I hope you found my previous post helpful. This time I’m going to tell you how to save loads of money.

Medical Aid schemes are a business after all and with those blinkers on you have two ways to increase the bottom line – you increase members’ contributions or you cut benefits. Both cases Discovery wins, members lose.

Now allow me to remove those blinkers and show you a better way where everybody wins. There are a few ways for a baby to be delivered – Caesarean section in hospital, Normal Vaginal birth In hospital, Normal Vaginal birth In hospital or birth centre with a private midwife, Home birth with a private midwife.

According to the Board of Health Care Funders, vaginal births in hospital cost around R15 000 while C-Sections cost on average R26 000. A home birth will probably cost you less than R10 000.

Now a home birth or birth centre may not be for everyone, but when you have a member that wants to go this route, you should encourage them, so make it worth their while and pay more of what they claim as they are actually saving you lots of money.

It has come under my attention that after all these years as a medical aid you still do not quite understand child birth.

So let me try and explain it in simple terms.
When babies are conceived (the details of this is not applicable), there is a simple formula for calculating the due date or expected date of delivery. This due date is 40 weeks or 280 days from the first day of the last normal menstrual period.

This is quite simple, but the snag is that according to statistics only about 80 percent of babies are born within ten days of the due date. This means babies can come BEFORE or AFTER the due date. I have experienced it three times, so yes it is true!

Now how to use this knowledge – When somebody do a birth pre-auth, please add a window of a few days before and after the due date so the next time a baby comes a few days early or late, you will still pay out the claim promptly without frustrating parents who have enough to deal with after the birth.

I trust this will clear up a few misconceptions.

Once you understand part 1, please continue to part 2

VoIP requires a broadband / ADSL internet connection. In a previous post I explained what ADSL is and what equipment you need.

When you get started, try to use the same ITSP (Internet Telephony Service Provider) as the people you would like to phone most often. In order to phone people for free, you need to ensure that you are using the same provider.

Popular providers are SIP providers (e.g. Sipgate), Skype and Google Talk

From

Equipment

What you need to make VoIP calls (without a switched on PC)

• An ADSL modem/router with a VoIP/FXS port *** (the FXS port turn your standard or cordless telephone into a VoIP phone and allows you to make VoIP and normal PSTN calls) or
• a VoIP/Skype compatible cordless phone e.g. the RTX DUALphone 3088 for Skype, the Philips VOIP321 VoIP And Skype Compatible Digital Cordless Telephone
  or the Siemens Gigaset A580 IP DECT Cordless Phone – Black or
• an Internet Phone Adapter or
• an IP Phone

What you need to make VoIP calls using your PC

• One of the following options:
  • the best Logitech webcam you can afford with a built-in microphone for making calls with video and PC speakers or
  • a standalone microphone and PC speakers or
  • a headset or
  • a USB phone (only works when your PC is switched on) or
  • a downloaded Softphone like the X-Lite or Skype

*** Entry level ADSL modems with VoIP ports: Dlink DVA-G3672B, Siemens Gigaset 762SX, Billion 7401VGP, Netgear DG834GV, Billion 800VGT,

Why get ADSL?

1. You can access the internet between 7 and 73 times faster than a normal dial-up connection.
2. You can connect to the internet and still make and receive calls on your telephone.
3. ADSL is always connected to the internet (when your modem is switched on) and you are not charged per minute. Instead you pay a fixed monthly amount.

What do I need to get ADSL?

1. An ADSL enabled telephone line
2. Internet Service Provider (ISP)
3. ADSL Modem
4. Microfilters (one for each telephone in your household)

How do I get ADSL in South Africa?

Only Telkom can provide your ADSL line. You can order this through some ISPs if you do not want to deal with Telkom directly.

