Prof de Oliveira says the recognition reflects the strength of the team at CERI and the broader research environment at Stellenbosch University. It also, he notes, underscores the role of collaborative, forward-looking research in tackling pressing global health challenges.

Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers programme identifies scientists whose published work has had significant influence in their fields. To qualify, researchers must have produced multiple papers ranked among the top 1% of citations over the past 11 years, as indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection. The selection combines data analysis with expert evaluation to ensure that honourees demonstrate meaningful and sustained impact.

Prof Sibusiso Moyo, SU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, says the recognition highlights the university’s strong culture of research excellence. She notes Prof de Oliveira’s influence not only through his own scientific work but also through his commitment to training emerging leaders in fields such as genomics, data science, public health, and health innovation.

In recent years, Clarivate has introduced more rigorous measures to ensure the integrity of the programme. Papers involving unusually large author groups, excessive self-citation or proven misconduct are excluded from consideration. As a result, the 2025 list is more selective than before, with over 2 400 candidates omitted for not meeting updated criteria.

This year’s analysis recognised 6 868 researchers across 60 countries, though the majority of honourees come from just a handful of nations. The concentration underscores both the competitive nature of global research and the significance of South African scientists continuing to appear on the list.

The post SU researcher recognised among the world’s most influential scientists appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

NOU EN DAN verskyn daar op my Faceboek-blad onder ‘Your memories’ iets wat my verras. ’n Lekker herinnering. Soos nou die dag.’n Foto van ’n straattoneel in Soematra tydens ’n maandlange reis deur Indonesië.

Dié reis is nou so lank gelede. Ek onthou die dag heel goed – maar die naam van die dorp ontglip my heeltemal. Dit is op die oog af ’n alledaagse foto van ’n straathoek wat wemel van riksjas of becaks–motorfietse met syspanne geprakseer om ’n mens in relatiewe gemak en met beskutting teen die elemente rond te karwei. Op die voorgrond staan een van die becak-ryers trots langs sy gevaarte en wys na die fabrikaat-embleem op die motorfiets se tenk.

Maar wat’s die plek se naam?

Dis tog waarvoor vriende daar is, ongeag die tyd van die dag of nag. Ek teks terstond ’n vriendin wat haar ’n paar tydsones weg bevind.

Begin darem met “Jammer om te pla!”

“Wat’s die naam van die plek, ’n dorpie in Indonesië, wat krioel het van BSA-motorfietse?” vra ek. “Ons moes daar van een ryding na ’n ander een oorklim en moes toe ’n lang ruk daar in die oopte by ’n halte rondstaan. So ’n vreemde plek vol mans. Dis ver terug se probeer onthou. Groot asb!” Sy teks terug toe dit daar lig word. “Ek mag verkeerd wees, maar ek dink dit was Sipirok. Ons het daar oorgebly omdat dit die naaste dorp was van waar ons met so ’n driewielfietsie na Christian Leipoldt se gemeente gaan soek het. Daarvandaan het ons die Trans-Soematra-bus na Padang gehaal.”

Dit was ’n werkvakansie. Ons twee vriende is saam Indonesië toe. Sy, die reisgids, want sy ken die plek en is vlot in Indonesies. Ek het destyds gespot ek reis g’n alleen deur die gatkant van Soematra nie, want kom ek iets oor daar in die woude, gaan hulle my vir ’n dronkgat local aansien wat deurmekaar praat en bedel. En gaan ek vir jare in vodde verhongerd daar ronddwaal. Sou iets met haar gebeur, besorg hulle die blonde vrou dadelik by die naaste ambassade.

Sy het in Soematra navorsing gaan doen oor C. Louis Leipoldt se pa, die sendingpredikant Christian Leipoldt. Ek, vir ’n koerantartikel en navorsing vir my “Oosterse boek”, wat ek nou ná al die jare eers kans kry om te voltooi. (Ons albei se artikels het verskyn in By, die bylae by Die Burger, Beeld en Die Volksblad.)

Ons het van Singapoer na Medan in Soematra, gevlieg: “Van Medan het ons trein gery tot by Pematangsiantar. Daar het ons ’n bussie gehaal tot op Parapat. Vanaf Parapat ’n boot gehaal tot op die eiland Samosir. Die eiland deurkruis op twee gehuurde motorfietse. Daarna terug Parapat toe van waar ons die bus gehaal het tot by die dorp Bukittinggi
en Sipirok. Ons het ons ’n aand daar oorgebly en toe die bus gehaal na Padang. Vanaf Padang het ons Jakarta toe gevlieg.”

Dit was Pematangsiantar, val dit my by, en die straathoek was die een met die oorheersende gedreun van motorfietse. Die klank van “knalpotte”, soos die becak-drywer die knal uit sy motorfiets se uitlaatpyp beskryf het. Vermenigvuldig sy knalpot met die knalpotte van die motorfietse op die foto en ’n mens kan jou die klank indink,’n spesifieke klank wat mense met die regte oor én oog onmiddellik gaan herken.

Op die oog af is dit ’n klomp oeroue motorfietse, gelap, gehawend en ge-modify om die goed op die pad te hou. Tot jy reg kyk. Elke motorfiets op die foto is ’n BSA. Eintlik die ongelooflikste versameling van die Britse fabrikaat Birmingham Small Arms, vervaardig tussen 1952 en 1954, met enjinkapasiteit van 350cc–500cc, vandaar die kenmerkende klank. En daar in Soematra uitgespreek op Afrikaans-Nederlands: “Bee-Es-Aa”.

Die drywer vat my vir ’n spin met sy blink gepoleerde motorfiets, verchroomde tenk met die BSA-kenteken en al (ek, in die syspan, klou en hoop op die beste). Ek verstaan nie wat hy sê nie, vang hier en daar ’n woord of twee op: “knalpot”, “modify”, “speedo not working” – en toe hy iewers stop en wys na ’n becak bokant hom op ’n pilaar:
‘BSA Sidecar Monument’.

Nou, ek was as jong lat fanaties oor ’n sekere Italiaanse voertuigfabrikaat wat, so kan dié van ons wat hierdie karre besit het getuig, jou bloed warm laat klop, maar jou gaan beproef. Hulle sal jou vertel hoe ver en hoe diep. Ou-ou rygoed, vintage, klassiek of te not, is niemand – selfs nie dié met diep sakke – se speelmaat nie. Dis hoekom ek daardie dag so aangenaam verras was deur dié krioelende knalpotte. Veral toe ek snap dis dieselfde waansin, passie, wat baie van die becak-eienaars so
gedrewe maak om die ou motorfietse op die pad te hou.

Ek kan ’n boek skryf oor alles wat my ou karre my aangedoen het. Maar, ai, ek wens ek het die hele klomp gehou.

