Cresta Marakanelo fulfils one of the Vision 2016 pillars

Brand-new look for Cresta Marang Gardens

New GMs at Cresta Golfview and Cresta Sprayview

ISSUE 02 2014CRESTACallingKasane and Victoria Falls - Celebrate Africa’s beautiful landmarks

Contents

PUBLISHERRichard Lendrum

EDITORSibo Gumpo

ManaGInG EDITORDebbie Bassa

FOR aDVERTISInG COnTaCTMuchaneta Musarurwa (Zimbabwe)+263 4 788 066

Priscilla Katholo (Botswana) 267 391 2222

Michelle Hinrichsen (South africa)+27 11 881 1200

DESIGn anD LaYOUTSithabile ngubo

Cresta Calling is published by:Future Publishing (Pty) LtdPostal address:PO Box 3355, Rivonia, 2128

Physical address:no 9, Third ave, Rivonia 2128Telephone: 011 803 2040Fax: 011 803 2022Email: debbie@thefuture.co.zaWebsite: www.thefuturegroup.co.za

From the CEO 4

Cresta Moments 5

Cresta Golfview welcomes new General Manager

Getting to know Patience Musonza

Cresta Marakanelo donates a house in Kalamare

Cresta Marakanelo donates to Lady Khama Charitable Trust

Weddings at Cresta Jameson

The Chatters Restaurant experience at Cresta Lodge

Inglenook Restaurant at Cresta Churchill

Town Focus:

Kasane and Victoria Falls - Celebrate Africa’s beautiful landmarks 10

Brand-new look for Cresta Marang Gardens 14

Wine Review:

10 soul-warming Bordeaux blends to enjoy this winter 16

Chef’s Corner:

Chef Richard Dhaitiya of Cresta Churchill, Bulawayo 17

Tech Review:

Top 10 Travel Gadgets for 2014 18

Car Review:

Little Suzy – Suzuki Swift 1.2 20

Trivia 22

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20GFUTURE GROUP

FUTURE GROUP

G

14

From the CEO

Cresta Hotels is pleased and proud to have two exceptional operations in the prime tourist destinations of Chobe-Kasane in northern Botswana and Victoria Falls in northern Zimbabwe. We recognise that not only do these two properties hold high levels of attractiveness as individual operations but, equally important, they have enormous value as destinations at which visitors can enjoy both products in one single visit to this fascinating and exciting tourism area.

Cresta Sprayview at Victoria Falls has been operational since august last year and has already earned a reputation as a hospitality venue providing comfort, good cuisine, great service and value for money for local, regional and international visitors to the falls and surrounding area. Cresta Mowana has two decades of experience to its credit and has long been widely regarded as one of the finest safari destinations in Southern africa.

The Victoria Falls and Chobe areas offer africa at its best: abundant wildlife, spectacular natural wonders and unique cultural experiences in an unspoiled environment. a holiday in this area, which is earmarked for possible development of a transfrontier national park embracing this vast slice of wild africa and its many attractions, is a holiday never to be forgotten. Conference travel to this area is also a hugely satisfying experience.

Cresta Hotels is doing all it can to encourage sampling and enjoyment of this dual experience by visitors from all over the world, and welcomes efforts and plans by the national authorities in both countries to take steps that further enhance the attractiveness of this travel option, ranging from upgrading of infrastructure – including airports – to introducing a single visa to visitors undertaking regional travel. Our Group is also supportive of efforts to create greater awareness of both of these tourism destinations, as well as to ensure the sustainability of such tourism through environment-friendly management and operation of the resources, amenities and facilities. We would like to see greater numbers of visitors coming to the region, but this cannot be at the expense of the environment, upon which the travel and tourism sector and vast numbers of local people depend for their livelihood, now and in the future.

Glenn StutchburyChief Executive Officer, Cresta Hotel Group

Exceptional hotels in prime leisure destinations

www.crestahotels.com | www.crestamarakanelo.com | www.crestamowana.com | www.crestasprayview.comFacebook – www.facebook.com/crestahotels

We want to hear from you!Please feel free to submit your letters, questions and comments to Sibo Gumpo.Send your contributions to: sibo@crestahotels.com

4

Cresta Moments

Cresta Golfview welcomes new General Manager

The Board, Management and staff of Cresta Golfview Hotel are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Fungai Makani as the new General Manager of the hotel. Fungai,

a seasoned hotelier by profession, brings with him a wealth of industry experience in the region spanning over 20 years.

He holds a diploma in Hotel Management from the Bulawayo Hotel School where he graduated in 1990 and immediately joined Zimbabwe Sun Hotels as a trainee manager.

Rising through the ranks, Fungai’s first appointment as a fully-fledged General Manager was at the Hwange Safari Lodge. Later he moved to manage the Kingdom at Victoria Falls and the Victoria Falls Hotel. He then joined the Cresta Group as General Manager of the Cresta President in Gaborone, Botswana in 2007 until 2010, when he left to manage the iconic Leopard Rock Golf Resort Hotel in the Eastern Highlands, Zimbabwe.

We are excited about this great addition to the Cresta family. Please join us in welcoming Fungai specifically to Zambia and the Cresta Golfview Hotel.

Safari in the heart of Lusakaa herd of impala have been regularly spotted roaming freely on the grounds of Cresta Golfview!

Meet and Greet at Cresta Golfview

Cresta Golfview, Lusaka recently hosted a ‘meet and greet’ cocktail function to welcome and introduce the hotel’s new General Manager Mr Fungai Makani to

clients and members from the travel trade industry.

new GM of Cresta Golfview, Fungai Makani, and his team.

5

Cresta Moments

Getting to know Patience MusonzaGeneral Manager at Cresta Sprayview

It was family holidays when I was young that sparked my passion for the hotel industry. School holidays meant travelling to various resorts around Zimbabwe, and while my siblings were running

around on the children’s playground, I would stand and stare at hotel employees bustling with their duties, always looking impeccably groomed, even under the busiest and most trying circumstances. I was hooked!

On my final year of training, I had the opportunity to be attached at the Makasa Sun Hotel in Victoria Falls. It was like being thrown into the deep end as it was one of the busiest hotels at that time.

