Sawubona January/February 2026

Cont ts

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026

34 Cultural crossroads

More than ever, travellers want immersion, connection, and authenticity. For countries like Botswana, Brazil, Australia, Namibia, South Africa, Ghana, and Zambia, culture is not only preserved but proudly lived, shared, and celebrated.

42 Jazz festival central

14 South East Mauritian splendour

The south-east Grand Port District makes a fun Mauritius day trip – or the main attraction

22 Four nights at Qwabi

Where wilderness and conservation meet

28 Diving for pearls

Pearl diving signi cantly in uenced the UAE’s economy for centuries, now the country’s revival e orts are bringing pearl farming back as a valuable part of the country’s heritage

Cape Town sees jazz take centre stage in March as it hosts two of the world’s most signi cant jazz festivals

SAA SHINES AT 2025 PRISMS AWARDS WITH FIVE WINS

WELCOME TO OUR WORLD

47 The latest news from SAA, ight information, routes and travel tips

TOUCHDOWN

76 An exceptional stay

Just as MICHELIN Stars honour exceptional restaurants, MICHELIN Keys now spotlight the world’s nest hotels

MIKATEKO MEDIA

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EDITORIAL

Editor-in-Chief Ingrid Jones

Integrated Content Manager Leanne Feris

Designer Hanri Gerischer

Copy Editor Candice Landie

Proofreader Tamlyn Cramer

Contributors Na sa Akabor, Ben Mack, Ismail Mahomed, Rabi'ah Mian, and Steve Smith

ADVERTISING & PRODUCTION

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saasawubona.com

78 Dine at the world’s best

Eat at one of the world’s top 100 restaurants

82 Events

88 Navigate business travel costs

How to avoid expensive business travel traps

90 Travel safely with lithium batteries

IATA’s simple rules for carrying lithiumpowered devices safely when ying

92 The connected traveller

101 Lunch is served

The specials are the new VW TAYRON and the FORD TERRITORY

104 Column

Sally Young +27 (0) 82 490 6961 sally.young@mikatekomedia.co.za

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Production Manager Neilton Adams

PUBLISHED BY MIKATEKO MEDIA ON BEHALF OF SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS (SAA)

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SAA EDITORIAL

Vimla Maistry

Acting Executive Group Corporate A airs, South African Airways (SAA) SAA CONTACTS

Customer Service:

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CONTRIBUTORS

BEN MACK

South-east Mauritian splendour 14 Travel writer with bylines in the Daily Mail,Vogue Australia, The Sydney Morning Herald, Esquire, The Guardian and elsewhere. Islands are some of his favourite places to explore – making writing about south-east Mauritius’ Grand Port District a treat.

INGRID JONES

Four nights at Qwabi 22 “Editor, food and wine enthusiast, mother, opinionated writer, lover of stylish coats, and curator of beautiful moments.”

ISMAIL MAHOMED

Spoken word poets taking o 104

An award-winning arts administrator, published playwright and anthologist. Currently serves as a director on the boards of several organisation in the South African cultural sector, and was part of the bid teams that successfully brought the ASSITEJ Congress and the EU Atelier for Festival Managers to South Africa.

Voyager: Weekdays 07:00-21:00 (GMT) Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 08:00-14:00 voyagerservicerecovery@ ysaa.com, +27 (0) 11 978 1234

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FROM WINE COUNTRY SUNSETS TO ISLAND VIBES CAPE TOWN TO MAURITIUS BOOK NOW

South African Airways is thrilled to launch direct flights from Cape Town to Mauritius, starting 09 December 2025. Whether you’re chasing sunsets along the Atlantic Seaboard or enjoying a laid-back long weekend, Mauritius now begins with a smooth, scenic flight. Our award-winning service, flexible return via Johannesburg, and afternoon arrival just in time for sundowners make your trip even sweeter.

FLY EVERY TUESDAY, THURSDAY, AND SATURDAY.

DEPARTURE: 09:35 | ARRIVAL: 16:40

Book now at flysaa.com or contact your nearest travel agent.

SouthAfricanAirways,connectingAfricatotheWorld,Onefligthatatime.

There is an unmistakable sense of &momentum possibility

in the air at South African Airways. The year 2026 marks a pivotal chapter of purposeful growth and strategic ambition in our journey.

Our vision is clear: to reclaim our position as Africa’s leading full-service network carrier, connecting the continent to the world with excellence and ubuntu.We are executing a bold plan focused on fleet modernisation, route expansion, and elevating customer experience.With 20 aircraft currently in operation, we aim to grow to 50 within ten years, reflecting our financial stability and operational confidence.

In 2026, SAA will introduce new routes that will significantly enhance our domestic, regional, and international network, and we will add more frequencies to our current destinations in order to make the routes attractive to business travellers. Announcements will be made once the necessary licences and regulatory approvals have been secured.

As we welcome the new year, I am reminded of the power of travel to inspire, connect, and rejuvenate.

There is no better time than now to plan that long-awaited island escape, and with our newly launched Cape Town-Mauritius route, paradise is just a flight away.

Since its successful debut on 9 December 2025, this route has opened a world of opportunity for both leisure and business travellers. January and February offer the perfect window to explore Mauritius at its most tranquil after the festive rush, when the island’s natural beauty and cultural richness can be savoured at your own pace. Our aim remains to offer you a holiday experience to your holiday destination.

February is a month of celebration – SAA turns 92, and it is a reminder that our passion for flight remains timeless. Our love for the skies and the industry that connects people and places continues to inspire everything we do.

I’m proud to share that Sawubona magazine has once again earned a Silver PRISM Award in 2025, affirming its world-class excellence and relevance. Congratulations to our editorial team for their creativity and commitment to storytelling. As the world’s oldest in-flight magazine still in circulation, Sawubona remains a powerful platform to showcase South Africa and our global network.

Here’s to new journeys, new destinations, and beautiful memories to be made in 2026.

Welcome aboard this journey. Together, we fly forward in 2026 and beyond.

PROF JOHN M. LAMOLA Group CEO, South African Airways

It feels strange to say 2026

but it’s exciting to stand on the threshold of a new year that promises new travel experiences. Trends show that travel is no longer about escape, but more about connection. Purpose is the operative word. The question isn’t where to go, but why the destination is on the bucket list.

Climate-conscious luxury is a redefining trend – not through excess, but the idea is to tread lightly, solar powered lodges, meals, and experiences curated by local hands from local produce. Regenerative travel is taking root. Conservation and community tourism are proving that sustainability can also be deeply soulful.

We are also seeing the rise of ancestral travel. Journeys that trace heritage, language, and belonging. Travellers to our continent come not only for the wildlife, but to stand in the place where stories began. Quiet wellness and immersive experiences range from forest bathing in the Tsitsikamma to meditative walks in the Tankwa Karoo. AI-curated exploration is making travel more personal, not impersonal – helping us plan with intention, uncover hidden gems, and spend less time scrolling and more time living.

This year, Sawubona will celebrate travel that transforms. In the end, every great journey is a mirror; it shows us where we have been and who we are becoming.

Here’s to 2026 and the flâneuse in all of us! The wanderer, the observer, the soul who travels not just through the world, but with it.

'TIL NEXT TIME

Ingrid Jones & the team

GETTING THERE

SAA now flies direct between Cape Town and Mauritius every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. In addition, SAA flies direct between Johannesburg and Mauritius daily. Visit flysaa.com

WORDS BEN MACK

SOUTHEAST MAURITIAN SPLENDOUR

The south-east Grand Port District makes a fun Mauritius day trip –or the main attraction.

APPARENTLY, THE DODO DIDN’T TASTE VERY GOOD.

This is one of many facts I learn in the pretty, historic Frederik Hendrik Museum. But the museum, free to visit and barely a 15-minute taxi ride from the airport that costs about 700 Mauritian rupees (Rs), is about much more than the famous extinct bird, which is an important symbol of Mauritius.

On a green hill next to the glass-smooth, shining blue sea, the museum is also where you can see the oldest surviving human-made structure in Mauritius, dating to the 1600s and the days of wooden-legged pirates and buried treasure.

The island was uninhabited when the Dutch arrived in 1598. When they left in 1710, several stone buildings remained at the site of the museum, which is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9am to 4pm, Wednesdays from 11am to 4pm, and Sundays from 9am to 12pm.You can also see artefacts like old pottery, tools, clay pipes, nails, cannonballs and dugong (sea cow) bones.

An hour can be spent at the museum, but it’s far from the only historical site in the Grand Port District, located on Mauritius’ south-east side opposite the big city of Port Louis on the western side.

Because most visitors head west, the Grand Port District is quieter. Traversing the winding, well-paved roads offers views of emerald green sugar cane fields (a major industry in Mauritius), jungle-filled valleys, blue rivers, and Lion Mountain, which indeed looks like a green, sleeping lion.

A good place to start is the Old Grand Port (Vieux Grand Port). The small village is along the district’s north-east coast. It’s here you’ll find the Frederik Hendrik Museum along the main road. Also just off the road is a stone monument marking where the Dutch first landed.

After exploring the Old Grand Port, it’s a 10-15 minutes’ drive south to Mahébourg. It’s the district’s largest town.

There’s a strong smell of salt air walking the peaceful, paved waterfront, which has plenty of parking. Coconut-laden palm trees sway and boughs rustle in the breeze, wonderful cooling on hot and humid tropical days.

Waves gently lap the mostly rocky shore. Clinging to the rocks are brightlycoloured, spiral seashells. Among the rocks scuttle little grey crabs, while overhead soar cawing seagulls, pigeons and little tan and white spotted birds.

Like everywhere in Mauritius, the water in Mahébourg is warm. It’s perfect for going for a swim, or just dipping your toes in the water.

ABOVE: See the oldest surviving human-made structure in Mauritius, dating to the 1600s, at the Frederik Hendrik Museum in Vieux Grand Port. BELOW FROM LEFT: Octopus salad at Les Copains d’Abordes goes down well with a tropical fruit cocktail made from fresh-squeezed fruits plucked from nearby trees (like the one below); Mahébourg’s peaceful now, but in 1810 was the site of an epic, multi-day naval battle between cannon-blasting French and British fleets (the French won). Signage along the waterfront provides information.

Mahébourg’s peaceful now, but in 1810 was the site of an epic, multi-day naval battle between cannon-blasting French and British fleets (the French won). Signage along the waterfront provides information.

More peaceful is the legacy of Swami Sivananda. A Hindu spiritual teacher, there’s a huge stone statue of him next to a temple that’s open to everyone – Mauritius is the only African country where the largest religious group are Hindus.

Mahébourg has terrific seafood. Steps from the waterfront in a bright orange building with lots of comfy wooden seats, Les Copains d’Abord uses fish caught daily in the lagoon. Recommended is the octopus salad (Rs 695). Savoury but not too chewy, it goes down well with a syrupy-sweet, alcohol-free tropical fruit cocktail (Rs 375), made from fresh-squeezed fruits plucked from nearby trees.

For a different kind of cuisine, Café du Sud makes thick, creamy and sweet milkshakes (Rs 200) in flavours like caramel, Kit Kat, strawberry and banana. They’re especially revitalising amid a hot afternoon exploring the very walkable town. The cosy café also does tasty homemade croissants (Rs 50). About two blocks from the waterfront, they’re open

every day, except Thursdays from 9:30am to 5:30pm, and Sundays from 9:30am to 2pm.

Just because the Grand Port District has fewer people than western Mauritius doesn’t mean you won’t find great shopping. The Market Fair is easy to find (you can’t miss it – barely a block from the waterfront, it always has lots of people around), and open every day (7am to 5:30pm Monday-Friday, and 7am to 12pm on weekends). You can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, meat, even clothes and electronics from local sellers. There are several cafes to grab a bite or drink. The market is also covered – handy for when it rains.

If it’s souvenirs you seek, Mon Caprice is near the market and has good prices. You can buy things like authentic wooden masks, carved boats, woven mats, wooden statues of dodo, and dodo magnets (Rs 75).

The languid, relaxed pace of life in the Grand Port District means there’s never much pressure to do anything quickly. But don’t miss the sunsets: the sky transforming with red, orange, pink and lavender colours, it’s a sight you won’t soon forget, and a perfectly cinematic way to end an epic day of discovery.

The essentials

GETTING AROUND

Being close to the airport, it’s easiest to get around the Grand Port District by hiring a taxi or driving yourself. Some hotels will also have special deals where they can drop you off in the Grand Port District and pick you up in the same spot at an agreed time later. This service can cost about Rs 2000, depending how far away your hotel is.

WATER SAFETY

The water in Mauritius is warm year-round; perfect for swimming. But be careful, including at beaches in the Grand Port District: strong currents known as “rips” can suddenly pull you out to sea and under water.

WEATHER

Being a tropical island, it’s warm year-round in Mauritius. November to April is the wet season, while June to September is the dry season. The dry season is also usually a bit cooler.

SPEAKING

While Mauritius has no official language, most people speak French and English. The most commonly spoken language is a form of creole.

MONEY

The currency of Mauritius is the Mauritian rupee.You can easily exchange rand for rupees at the airport. Most places and taxis still use cash, but credit cards are becoming increasingly common, especially in tourist areas.

Let’s broaden perspectives

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QWABI FOUR NIGHTS AT

Where wilderness and conservation meet.

THERE’S A HUSH THAT SETTLES

over Qwabi Private Game Reserve just before sunrise. The air smells of veld and damp earth; the sun is beginning to heat up the morning chill. It’s in that stillness that I began the second day of my four-night stay at Qwabi earlier this year. Game drives, inspired meals, warm-hearted staff, and one unforgettable rhino sighting that reminded me what true wilderness still means.

THEHEARTOFTHEWATERBERG

Set within Limpopo’s UNESCO-listed Waterberg Biosphere, Qwabi – meaning ”African wildcat” in Sotho – forms part of the Newmark Collection. The reserve stretches across a sweep of golden savannah, dense bush, sandstone ridges, home to elephant, lion, leopard and, most preciously, rhino.

The first two nights were spent at Letamo Lodge, a place that feels stitched into the land: low-slung stone walls, wooden decks, and rooms that open directly to the bush. An azure blue swimming pool glistens invitingly next to the dining area. Upon arrival our group is met by therapists for a quick hand massage before we are taken to our rooms. The drive from the airport was long, the African sun was in full heat and the sharp chirps of the cicadas penetrated the stillness. Walking towards my room a few warthogs lazily feed under the shade of the trees with their little tails like aerials in the air. A quick shower and a delicious spread at what is called high tea (it’s a full lunch spread) is followed by the thrill of climbing into an open vehicle just as the first wispy, pink afternoon clouds brushed the horizon.

Our 20-something guide, Danyael, possessed the calm confidence of someone born to the bush.“I’ve always known this is what I wanted to do,” he said, “even though no one in my family had ever been to a game park.” His enthusiasm was infectious – a

mix of deep knowledge and pure wonder.

On our first drive, he stopped the vehicle midsentence, eyes narrowing. “Listen,” he whispered. The air felt charged. From the mopane thicket, two shapes emerged; a white rhino cow and her calf, their hides ghost-pale in the afternoon sun. The two stare straight at us. Then a few more arrived and stood transfixed for what felt like an eternity. For a few precious minutes we sat in reverent silence, close enough to hear the slow rhythm of their breathing. Then one moved towards the road and started his walk sashaying down the road in front of the vehicle. It was one of those rare safari moments when time folds in on itself – just earth, sky, and these ancient, endangered giants. When they finally moved off, Danyael exhaled. “Every rhino sighting is a gift,” he said quietly. “Each one means they’ve made it through another day.”

I learnt more about what that survival entails. Qwabi’s anti-poaching unit operates 24 hours a day, combining traditional tracking skills with modern tech – drones, motion sensors and GPS collars – to monitor the animals’ movements. “The fight to protect them never really ends,” said Danyael. “But tourism makes it possible. Every guest who stays here helps us keep watch.”

It’s that quiet, collective commitment that defines Qwabi. Conservation is lived out daily in the vigilance of the rangers, the care taken with each sighting, and the humility with which guides like Danyael interpret the land.

Later, at sundowners next to the pool, a sudden rustle attracted my attention. A very big likkewaan (rock monitor) rushed across the deck past the pool, past our table before slithering underneath the cool underbrush where it apparently hides from the mongoose. Wild!

ABOVE: Babohi is all about sleek lines, natural textures, and endless views that makes you want to whisper.

BELOW FROM LEFT: the afternoons melted into golden hours on the deck, watching out for elephants in the valley below; set within a UNESCO-declared biosphere, Qwabi is teeming with wildlife and breathtaking natural beauty.

FROMLETAMOTOBABOHI

The next part of our stay unfolded at Babohi Lodge, Qwabi’s adults-only hideaway perched high above the plains. If Letamo was warm and family-spirited, Babohi had sleek lines, natural textures, and endless views that made you want to whisper. The afternoons there melted into golden hours on the deck, watching out for elephants in the valley below. Evenings were candlelit and slow. The chef – a magician of simplicity – crafted menus that celebrated local produce: carrot and cumin soup, kudu fillet with roasted beetroot, grilled salmon with salsa verde, and an array of desserts. And a barman who knew, without asking, that I love a dirty Martini at breakfast and a Negroni at dinner. “The bush teaches balance,” he said one night. “Even in the bar, it’s about harmony.”

What sets Qwabi apart is not just its landscape, but its people. Every staff member seemed to radiate genuine pride; from the rangers who protect the rhinos to the waiters who remembered how you take your coffee.

Over sundowners on our last evening, I asked Danyael what he loved most about guiding. He thought for a moment. “When guests start seeing what I see. Not just the animals, but the patterns, the patience of nature. That’s

when I know it’s working.”

On my last game drive, just before leaving Babohi, we spotted movement in the thicket. There they were – my favourite animals grazing peacefully, picking leaves from the highest trees. Too many to count. A collection of giraffes is called a tower when they are standing still, and a journey when they are moving. We had a traffic jam. We were also gifted with a sighting of three southern ground-hornbills, a protected species. Two adults and a baby who just made a kill and was pecking away at it while a loud booming call emanated from their chests. Apparently, it can be heard five kilometres away. Their conservation is a living testament to everything Qwabi stands for.

Driving out along the dusty track, I thought of Danyael’s words from that first drive: “The bush doesn’t always give you what you expect but it always gives you what you need.”

