Why have Converse All Stars remained popular since the 1900s. How did Chuck Taylor influence the sneaker’s success. What makes All Stars a versatile wardrobe staple. How has sneaker culture evolved in South Africa. Why are limited edition sneakers highly sought after in the country.
The Enduring Legacy of Converse All Stars
Converse All Stars have been a dominant force in sneaker culture since 1917, captivating generations of wearers with their timeless appeal. These iconic shoes have transcended their original purpose as basketball footwear to become a global fashion staple, beloved by celebrities, students, and everyone in between.
The enduring popularity of All Stars can be attributed to several factors:
- Rich history and cultural significance
- Versatility in style and function
- Durability and longevity
- Iconic design that has remained largely unchanged
- Ability to express individual personality
Chuck Taylor: The Man Behind the Legend
The story of Converse All Stars is inextricably linked to Charles “Chuck” Taylor, an American basketball player who played a pivotal role in the sneaker’s rise to fame. In 1923, Taylor became a brand ambassador for Converse, lending his name and expertise to the development and promotion of the All Star shoe.
Taylor’s influence on the sneaker’s design and marketing was so significant that the shoes eventually became known as “Chuck Taylors” or simply “Chucks.” His contributions included:
- Improving the shoe’s flexibility and support for enhanced on-court performance
- Adding the distinctive ankle patch featuring the Chuck Taylor name
- Conducting basketball clinics across the United States to promote the shoes
- Establishing All Stars as the go-to footwear for basketball players at all levels
From Basketball Courts to Fashion Runways
As the popularity of All Stars grew beyond the basketball court, they began to find favor among diverse groups:
- Soldiers adopted them during World War II for their comfort and durability
- Olympic athletes wore them in various competitions
- Artists, musicians, and counterculture movements embraced them as a symbol of rebellion and individuality
- Fashion designers incorporated them into high-end collections, cementing their status as a style icon
The Versatility of All Stars in South African Fashion
In South Africa, Converse All Stars have become a wardrobe essential, appreciated for their ability to complement a wide range of outfits and occasions. Their versatility is particularly valued in a country known for its diverse fashion landscape.
How do All Stars adapt to various settings in South Africa?
- Casual outings: Paired with jeans and a t-shirt for a classic, laid-back look
- Work environments: Dressed up with chinos or a skirt for a creative office setting
- Special events: Some fashion-forward individuals even incorporate them into wedding attire
- Travel: Lightweight and comfortable, making them ideal for exploring new destinations
All Stars as a Cultural Signifier
In South Africa’s multicultural society, sneakers often serve as a way to express one’s identity and geographic roots. All Stars, in particular, have strong associations with certain communities:
- Soweto residents are known for their love of Converse All Stars
- The shoes are popular among students at universities like the University of Cape Town
- They’re a common sight at creative hubs and artistic venues across the country
The Rise of Sneaker Culture in South Africa
While All Stars have long been popular in South Africa, recent years have seen an explosion in sneaker culture across the country. This phenomenon has transformed sneakers from mere footwear into coveted fashion items and status symbols.
What factors have contributed to the growth of sneaker culture in South Africa?
- Influence of global hip-hop culture and its intersection with local music scenes
- Rise of social media and the desire to showcase one’s style online
- Increasing disposable income among urban youth
- Growing appreciation for sneakers as collectible items and investments
The Emergence of “Sneakerheads”
As sneaker culture has taken root in South Africa, a community of enthusiasts known as “sneakerheads” has emerged. These individuals are passionate about collecting, trading, and showcasing rare and limited-edition sneakers.
What characterizes the sneakerhead subculture in South Africa?
- Knowledge of sneaker history and design
- Willingness to queue for hours to purchase new releases
- Active participation in online forums and social media groups dedicated to sneakers
- Interest in customizing and personalizing sneakers
Limited Edition Sneakers: A New Form of Luxury
The sneaker craze in South Africa has led to a surge in demand for limited edition releases, with some models fetching astronomical prices. These exclusive sneakers have become a new form of luxury item, prized for their rarity and cultural cachet.
Examples of limited edition sneakers that have made waves in South Africa include:
- The AKA x Reebok collaboration, which sold out within minutes of its online release in 2019
- Bathu’s Opel GSI edition, with only 80 pairs produced and sold for 397,000 rand each
- Collaborations between international brands and local artists or designers
The Dark Side of Sneaker Hype
While the limited edition sneaker market has created excitement and opportunities, it has also raised concerns about accessibility and social inequality. Critics argue that the exorbitant prices of some sneakers are widening the gap between social classes and promoting a culture of materialism.
What are some potential negative consequences of the sneaker hype?
- Financial strain on young people who feel pressured to keep up with trends
- Rise in sneaker-related crime, including theft and counterfeiting
- Exploitation of workers in the global supply chain to meet demand
- Environmental concerns related to overconsumption and waste
The Art of Sneaker Customization
As sneaker culture has evolved in South Africa, so too has the art of sneaker customization. Many enthusiasts now view their shoes as blank canvases for personal expression, leading to a thriving scene of sneaker artists and customizers.
How do South African artists approach sneaker customization?
- Hand-painted designs inspired by local art and culture
- Integration of traditional beadwork or fabric patterns
- Collaboration with graffiti artists for unique urban-inspired looks
- Modification of existing designs to create one-of-a-kind pieces
Graffiti and Sneaker Culture
The connection between graffiti art and sneaker culture is particularly strong in South Africa. Artists like Rasik “Mr.ekse” Green have gained recognition for their ability to translate street art aesthetics onto sneakers, creating wearable works of art that tell a story.
What makes graffiti-inspired sneaker designs appealing?
- They reflect the vibrancy and energy of urban South African culture
- Each pair is unique, allowing wearers to stand out from the crowd
- The designs often incorporate elements of local slang, music, or social commentary
- They represent a fusion of global street culture with distinctly South African influences
The Future of Sneaker Culture in South Africa
As sneaker culture continues to evolve in South Africa, it faces both challenges and opportunities. The industry must navigate issues of sustainability, inclusivity, and cultural authenticity while continuing to innovate and excite consumers.
What trends are likely to shape the future of sneaker culture in South Africa?
- Increased focus on locally-designed and manufactured sneakers
- Growing demand for sustainable and ethically-produced footwear
- Integration of technology, such as smart features or AR experiences
- Continued collaboration between international brands and local talent
- Expansion of sneaker culture into new demographics and regions
The Enduring Appeal of Converse All Stars
Despite the rapid changes in sneaker culture, Converse All Stars remain a constant presence in South Africa’s fashion landscape. Their timeless design and cultural significance ensure that they will continue to be cherished by sneaker enthusiasts and casual wearers alike.
Why will All Stars likely maintain their popularity in South Africa?
