VOLUME TWO • CAPE TOWN

THE ENGAGEMENT CONCIERGE - ON TOUR WITH MADIBA - THE OTHER SIDE OF CAPE TOWN

COSY IN THE CITY - HI-TECH PERSONAL SERVICE - AUTUMN CHEF SERIES - ANYONE FOR TEA? - ACOUSTIC

ELEMENT - UNITY. RESILIENCE. WATER. - PHOTO BOMBS - OMAKASE - WELL WELL WELL - MAIN EVENTS

oneandonlyresorts.com

A PLAYGROUND OF FUN

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ONE LIFE.It’s no secret that, in the past three months, South Africa has endured one of the most erratic but profoundly positive periods of change since the release of Nelson Mandela. How ironic it is, then, that the country is taking a significant turn for the better as we begin our celebration of Madiba’s 100th birthday – though, sadly, in his absence.

This issue of OneLife is a tribute to Mandela – but, in many senses, it is a tribute to the values and qualities he instilled in South Africans at a turning point in our history. While the world watched with curiosity and trepida-tion, he single-handedly demonstrated that, however hard it may seem, persistence, resilience and unity can conquer all.

Such values have been demonstrated in Cape Town’s recent response to the water crisis. The city’s inhabitants have not just pushed back Day Zero but defeated it, in a show of unity and respect that Mandela himself would have been proud of. There is always hope and optimism in South Africa, and, with that in mind, we wish you all the exciting, thought-provoking, and expansive experiences you can find in this very special country of ours.

Richard Lyon

As a point of interest, see if you can find artist Jane Waterous' magnificent artwork celebrating one of the guiding principles of our former president.

UBUNTU is a part of 'Gatherings', a series by the internationally renowned artist. Her signature style is three-dimensional paintings with sculpture-like figures flowing and suspended in open space. Jane's art literally and figuratively jumps off the canvas.

UBUNTU means humanity towards others and a feeling of joy and wonder. Jane believes that life is a series of gatherings: 'Everything that matters, happens when people come together.

Created for One&Only Cape Town by MediaWeb - info@mediaweb.co.zaEditor: Dean McCoubrey Art Director: Karmen van Rensburg Cover: Minky Stapleton - www.minkystapleton.com. Artist represented by International Rescue - www.internationalrescue.com

CONTENTSVolume Two • Cape Town

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COSY IN CAPE TOWNSnuggle up in the city - fireplaces, fine dining, flat whites, and food festivals. Autumn is simply the best

MAN OF HIS WORD2018 celebrates the 100-year anniversary of Nelson Mandela's life, offering no better time to understand his legacy

CHEF & THE VINE Sandi Richmond puts on a culinary show to warm our hearts as the evenings close in

ALL WELL AND GOOD From dawn to dusk, we've got everything you might needto nourish mind, body and soul

IN THEIR ELEMENTMeet One&Only's dynamic duo - a classical pair by day, and DJs (read: 'party concierges') by night

JUST ADD WATER Our glasses were looking half full for a while. But, in fact, the water crisis taught us way more than we could have ever imagined

OMAKASENobu's new unpredictable sushi menu is something refreshingly different. We'll leave it up to you to decide.

QUIRK OF THE CAPE The stretch from Muizenberg to Boulders Beach serves up coffee shops, and curios, artists, and artisans. And, yes, penguins!

THE INSIDE TRACK Four world-class photographers take you to their best South African photo backdrops

THE ONLY WAY TO SAY I DOWe can't be held responsible if you fall more deeply in love. But we can help you take the leap of faith

HIGH TIME FOR TEA More than a ritual, tea is a pastime - who knew there were so many to choose from?

HOST WITH THE MOST Why authentic, personal service comes in rather handy

DIVINE PAIRING Sometimes one and one doesn't just make a pair, they go beyond that, and create real chemistry.

IN DENMARK, THE WORD HYGGEis used “when acknowledging a feeling or moment, whether alone or with friends, at home or out, ordinary or extraordinary, as cosy, charming or spe-cial”. Thank you, Wikipedia. The Dutch have something similar: gezelligheid, which “relates to the heart, translated as convivial or fun, or a nice atmosphere. It can also show belonging, time spent with loved ones or the togetherness that gives people a warm feeling.”

It seems a stretch to consider Cape Town as cosy, given our climate. And yet, from time to time the weather turns and we experience the change of seasons; the leaves fall, the wind chills, the winter clothes appear, and we seek sanctuary in red wine, a warm coffee shop, or a night in with friends. The city is known for having “four seasons in one day” and autumn is undoubtedly the best illustra-tion of that.

Four seasons aside, we choose to make the best of what we have available to us, and to celebrate it wholeheartedly.So if you’re looking for a warm hideaway for coffee, try Truth Coffee Roasting on Buitenkant Street – named the best coffee shop in the world by The Telegraph – or Haas, just a few hundred metres fur-ther up. For something more intimate, visit the smaller Jason Bakery on Bree Street. For afternoon tea, look no fur-ther than yours truly – One&Only Cape Town serves the best in the city. It would be unfair to suggest anywhere else.

Fortune favours the brave, and for those that visit us in Autumn, they'll be in for a handful of pleasant surprises. Four seasons in one day brings a wealth of benefits.

COSYin Cape Town

A morning can be spent at indoor markets, with the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock earning itself the top spot every Saturday for diversity of choice and hipster cool. There are so many delicious things to choose from, you may need to pace yourself. Museums are aplenty. Iziko (www.iziko.org.za) represents the South African Museum, National Gallery, Slave Lodge and Groot Constantia Manor House, among others. Alternatively, visit the District Six Museum for the story of the 60,000 people forcibly removed from their homes during apartheid. Colder evenings can be spent at the Fugard Theatre – a tribute to South Africa’s great playwright, Athol Fugard – which offers a remarkable theatre ex-perience. From there, you may choose to move on to fire-warmed dining hangouts such as Kloof Street House. Thirty minutes outside the city, you can start your evening with a glass of autumn red at Groot Constantia Wine Farm, the home of Vin de Constance, and then opt between top eateries such as Foxcroft or the world-famous La Colombe. Or you could try a different wine-and-dine experience at Stellen-bosch’s 96 Winery Road.

On the events calendar, the South African Cheese Festival is set for April 27 to 29. It offers a dazzling variety of cheeses, and the chance to pair them

with wine and the finest local produce at Stellenbosch’s superb Sandring-ham Farm. Entertainment includes outstanding music, presentations by celebrity chefs and artisanal cheese makers and, yes, a cheese-carving competition…

As the harvests come to an end and the vineyards are decked in their autumn finery – and just as the first breaths of winter can be felt in the crisp air – the Elgin wine valley opens its doors to visitors for the annual Elgin Cool Wine and Country Food Festival, which is to be held over the weekend of April 28 to 29. Award-win-ning wines, a delectable culinary experience, outdoor activities, live entertainment and natural scenic wonders will ensure that visitors young and old enjoy a memorable time in this hospitable valley. The Wacky Wine Weekend, from May 31 to June 3, will take you to the Robertson wine region to sample the finest the area has to offer, meet the winemakers, stomp some grapes, and take part in tutored tastings and cellar tours. In its 15th year this year, the Suidoos-terfees, from April 26 to May 1, will feature 100 celebrated artists over a five-day festival that covers heritage, Cape culture, music, arts and theatre. It will be shared between two venues, the Artscape Theatre and the District

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Robertson Wine Valley

Lyndon Stratford Photography

Six Museum. Your One&Only host can always make this happen. The magnificent Hermanus Fynarts Festival from June 8 to 17 covers similar themes, but focuses on the arts, showcasing the creativity of sculptors, painters, photographers and cerami-cists, as well as movies and live music performances. The festival takes place in the stunning coastal town of Herma-nus (see our whale-watching tip at the end of this article). From a literature point of view, the Franschhoek Literary Festival, from May 18 to 20, spans a variety of village venues within a few minutes’ walk of each other, creating a vibrant ambience in streets buzzing with book lovers. The emphasis is on informal discussions

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and spirited debates between writers, or one-on-one conversations and occasion-al talks. Film lovers will bask in the creative innovation of up-and-coming docu-mentary makers at the Encounters Documentary Film Festival from May 31 to June 10. Share in the genius of award nominees and watch world-class premieres on South African soil.

If you’re an ocean lover, the inter-mittent rain (one hopes) will bring phenomenal waves and clean lines to the False Bay coastline. Or perhaps you just prefer to look at the sea and take in its healing properties. Either way, whale watching begins in June and is sure to hook you. While False Bay provides great opportunity to catch Southern Rights,

the finest whale-watching location is Hermanus. With restaurants, galleries and a Saturday craft market, it makes for an excellent day out.

If you’ve decided to stay with us at One&Only Cape Town in April, May and June, you will be assured of less tourist traffic, some magnificent autum-nal days and cosy rain showers. Yes, we did use the word “cosy” alongside “rain showers”. You do that when water is a revered resource… If you barely leave the resort, you’ll have plenty to occupy your time - gazing at Table Mountain from our Vista Bar & Lounge, unwinding at the spa, or curling up with a good book and a glass of our Robust Reds while the kids make waffles and pancakes. So very “hyggelig”.

Clockwise, from far left: Steampunk coffee bar, Truth Coffee, on Buitenk-ant. Rich and decadent cheeses, a crisp winter sunrise in Robertson, kids get cosy in the kitchen, the stained glass of The Fugard Theatre, the Wacky Wine Festival, a heartwarming glass of red, and whale watching in Hermanus.

Thomas Kelly

OneLife volume two

MAN OFHIS

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela would be 100 this year if he

WORDwere still with us. Without him, and several years

after his passing on 5 December 2013, the world continues to celebrate his life.

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HE MOSThonoured political prisoner in his-tory, Mandela emerged from his 27 years of incarceration as the hero of

African liberation. And even, perhaps, not just of Africa: the world seems to have acknowledged our former president as an ambassador in the fight against racism and for racial equality. In pursuing truth and reconciliation over revenge, he stunned the world and calmed a nation – and in doing so, many would say, he saved a nation.

For those of you who have the good fortune to be in our city in this centena-ry year, there is no better time to take an interactive guided tour to immerse yourself in the narrative of history. As such, we look at a handful of experi-ential tours that will bring you closer to one of the most powerful triumphs of the human spirit, and the valuable lessons that Mandela shared with us all.

Music Beyond Borders is a musical journey of discovery, highlighting the critical role music played during the apartheid struggle, specifically among political prisoners in South Africa. Those heroes of the liberation move-ment incarcerated for daring to resist the apartheid regime, relied on music as a tool for survival, resistance, protest and communication. Dr Janie Cole’s groundbreaking lecture includes a multimedia presentation that combines original music, historical images and curated, moving extracts from new interviews with former polit-ical prisoners. It shows their struggle against racial oppression, conditions in the prison and the role of music in vivid relief.

This powerful introduction sets the scene for a visit to Robben Island, the notorious apartheid-era maximum-se-curity prison for activists such as Nelson Mandela who sacrificed all for their belief in democracy and human rights. Night and day, the prisoners sang whatever was in their defiant hearts – through torture, despair and hope – and united as one so they could not be defeated. Here, individuals divided by tribal, racial and linguistic identities turned political oppression and phys-ical imprisonment to their advantage through the idiom of African song. Music Beyond Borders showcases the power of music in the fight for human rights, and its role in providing resis-tance, critique, a sense of community, therapy, memory and identity. The tour starts with a morning talk (1.5 hours), before you make your own way to the Nelson Mandela Gateway for the 11h00 ferry departure to Robben Island.

If music isn’t your thing, there is a more grass-roots alternative: Footsteps to Freedom Tours offers a guided walk-ing tour that brings to life a series of significant events in Mandela’s time in Cape Town. It showcases the setting for the series of significant and secretive meetings that led to the surprise re-lease of Mandela and the unbanning of

the ANC in February 1990. As his home for three decades, Cape Town played a pivotal role in Mandela’s journey from prisoner to president. The 2.5-hour walk covers 2km of the historic and cultural heart of the city, tracking Man-dela’s journey from his 1964 conviction at the Rivonia Trial to his status as a global icon of bravery and freedom.

