Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*  Thirteen venues linked to the late Nelson Mandela  in Johannesburg and Pretoria are paying homage to the great leader.  They include his house in Alexandra; his house in Soweto; Nelson Mandela Bridge; the Nelson Mandela statue in Nelson Mandela Square; the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory; Liliesleaf Farm; Constitution Hill; the Apartheid Museum; Freedom Park in Pretoria; the Union Buildings; the Workers’ Museum; the Palace of Justice in Church Square, and Chancellor House.

*   The Sydney Morning Herald lists 20 reasons to visit Cape Town today, clearly out of date as it recommends seeing whales from land (they have left for the Antarctic already), and there is no reference to Nelson Mandela’s passing!  It oddly refers to the longest wine route in the world between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth (the latter city is not associated with wines), and referring to indigenous fynbos as ‘native flowers’ is a ‘lost in translation’ reference!   It does highlight Clifton and Camps Bay as top beaches. The writer received information from SA Tourism, which makes the incorrect information unforgivable.

*   In the twenty years since the late Mr Mandela’s release and subsequent Presidency of the country tourist arrivals grew by 10 million!

*   Announced prior to the passing of Madiba, SAA and SA Tourism shared plans to tie in with the release of the movie ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom‘ in the United Kingdom, to promote our country as a tourism destination.

*   An American publication recommends three South African wines out of twelve for the holiday period: Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut Cap Classique 2011, Rust en Vrede Shiraz 2011, and Clos Malverne Cabernet Sauvignon 2011.

*   Madiba Restaurant has become a meeting ground to express one’s grief at the passing of Madiba in New York City.

*   Edgebaston Honey Shale Hill 2013, a Sauvignon Blanc dominant blend,  is praised by an Anchorage newspaper.

*   The South African Chefs Academy has celebrated its 10th anniversary with a new logo, which incorporates creativity and professionalism, and retains its pay-off line ‘For Chefs, By Chefs’.  Its list of past students includes Test Kitchen Head Chef Ivor Jones, The Creamery owner Kate Schrire, and Cavalli Estate Executive Chef Henrico Grobbelaar.  (received via media release from Manley Communications)

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: WhaleCottage

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