He was right. Qwabi has given me both – beauty and meaning, comfort and conscience. It’s more than a destination; it’s a reminder that luxury can protect the wilderness that inspires it.

And as the Waterberg faded behind us, I knew I would return. Not just to see the rhinos again, but to feel that deep, grounding silence that only a place like Qwabi can give.

The essentials

Qwabi Private Game Reserve lies in the heart of Limpopo’s Waterberg region, about three hours’ drive from Johannesburg.

WHEN TO GO

Year-round. The dry winter months (May–September) offer superb game viewing; the summer rains (October–March) bring lush greenery and spectacular birdlife.

WHERE TO STAY

• Letamo Lodge: family-friendly, elegant, and close to the plains. • Babohi Lodge: adults-only, elevated, and serenely romantic. Visit www.newmarkhotels.com or email reservations@newmarkhotels.com

Pearl diving significantly influenced the UAE’s economy for centuries, but its importance waned after the discovery of oil.

Now, the country’s revival efforts are bringing pearl farming back as a valuable part of the country’s heritage.

PPearl farming or pearl diving is an important part of the Gulf Arab countries’ heritage and culture. Pearls, or “lulu” in Arabic, are a natural resource which were the cornerstone of the Gulf Arab region’s economy and cultural identity prior to oil-discovery.The discovery of the Abu Dhabi pearl on Marawah Island, dated to 5800-5600 BCE, is the earliest known evidence of pearling in the world. This remarkable find underlines the immense historical significance of “lulu” in the region.

Unfortunately, many visitors to the UAE miss the fascinating world of pearl diving, often drawn instead to well-known tourist spots and organised tours. Before the advent of oil, pearl trading was the lifeblood of the economy

for coastal emirates like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This vital part of the UAE’s story is waiting to be explored by curious travellers.

Back in the day, the economy was quite different from what we know now. It was a layered, debt-driven system where captains and divers relied on wealthy pearl merchants for their livelihoods. For many years, pearl diving was the main source of income for the people in the region, which helped coastal towns grow and thrive. Interestingly, in the early 1900s, the Gulf Arab region supplied about 90% of the world's pearls, making it an essential centre for the global pearl trade. Unfor tunately, when the natural pearl market collapsed in the 1930s, it had a huge impact on the Trucial States. This led to tough times, including a deep depression and widespread poverty, which changed society in significant ways. Everyone involved in the pearling industry, from divers and captains to shipbuilders and suppliers, faced a loss of their main source of income. It was a challenging time, but it also paved the way for new opportunities and transformation in the region.

The pearling captains, known as “Nukhada” and “Sardal”, possessed vast knowledge of the marine environment and the region’s geography. Such critical expertise was a prerequisite for success in the trade and was passed down orally through generations. Women played a crucial role, even though it was a largely land-based support role in the pearling industry and its related economy. Despite being a male-dominated profession at sea, women were viewed as the backbone of the domestic economy and community management during the long months the men were away. Women were fully responsible for managing households and families, as well as food security; some participated in harvesting dates and other crops, while others processed and sold fish caught in local traps. Interestingly, some women acted as small-scale traders or vendors, known as “anaja” – their role was to go around coastal towns selling essential provisions to the pearling divers and merchants,

and sometimes purchasing oysters.

In the UAE, the pearl serves as a powerful and enduring national symbol of the nation’s resilience, heritage and a profound historical connection to the sea. The legacy of pearl diving is a cornerstone of contemporary Emirati identity and is prominently represented in contemporary culture through dedicated historical monuments, symbolic modern artwork, and museum exhibits. Given the importance of the pearl farming to the UAE’s economy, heritage and culture, there have been revival efforts made

by different establishments and initiatives. For instance, Suwaidi Pearls and projects by the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD), which are fruitfully balancing the revival of tradition with contemporary issues by incorporating sustainable aquaculture practices and environmental protection measures into their operations.

Educational and cultural institutions in the UAE ensure the pearl diving story is remembered by younger generations through immersive heritage villages, interactive exhibits, hands-on workshops and dedicated national events. Such initiatives bridge the gap between a distant past and the present, instilling national pride and a strong sense of cultural identity. For instance, Dubai Museum features lifesize dioramas and interactive exhibits which symbolise the complex process of pearl diving, including the tools used, such as the deyyen, futam and hajar. Using virtual reality experiences enables visitors to dive for pearls. There are vast collections of historical artefacts, tools and valuable natural pearls displayed in institutions, for instance, the Emirates

NBD Pearl Museum, providing a tangible connection to the past.

Tourists can experience the historical and cultural traditions of pearling first-hand in the UAE through museum visits, cultural heritage sites and immersive tours. For instance, Suwaidi Pearl Farms is a famous pearl farm in the northern emirates of Ras Al Khaimah; it is the only commercial pearl farm in the UAE which offers an authentic and educational experience. Tourists can take a boat to the floating farm’s traditional over-water majlis, where they get to learn about the historical free-diving techniques and modern pearl cultivation methods.The highlight is opening an oyster and possibly finding a pearl.

Scuba diving centres such as the Nemo Diving Centre provide guided diving experiences in historical pearling areas. Even though it is not the conventional breath-holding technique, it links contemporary enthusiasts to the same waters once traversed by Emirati pearl hunters. While the UAE shares its cultural heritage with neighbouring countries, it stands apart in pearl farming through its sustainable and innovative approaches. By embracing eco-tourism and heritage preservation alongside strong government support, the UAE paves a unique path in this ancient industry.

Countries like Qatar and Bahrain may be celebrated for

their historical ties to pearls, yet the UAE shines with its proactive development of a modern commercial sector. As home to the only operational commercial pearl farm in the Gulf Arab region, Suwaidi Pearls leads the way, producing exquisite cultured pearls through advanced, sustainable methods. Unlike others that rely on traditional diving for wild-caught pearls, the UAE embraces product diversification, introducing transformative projects like the region's first freshwater pearl oyster aquaculture. This commitment to innovation transcends conventional boundaries.

Pearls are a vital element of UAE jewellery, linking the rich pearling heritage to contemporary fashion. They grace modern designs, celebrating beauty that suits both everyday moments and special occasions.

The history and cultural significance of pearl farming in the UAE are profoundly important. This tradition has begun to revive an age-old practice characterised by the challenging conditions faced by divers, who often spend months away from their families to earn a living. Their hard work not only supports their families but also actively contributes to the nation’s economy and heritage.

If you’re planning a visit to the UAE, be sure to include pearl farming on your list of must-see experiences.

The essentials

NEMO DIVING CENTRE

Offers guided diving experiences in historical pearling areas. nemodivingcenter.com

SUWAIDI PEARL FARMS

Their House of Pearls tour takes visitors on a historical and cultural journey of the region’s pearling industry. suwaidipearls.ae

AL SHINDAGHA DUBAI MUSEUM

In the museum’s Culture of the Sea House, visitors can explore the early twentieth century period, when Dubai was thriving at the heart of the pearl trade. alshindagha.dubaiculture.gov.ae

EMIRATES NBD PEARL MUSEUM

Explores the rich maritime history of Arabia. pearlmuseum.ae

GETTING THERE

SAA flies between South Africa and Botswana, Brazil, Australia, Ghana and Zambia. Visit flysaa.com

More than ever, explorers are seeking experiences that go beyond scenery and luxury. They want immersion, connection, and authenticity. For countries like Botswana, Brazil, Australia, Namibia, South Africa, Ghana, and Zambia, culture is not only preserved but proudly lived, shared, and celebrated.

CROSSOADS

CULTURAL

BRAZIL

Samba, spirituality, and street life

Brazil’s cultural tourism is as vibrant as its landscapes. Salvador da Bahia is the soul of Afro-Brazilian culture; capoeira in the streets, Candomblé ceremonies, and samba rhythms that refuse to be contained.

The Rio Car nival is the world’s grandest street party, but smaller regional festivals provide more intimate cultural insights. In the Amazon, indigenous communities invite travellers to learn about medicinal plants, river navigation, and spirituality rooted in nature.

Brazil’s culinary heritage is another gateway: from feijoada (a rich stew) to acarajé (spicy bean fritters linked to African traditions), every bite tells a story.

•• TRAVEL TIP: Visit Salvador during the Festival of Yemanjá (2 February), when thousands gather at the beach to honor the sea goddess with offerings, music, and dance.

BOTSWANA

Ancient voices in the desert

Step into Botswana’s Kalahari and you step back thousands of years. The San Bushmen, among the world’s oldest cultures, guide visitors through desert landscapes, sharing survival skills and storytelling traditions passed down orally for generations. Evenings around the fire resonate with rhythmic clapping, trance dances, and haunting melodies.

The Tsodilo Hills, with over 4,500 rock paintings, carry spiritual significance as “the mountain of the gods.” For cultural travellers, this site is a sacred gallery. Festivals such as Maitisong in Gaborone show that Botswana’s cultural scene is as contemporary as it is ancient.

•• TRAVEL TIP: Combine a safari in the Okavango Delta with a San-guided cultural tour for a holistic Botswana experience.

AUSTRALIA

Dreamtime and living traditions

Australia offers travellers a chance to connect with the world’s oldest living culture. Aboriginal tours reveal Dreamtime stories – creation narratives that explain spiritual ties to the land. At Ulur u, guides share not only geological facts but ancestral legends, offering a deeper connection to the red monolith.

Cultural tours include bush tucker walks, didgeridoo lessons, and art workshops in remote Aboriginal communities. Festivals such as NAIDOC Week and Vivid Sydney blend tradition with modern creativity, highlighting a nation that embraces both ancient and contemporary identity.

Staff Writer/

•• TRAVEL TIP: For an authentic art experience, visit Aboriginal-owned art centres in Alice Springs or Arnhem Land, where artists share both their works and their stories. By

SAVANNA68 HOTEL VICTORIA FALLS

A blend of unforgettable experiences and luxury.

Savanna68 Hotel Victoria Falls, located in the Zambezi National Park, is one of Zimbabwe’s upcoming leading new hotels with a blend of unforgettable customer service experiences and luxury.

Situated a stone’s throw away from the Victoria Falls within the UNESCO-listed Zambezi National

Park, the hotel is accessible by road and air, offering one of life’s rarest luxuries and a true escape. Twenty four luxurious suites make up Savanna68 Hotel and guests can expect personalised service, daily excursions within Victoria Falls town and the Zambezi National Park and so much more.

SAVANNA68 HOTELS AND APARTMENTS

68 Courtney Selous Cresent Victoria Falls Zimbabwe +263 719 407 998 info@savanna68hotels.co.zw www.savanna68hotels.co.zw/ www.facebook.com/seaofdreamsapartments

REASONS TO VISIT

Guests enjoy daily guided tours on some of Zimbabwes most preserved park, game drives and rain forest walks, and the rare chance to witness the Big 5. Animal conservation is woven into the experience, with guests learning about conservation and protection through community education initiatives.

Community empowerment Programs

Most of the Hotel’s staff come from the surrounding Mosi a Tunya community, with many working at Savanna68 since it opened. This underscores the hotel’s commitment to long-term local employment, skills development and helping to uplift the broader Tonga community in meaningful and lasting ways.

Environmental Conservation

We contribute towards Conservation monitoring programmes and these efforts are complemented by ongoing local awareness campaigns on anti poaching, and monthly cleanups that empower both guests and community members to actively protect our Environment.

Long Lasting connections

Nature-based experiences led by knowledgeable local guides foster deep connections with the ecosystems, as well as the rich cultural heritage of the region.

NAMIBIA

Enduring traditions

Namibia’s cultural identity is as striking as its landscapes; a nation where ancient desert sands meet stories of survival, beauty, and remembrance. Among the most iconic cultural groups are the Damara, Himba, Herero, and Nama peoples, each preserving traditions that speak to resilience and pride.

In the remote Kunene Region, the Himba are renowned for their ochre-red skin and intricate hairstyles, symbols of both beauty and spirituality. Further south, the Herero women wear voluminous Victorian-style dresses –cultural adaptations that have become symbols of identity and remembrance. The Nama, celebrated for their rich storytelling and musical poetry, and the Damara, among Namibia’s earliest peoples, known for their click language, craftsmanship, and dance, together embody the endurance and diversity of the nation’s indigenous heritage.

Yet Namibia’s cultural story is also one of reckoning.

On the windswept shores of Lüderitz, Shark Island stands as a haunting memorial to one of Africa’s earliest genocides. During the early 1900s, German colonial forces imprisoned and killed thousands of Herero and Nama people there. Today, the site is a place of mourning and education, reminding visitors that understanding culture also means confronting the painful past.

In contrast, modern Namibia’s cultural expression thrives. In Windhoek, German colonial architecture mingles with African creativity, while the Damara Living Museum near Twyfelfontein offers hands-on experiences in traditional crafts, herbal medicine, and ancestral skills.

•• TRAVEL TIP: Visit during Namibia’s Independence Day (21 March) or the Windhoek Cultural Festival (May) to witness a vibrant showcase of music, dance, and cuisine that celebrates the country’s diverse heritage.

SOUTH AFRICA

A tapestry of struggle and celebration

In South Africa, culture is everywhere. From the echoes of history to the vibrancy of daily life. A visit to Robben Island or the Apar theid Museum offer s a sobering yet essential perspective on the country’s recent past. In Soweto, travellers can listen to jazz, visit local shebeens, and meet artists shaping the township’s creative future.

South Africa’s ethnic diversity is expressed through Zulu beadwork, Xhosa ceremonies, Nama riel dancing, and Ndebele murals. Festivals such as the National Arts Festival in Makhanda and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival draw global audiences.

•• TRAVEL TIP: For a mix of culture and indulgence, explore the Cape Winelands where wine-tasting tours often include heritage storytelling.

GHANA

Diaspora, drums, and dynamic festivals

For many travellers of African descent, Ghana represents a journey of return. The Cape Coast and Elmina castles, once sites of the transatlantic slave trade, provide deeply emotional experiences. Walking through the “Door of No Return” is often described as transformative.

Beyond its historical pull, Ghana celebrates life with spectacular festivals: Homowo, Akwasidae, and the urban Chale Wote Street Art Festival. Traditional crafts such as kente weaving, bead-making, and woodcarving, remain central to Ghana’s identity.

The rhythm of Ghana pulses through its music: from traditional drumming to highlife and hiplife, every beat tells a story of resilience and reinvention.

•• TRAVEL TIP:

Plan a trip around the Pan-African Festival of Arts and Culture (PANAFEST), which celebrates African unity through music, theatre, and dance.

ZAMBIA

Ceremonial rivers and masked mysteries

In Zambia, cultural tourism shines through ritual and performance. The Kuomboka Ceremony of the Malozi people is a royal pageant, with the king’s barge sailing across the Zambezi floodplains to higher ground.

The Likumbi Lya Mize Festival, recognised by UNESCO, features masked dances of the Luvale people, and is an unforgettable spectacle of colour, rhythm, and ritual. Across rural Zambia, homestays offer intimate cultural immersion, where visitors can cook, farm, and share stories with host families.

Music is the heartbeat of Zambian culture, from ngoma drumming to the upbeat guitar-driven kalindula style.

•• TRAVEL TIP:

Cultural festivals follow seasonal calendars. The Kuomboka typically takes place in March or April, depending on river floods, so check dates in advance.

Beyond borders

Cultural tourism reveals not only the uniqueness of each place but also the interconnectedness of humanity. For travellers in 2026 and beyond, cultural journeys are not about consuming experiences, but rather they are about participating in them. And in doing so, they remind us that culture is not something to observe at a distance but to live, celebrate, and carry forward.

SAA flies to Cape Town daily from several destinations. Visit flysaa.com

Cape Town sees jazz take centre stage in March as it hosts two of the world’s most significant jazz festivals: the Cape Town International Jazz Festival and the Montreux Jazz Festival.

THE LAST WEEKEND OF MARCH 2026

will transform the Western Cape into an unparalleled celebration of music, culture, and artistic excellence.

From 27-28 March, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) returns to the Cape Town International Convention Centre for its 23rd edition, while just 45 minutes away in the Cape Winelands, the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival (MJF) makes its historic African debut in Franschhoek from 27-29 March.This convergence of musical giants promises to make Cape Town the epicentre of the global jazz calendar.

AFRICA’S GRANDEST GATHERING RETURNS

The CTIJF has earned its reputation as Africa’s premier music event, and the 2026 edition promises to be more ambitious than ever. The festival’s 2025 edition drew over 24,000 music enthusiasts to the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), creating an electric atmosphere that resonated throughout the city. Standout performances included a groundbreaking collaboration between pianist Nduduzo Makhathini and electronic music pioneer Black Coffee, while Thandiswa Mazwai led what attendees described as a spiritual awakening of 7,000 people.

For 2026, the festival continues to position itself as more than just a weekend event. New initiatives include the Youth Jazz Series, offering emerging artists professional development opportunities, masterclasses with international legends, and a digital marketplace connecting African musicians with global festivals and promoters. Strategic partnerships with universities and music schools are creating educational pipelines into the industry, ensuring the festival’s impact extends far beyond its flagship weekend.

MONTREUX COMES TO THE WINELANDS

Franschhoek is preparing to write a new chapter in music history. The MJF, founded in Switzerland in 1967, has selected the picturesque Cape Winelands town as its first African destination.

The decision follows a scouting visit in January 2025, when Montreux Jazz Festival CEO Mathieu Jaton and his team explored Franschhoek’s dramatic landscapes, vibrant arts scene, and warm hospitality. The valley’s Europeaninfluenced charm and walkable layout proved ideal for recreating Montreux’s signature immersive experience, where music spills onto streets and transforms entire towns into celebrations.

The MJF boasts a legendary legacy of iconic performances by Prince, David Bowie, Miles Davis, B.B. King, Johnny Cash, and Stevie Wonder. The festival is renowned for its

genre-spanning programme – from jazz and blues to pop and rock – and also for its commitment to discovering new talent. Artists including Jacob Collier, Adele, Dua Lipa, and Kendrick Lamar performed on Montreux’s smaller stages before achieving global fame.

Mark Goedvolk, Founder of MJF Franschhoek, emphasises the festival’s potential for cultural exchange: “Hosting the festival in Franschhoek offers a unique opportunity to bridge cultural divides and create meaningful connections between emerging South African artists and the world's top international artists and music industry leaders.”

COMMUNITY AT THE HEART

Both festivals share a commitment to nurturing emerging talent and enriching local communities. The MJF will partner with the Uncorked Music Academy at Franschhoek High School, aligning with the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation’s mission to support talent development and foster musical exchange. This partnership reflects the festival’s dedication to discovering new voices and providing platforms for African artists to gain international exposure.