The walk takes in a number of key land-marks: the Mandela Rhodes Building, which sets the scene for a chronological overview of Mandela’s life; Greenmarket Square, which provides the backdrop to understanding the role played by reli-gious groupings in "the struggle"; City Hall, from where Mandela addressed the crowds after his release on February 11 1990; and, of course, Parliament and Tuynhuys, home to much of the polit-ical intrigue, debate and negotiation that preceded our first democratically elected president taking his seat at the head of the very institution that had legislated apartheid. The walk is organised on a private basis only, via our concierge. There are also a number of individual landmarks to visit: Robben Island: A World Heritage Site, this is undoubtedly the prime tourist attraction through which to grasp the

circumstances, stories and conditions of South Africa’s incarcerated freedom fighters. The visit culminates in a viewing of Nelson Mandela’s cell. The Robben Island ferry departs from the Nelson Mandela Gateway near the V&A Waterfront. Visit www.robben-island.org.za/tours for more information. Nobel Square: A stone’s throw from One&Only Cape Town, you’ll find four magnificent bronze statues of Nobel Peace Prize laureates Albert Luthuli, Desmond Tutu, FW de Klerk and Nelson Mandela, along with famous quotations from each. Sculpted by in-ternationally acclaimed artist Claudette Schreuders, the installation proposes the complexity of the search for an “Afri-can” identity in post-apartheid, 21st-cen-tury South Africa. The fifth sculpture, called Peace and Democracy, represents women and children’s contribution to peace in South Africa. Cape Town City Hall: It was on 11 Feb-ruary 1990 that Nelson Mandela made his first public speech from the balcony of the Cape Town City Hall, announc-ing “never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another”. With that, freedom dawned in the country.

T“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison.”

Clockwise, from top left: The sparse and bleak surroundings of Robben Island. City Hall, where Mandela made his first public speech after nearly three decades in prison; The Houses of Parliament in Cape Town in the Company Gardens; The Footsteps to Freedom Tour near St George's Walk; The Four Nobel Laureates, just a few minutes walk from One&Only Cape Town

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Dine & winechef & the vine

CREATING A PAIRED WINE AND food evening is easy: choose a farm or winemaker and which of their wines to feature. Devise a menu of accompany-ing dishes. Brief the sommelier present-ing the wines on the evening. Welcome guests. Et voilà! Spoiler alert, it’s not that easy. Not even a little bit.

Instead, weeks of careful collaboration between farm, kitchen and sommelier are a must if one intends presenting an informative, interesting and relevant evening. At least, that is the case if you’re Sandi Richmond, head chef of Reuben’s at One&Only Cape Town, and Luvo Ntezo, Head Sommelier, the duo behind the resort’s monthly Chef & The Vine series. In a way, their creative

Pairing food and wine is more than playing mix-and-match. It is art.

process starts with the wine. Selecting the wine partner must work for both parties – Luvo looks at candidates that are perhaps not public sweethearts, that have sufficient vertical varietals and, most importantly, that have a story to tell. “We associate memorable experi-ences with the wines we enjoy most,” he says, “and we’re trying to create experi-ences on each of these evenings. Sandi agrees, saying “these aren’t science classes, they are art evenings.”

Creating a menu of five courses, each one individually and perfectly married to its wine, can take a day or a week depending on the complexities of flavour she must orchestrate. And the work doesn’t end there – each dish is

Graham Beck Brut MCCSouth Africa’s most loved Méthode Cap Classique, this is a simple, fresh, clean MCC that offers purity of fruit. It was served both at Nelson Man-dela’s inauguration and at the gala dinner celebrating the Nobel Prize awarded to Mandela, FW de Klerk and Desmond Tutu. Mandela loved it for its represen-tation of Mr Beck’s tremendous ethical values and morals, and because of winemaker Peter Fer-reira’s well-documented persistent and diligent journey in search of the perfect bubble. It is a beautifully consistent wine that over-delivers at its price point, and its story is one of a beautiful, united, diverse, and caring South Africa. Luvo has served this wine all over the world, most recently in London on behalf of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Beesler PinotageLuvo doesn’t claim to be a fan of pinotage, but he loves what wine-maker Abri Beesler has accom-plished with this wine. The country’s principle authority in pinotage,

“Beeslar is the only winemaker I know to be recognised as Best Winemaker in the World not just once, but twice,” says Luvo.

South Africa’s well-loved, indigenous varietal, the story of pinotage and how it has been mar-keted can be somewhat one di-mensional, in Luvo’s opinion, with its emphasis on dark chocolate, espresso and dried banana notes. “I love the way that Beeslar has changed the narrative of his pino-tage, giving it typicity by focusing on the signature characteristics of the grape from which it was produced,” he says.

scrutinised by both sommelier and winemaker, first on the page and then on the plate. In all, she estimates that it takes about three weeks from first wine tasting to approved menu.

“What’s been bottled cannot be changed, we can’t adjust the flavours of our wines to suit the dish,” she explains. “But what we can do is tweak our dishes to better enhance the wine because having one dominate the other is counter-productive. We want to achieve a tasting experience that is perfectly harmonised and balanced.” Both Luvo and Sandi acknowledge that one’s enjoyment of food and wine is deeply personal and subjective, hence their emphasis on experience rather than on education during the evenings.

“We request that our winemakers share their stories with guests, rather than overwhelming them with details of varietal character, terroir and so on,” he explains. “We invite them to share their background, their tales of the har-vest, why they love wine in general and their own wine in particular. This is personal, insightful detail not available in any wine guide. It is precisely what makes Chef & The Vine both unique and special.”

Chef & The Vine continues for the rest of the year on the second Thursday of each month. For details of the wine farms featured in coming months and reservations, speak to our concierge or email: restaurant.reservations@ oneandonlycapetown.com.