1. Ensure your PC meets the minimum requirements.
2. Verify ADSL availability in your area.
3. Order the ADSL line. I recommend calling 10219 as I had problems ordering through the web site. If you are reasonably computer literate then you can choose the cheaper self-install option. Make a note of the order number, you will need it later.
4. Buy an ADSL modem through Telkom or any other supplier. Which modem to choose depends again on your needs:
   • If you only have a desktop pc that stands close to your telephone socket, you do not need a wireless modem. This is the cheapest option.
   • If you want to access the modem e.g. from a laptop using wireless, then you need a modem with Wifi.
   • If you want to phone friends or family overseas using your normal phone, then I suggest getting a modem with at least one FXS port (supports voip/vobb). Examples of these are the Billion 800VGT and Siemens Gigaset 762SX.
5. Buy extra microfilters at your nearest Telkom Direct shop.
6. Sign up with an ISP. I currently use Afrihost
7. When Telkom notifies you that your ADSL line is ready, install all the equipment and enable the line.

One solution would be to use a standard potjie stand (see below) and rest it on something like drip pans to prevent the legs from sticking through the bottom grid.

I found the perfect solution in a hardware store – a really good design that will work for both flat bottomed and legged potjies and keep the pot at the right level. The potjie fits perfectly in the centre and there is enough space to keep the fire going.

Atlantic Seaboard

Wheelers Pharmacy – The Passage Way, Main Road, Hout Bay (021 7903136) 08:30 – 19:00 (Mon-Fri), 08:30-18:00 (Sat), 09:00-18:00 (Sun & Public Holidays)
Glengariff Pharmacy – 2 Main Road, Three Anchor Bay (021 4348622) 08:00-22:00 09:00 – 22:00 (Wed), 09:00 – 21:00 (Sun & Public Holidays)

City

Woolworths Pharmacy – Lifestyle Centre, 50 Kloof Street, Gardens (021 4220155) 09:00 – 19:00 (Mon-Fri) 09:00 – 14:00 (Sat, Sun)
Clicks V&A Waterfront – Shop 7113 Lower Level, Victoria Wharf, V&A Waterfront (021 4183800) 09:00-21:00
Clicks Gardens Centre – Gardens Centre Mill Street, Gardens 08:30-20:00 (Fri only)

Northern Suburbs

UniKem Pharmacy – International terminal – departures, Cape Town International Airport 24h
M-Kem Pharmacy – Durban Road, Bellville (021 9485702/6/7) 24h
Clicks Cape Gate – Shop No.S51 Cnr. De Bron & Okavango Rd, Kuils River (021 9820026) 09:00-21:00 09:00 – 17:00 (Sun & public holidays)
Durbell CapeGate – CapeGate Centre, Brackenfell (021 982 8077) 08:30-20:00 08:30-19:00 (Sat) 09:00-17:00 (Sun)
Durbell Palm Grove – Palm Grove Centre, Durbanville (021 975 6570) 08:00-21:00 09:00-18:00 (Sun)
Clicks Cobble Walk – Shop 55 Cobble Walk Shopping Centre CNR De Villiers & Verdi BLVD Sonstraal, Durbanville (021 9794277) 09:00-20:00 (Mon-Fri) 08:00-19:00 (Sat) 09:00-17:00 (Sun & Public Holidays)
Clicks Tygervalley Intercare – Tygervalley Health Centre 43 Old Oak Road (02 19142544) 07:00-21:00 (Mon-Fri) 08:00-21:00 (Sat, Sun & Public Holidays)

Southern Suburbs

Wynberg Pharmacy – 222 Main Road, Wynberg (021 7978141) Monday-Saturday: 8am-10pm. Sundays and public holidays: 8.30am-10pm
Webb & Savoy Pharmacy – 34 Main Road, Cnr Main & Gordon Road, Mowbray (021 6898923)
Clicks Central Square Pinelands – Shop 6, Central Building, Central Square, Pinelands (021 5310075) 08:30-20:00 09:00-08:00 (Sun & Public Holidays)
Clicks Kenilworth Centre – Shop 58 Kenilworth Centre Doncaster Road (021 6832942) 08:30-21:00 (Fri only)
Clicks Cavendish – Shop F13 Cavendish Square Cnr Cavendish & Dreyer Streets (021 6743115) 09:00-21:00 (Fri only)

