Farmer's Weekly (South Africa)
A simple yet spacious home built in stages
Dear Jonno,
I have an opportunity to build a home on my parents’ farm in Ndola in Zambia. Please could you help with a cost-effective design that could be built in stages?
I’d like something with two en-suite bedrooms and an adequate living area.
The house will have about nine people living in it.
The style should blend in with the natural surroundings. Please could you keep it as simple to build as possible?
I’d appreciate any help. Kind regards, Chipamu Jr
I am a woman with a golden heart who has so much love to give to the right man. You should be older than 66 and have a very good heart. This has to be a permanent relationship that leads to marriage. It would be a bonus if you love travelling and I can have the chance to see more of the world. I am looking for someone who will give me his heart and love in every way, someone who is understanding and can take care of his woman financially as well. I may not be a beauty queen or have a great figure anymore, but my heart is loving and beautiful. I am not looking for a handsome, slim man. You can be just the average guy, and even if you have a weight problem, we can get healthy together. If you are disabled, that’s fine, too. Write soon and supply your phone number. No smokers, please. Soul Mate, 6065
Ek is ’n blanke, tweetalige dame woonagtig op die Oos-Rand. Ek lyk goed vir my jare en het my goed opgepas. Ek is nie ’n roker of ’n drinker nie. Ek huur in ’n aftree-oord en is eensaam, sonder kind of kraai om my. Ek verlang ’n opregte Christenman van tussen 70 en 77 jaar met goeie waardes wat ’n vrou kan waardeer.
Jesus Kind, 1619
I’m a 69-year-old widower, 1,75m tall, weighing 80kg, and I’m tired of being alone. I love nature and outdoor life and appreciate sincere friendship. I believe in honesty and integrity and am kind-hearted, with a good sense of humour. I’m looking for a lady friend who loves life, art and the small things in life. She will be loved, treasured, protected and cherished. Ladies between the ages of 65 and 70 are welcome to write to me. Photo and contact number with first letter would be appreciated. Country Life, 9922
I am a respectable, 73-yearold gentleman who enjoys conversation, correspondence and travelling. I would like to hear from a lady who enjoys similar interests. Aquarius Berea, 2198
I retired after serving as a game ranger in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) for 35 years. I like braaiing, swimming and walking, as well as watching sport and movies. I enjoy travelling, especially by road. KZN Wildlife gives me 10 nights of accommodation a year and my next trips will be to the Okavango in Namibia, Lake Kariba and Victoria Falls. My favourite places are the Drakensberg, the bush and the beach. I’m going through a divorce and am able to relocate. I have two children (one in Johannesburg and one in Howick), and own two beautiful border collies. I don’t drink or smoke.
Lone Ranger, 3291
This handsome hardback is far from cheap, but it’s beautifully illustrated, and its polished précis of how approximatly 90 important trees have changed our lives will intrigue many more than the steadfast tree fans. Who wouldn’t want to drop into conversation the fact that cork bark is now used to insulate spacecraft?
Unfortunately, no trees from South Africa are featured; most of the trees described come from Australia, India and the Americas. Moreover, the list of world botanic gardens and arboreta names has only Kirstenbosch listed for the country, despite the fact there are 11 national botanic gardens in the network, as well as extra and important independents
One of Prue’s secrets to success is keeping a shrewd eye on trends and catching the wave as it breaks rather than too early. Vegetarian eating, for instance, has been moving from fringe to mainstream for some decades, but health and environmental concerns are currently helping it flourish.
Prue admits veggies were at best an afterthought in her South African childhood, but she was captivated first by their versatile use in Europe and then by her niece Peta’s lifelong vegetarianism.
Together, they have produced a beautifully presented collection with strong influences from Italy and Britain (think puddings!), full of great ideas for vegetarian family and friends, and including helpful notes on adapting the recipes for vegans.
THE BOOK OF GIFTS
Family life and family holidays form the core of the action in Higginson’s latest novel, but despite his optimistic-sounding title,
Africa’s health status. Dr John Purchase, CEO of Agbiz, says the recent outbreak of FMD will cost the industry between R6 billion and R10 billion. It is critical that the industry, working with government, thus implement a recognised, internationally credible livestock traceability system.
Many African countries, including Namibia, have implemented traceability systems using funding from the EU or World Bank. Ethiopian beef exporters, for example, noticed that they were being outmuscled by other international meat exporters to enter the more lucrative markets, and thus drove the process to implement their traceability system.
WORKING TOGETHER
Countries that successfully market meat internationally have realised that it takes a
collective effort to compete. The US, for example, has every actor in the value chain working together to market the US product. This even includes embassy staff worldwide. As mentioned above, it is easy to differentiate between the serious role players (Canada, US, Australia and Brazil) and the smaller entities at international trade fairs.
South African Wagyu breeders have combined forces and are working with Morgan Beef to market the product in the Middle East. All products sold are part of the Certified Wagyu Beef programme and of the highest quality. Wagyu cattle are fully traceable from birth to slaughter, and exceed the most stringent international standards.
MARKETING
Ireland, Namibia and Botswana promote their beef as clean and green (hormone-free and off the veld). The US promotes a higherquality, well-marbled eating