WINES WITH STORIES

drate and nourish the skin and deeply relax the body. A sea-salt and oil exfoliation then prepares your body for the conditioning and remineralising seaweed wrap that accompa-nies our favourite element, the scalp massage. This is brilliantly concluded with a unique full-body treatment that uses warmed sea-shells to melt away tension and stress. If that feels a little too vigorous, try an ad-vanced facial to improve skin tone and firm-ness, and enhance cellular regeneration. Using remarkable NuFace technology and Tri-Active ingredients, the facial provides microcurrent to lift and firm the skin, com-bat the signs of ageing, stimulate collagen production and deliver intensive results. The benefits can be seen immediately - I said this would be a day you wouldn’t regret.

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6ALL WELL & GOODTreat your body nice

from dawn to dusk

Lunch can be taken in the spa garden or by the pool at Isola, where you can opt for gluten-free dishes, fresh line-fish or oysters, a Caprese, grilled chicken and cos or chopped salad, vegetable wrap or smoked-salmon bagel. The afternoon is a roll of the dice. Will you undertake one of the outdoor activities you missed in the morning, or a fitness, Pilates or kickboxing session in our gym, or will it be a back to the spa for a beauty treatment? For the tireless, there’s Table Mountain: hike up

through Platteklip Gorge, have a sundowner at the summit and take a cable car down while the sun sets. Or you can “stay home” and rest your feet with a StudiO luxury pedicure. For this, an internationally trained and qualified therapist provides a diagnostic pedicure, looking at the shape of your foot, walking style and symptoms, before embarking on a reflexology-based mas-sage using podiatry tools on a dry foot, to make the results last longer. I know which of the two I would choose. In the spirit of being multidimensional, we rec-ognise that there are many diverse ways to re-

plenish your soul and achieve a healthy equi-librium. And sometimes an elderflower and cucumber G&T on the Vista Deck may be as important for a healthy day as all the afore-mentioned activities put together. We’re all different, after all. I’ll let you decide.

RISE AND SHINE. TODAY ISthat day in your holiday diary

for a healthy dose of wellness. A shot of vitamins A, B C, D and E,

some dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins, a soothing touch to ease the muscles, and a beauty treatment to firm the skin and push back a year or two. At the end of the day, you’re radiant inside and out, we know that, but our single-minded purpose is to make you feel even more wonderful than you already are. Here’s what a “day in the life of wellness” with One&Only Cape Town looks like, from dawn till dusk. As the sun comes up, yoga lovers can prac-tise their sun salutation on the Vista Deck, or hire a stand-up paddleboard to tour the canals while firing up the core in preparation for a courageous day ahead. The true masters try both together: Yoga. On the paddleboard. It takes all sorts. We can also march you up the “Head of the Beast”, Lions Head. This is a majes-tic, winding one-hour hike that shows you every perspective of the city, from Table Mountain to Camps Bay to Cape Town Stadium, punctuated by a One&Only picnic with some quite incredible views and photo oppor-tunities. For the die-hard fitness fa-natics, we offer a one-hour boot camp session at Camps Bay beach, one of the most popular tourist attractions in Cape Town. It’s a unique, cardio-driven workout that aims to condition your entire body while you soak in the surrounds – fresh air, sand and sea. On your return, brimming with vitality (or exhaustion), a One&Only buffet breakfast will tempt you. Beware. There is, however, sufficient choice to rather crunch on grano-la, fruit and superfoods, one of our signature herbal teas, and rye bread. You don’t have to do it every day – just this one day.

Since you’ve earned your stripes

in the morning, it’s time for some balance. Life is all

about balance. Our two-hour Essence of Cape

Town skin remineral-isation and massage will clear the mind. It’s an indigenous signature treat-ment that uses therapeutic plants from the earth and ocean to soothe, hy-

am

pm

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In their

OneLife volume two

GETTING TO KNOW ACOUSTIC Element can be a confusing task. One&Only Cape Town’s musical duo, cousins Callen Petersen and Jody Abel, have what you might term split personalities. For the most part they are known as Acous-tic Element, with Callen playing the violin and Jody playing guitar and beat-boxes. But then there’s a twist: at night they become ALT Ego, taking the tempo up a notch or two to deliver more dance and house-based music – “something more original; more of the music we would go out to”, says Jody. “More and more, clients book two acts, Acoustic Element during the day and ALT Ego at night. We liter-ally have to switch personalities.” If that weren’t quite enough, Callen, who claims to be quiet and intro-verted when playing in Acoustic Element, becomes someone else entirely as evening draws in and ALT Ego gets to shine. The normally gregarious Jody – more the charmer of the two – takes a step sideways to make space for his partner to shine. The story started several years ago, when the duo came to audition at One&Only Cape Town. “The team here was surprised that our sound was very smooth and unobtrusive, and so we soon became a part of the family,” says Callen. “Maybe that’s because we also know how to party – we’re often labelled by guests as the ‘party concierges’.

“We have ended up in some fantastic circumstances. Guests have invited us to play at a wide range of events and festivals around the country and abroad! These include the Café Opera in Sweden, Grand White Dinner (in 2014 and 2015, attracting more than 15,000 people), and this summer we will travel to Santorini and Austria." “We stayed for seven days, all expens-es paid, in the heart of the city [on our trip to Sweden]. Stockholm is a magnificent music city – Max Martin, Abba – a very inspiring journey and we went to meet record labels and opened a few doors of opportunity.” Jody adds: “One&Only has been a passport to so many things: a sense of belonging; amazing guests and experiences. Even Justin Bieber was dancing to our songs and videoing us. DJ Snake Instagrammed us and Snapchatted as we played his song. Our album launch over New Year’s Eve attracted 1,200 people. “Starting music at six years old, we’ve performed in the church, in orches-tras and in choirs while studying. We later moved to markets and malls, busking. Our jobs in fashion and ac-counting meant we had to turn down so many gigs and we looked at each other and said, ‘Let’s leave these jobs’. Callen did spreadsheets and worked out how much we would need to make to resign and we took the leap of faith. It’s been a fairly even and solid journey and the support from our parents has been there throughout.”

elementAcoustic Element by day, and ALT EGO by night, meet the double-double act that lights up Vista Lounge.

In their

Justin Bieber was dancing to our songs and videoing us.