- They represent a link to global youth culture and creative expression
- Their simple design allows for easy customization and personalization
- They offer an affordable entry point into sneaker culture for many consumers
- The shoes carry nostalgic value for multiple generations of South Africans
Embracing Diversity in South African Sneaker Culture
As sneaker culture in South Africa continues to grow, it is increasingly reflecting the country’s diverse population and rich cultural heritage. This fusion of global trends with local influences is creating a unique sneaker landscape that celebrates individuality and creativity.
How is diversity shaping South African sneaker culture?
- Incorporation of traditional African patterns and materials into sneaker designs
- Rise of local brands that cater to specific cultural or regional preferences
- Increased representation of diverse models and influencers in sneaker marketing
- Collaborations that highlight South Africa’s multicultural identity
The Role of Social Media in Shaping Trends
Social media platforms have become powerful drivers of sneaker culture in South Africa, allowing enthusiasts to connect, share their collections, and stay informed about the latest releases. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have given rise to a new generation of sneaker influencers who shape trends and opinions within the community.
How does social media impact sneaker culture in South Africa?
- Facilitates the rapid spread of information about new releases and collaborations
- Provides a platform for showcasing personal style and customized sneakers
- Enables direct communication between brands and consumers
- Creates a sense of community among sneaker enthusiasts across the country
As sneaker culture continues to evolve in South Africa, it remains a vibrant and dynamic aspect of the country’s fashion landscape. From the enduring appeal of Converse All Stars to the excitement of limited edition releases, sneakers have become more than just footwear – they are a means of self-expression, a marker of cultural identity, and a reflection of South Africa’s unique place in the global fashion ecosystem.
Here’s why the Converse All Stars are the world’s most popular sneaker
The Converse All Stars has been an all-star slayer since 1917.
Can you recall the first time you wore a pair of All Star sneakers? It felt amazing, right? Like you had joined some kind of cool gang, and I’m sure you still get the same feeling every time you wear them. When it comes to these sneakers, the older they are, the more we fall in love them.
Converse All Stars is possibly the one sneaker that makes everyone feel bomb; from Beyonce to the guy at Joburg’s hip spot Great Dane, to the guy at SAFW or the Commerce student at UCT.
So what has made All-Star the most popular sneaker since the 1900s?
Luke Ruiters in The GQ fashion department helps us understand why the sneaker is legendary.
Rich history
All Stars were made popular by American basketball player Charles ‘Chuck’ Taylor in 1923. That’s why the sneakers are often referred to as Converse Chuck Taylors. Taylor was sponsored by the Converse Company, called The Converse All Stars. From then, the sneaker’s popularity grew and became the go-to shoe for many basketball players. After that, the shoe moved on to be worn by soldiers and Olympic athletes.
All Stars are iconic
Not many sneakers have the ability to stay relevant over the years. Fashion trends have changed over the years, but the Converse sneaker has remained consistent; and in doing so has reached ‘icon-status’. ‘The Converse brand is iconic; the design style is simple yet classic,’ Luke explains.
Versatility
Whether you are going to the market, on holiday, at work, or getting married; you can wear a pair of Converse sneakers. Their versatility eases stress for people who don’t enjoy carrying a lot of clothes when they travel. You can just pack them, then mix and match them with different looks.
Longevity
In terms of wear and tear, most of us who own All Star sneakers will agree that they are one of the strongest shoes around.
We think it mostly has to do with that rubber sole. In fact, for some of us, an All Star sneaker we got as a teenager outlives us as our shoe size changes.
Wardrobe staple
‘The Converse All Star is an essential wardrobe staple , along with your plain white t-shirt and light washed denim,’ Luke explains. The sneaker is a fashion staple and it doesn’t seem like it will be changing anytime soon.
Sneaker crave floods South Africa
Queueing outside an upmarket
Johannesburg clothing store, young fashion lovers hope to lay their hands on
the latest sneakers to come out of the United States.
For South Africa’s city dwellers, sneakers are more than just shoes.
As a marker of personality as well as social status, they are cared for and
worn with pride, and youths compete to hunt down the rarest models from a
market flooded with old and new sneakers — including many fakes.
“Sneakers kind of tell your story,” graffiti artist Rasik “Mr.ekse” Green
told AFP as he was spray-painting a commissioned mural on the rooftop of a
building in downtown Johannesburg.
Green’s elaborate graffiti designs — which he also uses to redecorate and
personalise sneakers — are highly sought after.
The shoes are often an expression of geographic roots in a country with 12
official languages and dozens of ethnicities.
“For instance we know Cape Townians love their bubbles,” said Green,
referring to a chunky, thick-soled Nike design.
And residents of the Johannesburg township of Soweto “love their (Converse)
All Stars”, he said. “It’s kind of a code.”
The athletic footwear craze is linked to African American hip-hop culture,
which infuses South Africa’s rich musical heritage as well as its fashion.
Collecting and trading shoes has become a hobby in Africa’s most
industrialised nation, with aficionados known as “sneaker heads”.
In 2019, 800 pairs of Reeboks, created in a limited edition in
collaboration with South African rap sensation AKA, sold out 10 minutes after
their online release.
A South African brand, Bathu — slang for “shoe” — conquered the local
market with a unique mesh design.
While its low-end sneakers cost 1,300 rand (84 dollars), Bathu came out with a
limited edition, the Opel GSI, with only 80 pairs which it sold for 397,000
rand each in June 2019.
“That wouldn’t have happened 30 years ago,” Green said.
But another designer, Andile “ScotchIsDope” Cele, warned that sneaker
fanaticism is “becoming about class.”
Paying extravagant amounts for the shoes is “almost like an investment to
say, you’re helping yourself, so that you can live with these (wealthy)
people… almost like ‘fake it till you make it’ type of thing.”
Worn ‘art piece’
Sneakers have not always been viewed positively in South Africa.
Gangsters terrorising townships during the 1980s often wore Chuck Taylor
All Stars, a high-topped stitched canvas shoe manufactured by the US firm
Converse.
The sneakers, originally designed as basketball shoes, acquired a “thug”
reputation that stuck.
“My parents didn’t want me to get a pair because it was mixed up with a
certain culture that was for criminals,” recalled Hector Mgiba, 28, who has an
extensive collection of Converse All-Stars.
He said Converse shoes were also associated with “pantsula”, a dance born
among young black township dwellers as a form of protest against apartheid,
and snubbed by older generations.
“Pantsula” dancers typically wore smart shirts, flare trousers and
All-Stars — perfect for their quick steps and hops.
Mgiba, a teenager at the time, saved up to buy a second-hand pair behind
his parents’ back.
“I loved it so much and I wanted to pave my own way to how I express
myself,” he said.
“The way it fades when it gets worn out, it becomes more of an art piece.”
A popular music genre known as Kwaito that emerged in Soweto during the
1990s cast Converse into a new light.
Dancers in colourful All Stars turned the shoe into a symbol of township
youth in post-apartheid South Africa.
Today the rubber-soled shoe is worn with both formal fitted suits and
casual dress by young South Africans of all backgrounds and skin tones.
‘Bringing us together’
As demand for sneakers has grown, local entrepreneurs have become fierce
rivals to international brands.
