Month: June 2011

Kids all around South Africa wait for the end of June in anticipation for the school holidays. A whole month of rest and play. For those luck enough a trip to the coast, most likely Durban is an annual pilgrimage.

Winter takes a heavy toll on gardens but luckily South Africa has a myriad of indigenous plants well suited to the climate at the tip of Africa. The aloe family, savannah grasses and vygie range are all splendid. The clivia species are particularly well suited and the green foliage remains impressive through out winter, that is until the deep orange and sometimes yellow blooms burst out in early spring.

Snow capped mountains in the Drakensberg. Skiing in Teffendale. This time of the year can be so interesting if you just look in the right places. Clarens in the Free State is just heaven around now.

The view from the pool deck at the Polo Lounge is breathtaking. You overlook the Joburg Zoo. The abundance of trees confirms that this is the largest urban forest on the planet.

With the talk of the failure Northern Hemisphere banks and economies I am grateful for a South African banking system supported by prudent fiscal discipline and corporate governance.

How many countries have a special public holiday called “Youth Day”? A fitting recognition of the role of the youth in South African society.

I love South African warm winter days. Notwithstanding cold nights, during the day it can be a comfortable 18 to 20 degrees Celsius. Places like Pretoria and Durban deserve particular mention.

I feel a sense of pride that our political achievements over the past two decades are celebrated across the world. So much so that it can be a model for the Middle East, Zimbabwe and also where.

I never cease to be amazed by the abundance of role models that we are blessed to have here in South Africa. If you just look you will find greats like Nelson Mandela and the late Walter and Albertina Sisulu amongst others. In almost all walks of life there is someone that will inspire you.