Innholdsfortegnelse for 12/24/2020 i You South Africa

DO YOU have a favourite Christmas song that instantly makes you feel happy? Maybe you should pause reading for a second and play it right now. The festive spirit feels in such short supply so blast it as loud as you can. I’m doing my best to find joy. After all, this is going to be a holiday like no other and it’s easy to focus on only the bad things that happened in 2020. It’s been horrific on so many levels and has broken so many people. Death, catastrophe, collapse, devastation . . . there are many strong words to describe this year that’s floored us. But there are others that are even stronger to describe what it’s brought out in us: hope, healing, strength, love. I’ve seen how…

Kate is a big fan of the festive season but she’s also all about giving back. Here are a few highlights from over the years. 2018 Kate stepped out in a festive tartan skirt for a celebration for military families at Kensington Palace with William in the run-up to Christmas. The event, in partnership with the Royal British Legion charity, saw the royals taking part in festive activities such as decorating snow globes, making crackers and throwing snowballs. 2016 Kate, William and Prince Harry were spotted attending a Christmas party in London for youth support service The Mix – a charity that offers confidential support to young people online. The duchess got into the festive spirit by wearing a red and green dress by French designer Vanessa Seward. 2019 The…

CHOCOLATE IRISH CREAM MOUSSE CAKE This recipe is best made a day ahead. SERVES 12-16 PREPARATION AND COOKING: 1 HOUR CHILLING: 6 HOURS OR OVERNIGHT 200g chocolate ripple biscuits 45g slivered almonds, roasted 100g butter, melted IRISH CREAM MOUSSE 200g milk chocolate, chopped 100g dark chocolate (70% cocoa), chopped 12,5ml (2½t) powdered gelatine 60ml (¼c) water 500ml (2c) thickened cream 4 eggs 75g castor sugar 60ml (¼c) Irish cream liqueur TO FINISH 200g dark chocolate drops gold and silver edible balls, and edible gold glitter 200g Ferrero Rocher chocolates Keep three bamboo skewers handy. Grease a 20cm springform pan; line the base with baking paper, with the paper extending 3cm above the sides. 1 Pulse the biscuits in a food processor until some small chunks remain. Transfer to a medium…

A LABOUR OF LOVE All you need to create this lovely tree is a blank wall, some festive décor and pretty odds and ends. Draw the outline of the tree in pencil against the wall, then fill in with your items. Finish off the tree with a statement piece on top. IN THE GARDEN Add festive touches to any tree (or trees) in your garden. A decorated tree or bush at a front door entrance would be especially welcoming and you can do the same with a few large indoor plants. POTTY ABOUT POTS We love this outdoor festive tree feature using rows of potted succulents against a rustic fence. The bench below it finishes off the focal point and would make a perfect spot for setting out gifts. ROLL…

PEOPLE often make the mistake of thinking that once they’ve taken out cover they need never worry about insurance again. But this approach can end up costing you money and leave you open to all kinds of risk. We take a look at how basic short and long-term insurance needs (excluding medical insurance) differ throughout your life and where it’s possible to save. Whatever your age or income, you should always ask yourself what assets you want to protect, says Fifi Mompati, head of Brokers and Alternative Distribution at Liberty. Asking this question can save you from buying the wrong or unnecessary cover. At every life stage you need to ask yourself this again, because your circumstances will probably have changed. The examples below are for illustration purposes – products…

IS IT LUNCHTIME? Start your school and work year with the stylish and versatile range of Quest lunch coolers. Made from top quality materials, these coolers make a statement and you’ll be the envy of your classmates and colleagues. Lined with PEVA and padded with 6mm insulating foam, the Quest lunch coolers are designed to keep your cold food cold and your warm food warm. Winning! Prices range from R129 to R299. Visit makro.co.za. DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE WORMS? It may be time to deworm your family! Did you know one in two children in South Africa may have an intestinal worm infestation? It’s important for family members to be dewormed – and Wormstop is an affordable, trusted choice. It’s effective against the most common worm types, with easy dosing…