Unable to afford the latest sneakers as a young boy, local designer Lekau
Sehoana made his first pair of sneakers from worn-out shoes, old jeans and
polyurethane.
His “Drip” footwear brand, launched in 2019, gained popularity with its
brightly coloured bubble soles and stretchy material.
Sehoana now uses part of the company’s earnings to make shoes for children
in townships.
“I guess it’s one way of uniting us and bringing us together, as a people,
as a country, as different races,” Green said.
“Besides all our differences, at least we share one common thing… shoes.”(AFP)
Crédit : Unsplash
The politics, art and fashion of All Stars
When Marquis M Converse opened his rubber manufacturing company in 1908, little did he know that it was the start of an iconic brand that would transcend generations.
Converse has become synonymous with rebellion, the cool crowd, arty types and fashion mavericks.
The manufacturing company’s big move into sport and legendary status came when American basketball player Chuck Taylor contacted the company.
He wanted to design something that was more ergonomic and offered more support for his ankles.
In 1918, Taylor put on his first pair and began playing for several major basketball teams. Long before Michael Jordan endorsed Nike, Taylor was already on to something.
Recently, Converse celebrated 30 years of originality and iconic branding in South Africa. My own experience with the brand dates back to when I was 11.
I nagged my dad week in and week out to get me a pair.
Eventually, he caved in and we set off for the Oriental Plaza. I was a size four, but the shops had sold out.
I was devastated. On the verge of tears, I took a bigger size. “You’ll grow into them,” my dad consoled.
I tied that blue pair up so tightly that the laces left marks on my feet.
Eventually, well into high school, they fitted me properly. But by then they were so worn out the soles were coming apart at the heel.
They made me stand out in primary school – being one of the first to get them – and in high school, they helped me fit in.
But that’s the point of Converse – their social influence extends far beyond a pair of shoes.
In the 1950s in the US, they solidified this socioeconomic, rebellion status.
Remember James Dean looking suave in a white tee, leather jacket and faded jeans rolled up above a pair of Chucks? The epitome of bad-boy cool.
Their influence in South Africa hasn’t been much different.
The evolution of the brand, however, is what sets it apart from the Nikes and Adidas of this world.
From the grimy streets of the ghetto to the boardroom and everything in between, this is what makes the brand so successful and legendary.
When the brand first entered the South African market at R9.95 in the 1980s, they certainly became a status symbol.
According to Estie du Toit, marketing manager at Skye, the company that oversees the Converse brand, it took some time for the sneakers to catch on.
“Initially, it entered the country as a normal canvas shoe, which was pretty much the only type of ‘takkie’ available at the time.
“It took a while for people to really get into the Converse All Star brand, but because it was branded with Made in the USA in those years, it was perceived as a better quality product and therefore widely supported.
The quality is indeed great, and the All Star following grew rapidly because of the durability of the shoes.
”
Flash forward to the 1990s and the rise of kwaito ensured that Cons would reach their height of coolness as Dickies fans took to the American brand.
Arthur, Trompies and Ishmael were the faces of that township flavour and those Cons were what got them through performances, rehearsals and signing record deals. Who didn’t want a pair?
The brand has certainly grown in leaps and bounds since then.
And despite the on/off debate about whether kwaito is dead, one thing remains certain: owning a pair of Converse All Stars is still cool.
Trend forecaster Dion Chang is one man who is never seen without his All Stars – even in his most expensive suit. He says: “They are an iconic brand with an iconic design.
The brand has a heritage behind it and people are moving away from the fast or quick brand with no substance. There is a sense of history behind them.”
According to Natasha Jacobs, FHM fashion editor: “You can go to just about every country in the world and find the brand, proving just how global its impact has been over the years.
And they’re perfect for almost every occasion that doesn’t call for a supersmart suit-and-tie shoe.
“Partying the night away, playing basketball with the boys, chilling at the pub, rocking your babe’s party at the posh restaurant – a pair of Cons is perfect for all these occasions.
“And while they still offer the old-school Chuck Taylors, they have kept up with the fashion industry when it comes to designs, so no matter what your style, you’ll be rocking in a pair of Converses.”
Fashion and trendiness aside, the brand has kept its reputation of individuality.
Freshlyground’s Zolani Mahola is never seen without them, while songbird Thandiswa Mazwai is the unofficial brand ambassador.
Says du Toit: “Everybody wears them.
Our consumer base used to be skewed towards the lower LSM as the shoes gained cult status in the townships, but lately we find it difficult to pinpoint who the main consumer base is.
“A lot of the yesteryear’s township kids are CEOs, directors and in the top management of companies today.
They still love and wear the brand. It has been well accepted in the higher-earning brackets, and the different styles and ranges available also appeal to a different market.”
To date, the brand is still kicking ass around the globe, having sold more than 70?million pairs of shoes since inception.
Internationally, Ellen DeGeneres, Sarah Jessica Parker and Justin Timberlake are firm fans.
Converse keeps reinventing itself, the latest example being its “design your own range project online. Really, what could celebrate individuality more than creating your own pair of Chucks?
Converse All Stars Programme facilitates a community focused ecosystem
For the first time, Converse is opening its All Stars Programme, a global group of more
than 3,000 individuals, to the public.
These leaders celebrate and want change in sport and culture. With this programme,
Converse aims to use their talents and boost their voices to shape the future of its
social and digital platforms.
Through November 2020, up to 250 creative individuals will be invited to join Converse’s
All Stars programme, according to the Nike website.
The most recent All Star Series session, an ongoing experience which includes
workshops, conversations and performances from the likes of Issa Rae, Lay Zhang,
Tobe Nwigwe, Jefferson Hack, Virgil Abloh and Samuel Ross.
The shoe giant’s commitment to the community is emphasised by a one million dollar
accelerator programme, Converse All Star Captains. This is to fast track the progress
of 13 individual All Stars who are driven by their ambition to create action in
diversity, inclusivity, sustainability and youth development.
In 2021, Philip Mathew and Ifeoma White-Thorpe, the first class of ‘captains’
will each receive a year’s worth of funding to help turn their ideas into a reality.
In October 2020, individual All Stars members will have the opportunity to submit
ideas to the Converse creative network.
Jesse Stollak, chief marketing officer of Converse, said: “With the All Star
Series, we’re able to share this amazing creative curriculum. The programming
is designed to provide access to real-world advice, building confidence and
getting valuable feedback on ideas.
“This generation creates with intent, they’re operating with an urgency and
focused on where the world needs change. We want to champion ideas that create
more opportunity to accelerate this impact.
“This is a shift of thinking: from witness to co-conspirator. While Converse
footwear has been worn by cultural pioneers and changemakers in history, now we
are striving to make change together.”
Photo credit: Nike website
Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Crater
April 02, 2021 – The arrival of summertime means a fresh rollout of Jordan Brand retros, which feature extended sizing for the Air Jordan I and Air Jordan XI Low, two variations of the Air Jordan XI Low, a glow-in-the-dark spin on the Air Jordan VI and more.