Since their arrival on the South African entertainment scene, Acoustic Element has performed alongside some of the country’s hottest performers, includ-ing Lira, Jimmy Nevis, Emo Adams, Freshlyground, Beatenberg and Cass-per Nvoyest. ALT Ego, the duo’s new, electrify dance act – in which violin and guitar fuse with electro dance synths and pulsating house beats – topped the iTunes SA dance album chart on the day of its release. The debut single, Get Wild, has been play-listed on numerous radio stations countrywide, and peaked at number two on the Good Hope FM Hot 30.

If we’re honest, lounge music can slip into Muzak. But the pair says that mu-sicians and hotel acts go that way not because of one party or the other; it’s a combination of both that leads to a flat background performance. “What we love about One&Only is that we have never really stuck to the status quo. And the team likes that. For all its class and beauty, the resort recognises that it still needs a ‘vibe’, and we’re here to deliver that. In fact, we are evolving as the partnership evolves. It’s all about energy and heart, and we have a plenti-ful supply of both.”

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JUST ADDWATER.

Cape Town has been under threat. From water. As the black clouds of anxiety shrouded the city, the year began with a grave warning that the taps would run dry. Here's how it unfolded.

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OneLife volume two

AS CHILDREN, WE LEARNED ABOUTthe world's limited resources. Coal was to be usurped by wind, solar, nuclear, HEP and geothermal, as we coloured in pencil illustrations of alternative energy solutions. At the time, water wasn't on that list. The unprecedented drought of the last few years gave Capetonians a rather rude awakening as we tiptoed closer to being the world's first city to dry up, according to Anthony Turton, a professor at the Cen-tre for Environmental Management at the University of the Free State in South Af-rica. “It’s not an impending crisis—we’re deep, deep, deep in crisis,” he said to the New York Times in January. The Indepen-dent, BBC, Time and National Geograph-ic followed suit with similar headlines and special reports. Late April was to be Day Zero, the day the taps ran dry. What happened next was a testament to the great man on the cover of our maga-zine. Although the provincial and nation-al government pointed fingers in every direction and handled the impending crisis poorly – one which they had known about for years - the Day Zero deadline of April 12 jolted enough people, rich or poor, influential or everyman, to stand

up and be counted. The National Govern-ment finally stepped into the spotlight to at least acknowledge the disaster under new president, Cyril Ramaphosa. Demo-cratic Alliance leader, Mmusi Maimane jumped off the party sidelines, across the bow of the mayor, to declare war on Day Zero, requesting residents to move first to 87 litres per day per person in January, and then down to 50 litres in February. Most loathed the politicians throughout. Water restrictions jumped from category 4 to 5, and from 6a to 6b, every few months. Soon we might run out of num-bers and letters, and it seemed a glass of water would cost the same as a Stella Artois, one feared. The city's inhabitants, refusing to take any doomsday prophecies lying down, took the water fight to heart. Braais (barbecues) would debate and dis-cuss water saving ideas, baths were largely a swear word to most, shower floors be-came redundant as buckets caught every drop they could, and even toilets were flushed only when needed. No comment. Schools asked parents to bring bottled water while turning off taps and moving to hand sanitizer. Children of all ages were educated about the crisis and many came home as vigilant dictators, moni-

toring their parents. Landscapers chose spekboom and succulents over prettier water-guzzling flora, and property de-velopments started including greywater and rainwater harvesting.

The city's initiatives such as the installa-tion of almost 37 500 water management devices at the properties of high water users; and proactively implementing frightening high water tariffs coerced a change in behaviour. Even online heat maps showing water use per household (free-standing houses only) had a touch of naming and shaming to it. Construc-tion companies were told to bring their own water, as were some of the city's big-gest events. The Cape Town Cycle Tour somehow added three million litres of water to the grid, rather than take from it. And then the twist in the tale that re-leased all the pressure, a donation of 10 million cubic metres of water from farm-ers in Elgin and Grabouw, enough for three weeks of private dam water came gushing towards the city. The stories and contributions go on and on.

By mid-March the city had reached a new milestone, using 511 million litres per day, as opposed to 1.2bn two years before, but still chasing the target of 450

million litres per day. The city declared, "Although the potential for Day Zero has been moved to next year, the drought is still very real and the associated threat to water supply remains a reality."

The unmatched water saving turned a catastrophe into a global example - even dark clouds can have a silver lining. For our own part, One&Only Cape Town re-duced our usage from 220 000 litres down to 110 000 litres per day, through greywa-ter and rainwater harvesting, and reduc-ing water use in pools and steam baths, and guests joining us in the fight through attentive usage of towels and linen chang-es, every few days only. In addition, we are currently installing a desalination plant and a waste water treatment plant that will save another 40 000 litres. For now, it appears, the wolf is no longer sitting at the door. Three desalination plants and several water abstraction projects are under construction which will boost several hundred litres of additional water per day into the city over the next two years, and the winter rains will begin in May. Only time will tell. But we can be fairly confident this will be the last time we will be caught so embarrassingly stark naked in the proverbial rain.

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To a degree, we all have a desire for control. It’s how we create order in our increasingly frenetic, tension-filled lives. Control equals calm. So, we get informed, we plan, we get disciplined. These are the foundations of a well-run restaurant kitchen too. After all, there are food costs to consider, stock to monitor, profit margins to scrutinise. Creativity cannot be allowed to dominate menus when predictable favourites are most frequently requested by paying customers.

The Japanese tradition of omakase invites both diner and chef to relinquish that control in return for an opportunity to play, to surprise and be surprised, and to be free – for as long as one’s appetite allows.Omakase is not a menu, it is a unique, guided journey through the finest, freshest seafood at your chef’s fingertips. It is his opportunity to be inventive, to show off a little, to tempt you with morsels you would never have selected on your own.

And omakase is not just a meal. It is a front-row seat to a once-off performance by a master artist. It’s a sequence of expertly-prepared delicacies that build in flavour and complexity. It’s a luxurious gift of time in which to savour each bite. At Nobu in the One&Only Cape Town, the signature omakase experience available to a maximum of eight individuals per night for very good reason. With seating offered at the sushi counter only, this is an opportunity for an intimate observation of the sushi kitchen led by head chef Benjamin Lopez.