Similarly, the CTIJF’s expanded programme includes year-round workshops, masterclasses, and performance opportunities for young musicians.

A JAZZ LOVER’S DILEMMA

With both events scheduled for the same weekend, music enthusiasts face an enviable challenge. The CTIJF offers the intimacy of the CTICC’s multiple stages, where weekend passes provide access to diverse performances spanning jazz, soul, Afrobeats, Latin rhythms, and funk.

Franschhoek, on the other hand, promises the immersive town-wide experience that defines Montreux, where visitors can explore the valley’s renowned wine estates, art galleries, and restaurants between performances. The walkable village layout encourages spontaneous musical discoveries and intimate encounters with world-class artists.

For those with the luxury of time, the extended weekend format offers an intriguing possibility: attending the CTIJF’s Friday and Saturday showcases before heading to Franschhoek for the Montreux Jazz Festival’s Sunday finale. The 45-minute drive between venues transforms the challenge into an opportunity for a comprehensive Western Cape music experience.

As planning continues, both festivals promise to announce their full line-ups in due course.

Whether you’re drawn to the urban energy of the CTICC or the vineyard-draped valleys of Franschhoek, one thing is certain: Cape Town in March 2026 will be the place where the world’s jazz heart beats loudest, so book your flights on flysaa.com if you haven't already done so.

A PLACE OF LUXURY AND REPOSE

Vergenoegd Löw, a luxury home-away from home in the Stellenbosch Winelands, invites you to let nature, light and tranquillity be your guide.

Here you are encouraged to immerse yourself in the peaceful beauty, the privacy and security of a Stellenbosch Winelands ecoverse.

From the moment you enter the gates, you sense the air of languorous ease and comfort this vast but secluded haven brings.

Let your eyes fall on the finely preserved 18th century gracious Cape Dutch heritage buildings. See the eco-grazing animals in the distance. Look about you at the bees pollinating the crops that grow here. Harmonious, soothing and serene, a bucolic scene that draws you in.

Experience the restful quietude of luxurious, spacious suites, with sublime views of vineyards or

mountains, your own personal deck and pool.

Taste fresh, farm-to-table, seasonal, heirloom gastronomy across the estate. From the dishes inspired by Cape kitchens, where recipes pass from one generation to the next, to plates that pique your curiosity with their inventively indigenous flavours.

Celebrated estate-grown and-made wines are there too for the asking.

Regenerative, holistic farming principles are followed throughout the agroecologically-run estate to protect the interconnected web of life.

Everything you eat and drink here, from restaurant to room service, is cultivated on the farm or supplied by like-minded suppliers who share its eco-values.

www.vergenoegd.co.za

www.facebook.com/vergenoegd www.instagram.com/vergenoegd_low_wine_estate

CONNECTING AFRICA TO THE WORLD ONE FLIGHT AT A TIME

FLIGHT SCHEDULE FROM WINDHOE

SA 071, departs Windhoek at 08:40, arriving in Johannesburg at 10:25

SA 075, departing Windhoek at 14:30, arriving in Johannesburg at 16:15

SA 077, departing Windhoek at 18:05, arriving in Johannesburg at 19:50

• All-Inclusive Comfort – Checked baggage and onboard meals included at no extra cost.

• Sip, Savor, Soar – Onboard meals paired with the finest South African wines at 30,000 feet.

• Reward Every Journey – Earn SAA Voyager miles even on your most relaxing getaways.

• Fly in Style – Seamless check-in and business class options to elevate your experience.

• Explore the world with confidence – As a Star Alliance member, your travel options are endless.

AFRICA CONNECTED

ABIDJAN | ACCRA | CAPE TOWN | DAR ES SALAAM | DURBAN | HARARE | KINSHASA | LAGOS | LUBUMBASHI LUSAKA | MAURITIUS | PORT ELIZABETH | PERTH | SA ~O PAULO | VICTORIA FALLS | WINDHOEK

BOOK NOW AT 0833430200/10/11/12

SAANamibiaSales@flysaa.com or contact your preferred travel agent. Levinson Arcade 1st Floor, 221-222 Independence Avenue Windhoek City Centre.

CAPE TOWN TAKES FLIGHT TO MAURITIUS

The sparkling turquoise waters and white beaches of the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius are now available via a direct South African Airways (SAA) flight from Cape Town.

SAA’s launch of this new service at an event held in Cape Town in December 2025 marked a significant milestone in its ongoing revival. The occasion brought together industry stakeholders to celebrate the new service. SAA also made announcements about its expanding international codeshare partnerships.

“With South Africa recording an 18% year-on-year rise in arrivals from January to October – including a remarkable 14% increase from Mauritius – this route stands as a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when nations are connected,” said South African Tourism Chief Quality Officer Bronwen Auret.

SAA celebrates its inaugural direct Cape Town-Mauritius service.

Wesgro CEO Wrenelle Stander, who attended the launch event, said that the Cape Town-Mauritius market had always demonstrated strong potential and that, between January and August 2025, this market recovered to 93% of pre-pandemic volumes. In 2024 demand exceeded available seats by 16%.

“Now, with three flights per week, year-round, two globally recognised destinations, rich in culture, tourism, innovation and investment potential, are connected directly, seamlessly and permanently.

“Launching a route is the beginning, not the destination. Now the work continues … Routes thrive when demand is built deliberately, together. We celebrate the belief that connectivity creates progress and possibility,” she said.

The Cape Town-Mauritius service operates every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday during high season (mid-March to midJanuary), with morning flights departing from Cape Town at 9.25am and arriving in Mauritius at 4.30pm.Visitors to Mauritius can return to Cape Town on an evening flight that leaves at 5.20pm and touches down in Cape Town at 9.30pm.

The approximately four hours and 50-minute journey connects two of the region’s premier holiday destinations, with a temporary adjustment to a twice-weekly service planned between midJanuary and mid-March to align with seasonal demand.

SAA Chief Commercial Officer Tebogo Tsimane also shared exciting news about SAA’s expanding codeshare network. The airline recently partnered with TAAG Angola Airlines, with services operational from 17 November 2025. SAA will add its flight code to TAAG-operated flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Luanda, Angola, as well as onward connections from Luanda to Lisbon, Portugal, and São Paulo, Brazil. In return,

TAAG will gain access to key destinations in SAA’s network, including Durban, Gqeberha, Cape Town, Harare and Lusaka.

SAA has also signed a strategic agreement with Turkish Airlines, set to commence on 1 March 2026. Under the agreement, SAA passengers will gain access to Turkish Airlines-operated flights from Istanbul to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Frankfurt, Paris and London, while Turkish Airlines will gain access to South African Airways destinations Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, Windhoek, Harare,Victoria Falls and Mauritius.

These developments reinforce SAA’s commitment to serving as a bridge between Africa and the world, driving seamless travel and supporting economic development across the continent.

Bookings for the new Cape Town-Mauritius route are now available at flysaa.com.

SAA SHINES AT 2025 PRISMS AWARDS WITH FIVE WINS

Consistency and responsiveness elevate SAA Communications to new heights. By Vimla

Maistry

South African Airways (SAA) has reaffirmed its leadership in strategic communications, winning five prestigious awards at the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa’s (PRISA) 2025 PRISMS Awards held in October 2025.

Industry recognition

These accolades celebrate excellence in public relations under the theme, The Human Factor - Africa’s G20 Moment, which marks a shift from celebration to purpose and progress at the centre of every discussion. PRISA President, Bradly Howland, summed up the significance of these awards,“This year, we witnessed how communicators are not just storytellers but shapers of economies, policy, and social consciousness.

Five awards – one clear message

SAA’s bold campaign, “SAA is Here to Stay!” earned two Silver PRISMS Awards in the Crisis Communications and Public Sector categories, and two Bronze Awards in the Corporate Communications and Travel & Tourism categories. In addition, SAA’s flagship inflight magazine, Sawubona, secured Silver in the B2B Publishing, Custom Title category, marking its second consecutive year of recognition.

These wins are more than trophies; they are navigational markers confirming that SAA’s communications strategy is on the right course: disciplined, adaptable, and designed for swift, transparent responses that promote a positive, forward-looking vision.

A testament to teamwork

Vimla Maistry, Acting Executive

Group Corporate Affairs, expressed pride in the achievement:

“Winning five PRISMS Awards is a thrilling confirmation of the hard work invested in reshaping the narrative around SAA.We thank our digital communications partner, Flow Communications, and Mikateko Media, publisher of Sawubona, for their invaluable support.”

Sawubona: excellence In every issue

Sawubona continues to set the benchmark for in-flight publishing, combining innovation with consistency. Its awardwinning approach delivers high-quality content that resonates with travellers and industry stakeholders, showcasing

destinations, new routes, and lifestyle features that inspire.

The magazine’s success lies in its rigorous editorial standards, collaborative sign-off processes, and the ability to maintain relevance in a changing media landscape. Beyond print, Sawubona boasts a strong digital presence through saasawubona.com and active social media channels, offering advertisers a premium platform in a high-gloss travel environment.

SAA’s five PRISMS Awards signal a clear message: the airline’s communications are not only responsive and resilient but also redefining how the national carrier engages with its stakeholders globally.

MEET SAA’S MOTHER-DAUGHTER TEAM

Not many parents get to say they work alongside their child at 35 000 feet. For Cynthia and Alessia Patterson, it’s a blessing.

Cynthia Patterson has been a cabin crew member at SAA for 35 years. On 16 October, her daughter Alessia, who recently joined SAA as a first officer, operated flight SA313/326 with her. It was a dream come true for both.

How long have you been in this role?

I have been a cabin crew member for 35 years and Alessia has been a first officer for nine years, having previously flown at South African Express Airways and Airlink before joining SAA on 1 July 2025. How did you become SAA’s first mother-daughter team?

Alessia has been travelling with me since she was nine months old, so becoming a pilot for SAA was all she ever wanted to do. When she was seven, she came home one day and told me that her teacher had asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. With excitement she said, “An air hostess!” Without hesitation I replied, “Over my dead body, you will study to be something else.”

She paused and then looked at me and said, “I’ll be a pilot” Over the years, I tried to steer her in a different direction – I even made her watch air crash investigations, hoping it would change her mind. But her mind was made up. After her matr ic year, I sent her to a flight school where she completed her Private Pilot Licence. In 2014, she was selected as a cadet by SA Express Airways, and by 2015, she qualified on the jet aircraft, serving five years with the company.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, SA Express Airways closed down. I did most of the repatriation flights at SAA while she worked in a factory, so that she could

get her instructor’s rating to somehow get back into the skies again. In 2022, she finally got a job at the regional carrier Airlink and worked on gaining all the experience she could. In July 2025, her biggest dream became a reality. And then an even bigger dream came true… operating a flight with me. What is it like working together? I remember when she would watch me put on my uniform with wide-eyed curiosity. Now, I watch her don her own wings with strength and confidence. We’ve traded school runs and story time for pre-flight briefings and crew coordination, yet the bond remains just as strong, except now, it’s also professional. Aviation brought us together in a new way. We understand the pressures, the responsibilities and the magic of this career. Above all, we share a deep respect for each other’s roles – both essential and both built with care, discipline, and a love of flying. Not many parents get to say they work alongside their child at 35 000 feet. It’s a blessing I’ll never take for granted. What do you enjoy about your job?

Alessia: My job feels like a blessing – it’s everything I dreamed of and more. Of course, some days are more challenging than others, especially with the demanding training and long hours. But when I find myself somewhere between time zones,

unmatched views from my ever-moving office, I can’t help but be grateful for where I am today. Each day brings its own challenges, but the reward comes in knowing that what I do somehow makes a difference in someone’s life – whether it’s reuniting someone with their loved ones, helping someone take their first holiday, supporting a person starting their new job abroad or enabling someone to reach vital medical care.

Cynthia: I enjoy the unique opportunity to travel the world while meeting people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Each flight brings a new experience, and I find great satisfaction in ensuring passengers feel safe, comfortable and cared for throughout their journey. The dynamic environment keeps me engaged and I appreciate the strong sense of teamwork with my colleagues. Most of all, I take pride in being part of memorable moments in people’s travels and making a positive impact on their experience. Please share something most people don’t know about you.

Cynthia: Something most people don’t know about me is that I'm a qualified dental assistant and used to love working in surgical theatre. You’d never guess it, but I’m just as happy assisting with a complex procedure as I am getting lost in a non-fiction book or a documentary about ancient architecture. It’s a strange mix, but I love how it keeps both my hands and mind busy.

Alessia: As for me, what most people don’t know, besides flying, I have a deep passion for music. Since I was a kid, I’ve earned grades in a few musical instruments and over the years, playing has been a creative outlet for me, no matter where I am. It helps me unwind, stay focused and express myself in ways words can’t.

PRESERVING AVIATION’S LIVING LEGACY

Aviation is more than the sum of its technology and timetables; it is a tapestry woven from the courage of pioneers, landmark achievements, and the stories of people whose lives have shaped the skies. South African Airways (SAA), with a heritage reaching back to the dawn of commercial flight, stands as a testament to this enduring legacy.

At Rand Airport in Germiston, the SAA Museum Society (SAAMS) invites visitors from around the world to explore nearly a century of innovation, adventure, and resilience. The museum’s exhibits chart the evolution of flight in South Africa, from the earliest commercial journeys to the modern era. Among its most significant displays are artefacts recovered from the SA295 Helderberg tragedy, a Boeing 747-200 Combi disaster that claimed 159 lives and remains one of the country’s most poignant aviation events.

This year, at the 38th anniversary of the Helderberg, SAA took a solemn step to preserve this crucial chapter of aviation history. In an emotional ceremony attended by families, friends, SAA leadership, and museum volunteers, SAA officially handed over recovered wreckage from the Helderberg, including the tail cone, galley section, landing gear door, seat assembly, and a section of outer skin with windows bearing the SAA livery. These items, previously stored for investigation, now serve as enduring reminders and symbols of remembrance.

The event also marked the signing of a memorandum of understanding between SAA and SAAMS, a pledge of friendship and collaboration. This partnership reaffirms the SAA Group’s

South African Airways and the SAA Museum Society preserve SAA’s heritage reaching back to the dawn of commercial flight.

commitment to corporate social responsibility, public education, and the preservation of the airline’s legacy for future aviators. Addressing families and guests, SAA Technical CEO Wellington Nyuswa remarked, “May the memory of the Helderberg and all aboard continue to inspire us to honour the past, serve the present, and protect the future.”

The partnership is founded on collaboration and in-kind support, with SAA Group employees sharing technical expertise for the maintenance and exhibition of aviation artefacts. Additionally, Air Chefs, SAA’s catering division, will provide meals for scholars visiting the museum during their educational tours.

The ceremony was especially meaningful for families who lost their loved ones, including Marc Daniel and his son, Tyler (pictured above). Marc’s father, Alan George Daniel, served as a junior flight engineer on the ill-fated aircraft. Reflecting on the memorial events, Marc shared that the museum has become “a place of quiet reflection and a reminder to appreciate the incredible family I have, and that life is unpredictable and precious.” Notably, Marc was only half Tyler’s age when the disaster occurred,

and this commemoration serves as a poignant reminder of the value of the life he now shares with his family.

SAAMS is a dynamic, working museum that thrives almost entirely on the enthusiasm and energy of volunteers. Volunteering at SAAMS offers a unique opportunity to deepen your knowledge of aviation and enables the museum to continue sharing South Africa’s rich aviation history with the world. If you are passionate about aviation and history, consider becoming a SAAMS member

or offering your time as a volunteer. Full details on how to join or volunteer are available on the SAAMS website: saamuseum.co.za.

SAAMS is also listed as a beneficiary of the SAA Voyager Programme, allowing Voyager members to donate miles to support the museum’s mission.

Together, SAA and SAAMS are committed to keeping aviation history alive, honouring those who came before, inspiring those who fly today, and educating the aviators of tomorrow.

VIDEO SELECTION

SAA offers in-flight entertainment on all domestic and regional flights on overhead screens. The A340 and A330 aircraft are equipped with personal TV screens and offer an audio-video-on-demand entertainment selection. Please refer to the content on your personal screen for the latest updated entertainment choices.

MOVIES

F1: THE MOVIE • English; Portuguese; French; Spanish Dubbed “the greatest that never was,” Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) was Forumla 1’s most promising phenom of the 1990s until an accident on the track nearly ended his career.

ELEANOR THE GREAT

• English; Portuguese; French; Spanish June Squibb is a spirited 94-year-old who tells a tale that takes on a dangerous life of its own.

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

• English; Portuguese; French; Spanish Four misfits struggling with ordinary problems are pulled through a portal into the Overworld.To get back home, they willl have to master this world while embarking on a magical quest.

UNACCOMPANIED

MINORS • English; Portuguese; French; Spanish In this holiday comedy, five kids have just been snowed in at a Midwest airport on Christmas Eve -- and there isn’t a parent in sight!

SPACE JAM • English; Portuguese; French; Spanish In a desperate attempt to win a basketball match and earn their freedom, the Looney Tunes seek the aid of retired basketball champion, Michael Jordan.

FATHER OF THE BRIDE

(2022) • English; Portuguese; French; Spanish A modern rom-com updated from the timeless classic.This sparkling story of a family and its unbreakable bonds illustrates the surprising and funny ways the heart can adapt in the name of love.

THE SALT PATH

• English After losing their home and livelihood, a middle-aged couple impulsively set out on a 630mile walk along the southwest English coast.

SUPERMAN (2025)

• English; Portuguese; French; Spanish Follows the titular superhero as he reconciles his heritage with his human upbringing. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way in a world that views this as oldfashioned.

JULIET & ROMEO • English

The greatest love story of all time, set as an original pop musical. Based on the real story that inspired William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet THE MOUNTAIN • English

A touching tale of three unlikely young friends on the adventure of a lifetime.

Determined to beat the cancer she is fighting, Sam escapes from the juvenile hospital ward to go on a potentially dangerous journey to climb Taranaki Maunga, the mountain that, as a Mãori, she is culturally and personally connected with.

LOVE ACROSS TIME

• English While inspecting an old British manor for its real estate potential, Chelsea discovers a portal through time that connects with the late 1700s owner of the property.When an accident occurs, the gentleman comes through and gets stuck in the present day.