■ Goldie and Kurt last worked together in the 1987 comedy Overboard. “I thought we’d work together much sooner than this, but Goldie and I are pretty choosy. And generally, Goldie Hawn movies and movies that Kurt Russell are in are pretty different things,” Kurt explains. ■ Mr and Mrs Claus speak to the elves in Yulish, an elvish language that was created just for the film. “There’s a guy who writes it out phonetically and then you read it. We have no idea what we’re saying!” Kurt says. ■ The family’s annual Christmas tradition is reading The Night Before Christmas at their ranch in Colorado. “We turn all the lights down, and all the children are just perched, and we listen by the fire,” grandma Goldie says.…

MUSICAL CHRISTMAS ON THE SQUARE This fantasy film offers a new twist on Charles Dickens’ novel A Christmas Carol and the classic festive season movie It’s a Wonderful Life (1946). Miserly businesswoman Regina Fuller (The Good Fight’s Christine Baranski) returns to her hometown after her father’s death to evict the locals by Christmas Eve and sell the land to a mall developer. But thanks to the intervention of an angel (Dolly Parton), Regina’s ice-cold heart starts to melt, giving her the opportunity to reconnect with an old flame. With 14 songs by Parton, this sweet, heart-warming movie is the ideal antidote to 2020’s gloom and doom. STREAMING ON NETFLIX ACTION COMEDY FATMAN If you’re looking for a different take on the holidays, try this dark comedy starring Mel Gibson as…

AT HER age most kids have no clue what they want to do for a living – but then most kids aren’t Isabella Alexandras. She’s only 10 but she already has a list of achievements longer than her arm and a head full of ambition. Top of her list? Becoming the best actress in the world and winning an Oscar. For now though, she’s tackling the modelling world – and tackling it with a vengeance. In February, before the Covid-19 shutters clanged down on the globe, she walked in Paris Fashion Week, becoming the first kid to open a major show this year. In July, when Covid-19 restrictions had eased somewhat, she flew to Dusseldorf, Germany, to shoot the DKNY Spring Summer 2021 catalogue. Last year she appeared in London…

A TRIBUTE TO A GREAT FAMILY MAN DAD, we want to say thank you for being the person you are. You’re the ultimate role model to your entire family. You’ve always been kind, generous and eager to help others especially the less privileged. You are an excellent community leader, always putting others first. Your regular visits to the sick and elderly are examples of the type of man you are. Even today, as you celebrate your 90th birthday, you’re always thinking of others and still as generous as ever. You’ve certainly set a high standard for your loved ones to follow. You’re a go-getter, a hard worker and a true provider; someone who takes pride in fulfilling his duties and looking after his family. Your accomplishments in business and in…

The need for social distancing may have changed the way we get together, but it shouldn’t force us to take a step back on flavour or fun. YOU Let’s Celebrate is filled with great ideas for making any gathering special and safe. It includes menus for an outdoor lunch, high tea, a fancy braai, a sophisticated dinner and more. There are also cocktail recipes and advice on table-setting and entertaining on a budget. Get a digital version on magzter.com, or order a copy at youstore.co.za or from Johan Terblanche on 021-406-4962 or johan.terblanche@media24.com and have it delivered.…

During their train trip Kate and Wills admitted they were still unsure of what to do for the holidays. “It’s so difficult. We’re still trying to make plans,” William told students in Cardiff, Wales. “It’s hard to know what to do and what would be best.” However, it’s widely believed the family will head to Kate’s parents in Bucklebury, Berkshire. The Cambridges haven’t celebrated with Mike and Carole Middleton since 2016 so a visit “would indeed be special”, a family source says. Carole is a big fan of Christmas. In a recent Instagram post for her company, Party Pieces, the 65-year-old shared an adorable Christmas Eve kit for children. “Christmas Eve has always been a special occasion for my family,” she wrote. “Children get sweetly excited by the idea that…