I believe it was due to my enthusiasm, passion for work and penchant for detail that I was offered a permanent position at the end of my attachment. I then joined Ilala Lodge. Through hard work and determination, I rose from being a junior in Front Office to Reservations Supervisor and eventually being promoted to the position of Food and Beverage Manager. The passion that I have for the hotel industry did not change during my 15 years at Ilala Lodge, but I longed for a new environment and a more challenging position. It was then that I moved to Victoria Falls Rainbow Hotel as Resident Manager and was promoted shortly thereafter to General Manager. I have found that in this position my hands-on experience, coupled with good communication, negotiating skills and a passionate eye for detail has come to bear fruit, with a major highlight being awarded the Best Performing Hotel in the RTG Group in 2013.

The way that I live my life and interact with work can be summed up in a quote from Paul J Meyer: ‘Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning and focused effort.

Outside work I am in love with nature, and that sees me doing a lot of nature walks and I am now developing an interest in nature photography.

Cresta Marakanelo fulfils one of the Vision 2016 pillars and donates a house in Kalamare

Guided by Vision 2016’s pillar of establishing a compassionate and caring nation, Cresta Marakanelo donated a house in Kalamare to Mme Onkatswitse

Mokgethi. The plight of Mme Mokgethi came to the Cresta’s attention after her story appeared in one of the local newspapers by a concerned individual. Cresta Marakanelo responded to the call and decided to build her a house. His Honour, the Vice-President Dr. P.H.K. Kedikilwe performed the official handover of the house

on Saturday 15 February 2014, and described the occasion as an example of an active participation in the realisation of the goals of Vision 2016.

Vice-President Kedikilwe thanked Cresta for a commendable gesture in giving Mme Mokgethi a sense of worth, self-esteem and pride, and challenged other stakeholders and the private sector to reflect on the contribution and recommit with a sense of pride to be counted among organisations that have made a difference in the lives of Batswana.

For his part, the Managing Director of Cresta Marakanelo, Mr Tawanda Makaya outlined various components and efforts of Cresta’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. Cresta Marakanelo’s commitment to support the local culture of communities in areas that the group operates, hopes to increase their economic activities which in turn will improve the livelihoods of those communities.

The event was graced by, among others, the Honourable Moiseraele Goya MP for Palapye who gave a vote of thanks on behalf of area MP Hon. Dikgang Philip Makgalemele, District Commissioner, Council Secretary, Dikgosi and other dignitaries and village residents.

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Cresta Moments

Weddings at Cresta Jameson

The Lady Khama Charitable Trust was founded in 2002 in Lady Ruth Khama’s honour by her son Seretse Khama Ian Khama. Through the Trust, the legacy of Lady Khama’s

community development work in Botswana, which mainly focused on children and women, has continued.

The Trust allocates its funds to dedicated projects in Botswana proposed by charitable organisations that can demonstrate good governance and financial discipline in their support of the disadvantaged, in particular women and children.

Since it opened in 1958, Cresta Jameson has been a popular venue for weddings, and around the world there are hundreds of couples who can trace the roots of their marital happiness

all the way back to the memorable and enjoyable event hosted by the hotel.

The hotel offers bridal couples venues for both the wedding ceremony and the reception. Within Cresta Jameson is a dedicated chapel and two banqueting rooms ideal for wedding receptions. Located in the heart of central Harare, it offers convenience for people who choose to have an indoor wedding event. When a bridal couple decide to tie the knot, they meet with members of the Cresta Jameson team to plan the wedding ahead of the big day, and at this point they are introduced to the features offered by the hotel to couples and their guests. The couple enjoy the benefit of a complimentary night in the Honeymoon Suite, together with complimentary sparkling wine and fruit. If they wish, they can have their wedding ceremony in the small but attractive chapel, and then go downstairs to the banqueting floor to enjoy their reception. The hotel works with the couple to select a menu that suits the event and to provide a finish and ambience that they will be proud of and will treasure all their lives.

Cresta Jameson has 123 bedrooms and suites and can host wedding guests and members of the wedding party at reasonable rates.

The chef and his kitchen staff enjoy preparing feasts for weddings and take care in ensuring the presentation and the quality is of the highest standard, well aware that the particular requirements of one of the most important days in the lives of the couple needs special care and attention. For the reception venue, couples can choose either the Zambezi Room, which hosts up to 150 guests, or the Sabi Limpopo Room, which can hold up to 100 people.

a Cresta Jameson wedding is an event to be savoured and remembered, and General Manager Tinashe Kuvheya and his team look forward to meeting brides- and grooms-to-be to discuss their plans for a wedding without compare.

Cresta Marakanelo generously donates to Lady Khama Charitable Trust

Mr Tawanda Makaya handing over the donated cheque to Dale ter Haar, Chairperson of Lady Khama Charitable Trust. Looking on is Patrick Chivese, Cresta Group Sales and Marketing Manager.

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Cresta Moments

The Chatters Restaurant experience at Cresta Lodge, Harare

Chatters is the ideal restaurant for business people, friends and families alike. Being located 6km out of the CBD in the freshness of surrounding hotel gardens, Chatters offers a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Salespersons, marketers and business developers, why not take your next client or prospect to Chatters restaurant during week days? The restaurant is a great place for a business meeting.

The beautiful grounds with lush green gardens surrounding Chatters make it an ideal spot for family getaways during weekends. It gives an ‘out of town but still in Harare’ atmosphere, and many a repeat guest has come to associate it as a place for creating and celebrating special moments, from birthdays, engagements, anniversaries, calendar functions (such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter brunch, Christmas luncheon), reunions and any special occasion.

Excite your taste buds with scrumptious buffets which feature a mix between traditional african cuisine and trendy Western delights.

Want to enjoy everything about a restaurant? Great food, great taste, great service, great prices? Chatters restaurant at Cresta Lodge in Harare gives you that all-round satisfaction!

The Inglenook Restaurant in Bulawayo’s Cresta Churchill hotel is one of that city’s most popular venues for dining out, where conference delegates, guests staying in the hotel and local residents meet and mingle in a cosy and welcoming atmosphere to enjoy fine food, quality beverages and enjoyable socialising.