Kirby van der Merwe is ’n geswore sakpasreisiger. Altyd gereed om sy rugsak te pak en rof te reis die vreemde in.

Selde vir ontspanning, eerder
as navorsing vir artikels. Hy wil eendag ontspan onder
’n palmboom op ’n wit strand
en by ’n blou see.

The post DIE KNALPOTTE VAN PEMATANGSIANTAR appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

Why Precision Care? 

At the heart of QMS PRECISION CARE is COLLAgen3D™, containing the first-ever 100% skin-identical collagen, perfectly emulating the collagen naturally found in your skin. Together with NEOTEC S100™, it protects from UV damage while stimulating collagen production. The result? Firmer, smoother, and more resilient skin. 

What Makes It 100% Skin-Identical? 

COLLAgen3D™ with 100% skin-identical, micro-molecular collagen molecules matches the natural building blocks of human skin. It’s neither animal- nor plant-derived but is completely identical to the collagen in your skin. This ensures it’s recognized and absorbed seamlessly, providing maximum compatibility and effectiveness. 

Groundbreaking Skincare Innovation

Years of research have led to QMS PRECISION CARE, where bio-engineered collagen molecules—created through sustainable fermentation—restore your skin’s natural structure. This precision-engineered skincare deeply penetrates to rejuvenate and renew, visibly transforming your skin from the inside out. 

Micro-Molecular Technology
With collagen molecules smaller than a trillionth of a gram, COLLAgen3D™ is engineered to penetrate deeply into the skin, supporting intense cellular regeneration and effectively reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and other visible signs of ageing, while enhancing overall skin smoothness, firmness, and elasticity.

Vegan & Sustainable
Produced through a sustainable, high-tech fermentation process, QMS PRECISION CARE collagen is eco-friendly and cruelty-free. By reducing energy and water use compared to traditional methods, this vegan collagen delivers exceptional results for your skin with minimal impact to the planet.

High-Tech Active Ingredients
With NEOTEC S100™, FEMINAGE™, and WORESANA BUC™, this potent formula works to firm skin, improve elasticity, and combat signs of ageing, including menopause-related changes. Additional elements fortify the skin barrier, improve hydration, and promote a balanced microbiome, leaving skin resilient and refreshed.

The COLLAgen3D™ Collection

PRECISION CARE COLLAgen3D™ Serum

The COLLAgen3D™ Serum was developed to deeply penetrate the skin and renew it from the inside out. It strengthens the skin’s collagen scaffold and provides a smooth, plump skin texture.

PRECISION CARE COLLAgen3D™ Gel Mask

The cooling COLLAgen3D™ Gel Mask is the perfect booster for the skin, rich in highly concentrated, micro-molecular collagen. It reduces inflammation, protects against antioxidant stress and intensively strengthens the skin’s resistance in multi-dimensional skin layers.

PRECISION CARE COLLAgen3D™ Cream

This luxurious COLLAgen3D™ Cream restores skin density, counteracts skin ageing and intensively strengthens mature skin in multi-dimensional skin layers.

PRECISION CARE COLLAgen3D™ Eye Cream

This anti-ageing COLLAgen3D™ Eye Cream significantly reduces the depth of wrinkles and dark circles while enhancing the radiance of the eye area. It effectively targets redness, hyperpigmentation and under-eye puffiness for long-lasting results.

PRECISION CARE COLLAgen3D™ Light Cream

This lightweight anti-ageing COLLAgen3D™ Light Cream significantly reduces the length and depth of wrinkles, firms facial contours, visibly refines pores, regulates sebum production and diminishes blemishes.

Precision Care COLLAgen3D Gel Line Corrector

This highly concentrated COLLAgen3D Gel Line Corrector is formulated to effectively plump deep wrinkles and visibly smooth expression lines.

For more information visit: Precision Care – QMS Medicosmetics – South Africa

The post World’s First 100% Skin-Identical, Micro-Molecular Collagen appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

The wide-open expanses of the Camdeboo, that corner of the Karoo to the east of Graaff-Reinet, are indeed lonely, sparse and flooded by sun. But they are also unspeakably beautiful, filled with life and intrigue if you know where to look.
“Here,” wrote Palmer, “moves a steenbok, a springbuck, a lark clapping its wings above us; here are the tracks of an ant-bear in the soil. Red dust and a mottled egg upon it; arrowheads; the smell of rain, karoo bush, wild asparagus; mountains and hills floating in a mirage of water; a white hot sky; the sound of cicadas and wings and wind.”

Mark and Sarah Tompkins fell for the magic of the Camdeboo more than 20 years ago and soon set about bringing a dream to life. They began by buying up the region’s old farms; overgrazed land in need of rest and care. One farm followed another, fences were dropped and soon Samara stretched to more than 27 000ha. With dedication and vision, they created a new-found ancient wilderness of gravel plains and wooded valleys, grassy escarpments offering endless views across the plains.

Over time the land returned to looking much how it was before farming laid its scars. Flowering sweet thorn acacias colour the thickets in blushes of yellow. Herds of antelope roam the plains again, now keeping a wary eye out for the cheetah that may be lying in the shade of a shepherd’s tree. Elephants were returned to the reserve, as were lions, creating a rich ecosystem in careful balance.

Today Samara boasts a wide range of animal life, best discovered on daily game drives or thrilling bush walks. Across the diverse ecosystems you might find kudu and gemsbok, perhaps eland on the plains. Verreaux’s eagles soar above the crags, while clapper larks lay on their impressive display of leaping into the air, then beating their wings together as they fall back to earth.

While this conservation work is noteworthy, and part of a broader effort to rewild this corner of the Eastern Cape, it’s all based on a model of sustainable ecotourism.

And it’s been remarkable to see the carefully considered expansion of the hospitality offered by Samara over the past decade, with the renovation of existing products and the addition of entirely new experiences.

In the west of the reserve, The Manor taps into the growing demand for exclusive-use properties, and with four suites sleeping up to eight guests it’s ideal for family groups, friends and multi-generational travellers who favour privacy and flexibility over being able to mingle with other guests. Decorated in a delightfully contemporary Karoo style, The Manor comes with a private vehicle and guide, while a dedicated private chef and host allow for absolute flexibility in everything from when to head out on safari drives to where breakfast should be served.

At the other end of the luxury spectrum is the unpretentious Plains Camp, which opened in 2023 in the eastern reaches of the reserve. It’s a half-hour drive from The Manor and has been imagined as an eco-sensitive escape that touches the earth lightly. Built on raised platforms, the four free-standing suites are all under canvas, with a private shaded deck gazing out over the plains.

