The City Magazine Edition 2

Edition 2 The CiTy Magazine 1

glenwoodregenerationA OLD, CLASSIC SUBURB IN DURBAN IS TURNING INTO A YOUNG, VIBRANT PLACE TO LIVE

OFF THE GRIDFINDING ALTERNATIVES TO MAIN STREAM POWER

A CUT ABOVERYAN FRANCIS IS MAKING WAVES IN FASHION CIRCLES

9TH AVENUE BISTROONE OF DURBAN’S FINEST RESTAURANTS

ediTion 2 distributed to the communities of Durban North, Morningside, Musgrave, Berea, Glenwood, Cowies Hill, Westville, Pinetown, Waterfall, Hillcrest and Kloof

2 The CiTy Magazine Edition 2




Graham and Gina Neilson’s dream has

become a Durban top spot and they keep

innovating

6

e d i t i o n 2

Glenwood is experiencing a

regeneration. We profile this great suburb.

40

A fashion designer that is breaking the mould

of design stigmas, Ryan Francis

We share the first in a series of tips and

solutions for a greener lifestyle and getting off

the grid.

30

Meet trendy Durbanite, Bianca Kru, as she

shares her story and what Pop up Party is all

about

33

FROM THE EDITOR

9feedback

12durban shotA picture that just captures life in the city and makes you smile.

14Socials

See what’s been happening socially in and around the City.

20wish listGadgets and things shared by resident Durban Geek Guy, Marc Forrest.

36photographer profileYuver Karunchund is our feature photographer in this edition.

52solutionsLocal entreprenuers find a solution to the dreaded lost slips.

57healthy adviceSean Temple shares with us his views on broad based health and how we should take ownership.

22

10what’s on

diary

44

The second part of our travel review to Phi

Phi Island, Thailand. A destination made in

heaven.

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22

12

24

44

ComingBack

Going of the Grid

In theKru

A Cut above the Rest

9th Ave Bistro

Phi Phi Island

33


Opportunity doesn’t always come to you packaged the way you would like. It doesn’t wait

for you to be ready, or have all the skills you wish you did, in some cases opportunity is somewhat unforgiving. If you don’t grab hold of it you’ll watch it pass you by and move on to the next person. It isn’t personal, it isn’t the universe trying to get one up on you - it’s just how it works.

Here in our city we’re faced with opportunity every day. I know this because a mentor, and good friend, once told me that hidden in change and amongst chaos is opportunity. It has to be found, but it’s definitely there. This second edition is a prime example of opportunity and hard work. It’s fairly easy to publish a first edition of a magazine but the real acid test is the second edition. If you can get that one out you’re 50% there! You can only imagine how we are celebrating in the FabMags offices as we send this magazine off to print. So, what is there to look forward to?

In our second edition we profile the well-known suburb of Glenwood, which is working hard at regenerating

itself and is fast becoming one of the places to stay in the City. We’ll be featuring other suburbs where we distribute our magazine, such as Morningside, Cowies Hill, Westville, Kloof and Hillcrest, so if you have an interesting story about one of these places drop us a mail. We also speak to Yuveer Karuchund on page 36 , a young, vibrant and passionate 22 year old who is making his mark on the location photographer scene. Another good read is our interview with Durbanite, Bianca Kru, who shares her insights on her rise to success and what Pop UP Party SA is all about. Find it on page 33.

The rest of the magazine is packed with great stories about Going off the Grid, Fashion Design, local entrepreneurs doing great things and much, much more. As always we’re working on bringing you great content about life in and around Durban!

So, as we reflect on how quickly the year has started and the fact that 2015 has started with a bang for most of us, there is a general consensus and expectation that it will breed positive outcomes for all those that choose to

participate and who consistently push personal boundaries. This is our plan as publishers of this great magazine and I hope you’ll join me on our journey this year!

Enjoy our second edition of the City Magazine and remember....

“Some think, some do, some both but often few”

Justin Scott, Editoremail me | [email protected]

follow us | instagram @fabmagazines

@thecitymag

the City Magazine is independently owned and focuses on life in and around the greater durban areas. We distribute

our magazine to readers in durban north, Musgrave, Berea, Glenwood, Westville,

Cowies Hill, Pinetown, Hillcrest and Kloof. in addition to the 15,000 copies that are

distributed around 3,000 people read the online edition and interact with the digital

magazine. if you share our passion for durban please get in touch, share your

stories or pictures and help us build your magazine!



0 3 1 8 1 9 7 7 0 0 | i n f o @ t h e b u s i n e s s c e n t r e . c o . z a | w w w . t h e b u s i n e s s c e n t r e . c o . z aD u r b a n | J o h a n n e s b u r g | C a p e T o w n

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BUSINESS ADDRESS

SERVICED OFFICES INCLUDE:• Professional call answering• Fully furnished offices• State-of-the-art meeting rooms• High-speed WiFi internet• Multi-function document centres• Video conferencing• On-site cafe

Umhlanga, Durban

Fourways, Johannesburg Century City, Cape Town


PUBLISHERFabMags Publishing

EDITORJustin Scott | [email protected]

GRAPHIC DESIGNERSDaniel Rambaly | [email protected] du Bruto | [email protected]

SALES Lucille Wendler| [email protected] Nagapah | [email protected] Odayar | [email protected] McCullum | [email protected] Scott | [email protected]

IN HOUSE JOURNALIST Jodi van Wyk | [email protected]

ADMIN & ACCOUNTS Sharlene Odayar | [email protected] 946 3187

OFFICE NUMBER032 946 0357

FAX NUMBER086 605 0098

[email protected]

EDITORIAL ADDRESSSuite 104, San Hall Office ParkKirsty Close | Ballito, KZN

FRONT PAGEMoyo | Kevin Bender Photography

PRINTINGDNA Print (Pty) Ltd

CONNECT SOCIALLYwww.facebook.com/thedurbancitymagInstagram @thecitymagTwitter @thecitymagSA

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents Fab Mags Publications cannot be held responsible for any omission or errors, or for any misfortune, injury or damages that may arise therefrom. The City Magazine is published by FabMags CC Suite 104, San Hall Office Park, Kirsty Close, Ballito, South Africa 4418.