The restaurant follows through the hotel’s chosen style of old-world charm and top-quality service, and has earned a reputation for being one of Bulawayo’s top dining venues. In several recent Zimbabwe On a Plate competitions - the leading annual national restaurant awards - the Inglenook has been a finalist in the deluxe family dining category, while members of staff have also been finalists in the service personality category.

as a venue for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the restaurant provides guests of the hotel with all they need to satisfy their culinary wishes: quality food, excellent presentation, efficient service, good portions and a memorable experience. The restaurant is, however, more than just a venue in which hotel guests can dine; it is also the place to host celebratory functions from birthday meals to corporate events, and people attending conferences in the hotel add a social and culinary element to their Cresta Churchill experience by enjoying a meal in the Inglenook.

Feedback is positive and many diners return regularly to sample the same or different dishes. Occasional entertainment is laid on to provide

diners with a musical background to their meals. General Manager Brian nyakutombwa and his team do not rest on their laurels and continually explore new ways of adding to the Inglenook experience, by adding new dishes to the options available, and by finding out what the expectations of diners are in a world in which people’s tastes change constantly.

Inglenook Restaurant at Cresta Churchill

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Air access to Cresta Hotels

BotswanaFrancistown: Saa, air Botswana, British airways, air namibia

Gaborone: Saa, air Botswana, British airways, air namibia, aIRLInK, Kenya airways

Kasane: Saa, air Botswana, British airways, air namibia, aIRLInK

Maun: Saa, air Botswana, British airways, air namibia, aIRLInK

ZambiaLusaka: Saa, air Botswana, British airways, air namibia, aIRLInK,

Kenya airways, LaM, Ethiopian airlines, Emirates

ZimbabweBulawayo: Saa, aIRLInK, air Zimbabwe

Harare: Saa, air Botswana, British airways, air namibia, air Zimbabwe, aIRLInK, Kenya airways, LaM, Ethiopian airlines, air Malawi, Emirates, KLM, Kulula.com

Victoria Falls: Saa, British airways, air namibia, aIRLInK, Kulula.com,air Zimbabwe

Planning your next trip to a Cresta Hotel?Below is a list of airlines servicing the destination cities of out hotels.

Flights to various destinations in and around Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia can be chartered through Cardinal Leisure.

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Town Focus

CelebrateAfrica’s beautiful landmarks

The african continent is rich in both wildlife and beauty and, as such, no explorer should miss the opportunity to visit the countries of Zimbabwe or Botswana. Zimbabwe

is perhaps best known for the breathtaking splendour that is Victoria Falls, while Botswana is rich in wildlife destinations, amongst them the renowned Chobe national Park, the Okavango Delta and the Caprivi Strip (now called the Zambezi Region).

an excellent way in which to see the sights in both countries is to plan a trip to Kasane in Botswana, followed by a stay in Zimbabwe to experience the Victoria Falls.

Kasane – a great base for experiencing Botswana wildlifeKasane is a town situated in the far north-eastern corner of Botswana, conveniently located nearby africa’s ‘Four Corners’ junction where neighbouring countries Botswana, namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe all meet. The town is situated on the banks of the Chobe River. It is also positioned at the north-eastern boundary of the popular Chobe national Park, making

the town the administrative centre of the Chobe District and creating a convenient access point for tourists to the park as well as for those wanting to visit the nearby Okavango Delta, the Caprivi Strip and Victoria Falls.

Kasane boasts a number of campsites and lodges, many of which offer day trips into the Chobe national Park and boat trips on the Chobe River. There are no boundary fences between the park and the village and as a result game such as elephants and hippos can frequently be seen wandering down the road and through the Kasane campsites.It’s a small, yet bustling town. Guests are able to access a number of garages, banks, shops and river lodges. Kasane also has an international airport just four kilometres outside the town, adding tremendously to its tourism and business. Kasane is a great base from which to view the wildlife in some of africa’s most famous reserves. There are four main nature reserves in and around Kasane: the Chobe national Park, Chobe Forest Reserve, Sibuyu Forest Reserve, and Kasane Forest Reserve.

By Samantha Du Chenne

10

Town Focus

Chobe National ParkChobe national Park has one of the largest concentrations of game in africa and, by size, is the third-largest park in the country and also the most diverse.The reserve is most famous for its abundant elephant population: it is said that 45 000 of these enormous creatures roam the plains, along with lion, buffalo, leopard, giraffe and cheetah.

a photographer’s dream, the park is also home to over 450 species of birdlife, as well as the indigenous puku and Chobe bushbuck. Due to the proximity of the park to the town of Kasane, it is an absolute must-see for those visiting and looking for things to do. Most of the surrounding lodges and camps facilitate a wide range of activities, including daytrips to the park on a daily basis.

Chobe Forest ReserveChobe Forest Reserve is an enclave largely surrounded by the Chobe national Park. To the north-west of it are seasonal marshes, Lake Liambezi and eventually, namibia. The Chobe Forest Reserve and the region to the north of it are areas designated for community-managed livestock and hunting.

The carefully managed hunting is administered by a company that owns a few small hunting camps in the reserve. The hunting aspect of the reserve should not deter guests from visiting, as the reserve contains good populations of wildlife that are managed sustainably.

Sibuyu Forest ReserveCamping and walking enthusiasts will find the Sibuyu Forest Reserve an ideal destination for walking safaris, especially around the pans. To the ancient San hunters and gatherers, this was a land of plenty that teemed with game and held abundant water, wild fruits and vegetables. Today the only traces of human existence and pre-historic activity lie at the ruins at nunga.

Kasane Forest ReserveIn this reserve, the Lesoma Valley offers campsites, walking safaris, and night game drives by local tour operators. The area has an abundant elephant population and legend has it that there is an elephant graveyard in the vicinity. Historically, it also served as a resting area for some of Botswana’s great past chiefs as they rested from the heat of the day during their hunting expeditions. The reserve teems with wildlife of all kinds that often passes through the area as they migrate from the Chobe River to the Zambezi River and the national parks of Zimbabwe.

