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Bread – one of life’s simple pleasures

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When Chartered client Jeff Lawrence took early retirement from Nedbank in 2016, it marked the start of turning his passion into a business. When he and his wife, Sue, decided to retire, there were three things they knew for sure.

Firstly, they wanted to remain physically and mentally active; secondly, they wanted to live off the money they earned in retirement; and thirdly, they would move permanently to Wakkerstroom, where they owned a property. So began Jeff’s journey from city to country, banker to baker.

Jeff has always loved baking and eating bread, and let’s be honest, the smell and taste of freshly baked bread are hard to beat. He decided to take his passion for bread and turn it into a business, and Country Bread was born. Initially, he wanted to master the art of bread-making so that he could supply local establishments with fresh bread. Over the years before retirement, Jeff read books and took bread courses locally and overseas to expand his knowledge, and a post-retirement highlight was spending his 60th birthday in the UK doing a four-day course for professional bakers.

His business soon expanded, and he began running bread-making courses in addition to supplying bread to local establishments. Currently, he offers fifteen artisan bread-making courses designed specifically to teach all the theory and techniques to make the perfect loaf. Think of any bread, and Jeff has likely developed a course in it ranging from sourdough bread to ciabatta to croissants; he’s got them all covered. He also has a course designed for families and friends as he believes that baking bread together as a family or with a group of friends is an excellent way of spending quality time together and learning a life skill simultaneously.

There is another side to his business as well —business consultancy. Jeff trains restaurants, bakers and boutique hotels in the art of bread making. These courses are customised to meet the business’s specific needs, typically lasting three to four days.

Sue and Jeff’s other activities are their holiday cottages in Wakkerstroom that they rent out, and Sue owns Village Bakery – the local bakery and coffee shop. Sue roasts her own coffee and also makes beautifully handcrafted leather bags.

When asked why he chose Wakkerstroom, he is quick to tell you about this hidden gem in South Africa. Wakkerstroom is the second oldest town in Mpumalanga and has become one of the prime bird-watching venues in South Africa. It is also well known for its cycling and walking routes, quaint shops and restaurants.

Jeff’s passion is contagious. Teaching the art of bread making is not a job for him; it’s his purpose and combines all the things he loves. But it’s not all work and no play. Jeff and Sue work on their own terms. They love exploring and visit the Drakensburg and Mozambique frequently. They like to go away at least every two months. Family is important to them, so they see their seven grandchildren as often as possible.

We always encourage clients to find balance in the areas of work, give back, relationships, money, learn, health, purpose and play. Jeff is undoubtedly someone who has achieved this balance. As Sheryl Sandberg says, “It is the ultimate luxury to combine passion and contribution. It’s also a very clear path to happiness.”

You can read more about Jeff’s courses at www.countrybread.co.za

Santiago de Compostela Cycling Holiday

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We are a couple in our late 60s who enjoy camping, hiking, cycling and other activities with a sense of purpose and adventure. Cycling in Europe was on our bucket list, so we decided to tick this one off this year. We searched the internet for cycling routes and decided that cycling the Camino Primitivo in Northern Spain would be a worthwhile challenge.

The Camino Primitivo (Original Way) is a pilgrimage route from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela (“Santiago”). Historically it is the route followed by pilgrims who travelled to see the final resting place of Saint James. Today there are many such routes to Santiago. The routes are signposted with scallop shells indicating the direction pilgrims should follow. People who complete the pilgrimage are awarded a pilgrim’s certificate in Santiago. In order to qualify for the certificate, the pilgrim must get stamps in a pilgrim’s passport. These stamps can be obtained in churches, restaurants, hotels and lodges along the way. To qualify for a certificate, cyclists must have cycled at least the last 300km of a pilgrimage route. We choose to cycle from Oviedo to Santiago. (315km)

The Primitivo route from Oviedo to Santiago is a scenic route through the province of Asturias, passing over the mountainous countryside to the relatively flat farmlands of Galicia and onto Santiago. After researching the route carefully, we realised that we would not be able to cycle the 300 km route on ordinary mountain bikes, so we did it on e-bikes. Don’t be fooled by e-bikes; you still have to pedal, as the battery only lasts so long! A reasonable level of fitness is required. We booked a six-day self-guided cycle tour that included bed and breakfast accommodation, bike hire, a navigation app, and daily transport for our luggage. Comprehensive trip notes were provided, and we studied the notes meticulously and made sure we were fully prepared.