Unfenced and immersed in the landscape, it blends in so effortlessly you’ll often find herds of antelope trotting past and the tracks of nocturnal predators on the dirt paths that link the communal dining area with the tents. In each suite there’s a charming pioneer aesthetic, with iron bedsteads, heritage touches and – breathe a sigh of relief – flushing toilets. The bucket shower is al fresco and will be filled with hot water on request. In the depths of the Karoo winter you may think this a recipe for frostbite, but the thoughtful addition of sheepskin throws – a nod to the heritage of these lands too – and a cosy wood-burning stove in each tent ensures you’ll be perfectly toasty once ensconced in your suite.

But the latest chapter in Samara’s ongoing evolution launched early in 2024, with a revamp – actually more like a reimagining – of the idyllic Karoo Lodge. “The redesign pays homage to this special region we call home,” explains Sarah Tompkins. “A great deal of love and hard work has gone into retaining the lodge’s quintessential Karoo character while embracing a modern approach to safari living.”

To bring that vision to life, Sarah worked with local Graaff-Reinet architect Peter Whitlock, interior designer Amy Kidger of Hinterland Studio, creative director Paul Duncan and horticulturist and landscaper Arthur Mennigke of The Naked Gardener.
Together they took inspiration from both the local vernacular and the natural landscapes of the reserve, blending traditional Karoo style with contemporary South African design.

Weaving in personal touches that highlight Samara’s conservation journey, the whole grew to be greater than the sum of the parts, creating a textured aesthetic that truly celebrates the unique soul of Samara – and the Karoo.

In many ways, Karoo Lodge is the heart and soul of this remarkable reserve. The traditional farmstead of deep-shaded stoeps and grassy lawns is where the Samara story began way back in 1997. Today this reinvigorated space is an oasis amid summer’s heat and a bolthole when the winter weather rolls in. And it’s now looking better than ever.

The revamp was extensive, transforming the original lodge – a somewhat disconnected space – into living, dining and learning areas. They include a wonderfully atmospheric dining room, served by the new farm-style kitchen where guests are welcome to pop in and see what’s on the menu. A wine cellar taps into some of the Cape’s finest wineries, while the library is the perfect space for guests to delve into the rich history of the region. Of course, there’s a copy of Palmer’s classic book on hand. And for those who want to discover more about Samara’s story and the incredible conservation efforts that have defined the past 20 years, a new interactive ‘story room’ showcases Samara’s past, present and future.

A similar approach informs the suites, where hand-embroidered cushions celebrate the indigenous vegetation and link to the lodge’s surroundings. There, considered landscaping has created a green oasis of a Karoo homestead garden, blending effortlessly into the natural veld of the reserve.

Karoo Lodge now offers 10 suites, sleeping up to 24 guests, to ensure an intimate yet convivial escape. The eight Karoo Suites are perhaps the most popular, sleeping two people each and set just a short walk from Karoo Lodge. Best for couples, each suite offers a romantic four-poster bed, fireplace and large en-suite bathroom that opens onto an outdoor shower.

The bedroom leads onto a private terrace that looks out over the reserve and up to the striking Aasvoëlberg and distant Tandjiesberg peaks – perfect for quiet afternoons with binoculars in hand, or perhaps a night of stargazing beneath the sweep of southern skies.

A short walk from Karoo Lodge you’ll find the pair of Karoo Family Suites, each offering two en-suite bedrooms and a shared living room. With comforts similar to those of the Karoo Suites, these are ideal for families or couples travelling together. One child (younger than 12) can also be accommodated on an extra bed in the living area.

This new level of Karoo luxury comes with a dollop of planet- friendliness. Karoo Lodge is now powered by 100% renewable energy, with innovative wastewater recycling systems that ensure minimal impact on the sensitive Karoo ecosystem. No surprise, then, that Samara is a Fellow Member of The Long Run, a collection of the world’s most sustainable nature-based travel destinations that champion the balance of conservation, community, culture and commerce.

Because balance is everything, especially out here in the harsh landscape of the Camdeboo. And just as this corner of the Karoo is a land flooded by sun, lonely and sparse, it is equally a landscape alive with life, intrigue and a bright future.
Visit samara.co.za for more.

The post The (Quiet) Magic of the Camdeboo appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

IT’S PECULIAR really that a land such as South Africa doesn’t have a dedicated, off-the-shelf, off-road camper van. The wildest of wilds and world-class dirt roads and all we’ve managed to come up with to date is a rash of bundu-bashing trailer-caravans and the odd, individually crafted carbuncle made by a tough-nut Survivalist hoping for Armageddon. Volkswagen’s Kombi-based California may be all-wheel drive, but it’s not going to survive the slings and arrows of the Richtersveld, and Mercedes-Benz’s own Vito-based V-Class is lower still. Fiat’s IVECO motorhomes can be seen crashing through the Namibian hinterland, startled Europeans clutching the wheel, but again, absolutely not recommended.

Into this void steps Mercedes-Benz Vans, keen to satisfy the wilderness junkies with this, the Camper. It’s based on the company’s short-wheelbase Sprinter and the idea is that you buy the van and use one of three officially approved outfitter-engineer companies to tailor-make your dream home-on-wheels.

Given that this is a Mercedes-Benz, it’s all notably high end. CT Conversions, one of the official suppliers, has approached the task with great gusto, creating a camper van that is part apartment block, part Mad Max and not a small amount of Dakar Rally. We called it Weissmuller, after the first real beefcake, and here’s how we got on.

EVERYTHING INCLUDING THE KITCHEN SINK

Merc’s Badlands behemoth is essentially a Clifton apartment on the move. Le Creuset crockery, Wi-Fi, Samsung projector and soundbar, adaptable mood lighting, full solar, microwave, toilet and shower, air-conditioning; the list is long and comprehensive.

So too is the options list.

And that’s the point; both Mercedes-Benz and CT Conversions want you to tailor-make your retreat wagon. Head over to Stellenbosch Visio’s Instagram account to see the interior of the van. Suffice to say, it ticks all the aspirational, elegant-at-all-costs boxes, quite at odds with the exterior, which only manages to avoid White Van Man territory by virtue of its height.

And it’s this height that literally and metaphorically sets it apart. A bespoke chassis with suspension system by Fox (those long-travel, Dakar-demolishing shocks are beyond hardcore), 4×4, and tyres by Cooper complete the picture.

Allied to the Sprinter’s torquey 2-litre, 450Nm/140kW twin-turbo diesel engine, it means Weissmuller can go more or less anywhere.

