Attending Umbono pitches

Google's incubator in Cape Town is called Umbono. I attended the pitches of a number of start-ups this week. I was very impressed with a number of the teams (amongst others; Perk, Twitary, Frayme and Betya). I felt very proud of Africa to see the world-class ideas, execution and presentations.

Lamb and Cab

As I entered the house from the garage, I smelled the roast in the kitchen. Annelie prepared a leg of lamb - one of my favourites. I figured it called for a great Cab; so I opened a 2002 Bloemendal to enjoy with the feast.

Nina and her dad

Ernst, Catherine and their kids joined us for Sunday-lunch. It was great to also host Quintus and Rielle. But it was Nina (Ernst's youngest), dressed in pink, with her big, attentive eyes that stole the show.

Magdalena Huis function

We attended a Magdalena Huis function with friends on Saturday. A great dinner was served, live music was made and during the auction more than a quarter million was raised for this worthy cause. (Magdalena Huis supports women with unwanted pregnancies.)

Winter Morning Sun

There is something special about a crisp morning sun in the winter. It is as if it is clearer and brighter, it is as if it unlocks fresh aromas from the wet earth, it is as if the birds sing with more gusto. It feels like a new beginning.

Picture of Madiba

As I drove to my first meeting of the day, I listened to Radio 702 and many inserts on Madiba's 94 birthday. I could not help thinking of him. As I walk into the building I saw this special painting of the great man. Synchronicity?

Performance at Dorpstraat

We listened to Piet van Wyk de Vries singing at the Dorpstraat Theatre with Charl and Ann. It was clear that he is one of the best Afrikaans song writers and he can perform them well too, but he can definitely do with some help in the production management department.

RwandAir plane

There was a time not too long ago that foreigners were advised not to travel on African carriers. It was clearly not the case when I got onto RwandAir brand new 737 at Kigali en route to Entebbe. With leather seats in economy, professional service and good in-flight service; it was as good as the best.

Dar-es-Salaam hotel view

As I waited for the lift at the hotel Serena Dar-es-Salaam before check-out, I could see the Indian ocean in a distance. On the horizon, I could even make out a little island. One should not rush into these places to attend meetings only.

East Africa Office

I visited the Nairobi office and met the team. I was struck by the beautiful lay-out of the new offices in a commercial park, just outside the city centre. I experienced people clearly motivated and with a lot of energy. We are in good shape.

View of Kilimanjaro

Flew past the great mountain (Kilimanjaro) on my way to Nairobi. The snow-capped peak was kind of eerie in the late-afternoon sun just pushing through the clouds covering the rest of the world.

Shoe-shine at Cape Town International

I make a point to get my shoes cleaned at Lero's inside departures at the airport. Good service at a good price delivered with a smile. This morning served by Peter that had to leave home at 04:00 to be in time for the first travellers.

Pruned the vineyard

I used the sunny afternoon to prune the vineyard. Pruning is an important activity to prepare the vines for the new harvest. I enjoyed seeing how I was able to form the young vines into a structure with potential of the future.

Cab tasting morning

The morning started wet with scattered showers. We decided to go hunting for the best Cabernets that we could find. During the morning we tasted the newly released (2009) Kanonkop (clearly a masterpiece), the old-time favourite Carlonet from Uitkyk and "discovered" an excellent example of the famous Bordeaux cultivar at DeMeye. All in all a morning well spent.

Drive to work

Amore's "dis lekker by die see" is playing on the radio, the 3 litre turbo diesel is purring happily and the sun just broke through the early morning rain clouds. I am on the R300 on my way to work. Small little things that can make your heart feel warm.

Moonlight on Meerlust dam

I noticed the moon's reflection on the Meerlust dam in front of the house tonight. The cool night air, almost no wind and the cars passing by on the R310 painted a picture full of emotion that I had difficulty capturing on digital media.

La Colombe magic

La Colombe Restaurant on Constantia Uitsig is constantly rated as one of the best restaurants in the world (often amongst the top twenty). We enjoyed a four hour, six course and multiple bottles of wine lunch with Bryan and Zi there and can vouch for the many accolades.

Wet and cold morning

A light rain is driven by a westerly wind. The sun is up, but not visible behind an overcast sky. It is early morning and I am on my way to gym. It is as if the Cape is welcoming me back with a lot of personality.