DAY OF RECKONING

• English A small-town sheriff and a corrupt U.S. Marshal hold a violent outlaw’s wife hostage in order to lure him into a showdown.

SINNERS • English; Portuguese; French; Spanish Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting for them.

FIREWALL• English; Portuguese; French; Spanish A security specialist is forced into robbing the bank that he’s protecting, as a bid to pay off his family’s ransom.

MICKEY 17 • English; Portuguese; French; Spanish Sci-fi drama about a disposable employee on a mission to colonise an icy world, inspired by Edward Ashton’s novel.

THE ALTO KNIGHTS

• English; Portuguese; French; Spanish Vito Genovese and Frank Costello were Italian American rivals fighting for control of a major crime family in the mid-20th century. Genovese attempted to assassinate Costello in 1957, although Costello retired from the mob.

DUNKIRK• English; Portuguese; French; Spanish Hundreds of thousands of

British and Allied troops find themselves surrounded by German forces.Trapped on the beach, they face an impossible situation as the enemy closes in.

CREED • English; Portuguese; French; Spanish The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson, the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.

GET HARD • English; Portuguese; Spanish The comic antics of Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart unite in this raucous comedy about an easy-living man getting ready to do hard time when hedge fund manager James King is nailed for fraud and sentenced to a ten-year stretch in San Quentin.

CHASING LIBERTY • English; Portuguese; French; Spanish The daughter of the U.S. President yearns for a normal life, and on a trip to Europe she gets her chance – eluding her security detail and meeting the charming Ben, who has a secret of his own.

CRAZY RICH ASIANS

• English; Portuguese; French; Spanish New Yorker Rachel Chu as she accompanies her longtime boyfriend, Nick Young, to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore. EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING • English; Portuguese; French; Spanish An unlikely love story of Maddy, a smart, curious and imaginative 18-year-old who due to an illness cannot leave the hermetically sealed environment within her house, and Olly, the boy next door.

HEREAFTER • English; Portuguese; French SA drama centered on three people: a blue-collar American, a French journalist, and a London school boy, who are touched by death in different ways.

GET SMART • English; Portuguese; French; Spanish CONTROL agent Maxwell

Smart is on his most dangerous and important mission: to thwart the latest plot for world domination by the evil crime syndicate known as KAOS.

ARTHUR (2011) • English; Portuguese; French; Spanish Playboy Arthur Bach faces the greatest challenge of his sheltered life – choosing between his lavish lifestyle and the only woman he’s ever loved.

RICHARD JEWELL • English; Portuguese; French; Spanish “There is a bomb in Centennial Park.You have thirty minutes.”The world is rst introduced to Richard Jewell as the security guard who reports nding the device at the 1996 Atlanta bombing.

THE BUCKET LIST • English; Portuguese; French; Spanish Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman star in this comedy drama, directed by Rob Reiner, a touching, no-holdsbarred adventure that shows it’s never too late to live life to its fullest.

MOTHERLESS BROOKLYN

• English; Portuguese; French; Spanish Set against the backdrop of 1950s New York, a lonely private detective ventures to solve the murder of his mentor and only friend. Armed only with a few clues and his obsessive mind, he unravels secrets that hold the fate of the whole city in the balance.

NO RESERVATIONS

• English; Portuguese; French; Spanish The solitary life of an

obsessive chef is turned upside down when she assumes guardianship of her young niece.

GRUDGE MATCH • English; Portuguese; French; Spanish A pair of aging boxing rivals are coaxed out of retirement to ght one nal bout – 30 years after their last match.

WRATH OF THE TITANS

and his bewitching cousin Daisy. Soon, Nick is drawn into the world of the super-rich.

THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK • English; Portuguese; French; Spanish Young Anthony Soprano is growing up in one of the most tumultuous eras in Newark’s history, becoming a man just as rival gangsters begin to rise up

YOUR ENTERTAINMENT ABOVE THE CLOUDS!

Entertaining you and your family with a wide selection of movies, TV programmes, games, and music, streamed directly to your own mobile device or tablet. USB and PC powerports are available below your seat to keep your devices charged. Now available on select A320 aircraft. Simply scan the QR code below to enjoy entertainment above the clouds.

AIRSCAPE

Stream movies and more to your device Switch to airplane mode and turn on Wi-Fi

• English; Portuguese; French; Spanish Trying to live a quiet life as a village sherman, Perseus is recruited to join a battle for supremacy between the Gods and the Titans who spawned them.

THE GREAT GATSBY

• English; Portuguese; French; Spanish Chasing his own American Dream, Nick Carraway encounters the mysterious millionaire Gatsby

and challenge the all-powerful DiMeo crime family’s hold over the increasingly race-torn city.

GRAN TURISMO • English; French The unbelievable true story that proves nothing is impossible when you’re fueled from within.

A MAN CALLED OTTO

• English; Portuguese; French; Spanish Based on the comical and moving #1 New York

Times bestseller.The story of Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), a grumpy widower who is very set in his ways.

THE WOMAN KING • English; Portuguese; French; Spanish The remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a erceness unlike anything the world has ever seen.

WEAPONS • English; Portuguese; French; Spanish When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance.

BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE

• English; Portuguese; French; Spanish Three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Lydia’s teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is opened.

TRAP • English; Portuguese; French; Spanish A father and teen daughter attend a pop concert, where they realize they’re at the center of a dark and sinister event.

JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX

• English; Portuguese; French; Spanish Arthur Fleck is institutionalised at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker.While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur nds true love and the music that’s always been inside him.

ENROLMENT BONUS

Voyager rewards you with 2 500 Enrolment Bonus Miles on registration after your rst activity.

SAA EXCLUSIVE EARNING

Earn 1 mile for every R1.60 spent on base fare and carrierimposed fees.

SAA EXCLUSIVE SPENDING

Spend miles on any available seat on a SAA-operated ight for the base fare and carrierimposed fees.

EARNING OF MILES

>> Earn SAAVoyager miles at an accelerated rate when ying on SAA operated ights. Voyager members earn 1 mile for every R1.60 spent exclusively on South African Airways. Miles are also earned by ying with

SAA LOYALTY PROGRAMME

our airline partners, including the Star Alliance global network, and by using the services of our non-airline partners, ranging from travel-related to lifestyle, retail and nancial services.

SPENDING MILES

>> Spend your SAA Voyager Miles on global ights (more

than 30 airline partnerships, including the Star Alliance global network) or non-airline Awards, such as car rental, retail, and more.

>> If you do not have enough Miles for your desired Award, you can transfer Miles in denominations of 1000 miles for R120, or buy Miles for R100 (SAA ight Awards) and R250 (other airline Awards).

your travel while earning Voyager Miles

>> Awards available on SAA, other partner airlines and nonairline partners are listed below.

DYNAMIC AWARDS

>> SAA Voyager members are guaranteed at least 5% return on your SAA spend when requesting an SAA exclusive Dynamic Award for an SAA-operated ight. You may spend your miles on any available airfare, inclusive of carrier-imposed fees for your desired SAA operating ight, thus con rming your redemption seat request immediately.

Non-Air Awards

SAA Voyager members can spend miles on non-airline Awards including car rental, retail, and more.

You can spend your miles online; simply login to your account (go to voyager. ysaa. com and click on “My Voyager”) or contact our call centres. To use your miles for products on NetFlorist or Wine-ofthe-Month Club, log onto their respective websites and choose Voyager miles as a payment option. Your miles are valid for three years from the date they were earned, and you can nominate any person of your choice to utilise your Awards.

>> You can spend your miles on car rental or Uber SA.

>> You can spend your miles on any of the lifestyle partners listed on the left.

Book a ticket by miles, apply for a Voyager Credit Card, or find out more on voyager.flysaa.com

A NEW HAVEN FOR TRAVELLERS

Star Alliance unveils its first lounge in Asia at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, China.

The lounge is available to First and Business class passengers, and Star Alliance Gold status customers on member airline ights departing from Terminal 1.

The new lounge is on the upper level of the existing GBIA lounge in the Terminal 1 international area, and is close to the departure gates for Star Alliance member airlines. The lounge features an open layout and can accommodate up to 100 guests. Open around the clock, it welcomes travellers with varying ight schedules.

“Lounges are a critical component for the e ortless travel experience we aim to provide to our member airline passengers,” said Star Alliance CEO Theo Panagiotoulias. “As a key strategic hub in Asia, Guangzhou serves as an important gateway for our guests. We are excited to inaugurate our rst lounge in Asia, given the signi cance of the continent to aviation growth today and in the years to come.”

Ambar Franco, Star Alliance’s Vice President for Customer Experience, added, “Our rst Star Alliance branded lounge in Asia is an exciting milestone for us. Thoughtfully designed with the modern traveller in mind, it o ers an e ortless blend of comfort and functionality. ”

The lounge includes practical amenities, such as workstations and comfortable seating areas for both relaxation and productivity. Tucked in a quiet space, the VIP room is ideal for group or private business

meetings, available upon request. Guests are also welcome to use the state-ofthe-art shower suites to refresh themselves before their onward journey. In addition, guests can enjoy the exclusive Tea Appreciation Corner, a range of food options, or specially curated drinks at the bar counter.

Qi Yaoming, Deputy General Manager of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, said,“The fact that Star Alliance has chosen to open its rst

UNPARALLELED LOYALTY RECOGNITION

branded lounge in Asia at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is not only a sign of trust and support for us, but also an acknowledgment of the status of Baiyun Airport as an important international hub. Baiyun Airport will continue to uphold the service concept of ‘Customer First’ and continuously build itself into an airline-friendly airport to provide even better service guarantees for Star Alliance and its member airlines.”

Enrolling as a member of any Star Alliance member airline frequent- yer programme is your gateway to exceptional rewards and bene ts. By accumulating miles and points from all your ights across the network into a uni ed account, you gain the signi cant advantage of quicker redemption opportunities and exciting bene ts. Star Alliance o ers online redemption of miles and points for award ights and upgrade awards across the 25-member airline network, making it convenient and hassle-free for travellers. Redeeming miles and points is easy with three simple steps:

SANTIAGO

MENDOZA

CÓRDOBA

MANAUS

BELEM

CUIABÁ FORTALEZA

BRASÍLIA

GOIÂNIA

BELO HORIZONTE

CAMPO GRANDE

ASUNCIÓN

FOZ DO IGUAÇU

MONTEVIDEO

BUENOS AIRES

CURITIBA

SÃO PAULO

NAVEGANTES

FLORIANÓPOLIS

PORTO ALEGRE

JOÃO PESSOA

NATAL RECIFE

MACEIÓ

ARACAJU

SALVADOR VITORIA

RIO DE JANEIRO

Codeshare routes

South African Airways

Routes at time of going to press. Schedule subject to change.

South African Airways Codeshare routes

Routes at time of going to press. Schedule subject to change.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS TIMETABLE

NOROUTEDEPARR MTWTFSS

Between Johannesburg and Accra

**SA 052JNB - ACC14:5519:00 xxx

**SA 053ACC - JNB20:3004:25 xxx

*SA 056JNB - ACC10:5515:00 xxx

*SA 057ACC - JNB20:1504:10 xxx

Between Accra and Abidjan

*SA 056ACC - ABJ16:0017:00 xxx

*SA 057ABJ - ACC18:0019:05 xxx

Between Johannesburg and Abidjan

*SA 056JNB - ABJ10:5517:00 xxx

*SA 057ABJ - JNB18:0004:10 xxx

Between Johannesburg and Cape Town

SA 303JNB - CPT06:0508:20 xxxxx

SA 307JNB - CPT07:1009:25 xxxxxxx

SA 313JNB - CPT08:1010:25 xxxxx

SA 317JNB - CPT08:5511:10 xx

SA 319JNB - CPT09:2511:40 xxxxxxx

SA 327JNB - CPT11:1013:25 xxxxxxx

SA333JNB - CPT12:2014:35 xxxxxxx

SA 337JNB - CPT13:0015:15 xxxxxxx

SA 343JNB - CPT14:3016:45 xxxxxxx

SA 347JNB - CPT15:1517:30 xxxxxxx

SA 355JNB - CPT16:4018:55 xxxxxxx

SA 359JNB - CPT17:3019:45 xxxxxxx

SA 363JNB - CPT19:0021:15 xxxxxx

SA 369JNB - CPT20:3022:45 xxxxx

SA 375JNB - CPT21:2023:35 xxxxxxx

SA 302CPT - JNB06:0008:00 xxxxx

SA 304CPT - JNB06:4008:40 xxxxxx

SA 306CPT - JNB07:0009:00 xxxxxx

SA 308CPT - JNB08:3010:30 xxxxxx

SA 314CPT - JNB08:1010:10 xx

SA 316CPT - JNB09:0011:00 xxxxxx

SA 322CPT - JNB10:0512:05 xxxxxxx

SA 326CPT - JNB11:0513:05 xxxxxxx

SA 332CPT - JNB12:2014:20 xxxxxxx

SA 342CPT - JNB14:1516:15 xxxxxxx

SA 346CPT - JNB15:1517:15 xxxxxxx

SA 352CPT - JNB15:5517:55 xxxxxxx

SA 354CPT - JNB17:2519:25 xxxxx

SA 362CPT - JNB18:1020:10 xxxxxxx

NOROUTEDEPARR MTWTFSS

SA 366CPT - JNB19:3521:35 xxxxxxx

SA 372CPT - JNB20:2522:25 xxxxxxx

SA 527 JNB - DUR 06:3007:40 xxxxx

SA 531 JNB - DUR 07:3008:40 xxxxxxx

SA 535 JNB - DUR 08:3509:45 xxxxxxx

SA 539 JNB - DUR 09:2010:30 xxxxxxx

SA 547 JNB - DUR 11:2012:30 xxxxxxx

SA551 JNB - DUR 12:4513:55 xxxxxxx

SA 555 JNB - DUR 13:4014:50 xxxxxxx

SA 563 JNB - DUR 15:0516:15 xxxxxxx

SA 571 JNB - DUR 16:5518:05 xxxxxxx

SA 575 JNB - DUR 18:4019:50 xxxxxxx

SA 585 JNB - DUR 21:2022:30 xxxxxx

SA 530 DUR - JNB 07:0008:10 xxxxxx

SA 534 DUR - JNB 08:1009:20 xxxxx

SA 538 DUR - JNB 09:1010:20 xxxxxxx

SA 542 DUR - JNB 10:2011:30 xxxxxxx

SA 546 DUR - JNB 11:0012:10 xxxxxxx

SA 556 DUR - JNB 13:0014:10 xxxxxxx

SA 558 DUR - JNB 14:4015:50 xxxxxxx

SA 562 DUR - JNB 15:2016:30 xxxxxxx

SA566 DUR - JNB 16:4517:55 xxxxxxx

SA 578 DUR - JNB 18:4019:50 xxxxxxx

SA 582 DUR - JNB 20:2021:30 xxxxxxx

Between Johannesburg and Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)

SA 401 JNB - PLZ 06:0007:35 xxxxxxx

SA 405 JNB - PLZ 11:2513:00 xxxxxxx

SA 419 JNB - PLZ 16:0017:35 xxxxxxx

SA 404 PLZ - JNB 08:0509:40 xxxxxxx

SA 410 PLZ - JNB 13:3015:05 xxxxxxx

SA 422 PLZ - JNB 18:0519:40 xxxxxxx

Between Johannesburg and Kinshasa

SA 58 JNB - FIH 21:0023:50 xxxxx

SA 59 FIH - JNB00:5005:40 xxxxx

Between Johannesburg and Harare

SA 22 JNB - HRE 10:0011:45 xxxxxxx

SA 24 JNB - HRE 20:1021:55 xxxxx

SA 25 HRE - JNB 06:1007:55 xxxxx

SA 23 HRE - JNB 12:3514:20 xxxxxxx

SA

SA

SA

SAA LOUNGES OPERATING TIMES

OUR FLEET

AIRBUS A320-200

• Number of aircraft: 11 • Maximum passengers: between 138 to 186 • Maximum fuel capacity: 23 860L • Typical cruising speed: 820km/h

BOEING B737-800 (DAMP LEASE)

• Number of aircraft: 4 • Maximum passengers: 175

• Maximum fuel capacity: 23 860L • Typical cruising speed: 820km/h

AIRBUS A330-300

• Number of aircraft: 2 • Maximum passengers: 249 • Maximum fuel capacity: 97 530L • Typical cruising speed: 871km/h

CUSTOMS INFO

Everything you need to know to ensure your entry to South Africa is hassle-free

>> CUSTOMS DUTY

Customs duty is levied on imported goods and is usually calculated on the value of the goods.

>> PERSONS ENTERING SOUTH AFRICA

People may enter South Africa at any appointed place of entry. All the goods in their possession must be declared to a customs o cial at the port of entry. When dutiable goods are in their possession, the relevant duties and VAT must be paid.

>> GOODS THAT MAY BE IMPORTED WITHOUT THE PAYMENT OF CUSTOMS DUTY AND VAT

(A) Visitors: Personal e ects and sporting and recreational equipment, new or used, imported either as accompanied or unaccompanied baggage for their own use during their stay in South Africa.

AIRBUS A340-300E

• Number of aircraft: 2 • Maximum passengers: 253 • Maximum fuel capacity: 141 500L • Typical cruising speed: 860km/h

CONTACT US

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Weekdays 08:00-16:30, excluding South African public holidays saacustomerservice@ flysaa.com

• +27 11 978 2888

RESERVATIONS 24 hours reservationsjnb@flysaa.com

• +27 11 978 1111

BAGGAGE SERVICE (lost/ damaged) Daily 07:00-19:00 baggageservices@flysaa.com

• +27 11 978 2888

REFUNDS Weekdays 08:0016:30, excluding South African public holidays. New refund

saasawubona.com

request: +27 11 978 1786

flysaa.com/refund-application

CARGO Weekdays 06:00-21:00, excluding South African public holidays, Saturdays and Sundays, 08:00-16:00 saacargoreservations@flysaa. com • +27 11 978 1119/3366

WEBSITE QUERIES

webhelp@flysaa.com

VOYAGER Weekdays 07:0021:00, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays 08:00-14:00 voyagerservicerecovery@flysaa. com • +27 11 978 1234

(B) Residents: Personal e ects and sporting and recreational equipment, new or used, exported by residents of South Africa for their own use while abroad and subsequently re-imported either as accompanied or unaccompanied baggage.

(C) Limits in respect of certain goods: The following goods may be included in passengers’ baggage either by residents or non-residents, but not exceeding the following limits:

• Wine: 2 litres per person.

• Spirits and other alcoholic beverages: 1 litre per person.

• Cigarettes: 200 cigarettes per person.

• Cigars: 20 cigars per person.

• Cigarette or pipe tobacco: 250g per person.

• Perfume: 50ml per person.

• Eau de toilette: 250ml per person.

• Other new or used goods to a total value not exceeding R5 000 per person, excluding consumables. The limit for crew members is R700.

• Allowances may not be pooled or transferred to other persons.

PLEASE NOTE: Visitors may be required to pay a cash deposit to cover duties and tax on expensive articles such as video cameras. The deposit on the goods is refunded on departure from South Africa.

>>

CHILDREN UNDER 18 YEARS

• Children under 18 may claim duty-free allowances on goods used by them.

• Children under 18 may not claim allowances for tobacco and alcohol.

• Parents may make a customs declaration on behalf of their children.

Customs clearance procedures for passengers:

• Passengers may select either the red or green channel upon arrival in South Africa.

• By selecting the red channel, a passenger indicates that he/she has goods to declare.

• The customs officer in the red channel must ascertain the value of the goods declared and the duties payable by the passenger’s duty-free allowances.

• By selecting the g reen channel, a passenger indicates that he/she has no goods to declare.

• Random searches of passengers and baggage in the green channel are conducted.

The following goods are prohibited from import: Vegetables, groundnuts, firewood, honey, used pneumatic tyres, raw animal wool and hair, electric blankets, coins, video recorders and reproducers, revolvers and pistols.

The following goods are prohibited from export unless special permits are obtained from the relevant government department: Human bodies or body parts; meat and edible portions from cattle, sheep, goats or pigs; meat and edible animal offal salted, in brine, dried or smoked; edible flours and meals of meat or offal; cane or beet sugar and chemicals; pure sucrose in solid form; raw hides and skins of bovine or equine animals (fresh or salted, dried, limed, pickled or otherwise preserved, but not tanned, parchmentdressed or further prepared), whether or not dehaired or split; bank notes, securities or foreign currency.

>> PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED

IMPORTS AND EXPORTS

Apart from the requirements of the Export Control Regulations, the exportation and importation of a wide variety of goods is either totally prohibited or is subject to inspection by other authorities and/or production of special permits/licences, issued by certain authorities only. A

comprehensive list of prohibited and restricted imports and exports is available on the South African Revenue Service website (sars.gov.za).

PLEASE NOTE: Baggage is cleared at the first point of entry in South Africa. In case of connecting on a domestic flight, baggage must be collected, customs cleared and rechecked.

CUSTOMER BAGGAGE

Help us make sure your baggage gets there with you

At SAA, our goal is to deliver your baggage to you at your destination safely and timeously. However, due to circumstances beyond our control, baggage may be delayed, lost or damaged. In that case, our representatives at all SAA destinations will do their best to retrieve it or compensate you and minimise any inconvenience to you. Kindly note the following guidelines:

>> LABELLING YOUR LUGGAGE

• Unique identification: ensure your bag’s easy to recognise by tagging the outside with a colourful ribbon, and using a name tag with your correct name, address, telephone number, email address and destination address.

• The following items should NOT be packed in your check-in bags, but rather carried in your hand luggage: money, passports or visas, computer equipment, laptops, electronic devices, mobile phones, fragile items, business documents, keys, jewellery, lithium-ion batteries and e-cigarettes.

• Always ensure that your bags are locked prior to check-in, as this acts as a deterrent.

• Take advantage of the wrapping services provided at the airport as an additional preventative measure against damage and pilferage.

PLEASE NOTE: SAA does not take responsibility for the loss of valuable items in checked baggage, including money, passports or visas, computer equipment, electronic devices, mobile phones, fragile items, business documents, keys, and jewellery.

>> SECURITY AND HAND LUGGAGE

• Due to limited space in the overhead compartments, your hand luggage may be placed in the cargo hold.

• Remove all valuables, powerbanks, lithium-ion batteries and e-cigarettes from your hand luggage before it’s taken for stowage in the cargo hold.

• Ask for an airline tag with your name and flight details.

• For international travel, liquids, aerosols and gels measuring more than 100ml aren’t permitted in hand luggage. If they measure less than 100ml, they must be secured in a Ziploc bag.

>> BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE (ROUTE-SPECIFIC)

• Economy Class: One to two pieces at a maximum of 23kg each.

• Business Class: One to two pieces at a maximum of 32kg each.

• Inf ants not entitled to a seat shall only be permitted one piece of luggage up to 23kg and one collapsible pram, car seat or collapsible buggy.

>> REPORTING MISHANDLED LUGGAGE

Report your mishandled baggage to the Baggage Services office at the airport.

• A file will be created for tracing purposes.

• Your personal and travel information will be key.

>> LOST BAGGAGE

If your baggage has been lost, report the incident immediately or within seven calendar days to the office of SAA’s Baggage Services, where you’ll receive a unique reporting number. We’ll initiate the tracing of the baggage and will continue for up to 120 hours, although most misdirected baggage is located sooner. You’ll be informed as soon as your baggage is traced and (where local customs regulations permit), it will be delivered to the address you have provided.

>> TRACKING AND TRACING

During the tracing period, you may contact our office for information on progress made at the telephone number below or via WorldTracer, a computerised tracking system that can be found at flysaa.com under “Essential Information”.

>> DAMAGED BAGS

If your baggage is damaged, we’ll carry out all repairs and replacements (where necessary) according to the Carrier’s Baggage Liability Limitations. This excludes normal wear and tear, and manufacturers’ defects. The incident must be reported immediately or within 7 (seven) days of receipt of the baggage for international travel and within 24 (twenty-four) hours for domestic travel to the office of SAA’s Baggage Services, where you’ll receive a unique reporting number.

>> CLAIMS PROCEDURE

The next step is to submit a completed claim form to the Passenger Claims office. The finalisation of claims takes up to 21 working days. Please complete the form as thoroughly as possible, and attach all required documentation, including proof of bank account, to expedite the process.

ENQUIRIES:

Customer Services: +27 11 978 2888 Baggage Enquiries: baggageservices@flysaa.com

>> SEATS

OUR CABIN GUIDE

In order to make your journey a pleasant one, please note the information on the following pages

• Time to relax! The backrest of your seat can be adjusted. For extra comfort during the flight, you may wish to lean back. Press the button in the armrest of your seat for the backrest to tilt slightly. Note that on the narrow-bodied aircraft, seats forward of the emergency exit rows have limited tilt or do not recline.

• When seated in Economy Class, for the comfort of the person behind you, kindly ensure that your seat is in the upright position whenever meals or refreshments are served.

>>

IN-SEAT POWER SUPPLY

In-seat power is available at every seat in Premium Class on board the Airbus A330-300 and in Business Class on the A320. The sockets are designed for:

• Two-pin European plugs, as illustrated.

• Two- or three-pin US plugs. Other types of plugs will require an adaptor.

• Power supply is intended for the charging of portable electronic devices only. 110-240Vac, 50-60Hz, max 75-100W per seat, subject to aircraft type.

• With laptop use, when the battery is very low or completely flat, it is advisable to remove the battery before connecting the laptop to the power supply. This will allow for optimal laptop usage and power supply.

• The A333 and A320 aircraft have a shared USB and laptop-charging point in Economy Class.

• The in-seat power supply is not sufficient to power medical assistive devices such as oxygen concentrators and CPAPs, because the wattage required by the devices exceeds the in-seat power capability.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES OR NEED ASSISTANCE, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK ONE OF OUR CABIN CREW MEMBERS

>> DRINKING WATER

Bottled water is available on request from our cabin crew members.

>>

IN-FLIGHT SERVICE

The cabin crew members are always at your service. Should you require attendance, please ring the service bell, which is situated either in your armrest or in the passenger service unit above your seat.

>>

READING LIGHT

Each seat has an individual reading light that enables you to read when the cabin lights are set to dim without disturbing your fellow passengers. You’ll find the switch in the armrest of your seat or in the service unit above you.

>>

DISINSECTION SPRAY

Health regulations in some countries require that the aircraft cabin be sprayed with disinsectant. The spray is harmless, but if you think it might affect you, please cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief.

>>

MOTHERS AND CHILDREN

• For the convenience of mothers with babies, diaper boards are available in certain toilets on all our aircraft.

• Toys and games to keep little ones occupied during international flights are available on request from the cabin crew.

>>

ACHES AND PAINS

Medical supplies for minor ailments are available on board. Ask a cabin crew member for assistance.

>>

FOR YOUR COMFORT

• Blankets and pillows are available.

• Please lower your window shutter at night to ensure that you and your fellow passengers do not wake up a few hours later with the sun shining in your eyes.

This is also applicable on daylight flights for passengers who want to get some rest.

>> IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

Once cruising altitude has been reached, the cabin crew will switch on the entertainment system. If you are travelling on board the Airbus A330-300, kindly refer to the AudioVideo on Demand system for the entertainment line-up.

>> DUTY-FREE SALES

Duty-free articles are for sale on international flights. Please consult the Extraordinair catalogue for details.

>> ADMISSION TO THE FLIGHT DECK

Admission to the flight deck is no longer allowed for security reasons.

>> INTERFERENCE WITH CABIN CREW DUTIES

It is an offence to interfere with the duties of the cabin crew members on board.

>> CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL

Only alcohol served by a cabin crew member can be consumed on board SAA aircraft.

>> USE OF LAVATORIES

Kindly make use of the lavatories in your respective class of travel. Please do not throw foreign objects into the toilets, as this may cause them to become blocked.

>> HEALTHY FLYING TIPS

To make your flight more comfortable, we have included several healthy flying tips at the back of this section.

>> COMFORT DEVICES

The use of in-flight travel accessories and non-certified comfort devices, e.g. CoziGo, Flyaway Kids Bed, Fly Tot, Fly LegsUp, Foot Hammock, JetBed, etc, which attach to aircraft seats, are inserted between seats, or otherwise block access to seat rows or aisles, are prohibited.

UNRULY/DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOUR ON BOARD

In terms of the Civil Aviation Act (No. 13 of 2009), any person who on board any aeroplane:

• By force or threat of force or by any other form of intimidation and without lawful reason seizes, or exercises control of, that aeroplane;

• Commits an act of violence, including an assault or threat, whether of a physical or verbal nature, against any person, including a crew member, which is likely to endanger the safety of that aeroplane;

• Wilfully interferes with any member of the crew of that aeroplane in the performance of his or her duties;

• Commits any nuisance or disorderly or indecent act;

• Is in a state of intoxication;

• Behaves in a violent manner towards any person, including a crew member, which is likely to endanger the safety or security of the aeroplane or of any person on board such aeroplane;

• Smokes in a toilet or any other place on the aeroplane where smoking is prohibited;

• Tampers with a smoke detector or any other safety-related device on board the aeroplane;

• Operates a portable electronic device when the operation of such a device is prohibited;

• Refuses to obey a lawful instruction given by or on behalf of the pilot-in-command for the purpose of ensuring the safety of the aeroplane or of any person or property on board, or for the purpose of maintaining good order and discipline on board the aeroplane; or

• Conveys any conventional arms, drugs or animal product in an aeroplane; is guilty of an offence and, on conviction, liable to a fine and/or imprisonment.

FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS CHAPTER:

1. “Animal Product” means any part or portion of, or product derived from, any animal, including any such part, portion or product in any processed form which is possessed contrary to the provisions of any other Act of Parliament or regulation promulgated in terms of such Act; 2. “Drugs” means any drug as defined in Chapter 1 of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, 1992 (Act No. 140 of 1992), that has not been acquired, bought or possessed lawfully as contemplated in Chapter 4 of that Act; 3. “Conventional Arms” bears the meaning assigned thereto in Chapter 1 of the National Conventional Arms Control Act, 2002 (Act No. 41 of 2002), some exceptions exist.

PLEASE NOTE: In terms of International Civil Aviation legislation, the Commander (Captain) of the aircraft is authorised/empowered to take any action deemed necessary, including restraint of any persons or property on board. In terms of this authority, the Commander may request and/or authorise any member of the crew to render assistance in terms of restraint of, or action against such offenders. In terms of SAA’s right of refusal of carriage, SAA reserves the right to refuse boarding to any person who is intoxicated or who, under reasonable grounds, is believed to pose a potential danger to safety and/or good order and discipline on board its aircraft.

OUR SAFETY GUIDE

SAA has your safety at heart. Please read these pages carefully

SAFETY PAMPHLET

A safety pamphlet is provided at your seat. Please familiarise yourself with its important information and note the location of your nearest emergency exit.

SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR IS PROHIBITED

For your own safety, sleeping on the floor is prohibited. In the event of an irregular occurrence and/or emergency, passengers sleeping on the floor would not have access to seat belts and oxygen masks.

SEAT BELTS

Seat belt signs are visible throughout the cabin. Whenever the signs are illuminated, fasten your seat belt. Keep it fastened throughout the flight. If sleeping under a blanket or duvet, fasten the seat belt over it so the cabin crew does not need to wake you in the event of turbulence.

On the Airbus 330-300, if you are seated in Premium Class, ensure your shoulder belt is fastened for take-off and landing. Passengers less than 1.3m in height are not required to make use of the shoulder belt.

LIQUIDS, AEROSOLS AND GELS (LAGS)

REMAIN SEATED

After landing, remain seated until the aircraft has come to a complete stop and the Commander has switched off the seat belt signs.

PRIOR TO TAKE-OFF AND LANDING

In preparation for take-off or landing, ensure flight mode is selected on your PED and it is switched off, your baggage is stowed, your tray table, footrest, armrest and TV screen are stowed, your window shutter is open, your seat is in the upright position and your seat belt is fastened.

SMOKING

As per South African Civil Aviation Authority regulations, smoking on board is prohibited. This includes the smoking of any artificial device or e-cigarettes.

BASSINETS

The use of the bassinet is restricted by infant size and weight. The bassinet can comfortably accommodate an infant of 75cm in length. The bassinet is designed to carry a maximum load of 11kg. In the interest of safety and to prevent exceeding the weight limitation of the bassinet, it is recommended that the weight limitation of the infant not exceed 10kg. The size and weight limitation of the bassinet must not be exceeded. The infant must fit into the bassinet.

Note: An infant aged 9 to 12 months has an average length of 74cm and a weight between 9,2kg and 11,4kg.

When travelling on international flights from South Africa, passengers are restricted from carrying certain LAGs in the aircraft cabin. These rules are aligned to International Civil Aviation Authority standards. Passengers wishing to carry essential liquids with them on board the aircraft must place them in a resealable, clear plastic bag with a maximum capacity of one litre and a total diameter of 80cm. No item containing liquid may exceed 100ml and it must fit comfortably inside the sealed bag. If these limitations are not adhered to, items will be confiscated by airport security, and SAA will not be in a position to recover them for passengers. When proceeding through airport security checkpoints, the bag holding these items must be separated from other cabin baggage. Items that are exempt from LAG restrictions and that may be carried on board, without being placed in a clear plastic bag, are:

• Baby formula/milk and baby food in small containers, provided the child is travelling with the person carrying these.

• Essential and other nonprescription medicines not exceeding 100ml per container, including saline solution and products such as eye drops and contact lens solution.

• Liquids, gels and juice for diabetic passengers who require them for medical reasons.

• Solid cosmetics and personal hygiene items such as lipsticks in tubes, solid deodorants and lip balms.

Any duty-free LAG products purchased after security checkpoints should be placed in special security bags at the store, and passengers connecting to further destinations are advised to keep these sealed throughout their journey.

CARRY-ON BAGGAGE

Storage for your cabin baggage is provided either under the seat in front of you or in the overhead stowage compartment. For your own safety and that of the passengers around you, please do not exceed the weight limitations of these compartments and ensure that items placed in them are securely positioned. Be careful when opening the overhead stowage compartments as some luggage may have shifted during the flight.

BUSINESS CLASS

SAA will accept two pieces of cabin baggage, neither of which may exceed 56cm x 36cm x 23cm in dimension and 8kg in weight.

ECONOMY CLASS

SAA will accept one piece of cabin baggage not exceeding 56cm x 36cm x 23cm in dimension and 8kg in weight. These baggage limitations apply to all passengers travelling in Economy Class, regardless of their Voyager or other status.

PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES (PEDS)

In accordance with the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, each passenger may carry a maximum of 15 PEDs on board.

The use of PEDs is restricted due to the possibility of electromagnetic interference (EMI) with aircraft frequencies that may adversely affect the performance of aircraft systems and/or equipment.

PEDs are categorised into nontransmitting and transmitting electronic devices.

Non-transmitting devices (PEDs) are not designed to transmit or receive data, but can still emit EMI at low levels; Transmitting devices (T-PEDs) are designed to transmit or receive data through various technologies, including cellular, wireless (Wi-Fi) and other radio frequencies (i.e. Bluetooth and infrared).

Many T-PEDs allow the user to disable the transmitting function (e.g. flight mode, flight-safe mode, airplane mode, Wi-Fi disabled, Bluetooth disabled). When disabled, the T-PED becomes a non-transmitting device.

To manage the safe use of PEDs in the passenger cabin, PEDs are divided into four categories: unrestricted, limited, restricted and prohibited. Each category provides restrictions governing the use of the PEDs during each phase of flight. The following table provides a summary pertaining to the restrictions governing each category.

UNRESTRICTED

• Electronic watches;

• Cameras;

• Hearing aids;

• Heart pacemakers;

• Approved medical portable electronic devices (MPEDs).

Can be used any time.

RESTRICTED

• Electronic games with Wi-Fi disabled/not installed;

• Digital media players;

• Virtual reality headsets.

Prohibited during taxi, take-off, initial climb, approach and landing.

May be used in-flight once the seat belt/ PED sign has been switched off.

Transmitting function must be disabled on aircraft door closing.

LIMITED

• Mobile phones and smartphones;

• Laptops, tablets, PDAs;

• eReaders.

Transmitting function may be used before doors close and after landing once the aircraft has left the active runway.

Lightweight/small handheld devices may be used during taxi, take-off, initial climb, approach, landing with flight mode, flight-safe mode, airplane mode activated and/or Wi-Fi and Bluetooth disabled.

Transmitting function must be disabled on aircraft door closing.

