Last night’s episode 9 had little to do with Woolworths, it being odd to have chosen Johannesburg as a sustainable destination, but this was defined more broadly in terms of transportation and how it impacts on climate change.
The episode was different to others before, with most of the content shown in the first 20 minutes, with little advertising, and then one concentrated burst of commercials. Hayden met with Chef Citrum Khumalo of Asidle Gourmet Catering, the two of them cooking on top of the 22 storey Randlords building, to test Hayden’s fear of heights. Chef Citrum showed Hayden how to make a colourful Chakalaka, its vibrant colours reflecting the diversity of the population of Johannesburg. The chakalaka was to be served with mango atjar (pickled in Oriental spices), beetroot, free-range chicken, ostrich, boerewors, and dumplings. Chef Citrum made the chakalaka with onions, parsley, beetroot, garlic, onions, and stock, frying them at high heat, and then adding white wine. Amazi (sour milk) was added too, 
as was chili, mustard seed, carrots, celery, spinach, black and sugar beans, and tomato paste.
Chef Citrum told Hayden that one hasn’t experienced Johannesburg if one has not been to Soweto (a name created from its original name South Western Townships), the most densely populated area in South Africa, in which 2 million persons live. Orlando is the best known suburb, and it is here that the well-known Vilakazi Street can be found, with the houses of the late Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Hayden was shown around Soweto on bicycle by Lebo Malepa, who owns a backpackers in Soweto. He was shown restaurants and shebeens, as well as children playing soccer everywhere where there was some open space. He was taught a traditional handshake too.
Then it was off to Marlboro Station, to experience the Gautrain, Johannesburg’s contribution to climate change prevention, having relieved the pressure on travelling by car or taxi in Johannesburg, and from the city of gold to Pretoria, and to OR Tambo airport. He met with Reitumetse Molotsane from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Maseda Ratshikuni of the WWF-Nedbank Green Trust Management Committee. He was shown solar water heaters on the roofs of low-cost housing, and told that the buses run on biogas fuels.
Hayden’s day in Johannesburg ended off at the Swartkop Valley Primary School in Krugersdorp, where the school children are taught about vegetable gardening, sustainability, how to harvest rainwater, mulching, making liquid manure, and cooking with herbs, a project managed by Joanne Carty of EduPlant. Hayden showed the children how 
to make chicken and coleslaw rolls, adding yoghurt, mayonnaise and basil, which seemed to go down well. For this lunch preparation, Hayden donned a hairnet for the first time, clearly something the children have been taught, and needed to prevent his mop of hair landing in the food! To end off his Egoli day, Hayden played soccer with the boys at the school. ‘Laduma‘ being heard when a goal was scored!
The question remains: who is Hayden Quinn, and why was he selected by the production company on behalf of Woolworths to show us the beauty of our country, and its bounty of sustainable foods and wines? Hayden Quinn is an Australian surfer and former professional lifeguard, ‘WWF-SASSI ambassador’, a ‘cooker’ and by his own admission not a chef, and a 2011 MasterChef Australia top 3 Finalist.
We have also asked why Woolworths is not sharing its sponsorship of ‘Hayden Quinn: South Africa’ via marketing collateral in its stores. Episode 1 of ‘Hayden Quinn: South Africa’ focused on Cape Town, and made Capetonians proud of their city! Episode 2 was very disappointing and boring, focusing on Stellenbosch! Episode 3 was beautifully filmed in Paternoster, and was back on track. Episode 4 was filmed in Franschhoek, which creatively included Fairview into the village! Episode 5 was filmed in Elgin, Hermanus, and Stanford. Episode 6 was filmed in Knysna. Episode 7 was based in Oudtshoorn. Episode 8 was set in the steaming hot Karoo.
Hayden Quinn: South Africa, SABC3, Mondays 21h30 – 22h00. www.haydenquinnsouthafrica.com www.haydenquinn.com.au Twitter: @Hayden_Quinn @HaydenQuinnSA
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter:@WhaleCottage Facebook: click here
20
3070
27k
20