Women’s Air Jordan I HI OG
Taking inspiration from the 1985 OG “Metallic” Purple Air Jordan I, this women’s rendition of the Air Jordan I HI OG puts a subtle twist on a classic silhouette. The shoe features a white genuine leather upper with hits of Court Purple throughout the upper, Swoosh and outsole, and mixes things up with a satin-lined collar. This shoe will release in extended women’s sizing.
Women’s Air Jordan XI Low
The Air Jordan XI Low Bright Citrus is back, now available in adult sizing for the first time. Last released in GS sizing in 2015, this women’s-exclusive model features the OG patent leather midsole, textile upper and translucent Bright Citrus outsole. Also new: an OG carbon fiber plate. This is the first time it’s been included in the women’s version.
Women’s Air Jordan III
Another women’s exclusive, this Air Jordan III features a familiar Rust Pink colorway on a nubuck leather upper with pops of Bright Crimson on the eyelets and heel and Sail on the tongue and collar. A white midsole and clear outsole with iconic faux elephant print on the toe and heel complete the shoe.
Air Jordan I HI OG
Putting a subtle twist on a classic color scheme, this Air Jordan I HI OG employs a genuine black leather upper with Light Smoke Grey nubuck overlays and detailing atop a white midsole and black rubber outsole. The shoe will come in a full-family offering and extended women’s sizing.
Air Jordan I HI OG
Employing a similar construction and material play as the Air Jordan I HI OG Turbo Green, released in early 2019, this Air Jordan I HI OG comes with suede blue overlays and blue stitching atop a white genuine leather base. The model is completed by a Light Smoke Grey nubuck Swoosh and Hyper Royal Nike Air branding on the tongue. The shoe will be available in a full-family offering and extended women’s sizing.
Air Jordan I HI OG
A new iteration of the Air Jordan I HI OG, this summer model uses a fresh color scheme with Light Fusion Red leather overlays atop a white leather base with hits of Laser Orange on the Swoosh, collar and tongue branding. The shoe will release in full-family sizing and in extended women’s sizing.
Air Jordan IV Retro
Bringing a new vibe to a historic model, this Air Jordan IV Retro features a white genuine leather upper, Jumpman branding on the heel and tongue and an OG cement finish on the midsole and eyelets. The shoe arrives in OG packaging with a fresh color spin. It will be available in a full-family offering.
Air Jordan VI Retro
Featuring a glow-in-the-dark outsole, this model adds a neon-inspired look to the Air Jordan VI.
The shoe, decked in black and Electric Green, features OG detailing in the lace toggle, branding and packaging. This summer offering will be a full-family release.
Air Jordan VII Retro
First released in April 2006, the Air Jordan VII returns in its original, iconic Flint Grey/Court Purple color scheme. OG nubuck quarter panels, white leather overlays, a multi-print tongue and a matte-finished outsole complete the classic model, which will come in full-family sizing.
Air Jordan XI Low
For the first time, the Air Jordan XI Legend Blue is releasing in low form. Arriving with classic OG materials, the shoe comes with an iced-out clear rubber outsole and carbon fiber plate. The insole is marked with a “25” — a celebratory nod to the 25th anniversary of the original Air Jordan XI Legend Blue making its debut in the 1996 NBA All-Star Game. This model comes in a full-family offering and extended women’s sizing.
Air Jordan XII Low
Arriving in time for Easter, this colorful rendition of the Air Jordan XII Low features UV color-shifting quarter panels and eyelets, a dip-dyed graphic sockliner and an icy blue translucent outsole. Arriving in extended sizing, the shoe also comes with holiday-inspired packaging.
Air Jordan XIII
This fresh take on the Air Jordan XIII sits a reflective textile upper draped in Gym Red atop the iconic panther paw-like outsole. With a familiar holographic eye and a midsole wrapped in OG Flint Grey, the retro take comes with original packaging and releases in full-family sizing.
To download hi-res images, click here.
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South Africa – African All Stars FC – Results, fixtures, squad, statistics, photos, videos and news
South Africa – African All Stars FC – Results, fixtures, squad, statistics, photos, videos and news – Soccerway
2016/20172015/2016
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years old | 35 years old | ||
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Copyright ©2021 Perform Group.
All rights reserved.
Data provided by Opta Sports. Articles provided by OMNISPORT.
90,000 To Africa for the stars
Continued. Beginning at No. 135 of 19.09.2008.
– Oleg, you talked about how your love for astronomy brought you, and along with your wife, to South Africa. Did it meet your expectations? How did the black continent meet you?
– The journey was difficult. We were absolute savages, homeless. The main difficulty was that no one was waiting for you anywhere, and where you go tomorrow is up to you. But this was also the main pleasure – freedom.The schedule was tight, fifty days for Africa – it turns out, very little. And early in the morning, somewhere in Tanzania, I woke up, looked at my sleeping wife and thought: “Lord, okay, I climbed to the other end of the world, and this man, why is he suffering?” And although she does not recognize herself as a sufferer, I am very grateful to her that she went with me.
– Oleg, in the photographs you are dressed quite warmly: jacket, trousers. But Africa is associated with heat for most people.
– Well, firstly, in the Southern Hemisphere June – July is a calendar winter.And secondly, the thread of our route ran from the south to the equator, and if, for example, it was cold enough in South Africa, then in Tanzania we began to undress. With each loss of a degree of latitude, the degree of heat increased.
– Did you take any safety measures before the trip? After all, it is generally accepted that Africa is a fever, insects, wild animals.
– Of course, before the trip, Lyudmila and I bought pills for malaria and gave vaccinations against yellow fever. In Moscow, a special polyclinic is engaged in this.Anyone who travels to Africa can apply there and register. Doctors there ask at what time and in which countries you go, calculate something and give the necessary vaccinations.
Even in Moscow, our friends warned us about possible encounters with animals.
They told a terrible story about a tourist who got hot at night in a tent, he got out of it and fell asleep, and a hyena sneaked up and bit off part of his face. It turns out that a hyena can be very dangerous. They also warned about snakes, although they are not active in winter, but we must not forget about them.Once our guide stepped on a stick and mistook it for a reptile. He jumped aside in horror, and he had such a face that I realized: snakes are serious.
Another danger that was warned about is the criminal situation in the cities. My journey through Africa, still alone, without a wife who joined later, began in Johannesburg, considered the most gangster city in Africa. I tried not to walk there on foot. At the same time, in Johannesburg, I heard that “we are still not as scary as in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya,” and then in Kenya they assured: “We still have nothing in Nairobi, but in Johannesburg there is a full paragraph.”I didn’t want to check on myself whether this is really so, so I didn’t particularly remember Johannesburg. But then there I finally saw the southern sky, the Southern Cross, those constellations that are not visible in the Northern Hemisphere. After all, it’s no secret that in the south and in the north you can see different stars, different parts of the starry sky, and only at the equator – both.