PROHIBITED

The items below are prohibited at all times:

• Mobile phones without flight mode, flight-safe mode, airplane mode;

• AM/FM transmitters & receivers (including televisions, radios);

• Remote-controlled devices (passenger owned);

• VHF scanners/receivers;

• Two-way transmitters such as walkie-talkies, amateur radios.

NOTE: Lightweight/small handheld PEDs are devices that can be held firmly in one hand or in the user’s pockets, allowing one hand free to release the restraint belt. Larger PEDs, such as laptops, must be placed in an approved stowage location during taxi, take-off, initial climb, approach and landing. Seat pockets might not be approved to hold the weight of a laptop. CCMs should ensure that the stowage location used is appropriate to accommodate the size and weight of the device.

Trailing cables from devices (and/or headsets/headphones) must be secured to prevent trip/entanglement hazards via the following means: To be placed on the seat, in the seat pocket, or in an approved stowage location; or to be kept on one’s person, or placed in one’s cabin baggage. Due to the risks involved with overheating lithium batteries and ensuring effective crew response, charging of devices is prohibited during taxi, take-off, initial climb, approach and landing.

SPECIAL TRAVEL NEEDS

Because your health, comfort and safety are very important to us, SAA offers services for travellers who require special assistance or have special medical needs.

>> SPECIAL ASSISTANCE

Travelling should always be a pleasure, and we go out of our way to make sure that anybody with special needs feels particularly cared for. That can be a disability, a medical condition, a dietary requirement, or the fact that you are travelling with young babies or children.

Many of these services need to be booked in advance, so please read the information below.

For further information, details of services offered, or any other queries, contact: SAA Special Bookings

• specialhandling@flysaa.com

>> TRAVELLING WITH SPECIAL TRAVEL NEEDS

If you have special travel needs, we recommend that you make your travel plans as early as possible, so that we can serve you better. Should you require any medical assistance, please request it when making your reservation, or at least 48 hours prior to the departure of your flight through your local SAA office. It is important that you provide SAA with detailed information at the time of booking. Please let us know:

• The type of mobility aids you are travelling with

• Whether they are collapsible, electric or non-electric

• The dimensions, in adjusted or disassembled state, and weight of the mobility aids

• If you require access to a wheelchair at the airport and/or on the aircraft

• If you require transfer from wheelchair to aircraft seat and vice versa

• If you have a service dog (e.g. emotional-support dogs) that needs amenities. For conditions pertaining to the transportation of such animals, please visit gov.za/ services/import/import-animalsand-animal-products

• If you need elderly care

• If you need on-board facilities for the use of medical equipment, e.g. a battery-operated C-PAP machine

• If you need an adjacent seat for your carer

>> BEFORE THE DAY OF DEPARTURE

Please ensure the assistance you requested has been confirmed and authorised by SAA before you arrive at the airport. Ensure that you have all the relevant documentation, including a Frequent Traveller’s Medical Card (FREMEC) and medical clearance, if applicable.

>> FREMEC

In order to make travelling easier for passengers with a disability, stable medical conditions or special needs, we offer the FREMEC card. This card’s validity is dependent on passenger condition; it varies from one to two years. The card helps you to avoid the hassle of obtaining medical clearance for each journey, and automatically determines your special requirements. Such cards are usually honoured by other airlines. For card renewal, your doctor needs to complete the application on your behalf.

Fax the completed form to SAA Special Bookings: +27 11 978 1111 or visit your local SAA reservations office.

>> ON THE DAY OF DEPARTURE

It is advisable that you check in early so that we will have enough time to assist you.

• Flights within South Africa: Arrive at least 90 minutes before flight departure.

• Inter national flights: Arrive three hours before departure time.

INTERNATIONAL COMPLIANCE

SAA is covered by the United States rule for non-discrimination on the basis of disability. A full copy of the rule is available on request.

GUIDANCE FOR PHYSICIANS AND PASSENGERS

>> SICK PASSENGERS MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE FOLLOWING:

• Reduced atmospher ic pressure. (Cabin air pressure changes greatly 15-30 minutes after take-off and before landing, and gas expansion and contraction can cause pain and pressure.)

• Reduced oxygen tension. (The cabin is at a pressure equivalent to an altitude of 6 000-8 000 feet, and partial oxygen pressure is ± 20% less than on the ground.)

>> THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS/CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRE MEDICAL CLEARANCE FROM SAA:

The following is not exhaustive, and if you are in any doubt as to whether your condition may require clearance, we urge you to contact SAA Special Bookings before flying:

Passengers who require us to provide in-flight oxygen

• Oxygen equipment used will be subject to aircraft type and medical condition.

Please visit faa.gov for the approved list of portable oxygen concentrators (POCs).

• SAA can provide a POC that supplies oxygen on demand at a flow rate of 1 – 5LPM. The POC may only be used after take-off and shall be stowed in preparation for the landing.

(NOTE: The cost to the passenger for this service is US$150 per flight segment.)

• SAA can provide an oxygen cylinder for regional flights and domestic flights that supply continuous oxygen at a flow rate of 2LPM and 4LPM.

(NOTE: The cost to the passenger for this service is US$150.)

• A passenger may elect to use their personal battery-powered POC

approved by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This device may be used to supply continuous oxygen. The POC may not be used with a mask. The passenger must provide a nasal cannula.

(NOTE: No additional cost will apply when passengers provide their own FAA-approved battery-powered POC.)

• The passenger must supply the extra batteries. The spare batteries must be carried in the passenger’s hand baggage and declared to the cabin crew. The spare batteries must be fully charged.

• The spare batteries must be individually protected in order to prevent short circuits – by placement, and in the original retail packaging, or by otherwise insulating the terminals (e.g. taping over the exposed terminals or placing each battery in a separate bag or pouch).

• The spare batteries must be carried in the passenger’s cabin hand baggage.

• Only three batteries are allowed on board: one inside the machine and two spares. The power of each battery must not exceed 160Wh.

• The permissible watt-hour rating is 160Wh. Because the 24-cell battery packs of the Inogen One G2 consist of two 12-cell battery packs delivering 195,4Wh, exceeding the permissible rating, this battery pack is not permissible on board. The Inogen One G2 must be powered with an alternate acceptable battery pack.

• A passenger who requires continuous-flow oxygen must book an oxygen cylinder (for regional and domestic flights only), and not a concentrator, subject to operational requirements. However, passengers may bring their own batteryoperated continuous-flow oxygen concentrators.

• Some oxygen concentrators work on demand; therefore, passengers are advised that they will receive oxygen flow only on inhalation.

• Medical portable electronic devices provided by passengers must be battery-operated.

• Because aircraft power is not the same as other electrical power, equipment plugged into an electrical power outlet in an aircraft could cause damage to both the aircraft and the equipment.

• The safety of the aircraft may be compromised due to electro-magnetic interference (EMI), especially during the critical phases of take-off and landing, and on the ground during alignment of the instrumentation and software loading.

>> THE FOLLOWING PASSENGERS ARE REQUIRED TO BOOK VIA THE CALL CENTRE OR TRAVEL AGENT:

• Travellers who require a medical escort or in-flight medical treatment

• Travellers who have a communicable disease or infection

• Your doctor must state whether the condition poses a direct threat to the safety or health of others, and advise about precautions necessary to prevent transmission.

• Travellers who have been operated on or admitted to hospital in the two weeks before the flight

• Your doctor must state whether you have recovered sufficiently, and whether your condition has stabilised enough to travel by commercial air transport.

• Travellers suffering from an acute or chronic medical condition for which they might need to take medication during the flight

• Travellers who suffer from any acute or severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, high fever, severe pain, etc.

• Travellers who recently suffered a major medical incident (heart attack, heart failure, stroke, and respiratory failure or recent pneumothorax)

• Travellers who had thrombophlebitis

• Travellers who might develop any symptoms or behaviour that could have an adverse effect on the welfare of other passengers on board

• Travellers whose medical condition might be aggravated during or because of the flight

• Travellers who are travelling with a premature infant or an infant with a medical condition

• An unaccompanied minor with a medical condition

• Travellers with an unstable mental illness or impairment

SPECIFIC CASES

SERVICE DOGS

• A ser vice dog accompanying its owner is accepted on most flights in the passenger cabin of any class, free of charge.

• The dog may, however, not occupy a seat, and must not be kept in a location that would block escape routes in the event of an emergency.

• The ser vice dog must be properly harnessed, and remain with the traveller at all times.

• Travellers with service dogs are required to contact their local South African Airways office prior to booking for further information, flight eligibility, and to be allocated a suitable seat.

• Ask our staff at O.R. Tambo International Airport where the local animal relief area is situated. For service dog transportation, please visit gov.za/services/import/importanimals-and-animal-products

>> WHEELCHAIRS AND MOBILITY AIDS

For travellers with limited mobility, we offer the following assistance:

• Wheelchair s at the airport: We can arrange for wheelchair transport from check-in to the boarding gate, and from the aircraft to the arrivals hall at your destination.

• Travelling with your own wheelchair:You are welcome to check in one wheelchair as baggage, free of charge.

• Each traveller is entitled to one mobility aid, e.g. wheelchair, crane or crutches, free of charge, in addition to their standard baggage allowance. These items must be small enough to be stowed without obstruction, and must meet SAA baggage policy requirements.

• Travellers requiring the use of wheelchairs or mobility aids are advised to make their travel arrangements in advance.

>> TRAVELLING WITH MEDICATION

Passengers should ensure that they keep their medication in their hand luggage, and have a medical letter on hand outlining their condition and medication in case they encounter difficulties while travelling.

• Medicines required on board must be carried in cabin baggage, and passengers must carry a letter from their treating physician. All excess medicines and liquids are to be carried in checked baggage. When taking liquids through security control, passengers should please ensure that they comply with the airport’s restrictions.

• All prescription medicine, syringes and needles used by diabetics must be sealed and properly labelled.

• The quantity of syr inges and needles is limited to the amount required for the flight.

• They must be disposed of in a safe manner.

• For medication requiring refrigeration, passengers should make sure that they bring a cooler box with ice packs, and keep the medication with them for the duration of the flight.

>> EXPECTANT MOTHERS AND PARENTS WITH BABIES

• Medical clearance to fly is only necessar y if you are having complications with your pregnancy.

• Domestic travel is permitted up to 36 weeks for a routine pregnancy.

• Inter national travel is permitted up to 35 weeks for a routine pregnancy.

All pregnant women beyond 28 weeks of gestation must provide a letter from their obstetrician, general practitioner or midwife stating the following:

• Term of pregnancy

• Fitness to travel

• Whether it is a single, multiple or high-risk pregnancy

• Any possible complications, including hypertensive passengers, history of premature labour, etc.

Infants are allowed to travel from seven days of age. Passengers are allowed to fly 10 days after major abdominal surgery. The special-bookings process must be followed.

>> COLOSTOMY BAGS

Travellers dependent on colostomy bags must ensure that they have an empty bag at the start of the journey. Passengers are responsible for carrying enough bags for the duration of the flight, and disposing of them in a responsible manner upon arrival at destination.

>> NUT AND OTHER ALLERGIES

Passengers who have serious allergies must bring it to the attention of our reservations department. Passengers are required to bring their own emergency medication, e.g. injectable epinephrine, such as an EpiPen.

South African Airways does not take responsibility for any allergens that may arise from food, medications, pets, rodents, dust mites, or nut and other allergens.

>> STOWAGE OF CARRY-ON ITEMS

Our cabin crew will assist with loading and retrieval of carry-on items, and small assistive devices stowed on board the aircraft.

These items must be small enough to be stowed without obstruction, and must meet SAA baggage policy requirements.

>> ON-BOARD WHEELCHAIR

All our aircrafts are equipped with an on-board wheelchair, allowing passengers to be escorted to and from the toilets. We also have seats with movable armrests that facilitate the transfer of a passenger from the on-board wheelchair to the seat and vice versa.

AN EXCEPTIONAL STAY

Just as MICHELIN Stars honour exceptional restaurants, MICHELIN Keys now spotlight the world’s finest hotels.

The MICHELIN Guide Inspectors have scoured the world and chosen, out of 7,000 hotels, 2,457 that have received One (1,742), Two (572) or Three (143) MICHELIN Keys across the globe. Each represents the crème de la crème of world-class hospitality.

The hotels are bookable via The MICHELIN Guide’s website and mobile apps.

“With the introduction of MICHELIN Keys, the Guide establishes a new, global, and independent benchmark for outstanding hotel experiences”, says Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of The MICHELIN Guide.

The Keys evaluate each hotel’s overall hospitality experience, beyond individual amenities, establishing a new, and the rst independent, global benchmark for excellence in lodging.

ONE MICHELIN KEY VERY SPECIAL STAY

This is a true gem with its own character and personality. It may break the mould, o er something di erent, or simply be one of the best of its type. Service always goes the extra mile and provides signi cantly more than similarly priced establishments.

TWO MICHELIN KEYS EXCEPTIONAL STAY

Somewhere truly unique and exceptional in every way, where a memorable experience is always guaranteed. A hotel of character, personality and charm that is operated with obvious pride and considerable care. Eye-catching design or architecture, and a real sense of the locale make this an exceptional place to stay.

THREE MICHELIN KEYS EXTRAORDINARY STAY

It’s all about astonishment and indulgence here – this is the ultimate in comfort and service, style and elegance. It is one of the world’s most remarkable and extraordinary hotels and a destination for that trip of a lifetime. All the elements of truly great hospitality are here to ensure any stay will live long in the memory and hearts of travellers.

GETTING THERE

SAA or SAA codeshare partners fly to all mentioned destinations. Visit flysaa.com

Dine at the world’s best

Now is the time to eat at one of the world’s top 100 restaurants for 2025, and tick it off your bucket list.

We’re highlighting a few restaurants located in SAA and SAA codeshare destinations that were listed on The World’s Best Restaurant 2025, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna.

#10 DON JULIO, BUENOS AIRES

Don Julio epitomises Argentine asado culture, elevating traditional parrilla techniques to fine dining excellence. Nearly everything you can find on their menu comes from the restaurant’s own farm outside of Buenos Aires. And executive chef Guido Tassi’s expert touch delivers a combination of the meat’s smokiness, nuttiness and sweetness that will blow your mind. The restaurant’s warm, neighbourhood atmosphere combined with exceptional wine pairings and perfectly executed simplicity has made it South America’s most celebrated steakhouse.

#25 ODETTE, SINGAPORE

Chef Julien Royer’s modern French cuisine showcases impeccable technique and Asian ingredient sensibility. The restaurant’s elegant dining room overlooks Singapore’s waterfront, providing a refined backdrop for dishes that balance innovation with classical foundations. Odette’s commitment

to seasonal produce and artistic presentation creates memorable gastronomic experiences that honour French tradition while embracing Singapore’s culinary landscape.

#27 TRÈSIND STUDIO, DUBAI

Trèsind also received the Best Restaurant in the Middle East 2025 award. This intimate 20-seat restaurant redefines Indian cuisine through progressive techniques and theatrical presentations. Chef Himanshu Saini deconstructs traditional flavours, presenting them in innovative forms that challenge expectations. The tasting menu format allows for storytelling through food, with each course revealing new dimensions of Indian culinary heritage reimagined for contemporary palates, with stunning creativity and precision.

#28 LASAI, RIO DE JANEIRO

Lasai has featured in Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants every year since its opening a decade ago and achieved the accolade of The Best Restaurant in Brazil 2024.

Be one of just 10 guests seated around a single, L-shaped chef’s

counter and experience the 15-course tasting menu. Chef Rafael Costa e Silva champions Brazilian biodiversity through hyper-seasonal menus featuring indigenous ingredients. The restaurant’s commitment to sustainability and relationships with small producers creates dishes that reflect Brazil’s ecological richness. Lasai’s minimalist approach allows ingredients to shine, presenting contemporary Brazilian cuisine that is both environmentally conscious and deeply connected to local terroir.

#37 ORFALI BROS, DUBAI

This unpretentious bistro was also named The Best Restaurant in the Middle East & North Africa 2025 for the third consecutive year. Three Syrian brothers, Mohammad, Wassim and Omar Orfali mix traditional Syrian staples with pan-regional favourites, and European culinary tropes with Asian ingredients to create a menu that defies categorisation. Their shared kitchen concept creates dynamic energy, while dishes honour their heritage through

modern interpretations. The restaurant’s approachable luxury and bold flavour combinations showcase the versatility of Levantine cuisine, making traditional ingredients exciting for contemporary audiences.

#50. RESTAURANT JAN, MUNICH

Chef Jan Hartwig’s minimalist German cuisine emphasises ingredient purity and technical mastery. His French training informs precise preparations that elevate local Bavarian products. The restaurant’s understated elegance and focused menu demonstrate confidence in simplicity, allowing exceptional ingredients and refined techniques to create memorable dishes without unnecessary embellishment or complexity.

#55 LA COLOMBE, CAPE TOWN

Set on a wine estate in Constantia, La Colombe blends French technique with Asian influences and South African ingredients. Chef James Gaag’s playful yet precise cooking creates surprising flavour combinations. The restaurant’s stunning location, exceptional wine list, and commitment to innovation have established it as South Africa’s most internationally recognised fine dining destination.

#66 SAINT PETER, SYDNEY

Chef Josh Niland revolutionises seafood dining through nose-to-tail fish utilisation and dry-aging techniques. His groundbreaking approach treats fish with the same reverence traditionally reserved for meat, minimising waste while maximising flavour. Saint Peter’s commitment to sustainability and innovative fish butchery has transformed global perspectives on seafood cookery and resourcefulness.

#70 TUJU, SÃO PAULO

Tuju received the prestigious Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award 2024 for dining excellence, and ranked 16th on the 2024 Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list. Chef Ivan Ralston’s intimate restaurant showcases Brazilian ingredients through meticulous technique and artistic presentation. The ever-changing tasting menu reflects seasonal availability and creative exploration.Tuju’s commitment to storytelling through food, combined with exceptional beverage pairings and personal service, creates immersive dining experiences that celebrate Brazil’s culinary diversity.

#73 TANTRIS, MUNICH

This legendary Michelin-star restaurant pioneered fine dining in Germany

since 1971 and features classic French fare and signature dishes. Chef Benjamin Chmura’s aim is to share a new perspective on French cuisine. The iconic retro interior design and unwavering commitment to excellence across decades have made Tantris an institution, representing continuity and evolution in European gastronomy.