Dresses WOVEN IN WHITE Brown and white are a great colour match. Pair woven accessories with a white maxi dress for a relaxed combo and add a pop of colour with a printed scarf. BOLD RED Make a festive statement in a fab red summer dress and match it with snake print and soft tonal accessories for a bold mix of colour and print. LOVELY LAVENDER Lavender is this season’ s must-hav e colour. Style it with nude and spark ly accessories f or a glam-pop look. Skirts CLASSIC BLACK & WHITE This a timeless trend. Give the classic colour combo a fresh twist by pairing a graphic printed black-and-white skirt with a sheer blouse for a playful, yet sophisticated look. PEARLY PRINCESS Pearls are versatile and great for layering…

CAPRICORN 21 DECEMBER –20 JANUARY Don’t risk ruining your reputation  If you wanted to, you could find love in all sorts of interesting places, but the question remains whether it’s legitimate or not. Something that you’d normally not be prepared to risk, is your impeccable reputation. Be careful of how you enjoy those office parties as you wouldn’t want to lose your inhibitions. In addition, you have a bit of a sparkle and effervescence at present, which could be most attractive and alluring. YOUR LUCKY NUMBERS 20, 24, 29, 28, 31, 13 AQUARIUS 21 JAN – 18 FEB You might feel let down by a friend and to an Aquarius, that might be one of the worst things possible. If this also involves a sum of money, it would certainly…

THURSDAY ■ AMAZING RACER ★★★ 2009, 92 min, PG, e.tv, 06:00. Drama. A 17-year-old girl tries to deal with the death of her father by caring for a horse and getting to know her estranged mom, whom her dad told her was dead. Claire Forlani. ■ ADVENTURES ON GRIZZLY MOUNTAIN ★★★ 2009, 90 min, PG, e.tv, 08:00. Adventure. Two siblings must protect a prized newborn colt on their father’s ranch from horse thieves. Dalin Christiansen, David Stevens. ■ THE ANIMAL ★★ 2001, 84 min, PG13, e.tv, 10:30. Sci-fi comedy. After receiving organ transplants from various animals, a man starts to behave like them. Rob Schneider. ■ SANTA’S LITTLE HELPER ★★ 2015, 91 min, PG, e.tv, 12:15. Fantasy comedy. After getting fired, a smooth-talking businessman finds himself entered into a competition…

6 NEW HOLIDAY ALBUMS A HOLLY DOLLY CHRISTMAS DOLLY PARTON  The biggest gift the country star gave the world this year was her hefty cash donation towards the promising Moderna Covid-19 vaccination, and she spoilt us by following it with another prezzie: this album. Her first holiday album in 30 years, it includes duets with such famous pals as Michael Buble, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jimmy Fallon, Willie Nelson and Miley Cyrus. MERRY CHRISTMAS MARIAH CAREY  The diva is re-releasing her iconic Christmas album, now with a new version of Oh Santa! featuring Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson. NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL CHRISTMAS VARIOUS  This 70-track album has everyone from Carrie Underwood to the Jonas Brothers to Celtic Woman, Ariana Grande and Gwen Stefani. A VERY TRAINOR CHRISTMAS MEGHAN TRAINOR…

LAURA woke on Christmas morning with a heavy heart. She used to love Christmas and would plan for weeks in advance. Preparations would begin in October with the baking of the cake. Adam used to help her back then. He’d offer to stir, and he loved breaking eggs in the bowl. Once the cake was baked there were lists to be made. Phone calls would be made to her mom and dad, inviting them over. “Only if you’re sure it’s not too much trouble,” her mom would say. “You’ve got Adam to look after, remember.” As if Laura could forget her own son. “It’s never too much trouble, Mom. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without you and Dad. We’re all looking forward to seeing you.” Adam would help Laura to get…