TANKWA BOUND, VIA THE KOUE BOKKEVELD

And that’s where we go. The Western Cape is blessed with a plethora of escape options right on Cape Town’s doorstep and one of the most appealing is to head to Ceres, wind up Gydo Pass into the Koue Bokkeveld and then drop down into the Tankwa Karoo. The route offers a combination of tar and dirt, highway and backroad, mountain and plain, dramatic passes and endless straight stretches.
Driving the Merc in town makes no sense whatsoever. Can’t park, too tall for most carports, a mission to get into and out of. It’s like shopping in mountaineering boots: wholly irritating. But start it up, familiarise yourself with its ubiquitous infotainment system and things improve immediately. It’s a cinch to drive, high as a truck and all the controls are light and responsive. Certainly you can feel the weight, given the no-expenses-spared extras, but at no point does it feel short of breath or dangerously slow, issues that are common in many camper vans. In fact, it’s a hoot to drive and the only impediments are a cupboard full of expensive crockery and that governed speed, legally set at 100km/h.

Soon enough van and driver settle into a symbiotic kinship – lateral g-forces are the enemy and gentle, progressive passage is the way to go. By the time Cape Town’s Gordian traffic knots loosen and the West Coast wheat arrives, things are groovy indeed. From the elevated driver’s seat you can see everything, Merc’s engine is surprisingly quiet, Maria Bethania is on the bespoke sound system, there are cool breezes from the first-class air-con and those Fox shocks soak up everything the R46 can throw at it.

But as Michell’s Pass arrives, so too does an issue. Tall, high and on soft, long-travel suspension, Weissmuller does not like sidewinds one tiny bit and Merc’s Sidewind Assist is a welcome driver aid. Challenging gradients are less of a concern; the twin-turbo diesel easily has the measure of the snaking pass.
Once in Ceres, nasty south-easter behind it, the van settles once again, prepped and keen on that most theatrical of passages, Gydo Pass up into the cherry-rich Bokkeveld.

Gydo’s appeal is its series of switchbacks and trio of epic viewpoints. Weissmuller aces the twisties (once the talkative crockery had been firmly spoken to) and poses at the outlooks. Up there, with fruit lorries air-braking their fraught way down to market, it’s not exactly tranquil, but the din adds to the drama. Ceres below, the Matroosberg Mountains beyond, it’s a visual and aural overload, not soon forgotten.

RIGHT TURN TOWARDS NOTHING AND NOWHERE

Once up in the hidden wonderland of the Koue Bokkeveld, it’s more or less flat going and quite the most magical of kingdoms, ideal for a camper van with wilderness intentions. Fingers of Cederberg sandstone begin to erupt from the red earth soon after the ascent; 20 minutes later, not far from the hamlet of Op die Berg, the landscape resembles nothing so much as a Lord of the Rings set, an overzealous green-screener adding ever more impossible peaks and valleys. The village is known for Wonderlik, Lize Fabricius’s most excellent coffee shop and restaurant. It’s the last chance to fill tanks – van and driver both – before the real wilds of the Tankwa begin.

After Op die Berg the tar gives way to dirt, with stretches either rocky or sandy. It isn’t long before a curious alchemy happens: the van shrinks as the landscape expands. You’re glad of its size,

comforting in the monumental surroundings. Between Op die Berg and the Tankwa proper is the Kagga Kamma region, a hogsback of conservancies and nature reserves. And no fences. The Fox shocks hiss and the Cooper off-road tyres have their work cut out for them, but it’s comfortable going, the chassis up to the trials of the trail.

Hours later the sky threatens Armageddon, so it’s time to find a wild camping spot to test the effectiveness of all that kit. Just before the escarpment down into the Tankwa, a hidden path leads to a crescent of sandstone, perfect for a hidden evening’s investigation, away from hearty, chatty overlanders and inquisitive locals.

First order of business, find a level spot. This is harder than it seems, impossible it turns out, and the evening’s activities predictably involve chasing cups and plates across the tabletop. Camping takes a certain finesse, which possibly in our case is lacking. Challenges notwithstanding, it isn’t long before it all resembles a professional setup: outdoor chairs and tables assembled, food on the go on the interior induction plate, tunes gently finding the wind, drink in hand, mind in neutral.

And then in that epochal silence, a sunset like no other, nature’s kaleidoscope. Alone in the stillness, it is abundantly clear what the point of wild camping is – a visceral return to simplicity. And thanks to that Camper, absolutely possible.

RED SKY AT NIGHT

The sky inferno abated, the Camper’s lights are deployed and, thanks to the substantial solar and battery pack, stay burning bright into the night, along with the other ancillary apparatus. There is a digital panel to indicate power flow and usage that by morning shows a reserve of more than 70%, despite the use of the induction cooker, projector, water pump and lights well into the evening. There’s no call for the air-conditioner or microwave, which will draw large amounts of power, but all in all, a competent, well-managed system.

The interior layout is less successful, but that’s largely a subjective assessment. Some will need the shower and toilet, others will prefer the extra space without them. We would junk the shower, swivel the bed, specify lighter crockery and option the extra table behind the driver’s seat.

The Tankwa skies rumble during the night, far-off desert storms providing a soundtrack as ancient as the landscape. But morning is painted fresh, and waking to a world devoid of anyone at all is a peculiarly wonderful thing (or terrifying, depending on your state of mind). Espresso in hand (care of the permanent Nespresso machine on the countertop), a bokmakierie greeting the sunrise – elemental. Striking camp is simplicity itself and the vertiginous trip down into the Tankwa a breeze, despite that formidably steep last leg before the R356. From there the options for getting lost are endless: north to the Kalahari, south to the Matroosberg, east to Gannaga Pass and Sutherland or simply to Hein and Susan’s iconic Tankwa Padstal for roosterkoek and alien encounters.

The beauty is that in Merc’s Camper it’s all possible. No off-limit stretches due to tyre or ride height restrictions. Our choices are limited by time, so it’s back to Ceres and home, battling the relentless south-easter most of the way.

As the traffic builds up and the crowds grow, it’s all we can do to not turn around and disappear again. Sun for power, stocked pantry, good coffee, 600km of fuel to play with. Who needs civilisation? Or perhaps the crux is just that – a fundamental redefining of what exactly constitutes civil? I’m pretty sure it involves a two-storey camper and an unbroken horizon. V

The post Wild not Wild appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

It’s hard to believe that the GS has been around for 40 years. In fact, BMW recently celebrated its millionth bike using the iconic flat twin-cylinder boxer engine. That was the latest R 1300 GS, a wholly new iteration of the legendary all-roader and now in South Africa. As a farewell to the much-loved 1250, BMW released a special model, the Trophy, celebrating the International GS Trophy off-road trails race. It’s this bike Stellenbosch Visio used for its Cape Coffee Route.

STELLENBOSCH TO PHILADELPHIA

So how do you choose a biker’s coffee route in a region choc-a-bloc with artisanal coffee stops? The answer is easy: focus on the roads. Weekend biking is all about getting away; there’s no sense kitting up just to pop to your weekday local on the corner. No, these spots need to lie at the end of a special ride that challenges, rewards and animates in equal parts, adding up to a grand day out. Recompense for a stressful week’s yada yada.