West Coast

Dis-chem – Shop 41, Ground floor, Canal Walk, Century City (021 552 0161) 09:00 – 21:00
Clicks – 103 Lower Level, Canal Walk, Centre Century City (021 5551740) 09:00 – 21:00
JB’s Pharmacy – 15 Flamingo Square, Table View (021 557 4499) 24h
Durbell Big Bay – Shop 9 Seaside Village, Big Bay (021 554 5037) 08:00-20:00
Clicks Eden on the Bay – Shop 65 Eden on the Bay Shopping Centre Big Bay Estate, Table View (021 5543702) 09:00-20:00 (Mon-Fri) 08:00-19:00 (Sat) 09:00 – 18:00 (Sun & Public Holidays)
Clicks Parklands Intercare – Shop 3 The Piazza Centre cnr Parklands Main Road & Link Road, Parklands (021 5561190) 08:00-20:00 (Mon-Fri) 08:00-18:00 (Sat) 08:00-16:00 (Sun)

Winelands

Die Boord Pharmacy – Safraan Avenue, Stellenbosch (021 8879400) 24h
Arcade Pharmacy – 122 Main Road, Somerset West (021 8517130) 24h

Let me know of other pharmacies that stay open till late…

Fun stuff:

Surf the web using Google Chrome browser
Picasa is the simplest way to edit photos and share it on the web
Post or watch videos on YouTube
Write your own blog using Blogger
Create your own web site
Keep up with what is happening on blogs you follow using Google Reader or iGoogle
Social networking site Orkut
Chat to friends and send/receive files using Google Talk
Read the latest news, see how different papers report the same story
Check up on your investments

Productivity enhancing tools:

Find that file you worked on last week using Google Desktop
Find information or pictures on any topic using Google search or see what people are blogging on the topic
Saw something that may be of interest on a forum but is in a foreign language, no problem, just ask Google to translate
Want to keep up to date on a topic or the competition with minimum effort, set up an alert and Google will let you know when new information becomes available.
Create and share letters, spreadsheets, presentations and store any file online at Google Docs
Create, modify and share 3D models
Find directions and maps (alternative is Google Earth)
Send and read email using Gmail (also go beyond Twitter with Google Buzz in Gmail)
Communicate and collaborate in real time using Google Wave
Create appointments, reminders, using Google Calendar
Join a group to discuss your hobby or interests
Teach your phone new tricks (voicemail, one number, voicemail transcription, international calling, record calls) with Google Voice

Software Engineers:

Just head over to Google Code for App Engine, Google Web Toolkit (GWT), Android and more

So no more excuses!

onehundredpushups
twohundredsitups
twohundredsquats
twentyfivepullups

Exercise, lose weight and feel great.

There are an abundance of free and paid podcasts and audiobooks available.

Here are some of my favourites:

Motivational

Zig Ziglar Inspiring Words of Encouragement

Daily Boost from Motivation to Move

Business / Entrepreneurship

Stanford University’s Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders lecture series

Collections

Open Culture – languages, business, law, travel, science, music etc

LearnOutLoud.com

BBC Podcasts

Personal Life Media

Audiobooks

Project Gutenberg

LibriVox

Storynory – free audio stories for children

Humour

Whackhead’s Window on the World

I spent a lot of time driving every day and was looking at ways of spending that time more productive. That prompted me to start looking for audiobooks and podcasts that I could listen to. I started off with just a FM modulator and a USB fash drive, but that did not work well as the FM modulator insisted on re-starting a track from the start after it was stopped. This is fine for music tracks, but when you are listening to an hour long talk, it meant that you can never reach the second half of the talk. Spending money on an Apple iPod solved that problem. Fortunately I had no problems getting the iPod to work with Ubuntu.

Go ahead and feed your brain during those times that just go to waste now.

The only reason I still have Windows is because my cheap webcam does not have a linux driver. I will admit that some Linux applications can be better, but the Linux advantages far outweigh the negatives.

I encourage you to give Ubuntu a try! Get a free cd or download the latest version. You can try Ubuntu by booting from the cd -  just a simple reboot and you are back in Windows (unaltered).