The Chobe RiverVisitors to Kasane must remember to include a trip to the Chobe River on their agendas. The river serves as a base for many excursions in and around Kasane. The region is a popular fishing area and its location and physical connection with the Kasai channel and the Zambezi means that there are many operators offering fishing excursions at all levels.

In addition, many of the lodges in the area offer excellent boat cruises into the Chobe national Park itself. Indeed, the boat trips should not be missed for their spectacular sunsets – some of the best Botswana has to offer - while game-viewing from the boat is picturesque as animals gather at the water’s edge.

Kasane Hot Springsanother must-see local attraction is the Kasane Hot Springs. Surrounded by abundant wildlife, the springs are believed to hold medicinal powers, and the warm salty waters make an ideal relaxation destination from which to take in the expanse of Botswana at her best.

This natural mineral spring also serves as the wildlife corridor separating the neighbouring village of Kazungula, which make the springs a good point from which to view game. Locals and tourists alike are also able to enjoy fishing and birdwatching while surrounded by breathtaking scenery.

Where to stayCresta Mowana Safari Resort and Spa is located nearby the Chobe Game Reserve. The luxury lodge has been named for the 800-year-old baobab tree around which the property has been built. It is indeed a mythical place, situated on the banks of the Chobe River, where Botswana, Zimbabwe, namibia and Zambia meet and the point at which the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers converge. This is where the nyami nyami or River God has made its home, making the Chobe area around the lodge the ideal spot to learn about african myths and legends.

The four-star lodge offers 111 luxury rooms, as well as four suites. all accommodation faces the Chobe River and comes complete with mosquito nets, air-conditioning, tea- and coffee-making facilities, satellite television and many more amenities that make it an extremely comfortable home away from home.

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Town Focus

The next step: Victoria Falls, ZimbabweFrom Kasane, a visit to the Zimbabwean town of Victoria Falls makes infinite sense, so as not to miss out on the spectacular Victoria Falls, believed to be the largest sheet of falling water in the world and a UnESCO World Heritage Site. The Falls were ‘discovered’ more than a century ago by explorer David Livingstone. He named them for the reigning British Monarch at the time, Queen Victoria; while the local Makalolo tribesmen who guided him to the Falls had their own name for the natural wonder: ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ or the ‘smoke that thunders’.From the moment they were discovered, Victoria Falls became the area’s greatest tourist attraction. Situated between Zambia and Zimbabwe on the Zambezi River, there is much to see and do in the region for adventurers and nature lovers alike, not to mention the rich and fascinating history shared by the Falls and the surrounding towns.

Livingstone is famously quoted as saying that ‘scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight’ when attempting to describe the beauty of Victoria Falls. Indeed, visitors to the Falls cannot help but be awed by the breathtaking vista. arching above the spectacular view is the ever-present ‘rainbow’ that is created by the spray from which rises to a height of over 400 metres. Those who are lucky enough to time their visits with the full moon can expect to see a ‘moonbow’ in the spray – a truly magnificent sight. Both Zambia and Zimbabwe are well geared for tourism and the countries allow tourists to make day trips from each side; day visas are easily available from the border posts.

Other ‘not-to-be -missed’ destinationsThe areas surrounding Victoria Falls are a dream come true for lovers of adventure sports and there is much to keep even the most demanding of adventure-seekers occupied. Perhaps the most famous of these outdoor activities is the bungee jump from the Victoria Falls Bridge, a jump of 111 metres with the Falls in the background and the Zambezi River below. The bridge itself is one of the best vantage points of the area, offering 360 degree views from one side to the other.

White-water rafting is another draw card for adventure enthusiasts. Two-day, full-day or half-day trips are available, with 23 white-water rapids to negotiate amidst breath-taking scenery.

In fact, there is a vast array of outdoor activities on offer in the region, including game fishing, horse riding, kayaking, elephant and lion walks, canoe safaris, gorge swimming, abseiling and flights over the falls promising magnificent aerial views.

National Parks Of course, those wishing to view the Big Five will not be disappointed either. There are three national parks in the area: Mosi-oa-Tunya national Park, the Victoria Falls national Park and the Zambezi national Park. The parks have a wide variety of game including elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, antelope, lion and leopard, as well as the hippos and crocodiles that are found in the river above the falls.

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Town Focus

Getting thereCurrent upgrading of international airports in northern Zimbabwe and Botswana will help facilitate increased numbers of tourist arrivals in these areas, a much-needed development

that hoteliers will warmly welcome. These developments will also enhance efforts to ensure people have unique access to a double-headed holiday experience with a package that includes stays at both Cresta Sprayview in Victoria Falls and Cresta Mowana in Kasane.

There is currently an upgrade taking place at the Victoria Falls airport, which will take an estimated two years to complete. The overhaul includes the extension of the current runway as well as the construction of a second, 4 000m runway. In addition, a new car park, internal road network and terminal will be built. Both KLM and Emirates have announced their intention to launch long-haul flights directly to Victoria Falls, as opposed to commuting via Harare as is currently the case.

The overhaul will allow the airport to accommodate larger aircraft, and increase passenger capacity from 500 000 to 1.5 million. Botswana’s Department of Civil aviation is also undertaking a project to increase the runway length at Kasane International airport and to upgrade all facilities related to air and passenger services.

Victoria Falls and Kasane are able to handle significant increases in tourist arrivals without any infrastructure development, because most hotels have in recent years upgraded or expanded their facilities, and although tourism has improved, there is both a need for and an ability to cope with further improvement. “We at Cresta are ready and able to cope with the much-needed increase in tourist numbers and we look forward to enjoying the benefits of the airport developments in both countries, especially for Cresta Sprayview and Cresta Mowana,” said Cresta Hotels’ CEO, Glenn Stutchbury.

