The Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens nestled against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain are world renowned for the breathtaking views, diverse Cape flora and bird life. Toward the end of October an eager anticipation lurks in the air as the line-up of featured musicians to play at the Summer Sunset Concerts is released.

This coming season launching on Sunday November 25, 2012 through until April 7, 2013 brings with it music that transcends all ages and genres. The line-up of local and international musical talent is phenomenal this year. Bring your picnic, your family and friends and enjoy the open-air amphitheatre's atmosphere and music on the slopes of Table Mountain.

The season will open with UK-based star Daniel Bedingfield's pop wizardry and continue on Sundays with artists from classical to blues-rock, jazz, R&B, and folk.  Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, Mango Groove, Prime Circle, Yoav and Tailor, Arno Carstens, The Parlotones, Jimmy Dludlu, Freshly Ground, Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Johnny Clegg, the list goes on and on....

The Old Mutual Summer Sunset Concerts take place at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on Sundays from 17h30 – 19h00.  Gates open at 16h00.

Go to http://dogreatthings.co.za/music/kirstenbosch/ or ask ROAR AFRICA for more information.

On any trip one takes one is bound to return with a little something….a memento to bring back the memories of those dreamy days away from the daily grind. Today I wasn’t on a trip…just a little jaunt in to meet Hanneli Rupert for coffee in New York.  I did however want to leave with a certain memento – her Okapi!  Not the antelope, her handbag.  She very generously gave me a gorgeous silk beaded scarf as a momentum from her African concept store “Merchants on Long” in downtown Cape Town. The Okapi will have to wait until next month when I return to Cape Town.

It never ceases to amaze me just how stylish our spectacular city is…from the restaurants, hip hotels, to the wonderful interior décor stores and artists that weave their African interpretation into music, fabric, sculpture and paintings. Hanneli draws inspiration for her designs from the mystical traditions of Africa. The ethos behind Okapi is to produce luxurious artisanal accessories, handcrafted entirely in Africa.  Okapi creates job opportunities and growth while striving for exceptional quality and an understated, timeless appeal. Okapi was named after the Central African antelope so exotic it was once believed to be mythical and has long been referred to as the “African unicorn”. The core Okapi line, launched in South Africa in early 2012, consists of three styles that express elegant minimalism with an original African edge.

If you don’t carry an Okapi on your return journey you might find one of Hanneli’s other creations to be the perfect African souvenir.

Here's story with little to do with travel, but a lot to do with art, culture, the unique history of South Africa, and a rock icon who didn't know it.  

If you're a South African who grew up in the 70's, 80's or perhaps even the 90's, you will remember Rodriguez.  As Steve Segerman from South Africa said, he was the soundtrack to our generation.  He was an important voice in the struggle against apartheid albeit known mostly by young, liberal, white South Africans.  What you might not know is that he was unknown at home in Detroit, U.S.A.  I learnt this only last night while watching a 60 Minutes feature on him and the documentary film about his life, "Searching for Sugar Man".

The odd thing is that when I heard about the film earlier this year I made a mental note to catch it sometime, but never realized the significance of the story to me personally.  I had no idea that our rock legend had lived in poverty in Detroit.   Just as Roderiguez had had no idea that in the 80's South Africans were buying half a million of his records.  Not until Steve Segerman tracked him down through his lyrics and brought him to sold-out shows of thousands in South Africa in 1998.

This fairy-tale was discovered by a Swedish man, Malik Bendjelloul, while traveling in South Africa.  His resulting documentary "Searching for Sugarman" won the Special Jury Prize and the Audience Award at Sundance this year.  Get a taste of the remarkable story from 60 Minutes feature right here: