Portfolio Collection Travel Blog

Final Countdown for S K A Announcement

2012-02-08

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is the world's most powerful radio telescope. Following an initial identification of sites suitable for the SKA by the International SKA Steering Committee in 2006, southern Africa and Australia were selected as the finalists.

What is the SKA?

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) will be a mega radio telescope, about 100 times more sensitive than the biggest existing radio telescope. The SKA will consist of approximately 4 000 dish-shaped antennae and other hybrid receiving technologies. It will have a core of several hundred antennae and outlying stations of 30 - 40 antennae spiralling out of the core. These stations will be spread over a vast area - up to 3 000 km. The combined collecting area of all these antennae will add up to one square kilometre (= one million square metres).

What will the SKA do?

This mega telescope will be powerful and sensitive enough to observe radio signals from the immediate aftermath of the Big Bang. It will search for Earth-like planets and potential life elsewhere in the universe, test theories of gravity and examine the mystery of dark energy. A prime objective of the SKA is to probe the so-called "dark ages", when the early universe was in a gaseous form before stars and galaxies were formed. Scientists are optimistic that the SKA will allow many new discoveries about how the universe was formed and what it is made of.

What would it mean for Southern Africa to win the bid?

The SKA will be one of the largest scientific research facilities in the world and would consolidate Southern Africa as a major hub for astronomy in the world. It would attract the best scientists and engineers to work in Africa and would provide unrivalled opportunities for scientists and engineers from African countries to engage with transformational science and cutting edge instrumentation and to collaborate in joint projects with the most renowned universities and research institutions in the world.

Where will the SKA be built?

The SKA must be built in a remote area, as far away as possible from man-made radio interference which is caused by sources such as cellular masts, radio broadcasts and air traffic navigation signals. If South Africa wins the SKA bid, the core of this giant telescope will be constructed in the Karoo region of the Northern Cape Province near to the towns of Carnarvon and Williston, linked to a computing facility in Cape Town. However, the SKA is so huge that outlying stations will be spread over several African countries, including Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Mauritius, Madagascar, Kenya and Ghana.

When will the chosen host nation be named?

According to the Colin Greenwood on the SKA Website,

"There is no firm date yet for the site decision/announcement. An independent external committee (SKA Site Advisory Committee) is expected to provide its report and site recommendation in early-mid February, which will be passed to the Members of the SKA Organisation who will make the final decision. Until the report is received, the steps leading to the site decision will not be known in detail. Although there is no fixed timeline for the site decision, it is reasonable to expect the decision to be made sometime in March-April 2012."
– Colin Greenwood, SKA Company Secretary.

We will bring you the news as soon as it is made public!

Info source: http://www.ska.ac.za/

Wildlife Wednesday - South Africa Wildlife and Conservation

2012-02-08

This significant achievement also highlighted the dynamic growth of the numerous South Africa private game reserves and small game lodges which have been established during the past 100 years. These areas have proliferated, and wildlife has been re-introduced into private game reserves and sanctuaries in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga, North West Province and more recently in the Western Cape.

South Africa Private Game Reserves

The first private game reserves in South Africa were incorporated to form the Sabi Sand Wildtuin in the 1950s, adjacent to the Kruger National Park. Other reserves that followed this example include the Timbavati further north. Today, both these reserves have been incorporated into the Greater Kruger National Park and the fences have been lifted allowing free movement of wildlife. The Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape has also been expanded to include the many neighbouring conservancies.

In addition, a growing number of conservancies throughout South Africa are ensuring the future of wildlife and conservation. Good examples of these are Welgevonden Private Game Reserve in Limpopo and Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West Province.

The Natal Parks Board also played a most significant part in the conservation of South Africa’s wildlife by saving the white rhino from extinction. Today the iSimangaliso Wetland Park has been declared a World Heritage Site and the surrounding areas are being developed as private game reserves. South Africa has also entered into agreements with neighbouring countries to form several Trans-Frontier National Parks. Many of these exciting wildlife initiatives include working in conjunction with rural communities for the direct benefit of the community and the environment.

Our Portfolio of Private Game Lodges

Portfolio offers unique experiences at a number of private game reserves and luxury accommodation at lodges througout South Africa.