Ghange revolving restaurant

At the end of the Change Alley in Singapore, next to the Fullerton hotel, is a strange structure. It looks like a giant mushroom, but is a revolving restaurant where I had dinner with my Visa colleagues on Monday. The seven course dinner was an impressive exhibition of Chinese cuisine delivered in a modern fusion interpretation. We had an Australian GMS and I must rate this eating experience as the best ever in Singapore. As Gerald put it: "a revolving restaurant without revolting food".

Dinner in Singapore

I had dinner with a few of my new colleagues in Singapore tonight: good Australian lamb chops with an Argentinian Merlot in the company of two Americans, a Brit and a Pakistani living in Dubai. I felt quite ordinary: a South African, living in South Africa with a preference for Karoo lamb and local Stellenbosch wines.

Arden three year birthday party

Arden elected to have a bike race theme birthday party for his third birthday. It was brilliant to see screaming kids go round-and-round a race-track improvised for the day. The English language does not have a suitable translation for "ou-gat" which I think is the best description for Arden and his friends on the day.

Lunch with my best friend

I had lunch with Annelie at Overture for her birthday. We enjoyed the five course set menu with wine pairing and realised why this restaurant consistently wins accolades. What made the time really special was that I was scheduled to be away on business, but missed my plane. The embarrassment of missing important meetings was countered by the fact that me and Annelie had a special (unplanned) time together.

Arriving in Cape Town

The aircraft starts long final for runway 19 as the late afternoon sun reflects off the Plattekloof houses. A minute before touch-down... we are back home.

Delayed in Dubai

We boarded EK772 to Cape Town on time. The doors even closed and taxi started five minutes early. But then the pilot saw a malfunctioning sensor on the undercarriage and after an investigation Emirates decided to withdraw the plane. We have now disembarked, finished our breakfast on terra firma and are busy contemplating if we will be in time to see the Springboks live in Cape Town.

On the way to SF airport

We were picked up at the Palace by Emirates chauffeur-driven Town-car and driven on the now familiar route to the airport. This is in a way bitter-sweet; leaving friends and interesting business topics behind, but looking forward to be home.

Sunset dinner at Pier 39

Me and Annelie had dinner at Swiss Louis on Pier 39. We enjoyed an average chowder, a so-so pasta and seafood washed down with wine that I would not like to name. While the setting will remain special, it once again proved that one should generally steer away from tourist eateries.

Twin Stormer support

We had an awesome dinner at Bill's home in Hillsborough on Sunday. We had a slow-roasted beef-rib and pasta with amazing old California reds. For me, however, the highlight of the visit was when we were greeted by Bill and Jo's two-year old twins both proudly dressed in Stormers jerseys.

Izak graduation from MIT

We listened with a lot of gratefulness as Izak's full names was read out at this morning's graduation. He attained a masters in engineering from the school of logistics at MIT in Boston. His time spent studying at this great academic institution definitely made a mark on my son. I was impressed with how comfortable he was in the presence of his piers and professors. I sensed a new-found confidence and sense of purpose that will help him in his career in the future.

Clean shaved

During the past ten days I grew a beard (much more grey than I would have liked). This morning I shaved it off for Izak's graduation. I think clean-shaven works better for me.

Akademika B&B

We stayed at a B&B close to the University of Illinois campus in Urbana. We were the only clients during our stay and enjoyed the silence of the suburbs, but it was the owner, Gloria's, cooking for breakfast that we will remember.

The death of the last Centuar

Samuel Allerton was a self-made millionaire from Chicago - one of the wealthiest people of the 1800's. His only heir, Robert, was a sensitive boy with a keen appreciation for art. He utilised the family wealth wisely to create an enduring legacy through art (including numerous gifts to the Chicago art museum). We visited the Allerton farm close to Urbana and was blown away by the art exhibited in garden settings as well as inside the unspoiled forest. We closed off the day with a visit to "the death of the last Centaur". A bronze statue outside in the forest. It was an experience in poignant beauty, exclaiming the futile search for human worth.

Old and new

While enjoying brunch at a running friend of Julia, I saw this great example of old working in harmony with new; a new iPod connected to a solid state amplifier (c early 1970's). For me it was symbolic of a new, modern world that can still accommodate the old, stylish past.

Fellowship in Urbana

We attended Sunday morning worship with friends of Julia's at a local church. It was great to have communion with strangers, but brothers and sisters in Christ.