SOUTH African researchers recently made an exciting discovery: a lizard that pollinates flowers. This is a first for Africa and also a rare occurrence in the rest of the world. Usually, bees, birds or butterflies are responsible for pollination. Researchers have long thought that the Guthriea capensis plant, which is commonly found in the Drakensberg, is pollinated another way. Unlike other plants that are pollinated the usual way, this plant’s flowers aren’t brightly coloured – which would usually attract birds, bees or butterflies. Instead, the flowers are green and are hidden close to the ground. Scientists speculated the plant might be one of a handful of species that are pollinated by small nocturnal animals such as mice. To confirm this, they set up motion-sensor cameras at night near the flowers,…

1〉 Which famous Argentine soccer player died of a heart attack in November? 2〉 On which side of the road do motorists in Britain drive? 3〉 In which city is this landmark, the Petronas Towers? 4〉 Which American rapper was a candidate in this year’s US presidential election? 5〉 In which South African province is the Marakele National Park? SOURCES: BBC.COM, THEGUARDIAN.COM, WIKIPEDIA.ORG, GOODTHINGSGUY.COM, SCIENCEALERT.COM, COLLINSDICTIONARY. COM, EDITION.CNN.COM, CAPETALK.CO.ZA…

AS A young girl, she dreamt of opening gifts under the Christmas tree with a little girl of her own. Becoming a mother was all she really wanted and when she became pregnant, she’d already picked out a name for the child growing inside her. Yet there are no presents under the tree for the baby girl Melissa Dyer (38) named Jenna-May. She won’t get to sing carols for her daughter or cook her favourite dish. Jenna-May died tragically when Melissa was shot in her stomach 14 years ago in a crime that made headlines and created widespread shock. The baby’s father, David Best, hired a hitman to shoot Melissa in a staged hijacking just a few days before she was due to give birth. Melissa’s life fell apart but…

SHE spent last Christmas curled up on the couch of her rural home with her mom and sister watching her favourite festive film – but things are rather different for Shudufhadzo Musida this year. She’s Miss South Africa now and that means home these days is a swanky penthouse in Central Square, Sandton. The beauty queen is planning to dish up a family feast with all the trimmings in her new pad above the treetops of this northern Johannesburg suburb. Her mother, Thandi Musida (42), loves a good roast so Shudufhadzo will rise before the crack of dawn to get started on lamb shank, roast chicken “and all the other salads and goodies”, she says. As it’s her first Christmas in her own apartment, she’s going all out to make…

I wanted to express my thanks for your puzzle publications, which have been a huge factor seeing me through this difficult period. None of us has had it easy, and mental health is an important factor. The importance of having something to do which is fun as well as challenging cannot be underestimated. So please take this email as a huge compliment. Stay safe, keep well and all good wishes to you. CHRISTINE KUCH, EMAIL Dress fashions go in circles. When I saw JLo’s photo accepting her icon award in a “pouf ” design dress I recalled sketching the same style on a ramp model when I was 17. I’m now 77. I was paid the princely sum of 15 shillings for my sketch. FERN, SMS Our dreams should not…

IN HIS time in the White House, Barack Obama faced many trials and tribulations, dealt with crises and catastrophes and by the time his second term was over, he had far more grey than black in his hair But being president of the United States wasn’t all about work. In this extract from A Promised Land, Obama’s acclaimed new best-selling memoir, he talks about the other side of his presidency: how it affected his private life, his children and his beloved wife. Coaching baseball, playing pool, laughing with the kids – all characterised his time in office. And he also quit smoking. FACED with the prospect of lying to my daughter or setting a bad example, I called the White House doctor and asked him to send me a box…

‘I was visiting my friend’s farm and I thought he was cute’ IF EVER the world needed a cute cat to cheer us up, it’s now. And if the online reaction to this little guy is any indication, everyone’s making a beeline for this feline. It’s easy to see why. Rex the cat has won over a legion of fans after demonstrating how he walks without his front paws. He can scramble down stairs and climb off chairs – although he has to do it bum first so he doesn’t lose his balance. Rex has only nubs where his front paws should be after losing them and a bit of his tail five years ago. He was due to be adopted by his current Canadian owners, who prefer to remain…