Where to stayThe Cresta Sprayview Hotel is 20 minutes from the Victoria Falls International airport and is one of the first hotels you encounter as you get into town. The hotel is ideally situated within 10 minutes of the town of Victoria Falls with its accompanying restaurants and curio markets, and a short 20-minute walk to the falls themselves. Set on eight acres of manicured grounds, the hotel offers a tranquil oasis from which to enjoy all Victoria Falls has to offer. alfresco dining and the large swimming pool make the hotel a relaxing retreat for families, international travellers and honeymooners. The hotel has recently been refurbished. all the modern amenities such as satellite television, room service, conference facilities, a business centre and Wi-Fi in public areas are available. accommodation includes 60 standard rooms, as well as two suites and three family suites. all rooms are equipped with air-conditioning to combat the high summer temperatures the region can experience. With a long history in the area, the Sprayview Hotel originally opened its doors in the 1970s and was run by the Gardini family who recently entered into an agreement with Cresta Hotels to operate the property, which is rated as a three-star establishment.

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14

Improvements

Francistown’s Cresta Marang Gardens Hotel has recently undergone a brand-new, 10-million-pula revamp, and guests can look forward to an even better experience

at their favourite Francistown hotel. The upgrade creates a huge impact on the establishment, with a bright and airy feel throughout the hotel.

Group Operations Manager, Jonathan Cox enthusiastically describes the refurbishment: “all the bedrooms have been refurbished and the new decor scheme incorporates both the look and feel of the Cresta brand, as well as the surrounding environment. In addition, the restaurant and reception areas have been renovated to create a more open, airy and spacious atmosphere. alterations have also been made to all public areas and toilets, as well as the conference and board rooms.”Cox adds that the hotel was due for a revamp, as it has been eight years since the last time it was refurbished, with the exception of soft furnishings. Built in 1980, the Cresta Marang Gardens has become a firm landmark on the map of Francistown.

It was business as usual while the refurbishment was taking place. So as not to disturb hotel guests, the work was done in three phases, starting initially with the bedrooms, restaurant and reception, followed by the public areas, and finally the conference and board room facilities.

Guests can now look forward not only to dining in a new-look restaurant, but also to sampling dishes from the recently launched buffet and à la carte menus. Look out for hearty, traditional home-cooked meals with a twist. Moreover, the hotel’s cocktail lounge has become something of a local hotspot, where Francistown residents gather to unwind after a busy day.

Guests are invited to sample a host of brand-new cocktails that have been launched on the menu, along with all the old favourites. There are also daily specials on draft beers. “The hotel is serious about impeccable service, which is why customer-focused training has recently been implemented, with a special focus on the food and beverage service areas,” Cox adds.

Located on the banks of the Tati River, the Cresta Marang Gardens Hotel has much to offer business and leisure travellers alike. The beautiful gardens and proximity to the river provide the ideal setting for relaxation, whilst the freshly revamped business centre, conferencing and boardroom facilities provide all the technology and equipment the business traveller requires. In addition, the hotel is located in close proximity to Francistown’s CBD.

Other amenities include air-conditioning in all the rooms, as well as free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre, casino, cocktail bar and restaurant that offers both à la carte and buffet dining options. The beautiful gardens boast a sparkling outdoor pool and a children’s play area. aside from the main hotel, a campsite is situated in the grounds of Marang Gardens, offering overland explorers the option to set up tent and use all the facilities on site. Golfing enthusiasts will enjoy the private golf club, which is about 30km from the hotel. Special rates for residents can be organised through the hotel.

Francistown itself is the second-largest city in Botswana. It was the centre of southern africa’s first gold rush and, as such, the city still houses a number of abandoned mines which make for interesting sightseeing. Being 90km from the international border with Zimbabwe, Francistown is ideally located as a stopover before forays into the Makgadikgadi Pans.

Brand-new look for Cresta Marang Gardens

By Samantha Du Chenne

14

Wine Review

10 soul-warming Bordeaux blends to enjoy this winter

1. Aaldering Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot 2010 Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 65%, Merlot 35%a new estate to me, I thoroughly enjoyed this wine. Offering aromas of blackcurrant and strawberries – its solid 24 months’ of aging on French oak results in a bold, yet fruity palate with hints of black pepper and chocolate. If you’re visiting the farm in Stellenbosch, don’t miss the Pinotage either.

2. Allée Bleue L’Amour Toujours 2009Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Merlot 26%, Cabernet Franc 27%, Grenache Noir 7%Winemaker Van Zyl du Toit is a genius in the cellar. One of three in the Platinum Range, this was Van Zyl’s first vintage at allée Bleue. a wonderful rich, dark-red colour greets you. The nose boasts intense fynbos, cinnamon and clove aromas, followed by nuances of cedarwood, mocha and coffee. The palate is well structured with flavours of red berries, chocolate and stewed fruits.

3. Diemersdal MM Louw Estate Red 2011Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 56%, Merlot 38%, Cabernet Franc 2%, Petit Verdot 2%, Malbec 2%

This classically styled Bordeaux blend displays the best of the Diemersdal’s vineyards. Being Cabernet driven, the nose shows lead-pencil shavings, fresh red berries and blackcurrants. On the palate all components are in balance with a lengthy elegant finish.

4. Glenelly Lady May 2010Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 90%, Petit Verdot 10%named after estate owner and world-entrepreneur Lady May, this wine is Glenelly’s flagship wine. Elegant and complex, the wine develops flavours of blackcurrant, raspberry and delicate spices. Very fresh, the evolution of the wine introduces flavours of mint reflecting the specific terroir of Glenelly. Deep and perfectly balanced, the wine has an exquisite structure with velvety tannins.

5. Hidden Valley Hidden Gems 2010Blend: Cabernet Sauvingon 58%, Petit Verdot 42%Cabernet Sauvignon leads this rounded blend with pleasing aromas of cassis, blueberry, eucalyptus and an underlying minerality. The wine is full-bodied, deep crimson, showing a harmonious balance between supple tannins and a fruit-driven palate - a multi-layered offering of ripe plums, blackberries and dried herbs. nuances of undergrowth and pencil shavings add complexity. a smooth and lingering finish makes this wine a winner.

6. Morgenster 2010Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 25%, Merlot 48%, Petit Verdot 7%, Cabernet Franc 20%This is a bold but smooth red wine. an opaque centre with vibrant, darker red edges leads you into a nose of lead pencil, cigar box and cassis sweetness. an elegant mouth displays dark berry fruit and a well-balanced minerality, which adds a lot of weight. Velvety tannins have a firmness and focus to the end.

