT to this and you are on R65.79 a bottle.

• This is my minimum cost to produce a quality, boutique-style, barrel-aged wine. In order to produce something significant I need to invest significantly more time, spend more on the vineyards, reduce the tons/hectare, invest in barrels and the list goes on and on. I focus on producing smaller batches of wine. These smaller, ever changing, limited edition quantities add heaps of excitement and fun to my clients’ lives, but also have its financial implications.

• In BLANKbottle’s case, I have the privilege to sell my wines through only 2 super exclusive channels: straight to the consumer on my website www.blankbottle.co.za and in Woolworths. On my website you have access to special wines exclusive to the website. Selling straight to the consumer enables me to build strong relationships with my clients. I work with Woolworths to produce special unique wines exclusive to them in order to add to their cutting edge, ever-extending wine portfolio. In order to ensure a fair retail value for those wines, I give them a better price (by cutting back a bit on my gross profit). They also need to be paid for their commitment, route to market and marketing skills.

• I do not sell to restaurants so I cannot comment on this, but rumour has it that they add a 100% – 300% mark-up on wine.

Bottom line:
Clearly, good wines are expensive to make. I prefer not to take shortcuts.

Quo vadis!

Pieter

PS: I now write dedicated daily and weekly reports about what I am doing here at BLANKbottle. Go to Twitter for the daily notes or to my website for the week reports.

Wines exclusive to my website:
BLANKbottle The Spaniard 2007: Mourvédre/Carignan/Grenache noir/Cinsaut R59/bottle = R708/case of 12
BLANKbottle Midnight Call 2007: Bordeaux blend = R55 per bottle / R660 per case of 12

BLANKbottle BATAVIA: Cape blend = R52.61 per bottle / R631.32 per case of 12

Wines exclusive to selected Woolworths stores:
BLANKbottle The Boss Shiraz/Zinfandel 2008 = R89.95/bottle
BLANKbottle ALEXA Chenin blanc/Viognier 2009 = R69.95/bottle

CTGA MONTHLY MEETING AT RUSTENBERG WINE FARM

Date: Wednesday 10 February 2010

Time: 5.00 for 5.30 p.m. (PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF TIME)

Venue: Rustenberg Wine Farm, Courtyard behind the Wine Tasting Rooms

Reply: Mary Shears – info or 021 782 7371

Dear Members

We are privileged to have been offered an opportunity to be hosted by Rustenberg Wine Farm at their beautiful historic estate. Please note that we will be meeting earlier in order to take advantage of the daylight hours as the meeting will be in the courtyard outside and behind the tasting rooms.

Our evening’s programme will go as follows.

5 p.m. Members begin arriving.

5.30 Welcome and introduction by David Hutton, Marketing Manager

5.40 Presentation of picnics for tourism by Tash Dower of Via the Grapevine

5.50 Talk/presentation by Dave Dower on Masande – an arts and crafts village for Khayelitsha

6.00 Presentation of a new motor bike (Suzukis and BMWs) rental company in Cape Town, by Lawrence Brown of Longway Moto, who will bring some bikes on a trailer for display purposes.

6.10 Talk on the history of Rustenberg Wine Farm by Peter Fisher, Chairman of CTGA.

Followed by a talk by Bernette Boonzaaier on Rustenberg’s delicious wines, and an opportunity to taste the wines.

7.30 End of programme (if not before then).

If you need to communicate at all with Rustenberg please speak to Bernette Boonzaaier at 021 809 1200.

Because of space limitations, it will be necessary to limit the number of attendees to 50. This means that I will keep a strict list of all the replies I receive and the first fifty who indicate they would like to come will be accepted. Anyone who does not reply or who replies late after the quota is filled will not be able to come to this meeting. And for those who just “turn up”, they will not be included in the meeting or the wine-tasting.

By the same token, if you do accept and then find out you can’t come after all, please let me know so that your place can be taken by someone else.

Should you wish to know more about Rustenberg– please check their website www.rustenberg.co.za.

Look forward to seeing you there!

TravelPeople and the good stuff

I sure am glad that I live in South Africa and not the U.K. where you could get fined for blowing your nose at a red traffic light! Yes, a man was fined recently in the U.K. for blowing his nose while stationed in his car at a red traffic light (with his hand break on) as he apparently was not in full control of his car. Now, have you ever! Talk about control freaks … I realize that there is a lot to be said about safety on South African roads, but that is honestly taking it a tad far. Judging by the way drivers behave on my route every morning, we would probably have no cars left on the road. I probably wouldn’t make it out my driveway!

As Dr.Seuss so aptly stated: “From here to there – funny things are everywhere!” Except on www.travelpeople.co.za – no funnies here! This week we bring you loads of the good stuff …

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TRAVEL NEWS

• Sure Tours now offer individual agent commission for all bookings from rand one!
• Gold accolades for Bushmans Kloof – again!
• Fancourt appoints new Head of Marketing & Sales
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TRAVEL SPECIALS

• Make Pezula Castle your World Cup Castle of Dreams
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• and more …

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

• If you have a taste for the finer things in life - NH the Lord Charles Hotel have you covered!
• Live entertainment & fun for the whole family at Grandwest Casino & Entertainment World
• An extra special Valentines Day dinner at the Winchester Mansion’s Harvey Restaurant

TRAVEL SERVICES These people are there to help – or to just smooth out the edges!

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Here’s to sticking together – until next week!

Kind Regards
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