Our coffee route starts in Stellenbosch and heads out towards Malmesbury on the R304, with a left turn at Klipheuwel and a quick right to the village of Philadelphia, still following the R304. The morning we set out was that day, the Heritage Day deluge day, and the skies were already threatening grievous bodily harm. Press the electronic starter button, listen to the evocative boxer strum, pull back the surprisingly easy clutch, snick it into first – super-easy again – and head out.

Instantly relaxed, impromptu grin – aboard the 1250 GS there’s this alchemy. Big as it is, it seems to shrink on the move, while all the time offering up an authoritative sense of invulnerability. It’s entirely manoeuvrable, whatever your size, and light, agile and very comfortable, thanks to that low centre of gravity and long travel suspension. Ten minutes in, relax, take your eyes off the beautifully laid-out infotainment console and look around – the first leg is an easy 40-minute ride and one that gets the endorphins flowing. International car launches use the superb piece of tar past Malmesbury farms to test responsiveness. On deserted Saturday mornings there are few stretches of road in the country as mesmerising as this: canola fields riotous, wheat just turning from deepest green to rusk-brown, a black ribbon snaking through an empty landscape absolutely made for biking. Heaven.

Philadelphia appears on the right, a little farming town that rates as one of the Cape’s best-kept secrets. It’s here that Annalet Aspeling has been running the Pepper Tree Art Stable and Restaurant for going on 16 years. Her ethos – as organic as possible, honesty in food and approach – has won friends around the world. The namesake ancient pepper tree anchors the old converted stable, with a tent providing cover in the courtyard. It’s on Philadelphia’s ‘main drag’, a high street so peculiarly last century that it was chosen to film scenes from Naomi Alderman’s period film, The Power. Pepper Tree is popular as a breakfast spot with those in the know, mostly cyclists and savvy bikers who, like us, use it as a first stop on a morning’s outing. The must-have on the menu is the farm bread French toast, washed down with Terroir Coffee Roaster’s Tribal Blend, chosen and honed over the years by Annalet and her team.

Terroir’s beans come from rare growing regions of the world such as Nagaland in the Himalayas and the blend is tangibly different – smoky, full, creamy.

The Cole Coffee Collective in Wellington has expanded, morphing into the Cole Eatery. Cole is housed in the old Hexburg wagon house on the Hermon road.

PHILADELPHIA TO WELLINGTON

Coffee done and with one eye on the weather, it’s a quick look in at Magic Minerals over the road to say hi and pick up a birthday present of bespoke earrings, and then back on the GS to play. The Swartland’s appeal is the complexity and variety of its
backroads, perfect for adventure bikes, so instead of a simple routing to Wellington and the next stop at Cole Coffee Collective, a quick sideshow down the Capaia dirt road to test the GS’s offroad prowess.

Tar turns to gravel, deconstructs to goat track – this stretch of rutted purgatory is never an edifying experience, but master of its environment the GS most definitely turns out to be; hit the loose stuff and there’s no perceptible change in attitude. Remarkable. Thank the bike’s inherent balance as much as the raft of electronic aids that ensure you stay upright and elegantly aloof. Not even Poseidon letting loose his water cannons could spoil the fun. All too soon the gravel morphs into tar, into double lane N7 and a fast gallop to Kalbaskraal and the Slent Road past Ayama Winery to Wellington.

This leg of the tour is essentially ballroom dancing – quick, quick, slow – as the national limit N7 gives way to the up-hill-and-down-dale Old Malmesbury Road, then the grand, sweeping clip of the Paardeberg Road past the Denneboom Vineyards. The big Beemer is in its element and again the revelation is how well it manages everything. It’s no surprise that 60 000 of them were sold in 2021 alone; there’s not much else you need in a bike.

At Cole Coffee Collective there’s a buzz. And it’s not just the Colombia blend. The coffee spot, on the old Hermon Road just outside Wellington, is expanding into the back of the 147-year-old Ou Hexberg wagonry, transforming into the Cole Eatery under the culinary guidance of chef Erwie Kruger. It’s happy bedlam as floors get finished, Victorian pressed ceilings transform into wall panels, the pizza oven is fired up and – the pièce de résistance – an exten- sive outside patio with Salvador Dali-esque snaking wall takes shape. It’s an impressive undertaking and no surprise to learn that the greater Ou Hexberg Centre development (which includes Jacques Lombaard’s Belt and Band leatherworks) is the brainchild of Oscar Saunderson, the man behind the Old Tannery redevelopment just down the road.

Cole Eatery owner Nicole Warden-Buirski directs traffic while she talks coffee and history. “A local roaster blends our Brazilian, Colombian and El Salvador beans. The barista Amor Melato and I have worked on a specific taste and I find the South American beans work best for me.”

By now the Heritage Day storm is blotting out the far horizon, black like a babalaas temper, but there’s still one stop on the route, an important one, so it’s back on the grosse Duitse and high-tail across town to the foot of Bainskloof Pass and Cafe La Vita. It’s here that Antonina and her husband Martyn van Blommestein resettled after closing up the hugely popular Bistro 44 between Wellington and Klapmuts.
Antonina is Ukrainian and there’s news from home; it’s been a frightening time.
Except I’m too late – she’s flown home to be with her 81-year-old mother in Kyiv. Over Deluxe coffee Martyn debates difficult decisions. Bring her here? Stay with her? “It’s a difficult time.”

La Vita itself is very different to Bistro 44’s rustic, farm-style ambience. Antonina has gone for a sharply contemporary feel here, with picture windows out over the mountains, Chesterfields on Persian carpets, bare brick walls and a wrap-around patio that takes in the grazing springbok and the dams of the neighbouring Kleinevalleij Estate. She still focuses on local produce, though – arts and wearables are on sale alongside organic supplies and bottled specialities.

Outside it feels like The Wizard of Oz before the twister deposits Dorothy in Munchkin Land. Panicked wildlife, agitated oaks, threatening cloudscapes. Now it’s the 1250 GS’s job to get out of Kansas as quickly as possible – and it doesn’t disappoint. The bike hunkers down, the torquey flat twin roars and bike and rider outrun the tempest, Riddick outpacing the mud demons.

Half an hour later I’m warm, dry, all coffeed out, while the GS through the window is getting an impromptu wash, care of the cut-off low. It’s a splendid thing that bike – friend, wingman, warrior, weapon and nanny, all rolled into one.

The new 1300cc will have to be exceptional to better it. Challenge accepted. Next month in the Karoo then. Definitely there’ll be no rain up there … ?