Copyright The City Magazine & FabMags Publications. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or any part is prohibited without prior permission of the publisher. All products and services featured in this publication are subject to availability and are not stocked by FabMags.

The online copy of our launch

edition did extremely well with

more than 4,700 impressions on

Issuu. Kierran Allan’s article was

the most popular article online

and the magazine was read in

the UK, USA, Germany, New

Zealand, Zambia, Korea, Austria

and Nigeria! Wow, thats some

reach for our first edition.

If you want to connect with

us follow us on Twitter @

TheCityMagSa, on Facebook

thedurbanCityMag or with

Instagram @TheCityMag.

Whatever you do make sure

you’re one of the many people

reading and connecting with the

City Mag!

Boy did this article get some interesting

comments along with some great feedback 1,954 people were reached and Sean got 65 likes on the post including several messages of support, including this one

Jacqueline Le Roux Hay coach! So proud to be associated with flux!

facebook

Read the mag online!

The cover of the City Magazine was one of our best

performing posts on Facebook, more than 3,710 people viewed

the FB post#rockingFBVIA FACEBOOK

Feedback

Our editor and publisher got to visit the Oyster Box Hotel as part of a media invite. The afternoon and evening was great fun and GM, Wayne Coetzer, was an amazing host, sharing stories about the very early days at the Oyster Box and how the hotel got to where it is today. Watch this space for a story...

@kayla.lives2surf got snapped at the launch of the QuikSilver store in Gateway. We got some good likes of the the pic but the best part was getting a mention from Kayla herself “Thank you @thecitymag had a great time☆:-)”. Follow us on Instagram @thecitymag

instagram

EST. 2015


How to be busy and important with all things happening in and around

Durban

In the mood for romance and jazz? Suave Canadian crooner Michael Bublé is at Moses Mabhida on March 17, from 6pm.

Calling all brides and brides-to-be - the nWJ Bridal Show happens at the durban exhibition Centre on March 7 and 8, with daily fashion shows. See over 110 top wedding specialist covering venues, entertainment, décor,

Acclaimed author deepak Chopra visits Durban on March 19. He will share on alternative and mainstream medicine at the durban iCC.

Popular saxophonist andrew young brings Sax In the City to Ushaka Marine World

South African born singer and performer, Dantanio Goodman is Michael Jackson in the new tribute show to the late “King of Pop” – Michael Jackson hiStory - Thriller 2015. The show takes place daily at 8pm from 19 March until 6 april 2015. Tickets cost R250 per adult and R150 per child under the age of 15.

Grammy Award winning and multi-platinum-selling singer-songwriter ChRiS BRoWn returns to Durban performing at the Moses Mabhida People’s Park on Saturday, 4 april. Tickets for this awesome concert at www.ticketpros.co.za

Thank you For the Music – a reunion of the Bee Gees, Queen and ABBA opens at The Barnyard Theatre on March 11, running until april 19. An 11-piece ensemble will have you singing along to Stayin’ Alive and To Love Somebody…Dancing Queen, Waterloo to We Will Rock You and The Bohemian Rhapsody.

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) will once again host the annual Bonitas Comrades expo at the durban exhibition Centre in May entrance is free. Be part of the Comrades experience between the 28th and 30th of May 2015 between 9am and 7pm on Thursday and Friday; and 9am to 5pm on Saturday

Coming ‘full circle’ from his beginnings as an inspired young Michael Jackson fan, Dantanio looks forward to honouring his idol with his role in The Michael Jackson HIStory Show, which hits Durban in March 2015. Michael Jackson HIStory - Thriller 2015 plays out at Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom’s iZulu Theatre from 19 March to 6 April 2015.

Follow us on Facebook ThedurbanCityMag for up to date events or if you’re having an event email us [email protected]

The popular decorex durban home living exhibition returns this year, themed ‘Bliss’. Get design and décor ideas and inspiration from a range of high-end exhibitors, workshops and demos, at the durban exhibition Centre from March 19 to 22.

FeBMar

photographers, wedding wear and attorneys.

Madame zingara has returned to Durban with their sensational after Forever tour. The dinner-cirque sensation promises to dazzle with a new show, a decadent new menu and mesmerising new interior. Runs until april 30.

on March 1. Catch the ‘Prince of Sax’ and his band at Wahooz on the Promenade. entrance is free; look forward to ‘Georgia’ and ‘Still Got the Blues’.


www.estatelivingballito.co.zaWillie 082 966 4069 Jules 082 646 [email protected] [email protected]

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Moyo on the pier at Ushaka Beach has become

a landmark in Durban. Photographer Kevin Bender captures the

essence of Durban life in this photo

Check out his work at www.kevinbender.com

a picture says it all


20 years at The hardy BoysDurban

1. Dale Tomlinson, Kim Tomlinson, Kerry Tomlinson and Rohan Tomlinson2. Brandon Head and Gayle Sansom3. Bridgette Landsberg, Roland Aliphon and Tesha Timlin4. Bryan Powell, Slade and Mel Massyn5. Phumzile Nkwakha, Candice Moodlier, Tsakane Mogalle and Nosipho Ncube6. Kate and Glynn Swan7. Candice Moodlier8. Cara Lea, Dave Slater and Max Hall

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The SceneHardy boys celebrated their 20th year in 1920’s style. Guests thoroughly enjoyed mingling to the sounds of local jazz band Beat Route while snacking on delicious cuisine prepared by chef Jacqui Rey (Food Matters).

We’LL CoVeR iTHaving a launch, event or

something social you want us to cover? Email us at [email protected]

Been spotted? Email us and we’ll send you a complimentary copy of your photo or check out our Facebook page thedurbancitymag


Jockey Fashion Show 2015Waterfront, Durban

1. Alyssia Birjalal and Liam Joice2. Belinda Baker, Treesa David and Chris Graaf3. Graeme Hay and Brad Wills4. Bruce McMurray, Mark Sham and Cindy Booysens5.Hlengiwe Khanyile and Lolita Maharaj6. Tim Wheeler, Amanda Dlamini, Debra Waller and John Schroder7. Aesha Candy, Natalie Bennie, Amanda Dlamini and Dudu NqCobo8. Dominique Mann - Model

The SceneThe legendary Jockey Fashion Show took place at the Waterfront Hotel. With international guests, buyers from major retailers and locals the evening was a top notch affair on the social calendar.