7. Ntida Calligraphy 2011Blend: Merlot 55%, Cabernet Franc 27%, Cabernet Sauvignon 10%, Petit Verdot 8%This farm in Durbanville is no stranger to cleaning out in the awards department. This Bordeaux blend is one of my favourites from a valley normally known for its white wines. Expect velvety smooth cocao flavours and cherry gateau, but never harsh (a wine I wouldn’t necessarily need to pair with a meal). It’s impressively complex, while being completely accessible at the same time.

8. Raka Quinary 2009 It’s no wonder this wine won a Best Value award in the Top 100 Sa Wines 2013. Raka Quinary is a consistently great wine, and the 2009 vintage doesn’t disappoint. Its rich, deep ruby colour gives way to smooth flavours of ripe berries, black cherries, spicy hints and some vanilla, supported by silky tannins. It’s a well-balanced wine overall.

9. Saronsberg Provenance Rooi 2010Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 40%, Merlot 32%, Malbec 10%, Petit Verdot 7%, Cabernet Franc 7%The first thing that catches your eye is the colourful, funky label. But don’t let this fool you into thinking this is not a serious wine! Saronsberg’s Provenance Rooi has a dark, alluring colour with flavours of red berry, cassis and integrated oak. The tannin is firm and well-balanced with a full-bodied elegant finish.

10. Warwick Trilogy 2010Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Cabernet Franc 29%, Merlot 11%Warwick’s Trilogy was given a 4½ star rating by Platters 2013! an intense ruby-red colour prepares you for a bouquet of cherries, blackcurrants and dark chocolate. The pallet is full bodied with firm but silky tannins. Warwick recommends decanting this wine to allow its full essence to be expressed.

By Sasha Van Zyl, Winemag.co.za

If you’re reading this, two things are certain: one, you’re a lover of wine, and two, you’re looking for some great red wine to enjoy over the coming cold months. Well, you’re in for a treat! These 10 Bordeaux blends are all world-class wines and will give you many hours of drinking pleasure.

Source: www.winemag.co.za16

Sesame seed and black pepper-crusted chicken breast with honey and mustard dressingIngredients• 1mediumsizechickenbreast• 50gmixedbellpeppers• 10gcourgettes• 10gsesameseeds• 2gcrushedblackpeppercorn• 10mlhoney• 5gwholegrainmustard• 5mloliveoil• Saltandpeppertotaste• Soysauce• 10gchoppedrosemary

MethodSeason chicken breast with salt and dredge in a mixture of sesame seeds and crushed peppercorns. Grill peppers and courgettes on a hot grill. Grill the breast and set aside. Baste the breast with a mixture of soy sauce and honey and oil. Add more peppercorns and chopped rosemary. Put chicken breast and vegetables in a baking tray and bake for 20 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius. Serve sliced with grilled vegetables, mango slices and juices from the tray.

Chef’s Corner

CHEF’S CORNERChef Richard Dhaitiya of Cresta Churchill, Bulawayo cooks up a storm and shares some of his tasty recipes.

Ingredients• 100 cream cheese• 50gbutter• 100g tennis biscuits• 10g sugar• 50gcondensedmilk• 2ml vanilla extract• 20ml lime juice• Strawberry jelly

Lime cheesecake with passion fruit coulisMethodCrush tennis biscuits in a large plastic packet. (Use a rolling pin to crush into fine crumbs.) Put in bowl and add melted butter and sugar and stir well to combine. In a mould-ring press the biscuit mixture in firmly, making it flat. Now chill the crustinthefreezerfor15minuteswhilstyoumakethefilling.Beat the cream cheese using an electric mixture on medium, until smooth. Beat in the condensed milk, little by little, and then add lime juice and vanilla and mix well to combine. Pour the filling into the crust, smooth the top, coat with strawberry jelly, coverwithcling-wrapand refrigerate for5hours.Unmouldcheesecake and serve with passion fruit coulis.

Churchill CarpetbaggerIngredients• 200g beef tenderloin• 1 garlic clove• Chopped parsley• Kosher salt• 50gSeafoodmix(shrimps,mussel,crabandcalamari)• 2 rashers streaky bacon• 20mlvegetableoil• Freshlygroundblackpeppertotaste

MethodPut the seafood mix in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Allow to soak for 10 minutes, and then drain. Chop seafood coarsely and set aside. Heat a pan over medium heat with vegetable oil. Add garlic and cook for a minute stirring. Add seafood and cook until it starts to brown. Remove from heat, allow to cool, then stir in the parsley and season with kosher salt and black pepper. Put steak on the work surface and using a sharp knife, make a large pocket on the side of the steak - do not cut through or the filling will not hold. Stuff the steak with seafood mix and wrap with bacon. Heat a ridged grill to high, brush steak with oil and season. Place steak on the grill and grill until the surface of steak is seared with grill marks. Finish in oven for15minutesandservewithredwinejus,béarnaisesauceandfondant potatoes.

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Tech Review

1. GoPro Hero 3+

Want to catch your snorkel, dive and skiing trips in HD video or try your hand at vlogging? The GoPro Hero 3+ is the camera renowned for capturing memories, serious action-adventure and wide landscapes. With the push of a button, you can now create immersive memories. For folks who don’t want to fidget with f-stops and focusing, this is your magic pony! I just got one and this latest version is a real improvement on the last - it allows better low-light videos, crisper images, it allows you to connect via Wi-Fi and syncs to your iPhone, iPad or smartphone device for remote viewing, and it has longer battery life.

2. Olloclip 3-in-1 lens

The Olloclip 3-in-1 lens is not cheap for a tiny lens, but if you’re going to take photos with your unlocked iPhone, then why not get three great lenses for the price of one? The Olloclip lens has a Fisheye Lens, Macro Lens, and Wide-angle Lens, and all will offer a dramatic difference to your normal lens. The fisheye and wide-angle lenses allow for nice, wide-angled pictures. Yes, wide (almost double the normal view). It’s a fabulous solution if you ever wanted to take panoramic shots. note: Before buying make sure you’ve got the right lens for your mobile device model.