After arriving in Oviedo, we collected our bikes, downloaded the daily routes onto our phones and obtained a pilgrim’s passport from the tourist office. The cycling route follows the walking route, and where this was unsuitable for cyclists, the cycling route reverts to tracks and secondary roads. The app provided us with the equivalent of pre-programmed Google map routes, and after a few wrong turns, we were on our way.

The route through northern Spain gave us the opportunity to see the beautiful scenery and experience day-to-day rural Spanish life. We took plenty of time to enjoy the views and sights along the way and stopped for lunches in the villages we passed through. The first night was spent in a castle in a place called Salas. We then cycled over a serious mountain pass into Galicia. We needed the fitness training we had done at home, and we were elated when we reached the summit. Another stop was in a small town called Fonsagrada on a festival day, where we watched traditional dancing in the town square. We had the opportunity to meet a diverse bunch of pilgrims in the hotels and lodges/albergues along the way. The evenings were spent exploring the villages and towns and sampling the local fare.

We felt a real sense of achievement when we completed our pilgrimage at the cathedral in Santiago. We joined many other pilgrims in the queue to get our pilgrim certificates. After a celebratory meal and a good night’s sleep, we attended a very moving Pilgrim’s Mass in the cathedral.

One more item on our bucket list can now be ticked off! We were realistic about what we could do physically and found a way to make our dream a reality. Meticulous planning is essential. We learnt that there is much out there for retirees if you just take the time to find it.

When What If becomes If Only

Written by Kim Potgieter on . Posted in Purpose. No Comments on When What If becomes If Only

Instead of focusing on the ‘what-ifs’ that could possibly impact our lives in this second chapter post-Covid, I have found that clients are talking about ‘if onlys’. And not in a way that implies regret – these are conversations about living a more wholehearted life.

I have personally found this quote by New York Times best-selling author and host of the Rise Together podcast, Dave Hollis, extremely helpful:

“In the rush to return to normal, use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to.”

Many clients do not want to revert to their old ways of being in the world. Values have shifted, visions have changed, and clients are talking and thinking about life differently. Life changes can be exciting, but it is essential to take time to properly and objectively plan the transition with a solid financial plan to enable it.

Tom and Linda are clients who embraced the concept of pausing, giving them time to reflect and plan their next chapter towards significance. Post-Covid, they were both ready for change. Tom no longer found his architecture business fulfilling, and Linda wanted to move on from her bookkeeping position. They both knew what they no longer wanted to do but were unsure about what to do next.

Often, in the search for significance, clients feel lost, unsure and overwhelmed with emotion. When you’re feeling overly emotional, you simply have to stop and pause, as the decisions or actions you take will almost certainly be flawed. Start by enlisting the advice of your Retiremeant™ Specialist, who will guide you objectively and help you plan the best way forward from a money and life perspective.

I shared the suitcase exercise with Tom and Linda. You may have done it before, but it is such a valuable exercise in times of change.

Imagine you are going on a trip and you can only pack the things that serve you into your suitcase. What you leave behind is as important as what you will take. This exercise helps you recalibrate and get a clearer picture of what is essential as you move forward. It’s about identifying more of what you want by editing what’s not working – and making space for new things. It’s also about reflecting and being grateful for what you do have.

The first thing Tom and Linda packed was their relationship. They are happily married and want to spend more time together. Tom decided to edit out being an architect and sell his business. Linda crystallised a new dream of becoming a life coach. To their surprise and after doing the maths, the Financial Plan showed that they had enough money to take a year-long sabbatical to figure out their next steps.