A recent addition to the local team after six years at Nobu in One&Only Dubai, the soft-spoken sushi master revels in having free reign to create a bespoke dining occasion for each guest seated in front of him and his team. On any night he has a selection of between 25 and 30 varieties of seafood, shellfish and other proteins from which to draw inspiration. Some are locally obtained and so exclusive to Nobu in Cape Town while others, like bluefin tuna, are sustainably sourced and distributed throughout the Nobu group.

We could boast about shots of oyster paired with quail egg in ponzo accompanied by preserved Japanese plums, or delicate scallop and yuzu nigiri prepared with the time-honoured six-touch technique. We could mention the nonconforming tamago baked in an ingenious manner unique to Nobu… but who knows if Chef Lopez will be inspired to present these dishes on the night you visit?

Therein lies the mystery, and the adventure.

Omakase (o-ma-ka-see), Japanese: noun meaning ‘I'll leave it up to you’ from ‘to entrust’.

With thanks to Joburg Ballet...Joburg Ballet principal ballerina Kitty Phetla becomes Queen Modjadji – Africa's legendary "rain queen" in an extraordinary video, created in response to Cape Town's looming water crisis. Modjadji summons clouds from the heavens, twirling and swerving in the dry basin of the near-empty Theewaterskloof Dam in Cape Town."While we hope it will bring rain, this dance is also an important reminder of the value of water to life on earth, and the necessity to conserve it at all costs. If you're travelling to the Western Cape, please make water conservation an absolute priority."

JanuaryGlass near empty'Day Zero' set for mid-March

MarchGlass half full'Day Zero' pushed back to August

July to 2050Respect for resources'Day Zero' our great educator

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GREAT TRAVEL IS ALL ABOUT unearthing the unexpected, those magical enclaves that we stumble across that animate the history, culture or ethnicity of an area, differentiating it and bringing it to life. On the flip side of the glamour and glitz of Camps Bay, the hub of the V&A Waterfront, and the grandeur and old money of the winelands, lies the stretch from Muizenberg to Boulders Beach. Originally a relatively rundown area, Muizenberg has enjoyed a wholeheart-ed renaissance, fortunately for the city's surfers. Its easy beach break fires up on a north-westerly bringing crowds of young and old longboarders to cruise along the clean lines of a beautiful-ly formed wave. Our concierge can organise a private lesson for you. As you get out, cold and exhausted, you can stumble into any number of coffee shops and restaurants. Ask a "bro" to point you in the direction of Knead for coffee, or try Tiger's Milk for a burger and beer. However sublime it may be, surfing isn't for everyone, so take the path which runs along the turquoise coastline all the way to Kalk Bay. In true African style, the train which tracks a little too snug alongside, will come screeching by intermittently to test your eardrums. You will arrive at various tidal pools for a swim - Dalebrook or St. James - and a

casual 14 or 16-degree water tempera-ture will test your grit, with swimmers of all ages converging to revitalise throughout autumn and winter. Emerging from the path you’ll soon edge into Kalk Bay. Both a fishing village and creatives’ hideaway for all demographics and wealth brackets, the mood is relaxed and real as you hop from gallery to coffee bar, or rummage through vintage and antique shops, while narrow side streets reveal cerami-cists, jewelers and confectioners! There are some seriously cute spots here. Try Bob's Bagels for coffee. You can barely shift one step left or right it’s such a tight squeeze, and yet the queue spills out the door - the coffee is the reason. Or for a premium view try Oha-na for a flat white and sticky bun, or slot into another local favourite, Olympia Cafe & Deli. For an evening drink, it would have to be Cape to Cuba - a liberating demon-stration of how to break all the decor rules - the food isn't amazing though. Rather try Live Bait or Harbour House on the pier to idly ponder the sea end-lessly rolling towards you. Twenty minutes’ drive further on, you'll reach Simonstown, a popular stopover for tourists on their way to Boulders or Cape Point. Saveur is the spot for fine dining here, and the old harbour offers

boat trips which will take you to watch whales, or see the magnificence of Cape Point from the ocean. One of Simonstown's highlights is the story of Just Nuisance, the most famous resident of the tiny fishing village. A Great Dane that became a trusty com-panion of sailors that anchored in the village, he would lie on the gangplanks making it difficult for any seaman to get past, earning him his rightful name. When the sailors ventured ashore he would follow them onto trains and they would try to hide him, until the conduc-tors ejected him, whereby he trooped back to the station and climbed on to the next train. Such antics caused demands for the dog to be put down which was promptly sniffed (or is it snuffed?) out by supportive sailors. Letters were sent to the navy command-er-in-chief who felt the best solution was to enlist him in the navy which would result in a season ticket! He attended medical examinations, which he signed with a paw print, slept in sailors’ quar-ters, stopped fights and bar brawls with his burly frame, and even wore a sailor's hat. And we think our generation is crazy! The story continues until his woeful end, but we'll leave that for you to find out. OneLife was never designed to shed a tear. Almost anyone that visits Cape Town is well acquainted with the opportunity to see penguins at Boulders Penguin Colony, and while it's easy to follow the tourist train to the main viewing deck, we suggest an alternative perspective. Just a little further on you'll find the tiny cove of Boulders Beach, and for a nominal entrance fee, you'll find crystal clear (but rather cool) water, gargan-tuan boulders propping each other up, and penguins swimming and waddling amongst unsuspecting bathers. One final note. Instead of asking the driver to bring you back the way you came, request a tour past Cape Point, through Misty Cliffs and Scarborough, via Chapman's Peak Drive, and finally through Camps Bay for a sundowner before your feet touch dry land in Vista Lounge once again.

Left, from top to bottom: The colourful beach huts of Muizenberg and St. James, Kalk Bay Trading Post for antiques and collectibles, the legendary baker's man at Olympia Cafe, Kalk Bay Harbour, Dalebrook tidal pool, wisdom from Olympia Cafe, Portuguese egg tarts, Just Nuisance and Bob's Bagels.