Here is a list of applications I regularly use with in brackets the Windows software equivalent.

Internet

• Firefox as a web browser. Eagerly awaiting Google Chrome for Linux. (Internet Explorer)
• Google web client with Offline (Google Gears) option enabled as email client (Outlook)
• Other email clients I have used in the past: Evolution Mail / Mozilla Thunderbird
• Skype
• gwitter as (basic) Twitter client. I prefer SocialOomph for posting messages.
• Empathy and Pidgin support most chat networks.

Office

• GnuCash Finance Management (Microsoft Money / Quicken)
• Open Office (Word / Excel / Powerpoint)
• Striata reader for bank statements

Photos and Graphics

• Google Picasa – The best software for basic photo editing. So easy to use! F-Spot Photo manager is an alternative if you really need one.
• Gimp – For advanced photo editing (Adobe Photoshop)

Sound and Video

• Avidemux and Handbrake (dvd transcoding / conversion)
• Rhytmbox music player with Apple iPod support. I like to press Ctrl L to see the lyrics of the current track (iTunes)
• gtkpod iPod Manager (iTunes)

Other

• Ubuntu One – 2GB of free personal storage space
• Sun Virtualbox – with a Windows XP virtual machine for when I need to run Linux and Windows at the same time.
• CrossOver for when you MUST have some Windows software
• NO virus checker to slow down your pc!

Where the Wild Things Are

A classic and favourite. Max gets up to mischief and gets sent to bed without supper. He then journeys to where the wild things are.

Room on the Broom

The witch gives a few animals a ride on her broom. After and accident the animals save the witch from a dragon.

Duck on a Bike

A story about a duck riding a bike past all the farmyard animals – beautifully illustrated!

The Cat in the Hat

Classic Dr Seuss

Green Eggs and Ham

If you ever struggled to get kids to eat something, you will find this hilarious.

The Gruffalo

Love the plot

The Snail and the Whale

Snail goes on a world tour

Little Princess

I want to be tall, tall, TALL

A great site for finding the best price is BookButler.

Movable assets (furniture, vehicles, clothes) can be moved into a trust by selling it to the trust or donating it to the trust. Moving property into a trust is however not that simple, as transfer duty and capital gains tax (CGT) is payable.

Lets look at an example.  I would like to move a property worth R600000 into an inter vivos (living) trust.

Transfer duty when buying in a trust

Using the ooba calculator the total costs for buying a R600k property in a trust are as follows:
Total bond costs: R 13 651.00
Total transfer costs: R 59 373
Grand total: R 73 024

The transfer duty for trusts is currently 8%, so R48 000 of the above R59 373 is transfer duty.

Lets now see how a usufruct can be used to save transfer duty when moving property into an inter vivos trust.

Transfer duty with a usufruct

In order to determine the transfer duty payable when you (usufructuary) moves the property into a trust (bare dominium holder), one must determine the value of the usufruct and bare dominium respectively.

First determine your age factor from Table A to the Regulations under the Estate Duty Act – Regulation: R1942 of 23 September 1977 – e.g. Male who will be 40 at his first birthday after the transaction = 8.04030

Usufruct value

Fair value of property x 12% x age factor = R600 000 x 12% x 8.04030 = R578 901.60
The 12% in the above-mentioned formula represents the yield prescribed by the Estate Duty Act 45 of 1955 and is used when the true yield (e.g. rental) is unknown.

Bare dominium value

Fair value of property – Usufruct value = R600000 – R578 901.60 = R21 098.40

In this case the seller (you) retains the usufruct, so transfer duty is levied on the value of the bare dominium that the purchaser (trust) acquires.
Transfer duty: 8% x R21 098.40 = R1687.87
Total saving: R48 000 – R1687.87 = R46 312.13

Capital Gains

Capital gain is equal to the amount by which the proceeds received or accrued in respect of that disposal exceed the base cost of that asset.

Proceeds of sale

Bare dominium value = R21 098.40.