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Relaunch of QuikSilver StoreUmhlanga

1. Nick and Shelley Ferreira2. Tamara Pedlar, Dane Patterson and Carol Bennewith 3. Cayli van Breda and Megan du Plessis4. Jade, Peter and Avril Henderson5. Kayla Nogueira6. Dylan Liebenberg, Brad Swanepoel and Ewald Steyn7. Saxton Randall, Sophie Bell and Roxy Scott8. Gary and Tamlyn Stewart

The SceneQuiksilver, Roxy and DC hosted guests at their brand new, revamped store at Gateway Shopping Centre. There was a great vibe with beatboxing, giveaways and great company.

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The Pearls Sky LaunchUmhlanga

1. Nico van Rooyen, Trevor Botsis, Bruce Morrison and Noelene Morrison2. Jenni McCullum and Doody Adams3. MEC Michael Mabuyakhulu and Anant Singh4. Greg Cryer, Phillip Sheppard and Nico van Rooyen5. Reggie Haripersad, Albert Lourens, Sharendra Bedesi and Neil Cocker6. Stuart Millar and Richard Cooper7. The full team with MEC Michael Mabuyakhulu and Cllr Logie Naidoo

The SceneMedia were invited to the launch of the last addition to the amazing Pearls complex in Umhlanga. Pearls Sky will include apartments and a full retail complex that will change the face of old town Umhlanga

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Seafood hyperRecipe Book LaunchDurban

1. Asha Maharaj and Darren Maule2. Lucille Wendler and Michelle McEwan3. Brutus Maseko and Pedro Coasta4. Raphael Costa and Gabriella Costa5. Tracy Naicker and Terica Pillay6. Kantha and Sewpersad Sew7. Darren Maule and Pedro Costa

The SceneDarren Maule with East cost together with Pedro Costa and Asha Maharaj have launched the book Seafood hyper “Asian & Mediterranean” cuisine.

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The Handpresso Portable Espresso

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The Braven team never fail to surprise us with the

latest additions to their product ranges. So when

we saw the new Braven 705 Wireless Bluetooth

speaker, we had to get our hands on it.

The lightweight portability meets big sound

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the Braven 705 Speaker is offered in a wide variety

of colours to match your personal style.

This fantastic speaker is available exclusively at

iStore for a recommended selling price of R1699

Braven 705 / Wireless Bluetooth Speaker www.above-beyond.co.za

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“Excellence belongs to the Zealous”

AcademicsAcademics

YOU ARE INVITED TO VISIT ASHTON ANY DAY OF THE WEEK


Feature

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COMINGBACKGlenwood is an area of intrigue WITH A DEEP history AS ONE OF DURBAN’S LONG STANDING SUBURBS and HOLDS tremendous potential. Thanks to an evident resurgence, the area is undergoing a facelift AND MAKING A MARK AS THE NEW SPOT TO LIVE IN. We take a look…

The resurgence seems to not only have

paved the way for older businesses to

get a new lease on life, and for newer

businesses to start swimming – it clearly

allows for businesses of any kind to trade

side by side.

We see the stately heritage that is Fulham

Bakery on Manning Road, the ongoing

development of the Davenport Square and

the history within the walls of the Open

Air Disabled School – established in 1921

– blending with the funkiness of a string

of trendy restaurants on Davenport Road,

colloquially referred to as ‘the laid back

Florida Road’.

The streets of Glenwood vibrate with

stories that have been told for generations

and novels yet to be created.

Words Jodi van WykPhotos Alex VerhagenPhotos Kate van Onselen


Take the likes of Navesh Maharaj who – for 20 years –

has been selling fruit and vegetables from the back of his

van. The locals love him and his array of fresh produce;

some say it’s easier to buy from him than it is driving to

a supermarket.

But the glue that binds Glenwood together…is the

people.

“We have our regulars,” says Fulham Bakery manager

Pinkie Govender. “Mums popping in in the mornings

for lunches, or stopping by for fresh bread on the way

home. Those who enjoy a coffee or éclair. The area has

grown over the years and we’ve seen the more elderly

crowd make way for a younger crop of residents.”

One of the first eateries in a string on Davenport Road

was Yossi’s, a Morrocan style café that hosts regular live

music evenings that have become quite popular.

Owner La’Verne Rampono loves that the strip is

cosmopolitan, mixed and vibey.

“Yossi’s was really a pioneer and we’ve seen the

resurgence especially on Davenport Road. There’s a

constant change, which is refreshing. Those who live

here and those who visit are really spoiled for choice

with the eclectic mix.”

Since opening its doors in 2002 pre-school Mes Amis

Manna, in its famous castle-house, has educated 520

pre-schoolers. Principal and owner Ruanda Rochat says

they have impacted thousands of families in Glenwood

and wouldn’t swop it for the world.

“Glenwood and its demographic have grown and

changed significantly in 13 years and we love that our

local area allows older and younger groups co-existing.

Glenwood is now, more than ever, a family-oriented

community where parents work and children need to be

educated in a completely child devoted environment.”

Another Glenwood institution worth noting is Glenwood

High School – a symbol of time-honoured tradition

and prestige. Headmaster Trevor Kershaw feels all the

schools in Glenwood are of crucial importance, and that

Glenwood High School is a vital part of the community.

images1 The heart of the Glenwood Bakery is their artisanal breads baked freshly every day 2 The Methodist Church is a landmark and home to many weddings over its many years there 3 KZN Society of Arts has made its home in the Architect Cindy Walters custom-designed building 4 Glenwood High School is one of the top schools in Durban 5 Glenwood Village, also know in the past as the Buxton Centre, offers residents all they need for daily shopping 6 Brett from Parc Cafe, neighbour to Glenwood Bakery, owner of a quaint coffee shop for visitors and locals

Feature

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6 image by Kate van Onselen www.katevanonselen.com


“The school attracts many people to

the suburb with sporting and cultural

events. Its indigenous gardens attract

many visitors. Glenwood High School has

grown with the suburb. Its role as founder

member of the very active Glenwood

Community Forum is significant.”