CapeQuirk

Far from the madding crowd, 30 to 40 minutes from the V&A Waterfront, lies

an alternative slice of Cape Town life.

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01 KLEIN KAROOKlein Karoo is best in the early mornings and late afternoons when the shadows are long and the colours richer and autumnal...I love swimming in the ‘plaas dams’, eating Karoo lamb chops, and watching the cobras go by.

02 ARNISTONArniston is a small fishing village surrounded by little white cottages, and the bluest ocean I have ever seen in South Africa. It's an absolute must.

03 HALFAMPIESKRAAL Halfampieskraal is a ‘three generation’ sheep farm in the Caledon/Napier region, and Jan Georg Solms cooks the best mutton pie in the land, with nothing to do other than watch the solitary 'ostriches' and blue cranes in the surrounding hills.

www.lampost-lustre.com

01 CLIFTON BEACHESClifton beaches have the perfect lighting, with the warm sunlight and reflection of the ocean creates a wonderful setting for an image. It's wind protected and, therefore, always a good option when shooting fashion and beauty.

02 VICTORIA ROAD VIEWPOINTSViewpoints on Victoria Road are another superb spot for sunset shots and expansive landscape views.

03 THE WEST COAST The West Coast has so many expanses of beautiful white beaches, raw nature, and exquisite landscapes. Magnificent.

www.lampost-lustre.com

01 BAKOVENBakoven has this crystal clear ocean and rock formations, and the blue sky meets them as the warm sun rises, making it an awesome place to shoot models in.

02 NEWLANDS FOREST Newlands Forest has these incredible trees covered in green moss and small rivers. The light is dappled and amazing in the evening and lasts to sunset. Ideal for taking portraits.

03 ATLANTIS Atlantis' pure white sand dunes early in the morning, or near sunset, are spectacular and a must-see if you are looking to shoot graphic shapes or black and whites.

www.lampost-lustre.com

01 CACTUS FARM, ROBERTSON The cactus farm in Robertson is fantastic to shoot due to the wide array of cacti. People come from all over the world to see these unique and fascinating plants.

02 THE KAROOThe Karoo has such vast landscapes to work with. The natural light is incredible and I always prefer sunsrise or sunset to shoot. Of course.

03 WEST COAST NATIONAL PARK UNNAMED The West Coast National Park is quiet and open, and because I love shooting outside, there's so much nature, plants and all things green to capture.

www.lampost-lustre.com

Kevin Mackintosh Sacha Waldman

KEVINAlexa Singer

ALEXASACHAMichael Berger

MICHAEL

Four world-class photographers share their favourite photo backdrops

THE INSIDETRACK

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I asked my wife to marry me in a tiny cove called Bakoven, just outside Camps Bay. We had taken a walk after work and sat on the sand as the day drifted out to sea, with my heart pounding as I reached down for some courage. This was it.

That may have been twenty years ago almost, but I remember it clearly. And while we may not remember every detail over time, the over-all moment will be a story that we share hun-dreds of times in the run-up to the wedding, at most anniversaries, and in our quiet memories.

While, as a man at least, you may not fully control the string of words quite how you’d planned, but you can allow us to help set up a thread of beautiful moments throughout the one day that marks a transitional chapter in the book that is your life together.

While Cape Town itself, with its ridiculous beau-ty, mountains, oceans, wine farms and sunsets, may easily superimpose you into your own ro-mantic movie scene, the One&Only Cape Town possesses a host of diverse settings and experi-ences to provide backdrops for the big “I do”.

In researching this story a little - it was 20 years ago, remember – it became wholly ap-parent that choosing the ring and selecting the location – either public or private - were the key priorities.

And while Cape Town has ample selection of jewellers, buying a diamond engagement ring is a uniquely personal experience, one of the reason why we partnered with the leader in innovation and meticulous craft, Shimansky - each diamond is ethically sourced directly from South African mines to finger. Look out for the iconic Millennium® ring, South Africa’s most sought-after diamond engagement ring.

With any one of these at your side, you might be halfway there. But now comes the setting. Will it be under the ominous majesty of Table Mountain in the Vista Lounge, or by the pool as you swim to the surface with a solitaire that you have found? If you’re looking for some-thing indescribably private and luxurious you could try the first-ever Champagne Suite by

Dom Pérignon in Africa, an exceptional two-night experience on the fifth floor with the finest champagne in the world.

In the evening, a brilliantly paired Omakase menu at the resort’s iconic Nobu restaurant perfectly illustrates the harmony between the chef's exceptional cuisine and Dom Péri-gnon Blanc P2 1998.

Engagement is not solely about the ring and down on one knee, it can also include the anticipation, the lead-up and what comes after. We can write will you marry me with candles as you look down from your bal-cony, or make cupcakes that help pop the question, you could even take a stand-up paddleboard trip in the canals, with balloons tied on! Our double spa treatments, a per-sonalised cocktail by mixologist Phetogo Se-fanyetso, followed by a candlelit turndown in your room, will ultimately etch the day forever in time - and set a precedent that you may have to live up to, forever.

Ido!THE ONLY WAYTO SAY

WE CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR FALLING MORE DEEPLY IN LOVE IN THIS AMAZING CITY, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY ASSIST YOU WHEN YOU TAKE THAT MIGHTY LEAP OF FAITH.

OneLife volume two

S H O T 1 2 ( To t a l 5 )

O O _ C A P E TO W N _ L I F E S T Y L E _ F E M A L E _ O C E A N V I E W D R I V E _ 5 Z 5 A 3 4 2 8 .J P G O O _ C A P E TO W N _ L I F E S T Y L E _ F E M A L E _ O C E A N V I E W D R I V E _ 5 Z 5 A 3 5 9 0 . J P G

FOR ALMOST FIVE THOUSAND years, tea has appeared in the world’s stories of medicine, exploration, poli-tics, society and innovation. Crossing borders from the Far East to the New World, from the tip of Africa and back again, tea remains a favourite drink with which to soothe and heal, to unite and to celebrate.