My understanding is no CGT payable.

New base cost for trust

Bare dominium + expenditure directly related to the acquisition or disposal of that asset = R21 098.40 + transfer costs + bond costs etc.

The implication of this is that the trust will make a huge capital gain when it sells the property. So if the trust does not keep the property for a long time, the costs and tax implications may not make this worthwhile.

What is a usufruct?

What actually happens is that the title is separated into ownership and limited real rights (usufruct):
The property is owned by the bare dominium holder, who can do almost anything with the property (subject to the usufruct).
The other party (who has the usufruct) has the use of the property but may not sell the property. On his/her death the usufruct usually reverts back to the bare dominium holder who then regains full title.

Notes

• Transfer duty is payable on the higher of the following values:
  • the purchase amount payable
  • the declared value or
  • fair market value
• If you acquire fixed property on behalf of a trust before a trust is formed, it is seen as two transactions. In that case transfer duty is payable first in your own name and again on behalf of the trust.
• SARS allocates a term to the properties by using a formula. Should you sell the properties within that term, you will have to pay whatever transfer duty you saved on initially as well as the CGT applicable at the time of selling.
• Get professional advice.

References

SARS – Capital Gains Tax (CGT) – FAQs: Usufructs
INCOME TAX ACT NO. 58 OF 1962, Eighth Schedule

SARS allocates a term to the properties by using a formula. Should you sell the properties within that term, you will have to pay whatever transfer duty you saved on initially as well as the CGT applicable at the time of selling.

I would like to highlight a few of their questionable business practices. Questionable because I am not convinced that they are in clients’ best interests.

Minimum payments on credit cards

According to research by Dr Neil Stewart of the University of Warwick Psychology minimum payment information entices people to pay back 43% less in monthly payments. The clients therefore pays twice as much interest to the bank over the lifetime of the debt.

Wills

Must be the only legal document you can get drawn up for free – but discounts only apply if you nominate the bank as your executor. The reason for this is of course that executor fees are up to 3,5% plus VAT of the estate.

In many cases moving your assets to Inter Vivos trusts may be the correct thing to do – but then the bank will lose out on executor fees, so testamentary trusts are often suggested instead.

Fixed/Variable interest rates

When interest rates are expected to go down, banks start marketing fixed rate mortgages/bonds. The idea is of course to fix the interest rates you pay at the current rate, so you pay more than you would have paid when rates start moving downwards.

Qualifying criteria for Credit Cards

The more you earn, the “better” the card you can get. Often the only benefits these gold/platinum/titanium cards have is that the holder thinks whipping them out impresses the opposite sex or other shoppers.

As I was growing up I only knew about the big five beer brands from SAB (now SABMiller) – Castle, Amstel, Lion, Black Label, Hansa.
The introduction of Windhoek Lager in South Africa was a great thing and became the favourite for many a (discerning) beer drinker.

That still left us with lager, lager, lager and Castle Stout. Not a great selection compared to most countries.

I am glad to report that our beer choice has improved significantly from those dark days. We now have a much wider choice and I just love trying out all the local brews of the micro breweries.

No reason to stick with what the big “bad” SABMiller provides. Even though their selection has improved significantly, the beer from the micro breweries just goes down better. There is just no comparison between beer a micro brewery produces versus mass produced beer.

I therefore would like to encourage people to be a bit more daring. Next time you buy beer, try something different, something brewed locally by people with a real passion for what they do.

Here is a list of micro breweries in the Western Cape:
Birkenhead Brewery
Boston
Ferryman’s
Jack Black
Mitchell’s Knysna Brewery
Napier brewery
Old Cape Ale Brewing Company
Paulaner Brauhaus

Unlike WWE wrestling this is something you can try at home. Join a local brewing club and find out how:
The Wort Hog Brewers
SouthYeasters Home Brewers Club

There are two operators in the Western Cape – Wineland Ballooning in Paarl (summer months) and Oudtshoorn Ballooning.