Victorian homes, contemporary shops, the

KZN University’s Howard College campus,

the KZN Art Gallery and a number of

popular, protected green parks, including

Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve and the

refurbished Bulwer Park are drawing large

numbers of people to put down roots and

to live, work and play in this established

and unique area. So says Tyson Properties

glenwood principal greg Rhodes-Jones.

“This resurgence of interest and

investment is largely due to increased

affordability as the property industry

emerges from a negative cycle and the

fact that qualified buyers recognise that

they can get value for their money. For

under R2 million buyers can purchase

a freestanding, three bedroom home

with a small garden and pool. Many of

these homes offer wooden floors, high

ceilings, stained glass windows and

original fireplaces – all characteristic of the

historic, Victorian-style homes in the area.

Add the family-friendly neighbourhood

and the proximity to Durban’s premier

beaches and major highways and you

have a winning mix.”

Rhodes-Jones added that, with the

massive investment that has been made

into expanding the Durban Harbour

region, Tyson Properties Glenwood

believes the improvements to South

Africa’s premier port will only add to the

area’s appeal and will further boost the

area’s popularity. “Expectations are that

the area will continue to grow and that

there will be much movement in the local

property market.”

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image by Kate van Onselen www.katevanonselen.com


images7 Howard College on the top of the hill 8 The green grass of Bulwer Park 9 Inside KZN Society of Arts 10 Parc Cafe is a great place to grab a coffee 11 Davenport Centre has been around for over 35 years 12 Urban Descent, a longboarding race held by QuikSilver and GunSlinger happens annually 13 Yossi’s Moroccan Restaurant was one of the first restaurants to plant itself in Helen Joseph Road 14 Olive and Oil Glenwood

images 2,4,5,7.8,10,12 Alex Verhagen Photographer

Greg and Anna Rhodes, Principals of the Tyson Glenwood Office, are invested in

the area and support initiatives to keep Glenwood safe and secure. Gunter Richter,

chairman of the Security Association, along with Greg and Anna have structured

a support model that includes monthly financial support along with a share of

commission on sales that come from valuations in the area. This synergy is just one

example of how people in the area are working together to build on Glenwood’s

growing potential.

TySon PRoPeRTieS SUPPoRTS LoCaL gUaRding

From a resident’s perspective Glenwood

sounds like a dream, as it well should.

Michelle McDaniel has lived in the area

for nine years and has no intention of

leaving. Some of her earliest memories

include visiting her grandparents, who

lived opposite Buxtons (now Glenwood

Village).

“We used to visit them on Saturday or

Sunday for lunch, and this would usually

end up with a trip across the road to the

Spar to buy a few goodies. This was such

a treat because my gran would always

buy us a little something. I was about 9

or 10 years old. Today, I still shop at that

centre and Spar which has only grown

from strength to strength over the

years.” With the addition of a new coffee

shop near her flat, Michelle has witnessed

resurgence first hand.

“People are there from very early in

the morning, 6.45am having coffee and

breakfast. Initially I wasn’t happy about

it opening, selfishly thinking of traffic

in our little quite road, but it’s really

nice to see friends and family having a

conversation over coffee. It has brought

a little life into the area.”

Glenwood is definitely making a

comeback and we’re excited to have

been able to experience this

Feature

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home Technologies group of

companies was started in 1999.

Their core business being solar

related products, namely swimming

pool heating solar panels which they

manufacture entirely. In 2004 they

started importing more products from

China and in 2006 started exporting their

swimming pool solar panels to South

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saw the company diversify into solar

geyser hot water systems and they have

installed close on 100,000 pool panels and

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All of this experience places Home

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Approaching GOTG can be done in

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When asked if GOTG can be done

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He adds “With solar, the main draw

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how you drive that determines how long

the fuel will last. The same applies here.

So, generally on a system with 8 hybrid gel

batteries= 7200 watts of storage. if you

are using 720 watts per hour the batteries

will last 10 hours. 720 watts would supply

a large 60" flat screen tv, decoders, ads

modem, 40 x led 5w lights etc.

how long will the batteries last before we

have to replace them?

The Omnipower Hybrid gel batteries have

a 5000 life cycle. This means that they can

charge and discharge 5000 times. That

works out to over 10 years!

Hi Temp offer 3kw hybrid systems from

R119,900 - this include the inverter, MPPT

charge controller, Hybrid Gel Batteries and

Thin Film Photovoltaic panels, basically all

the stuff you need!

how easy is it to retro fit a solar solution?

Does it require a lot of work and damage

to an existing house? In most cases we

can use existing electrical conduit pipe to

run our cable in. If this is not possible then

surface cases are run and hide in trunking.

Definitely no damage to existing house. 1st

prize is to have the necessary in place with

the build is in progress.

With ‘dips’ in the power and cut over

to alternatives what damage occurs on

appliances? do you have a solution?

Power dips and surges are no good for

older appliances - newer appliances can

clamp small spikes and have a slightly

wider voltage tolerance. The “cheapest”

solution is an in-line UPS or our power

trolley which as like a buffer.

given Sa climate i assume we have many

sun days so solar is a good solution?

Typically across South Africa we have

5 - 6.5 hours a day of solar radiation. The

photovoltaic solar module technology is

improving and the CIS Thin film modules

have proved to be more efficient than the

older mono & poly crystalline modules.

Also the newer models allow for up to

80% shading before switching off!

web | www.hometech.co.zaNatioNal sales HotliNe 076 969 3807

facebook www.facebook.com/solarelectricitysa

GOING OFF THE GRID

GreenCityCity life is changing as more and more families work at adopt a ‘greener’ approach to life, but what does it take to go green? Over the next few editions we’ll bring you articles, tips and advice on making the transition to a greener life. We start with ‘Going off the Grid’ which is extremely topical given the current Eskom challenges. A big thank you to Dominque from Hi Temp Solar Electricity.


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Durban: 031 000 1000 | Beacon Rock, Lighthouse Rd, UmhlangaNick Gluckman: 082 555 4611 | [email protected]

www.oggie-sa.co.za



in the kruAccording to her Instagram bio, she will gladly ‘show ankle for five minutes of WiFi’ and ‘work for shoes’. Bianca Kru is Durban’s newest ‘It Girl’ and seems to do it all – event management, brand promotion and study law – all, in the most fabulous shoes! She is also the gorgeous face behind Pop Up Party SA, joining the fast-spreading phenomenon of pop up parties. In this edition, we speak to the brains (and beauty) behind the slick ‘Ultrakru’

Words Jodi van Wyk

Interview


explain the PopUp concept.