– Where did your route lead after Johannesburg?
– After a day in Johannesburg, I went to the south of South Africa, to North Drakensberg.These are very interesting mountains, there is something to see, where to walk. There I stayed in a kind of hostel for travelers. Its guests are all in the same tourist status, and therefore friendly and ready to communicate. I must say that the most interesting in Africa were precisely the people with whom I managed to communicate, even make friends with someone. Although Europeans speak little to locals, they consider them to be service personnel, nothing more. I didn’t have such prejudices.
I talked with the Africans with interest.I remember one bus driver, Michael, struck me with one single phrase. We drove to Cape Town, on the way we got into conversation and, saying goodbye, he said to me: “Oleg, the Earth is so small (and showed a ball the size of a coconut with his hands), and we will definitely see you again”. You had to come to Africa to hear and realize such a simple truth.
Then I drove west along the southern coast of the continent: Durban, the second most populous city in South Africa, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town, one of the southernmost points of Africa.
In Durban, the owners of the small hotel where I stayed treated me to dried antelope, and in return I treated them to our yukkola, which I had brought with me from Norilsk. In Cape Town, the third largest city in South Africa, I had to dive into the ocean with great white sharks. But because of the storm, the event was canceled, and I could not wait for the weather – the schedule was too busy, many places were planned to be visited. On my second day in Cape Town, I went on a cycling tour of the Cape Peninsula. Was at the Cape of Good Hope, the southern tip of Africa, where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet.
Then my way lay to Namibia, the country where the main purpose of my trip was located – the Khakos farm, a private observatory.
From travel notes:
“Namibia is the most sparsely populated country in southern Africa. The population density is 2.3 people per 1 sq. km.
One hundred and twenty kilometers, according to the scheme lying on the next seat of a rented small Toyota, resulted in one hundred and fifty. I started looking for some sign to Khakos when I saw a truck driving towards me, in the back of which people were sitting.A woman in a wide-brimmed hat was driving. The man next to her and the passengers in the back watched me with interest. I greeted and asked how to get to Khakos. The passengers of the truck looked with curiosity, the woman and the man exchanged glances.
– What is the purpose of your visit to Khakos?
– I am fond of astronomy, – I issued directly, – and I would very much like to visit the observatory in Khakos. A friendly, approving glee was my answer. People looked at me, my dusty car, rejoicing, but as if not believing that someone other than them could go so far for astronomical addictions.They were amateur astronomers from Germany. Later, when I got to know them better, and they asked me how I found them, I showed them a drawing with a route map I found on the Internet, thus causing general delight and surprise. Each of them paid two thousand euros at home, was helpfully greeted at the port of Windhoek and taken by a comfortable bus to the place of their two-week stay.
Farm Hakos, consisting of the head of the family Walter, his daughter Waltraud and the head of astronomical events – a young man of pleasant appearance, is engaged, in addition to life support and management of the farm itself, the area of which is simply huge, also receiving and serving astronomers from Germany.Every two weeks they meet the next and see off the previous group of 15-16 tourists. They feed them, watered them, arrange field trips around the farm, organize night and day astronomical observations. The residential complex of the farm is a cozy cottage with a kitchen, two swimming pools, a spacious green lawn with sun loungers and coffee tables, a dining room with a fireplace and a spacious guest room. An unfinished observatory is located not far from the residential complex.
“Unfortunately, all the seats in Jacos are taken,” said Waltraud, she was the one driving the truck, “but you can drive to the farm and wait for us there.We’ll be back in two hours and think of something. ” The truck took the astronomers on a tour of the farm, and I went to look for shelter with old man Walter. I spent two nights on the farm in a tent not far from human habitation, finding everything a traveler needs, and most importantly, a society of friendly Germans, sharing with them a friendly dinner, the warmth of a fireplace, the joys of Namibian cuisine and astronomical observations.
”
– The Khakos farm, where I lived for three days, is located on a plateau. There is an excellent astroclimate, that is, all the conditions necessary for observing the stars.There I saw such astronomical rarities as the Magellanic Clouds – the closest neighbors of our Galaxy. It was for the sake of these Magelanic clouds, which are not visible in our hemisphere, that I went to Africa. In general, the southern sky is unknown to the northern astronomer, and therefore is full of mysteries and new “acquaintances”: the constellation of the Southern Cross with an open cluster of stars, which has the beautiful name Jewelry Box, the Coal Bag nebula, the Sambrero galaxy and, of course, the southern part of the Milky Way with its constellations Capricorn , Centauri, the star Canopus.
– What else do you remember in Namibia, besides the stars?
– Swakopmund Souvenir Market. There is such an area there – Caprivi, where wonderful national figurines made of ebony and mahogany of very fine workmanship are sold. But we made a condition not to buy a single souvenir throughout the entire route, so as not to carry heavy bags with us. We agreed that only at the end of the trip, in Kenya, we will arrange shopping and buy gifts. I thought it made no difference where to buy, in Nairobi or Swakopmund.Here I, of course, was mistaken – all the souvenirs had to be bought in Namibia. Then, nowhere else in Africa, we have not seen such crafts. The only thing we bought there were two antelope skins: one for ourselves, the other as a present for a girl-travel agent who helped us with visas. By the way, these skins were very useful to us on the way: in those places where we spent the night in a tent and were freezing, we took them out and threw them right over the tourist rugs.
To be continued.
Interviewed by Svetlana GUNINA.
Photo by Oleg Nigmatulin.
New COVID-19 strain detected in Nigeria :: Society :: RBK
Over the past week, the number of cases in the country has doubled.
There is no evidence yet that this growth has caused a new strain, said the head of the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Photo: Afolabi Sotunde / Reuters
A new strain of coronavirus has been discovered in Nigeria, which is a special form of its mutation, said John Nkengasong, director of the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).His words are reported by Reuters.
“This is a separate line from the UK and South Africa,” Nkengasong said, pointing out that further research is needed.
New strain identified amid growing coronavirus infections in Nigeria. Over the past week, Nkengasong said the country has reported a 52% increase in cases and all of South Africa up 40%. At the same time, there is no evidence that it was the new strain that contributed to the growth of infections, he stressed.
Earlier in December, new strains of coronavirus were reported in the UK and South Africa. The head of the British Ministry of Health Matt Hancock said that 1,000 cases of infection with the new pathogen were found in the country. In some regions, the incidence has jumped sharply, but the epidemiological situation remains under control, he said. The chief sanitary doctor of England Chris Whitty said that the new strain is transmitted 70% faster, but does not lead to a more severe course of the disease.
South African authorities reported a new type of coronavirus on December 19.Scientists have named this species 501.V2. According to the country’s health minister, Zveli Mkhize, geneticists have been studying samples of the virus since March and its new variant has dominated the country in the past two months. According to scientists, the second wave of the disease in South Africa is associated with a new mutation. The virus is now spreading faster and more young patients are being admitted to hospitals, Mkhize said.