BMW R 1250 GS TROPHY

A South African team won the International GS Trophy in 2020, so it’s not surprising that the R 1250 GS special edition has sold like hot cakes in the country. The Trophy is largely a cosmetic exercise, with special matt blue paint the most obvious differentiator over the standard bike. Grippy footrests, engine guards and hardcore spoked wheels speak to its off-road prowess, while the engine – BMW’s iconic twin-cylinder boxer – delivers 100kW and 143Nm of torque. Fuel consumption hovers at around 5L/100km, good for nearly 320km from the 18-litre tank. Like all BMW bikes, accessories rule the day; most popular are the panniers and heated grips. Pricing starts at R370 000. bmw-motorrad.co.za

The post Storm Chasers appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

TOKARA DELI
Ask a Stellenbosch local to share their favourite secret spots in and around town and chances are the Tokara Deli will be high on their list. Although many visitors go no further than Tokara’s elegant tasting room and fine dining restaurant (where chef Carolize Coetzee is doing great things), for more relaxed al fresco dining it’s worth driving a little further up the road. This may look like a dead-end but, rather happily, it ends at the Tokara Deli, where restaurateur Wilhelm Kühn has created a gem of a destination that blends elevated bistro plates with a family-friendly space that makes the most of the wonderful Winelands views.

Tables indoors lose none of the vistas, thanks to floor-to-ceiling glass walls, but the best seats are out on the terrace overlooking the vineyards that scamper up the slopes of the Simonsberg.

To begin, banish your kids to the garden, where a table-tennis table in the shade of the oaks or the remarkable nest-inspired playground will keep them happily entertained. That leaves you free to browse the delectable deli table decked with towering dark chocolate and carrot cakes, salted caramel macarons and fresh bread.

They are reason enough to stop in for a quick morning coffee, but on the extensive menu chef Stephanie de Wet offers up a wonderful array of unpretentious plates.
There’s a tempting breakfast selection for lazy weekends, but it’s the lunch plates where things get interesting. There’s a choice of light or main dishes to suit your appetite, and vegetarians will be thrilled at the inspired plates that draw heavily on seasonality. Feeling hungry? Look no further than the generous Bonsmara ribeye and hasselback potatoes, plated with sautéed Brussels sprouts and charred baby onions.

This summer, try the innovative new olive oil tasting experience on offer, taking guests on a deep dive into the complexity of Tokara’s award-winning oils, pressed in The Olive Shed set alongside the Deli.

THE RESTAURANT AT DELAIRE GRAFF
It is often tempting to do little more than wax lyrical about the views from The Restaurant at Delaire Graff; Instagram-worthy vistas from the shaded terrace over a patchwork of clipped vineyards, the estate’s enviable outdoor art collection and soaring mountain peaks. Tempting indeed. But that would be a disservice to head chef Clinton Jacobs, whose return to Delaire Graff – he began his professional career on the estate – marks a new era in one of the most remarkable kitchens in the Cape Winelands.

Drawing inspiration from chefs such as Daniel Humm and Alain Passard, Clinton’s passion for Cape fynbos and South Africa’s heritage are subtle guiding influences on a menu that combines international elegance with a dedication to using local produce. That includes an endless bounty from the estate’s own garden, which provides a steady stream of seasonal ingredients for his menu of upscale cuisine.
Expect the likes of tomato and ricotta tortellini, tapping into the abundance of sun-ripened heirloom tomatoes that summer brings, or perhaps duck breast enlivened by the herbaceous notes of kohlrabi and fennel.

“SIMPLE, STRAIGTFORWARD FLAVOURS, EXECUTED EXCEPTIONALLY AND PLATED BEAUTIFULLY. THAT’S WHAT
I BELIEVE IN.”

Clinton Jacobs, Delaire Graff

“Simple straightforward flavours, executed exceptionally and plated beautifully. That’s what I believe in,” says the head chef, who will this summer also reprise the popular open-fire grill, offering a smaller, lighter menu for casual lunches al fresco. Feast your eyes on the view and then dive into the fine food from Clinton’s kitchen.
delaire.co.za

THE VINE BISTRO
Delivering all the charm of a Parisian bistro while you enjoy a front-row seat to the beauty of the Stellenbosch Winelands, The Vine Bistro on Glenelly estate offers the best of both worlds when it comes to summer dining. An elegant space of crisp white napery and cosy banquettes indoors gives way to a cool shaded terrace gazing out across the vineyards.

In the kitchen, a skilled team under the watchful eye of chef-patron Christophe Dehosse turns out a concise menu of elevated bistro-style cuisine. True to the estate’s winemaking philosophy of blending French passion with South African terroir, the menu marries beautiful local produce with classical French techniques. While the menu evolves through the seasons, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more delicious starter than the plate of gravadlax, made with Franschhoek trout, or the springbok loin crusted with black pepper and plated with a rocket and horseradish dressing. The warm potato and sausage salad is a masterclass in being unafraid of considered simplicity.

THE VINE BISTRO ON GLENELLY ESTATE OFFERS THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS WHEN IT COMES TO SUMMER DINING.

Dessert will leave you in a quandary, torn between the selection of local and French cheeses or the pastry section’s sweet touch. With the last of the winter citrus, the orange mousse cake, with luscious segments of fresh orange, was a welcome goodbye to winter – and hello, summer.

The wine list is as much of a delight as the menu, drawing on the estate’s own award-winning releases – happily available by the glass, carafe or bottle – and selected cellars in the surrounding Winelands. True to the philosophy of The Vine, a considered selection of French wines is also offered, including a handful of special vintages from the venerable Chateau Pichon-Lalande, the former home in Pauillac of Glenelly’s owner, Lady May de Lencquesaing.

VADAS SMOKEHOUSE & BAKERY
When you have a mixed group to take out for lunch – perhaps friends from out of town, with a handful of kids in tow – Spier estate ticks all the right boxes. With wide lawns for youngsters to run about and plenty of shade beneath stately oak trees, it’s an idyllic spot for a lazy summer lunch.

And where better to keep everyone happy than at Vadas Smokehouse & Bakery, where chef-patron PJ Vadas has stamped his authority as the man who knows how to smoke things low and slow?

The menu at Vadas Smokehouse & Bakery is all about comfort food shared across the table. Start by ordering your choice of lip-smacking smokehouse meats, sold in individual portions to allow you a little taste of everything. Think lamb ribs with harissa, tzatziki and za’atar, or perhaps the superb smoked pastrami brisket with salsa verde.

Once you’ve settled on the meats, work backwards. You’ll need snacks to keep the hunger pangs at bay while you wait, so say ‘yes’ to a board of Farmer Angus charcuterie and Vadas’s excellent sourdough. Side dishes? Vegetarians will be happiest here, with inspired meat-free sides running from a fragrant salad of grilled broccoli and ras el hanout aioli with spicy macadamia nuts to a seasonal summer salad of roasted tomatoes with fynbos vinegar, focaccia, whipped feta and basil. An order of fire-roasted flatbread with labneh? Absolutely.