POPUp Party is a fun, colourful and unique

event concept that appeals to a niche

clientele. It is a networking day/night

event that pops up every second month in

a new and exciting location each time. Our

target demographic is young professionals

and entrepreneurs in Durban. We provide

a casual, relaxed environment to build

their network and new relationships over

sundowners, with local DJs hitting the

decks and setting the tone with deep

tunes. Each POPUp is limited to 200

invited guests per event.

how has the concept been received so

far, and what do you hope to achieve

through it?

Through POPUp we want to achieve

great and memorable events that expose

Durbanites to their amazing surroundings,

which often get overshadowed by the

more popular and frequented venues.

Durban has a lot to offer and we want to

start putting that out there. Pop Up has

been extremely well received and we have

gained a great following in a short space

of time.

Tell us something we don’t know about

Bianca Kru and PoPUp? how do you keep

your crazy life balanced?

Most people wouldn’t know that we never

had a master plan or blueprint for POPUp?

One day we literally just said “hey, that

sounds like fun, let’s do it” and the first

event was the next month. Impulsive! I

keep my balance by making my fitness a

priority, I socialise way too much and like

to spend time with my friends and family –

keeps me sane!

Let’s rewind a bit. Who is Bianca Kru, the

basics?

I have a huge passion for all things

creative, love my work and enjoy sharing

my own experiences and learning as

much as I can from others. I try to never

take outside appreciation for my work

as a signal that I know everything. I want

to be constantly learning and bettering

my brand. In business, I value the more

unpopular qualities of being open-

minded, trying to make smart decisions,

observing people and prioritisation. Away

from business, I try not to take myself

too seriously. I simply love meeting new

people, being around people I love and

have a great sense of humour.

Interview


have you always been interested in

event management and planning, or was

it something you stumbled into? how did

you get your start?

My first passion was design, but I always

had a flair for entertaining – I felt drawn

to throwing a party or organising events.

My opportunity presented itself six years

ago to start hosting events as a club

promoter on a professional level. I’ve

have since partnered with three event

venues and hosted music festivals. New

doors have always been opened for me in

the entertainment industry, and it’s been

great!

you have quite a strong social media

presence and following. how did you

build your brand and how do you keep it

relevant?

Well, your personal brand paints a picture

of who you are and should encompass

all your characteristics. To keep relevant

I developed an attitude of treating my

platforms as an extension of myself.

People seem to respond well to that. I

have purposefully cultivated the best

brand for myself as I’ve navigated my

career.

describe a typical day in the life of

Bianca Kru. What is your usual schedule?

I have a very structured and hectic

schedule. I have a (very reluctant) 5am

start to most days, plus checking in with

my trainer Dave Ozorio. I direct five

different brands, to which I dedicate one

to two hours each…two hours a day for

my studies (currently trying to finish my

Bachelor of Commerce in Law). I meet

with the Ultrakru and have networking

meetings. There is often not enough

hours in my day, but hey… we persevere!

What has been the most rewarding

part of your journey? What has your

experience taught you?

The most rewarding part of my journey

is the various people I have met along

the way. I have made some great friends

and associates - some I am happy to

see the back of! But most have added

so much value to me and my business.

My experience thus far has taught me

not to take failure lightly, never to write

failure off ‘as something that everyone

goes through, c’est la vie and better luck

next time’. Growing as a business person

is tough! After all these years, I now

have a pretty good idea of what success

and failure looks like. I take neither for

granted.

What’s the best thing about durban life?

Durban is a multi-faceted city, with

amazing potential and so much to offer,

and many great things to experience. Our

city has great beaches, friendly people,

amazing weather and a laid back coolness

about it. I love most things about Durban,

except the humidity!

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In our second photographer profile we profile Yuveer Karunchund, a

talented photographer who likes to tell a story through his pictures, taking

clean yet colourful photos using different angles and lighting. Yuveer ranked

5th in the world as a drone pilot at champions held in Vegas in 2012 which

sparked his interest in aerial photography. He has also been in a TV series,

competing to shoot the cover of National Geographic Traveler Magazine.

City Photographer to look out for

yuveerkarunchund

CITY MAG PROFILE



Tell us a little bit about yourself?

My name is Yuveer Karunchund, I’m 22

years old and I’m Durban born and breed.

At the moment I’m a quantity surveying

student and part-time Photographer.

how long have you been a photographer?

I’ve been a photographer for the last three

years.

What or who got you started in

photography, did you study?

It was all by surprise. I never studied

photography and got started when I

got my iPhone 4 . I was also influenced

by friends as I started sharing images

on facebook I started to get likes and

feedback. People got to see Durban from

a different perspective and liked it.

What gives you ideas or inspires you to

create your imagery?

I have to say the atmosphere around me.

I try to capture the moment I’m presently

in. Whatever I feel at the time I try to

capture in my photo. My inspiration also

comes from other photographers around

the world, whether they be amateur

or professional, photography has no

boundaries .

how would you describe your style?

Very colorful and sharp and I also try to

keep my images very symmetrical.

What type of camera do you use?

I started off with an iPhone 4 then an

iPhone 5 and eventually saved up to buy

a Canon 650D. After working for a while I

upgraded to a Canon 5D Mk3!

how important is Photoshop in your final

images?

Photoshop for me is very important. I try

to get the image in camera and then do

minimal touch up and colour grading. I

enjoy colour grading my images. For my

fashion work I sometimes spend hours

retouching an image in Photoshop.

Who is your idol in the industry how has

he helped shape your photographic style?

Mario Testion, fashion photographer. His

style is clean, beautiful and artistic. From

seeing his work and the way he works its

truly amazing. I try to follow along the

lines of his style, I have long way to, but

will get there for sure.

What’s your favourite place to shoot?

I normally shoot alot on the Durban Beach

front but recently shot a fashion story at

City hall. I fell in love with the architecture

and look and really got to see it from a

different perspective .


destination you’ve always wanted to

shoot at?