Russia – Africa: old friends and promising partners
Relations between Russia and Africa have a long history and have always been distinguished by their versatility.Back in the second half of the 20th century, Soviet engineers and specialists took an active part in the implementation of a number of large industrial projects in many countries of the continent. Power plants, metallurgical and mining and processing plants, oil refineries, machine-building enterprises and other important objects of the national economy were built. How Russia intends to develop economic cooperation with African countries and what trajectory the Russian-African partnership can follow in the near future – in the material of TASS correspondents, timed to coincide with the Day of the beginning of the armed struggle for national liberation celebrated in Angola on February 4.
Potentially interesting areas
Today Africa is the world leader in terms of consumption growth. Agriculture, chemical industry and agro-technologies, oil refining and extractive industries, energy and peaceful nuclear technologies are rapidly developing on the continent. Most countries are interested in the development of infrastructure, the demand for cars and special equipment is growing. In each of these areas, Russian business has something to offer.
On this topic
“A region with a population of almost 1.
5 billion people is comparable to China,” said Anna Belyaeva, executive director of the Association for Economic Cooperation with African Countries (AESSA).
According to Irina Abramova, director of the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, literally in 15–20 years, this very continent will both determine the demographic picture of the world and significantly affect the scale of global consumer demand.
“Russia, in which the western direction of foreign economic activity is largely reduced due to the sanctions, must look for new markets for its products, primarily for non-resource exports. It is obvious that it will be practically impossible to solve these problems without the African continent”, – believes Abramova.
The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that Africa remains one of the priorities of Russian foreign policy. According to Ambassador-at-Large Oleg Ozerov, the continent is confidently moving along the path of political, socio-economic, scientific and technological development. “We hope that in the near future it will be possible to ensure the progressive growth of trade and economic ties between Russia and the countries of the continent, to increase the number of joint mutually beneficial projects in the field of energy, agriculture, subsoil use, infrastructure development, and high technologies.The priority place is traditionally also occupied by partnership in the field of personnel training, “the ambassador noted.
At the same time, the expert notes that Russia is also pursuing a political interest in the region. “We must not forget that African countries are 25% of the votes in the UN, and for us the political support of such a large number of countries is also extremely important,” the agency’s interlocutor said.
According to Abramova, Russia traditionally develops relations with the countries of North Africa and South Africa.”Four North African countries – Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia – and South Africa account for more than 70% of all trade with the continent.
If we add Sudan and Nigeria to them, it will be about 85% of our trade with the African continent,” She says.
So, almost all of South Africa, with the exception of a few countries, falls out of the economic interests of Russia, while it is these countries, to the south of the Sahara, that are developing very quickly and show very high rates of economic growth, the expert said.”We, of course, need to expand the geography of our economic ties. Moreover, it is these countries south of the Sahara that possess those natural and economic resources that may be of interest to Russia,” the expert notes.
This thesis is also supported by Anna Belyaeva. “One of the main tasks now is to catalyze trade with the countries of” black Africa. ” from these countries to open a branch or representative office, in fact she will not even have anyone to turn to, “the agency’s interlocutor believes.
There is room to grow
According to TASS in the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia, citing data from the Federal Customs Service, in 2019, Russia’s foreign trade turnover with African countries amounted to $ 16.8 billion.At the same time, 24% of the structure of Russian exports to African countries in 2019 were machines, equipment and vehicles, 22.4% – food products and agricultural raw materials, 19.9% - mineral products. The rest of the volume is metals, chemical products, rubber, timber and pulp and paper products, as well as pearls and precious stones.
On this topic
Alrosa’s deputy general director Vladimir Marchenko explained to TASS that the African continent is still characterized by an extensive diamond resource base and prospects for new discoveries, which explains the company’s interest in potential development in this region.
In the structure of Russian imports in 2019, most – 56.8% – fell on food products and agricultural raw materials. At the same time, the bulk of Russia’s trade with African countries in 2019 was formed due to mutual trade operations with Egypt (37.
2%), Algeria (20.2%), Morocco (7.6%), South Africa (6.6% ), Senegal (4.3%), Tunisia (3.9%), Nigeria (2.5%), Togo (2.4%), Sudan (1.6%) and Cote d’Ivoire (1, 6%).
In January – September 2020, amid the spread of coronavirus infection, Russian-African trade turnover decreased compared to the same period in 2019 by 20.5% and amounted to $ 8.9 billion.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, today Russia is ready to act as a partner for all African countries in a number of areas. These include projects for the supply of the latest Russian equipment for metallurgical and mining enterprises, the development of a transport and logistics system – including not only the supply of rolling stock for railways, aircraft and helicopters of various classes and purposes, but also control and safety systems for the respective modes of transport.In addition, Russia is interested in participating in the creation of energy infrastructure in the countries of the African region – oil and gas and generating capacities, including hydro and nuclear energy, ensuring food security, as well as developing a health care system and drug supply.
“Russia offers not single export deals, but projects that include both the supply of products and their maintenance, training of specialists, as well as the possible transfer of technology and partial localization.This allows African countries to build up their own competencies in a variety of industries, “- said in the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.
Attractive sales market
“The African continent is currently one of the most attractive sales markets and long-term investments for domestic companies. In recent years, African countries have made a huge leap forward in creating conditions for business development and creating a favorable investment climate,” TASS was told in the press service of the Russian Export Center (REC).
On this topic
According to REC, promising areas and niches for Russian exporters in Africa are the supply of finished automotive equipment and machine kits, the construction and modernization of railway infrastructure, as well as the supply of equipment for flour grinding and oil refining.
At the same time, domestic suppliers of agricultural machinery and large car manufacturers are already working on African markets.
Projects for the maintenance and modernization of power plants, for oil production and transportation of oil, for the arrangement of facilities for the chemical and mining industries in Africa are being implemented quite successfully.A large role in exports is played by the supply of agricultural products and food products. Projects in new directions, such as modern technologies, “smart” cities, education, health care, are actively beginning to develop.
“At the moment, the key countries in promoting non-primary exports are Egypt, which accounts for more than a third of the Russian-African trade turnover, South Africa, Zambia, Angola, Algeria, Nigeria and Kenya,” the REC noted.
“In the strategic perspective, the sustainable development of African countries, in our opinion, will be associated, among other things, with the full use of investment potential by attracting interested companies to implement projects on their territory,” the Ambassador-at-Large, Head of the Secretariat of the Russia Partnership Forum, commented to TASS – Africa Oleg Ozerov.
Interest in cooperation with Russian companies was also confirmed to TASS by Minister-Delegate in the Presidential Administration of the Central African Republic (CAR) Pascal Bida Koyagbele.
“The quality of Russian companies’ products meets international standards. Therefore, we are interested in business projects – in particular, the construction of an airport, hydroelectric power station, construction of schools, a university. We would also be glad to expand cooperation in the cultural sphere,” the agency’s source said.