If that all sounds a bit challenging for the kids, they’ll be happy to find a range of inspired pizzas on offer, with gluten-free bases on request. And however you choose to feed the table, just be sure to leave space for Vadas’s famous pasteis de nata, a fine end to a delicious meal beneath the oaks.

ALTO RESTAURANT
The northern slopes of the Helderberg are fast becoming a secret haven of fine food, and the opening of the restaurant on Alto estate adds considerably to the area’s appeal.

With remarkable views across Stellenbosch all the way to a distant Table Mountain, Alto Restaurant offers cosy indoor seating at a wide hearth, where farm-style tables come decorated with vases of colourful fynbos, or outdoors where tables are laid out alongside the acclaimed red wine cellar. Bedecked in colourful red umbrellas and set next to wide lawns for kids to play on, it’s a fabulously family-friendly choice for al fresco dining.

Fresh linefish with seasonal greens, tomato gremolata and pangritata at Alto Restaurant. On Friday evenings the Alto lawns host the unforgettable Sunset Rouge gatherings.

The relaxed setting is well matched by an unfussy menu of approachable plates, South African favourites and generous grills.

There are starters of grilled Patagonian squid, or mains of flame-grilled Chalmar sirloin served with hand-cut truffle fries. And you won’t go wrong with the Alto burger, topped with bacon chilli jam and cheese smoked in the estate’s own offset-smoker. It’s a popular spot for lunch or dinner, but also look out for the Sunset Rouge evenings (Fridays, 5pm–9pm), where live music sets the scene for perhaps the best sundowner spot Stellenbosch has to offer.

The post Fine Fare Al Fresco appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

2023 Winners

This year’s winners represent a range of vintages, from the robust richness of 2017 to the youthful vibrancy of 2021. The broadness of the competition is reflected in the diverse origins of these exceptional wines. From the picturesque Stellenbosch to the pristine Paarl, the captivating Coastal Region to the historic Simonsberg-Stellenbosch, the windswept Swartland to the charming Wellington, each bottle embodies the essence of its unique terroir.

The ten exceptional wine producers that have triumphed in this year’s competition are:

Beeslaar Wines (Stellenbosch)

Beyerskloof Wines (Stellenbosch)

Fairview Wines

Francois van Niekerk Wines

Kanonkop Wine Estate (Stellenbosch)

Koelenhof Cellar (Stellenbosch)

L’Avenir Wine Estate (Stellenbosch)

Overhex Wines International

Spier Wines (Stellenbosch)

Wellington Wines

Expert Panel of Judges

The 2023 edition of the awards was judged by Samarie Smith, Fred Viljoen, Rodrick Moyo, Etienne Louw and Anton Swarts.

Top 10 Winning Wines

Beeslaar Pinotage 2019, Stellenbosch – Winemaker Abrie Beeslaar

Beyerskloof Diesel Pinotage 2020, Stellenbosch – Winemaker Anri Truter

Fairview Primo Pinotage 2020, Paarl – Winemaker Anthony de Jager

Francois van Niekerk Pinotage 2021, Coastal Region – Winemaker Francois van Niekerk

Kanonkop Pinotage 2017, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch – Winemaker Abrie Beeslaar

Stellenbosch 1679 Old Vine Pinotage 2021, Stellenbosch – Winemaker Nicholas Husselman

L’Avenir Single Block Pinotage 2020, Stellenbosch – Winemaker Dirk Coetzee

Survivor Pinotage Reserve 2021, Swartland – Winemaker Ben Snyman

Spier 21 Gables Pinotage 2018 , Stellenbosch – Winemaker Johan Jordaan

Wellington Wines La Cave Pinotage 2021,  Wellington – Francois van Niekerk

A Word from the Chairman

Reflecting on this momentous occasion, Beyers Truter, Chairman of the Pinotage Association, shared his enthusiasm: “The Absa Top 10 Pinotage Awards celebrate not only the dedication of the winemakers but also the essence of Pinotage – a grape that is proudly South African and continues to captivate the world.”

Absa: A Key Patron of Excellence

The Pinotage Association extend their sincere gratitude to Absa bank for their unwavering support and commitment to the South African wine industry. Their vision has played an integral role in elevating the stature of these awards and promoting the excellence that defines our nation’s winemaking prowess.

As we raise our glasses to toast the winners of the 2023 Absa Top 10 Pinotage Awards, we also celebrate over two decade of fine craftsmanship, innovation, and the indomitable spirit that drives the South African wine industry forward.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Belinda Jacobs

Brand@pinotage.co.za

079 879 9705

About the Absa Top 10 Pinotage Awards

The Absa Top 10 Pinotage Awards celebrate the finest expressions of the uniquely South African Pinotage varietal. With a decade-long tradition of excellence, these awards honour the dedication and innovation of winemakers who craft wines that captivate palates and showcase the diverse terroirs of South Africa.

The post Stellenbosch winemakers triumph at Top 10 Pinotage Awards appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.

Die Covid-pandemie en grendeltyd het skitterende gevolge vir die Afrikaanse boek ingehou, te oordeel na die kreatiwiteit, diepte en reikwydte van titels wat vanjaar meegeding het om die kykNET-Rapportpryse. Die wenners betrek van ’n herverbeelding van die plaasroman tot die skeibrekers van die Dorslandtrek tot charismatiese lekepredikers tot vroue in opstand teen die patriargie.

Die pryse, wat altesaam R1 miljoen beloop, is Saterdagaand 24 September 2022 op ’n glansgeleentheid in die Mount Nelson-hotel in Kaapstad oorhandig. Die bekroonde digter Ronelda Kamfer, wie se eerste roman Kompoun in twee kategorieë benoem is, is aangewys as wenner van die Jan Rabie-Rapportprys vir debuut- en tweede prosawerke.

Altesaam sewe pryse is toegeken – naas die Jan Rabie-Rapportprys ook pryse vir Afrikaanse romans, niefiksie en ’n werk met filmpotensiaal, en drie pryse vir Afrikaanse resensies van Afrikaanse boeke. Die prysgeld beloop R300 000 elk vir romans en niefiksie, R155 000 elk vir die filmprys en die Jan Rabie-Rapportprys, en R30 000 elk vir die drie resensiepryse. Dit is die negende jaar dat die kykNET-Rapportpryse toegeken word.

Op dieselfde geleentheid is aangekondig dat die filmprys voortaan as die kykNET-Rapport Herman Binge-prys bekend staan, ter erkenning van die reusebydrae van die ontslape filmmaker en boekliefhebber Herman Binge die afgelope nege jaar as keurder en tot die Afrikaanse film- en boekbedryf as geheel.