If you’re having If only thoughts, such as if only I could … change my work, live somewhere else, or do something that really inspires me – it may be time to meet with your Specialist and make your If only a reality.

I truly believe that life is too short not to live intentionally. Let’s make ours count.

In the month of December, you can read about clients embracing their retirement and turning their passion into purpose, ticking off Bucket Wheel® items along the way. We have also included a feature on the various hybrid and in-person events we hosted this year. Enjoy the read.

Cold Water Swimming

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Article by Lise Day

As we grow older and realise that, in certain ways, we are turning into our parents, we may view this as a positive or a negative. My mother was not gracious about accepting help in her old age, so I am determined to accept help when it is offered. But there is another inheritance from my mother that I am embracing gladly. She was Danish, of Viking stock, and all through the freezing Orange Free State winters, she would swim ten laps of her pool every morning. Now at seventy-eight, I find myself in the Camps Bay tidal pool two mornings a week and have been through this winter. Apart from the well-documented effects of swimming in cold water, this pool is in such a beautiful setting that it is good for the soul as well as the body. The Twelve Apostles rise majestically in the North; Signal Hill is in the East, and the pool lies, an emerald jewel between the boulders and the ocean. I love it because it has a flat sandy bottom, you enter from the beach so there are no slippery rocks to negotiate.

It is important to keep moving in cold water. We “water blommetjies” have an aqua-aerobics instructor, the delightful Florence Poretti, who keeps us active with vigorous exercises. At the end of every class, she lines us up for a photograph in the style of a synchronised swimming team, sometimes with our noodles balanced on our heads, or whirling them around like a circus act. On Freedom Day, she brought rainbow-coloured umbrellas to support our nation. The pool itself is so varied according to the weather. Some mornings we are shrouded in mist which swirls around us, making the rest of the world disappear. On bright sunny days, the pool sparkles so clear, and we can see tiny fish and anemones below. The seagulls, cormorants and oyster catchers accept us as fellow wild things as they perch on the sea wall. One morning the pool was full of foam; we watched an Egyptian goose chasing her chicks out of the water as they looked as though they were going to get lost in the white billows. When I posted pictures of us swimming in the foam, some of my friends thought it was ice and snow and were really impressed!

It is much easier to do this in an encouraging group. There is a lot of laughter. We bob around in the middle of the pool while the serious swimmers training to swim to Robben Island, or such like, do smooth laps around the circumference. Although I have a wet suit top with a zip down the front, I have never worn it. It was made for me by Coral Wetsuits after a vaguely humiliating shop at the surf stores in Muizenberg that don’t really cater for large seventy-eight-year-old swimmers. Also, by the time you have got into a wet suit and contorted yourself to pull up a back zip, you will be far too exhausted to swim at all. I have a “scratch vest” to keep the sun off in summer and a “shark skin” top to wear in winter. The important thing in winter is to get warm after the swim. We have had gowns made with a secret pocket for car keys, long front zips and large enough to wriggle out of a wet costume underneath. Then I drive home with the car heater on high, and fine music playing loudly on the radio; it’s really exhilarating.

Recipe

Frozen Blue Daiquiri

Ingredients:

  • Fresh seawater at 9 degrees
  • (preferably high tide, but any tide will do)
  • Nine maidens, well-aged
  • A South-easter
  • Noodles
  • Bubbles
  • Madness
  • Mixologist

Method

  • Shell the maidens, peel back towelling.
  • Add the maidens to the sea quickly
  • Add the noodles
  • Listen to mixologist tending the bar
  • Balance the maidens on the noodles
  • Whip to a frenzy with the South-easter
  • Bubbles of laughter will rise to the top
  • Add a dollop of madness.
  • Beat for 30 minutes
  • Remove sluiced maidens
  • Wrap well
  • Enjoy!