#81 OTEQUE, RIO DE JANEIRO

Michelin starred Oteque was previously listed no.37 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024 and no.21 in Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024.

Chef Alberto Landgraf’s sophisticated cuisine explores Brazilian ingredients through global techniques and creative presentations. His refined approach balances innovation with accessibility, creating elegant dishes that surprise and satisfy. Oteque’s focus on local terroir, combined with impeccable service and thoughtful wine pairings, represents Rio’s evolution as a worldclass dining destination.

#82 FYN, CAPE TOWN

Chef Peter Tempelhoff’s Japaneseinspired approach to South African ingredients creates unique fusion cuisine. The restaurant’s philosophy celebrates fire and fermentation, employing traditional preservation techniques alongside contemporary

cooking methods. Fyn’s innovative flavour combinations and commitment to showcasing Cape produce through unexpected lenses has established it as a distinctive culinary voice.

#83. A CASA DO PORCO, SÃO PAULO

A Casa do Porco was previously listed no.27 The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024 and no.15 Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024. Chef Jefferson Rueda’s temple to pork celebrates every part of the animal through creative preparations. In recent years, the restaurant has adapted to changing dietary requirements, introducing a vegetarian menu that tastes as good as the original, with options such as mushroom sushi and cheese ‘crackling’. Their commitment to ethical sourcing and zero-waste cooking transforms humble ingredients into extraordinary dishes. The vibrant atmosphere, combined with exceptional value and democratic accessibility, makes highquality gastronomy available beyond traditional fine dining’s exclusivity.

#88. SALSIFY AT THE ROUNDHOUSE, CAPE TOWN

Chef Ryan Cole’s seasonal cooking showcases Cape Town’s stunning produce with contemporary European techniques. The Camps Bay location offers breathtaking ocean views, while the menu emphasises ingredientdriven simplicity. Salsify’s dedication to local farmers and sustainable practices creates dishes that taste of place while maintaining refined execution and creative presentation.

#93 BURNT ENDS, SINGAPORE

Burnt Ends, a one-Michelin star restaurant, also listed no.38 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 and no.15 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024. Chef Dave Pynt’s open-kitchen barbecue concept brings Australian grilling techniques to Asian ingredients. The custom-built four-tonne oven and wood-fire cooking create distinctive smoky flavours. Burnt Ends’ casual yet precise approach, combined with creative small plates and convivial atmosphere, redefined Singapore’s dining scene by proving fine dining needn’t be formal.

#95 EVVAI, SÃO PAULO

A two-Michelin Star restaurant, and no.20 on Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024.

Chef Luiz Filipe Souza delivers inventive takes on upscale Italian dishes while paying tribute to migrant food culture. The frequently changing menu reflects market availability and creative experimentation. Evvai’s approachable excellence and commitment to honest, ingredient-focused cooking without pretension has earned a devoted following among São Paulo’s discerning diners.

#97 LABYRINTH, SINGAPORE

This one-Michelin star restaurant also listed no.37 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, and no.30 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024. Chef Han Li Guang highlights the connections between history and the food, challenging preconceived notions of Singaporean

cuisine. His “New Expression of Singaporean Cuisine” preserves traditional flavours while employing contemporary techniques. Labyrinth’s playful approach celebrates local food culture, transforming familiar childhood dishes into elevated presentations that honour heritage while pushing creative boundaries.

#99 AMISFIELD RESTAURANT, QUEENSTOWN*

Set in Central Otago wine country, Amisfield celebrates New Zealand’s pristine ingredients with refined, ingredient-focused cuisine. Homegrown hero Vaughan Mabee cut his teeth under legendary Basque chef Martín Berasategu before working at Copenhagen icon Noma, and his dishes can compete visually with René Redzepi himself. Think of wild fallow deer cooked on an antler or wild mallard feet with a pedicure of perigord black truffle claws. Each one is paired to perfection with wines sourced internationally and from its own vineyard.

*Just an hour’s flight from Christchurch, an SAA codeshare route.

WINNER OF THE BEST RESTAURANT IN GAUTENG 2025

AT THE SOUTH AFRICAN RESTAURANT AWARDS 2025

For 30 years, brothers Dennis and Allen have been purveying exceptional South African beef on the iconic Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton. Their unwavering commitment to excellence has made Trumps Grillhouse the premier destination for steak lovers.

From the legendary tomahawk to the exquisite 10+ marbling rated wagyu ribeye, each cut is a testament to the brothers’ passion. Complement your dining experience with a meticulously curated selection of South Africa’s finest red wines.

Whether you’re a global or local explorer, discerning corporate executive, or celebrating a special moment, Trumps Grillhouse is your ultimate destination.

EVENTS

Looking for things to do after landing at one of SAA or our codeshare partner destinations? Consider one of these events.

•• WATCH GREASE UNDER THE STARS IN KIRSTENBOSCH GARDENS

The classic musical romcom Grease unfolds the 1958 summer romance of T-Bird greaser Danny (John Travolta) and good girl Australian transfer student, Sandy (Olivia NewtonJohn).

Pack a picnic or buy food and drinks from the vendors at The Galileo mini-market. Choose from a variety of meals, beverages, and tasty snacks. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and halaal options are available. Pack a warm jacket for the evening chill. If you think you might get uncomfortable during the movie, consider bringing a pillow. Backrests are available and are perfect for leaning against, but the cushion is not very thick, so extra support may be helpful. You might also want to take along a picnic blanket if you prefer.

27 February, Cape Town. thegalileo.co.za; tickets: webtickets.co.za –31 August.

•• SEE A REPLICA OF THE 1886 BENZ PATENTMOTORWAGEN

The Southern Cape Region of the MercedesBenz Club of South Africa is exhibiting an exact replica of the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, the world’s first automobile, in celebration of the upcoming 140th anniversary of the motorcar.

Originally built by Carl Benz in 1885 in Mannheim, Germany, the pioneering Motorwagen was patented on 29 January 1886 and publicly unveiled on 3 July 1886, achieving a thenremarkable top speed of 16 km/h. Carl Benz later developed two further versions, Models No. 2 and No. 3, with approximately 25 Motorwagens produced between 1886 and 1894. No story of the automobile is complete without Bertha Benz, whose determination and vision provided the world’s first automotive publicity breakthrough. In August 1888, Bertha took

the Motorwagen No. 3, accompanied by her sons Eugen (15) and Richard (14), on the first-ever long-distance journey in an internal combustion vehicle. Her historic trip from Mannheim, through Heidelberg, to Pforzheim proved the practicality of the new invention and cemented the Motorwagen’s place in history.

The replica 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen will be on display at the George Museum from 15 December 2025 until 5 January 2026. It will also be featured in the annual Vettoer, organised by the Southern Cape Old Car Club, and later form a highlight of the 2026 George Old Car Show. There it will appear in a special Benz showcase alongside a 1901 Benz Ideal (Crankhandle Club) and Waldo & René Scribante’s 1913 8/20 PS Benz Tourenwagen.

Runs until 5 January 2026, George.

•• AS NATURAL AS DAYLIGHT, TRY A LITTLE TENDERNESS, AND “DO YOU KNOW THE PLACE?” ON SHOW AT THE AVA

As Natural As Daylight: Plants, Memory & The Edge of Belonging is a group show with artists, including Alka Dass, Cheriese Dilrajh, Hemali Khoosal, Layla Kassan, Shamil Balram, Talia Ramkilawan, Tyra Naidoo, and Zenaéca Singh. The exhibition uses the garden to think about how communities practice belonging – not as return-to-origin, but as ongoing labour, technique, reciprocity, and memory.

Drawing on Ronnie Govender’s At the Edge and Other Cato Manor Stories as a point of departure, the exhibition considers how plants – named, tended, exchanged – carry histories across oceans and neighbourhoods, and how these living archives can help us imagine belonging in a South Africa still wrestling with racialised histories,

uneven recognition, and plural futures. The Indian migrant story is inseparable from plant life and agricultural labour.

In Try a Little Tenderness, artists Hannah Macfarlane and Amber Alcock ask what “care” means in a world where apathy has become a form of protection. The exhibition explores fragility, care and hope as quiet acts of resistance. The work meets in a shared fascination with the tender and the strange, where beauty and unease intertwine.

“Do you know the place?”, a solo exhibition by Aimee

Lindeque, is a series of paintings that began with a question she often asks when someone looks at her work. This opens up conversations about memory, recognition, and belonging. Most of the works focus on scenes from the City Bowl, where Lindeque has lived and knows best. “Getting to know the city’s structures, their forms, light, and shifting moods has been central to my process. Through painting, I have tried to understand how the city reveals itself, both in its permanence and its constant change,” she explains. “Do

you know the place?” is a collection of painting studies capturing the essence and vibrancy of Cape Town’s architecture. Through a series of detailed and evocative acrylic paintings on canvas, this exhibition seeks to highlight the city’s unique architecture, atmosphere, and my personal interpretation of its streets. The Association for Visual Arts (AVA) is the oldest nonprofit gallery in Cape Town, with the mission to advance and support contemporary art and artists. Free to attend, open Monday to Friday from 10 am - 5 pm and from 10 am - 1 pm on Saturdays. Closed on Sundays and public holidays. 35 Church Street, Cape Town.

The shows mentioned run until 15 January 2026, Cape Town. www.ava.co.za

•• THANDISWA MAZWAI HEADLINES THE SANKOFA HERITAGE FESTIVAL

Multi-award-winning South African musician Thandiswa Mazwai launched the Sankofa Heritage Festival, a landmark event commemorating her 50th birthday. The festival will take place on Saturday, 28 February 2026, at Carnival City, Johannesburg.

Headlining the evening will be Thandiswa Mazwai herself, whose trailblazing career has spanned decades of genre-defying artistry, from her early days with Bongo Maffin to her acclaimed solo projects, including Sankofa, which released last year and is up for 5 SAMA nominations. She

will be joined by friends and collaborators, representing a dynamic mix of African genres and generations.

Thandiswa says, “It’s almost unbelievable that I am now turning 50 and I have spent more than half my life in the world of

music. My first radio hit was 30 years ago with a group called Jacknife and I am honoured to still be one of the top nominated artists at the SAMAs for my album Sankofa. I have been truly blessed.”

The Sankofa Heritage

28 February 2026, Johannesburg. Tickets at computicket.com

Festival is dedicated to preserving and celebrating indigenous African music. Each performance will echo ancestral rhythms and bridge the past, present, and future of African sound. This event marks the beginning of what promises to become an annual African cultural celebration, devoted to honouring heritage through music.

Thandiswa says,“There is a need for more artist-curated festivals that centre music, freedom, and community. I am excited to add my own voice to that intention. I am creating this festival to not only give space to upcoming artists but to also celebrate our cultures and collective humanity.”

Navigate business travel costs

Five expensive travel traps that blindside business travellers, and how to avoid them.

Ever landed after three flights across time zones only to find your corporate card mysteriously declined at hotel checkin? Or worse, been asked for a hefty deposit on your personal card? Maybe you’re at a car hire desk in Prague when they put a temporary hold on your credit card, essentially maxing out your limit, when you know you still need that card for meals all week.

If you’ve travelled for work even once recently, chances are you’ve run into a financial hurdle, and you’re not alone. According to the latest SAP Concur Global Business Traveller Report, 42% of business travellers say

having to pay out-of-pocket and wait for reimbursement is one of their biggest frustrations.

Here’s how today’s business travellers get caught out, and what can be done about it:

•• WHY YOUR CREDIT CARD ISN’T ALWAYS KING

The shock of having your credit card maxed out by car rental or hotel holds, even when travelling on company business, is among the most cited pain points globally. And in South Africa, many SMEs still expect staff to front significant costs personally. For Herman Heunes, General Manager

at Corporate Traveller, the solution is simple: credit facilities with your travel management company.

“We offer our customers several payment pathways, but most of our customers lean towards our credit facility,” he explains. Why? Because nobody wants to play credit card roulette on a business trip. “A credit facility offers consolidated invoicing and eliminates the need for travellers to manage payments directly during trips using our billback facility. It also supports cashflow management as customers can settle accounts on agreed terms rather than paying upfront for each transaction,” adds Heunes.

•• THE CASH-ONLY REALITY CHECK

Despite living in an increasingly digital world, there are plenty of places where cards aren’t accepted, or only certain brands work (“Visa, yes; Mastercard, no”). In some countries or rural destinations worldwide, vendors want cash upfront; even big-city taxi drivers sometimes refuse cards altogether.

“In some destinations, card acceptance is limited, particularly in some African countries, rural areas or with smaller suppliers,” says Rategang Moroke, Operations Manager at Corporate Traveller. “Foreign transaction fees can also add up significantly.”

When traditional payment methods fail, backup plans become essential. “We sometimes have to settle these through International EFT, which can take up to 14 days to clear,” Moroke says. “Some of our customers choose to settle directly abroad and claim reimbursement internally.”

•• WHEN CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS IMPACT WELL-PLANNED BUDGETS

You budget R500 for dinner, then wake up finding yesterday’s exchange rate

has tanked. Now it costs R700 for the same meal. While TMCs like Corporate Traveller tend to book most travel in ZAR (providing some protection against currency volatility), the exchange rate challenge doesn’t disappear entirely once travellers land abroad.

“Exchange rate fluctuations can still affect costs abroad: meals, incidentals… those unexpected extras that always seem to crop up,” says Moroke. “We don’t often encounter severe exchange barriers, but sudden rate changes can definitely impact budgets.”

For SMEs operating on tight margins, these fluctuations require careful planning and realistic contingency allowances built into every trip budget.

••

DEATH BY A THOUSAND RECEIPTS

Ask any business traveller about their least favourite post-trip task, and “sorting receipts” will top the

list. Crumpled taxi receipts, faded restaurant bills, and that crucial expense you forgot to photograph before the ink disappeared completely.

“For clients using expense management systems, receipt management is largely automated,” says Moroke. “Travellers can upload receipts via mobile apps in real time, which transforms the entire reconciliation process.”

But for those still doing it manually? “For customers not on such platforms, manual receipt submission is still common and can significantly delay reconciliation,” explains Moroke.

•• THE ‘APPROVED BUDGET’ VS REALITY GAP

Every traveller knows the conversation: “The hotel’s fully booked except for the executive suite” or “The client dinner venue only has the tasting menu available”. Suddenly your approved R800 meal becomes R1,200, and

you’re wondering how to explain this in your expense report.

“Out-of-policy spending is managed through the client’s travel policy, pretrip approvals and detailed reporting,” says Heunes. “Exceptions are flagged in spend reports and discussed with the customer. Persistent non-compliance can trigger disciplinary measures within the client’s internal HR or finance processes.”

Then there’s the mis-categorisation mess. Nothing creates expense report anxiety quite like trying to remember three weeks later whether that hotel restaurant bill should be coded as meals or entertainment.

“This often happens when travellers submit costs under the wrong category,” says Heunes. “Expense management systems, combined with pre-set expense categories, greatly reduces this issue. But training travellers on correct coding remains essential.”

What you can do before/during/after travelling

BEFORE LEAVING:

•• Ar range payment methods that don’t leave you fronting big deposits

•• Download/test receipt apps

•• Build realistic currency buffers (+10–15%)

•• Familiar ise yourself with your company’s travel policy, so you know exactly what they’ll cover –and what they won’t (Uber Black, anyone?)

WHILE TRAVELLING:

•• Photograph every slip immediately (before thermal ink fades)

•• Keep running notes on unusual expenses

•• Car ry multiple payment options, including local currency if needed

AFTER RETURN:

•• Submit claims promptly while details are still fresh in your mind

•• Flag exceptions proactively

•• Keep digital copies until reimbursed

Business travel will never be entirely friction-free, but with smart policy choices and modern tools adopted by leading SMEs globally, many sources of irritation can be minimised if they’re recognised and designed around from day one.

Because next time you’re stuck at arrivals watching someone else panic over their credit limit, you’ll know exactly how much difference good planning makes.

Travel safely with lithium batteries

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched a global safety campaign that gives travellers seven simple rules for carrying mobile phones, laptops, power banks, and other lithium-powered devices safely when they fly.

“Lithium-powered devices are safe when handled properly, but they can pose a risk if damaged or packed incorrectly. As more travellers fly with these devices, our ‘Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries’ campaign will help airlines educate their passengers on the simple rules they must keep in mind when travelling with the electronic devices that have become an essential part of their daily lives,” said Nick Careen, Senior Vice President, Operations, Safety and Security at IATA.

Travellers are flying with more lithium battery-powered devices than ever before. An IATA passenger survey found that 83% carry a phone, 60% bring a laptop, and 44% travel with a power bank. While these items are generally safe when handled properly, improper packing or damage can pose serious risks.

SEVEN SAFETY RULES

There are seven essential rules every traveller should follow when flying with lithium batteries:

•• Pack light: Only bring the devices and batteries you really need.

•• Stay alert: If a device is hot, smoking, or damaged, tell the crew immediately.

•• Check battery size: For larger batteries (over 100 watthours, such as those used in cameras, drones, or power tools), check with your airline as approval may be required.

•• Keep devices with you: Always carry phones, laptops, cameras, vapes (if allowed) and other batterypowered items in your hand baggage, not in checked baggage.

•• Gate check reminder: If your hand baggage is taken at the gate to go in the hold, remove all lithium batteries and devices first.

•• Protect loose batteries: Keep spare batteries and power banks in their original packaging or cover the terminals with tape to prevent shortcircuits.

•• Check with your airline: Always confirm your airline’s policies, as requirements may differ in compliance with local regulations.

BY Na sa Akabor

The Connected Travell

New travel tech for your next adventure: a hand-held gaming console, magnetic wallet with kickstand, and Oppo’s new flagship. Plus, stay connected across time zones with the AirPods Pro 3 and Oura Ring 4.

OPPO FIND X9 PRO

From trekking

Table Mountain to holidaying in Mauritius, the Find X9 Pro keeps pace with a 200MP

Hasselblad camera, a whopping 7500mAh battery, and eSIM support. Add to that a bright 6.78inch display, IP68/ IP69 durability rating and 512GB of storage, and you’ve got a travel-proof smartphone.

Price: R29 999

ASUS ROG

ALLY XBOX X

This sleek 7-inch hand-held gaming console makes for a great travel companion with up to 10 hours of battery life on-the-go. Access Xbox Game Pass or your Steam library anywhere with 24GB RAM, 1TB storage and Windows 11 freedom. It’s like a gaming PC in your bag. Price: R18 999.