Orange-infused Wolftrap

We had dinner at friends of Julia (Izak's girlfriend) on Friday in Urbana (Illinois). We met wonderful people; with great families and visible friendships. It was also gratifying to see some openly witness their relationship with God. Many of them were quite knowledgeable about South Africa. This was demonstrated in some way when we were served an attractive blend of Boekenhoutskloof Wolftrap, infused with orange peel and topped up with Vodka. We enjoyed this with delicious chocolate cake.

Visit to Lucas Oil Stadium

The Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis hosted the XLVI Super Bowl this year. It is a brand-new and well-designed stadium and serves as the home of the Colts in the NFL. We joined a tour of the facilities and committed that we would attempt to see a live game here in the not too distant future.

Attending the Indy500

The Indy500 is a very special sporting event. This is a motor race that has been run on the same track since 1909. It is said that this is the biggest spectator event in the world; with an attendance of more than 350 000, this is probably true. Me, Annelie and Izak joined the crowds to watch the warmest race ever (with temperatures in the thirties); to see the lead change thirty-four times and see Dario Franchetti win his third Indy500. It was a special occasion with many memories created.

Annelie hugging her son

We arrived after 37 hours of travel at Indianapolis airport. Izak was easily spotted wearing a DHL Stormers jersey and it was with a lot of thanks in our heart that we hugged our son.

Boarding for Indianapolis

Boarding EK773 in Cape Town International. Me and Annelie just started a 30 hour journey to see our son, Izak, in Indianapolis. We look forward to see him on Saturday.

Meeting in the sun

We have such nice working environment here at Fundamo. I realised it again when I walked past the rest area on the second floor to see Robert and Alan relaxing in the sun with a cup of coffee. A good work environment is definitely conducive to delivering great solutions.

Marine-style haircut

I had my regular haircut this morning. As I sat down in the chair, I thought: "why not?" and asked for short-back-and-sides. I now look like a serious marine in civilian clothes.

Not afraid of the thunder

"Oupa, ek is so groot nou dat ek nie eers bang is vir donnerwheer nie!" was Arden's greeting when the car stopped in the driveway today. It is so special to hear him express himself. I am told that he recently said "give that man a Bells!". I almost felt like pouring him a drink.

Brand new Atlanta terminal

The new international terminal opened two days ago (terminal F). I am leaving on DL200 for Johannesburg at gate F02 and I am worried that they would loose my luggage. (That usually happens at new terminals; doesn't it?). The lounge is bright and still smell like paint and new fabrics and a glass of red wine sells for under $10.

Steve and Elise

I met my cousin Elise (whom I have not seen for 35 years) and her husband, Steve, in Orlando; while attending the Visa Payments Forum. It was great to hear how passionately she talks about her missionary work into Africa and India. I realised how important it is to stay in touch with family, especially in the globally connected world that we now live in.

Rainy Orlando

Wake up this morning and heard the rain. The day was dark and the funrides in the distance was wrapped in shadows. Then the sun broke through and reflected off the pools in the parking area.

Looking the crane driver in the eye

I stayed on the 9th floor at the Radisson Blue Gautrain Sandton to attend a workshop. When I opened the curtains in the morning an occupied crane on the building site next door was on the same level as me.

Back home for a day

The sun was particularly bright today and the mountains bright. I could smell the sea and the next morning the dawn was specially beautiful on the scattered clouds. Maybe I appreciate the Cape more given that I am here less frequent.

Positive experience about Africa

I attended the African World Economic Forum in Addis Ababa and met some amazing African leaders. The discussions were extremely stimulating and while I recognise that we have lots of problems on the continent, I came away with such a positive spirit. Given a world that is stumbling on so many aspects, Africa is full of promise.

Country Sixty

I arrived in Addis Ababa in overcast weather with intermittent rain for the Africa session of the WEF. This is the sixtieth country that I have now visited. I have not yet had time to explore, but initial impressions of Addis is a city built on a rich heritage.

Spot of sunshine

There is a special beauty when the sunlight breaks through an overcast sky. We experienced this as we drove to the Strand in the late afternoon, and just one patch was bathed in glorious sunlight on the Helderberg foot.

Raining on the way to work

Driving to work in the rain this morning was quite enjoyable. The key was to take it easy and not rush to work. I enjoyed the sound of the wipers, the reflection of light on the wet tarmac and the sweeping clouds. The journey to work was seven minutes longer, but filled my life with more memories.