Finding your ikigai in retirement

Written by Lyndsay Barr on . Posted in Purpose. No Comments on Finding your ikigai in retirement

As we face life transitions such as retirement, we often grapple with our purpose; we often equate not having a purpose to not having a personality or reason for living. There is a Japanese concept called Ikigai. In English, it roughly translates to “the meaning of your life.”

Finding your ikigai is a life-long process because it will change as you enter and exit the different stages of your life. As a child, your ikigai is to play and explore; during your school years, it is learning. Once you have finished your formal education, your ikigai is your career and family. But it is often in retirement that one’s ikigai isn’t clear.

A person’s ikigai can be anything: a passion, a dream, a mission, among others. It is something that gives you the reason to get up every morning. It’s what motivates you to keep going and gives you the drive to do something for the pursuit of that ikigai.

Ikigai focuses on four main ideas:

  • What you love (passion)
  • What you are good at (vocation)
  • What you can get paid for (profession)
  • What the world needs (mission)

The overlap between what you are good at and what you are paid for is your profession. On the other hand, what you are paid for and what the world needs is your vocation or calling. The point where what you love overlaps with what the world needs constitute your mission. Then lastly, the combination of what you are good at and what you love is your passion.

Where all four circles intersect is where you will find your ikigai.

The task of finding your ikigai can seem overwhelming, but there are a few tips to help you ignite your purpose.

Pay attention to what you do or think about

Many of the things we dwell on are usually the things we love. If you find that you lose track of time with something you’re thinking about, you’re interested and engaged, and that makes it a passion.

Think like a child

Believe it or not, many life coaches recommend this technique. Think back to the things you enjoyed doing as a child. For example, if you loved to listen to music, try taking it up a level by studying music or learning to play an instrument; if you liked colouring or drawing, try an art class.

Discover recurring themes

Take an inventory of things you tend to accumulate, such as books, films, etc. If you’re watching TV or reading, what do you watch or read about? If you go to a bookstore, what section do you go to? You might notice there are certain themes that attract you.

And if you are still struggling, answer the questions below to help you get started.

  1. When was the last time I was so involved in an activity that I lost all track of time, and what was I doing?
  2. What would I do if I didn’t care what others thought of me?
  3. When am I the happiest with who I am?
  4. If I were to die tomorrow, what would I regret NOT doing?

Remember that ikigai is not a destination but rather a journey of self-discovery so remember to enjoy the ride! Have you found your ikigai in retirement? If so, please let us know so we can share your story.

When last have you embraced your childlike spirit?

Written by Kim Potgieter on . Posted in Purpose. No Comments on When last have you embraced your childlike spirit?

As my children grow older, each year brings new experiences and lessons. It’s almost a rediscovery of who they are and what they’re about – and I’m loving the process. As they grow and develop, I find myself growing too. We talk about new topics, we explore ideas more passionately, and we definitely experience things with added wonder and joy!

I spent the past ten days in Paris with my daughter Gabi, who turned sixteen not long ago. We decided to do, and share with each other, whatever makes our souls happy. Our purpose was to have as much fun as we could possibly fit into a day and embrace our childlike spirits.

Gabi’s dream was a daring adventure. She convinced me to reconnect with my inner child – and the scooter! I have not scootered in many years – but scootering through the inner city of Paris, weaving in between cars and pedestrians with Gabi by my side, made me feel like a teenager again. I have not laughed so much for so long in a really long time. Yes, we had some crazy scary moments, but being one hundred percent responsible and predictable was not on my agenda. I loved sharing this experience with Gabi, and in return, Gabi joined me in learning how to make macaroons. I’ve always had a passion for baking and cooking – and our macaroons did not have to be fancy. They just had to be fun!

Gabi also shared her passion for art with me. I gladly joined her on a visit to the Picasso Museum, and watching her immerse herself in her own art during our train journey to Amsterdam was a joy to see.