Visit http://www.portfoliocollection.com/collections/private-game-reserves-and-safari-lodges to find out more or to make a booking.

Wildlife Wednesday - Samara's New Cheetah Settles In

2012-02-08

MEET BELLINI - OUR NEW LADY CHEETAH

Bellini comes from Limpopo province and was born and raised at Witwater Lodge in the Winterberg. She is six years old and has had one litter of two cubs.

She was brought to us through an exchange programme set up by EWT throughout Southern Africa to improve the gene pool of our cheetah population. Bellini travelled well from Limpopo (1500 km trip one way) and has settled down, allowing staff and visitors to get within a few meters of her. She is very friendly and will often talk to you if you sit with her for a while.

Magnus, a two year old male cheetah born on Samara, and Bellini, are currently awaiting their release on to the 27 000 hectares of pristine habitat with an abundance of natural prey on Samara Private Game Reserve.

They are being kept in a large enclosure on the property where they are undergoing a habituation process. An animal is considered to be habituated when they view people as neutral in their environment. In other words, they are not threatened by people and this gives us the unique opportunity to view them as wild cheetahs going about their lives in their natural habitat without interference which is ideal for management and research purposes.

It also allows visitors to our reserve some spectacular sightings of cheetah in their natural habitat. We are currently conducting a study of the feeding ecology of cheetah on the reserve and based on the results, will be able to estimate the number of cheetah which can sustainably be supported on the reserve.

ABOUT SAMARA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

Samara Private Game Reserve inGraaff-Reinet, in the Groot Karoo, offers prestigious, luxurious South African safari accommodation in an unspoiled corner of the Eastern Cape.

Fine dining, on-site spa facilities and game drives are all available.

For reservations and information contact Portfolio Collection or visit www.portfoliocollection.com
BOOK NOW ONLINE

SA's 'Blade Runner' Lauded at International Awards Ceremony

2012-02-08

The ceremony was held on Monday 6 February 2012 in London.

The Laureus Awards celebrate sporting personalities and teams for their performances in the previous year (in this case for 2011).

Pistorius was recognised for becoming the first amputee to win a track medal in the non-disabled World Championships. He won a silver medal in the 4 x 400 metres relay in South Korea.

Pistorius is also known as the 'Blade Runner due to the carbon fibre blades attached to his legs.

He was a Paralympics gold medalist in 2008.

Read more about the 2012 Laureus Awards including other award winners over on the SA Good News website.

About Oscar Pistorius

Oscar Pistorius was born to Henke and Sheila Pistorius on 22nd November 1986. This would have been a fairly ordinary affair except that Oscar Pistorius was born with a rare deformity of the legs – his feet contains only two toes, the heel bone and a bone to connect the toes and the heel together.

Henke and Sheila Pistorius made the heartwrenching decision to amputate Oscar’s legs below the knee. The surgeon would attach his heel bones to his knees so that they would form stumps for Oscar to move around.

Until the age of 16, there were no signs that Oscar was going to be a dominant force in Athletics. Ironically, as Oscar would say, he would try all sports when he can except Athletics, and his favorite sport was Rugby. Oscar was told by his team mates and coach that if he were to regain fitness for the coming Rugby season, he would have to take up Athletics.

He would test out a new type of carbon fiber prosthetic legs created by Ossur for his athletic endeavors. And from then on, there was no looking back.

(Information & image source - Sporting Zen - full article here)

SA's Die Antwoord on the Letterman Show

2012-02-07

Unique, edgy duo Die Antwoord appeared on the David Letterman show yesterday, giving Americans a taste of South Africa at its, well, weirdest.

Love 'em or loathe 'em, Die Antwoord will certainly give the world something to talk about.

It will be interesting to hear what the general US public think of our strange pair.

Full Moon Yoga Retreat at Samara

2012-02-07

Full Moon Yoga Retreat

Celebrity wellness guru, Vinay Menon, will be conducting an Angada Full Moon Yoga Retreat at Samara from the 4th to the 9 March 2012.

This will be a signature journey for beginners to advance; an invitation to create harmony between your body, mind and spirit.

This retreat will set you on an endless journey of nirvana. Get ready to explore the secrets of the traditional art of healing with nature and celestial bodies.