At the same time, according to Ozerov, not only Western European countries, the USA and China, but also India, Turkey, as well as the Persian Gulf states, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Israel and Brazil demonstrate an increased interest in developing relations with African countries.
“Such activity of the largest world powers inevitably leads to a significant increase in competition in virtually each of these areas,” Ozerov said.
“We are ready for civilized competition in the trade area, and we have something to offer our African friends,” added the agency’s source.
Peaceful atom, IT and humanitarian sphere
One of the largest projects of the Russian state corporation Rosatom on the African continent is the construction of the Ed-Dabaa nuclear power plant in Egypt. However, this is not the only area of interest for the company in the region. In particular, Rosatom develops non-energy cooperation in the nuclear sector and offers various options for research, medical and radiation facilities on a turnkey basis. One of them is the Center for Nuclear Science and Technology (CNST).
“Rosatom is already actively involved in the implementation of the project for the construction of the CNST in Zambia. The center includes a research reactor, a multipurpose irradiation center, a nuclear medicine center and several laboratories. We assume that the CNST will become a modern platform for a wide range of scientific research and practical application of nuclear technologies. “, – told TASS in the press service of the state corporation.
In addition, the company sees potential in personnel training and implements a number of scholarship and educational programs.For five years now, there has been a program of state scholarships for students wishing to master nuclear and engineering specialties at leading Russian universities. Every year, at the request of Rosatom, quotas are allocated for representatives of African countries.
This kind of interaction is promising not only from the point of view of human resources, believes Irina Abramova, director of the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
“If you train a significant number of students from African countries in your country, you form people who know and love Russia and will actively interact with it,” the expert believes.
Also, according to her, the continent is rapidly developing digital technologies, IT and cybersecurity. “Africans are interested in Russian information technologies. First of all, in the analogue of our government services, tax collection programs, cloud technologies. Everything related to online payment systems is of interest,” Abramova says.
Agriculture and agricultural technologies
Africa is showing particular interest in agricultural projects.In particular, the countries are increasing their own grain production, and the demand for fertilizers is growing. Thus, according to Andrey Guryev, President of the Russian Association of Fertilizer Producers (RAPU), General Director of Phosagro, over the past five years, the volume of fertilizer consumption in African countries has grown by 4-5% per year, while the world average is 1.5-2%.
On this topic
“The prospects for the African market are huge – the consumption of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers in the region today is five to seven times lower than the world average, potash – 9-11 times,” said Guryev.
In the first nine months of 2020, despite the pandemic, the supply of fertilizers to the company exceeded last year’s indicators and reached 445 thousand tons. “Over the next five years, we are considering the possibility of increasing the supply of our benchmark environmental products to the African continent by two or three times, which will be an important contribution to ensuring food security in Africa, “- said the agency’s interlocutor.
On average in the industry, according to Guryev, Africa accounts for about 3% of the export supplies of Russian manufacturers.
“The African mineral fertilizer market can be characterized as young, at the very beginning of its maturation, therefore competition is also very high. Due to its geographical location, there are many Russian and European producers of mineral fertilizers along with companies from the Middle East.
It is the largest region in the world. , where the potential for growth in agricultural production amounts to tens of percent “, – Dmitry Konyaev, deputy chairman of the board of directors of Uralchem, commented to TASS.
At the same time, Konyaev notes that today the market of mineral fertilizers in Africa is in its infancy.
“For example, the total annual imports of urea and potassium chloride of all 55 African countries are about 2.6 million tons and 1.3 million tons, respectively. For comparison: the volume of imports of these fertilizers to Latin American countries is 10.2 million tons and 12 million tons per year “, – said the interlocutor of the agency.
“With a gradual and systematic development of the market potential, it is quite possible that Russian companies will take leading positions, reorienting volumes and priorities from more distant markets,” he added.
Kristina Miroshnichenko, Irina Mandrykina
90,000 Activities, Services and Practical Information
Entertainment – Services – Equipment
Fitness center
- indoor bike
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Services for families with children
- CHILDREN ARE ADMITTED ONLY FROM 6 YEARS OLD
Possible payment methods
- Visa
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Internet
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- Wi-Fi
Active leisure
- Hike
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Pool
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Golf
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Transport
How to get to Esiweni Luxury Safari Lodge?
Airport:
Durban (Intl) 300 km / Johannesburg (Intl) 400 km / Nambiti airstrip 0 km
Helipad:
S 28 ° 32’55.
2 ° – E 29 ° 46’30.7 °
This establishment is part of the route
Africa / Indian Ocean
From Cape Town to Victoria Falls via Zululand
Travel from Cape Town to Victoria Falls with Zululand Safari.Explore the magnificent landscapes of Cape Town with picturesque Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range leading to Cape Point, …
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4.3
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Location
ESIWENI LUXURY SAFARI LODGE
Member of Relais & Châteaux since 2017
Nambiti Reserve
Memorial Gate
3370,
Ladysmith
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Tel.
: +27 (0) 36 636 9002
Annual closure:
from mid-June to mid-July.
Website:
http://www.esiwenilodge.com
Email:
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Owners: Ludovic Caron & Sophie Vaillant
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Right now next to Ladysmith:
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90,000 Tickets for South African Airways 2020/21 flights on Skyscanner 2020/21
South African Airways is the national airline of South Africa, one of the largest carriers on the African continent. The company began flights in 1934, today it is a member of the Star Alliance and is based at Johannesburg Airport.Its fleet consists of 47 Airbus A319, A320 and long-haul A330 and A340. At the end of 2017, the company received 4 out of 5 stars in the Skytrax rating.
It is convenient to buy a ticket for South African Airways using the Skyscanner. Indicate where and when you are flying, and compare how much a South African Airlines ticket costs on the airline’s official website and other online agencies. Choose the lowest price from the best rated seller and book your flight online.
On our news portal you will always find up-to-date information about current discounts and sales of Russian and foreign airlines.
Destinations South African Airways
The airline serves over 100 destinations in Africa. The company’s flight map includes destinations in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Gabon, Ghana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Congo, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Swaziland, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda and South Africa.
Also, planes of “South African Airlines” fly to Australia, Brazil, Great Britain, Germany, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
South African Airlines Popular Direct Flights
South African Airways Baggage Rules
Maximum dimensions of hand luggage: 56x36x23 cm.Baggage allowances differ depending on the ticket class.
| Class | Carry-on baggage | Luggage |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | 8 kg | 23 kg |
| Business | 2 pieces of 8 kg each | 2 pieces of 32 kg each |
For more information on what you can take with you to the cabin and carry in excess of the norm, permissible dimensions and restrictions, see our article “How to properly carry hand luggage on the plane.”
Cost of extra baggage
You can pay for additional baggage when buying a ticket on the official website or at the check-in counter at the airport of departure. The price will be different.
Exact fares and restrictions on additional and excess baggage depend on the direction of the flight, the airport of departure and the type of aircraft. You can find them out when buying a ticket or by calling the hotline.