HOW DO I GET MY LIFE BACK ON TRACK? Q I’m afraid to leave the house after being housebound for so long. When my friends invite me for a visit to their homes I decline, even if I know there’ll only be four people present. I can’t get Covid-19 out of my head and I’m frightened of getting it even though I have a good immune system and never get ill. I’m in my mid-thirties so I’m still young enough to not be in the vulnerable group. I used to be very sociable and enjoyed visiting friends and going out for dinner, so I don’t understand what’s wrong with me now. I didn’t think much about dying before lockdown, but now I’m obsessed with it. How can I get my…

GET YOUR GUESTS DANCING . . . 1 JERUSALEMA (FT NOMCEBO ZIKODE) Master KG 2 DANCE MONKEY Tones and I 3 DON’T START NOW Dua Lipa 4 BLINDING LIGHTS The Weeknd 5 WATERMELON SUGAR Harry Styles 6 TOOSIE SLIDE Drake 7 SAVAGE LOVE Jason Derulo 8 SAYSO Doja Cat 9 RAIN ON ME Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande 10 THE BOX Roddy Ricch + ■ HOLIDAY Lil Nas X ■ DYNAMITE BTS ■ LIFE IS GOOD (FT DRAKE) Future ■ POSITIONS Ariana Grande ■ THEREFORE I AM Billie Eilish ■ ROCKSTAR (FT RODDY RICCH) DaBaby ■ LAUGH NOW CRY LATER (FT LIL DURK) Drake ■ LEVITATING (FT DABABY) Dua Lipa ■ WHAT THAT SPEED BOUT!? Mike WiLL ■ MADE-IT, Nicki Minaj & YoungBoy Never Broke Again ■ COME & GO…

DARE TO BE YOU By MATTHEW SYED Wren & Rook Childhood isn’t for sissies. From exams that your parents expect you to ace to always feeling judged by your classmates about your looks, who you’re friends with and what you’re wearing. The aim of this book by the award-winning author of You are Awesome is to challenge kids to worry less about what other people think and develop the confidence and emotional resilience to just be themselves. RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT! Ripley Publishing Here’s one way to get your kids off their cellphones. Find out about the man who drove a lawnmower across Britain, the woman who is so strong she can crush apples with her biceps and the two childhood besties who are making art with their beards.…

HOWTOSAYIT: pal-ee-on-tol-uh-jist A palaeontologist is a specialised geologist (someone who studies Earth’s physical structure and substances, the history of rocks, the processes that act on them and the most economical way to use the world’s resources). Palaeontologists specifically study fossils found in the planet’s surface and in this way establish what plants and animals looked like millions of years ago and how they survived. BY THE NUMBERS 227 The distance in kilometres South African Quinton Rutherford (ABOVE) rowed in November to set a new Guinness World Record. It’s the longest distance rowed at sea in 24 hours. Quinton set off from Cape Vidal, which is near St Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal, and rowed all the way to Thompson’s Bay in Ballito, KZN. The previous record, by New Zealander Tim Taylor,…

1 Which R&B singer confessed that he’d had an extra-marital affair with Jada Pinkett Smith? 2 Johnny Depp lost his role in the Fantastic Beasts franchise to which actor? 3 Match the celeb couple to the name of their new baby. 4 What is the catchphrase that Ellen DeGeneres famously uses on her talk show? 5 On which TV show did the late actress Naya Rivera play cheerleader Santana Lopez? 6 This veteran actress became the oldest woman ever to be on Vogue magazine when she graced British Vogue’s cover in June. 7 What was the name of Kanye West’s unsuccessful 2020 US presidential campaign? 8 Match the celeb to the name of their makeup line. 9 When they first relocated to the US Meghan and Harry lived in the…