I have learnt that the simplest way to uncover what brings you the greatest joy and brightens your life, is to start thinking about what you loved to do as a child. Your inner child is very much a part of you. In fact, everyone has an inner child tucked away in their unconscious mind – that may very well resurface from time to time. But as grown-ups, we are often so busy doing grown-up things that we forget to nurture our minds and souls with all the things that made us laugh out loud as children.

So think back to when you were a child. Back when you did not have to be ‘responsible’, or overly serious, disciplined or practical. Back then you knew exactly what made you happy and what made your soul smile. Then you did not worry about societal expectations of what it means to be all grown up. Think back to those times – and then – do exactly that!

Finding joy does not have to be complicated. It could be the simplest things in life, like the smell of freshly baked bread, dancing in the rain or listening to your favourite song. We all did things as children that made us feel just right, exhilarated, or simply just peaceful.

Close your eyes and think back: what did you do as a child that made your heart sing? What made you laugh out loud?

It could be that reconnecting with your childlike self will bring you more joy – and laughter – than you ever imagined!

Experiences of a Covid-19 patient

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Chartered Wealth client Paul Runge was hospitalised with Covid in December. We are happy to report that he is on the mend and has a busy 2022 planned; as he says, he has a book to write and squash to play.

Here he shares some helpful tips should you or a loved one have to be hospitalised.

It’s very important that a Covid patient being admitted to hospital packs their bag properly. No visitors are allowed, the patient is alone, and it is vital to maintain communications to maintain high morale. Ensure that all the required electric plugs and leads are packed for keeping the cell phone charged. In my case, music is important, and the iPod leads were essential. The reality is that the patient has to do much fending for themself. A man should consider a shaver to facilitate the insertion of drips in hairy arms! Other items could be a small towel (towels not always easily available), pyjamas, slippers and perhaps dental floss in addition to the usual toiletries. Pack a pen or two. The ward is noisy with much light, and earplugs and the typical airline eye cover could be useful. If you pack sleeping pills, clear the usage thereof with your doctor. If you have received prescribed medicines, keep them all in a plastic packet and show them to the doctor so they can verify and adjust your medication. Having a bath or shower improves spirits considerably and ensure you have the shampoo, soap required. The last newspaper will help pass the time, (not available in the wards). Your laptop may provide a little interim entertainment.

During my stay, my doctor warned me that blood tests showed that I was undernourished and dehydrated. I had not eaten for nearly four days, and the hospital seemed to be restricting the number of bottles of water they were distributing to patients. A dietician visited me and gave me some fortified drinks. However, this was insufficient, and my partner played an invaluable role in arranging for a bag of protein bars and Energade drinks to be specially delivered to me. This was also my doctor’s suggestion. A supportive partner is gold!

You will find that effective cell phone communications will ease your passage through your treatment. The WhatsApp streams of well wishes – even from unexpected associates lifts morale. Then there is valuable advice from those who have had the Covid experience. A sense of humour eases matters too. Respond kindly and deal without fuss with those that come with misinformation and conspiracy theories.

A negative aspect of the communications scenario is when friends are strangely non-communicative. Hypersensitivity sets in, and I felt very guilty that on the day before I fell ill and just had my light cough, I accepted an invitation to visit a friend at his home. I immediately informed him when I heard that I was Covid-positive, and he was compelled to place himself and his family in isolation for seven days. Terrible timing because it was year-end for his company as well as that of his wife. I apologised twice via WhatsApp messages and received no acknowledgement or even response. This weighed on my mind through much of my hospital stay. It was also strange that while my work colleagues were sympathetic and supportive, one colleague has yet to send me any message.

Exercise care when interacting with the hospital staff. They are stressed and carrying out a difficult job. Make sure you remain polite and patient. There is little banter and laughter. Don’t push too hard and try to sort yourself out with small matters wherever possible. The doctor’s visits are unscheduled, brief and sometimes rushed. It’s a good idea to prepare beforehand for their visit by writing a list of all the questions you wish to ask.