What to consider before a flight with sports equipment, musical instruments and baby carriages is described in detail in the article “How to fly with oversized and non-standard baggage”.
Check-in for South African Airways
Online check-in is available for most of the company’s flights, it starts 24 hours and ends 90 minutes before departure. The start and end dates of check-in at the airport depend on the direction of the flight and the type of aircraft. The exact time can be found when booking a ticket, at the check-in counter and by calling the hotline.
Meals on board
Complimentary onboard meals and drinks are provided on all flights.
The range of dishes on offer depends on the ticket class, aircraft type and time of day. On long flights, passengers are fed twice. The exact menu can be specified when booking tickets.
Any passenger, if desired, can order special meals for the flight. Dishes from religious, dietary, low-calorie, children’s and other types of menus are available for ordering. It is necessary to order and pay for special meals no later than 48 hours before the departure of the flight.
South African Airways
Service Classes
Two classes of service are available to the clients of the company – economy and business.The main differences between them are in the level of comfort, the distance between the seats and their size, service at the airport and during the flight, in the range of food and the amount of luggage carried. You can make your flight more comfortable with the paid option of choosing a seat in the aircraft cabin. The cost of the service depends on the specific flight.
South African Airways Bonus Program
The company’s loyalty program is called Voyager. It allows passengers to earn bonus miles that can be used to pay for new flights, access to lounges, extra baggage or upgrades.In addition, miles can be used to pay for goods and services of partner companies of the program. Points are awarded to program members for each flight they fly with South African Airlines.
Contacts
Official website: www.flysaa.com
South Africa hotline: +2 (711) 978-11-11
Stars of South Africa
Robb Report Travel
Wildlife luxury coupled with the wonders of the modern hospitality industry – new safari lodges appear on the map of the continent in strict accordance with this formula
Text Bruce Wallin
Safari nights are deafening silence.Until the silence is cut through by hundreds of strange sounds. Shrill screams and insinuating rustles, as well as “sad mooing and vigorous growling”, disturbing the peace of the night savannah, drive away the heroic sleep and make people with steel nerves shudder.
And what a relief, awakening from the night’s cacophony, to find yourself on a spacious bed under a mosquito net in a luxurious suite with a dining room, wine cabinet and two private pools that separate you from all the animals, taken together, settled outside!
But still, no matter how desirable the signs of civilization are, they should not go to the detriment of such an unforgettable experience as direct contact with the wild.The secret of the best African lodges is that they manage to satisfy the slightest whim of their clients by adapting to the unpredictability of the environment. Three new lodges in southern Africa, from the predator-rich Botswana Okavango Delta to the lost in the vast Zambia Liuva Plain, manage to maintain this balance in a thousand different ways. In addition to their unique location and sophisticated interiors, they offer an amazing variety of routes and incredible adventures in the bosom of nature.
Classic
Who will blame the birds that sneak into the Duba Plains suite? The look of a private residence in a Botswana nature reserve is made up of early 20th century furniture, grand lounges, secluded nooks, palace bedrooms and a 45-meter deck with swimming pools, exercise bikes and a hearth overlooking the river delta.The only thing the suite lacks are the walls, so a curious lapwing or skylark may welcome into the living room. With miles of bedspreads and shutters open throughout the day, the design does not impede a connection with one of Africa’s most amazing ecosystems. Duba Plains by the Okavango River is a 77 hectare private conservation area managed by Derek and Beverly Joubert’s Great Plains Conservation. Last year, the reserve joined the first echelon of luxury safari destinations, acquiring an elegant five-room Duba Plains Suite and a main lodge with a wine cellar, library and media room for viewing photos taken during the day (here they rent a powerful Canon 5D camera with 400 millimeter lens).
Duba Plains is famous for the battles between lions and buffaloes thanks to the photos and videos of the Joubert filmed in the Relentless Enemies and other documentaries.
Safaris provide just as much adrenaline rush as you want. There are walks, helicopter flights, boat trips, and car driving through the swamp. The Okavango Delta is ideal for elephants, hippos and other large animals, so adventure is like an amusement park.
Find the world’s most precious diamond
Star of Africa: In Search of the Legend
Call accepted! We go in search of the largest and most precious diamond in the world.In South Africa, far on an unexplored continent, a real treasure awaits us, a diamond that can give wealth to more than one generation of our family. The main thing is to find him before the rest and not fall into the hands of robbers.
Returning from the expedition, in which some of the participants managed to see the Beast Gio-Jangi, a group of brave adventurers decides to go on an expedition again, this time to the very heart of Africa for the Cullinan diamond.
Game Star of Africa: ah-ah, diamonds are of this size in Africa!
Before you become a forwarding agent, you will still have time to be counterfeiters due to the fact that you will have to cut out the banknotes on your own, the tokens will also need to be squeezed out of the holder sheet.At the beginning of the game, place the playing field in the center of the table, mix the tokens and randomly place them on the yellow circles on the playing field, face down.
Players start their adventure from one of two cities: Cairo or Tangier with a budget of 500 coins. Participants take turns, during his turn the active player can roll a dice and move on foot on the dropped out number of cells, or pay the cost of a ticket for a ship (100 coins) or an airplane (300 coins). During their journey, players will stop at ordinary points or tokens.Having stopped on the token, you open it and humbly accept everything that fate has sent you:
– if the token is white – this is an empty event, nothing bad happened to you, but no good happened either;
– if you come across one of the precious stones (topaz, ruby, emerald) – you can immediately sell it and earn good money;
– if there is a horseshoe on the back of the token – you are in luck, save this token, later it can be exchanged for 100 coins or an additional move;
– if you come across a robber, you will have to part with all your money.
At the same time, the robbers in these parts are kind of strange, they do not keep your money, but give it to the bank.
If it turned out that you did not stop at the token, but stepped over it, there are 2 options: you can move on, or you can pay 100 coins to the bank to return and open the token. But if you find yourself on a token with a robber, which was opened before you, you will have to pay 100 coins and skip the turn, but if you just stepped over it, you will get off with a slight fright – with a hundred coins.
As soon as one of the participants opens a token with the main gem of the Star of Africa game – a diamond – his task is to deliver the stone to the point of departure: to Cairo or Tangier. At the same time, the rest of the participants still have a chance to win, for this they need to go through an open or closed token with a robber and turn into a bandit. The Star of Africa game will end with the victory of the participant who will be the first to deliver the Cullinan diamond to the starting point of the expedition.
Look, a real gem!
In addition to all the components necessary for the game, the authors put a small real gem in the set with the Star of Africa game.In the gameplay, he does not take direct part, but he creates for himself the atmosphere of a hunt for precious stones.
Buy the game Star of Africa, as well as other games in the series Not boring games Pirates (based on the game from 1934) and the Beast Gio-Jangi is certainly worth it to everyone who loves action-table games and adventures that are hidden in them. After all, how else can you hunt monsters, fight pirates and go in search of a diamond in one evening, if not thanks to board games?
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