AIRPODS PRO 3

The new AirPods Pro 3 brings quality sound to everyday life. Expect richer spatial audio, active noise cancellation, and live translate in 12 languages. With heart-rate tracking, up to eight hours battery life, water resistance, and ear tips in ve sizes, move e ortlessly from morning workouts to long ights. Price: R5 499.

SATECHI MAGNETIC WALLET STAND

This Magsafe compatible veganleather wallet stand is perfect for travellers; it attaches to iPhone or Samsung compatible covers in a snap. Conveniently carry bank cards, ID or cash; and use your phone hands-free for watching multimedia content on-the-go. With portrait and landscape modes, you can hop onto video calls with ease. Price: R899.

SOPHISTICATED SINGAPORE

Did you know that South African Airways o ers a codeshare agreement with Singapore Airlines, allowing passengers to fly from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Singapore? Serving as a gateway to Asia, Singapore is renowned for being a smart city, and provides convenient public transport options using contactless cards, while tra c congestion is minimal due to the use of AI. Not-to-be-missed sights include Gardens by the Bay, a futuristic blend of nature and tech; the iconic Marina Bay Sands with observation deck and infinity pool; the Botanic Gardens; and the cultural districts of China Town and picturesque Little India. Dedicate a day to Sentosa Island for its theme parks, including Universal Studios, cable cars and beaches. You will be spoilt for choice with food markets like Lau Pa Sat for chili crab; Tiong Bahru Market for noodles, and Maxwell Food Centre for Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice. Don’t forget to pack a small handheld electric fan to beat the humidity, and to claim your tax back on electronic goods. Singapore is visa-free for South African passport holders for visits up to 30 days.

OURA RING 4

The Oura Ring has landed in SA. Crafted in titanium, it tracks vitals like heart rate, SpO2 and skin temperature, plus its 100-metre water resistance and the promise of a week’s battery life. This smart ring is ideal for jet-lag, stress, and tracking daily readiness scores across time zones.

Price: From R7 200 via Discovery.

5WEEKEND DRIVES WORTH TAKING THIS SUMMER

Summer begins the moment your tyres meet the open road. The soft shhhh of rubber on warm tar. The playlist that becomes a memory. The detour that turns into a story. Across Mzansi, the landscapes shift like pages in a book – coastlines, canyons, passes, and plains – each inviting you to wander a little further.

The new Bridgestone Dueler A/T002 is built for these summer wanderings. With plush onroad comfort and true all-terrain capability, it offers confidence on every surface: smooth tar, corrugated gravel, and even those sandy shortcuts you take on a whim. Before you set off, a quick stop at your nearest Supa Quick ensures your tyres and your journey are ready for whatever the weekend brings.

Here are five drives where freedom, beauty, and adventure wait patiently around each bend.

WATERBERG MEANDER LIMPOPO

3 hours from Johannesburg Ÿ Bushveld, mountain passes and wild horizons

North of Johannesburg, the Waterberg rises like an ancient fortress. Red ridges, open plains, and a hush that settles deep into your bones. The Meander drifts through private reserves and quiet gravel roads, where antelope flicker between trees and sandstone cliffs glow in the afternoon light.

Why It’s Worth the Drive: Smooth gravel, sweeping vistas, and the A/T002’s reassuring grip make every curve feel effortless.

Moments to Savour: Game drives under golden skies in Welgevonden or Marakele, horseback safaris through whispering grass, spa decks overlooking the savannah, and dinners beneath constellations that feel close enough to touch.

Where to Stay: Ant’s Hill Lodge – luxury bush villas perched above a private reserve. Moon River Mountain Retreat – secluded, romantic, and perfect for travellers looking to disconnect.

Polokwane, Bela-Bela, Modimolle for those pretrip checks or tyre support en route.

WEST COAST FLOWER ROUTE

WESTERN CAPE

Darling to Namaqualand Ÿ Coastal tar & inland gravel blooms

Even outside flower season, the West Coast feels like a love letter to simplicity. Salted air, weathered boats, white dunes, and roads that stretch toward the horizon. When the wildflowers bloom, it becomes a dreamscape painted in purples, yellows, and creams.

Why It’s Worth the Drive: Glide along coastal tar, then slip onto gravel ribbons to chase the blooms – the A/T002 smooths the journey, no matter the terrain.

Moments to Savour: Wildflowers swaying in Postberg and Namaqua National Park, olives and wine tasting in Darling, kayaks drifting across Langebaan’s blue lagoon.

Where to Stay: Strandloper Ocean Boutique Hotel –quiet coastal luxury in Paternoster. Namaqua Flower Camps – seasonal glamping immersed in colour. Thali Game Lodge – rustic West Coast charm with wildlife.

NEAREST SUPA QUICK

Vredenburg, Malmesbury, Cape Town for pre-drive road readiness.

ROUTE 62

WESTERN CAPE

Cape Town to Port Elizabeth Ÿ Vineyards, small towns & soulful roads

Route 62 is the kind of journey that feels like a warm conversation with the landscape. Vineyards, koppies, and quirky towns blur into a tapestry of small-town hospitality and big-sky beauty.

Why It’s Worth the Drive: The A/T002 floats along the tarred stretches and invites gravel detours to hidden wineries and mountain viewpoints.

Moments to Savour: Wine tasting in Robertson and Calitzdorp, art in Barrydale, hot springs in Montagu, and the pleasure of an unexpected roadside stop at small-town farm stalls.

Where to Stay: Sanbona Wildlife Reserve – a luxury wilderness escape. Montagu Country Hotel – iconic art deco elegance. Karoo Art Hotel – creative, quirky, and full of character.

NEAREST SUPA QUICK

Worcester, George, Somerset West for peace-ofmind checks before hitting the road.

SWARTBERG PASS & MEIRINGSPOORT

WESTERN CAPE

Few roads hold the drama of the Swartberg Pass – gravel hairpins carved into towering red cliffs, the sky widening with every turn. Its neighbour, Meiringspoort, is gentler: a smooth tar ribbon through folded rock and echoing riverbeds.

Why It’s Worth the Drive: The A/T002 embraces the Pass’s rugged bends and glides quietly along Meiringspoort’s tar.

Moments to Savour: Swimming beneath waterfalls in Meiringspoort, exploring the Cango Caves and local ostrich farms or capturing the sandstone cliffs as they catch fire at sunset before enjoying the lantern-lit Karoo nights.

Where to Stay: Dennehof Karoo Guesthouse – historic and homely. Swartberg Country Manor – at the foot of the pass. Karoo View Cottages – self-catering hideaways with vast horizons.

NEAREST SUPA QUICK

Oudtshoorn and George for gravel-route tyre checks and support.

PANORAMA ROUTE MPUMALANGA

Blyde River Canyon & Drakensberg Escarpment Ÿ Waterfalls & green vistas

The Panorama Route feels like a revelation — deep canyons, mist-touching forests, waterfalls that echo through the cli s, and viewpoints where the world seems to stretch forever.

Why It’s Worth the Drive: From smooth mountain passes to gravel near the waterfalls, the A/ T002 o ers steady handling, soft braking, and an unhurried ride. Moments to Savour: God’s Window, Three Rondavels, Lisbon and Berlin Falls hikes, the Graskop Gorge Lift, and forest trails perfect for quiet picnics. Where to Stay: Misty Mountain Lodge – misty forests and logfire evenings. Graskop Hotel –artistic and boutique. Blyde River Canyon Lodge – nature at your doorstep.

NEAREST SUPA QUICK

Nelspruit, Hazyview, Hoedspruit – ideal for tyre checks before the escarpment climbs.

Wherever summer pulls you, coast, canyon, Karoo, the Bridgestone Dueler A/T002 turns every kilometre into something softer, smoother, more certain. And with over 200 Supa Quick stores nationwide, road-trip readiness is always close at hand. This summer, choose journeys worth the drive, and tyres made for them.

POWERING PROGRESS:

Choosing the right truck for your business

In southern Africa’s fast-moving transport, construction and agricultural sectors, the right truck is more than a vehicle – it’s a business advantage. For UD Trucks Southern Africa, helping customers match the right model to the right job is a consultative process grounded in more than 20 years of expertise.

“Every operation is different. Our job is to understand the customer’s world and recommend a truck that delivers efficiency, safety and long-term value,” says Esaia Taunyane, Sales Director at UD Trucks Southern Africa.

Built for Purpose

UD Trucks works closely with fleet owners to assess five critical pillars: productivity, fuel efficiency, safety, uptime and aftersales support.

Dealership specialists evaluate payload needs, route profiles, gradients and road conditions before recommending the ideal truck configuration — from engine and transmission choices to chassis and suspension setup.

Fuel efficiency remains a priority across the range. Whether manual, ESCOT automated manual or Allison automatic, transmissions are carefully matched to maximize power delivery while reducing fuel consumption. UD’s advanced Connected Services give fleet managers real-time insight into vehicle health and fuel use, helping control Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

Designed for Drivers, Engineered for Safety

With features such as UD Stability Control and emergency braking technology, safety is built into every model. Spacious, quiet and ergonomically designed cabins support driver comfort — a key factor in reducing fatigue and improving operational performance. UD Trucks’ maintenance plans, Genuine Parts and mobile workshop support keep vehicles where they belong: on the road.

Taunyane highlights a common misconception: many customers initially prioritise upfront cost, overlooking the long-term impact of choosing the correct specification. UD Trucks addresses this through training, customer consultations and real-world industry success stories.

A Range That Works Harder

UD Trucks offers a versatile line-up purpose-built for Africa’s industries:

• Kuzer & Croner: Efficient medium-duty trucks ideal for urban and regional distribution, with options for specialised body applications.

• Quester: A rugged heavy-duty workhorse for construction, general cargo and demanding operations.

• Quon: A premium long-haul performer offering advanced safety, fuel efficiency and maximum uptime.

For more information, contact your nearest Dealer or visit udtrucks.com/southafrica Image for illustrative purposes and may not be part of the standard specification.

Available in Euro 2, 3 and 5 engine variants, the range delivers reliable performance across all operating conditions.

Driving Down TCO

With fuel representing up to 67% of operating costs, correct truck configuration is essential. Aerodynamic designs, fuelsmart drivetrains and telematics insights all contribute to cost savings. The partnership with TankSafe® adds extra protection by preventing diesel theft on selected models.

Future-Ready Transport

UD Trucks is actively preparing for the next evolution in the industry, with Euro 5 SCR technology, electrification pilots and autonomous vehicle trials already underway. Lightweight materials, optimized designs and intensive driver training all contribute to cleaner, smarter transport solutions.

A customer from the

Eastern Free State sums it up:

“ UD Trucks keeps our operation moving – even in harsh conditions. With their support, we know our business is built to last .”

In a competitive and challenging environment, choosing the right truck means choosing a partner invested in your success. With UD Trucks, businesses gain more than a vehicle — they gain a future-focused transport solution built for reliability, efficiency and uptime.

LUNCH IS SERVED

There’s tension in the canteen; the Chinese are out to eat everyone’s lunch. At the automotive long table, we’ve witnessed an influx of wellmade and well-priced Chinese brands taking extra helpings of both meat and potatoes, gaining significant market share in both the luxury and midpriced markets. And more and more of their compatriots are pulling up chairs. Joining Haval, Chery, BAIC are Omoda, Jetour, Jaecoo, BYD, Changan, MG (yes, it’s now Chinese) and iCAUR, with the tasty SUV segment served up as the main course.

Placing a protective arm around their lunch plates in the face of this cacophony of scissoring chopsticks are traditional brands Volkswagen and Ford, whose new models reflect two

Two traditional automotive brands are taking on the Chinese, and both have very different recipes. On today’s menu, the specials are the new VW TAYRON and the FORD TERRITORY.

very different approaches to safeguard their meals.

•• VOLKSWAGEN TAYRON: PREMIUM INGREDIENTS, PERFECTLY COOKED

Volkswagen’s strategy is to doubledown on its strengths. The Tayron enters the premium larger SUV space, offering advanced German engineering, generous space and refined materials. Positioned between

the Tiguan and Touareg, it comes in three trims: Base, Life and R-Line, and starts at around R811 800. It is powered by a 1.4 TSI petrol engine with 110 kW and 250 Nm, mated to a seven-speed DSG gearbox.

The interior is appropriate to its upmarket cuisine, with high-end touches that include a 12.9-inch infotainment screen, ambient lighting, premium upholstery, driver assistance features such as adaptive cruise, blindspot monitoring, lane-keeping and Park Assist. Plus, for families needing space, the seven-seat configuration provides flexibility (albeit with the third row best suited for kids).

In terms of value, the VW is priced at a premium, but it’s purposefully appealing to diners looking for a commitment to German build quality,

materials and engineering depth. Perfectly spooned on its porcelain plate are just the right helpings of refinement, technology and space, with a sauce jug of Volkswagen’s handsome design language on the side.

•• FORD TERRITORY: FUSION FOOD

Ford has an entirely different strategy. They have cunningly forked a little helping of Chicken Chow Mein takeaway onto their plate. The Ford Territory is made in Nanchang, China in a joint venture with the Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC). The fiveseater SUV is also aimed squarely at families looking for space and practicality, but also value. It starts at R593 500.

All models come with a 1.8-litre EcoBoost turbo petrol delivering 138kW and 318Nm through a sevenspeed dual-clutch transmission. Proof that you do get what you pay

for though is that it’s not the most responsive drivetrain and handling leans more toward comfort than it does driving dynamics. That said, this is a good-looking vehicle. With Ford’s bold “Progressive Energy in Strength” design philosophy, the Territory presents bold styling with a sculpted body, LED lights, 18- or 19-inch wheels, and a healthy portion of interior space. Rear passengers get generous legroom and, especially with the rear seats folded down, boot space is cavernous.

••

WHAT TO ORDER, THEN?

Well, the Tayron clearly plays a premium card: refined materials, high tech, seven-seat versatility and German engineering. If budget allows and your tastes lean to more sophisticated cuisine, then the Tayron is a strong contender. On the other hand, the Territory trades some of those pricy ingredients for a dish that prioritises space and value – ideal for families

where cost and practicality matter most.

Against the backdrop of affordable Chinese SUVs entering the market, both vehicles hold an important position: they offer alternatives backed by established brands, local dealer support and long-standing engineering legacies. The Tayron brings premium ambition; the Territory brings smart value. For South African buyers wanting a family SUV with substance, either could be the right fit depending on priorities.Won’t you please pass the salt?

FORD TERRITORY RANGE

1.8T Ambiente R593 500

1.8T Trend R650 500

1.8T Titanium R725 500

1.8T Dark Edition R733 000

VW TAYRON RANGE

1.4TSI DSG (5-seater) R811 800

1.4TSI Life DSG (7-seater) R853 800

1.4TSI R-Line DSG (7-seater) R899 900

*Terms and conditions apply. (Available at https://www.deere.africa/en/) https://www.deere.africa/en/construction/ I cfjohndeereame@johndeere.com I Customer care: 0800 983 821 JohnDeereAME JohnDeereJohnDeereAfrica

The G20 Summit brought 40 global leaders to South Africa to engage each other and to find sustainable solutions for the world. The 5th World Slam Poetry Competition & Convention to be held in Durban in 2026 will bring 40 of the world’s best slam poets to provide creative and cultural solutions for the world by using the power of poetry to put into motion what politicians will have spoken about at the G20 Summit.

The World Slam Poetry Competition & Convention will have the focused attention of a global youth audience. And it is significant that the competition will be held in South Africa, as the country commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Youth Uprising.

Spoken Word Poetry is one of the fastest growing genres across the globe. The artists are fearless about using their imaginations, vocal ability, and confidence to stir audiences to reflect on the past, critique the present, and to re-imagine a better future for all.

Island, he sought comfort from the words of William Ernest Henley’s poem, Invictus. Henley’s poem, which turned 100 this year, speaks to resilience, self-mastery, and defiance in the face of suffering. His words, “I am the master of my fate / I am the captain of my soul” inspired Mandela about the power of inner freedom despite physical imprisonment.

Spoken word poets taking off

ISMAIL MAHOMED reflects on the power of poetry to put solutions into motion.

When Barack Obama was inaugurated as US President in January 2009, he gave a prominent place to Elizabeth Alexander to perform her poem, Praise Song for the Day, to billions across the globe. Alexander’s poem, inspired by West African praise song traditions, invoked a lineage that honoured the collective memory of AfricanAmericans from their arrival as slaves to their liberation and holding key positions in driving social, economic and political change in the US.

When President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his State of the Nation Address in 2021, South African poet Siphokazi Jonas read her poem during a candle-lighting ceremony that paid homage to South Africans who had died during the Covid-19 pandemic. Her poignant poem, What Does Not Sink used the metaphor of a flood to drive home its message and hold space for grief and comfort in Parliament.

“There is a flood inside our house … the water climbs up the walls when we weep;… and it does not let us breathe”. Her poem was a praise song for South Africa’s resilience through a challenging and painful period.

When Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on Robben

Cape Town-based poet, Diana Ferrus’s poem about Sarah Baartman was the motivation that inspired the French government to revise their laws on repatriation of cultural artefacts. When French Senator Nicolas About read her moving poem, I’ve Come to Take You Home he became a champion in the French government who supported the return of Sarah Baartman’s remains to South Africa. Today, Diana Ferrus’s poem is the prologue to the French legislation – the first time anywhere in the world that a piece of writing by a poet is a prologue to any legislation.

In 2021, when the inaugural World Slam Poetry Competition was held in Brussels, Belgium, South African poet Xabiso Vili won the title of World Slam Poetry Champion. Reflecting on his poem, the then President of the World Slam Poetry Competition, Philip Meersman, said, “South African poets put their hearts and minds in the poetry. It is informed by a rich legacy and an even richer tradition of oral poetry that is part of South Africa’s nationhood.”

Spoken Word Poetry is as old as our traditions. Today’s Spoken Word is to us what the Imbongi Praise Poet has been to generations who came before us. “The contemporary Spoken Word Poet and the traditional Imbongi are in harmony with each other,” says Siphindile Hlongwa, curator of the Poetry Africa festival. “When the dust has settled after the world’s politicians have left, we will be paving the pathway for 40 poets from across 40 nations to come to South Africa to use the power of poetry to put into motion what politicians will have spoken about at the G20 Summit,” she said.

The World Slam Poetry Competition & Convention in Durban, from 5 – 11 October 2026, will be presented by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.