Contrary to the old adage that the patient should just lie and rest in hospital, the practise today is for them to be as active as possible – especially if there are respiratory problems. In the case of Covid, the breathing exercises given to you by your physio are very important in restoring lung capacity. Walks around the ward are recommended and are enjoyable. They also help pass the time. The physio was very kind and helpful (albeit that I fear the bill that may be coming my way!) I enjoyed practising my squash shots as I walked around the ward!

The final hospital check-out can be a lengthy and frustrating process. Ensure that you leave with the necessary prescriptions. There is a special exit for departing Covid patients, and the staff will wheel you there. Ensure that your partner picks you up at a specific time and at the correct place. Otherwise, you could inconvenience the very busy nursing staff.

What’s your personal word for 2022?

Written by Lyndsay Barr on . Posted in Purpose. No Comments on What’s your personal word for 2022?

Each year a Word of the Year is chosen. The Word of the Year is a word or expression that has attracted a great deal of interest over the last 12 months. Every year, candidates for Word of the Year are debated. One is eventually chosen to reflect that particular year’s ethos, mood, or preoccupations and to have lasting potential as a word of cultural significance. The pandemic influenced Oxford’s 2021 choice, too, this time settling on a single word: “vax.”

So do you have a personal word of the year that you have chosen for 2022, one that reflects your ethos and mood for the year? Picking a word of the year can clarify who you want to become and what you want to accomplish in life.

Having a Word of the Year is an enjoyable way to set your intentions and theme for the New Year, or any other life event for that matter. Instead of rigid resolutions, a word of the year is a gentle and constant reminder to create positive change. While resolutions often seem to have a judgmental quality, a personal word of the year is often about a value. (Think honesty, openness, patience.)

For example, if your word of the year is “abundance”, you might have sub-goals of investing in an abundant number of friendships or spending more quality time with the people you love. If your word is “flow”, your sub-goals may be learning to accept things out of your control or perhaps being spontaneous.

When choosing your word, start by reflecting on areas of your life that could use refinement. What do you want to change, and where would you like to grow? Then make a list of word choices. Are these words actionable? You need to look for a word that you can and want to take daily action on. From your list, choose one word. When you have chosen your word, make sure to make it visible. Write it in your diary, stick it on your fridge or make it your cell phone home screen.

When you have chosen a word, start planning how you will live it out. It won’t happen with good intentions alone. Make your word part of your daily life.

What gifts will the interesting detours of 2022 bring you?

Written by Kim Potgieter on . Posted in Purpose. 1 Comment on What gifts will the interesting detours of 2022 bring you?

This year started with a slight blip for me. It has always been my habit to start off my year reflecting on the past year and then planning what I would like my new year to look like. Instead of keenly waking up to 2022 and following my yearly system, I woke up with Covid. My head felt fuzzy, and I experienced so much brain fog that my family started commenting on how I was repeating myself over and over again.

If you have ever done a vision board, you’ll know that apart from actually thinking with a clear head, you also need to write legibly and cut on a straight line (I always add visuals to my board!) And here I was feeling murky and muddled. I decided to listen to my body and settled in for ten days of resting, sleeping and recuperating – even reading felt too strenuous! I am grateful that I could recover at home and am happy to report that I am almost feeling like ‘Kim’ again.

Thinking about 2022, I know this for sure: I am excited about what the year will bring. I’m also sure that the year probably won’t go precisely as planned and that I have to be prepared for changes and detours.

Putting my yearly vision board together always gives me a lot of joy and a great sense of accomplishment. As soon as I feel completely recovered and can trust my head and brain not to duplicate all my thoughts, I will be visualising my intentions for the year and clarify where I want to be, who I want to spend my time with and what my goals are going to be.

The past two years have taught me that I need to embrace the detours that will inevitably come my way. I have also learnt that these alternative, roundabout routes to the best-laid plans often bring beautiful and unexpected gifts. I have found that the detours have led me to meet interesting people that I hadn’t planned to meet, taught me lessons about myself that I didn’t know and opened up my world to new experiences. As much as I want – or yearn – to control my surroundings and experiences, the personal growth I have experienced because of the curveballs have been undeniable.