Top 10 Travel Gadgets for 2014 By Christine Kaaloa

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Tech Review

3. Manduka SuperLite Travel Yoga Mat

If you’re a traveller who occasionally likes to take their yoga practice on the road, you’ll love the Manduka SuperLite Travel Yoga Mat. Once you’ve tried a Manduka, you might never want to go back. Manduka mats are heavy-duty yoga mats with a solid grip; and face it, no one likes sliding on their sweat, when it comes to holding postures. Owning a regular Manduka mat is ideal, but packing that mat will definitely weigh down your bag. This travel size is much lighter (2 lbs) and it folds to fit any travel space or purse. Size:68” x 24” x 1/16”

4. SteriPEN Traveler Water Purifier

Travelling to a country where the water is undrinkable? The SteriPEn Traveler Water Purifier is still on the top of the list when it comes to water purifiers for travel. This is one gadget I’m still waiting for someone to give to me. anyone?For more courageous travellers and campers, who don’t mind sipping straight from a river, there’s the Life Straw.

5. Eco-friendly (and reusable) water bottles

The Vapur water bottle is a wonderful, eco-friendly way to reuse your water bottle and avoid bottled water rip-off at the airport. Foldable and collapsible and fitting easily into a purse or pocket, it’s one of my top recommended travel gifts. another way to stay travel cool with the environment is to use the Bobble Water Bottle. While the hard plastic doesn’t allow it to be collapsible, it comes with a water filter made of activated charcoal, which purifies your H20 from the tap, before you drink it. note: This filter will not take the place of a water purifier in a country with bad drinking water.

6. Flip & Tumble tote bag

Do you plan to do a little grocery shopping abroad, need a bag to hang dry clothes in when you shower at a hostel or ever carry an extra fold-up bag to hold your personal items or souvenirs on a plane? If you’ve said Yes to any of this, then reusable totes come in extra handy. My favourite tote is the Flip & Tumble tote bag. This little bag can morph into so many uses. It’s saved me countless times, so I always put one in my day pack or purse. Why do I prefer it over other bags? It’s a nice stretchy nylon bag that can carry up to 25 lbs and balls up like a sock in seconds flat!

7. External Battery Chargers

These days, it can be a challenge to travel light. With all the tech gadgets we carry, we need more efficient and consistent solutions to staying powered up, when we travel. That’s where external battery chargers come in. While the anker astro Series

(3E) at 10,000 mah and new Trent iGeek at 11200 mah may be cell phones in size (kinda big), the reviews hold it to good performance of holding your tablets, smartphones and GoPros charged an impressive amount of lifetimes.

8. Belkin SurgePlus Travel Charger Surge Protector

Gone are those days when I packed my 12”battery power strip in my luggage. Welcome to the Belkin SurgePlus Mini Travel Charger. Belkin has had this charger out for years, but only now has my reliance upon USB technology has broadened. This charger is a little on the chunky side (more like half a power strip) but it has three outlets and two USB Ports (2.1 aMP / 10 Watt), which is necessary for my USB devices.

9. Clever Travel Companion underwear

at the risk of sounding like a billboard, the Clever Travel Companion underwear makes my top travel gadget list for 2014. The Clever Travel Companion underwear for men and women is an innovative approach to storing valuables where thieves and pickpockets would never find them… in your underwear! Zippered pockets are sewn into the underwear shorts for added secrecy.

10. Samsung Dual View & MultiView cameras

When it comes to consumer cameras, many don’t know that Samsung is a leader in advanced technology with the introduction of smart cameras.

Years ago, I claimed the Samsung Dual View Camera as the inspiration and solution for solo travellers (Read my review). In 2009, it was the first camera that took self-portraits. With just a finger tap to activate a front LCD screen, you could take a picture of yourself while looking in the view finder. Better yet, it offered a smile detection feature, which took your photo whenever you smiled… hands-free, this was by far the most awesome feature any camera offered. In addition, it had a vibrating touch screen to navigate a menu and finger swiping to view your pictures! This was before any smartphone device offered these things.

now with Samsung MultiView MV800, you get a 180 degree swivel viewfinder, motion detection (you control the camera’s zoom and snap with hand motions) and Wi-Fi photo publish to Facebook, Picasa and e-mail (review in the future). The camera has a load of complex goodies you may or may not use, like 3D or panorama, but hands down, it’s one of the best and most innovative consumer cameras you’ll find out there.

Source: http://grrrltraveler.com/ 19

Little Suzy – Suzuki Swift 1.2

any cash-conscious motorist used to driving a Volkswagen Citi Golf or a Toyota Tazz on a daily basis will not need reminding of just how far mainstream motoring

has come since the stone age of who knows… 2009.

The venerable VW Citi Golf was built new in South africa until production finally ended in 2009 – lest we forget - and that famed mobiliser of South africans had no air-conditioning, no anti-lock braking, no power steering, no airbags, no auto lock doors and no ‘bong’ to register that the seatbelt was not fastened.

Worse still, in a Citi Golf, the windscreen wipers barely worked, the tiny wing mirrors adjusted with manual prongs, the driving position gave the driver back and knee ache, the retro-shaped body caught crosswinds like a kite, and the clutch pedal felt like it was set in concrete, while the brake pedal felt as sturdy as a piece of dental floss.

The 1,4-litre engine may have had fuel injection, but it responded as if it was carburetted, and the suspension did little more than feel like a bag of bolts. What do you expect from a 30-year-old design?

Imagine then, the amazement a regular South african motorist would feel when he or she climbs aboard a new Suzuki Swift 1.2 with its vast array of standard equipment. Try: air-conditioning, power windows, electrically operated mirrors, two airbags, a radio with CD, MP3 and USB compatibility, front fog lamps and a trip computer. If the VW Citi Golf is the context, then the Suzuki Swift 1.2 will feel like being upgraded to business class on a flight to the Far East.

The Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL starts life at R136 900 and, at that price, it is the second-cheapest Swift presently on offer.

The Swift 1.2 Ga is R10 000 cheaper but it does not come with anti-lock braking so we really cannot recommend it with a clear conscience.