From the start of my photography career

I’ve always dreamt of shooting in Paris and

in 2013, I did! Best moment of my life. My

new destination would be Iceland to shoot

a fashion story.

What do you think is the trickiest thing to

photograph?

Well I’ve tried taking pics of new born

children! Not too much fun at all for me.

What in your mind makes a brilliant

photo?

I think for it to be careful positioned, a

clean colour grade and a meaning, capture

what you feel. That’s how you excel and

show people your style .

Yuvi106

@Yuveer106

@Durbansoul

www.yuvikphoto.com

Model | Rio hooper - ice genetics



Traditionalists might still insist that fashion design “is for girls”.

you know, those who refuse to associate things like swatches,

scissors and ramps with a manly man. But men like Tom Ford,

Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren and yves St Laurent have deftly

stepped on that archaic stereotype with the establishment of

their global fashion empires. durban’s 31-year-old Ryan Francis is

steadily lacing up his ‘shoelaces’ to follow in those footsteps…

Who, in their right mind, would get away with wearing a

karategi on any good day? Or, better yet – who cuts up a

bandanna and convinces a lady to wear the garment as a

dress? Or sews them onto jogger pants and rocks them himself? Or…

dons a magazine-print shirt and matching shorts? Ryan Francis does.

His unique, quirky fashion sense has turned heads since he launched

his label, Shoelaced Clothing, in 2011.

Born in Durban, Ryan lived in Ireland for 10 years before coming

home to pursue fashion design full-time. His first foray into fashion was

a range of beach slippers with laces.

“Fashion has always been a huge interest of mine. I can remember,

in my early childhood, always ‘attacking’ my clothes with a scissors

trying to create my own unique look. I have always loved revamping

and changing up garments to create something new.”

Ryan says he always wanted to have his own clothing label. “I had

started to design things and wear them myself. After receiving positive

feedback from others I realised there was a demand for the style I was

creating. I then decided that the time was right to launch my label. I had many potential names for my brand, but the one I kept going back

to was Shoelaced Clothing. It just seems to fit my style…young, trendy,

unique and proudly South African.”Since showcasing his first range at the Durban July in 2011, Ryan

has shown his garments at several key venues – most recently a show

stopping production at SMG Rocks in Umhlanga.

“Seeing my first garment on the ramp was overwhelming. It made me so happy to see that my style and take on fashion was enjoyed and appreciated by others.”

He describes Shoelaced as an urban street wear brand that creates

unique looks, staying ahead of the fashion curve.“Our oversized t-shirts have become very popular with both males

and females. They are on trend and can be styled with your existing

wardrobe items to create your own personal look. Personally, I don’t even think I have a particular style. My style is usually influenced by

how I feel at that time.”

A Cut Above the RestWords Jodi van Wykimages Lee Folkard



The biggest feather in Ryan’s fashionable cap is undoubtedly

a major coup – getting his range into the newly opened Space

Man. The Gateway Theatre of Shopping clothing store stocks

proudly South African brands.

“I had the opportunity to work for established designer Leigh

Schubert for the last couple of years, which helped me gain valuable

knowledge and experience of the fashion and retail industry. In

November last year Leigh told me about Space Man coming to

Gateway. She suggested meeting with the owners who accepted my range, to my delight.”

Ryan, who is never caught without a pair of black shades, says

he draws his inspiration from meeting new people; encountering

different personalities and characters. “It’s interesting to listen to different perceptions of fashions

and styles. I try to create garments that are unusual and

interesting but also easy to wear and can be adapted by an

individual to suit their style. When you wear Shoelaced, you should feel unique and trendy, but still like yourself. I want people to feel really confident and proud of who they are.”

His biggest challenge has been balancing work,

Shoelaced and family life. When he needs to unwind, Ryan swaps design for sport. “When I’m not designing I love to go body boarding,

play soccer and go cycling. I also love spending the day on the beach with my family.”

The witty designer has big plans for his brand. “I see Shoelaced available in stores throughout South

Africa. I would also love to launch an online store to allow

my brand to be available worldwide.”


9th Avenue Bistro has continued

to remain at the forefront of the

Durban dining scene since its

inception in 2001, consistently winning

awards and remaining ranked among the

top restaurants in the country.

9th Avenue showcases fresh locally

sourced seasonal cuisine. All dishes are

exquisitely presented, from modern

interpretations of Bistro classics to cutting

edge gastronomy. The menu is constantly

evolving and diners are encouraged to try

the six course tasting menu.

The wine list changes regularly and

concentrates on smaller boutique wineries

offering some of SA’s finest, as well as

Words Joanne Hayes

Food


the States, the UK, Bermuda and South

America. It was while travelling that

they came to the conclusion that there

was no place like home and decided

that their home town of Durban would

be the place for them to make their

mark. Taking the lessons they learnt

and bringing them back to 9th when

they took over the restaurant a little

over a year ago. It has been their

mission to create a modern, warm and

unpretentious venue in the heart of

Morningside, Durban, serving fresh and

creative cuisine with an emphasis on high

quality seasonal ingredients. Graham

and his chefs in the kitchen strive for

perfection with every plate whilst Gina

and the front of house team deliver

many affordable options. The wine

list also offers a limited selection of

international wines and locally sourced

micro brewed beers from the Shongweni

Brewery, as well as the popular Brewers

and Union range of artisan beers. Every

few months 9th Avenue hosts set menu

dinners paired with leading wine estates

from SA and abroad.

The restaurant’s executive chef/patron

Graham Neilson, a former head chef of

the renowned Fordoun hotel and spa in

the Natal Midlands, met his wife Gina at

9th Avenue Bistro in 2005 when Gina

was waitressing whilst studying for her

bachelor of education. Gina and Graham

then travelled and worked together in

smooth, knowledgeable and professional

service.

9th Avenue is run by husband and wife

team, Graham and Gina Neilson who

took over the bistro after travelling and

working in the States, the UK, Bermuda,

South America and locally in the KZN

Midlands. Graham and his chefs in the

kitchen strive for perfection with every

plate whilst Gina and the front of house

team deliver smooth, knowledgeable and

professional service.

hoT oFF The PReSS!!9th Avenue Bistro recently welcomed

new Head Chef, Charlie Lakin.