Accepting and even welcoming the detours that life throws at you requires agility. And this will be one of my challenges for the year: to nurture the attribute of being agile. I would like to focus my energy on embracing the curveballs so that I don’t miss the beauty that it brings, rather than wasting my time being disappointed when things don’t work out as exactly as planned.

So, as much as I have plans for 2022, I will be open to the detours that will inevitably come my way. I will welcome them and be interested to see what gifts they will bring.

May 2022 be filled with plentiful gifts and moments that bring you joy. Sometimes the most unexpected moments brings you the greatest joy – if you take the time to stop and acknowledge the emotion inside you.

A look back at our online client events during 2021

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We had hoped that 2021 would mean we could go back to our in-person events, but sadly it was not to be. Despite this, we still managed to host some fantastic online events that were topical, inspirational, informative, entertaining, and most importantly, relevant to the times we are living in.

We kicked off the year with Mandy Wiener, who enthralled us with tales from her book The Whistleblowers, where she spoke about the people who have courageously come forward to expose corruption and wrongdoing.

As it became glaringly apparent that face-to-face events were unlikely, we organised the first of two quiz nights for the year, hosted by Lynda Smith and Frank Davis. The quiz nights provided some light relief and a chance for clients to connect. Donations after each quiz night were made to African Food for Thought and Vulpro, respectively.

Kim Potgieter’s new book Midlife Money Makeover was launched at the beginning of May. Kim firmly believes her book is a reality due to the wisdom, insight and lessons that clients have taught her over the years. To celebrate, we hosted an event where Kim was in conversation with Maya Fisher-French discussing what it takes to live purposefully. We realised the importance of self-care while navigating life in a pandemic, so we hosted a Women’s Wellness event where Image Consultant Wendy Hind and Makeup Artist Holly Petersen shared some tips and tricks on looking and feeling great.

Kevin Lings joined us in June and presented us with a global and local economic overview. In the throes of yet another lockdown, we planned to host events that would provide some light relief and allow us all to have a bit of fun. Sean Brokensha, The Music Guru, took us on a musical
journey that traced the evolution and revolution of music in our country and how the sound of the new South Africa was born. TV presenter, author and safari guide James Hendry delighted and entertained us by sharing the story of humanity’s tumultuous relationship with wilderness
during his presentation, Plugged into the Wild.

We will always remember July 2021 as a tumultuous one in our country’s history. We all felt rattled by the events taking place. In order to try and make sense of what was happening, we hosted an event with thought leader and renowned scientist Prof. Anthony Turton, who shared his reflections on our young democracy, with particular attention to understanding the complexities of the events that took place in July.

In August we celebrated Women’s Day with Nikki Bush, who gave us tips and valuable insights on how to bloom through disruptive times. During this month, we also hosted Director of NinetyOne, Jeremy Gardiner, who shared his invaluable insight into the impact that the disruptions were likely to have on our investments, our economy, and the country we live in and love.

We kicked off Spring with an event hosted by Dr Karin Lourens, Nicci Wright and Richard Pierce, highlighting the plight of the world’s most trafficked mammal, the pangolin. This was followed by a session with Ida Doyer, a sensory integration occupational therapist, who took us on an enlightening journey around our response to the environment around us through the seven senses.

Renowned political commentator Justice Malala was our guest speaker in October, and his insights into the political landscape of South Africa and the elections were sobering. Given the events of the past year, we have realised what a necessary skill resilience is, so we decided to end October off by hosting endurance athlete, author and brain cancer survivor, Richard Wright who inspired us with his story of endurance, passion, heartbreak and triumph of the human spirit over crippling adversity.

Evita Bezuidenhout entertained us at our final event of the year – Evita Adapts and Does Not Dye.

Thank you to all clients who joined us at these events. We look forward to hosting a combination of in-person and hybrid events in 2022.