Contact Jenny by 15 Feb 2012 at reservations@samara.co.za

(Yoga image source)

ABOUT SAMARA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

Samara Private Game Reserve inGraaff-Reinet, in the Groot Karoo, offers prestigious, luxurious South African safari accommodation in an unspoiled corner of the Eastern Cape.

Fine dining, on-site spa facilities and game drives are all available.

For reservations and information contact Portfolio Collection or visit www.portfoliocollection.com
BOOK NOW ONLINE

Blues Legend Jimmy Thomas at Kbosch

2012-02-07

Visit webtickets to buy your tickets online

Help Keep the Farmhouse Rocking

2012-02-07

This morning we got an email from the Cape Farmhouse saying:

'Our music is on hold as City Council has temporarily stopped all concerts until they meet and make a decision regarding our business.

Please sign the petition and let’s ensure that they are aware of what a fantastic place this is. I don’t believe they will decide against the concerts and hopefully they will meet soon and not wait until winter in order to make the decision.'

Sign the Petiton!

So Portfolio Travel Blog readers please support this excellent local live music venue by signing the petition here and let's keep promoting and supporting the many excellent South African bands that perform here on weekends.

Need to Know

Tel: 021 780 1246
Email: info@capefarmhouse.co.za
Junction M66 and M65. Bottom of Redhill Road. 3kms past Scarborough.
Opening times:
Summer: 7 days a week, 9am - 5pm
Winter: Tuesday to Sunday, 9am - 5pm
For private functions and weddings, we open in the evenings.

Jo'burg Sowing the Seeds 2012 - All You Need to Know

2012-02-07

Sowing the Seeds 2012 comes to Warthogs Game Farm in Magaliesburg from 24-25 February 2012.

Taking inspiration from Rocking the Daisies you can expect edgy brand activations,grassy areas, misting canopies, quality food & drink and the awesome Daisy Train!

CONVERSE and the "The Right to Make Noise" will be there! CONVERSE has been giving fans the opportunity to win a full on VIP Sowing the Seeds experience including lodge accommodation, transportation, private bathroom, a fully stocked fridge with all your festival necessities and more.

LINE-UP:

BUSHWHACKER STAGE

· Goldfish

· Shadowclub

· Desmond & The Tutus

· Tidalwaves

· Wrestlerish

· Jeremy Loops

· The Brother Moves On

· Skabengas

· Shortstraw

BEAT BOMA

· Circuswing

· Toby2shoes

· Dubmasta China

· Professor Mistry

· Regan

· Maoriginal

· Dr Khumalo vs Moejoe vs Minx

· Lucky Luke

· Lil Bow

TIMES:

Friday – Camping Gates Open 3pm Festival Gates Open 6pm– 2am

Saturday Gates Open 10am– 2am

TICKETS:

Full Weekend ticket including camping
Pre-sale online only: R200
Door: R250
VIP: R350 includes access to exclusive bar, pool and ablutions – only 100 tickets available
Children under 12 free of charge
Online presale tickets from www.webtickets.co.za

ACCOMMODATION:

All tickets include camping, however, for those looking for a little more luxury, contact Portfolio for accommodation options in and around Magaliesburg. A shuttle bus will run all day Saturday to and from the town of Magaliesburg to the festival. Various pick up and drop of points will be located along the route near key accommodation. All details on http://www.rockingthedaisies.com

GP COORDINATES:

25°56'11.27" S 27°31'42.49" E

FACILITIES:

• Gourmet food facilities

• 4 bars

• Camping areas

• Shaded areas

• Misting areas

• Comfortable seating areas

• Ample security

• Ample parking areas

• Emergency services

• Ample clean and serviced ablutions

SPONSORS:

CONVERSE, SEED, Redbull, Redbull Mobile, Food and Trees For Africa, Rocking the Daisies and SAB

PLAY HARD, TREAD LIGHTLY

Facebook for more information:

https://www.facebook.com/events/158652834248062/

Rocking the Daisies and Sowing the Seeds is conceptualised and produced by Seed Experiences

Vid Clip of Today's Thunder & Lightning Show in Cape Town

2012-02-06

Video by Le Roux Schoeman of Touchlab, Media24

Had to share this clip with our readers. Those of you who live up in Gauteng will be unimpressed but we Capetonians do get ever so excited when we get the rare storm down here.