Charlie’s love for food and cooking began way

back when he was a little boy. At eight years

old he cooked his first full roast chicken dinner

complete with Yorkshire Puddings and got his

first kitchen job at the tender age of 12. Born

into a family of farmers he has been surrounded

by livestock and food for about as long as he

can remember. He went on to receive his formal

training at Yorkshire Coast College before

becoming Sous Chef at The Star Inn where,

together with the then Head Chef Andrew Pern,

combined modern techniques with traditional

home style cooking to create their own signature

style. They subsequently won a Michelin star.

Charlie remained there for four years and after

another four year stint at the Faversham Arms as

Head Chef, he finally went on to become Head

Chef at The Marquis at Alkham, a five star fine

dining establishment in Kent in the UK. During

his time at The Marquis, the restaurant won

“Restaurant of the Year” in the Taste of Kent

Awards, Three AA rosettes and of course a

Michelin Star Rising.

Charlie has appeared in two seasons of The

Great British Menu, The Olympics and the Comic

Relief series and now South African diners will

get to experience his mastery in the kitchen

for themselves. He has been in South Africa for

six months and is already turning heads on the

culinary scene.

PhoToSToP One of Charlie’s unique dishes served to media recently ToP RighT Chef Charlie Lakin. BoTToM Signature Souffle oPPoSiTe executive chef and owner Graham Neilson, a former head chef of the renowned Fordoun hotel and spa in the Natal Midlands, cooking at his restaurant, 9th Avenue Bistro

Food


48 The CiTy Magazine Edition 2 48 | w w w. fa bmags . c o. z a

heaven on

Following on from our Phuket, Thailand experience was a week

on the idyllic, perfectly unspoilt Outrigger Resort and Spa on Phi

Phi Island. Our travel agent, Marilyn from iTravelSmart, had no

doubt that that was the place for us to stay after we mentioned

that we wanted to stay on Phi Phi, not just have a day trip. Well,

she was spot on with her advice…we had the most sublime six

days on Phi Phi Island.

This trip starts with a two-hour ferry ride, which in our case

was horrendous as very bad weather made the sea extremely

rough. Nevertheless, we put that behind us swiftly (we’ll keep

it on the ‘trip to remember’ list). Next, we boarded a long tail

boat to Outrigger and about 20 minutes later we beached and

were welcomed with piña coladas, friendly faces, smiles and

the now all-too-familiar “sawadee ka” greeting. After a jam-

packed Phuket trip we had planned nothing for six days except

pure, total relaxation! We were shown to our gorgeous and

comfortable chalet type rooms, and decided to take a stroll

to the pool immediately. Wasting no time we ordered our first

bucket of piña colada and floated in the pool for the next couple

of hours. We noticed the waves receding as low tide approached

and were completely intrigued how far they went back. This was

when all the holiday makers took long walks right up to where

boats were now anchored on the sand. It is an amazing feeling

and became part of our daily routine.

Phi Phi IslandWords Lorinda Scott

Travel



Outrigger Resort and Spa caters for your

every need from food to an internet cafe

and spa. The next morning at breakfast

(where, to our amazement, the waves had

again disappeared) we spotted hammocks

hanging between two swaying palm trees

and knew it was going to be a good day.

Outrigger has a private 800 metre stretch

of pristine beach…think sparkling turquoise

waters of the Andaman Sea lapping

crystal-like white sand – absolutely idyllic!

every restaurant encourages the use of

their free Wi-Fi and ‘please check in’ on

social media. (South Africa is so far behind

with this small but effective marketing

tool). Buffalo Head Bar and Phi Phi island

Pad-Thai Restaurant became our fast

favourite places to have a cocktails and a

good meal.

It is possible to walk across the whole

island but we were on a strictly no-

adventure, relax-only mission. The next

few days were spent devouring breakfasts

with the most stunning view then

lounging around the pool; the pool is an

adventure…360 degrees, bar IN the pool,

a rock feature, Jacuzzi-type sitting area…

it covers all the needs from young to old.

It is perfect for those wanting to drink

the whole day or those on honeymoon

wanting a quiet spot to stare into each

other’s eyes. We hired canoes and

ventured around the cove, played soccer

on the beach during low tide and sipped

on cocktails at the pool, while our nights

were spent taking slow evening walks

to the village and back. We were armed

with mosquito spray but I must admit the

mozzies were not as bad as we’d heard

during September and October.

While spending some time in the pool

chatting to other guests, we found out

that there is a whole village behind

Outrigger, which was just a five minute

walk away. We felt very adventurous!

Our walk revealed at least seven bars and

restaurants, three Thai massage parlours,

clothing shops, hair salon and even a little

a café – we were astounded! From then

on we spent our evenings with the locals,

eating Thai food at great prices. Of course,


We had an amazing moonlit dinner at

Outrigger at the Coconut Grill & Bar. Slabs

of meat led to feasts of fresh seafood and

steak…we danced under the moonlight to

amazing live music. It was one of those

magical nights we’ll remember forever.

Something else that fascinated us were

cooking classes with the Outrigger chef.

We felt rather accomplished, making our

own Tom Kha Thalay (seafood coconut

soup with galangai and lime leaves),

Geang Khiew Wan Gai (green curry with

chicken and vegetables) and Kluay Buad

Chee (stewed banana in sweet coconut

milk).

Most people doing day trips from Phuket

go to Maya Bay, which means by 10am it

is overcrowded and scorching, with little

to no shaded areas. So, we decided to do

a half-day trip to the quieter Mosquito

Island, where you snorkel and swim with

what seemed like a million colourful,

Outrigger Phi Phi Island Resort and Spawww.outriggerthailand.com

All travel bookings and most tours can be arranged through TourEast

+66 2267 [email protected]

iTravelSmart 032 525 6660www.itravelsmart.co.za

beautiful fish. The fish are so used

to people that they happily feed out

of your hand. That was one of the

highlights of my trip. We then took the

long tail boat to Bamboo Island where

we enjoyed a light lunch, in a little bit of

shade under the trees. We had another

swim there and were surprised to find

little to no fish. Those that were there

had no interest in being fed at all.