Boekpryswenners

• Fiksie (romans): Gerda Taljaard vir Vier susters (Penguin)
• Niefiksie: Nicol Stassen vir Van Humpata tot Upingtonia (Protea Boekhuis)
• Debuut en tweede prosawerke: Ronelda Kamfer vir Kompoun (Kwela)
• Film: Francois Smith vir Die getuienis (Tafelberg)

Die keurders van die kykNET-Rapportprys vir romans het Gerda Taljaard se Vier susters, oor susters wat in 1945 op ’n plaas in Magoebaskloof bymekaarkom vir ’n begrafnis, geloof as ’n “veelfasettige, veeltalige, veelkantige” kragtoer.

“Dit is ’n roman oor die geskiedenis van Suid-Afrika en Afrikanerskap wat ook kennis neem van ander geskiedenisse en vele verhale van swaarkry op meer as een kontinent. Die koms van die Italiaanse krygsgevangene dwing die susters byvoorbeeld om bewus te bly van ander traumas as net dié wat hulle persoonlik raak. Dit is ook geen wonder nie dat die titel gelees word as ’n toespeling op Tsjechof se Drie Susters, want dit gaan hier op ’n baie universele manier oor die wanhoop en woede van vroue in oorlogstyd – álle oorloë. Natuurlik gaan dit ook om die oorlog tussen man en vrou, en die letsels wat dit laat. In hierdie opsig blink die roman uit as een wat nie net breed kyk nie, maar ook diep kyk.”

Dit is Gerda Taljaard se tweede kykNET-Rapportprys – sy het in 2018 die filmprys vir Die laksman se dogter ontvang. Vier susters is ook pas met die ATKV-prys vir prosa bekroon.

Saam met Taljaard op die fiksiekortlys was Lien Botha vir Vin en Ronelda Kamfer vir Kompoun.

Aan niefiksiekant is Nicol Stassen se Van Humpata tot Upingtonia, oor die Dorslandtrekkers in die negentiende eeu, uitgesonder as ’n kultuurprestasie. “Nicol Stassen se boek is ’n skitterende voorbeeld van kleingeskiedenis oor afdraaipaaie wat ’n vars en verrassende bydrae lewer, nie net tot Suid-Afrikaanse historiografie nie, maar ook tot algemene historiese kennis,“ sê die keurders. “Dit is die lewenswerk van ’n noukeurige en gewikste navorser wat baie min miskyk. Die inhoud is die resultaat van uitsonderlike navorsing met materiaal aangehaal uit die wydste primêre bronne.“

Stassen het ook vanjaar se ATKV-prys vir niefiksie ontvang vir Van Humpata tot Upingtonia.

Die ander niefiksie-benoemdes was Malvory Adams vir Als is nie net swart en wit nie en Ebbe Dommisse vir Fortuine: Die wel en wee van Afrikaner-magnate.

Die sestiger Jan Rabie skryf in sy Paryse dagboek oor “Afrikaanse skrywers se onvermoë om objektief en brandend-eerlik oor hul mense se groot probleme te skryf”. Hy sou oor Ronelda Kamfer se Kompoun gejubel en gejuig het, sê die keurders vir die Jan Rabie-Rapportprys. “Met dieselfde klaarheid skryf Kamfer Kompoun teen die geskiedenis en die konvensies van die plaasroman in. Dit is ’n déúrgekomponeerde werk uit die hand van ’n meesterstorieverteller met die taalgevoeligheid van ’n digter en die vernuf, tegniek en waarnemingsvermoë van ’n wêreldklasskrywer. Terselfdertyd konfronteer die roman ons met indringende vrae, nie net oor wat ons van die verlede onthou nie, maar oor hoe ons onthou, oor hoe die geskiedenis ons menswees in hierdie land gevorm het en steeds beïnvloed.”

Ook op die kortlys vir die Jan Rabie-Rapportprys was Emma Bekker vir Vel en Azille Coetzee vir Die teenoorgestelde is net so waar.

Vir die filmkeurders was Francois Smith se Die getuienis, oor ’n arm egpaar se geloofsreis na ’n afgeleë godsdiensbyeenkoms, “’n meesterlike wisselwerking tussen opregtheid, humor en trauma”. “Die Getuienis verower die kykNET-Rapport-filmprys vir 2022 omdat dit die leser van begin tot end verras; dit voer die gelowige én ongelowige mee; die prosa smeek om visueel getransponeer te word tot film en die wêreld van die lesersverbeelding te veruiterlik vir verdere ontplooiing voor die kinematografiese oog. Dit wen omdat ons bedryf sulke tipe films nodig het. Klein films, in die luim van Wim Wenders se Paris, Texas, wat sagkens dog dapper deur ’n eg Suid-Afrikaanse lens die groot en universele temas met deernis en humor verken.”

Die ander benoemdes op die filmkortlys was Hannes Barnard vir Roet en Marco Botha vir Die spore van Gert Saggiestrap.

Resensiepryse

Die kykNET-Rapportpryse vir Boekresensent van die Jaar word in drie kategorieë toegeken vir uitnemende Afrikaanse resensies van Afrikaanse boeke. Vanjaar se wenners is:

• Fiksie: Charl-Pierre Naudé vir “Dekonstruksie as gebundelde terrorisme” oor Die wrede relaas van Vuilgat en Stilte deur Aryan Kaganof in Beeld/Die Burger/Volksblad, 27 September 2021
• Niefiksie: Jean Meiring vir “Goldblatt ’n vreemde, fiere eik van ’n vrou” oor Op soek na Saartjie deur Dominique Malherbe in Beeld/Die Burger/Volksblad, 17 Mei 2021
• Langer resensies: Izak de Vries se resensie van Die kleinste ramp denkbaar deur Francois Smith, LitNet, 6 April 2021

Jean Meiring en Charl-Pierre Naudé is vir die vierde en derde keer onderskeidelik vir hul resensies bekroon.

Die keurpanele vir die onderskeie pryse was: kykNET-Rapport-fiksieprys: Sonja Loots, Elna van der Merwe, Kirby van der Merwe en Beer Adriaanse; kykNET-Rapport-niefiksieprys: Anne-Marie Mischke, Bill Nasson, Jean Meiring en Kerneels Breytenbach; kykNET-Rapport Herman Binge-filmprys: Suzaan Keyter, Beer Adriaanse en Kerneels Breytenbach; Jan Rabie-Rapportprys: Anastasia de Vries, Charl-Pierre Naudé en Bibi Slippers; kykNET-Rapport Boekresensent van die Jaar: Bibi Slippers, Mercy Kannemeyer en Ryan Pedro.

Inligting oor deelname aan die pryse vir 2023 word binnekort bekend gemaak.

The post 2022 kykNET-Rapportprys wenners appeared first on Stellenbosch Visio.