In fact, the only optional extra on the 1.2 Swift range is alloy wheels to replace the 14-inch steelies with hubcaps, but Suzuki says the high profile rubber that wraps around their small tyres actually makes for a comfier ride, and we cannot argue with that. One cannot realistically ask for a whole lot more for the money than the Swift 1.2 hatch offers.

Road Test

By Chris Riley

20

There is, however, a small catch – because while the ‘bigger’ and more lavishly equipped Suzuki Swift 1.4 is built in Japan, the 1.2 GL we’ve had on test is built in India through Suzuki’s Far Eastern bedfellows, Maruti.

Maruti is colossal as far as car-making goes in India: they build 3 500 cars per day or one every 16 seconds - or how about two million a year. Better than that, Maruti have come first for the last 14 years in India’s quality and customer satisfaction survey.

That does not appear to be damning the Swift 1.2 with faint praise because we were highly impressed by the Swift 1.2’s build quality. The simple dash layout is identical to that of any other Swift, and all the important parts like the LCD audio system display and trip computer and dials come straight out of the higher-spec Swift anyway.

Better still, the other plastics feel nicely finished and the dash fitment is devoid of rattles or any unpleasant edges. First impressions are that it is better nailed-together than a Honda Brio, the other Indian-built, Japanese-brand car on the local market.

The engine in question that powers the smallest Swift 1.2 is a free-spinning 1,2-litre four-cylinder which makes a perfectly adequate 63 kW at 6000 r/min and 113 nm of torque at 4 400 r/min.

Fuel consumption is rated at 5,7 l/100 km and CO2 emissions at just 134 g/km and we were able to match that fuel economy figure on our test route.

The engine is small and non-turbo, but makes use of variable valve timing to improve the balance of good fuel economy and usable power. The crankshaft is offset to make sure quietness and refinement is paramount to the Swift 1.2 experience. There was a five-speed manual in our test unit but there is also a four-speed auto option.

The Swift 1.2 enjoys smooth, light-footed driving dynamics in 1.2 guise – almost making the more grown up Swift 1.4 feel heavy, stodgy, and ever so slightly cumbersome by comparison.

This Swift 1.2 feels more like the original Suzuki Swift we all fell in love with when they first arrived in South africa. nimble, revvy and just a pleasure to drive; even if you have not just climbed out of a 1.4 Citi Golf.

The new Swift 1.2-litre GL retails for R136 900 and that price includes CO2 tax, VaT and a 2-year/60 000 km service plan, a 3-year/100 000 km warranty.

R136 900

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Road Test

21

• FourofthefivefastestlandanimalsliveinAfrica-thecheetah, wildebeest, lion, and Thomson’s gazelle.

• Lions normally walk 4 km/h, but can run 48-59 km/h. They are also able to leap distances of up to 12m. a single lion needs approximately 10-20 large animals per year to sustain it.

• Giraffes are 2m tall when they are born. Even though their necks can be 2-2.5m in length, giraffes have the same number of vertebrae in their necks as humans (seven). The tallest animal on earth is the giraffe, its horn tops being up to six metres above ground level. Giraffes have the largest eyes of any land mammal. Other animals on the savannah (such as zebras, ostriches, antelopes) use giraffes as watchtowers or observation posts for predators. a giraffe’s heart can pump 61 litres of blood in one minute! Did you know that the tongue of a giraffe can be as long as 45cm? They can reach their ears with their tongue!

• Hippos excrete a red liquid from their pores, which protects their skin from sun and infection. Hippos can open their mouths up to 150 degrees wide. adult hippos have only two enemies in the world: other hippos and humans.

• Zebras each have their own personal striping pattern. This makes identification of individuals easy for researchers. While several attempts have been made over the last two centuries, zebras have never been successfully domesticated.

• SouthAfricahasapenguin colony which thrives thanks to the cold antarctic currents on the west coast near the Cape.

• Madagascaristhehomeoftheworld’slargestaswellasthe smallest chameleons. almost half of the world’s chameleon species live on the island of Madagascar.

• Thelargestseal colony in the southern hemisphere is at Cape Cross in namibia.

• Theworld’sbiggestfrogisfoundinCameroon.Namedthe Goliath frog, the body can be up to 30cm long.

• TheNile crocodile is the planet’s largest living reptile, growing to an average length of 5m.

• TheAfrican elephant is the largest living land mammal. an elephant can weigh up to 6-7 tons and has no natural enemies for he is not a predator and there is none large enough to challenge him. Elephants drink up to 160 litres of water per day. an african elephant possesses such ‘manual’ dexterity in its trunk tip that it can actually turn the pages of a book with it.

• Thegorilla is the largest of the living primates - male gorillas weighing up to 200kg - yet they are shy and retiring.

• Thecheetah is the fastest land animal at 95 km/h.

• Theworld’slargestandheaviestbeetle,theGoliath beetle is found in tropical africa. It can reach a length of 12.5cm and weigh up to 225g.

• Havingawingspanofonly1.25cm,thesmallestbutterflyisin the world is found in South africa. It is known as the Dwarf blue butterfly.

• Theonlyplacewhereschoolsoffreshwatersardines are found is in Lake Tanganyika.

Trivia

African Animal Trivia

Source: www.golivelife.com/funstuff/trivia.html

SUDOKO

22

The Gateway to Southern Africa

www.crestahotels.com

HotelsWhere one smile starts another

Cresta Hotels, the Gateway to Unique Destinations in Southern Africa

Central Reservations:South Africa - Johannesburg

T (+27 11) 881 1234 / 0861 27 37 82 F (+27 11) 881 1222

E reservations@crestahotels.com

Selebi-Phikwe - Cresta Bosele

Palapye - Cresta Botsalo

Francistown - Cresta ThapamaFrancistown - Cresta Marang Gardens

Gaborone - Cresta LodgeGaborone - Cresta President

Mahalapye - Cresta Mahalapye

Bulawayo - Cresta Churchill

Kasane - Cresta Mowana Safari Resort & Spa

Victoria Falls - Cresta Sprayview

Lusaka - Cresta Golfview

Maun - Cresta Riley’s

Harare - Cresta JamesonHarare - Cresta LodgeHarare - Cresta Oasis

Jwaneng - Cresta Jwaneng