When we first started discussing doing a ballooning trip, we had a few friends showing interest, but the high costs reduced the group. The reasons for the high costs are that the balloon and basket are imported from Europe and only lasts for a limited number of flights (about 300). A much higher internal temperature is required to fly in South Africa compared to colder countries, as it is the temperature difference between the inside and the outside of the balloon that determines the lift and the higher internal temperature adds to the wear and tear. The basket can also take a hammering if it is dragged on landing.

Ballooning is very weather dependent – no flight in the event of rain, strong wind or fog. As Oudtshoorn is situated in the Klein Karoo we thought not much chance of any of that happening.

As luck would have it, our trip coincided with the first big rains in seven years! No flight on our scheduled day (Sunday) due to rain and again no flight on Monday morning due to fog. What a disappointment. Since we were in Oudtshoorn (and were really enjoying our stay) we decided to extend the long weekend by another day in order to have another chance at flying. This paid off as we could then fly on Tuesday morning.

Before sunrise we met the ballooning operator and his support crew at a sports field in Oudtshoorn. We had coffee and tea while the crew were preparing the balloon for flight. This entails unpacking the balloon (envelope) from its surprisingly small bag, laying it out on the ground and connecting it to the basket and burner. A fan is then used to blow air into the envelope. When the envelope is partially inflated with the cold air the burner flame is aimed into the mouth heating the air inside.

When the balloon is fully inflated the passengers climb into the basket. The lift-off is so smooth one can hardly tell the exact moment when you become airborne. The flight is extremely quiet except for the occasional noise when the propane burners are firing and there is basically no wind as the balloon moves with the wind. It is quite a scary thought that the only way to steer a balloon is by ascending or descending into wind currents going into different directions.

Unfortunately there were some clouds on the horizon that spoilt the sunrise (or so we were told). As we left Oudtshoorn behind we could see some buck and rabbits running on the ground below us.

About an hour after take-off we had a surprisingly smooth landing next to the R62 and then enjoyed the traditional glass of sparkling wine while the retrieve crew were packing and loading the balloon. Legend has it that the tradition of having champagne originated as early French aeronauts carried champagne to appease frightened spectators at the landing site. In our case we certainly did not have any frightened spectators.

We drove back to Oudtshoorn, dropped everything off and then had a buffet breakfast at Kleinplaas restaurant.

Besides the two operators in the Western Cape mentioned earlier, there are also balloon trips in the Magaliesberg (near Johannesburg), Mpumalanga, the Drakensberg and Kwazulu Natal.

Fortunately these springs are all situated in or near places that have lots to offer visitors (besides hot water).

Avalon Springs Hotel & Spa Resort in Montagu
The Baths in Citrusdal
ATKV Goudini Spa in the Breë River valley near Rawsonville
Calitzdorp Spa
Warmwaterberg Spa on Route 62 between Barrydale and Ladismith.
The Caledon Spa (closed on Mondays – except on public holidays)

96 km
Worcester is home to the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden, which according to their website is “totally unique in that it is the only truly succulent garden in the southern hemisphere and on the African continent”. If you have lots of time, there is also Kleinplasie, a living open-air museum where you can see how people lived just over a century ago and the KWV house of brandy (see my earlier post).

From Worcester the road leads through the Robertson winelands. Besides the numerous wine farms another interesting place to visit is the succulent garden and maze at Soekershof.

200 km
The magnificent Cogman’s Kloof pass leads you to Montagu, which is a great place to spend a day or two. Montagu is most famous for its muscadel and natural hot water springs, but also offer beautiful walks, a botanical garden, lots of interesting shops to browse through and a good selection of restaurants.

266 km
The next town on the route is Barrydale. Barrydale has similar things to offer than Montagu, but appears more rustic and less commercialized. Highlights are potstill brandy at Barrydale Cellar, hot springs and for the kids – feeding the fish at the Blue Cow restaurant.

In the middle of nowhere you will find the landmark Ronnies Sex Shop that started off as Ronnies Shop and ended up as a pub after friends spiced up the name.

For those lucky ones not pressed for time, the little karoo mermaid trail around Amalienstein and Zoar promises to be an interesting experience.