Phi Phi Island – especially the fantastic

Outrigger Resort and Spa – was one

of the reasons we left Thailand after 14

fantastic days with very heavy hearts…

knowing for sure, that we would be

back.


In this edition, I deal with the broad

based subject of heaLTh. Before I

start, I looked up the World Health

Organization’s definition of Health.

“Health is a state of complete physical,

mental and social well-being and

not merely the absence of disease

or infirmity.” This definition was first

penned in the WHO constitution in 1946.

This definition has not been touched

since 1948. That’s 67 years ago! Health

as an industry has boomed like never

before, yet we have more obesity and

heart disease than ever before. We

have more poverty and starvation than

ever before. We have more injuries and

corrective surgery than ever before.

What has changed?? Before I go

through my list, not exhaustive by the

way, I want to add a single sentence

to be the precursor to the reasons I list

below.

Man and his ego and laziness..

Is to blame for the advent of most

convenient foods and choices found

on our menus today. A startling fact

is approximately 52 percent of adults

consume between one and six sugary

beverages per week, which are a

primary source of high-fructose corn

syrup in the average diet, according

to DukeHealth.org. Further, close to

one-third of adults admit to having

at least one sugary drink each day. In

addition to sugary beverages, many

adults also consume a variety of foods

that contain far more high-fructose

corn syrup than they might think. In

fact, there was a 1,000 percent increase

in the consumption of high-fructose

corn syrup between 1970 and 1990,

according to ConsumerReports.org. In

2009, the average American consumed

about 35.7 pounds of high-fructose corn

syrup, reports the Illinois Farm Bureau,

and that has contributed to a number of

health problems and us South Africans

aren’t far behind.

What is high fructose corn syrup

(HFCS)?

HFCS comprises any of a group of

corn syrups that have undergone

enzymatic processing to convert some

of its glucose into fructose to produce

a desired sweetness. Because of its

low price compared to sucrose (table

sugar), HFCS is commonly used in

processed foods and consists of 24%

water while the rest is sugar.

The bottom line is it is highly

addictive, it is found in most foods and

convenience food outlets.

Is to blame for the state of inactivity

amongst the 1st world countries like

the USA, UK, Australia and even certain

parts of our own population. Exercise

has been seen as a dirty word in schools

and corporates, yet this has a direct

correlation to the massive increase in

physical ailments like back ache and

joint issues. The lack of exercise, with

bad eating, has been the reason for the

scary statistics floating around with

regards to obesity, diabetes and heart

disease.

Is to blame for the genetically

modified foods that have helped

ramp up many ailments now so

prevalent in the world today. What

is a GM food? Genetically modified

organisms, or GMOs, are created when a

gene from one species is transferred to

another, creating something that would

not be found in nature. This alone should

scare anyone. There are a number of

highly worrying reasons for why we

should be steering clear of GM foods,

but the main reason should categorically

be the amount of herbicides, pesticides

and fungicides used to keep these

plants alive. They do not have a diverse

gene pool and thus struggle to survive

outside the contained labs and tanks

used to grow these plants. The poison

from these commercial –cides are

being consumed in vast quantities as

compared to 1948!

Is to blame for the greed and need

for massive profit. All of the above is

all down to profit and the need for it to

be as high as possible at the expense of

our well being. It has allowed companies

like Monsanto to have a huge influence

in the way the world distributes and

consumes food.

Make a choice and allow common sense

to prevail over ego and profit, especially

for your well being from a consumable

as relevant as food for your well being.

Make a choice to get up off your chair

and exercise, be kind, pray and don’t

forget to remember that 67 years from

now, because of your choices, what

world will we be living iN!

Obesity, you’re in controlWORdS seAn temple | seAn Is tHe OWneR Of tHe InteRnAtIOnAl fItness fRAnCHIse flUX

mOtIOn AnD lOVes lIVInG On tHe COAst


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Located on Umdloti Beach, Mundo Vida offers seafood and bistro fare with amazing sea views in a casual yet professional environment. Escape into our culinary world of superior produce, exceptional wines and friendly service.

SeafoodSteaksFine WinesClassical DishesCocktails

RELAX WITH US!

From Boerewors rolls and Ouma's Vetkoek To Juicy Steaks,

curries and seafood. Grab a light bite from our planks to share.

Variety of craft beer to taste.

Live Music

Free Wi-fi

Watch Sports

GREAT FOOD

Tel: (032) 946 185816 Compensation Beach Rd. Ballito

DirectoryGet in touch to get listed in our business [email protected]


you know the restaurant is good

when you let your family know you

have booked a table and every

single one is so excited they practically start

drooling. Butcher Block is just one of those

restaurants that never disappoints, always

delivers and the menu caters easily for the

whole family. Once again, walking in there

(one of our firm favourite steak houses)

we were welcomed warmly. We love the

décor and the view and it always feels like

we are coming home. Friendly, yet vibey,

unpretentious though fabulous!

The toughest part is the decision making

process. Luckily for us the dessert choice is

a no brainer – the Amarula and chocolate

crème brulee is a must and is only slightly

second to the chocolate volcano: a rich

chocolate soufflé, baked to perfection and

served with cream! Oh gosh, I have started

backwards, but you know what they say: life

is short, so start with dessert!

The starters are all good, and so the

challenge comes in here to decide what

to go with. I’m a firm favourite of any

prawn starter; the three cheese prawns

was delicious. Plump prawns baked in a

delicious creamy garlic and cheesy sauce,

topped with two cheeses and grilled. The

half shell mussels is another fabulous option,

gently simmered in a chardonnay, garlic,

mascarpone cheese and cream sauce, with

bruschetta on the side to sap up every last

divine drop.

For mains we went with the chef’s special

which was extraordinary. Obviously a steak

here is a must and the chef recommends

medium rare, which is perfect! Though the

ribs and half chicken combo is also a firm

favourite.

Always highly recommended. Go visit

them, you won’t be disappointed (oh, and

remember to invite us with).

BUTCHER BLOCKthe fabulous

call us | 031 566 3547visit | Holiday inn Express Umhlanga

2 ncondo Placeemail | [email protected]

web | www.butcherblock.co.za

Words Lorinda Scott



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Documents

The City Magazine Edition 2