The earthquake changed everything, but brought people together.
On the night of 29 September 1969 an earthquake, registering a magnitude of 6.3 on the Richter Scale, hit the small picturesque town of Tulbagh in the Western Cape, South Africa. In an area that is not prone to earthquakes, the ground shook, tore and left a prominent scar. A scar that was running unbroken through the town and leading right up to the church, where it stopped, leaving the worship building unharmed. A riveting introduction to Desmond and Vera Denton’s book, Torn Earth, left Saffa Mag eager to know more about the book and soon-to-be movie.
Coming to the USA may be easier than you think
Leon Versfeld is a native South African who focuses his practice on U.S. Immigration Law.
Tenacity moves Mountains
Ntaba African Safaris doesn’t just send you to Africa, it takes you there!
Kagga Kamma is an oasis on the edge of time
Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve is probably one of South Africa’s most unique and beautiful tourism gems, nestled in the Cederberg region of the Western Cape. It is a protected heritage and natural site and calls itself an oasis on the edge of time.
Christmas 2022: Did we love enough?
Christmas acts as a punctuation mark in our lives: It gives us a sense of structure. Traditionally, it is a time for sharing and enjoying time spent with loved ones. But beneath the overtly festive overtone, this season tends to expose the missing pieces in our lives. Inevitably, we give more thought to how we and society have changed and where we fit into all of this. By Dr Sulette Ferreira
Every dollar goes a long way
For those who left South Africa after 2015, the tragic story of the ‘Life Esidimeni’ scam is still etched in everyone’s memory. For those who already lived in the USA, the news of the brutal and inhumane deaths of 144 patients at psychiatric facilities in Gauteng, shocked the world.
As Lady Luck Would Have It – postscript
In the April edition of Saffamag, I related how Lady Luck has played a huge role in my life. Because of her, far more good things have happened in my life than I would have predicted when I graduated from Wits in 1971. And it seems that she still has an eye on me! By Stanley Trollip
Rhino trail a must when visiting the Kruger National Park
Ask Saffas in the USA about their favourite holiday destinations in South Africa and ninety percent of the time the Kruger National Park will feature. The smell of the bush, wild animals roaming freely, and a night spent next to the fire with a tjoppie on the braai, strike a chord.
The V Club – from Vergelegen Estate to Connecticut
Vergelen Estate, a wine estate situated on the slopes of the Hottentot Holland mountains in Somerset West, Cape Town is no ordinary estate.“Vergelegen” is a Dutch word meaning situated far away. Established in 1700, it was a 3 day ox-wagon trip from Cape Town. By Shireen Badat
Exploring emigration through art
As a researcher and therapist, I have the privilege of experiencing the world of emigration through the eyes of my clients. Everyone’s experience is unique. Emigrants venture into a new, unknown world, they leave the familiar to start afresh amid new cultures and environments. Some of my clients recall a profound sense of being emotionally uprooted, others fully seize the opportunities presented and continued to thrive. Yet, some experience both. By Sulette Ferreira