342 km
Purchase some local cheese and home baked bread at the Parmalat shop in Ladismith.

392 km
Calitzdorp, the port wine capital of South Africa, is another town where one can spend a few days. Walk down historical Queen Street or visit (among others) the wine farms Boplaas and De Krans. If you don’t mind driving on a good gravel road, take one of the two roads towards Kruisrivier/Matjiesrivier to see the red stone hills. If you continue with the road past Matjiesrivier you will end up near the Cango Caves. The donkey trail from Calitzdorp to Die Hel sounds like an interesting hike.

480 km
Oudsthoorn offers so much that it deserves a separate post. Lets just mention Cango Caves, ostriches and Cango Wildlife Ranch as an appetizer.

Unfortunately I cannot comment on the rest of the route, but here are a list of towns with distances.

595 km
Uniondale

637 km
Misgund

671 km
Joubertina

714 km
Kareedouw

764 km
Humansdorp

854 km
Humansdorp to Port Elizabeth

Find more information on accommodation and attractions go to http://www.route62.co.za

After a visit to Montagu about 3 years ago, I became aware of a few brandy distilleries along the R62. As a beer / wine / whisky drinker, tasting brandy has never been a high priority, I however decided that visiting these distilleries may be a worthwhile experience.

Driving the R62 to Oudtshoorn recently, it was time to see what the Klein Karoo has to offer and do the inevitable tasting.

What a pleasant surprise to taste the pot still brandy at Barrydale Cellar! This is definitely on par with a decent single malt whisky.

I must admit to be just a little bit fascinated by pot still brandy and the fact that I never really knew that it was such a big thing.

So after a bit of research I was surprised at how many distilleries we have in the Western Cape.

I will attempt to list the distilleries roughly according to region.

Stellenbosch / Paarl / Franschoek

Oude Molen Brandy Museum in Stellenbosch (not a distillery)
Van Ryn with its working cooperage
Avontuur
Louiesenhof
Backsberg
Cabriere
Laborie (KWV Wine Emorium or KWV Brandy)
Nederburg
Uitkyk
Tokara

Overberg

Oude Molen (Grabouw)
Napier winery (Napier)

Worcester / Wellington / Robertson

KWV house of brandy in Worcester – the biggest brandy cellar of its kind in the world with 120 pot stills in use
Olof Bergh Solera Brandy Cellar can be found near Rawsonville
Oude Wellington
Upland
Nabygelegen private cellar
Savingnac de Versailles
Klipdrift brandy distillery (Robertson)

R62 / Klein Karoo

Barrydale wine and brandy cellar
Boplaas Family Vineyards
De Compagnie
Grundheim
Kango Wijnhuis
Mons Ruber
Rietrivier

Have a look at these links for more information about brandy routes:
Western Cape and R62 brandy routes
Wellington brandy route
R62 brandy route

If you are in Gauteng, the second GoodLife Fine Brandy Festival is on at the Sandton Sun hotel from 20 – 22 May 2009.

Another way to get to taste different brandies is to receive premium and estate brandies as a member of The Wine-of-the-month club’s Brandy Club.

5 cups fresh, whole, washed peppadews
About 150ml sugar
About 150ml grape vinegar
1 teaspoon coarse salt
5 – 10 cloves garlic
1/2 large onion, roughly chopped
“Liquid smoke” (optional)

Sterilize little bottles.
Place everything except liquid smoke in a food processor. Process finely.
Pour it all into a saucepan and bring to boil while stirring.
Boil until the sauce is reduced by about a third. It must not be too runny or too dry. Skim off foam if required.
When the chutney has reached the desired consistency, stir in 1 tablespoon “liquid smoke”.

Makes about 1.5 cups chutney.

Unfortunately I could not find “liquid smoke” in my local supermarket so had to make do without it. The end result makes a great accompaniment to pork, chicken, fish and potato wedges.

The chutney will improve with time, so let it stand for about two weeks.

If I make it again I will try to find “Liquid smoke” or maybe add some pineapple or mango.