According to legend, Chinese emperor, scientist and philosopher Shen Nong discovered the beverage in 2737 BCE when leaves from an overhanging wild tea tree floated into the pot of water he was boiling. Intrigued by the changed co-lour of his water and fascinated by plants, he tasted the infusion and immediately experienced its restorative effects.

Whether flavoured with jasmine, masala or bergamot, or complemented by milk, sugar or lemon, it is the processing of the Camellia sinensis plant that really defines one’s tea as black, white, yellow, green or oolong. Tea continues to in-spire diverse, creative means of serving and enjoyment to this day. For example, increasing numbers of Westerners are familiar with the intricate process of serving Japanese stone-ground green tea or matcha using a chasen (whisk), chawan (bowl), and chashaku (spoon).

Prior to the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, USA, there was no such thing as iced tea – today it is estimated at around 80% of the entire American tea market. And let’s not forget the invention that changed how millions of people around the world enjoy their cuppa – whatever tea connoisseurs say – the modern tea bag, first patented in 1903.

South Africa’s story of tea is that of rooibos (Afrikaans, meaning ‘red bush’)

and honeybush, indigenous herbal varietals grown exclusively in the West-ern Cape. Offering numerous health benefits, both are packed with antioxi-dants and minerals but do not contain caffeine, making them a popular choice for health-conscious tea lovers around the world.

For most people, tea is more than a warm (or iced) drink in their favourite mug. Tea is ceremony. It is a few quiet moments alone, extended by tea brew-ing then cooling to the ideal drinking temperature. Tea is an excuse to spoil oneself with a favourite biscuit or baked treat with friends.

It is the wonderfully indulgent ritual of afternoon tea, where dainty sandwiches and pastries work in concert with our preferred tea to bridge the gap between lunch and dinner. For this we must thank Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, and her pre-dinner hunger pangs. Thanks to her position in Lon-don society – she was a close friend of

Queen Victoria – afternoon tea became part of upper-class daily routine.

Five-star hotels around the world con-tinue to uphold the glorious tradition of afternoon tea, and Cape Town’s One&Only takes this responsibility very seriously. With Table Mountain as a backdrop, a creative pastry team and a distinguished tea selection curated with tea master Mingwei from Nigiro Tea Merchants, afternoon tea at the One&Only is a celebration of self, of occasion, and of luxury. Food and Bever-age Manager Robin Whitehead explains that his team has crafted an experience that adds a dynamic, new age approach to the romance of afternoon tea.

“Elements like our mixology tray served at the table, from which guests can explore tea-based cocktails, and the international fare on the buffet accom-panying traditional items like scones and pastries, add something of the unexpected to afternoon tea with us,” he says. “By finely balancing refinement

and indulgence, wrapped up with exceptional service and presented with a spectacular view of Table Mountain, I’m proud to boast that the One&Only extends guests a brief escape from the outside world and one of the best tea experiences the city has to offer.”

One&Only Cape Town serves Morn-ing Tea in the Vista Lounge every day from 09h30 to 12h30, and Afternoon Tea from 15h30 to 17h30. Bookings are advised on weekends, particularly for themed Afternoon Tea service on the first Saturday of each month and of course for large groups celebrating kitchen teas, baby showers and engage-ments. Remember to request the mixol-ogy tray in advance with your booking.

From 20 March 2018, One&Only Cape Town is pleased to announce that both tea services are certified halaal, with all goods produced onsite in its just-opened halaal kitchen. An alcohol-free mixology experience is available on request.

“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” Henry James (American author, 1843-1916)

Created exclusively for One&Only Cape Town by Nigiro Tea Merchants, African Sun is a selection of the finest rooibos tea blended with blood orange, Cape Malay spices and hibiscus. The opulent rooibos flavour and spicy aroma is a taste of the Cape while blood orange adds to the crimson colour of the tea and hibiscus rounds it off with a refreshing tang.

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HOST WITH THE MOST

pairing

Why authentic, personal service comes in rather Handy

What do you think the most valuable currency might be in luxury travel? The rooms perhaps, or maybe the cuisine? Many would say the amenities, or the service. For the most part, the luxury that we knew and loved and aspired to during the 90s and naughties has become the norm. This minimum, but higher, standard now gives way to new expec-tations which are more difficult to put your finger on - connected experiences, and the anticipation and understanding of a guest's needs. "In a property of this size, if you can achieve the at-tention to detail of a luxury 10 or 12-room property, you have succeeded," adds Richard Lyon, General Manager. "We don't believe in a cookie cutter ap-proach to hospitality - we recognize that every guest has unique preferences. We'll ask questions such as what your favorite food memory may be? What's your favourite color? And then somewhere in the day, we will use that information to create unique touch points and connect with you." One&Only Cape Town gives each guest a contact person when they check into the resort to make sure that all of your needs are taken care of. Then, technology can play its turn, in the form of 'Handy', a smart device that guests can take away with them. One&Only's custom-built app, Alice, connects the guests to the resort staff, wherever they may be, so they can request anything they want at any time - whether that is for us to run a bath on their return, or prepare supper for the chil-dren. Smartphones and instant messaging are the most familiar and convenient way to communicate, and we've embraced that. In an exploding world of apps, chatbots and AI, it's de rigeur to support wonderful real-life personal service with technology. Or is it the other way around? Time will soon tell.

DIVINE

If you're undecided, cast your mind forward to an evening of the finest cuisine, laced with a little education and connoisseur-ship as a side serving from our witty and charming Head Sommelier, Luvo Ntezo. For example, did you know that, in 1994, Nelson Mandela toasted his inauguration with Graham Beck Brut?

Or that Marianne Wine Estate's flagship wine, Floreal, was served at Nelson Mande-la’s 90th birthday - chosen by Gordon Ramsay to accompany his menu - and hosted by the Queen of England?

We can assure you that it will be an eve-ning to remember.

Please contact our concierge to book a table to join Luvo and the team.

If you missed our Chef and the Vine article, flip back to page 8. If we already had you at 'hello', find the next event in our dine and wine series and book with the concierge.

Delaire Graff EstateMorgenhof EstateAvondale WineSpringfield Estate WineryJordan Vineyard & WineryHamilton Russel VineyardsWarwick Wine EstateTaste of MCC

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