Sanlam Reality

How to have safe fun in the sun

Sue — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:05:53 +0000

Skin cancer is more common than all other cancers combined, says Dr Dagmar Whitaker, a specialist dermatologist and president of the Melanoma Advisory Board South Africa. But reapplying sunscreen may not always be a priority when standing around a braai, or baking your body alongside the pool. Whether we forget, or choose to forget, the sun puts an unmanageable burden on your skin. When skin absorbs an excess of UV rays, it can change the structure of DNA and turn it into an abnormal or cancerous cell. “Skin unfortunately never forgets or forgives … any overdose of UV contact as seen in sunburn, causes damage which accumulates over the years.”

The more sun exposure children receive, the greater their chances of long-term skin damage, warns Dr Whitaker. A sobering fact is that 80 per cent of sun damage takes place before the age of 21 years. Therefore it is a parent’s duty to educate and take care of their children’s skin before it’s too late. However, in some cases, parents need to be educated as well. The previous generation’s idea of sun protection was simply wearing a hat, if even that. Days were filled with baby oil, listening to the Beatles and bronzing it up. Australia realised the dangers of UV damage, and became the pioneer in sun care during the ‘80s. Because the country is so close to the ozone hole over the Antarctic, it has much higher, more severe levels of UV radiation. In order to make Australians more sun safe, they developed the internationally recognised Slip-Slop-Slap sun protection campaign. The main message is: slip on a shirt; slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat. These are the three basic precautions everyone should be taking, irrespective of continent or season.

THE PENNY DROPS The sun produces ultra-violet rays, which cause sunburn and sun damage. Dr Whitaker advises that sunscreen should be part of everyone’s daily routine. “Wash your face, brush your teeth, and apply sunscreen.” A mistake women tend to make, is assuming that the SPF 15 in their moisturiser is enough to protect them from voluntary and accidental sun exposure. In order for SPF 15 to be effective, it should be reapplied every 15 minutes, which is unrealistic. Dr Whitaker leans over and grabs a bottle of sunscreen off her desk. She squeezes a blob, the size of a R5 coin, onto the back of her hand. I could barely see her skin, just a thick layer of white cream. “This is the required amount for a sunscreen to work at full potential,” she says. “The biggest problem when it comes to sunscreen is that we simply don’t apply enough.” The ideal amount of sunscreen is a R5 coin-sized blob, for every square 10 centimeters. This sounds fairly scientific, and could amount to a large amount of sunscreen for each application. To be realistic and practical, she recommends just applying an SPF 50+ to the exposed areas of your body, and reapplying it if you’re planning on spending extra time in the sun.

Sunscreen labels should specifically state that they are UVA protective. Although they are less intense than UVB, UVA rays are 30 to 50 times more common than UVB. “UVA contributes to and may even initiate the development of skin cancers. Don’t be fooled by SPF 100, as nothing blocks out 100 per cent of harmful rays,” she says. Sunscreen should be bought according to the activity or purpose. “Select a waterproof sunscreen if doing sports, and always apply at least 20 minutes before exercising, as it needs to bind to the skin.” Reapply as often as possible, because sweat reduces the sunscreen’s ability to block out rays.

CONNECT THE DOTS
Everyone should have an annual dermatologist check-up to keep an eye on suspect moles or spots. If you have many moles, a birthmark or a family history of skin cancer, it might be a good idea to get it checked biannually. “Eighty per cent of melanomas are diagnosed by patients,” Dr Whitaker says. She has had clients coming in to get an ugly mole removed, where the mole tested malignant. “No-one knows your body better than yourself,” she says. If a mole is bleeding or itchy, if the borders change and become irregular, or if the colour of the mole changes, you need to get it checked – all are warning signs that should not be ignored. “When in doubt, get it checked,” she says.
“Birthmarks are also a surprisingly high risk factor: one per cent of birthmarks become cancerous.” She recommends having a child’s birthmark removed at birth if possible, as it lowers the risk. If a mole or birthmark isn’t removed, try keeping an annual photo record of it, just in case you change doctors as well as keeping track of its growth and colouring.

Happy kids make for a happy, restful holiday.

Reality — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:41:32 +0000

There’s nothing like taking the family away after a long school term. You’ve chosen a child-friendly destination, packed your bags and piled everyone into the car to head off. Everything is just right. But, what seems like moments after you turn the ignition key, the dreaded question rings out from the back seat:

“Are we there yet?”

Kids don’t like long car journeys. But there are things you can do to distract them, helping the hours tick over faster.

Hand out the toys and travel games.

These differ depending on how old your children are. If toddlers are your rear passengers, bringing along their favourite stuffed toys will go a long way to keeping them content. Colouring and activity books are always popular and, for the older kids, magnetic travel-size board games are a great idea.

Look out the window.

Just because you’re all strapped in doesn’t mean the fun is strapped in too. Get your kids taking in the scenery by counting signs, spotting animals and playing the age-old favourite, “I spy?”

Plan special stops.

Anyone cramped up for an extended period of time is going to get restless, and children are definitely no exception. Plan to take regular breaks in places where they can get rid of some energy and spend time in the fresh air. Parks and farm stalls should be at the top of that list.

Reward polite passengers.

Buy little gifts and wrap a few for each child, handing them out from time to time for good behaviour. It doesn’t have to cost a lot: you can pick up trinkets for a few rand. It’s the unwrapping that kids love more than anything. Just be clever about it. A bouncy ball probably isn’t a good idea in the confined area of the back seat.

Pack enough food!

Snacks are so important for kids during long road trips. Tasty treats perk up bad moods and getting food in your belly keeps grumpiness from setting in. Chocolates and sweets aren’t altogether bad, but make sure there’s something nutritious in the padkos too.

Now if I guessed your destination to be Cape Town, there’s a fair chance I’d be right. According to stats, the Mother City has proved time and again to be one of, if not the most popular South African city to visit. But what do you do with kids while you’re there? We’ve got a few suggestions that you may not have thought of.

Feed the squirrels in Government Avenue.

Amble down the 1km long cobblestone road and you’re sure to come across many of these furry locals. Making their homes amongst the beautiful oaks that line the street, the squirrels are more than happy to come out and say hello if you have a peanut or two to share.

Picnic in Green Point Park.

One of the newest public spaces in the city, the Green Point Park and biodiversity garden can be found close to Cape Town Stadium. 105ha of rolling lawns, quaint ponds and interesting educational pockets, the park is the perfect place to lay out the blanket and bring out the snacks.

Eat fish and chips in Hout Bay harbour.

If your children love fresh fish and chips, Hout Bay is where you want to take them. There are plenty of places to pick up the latest catch, most famous of which is Fish on the Rocks. And, once you’ve bought your calamari or hake, take a seat on the nearby rocks and watch the seals come out to play.

Go tobogganing at Cool Runnings.

Africa’s first toboggan track, this 1.25km track guarantees an afternoon of fun. Although the toboggans can reach speeds of 40km/h, they are suitable for all ages and completely safe.

Set sail on the Jolly Roger Pirate Boat.

If you want to give your kids a special treat, the Jolly Roger Pirate Boat will capture the imagination of every child that boards her. It is the only authentic pirate ship in South Africa and leaves Quay Four at the V&A Waterfront daily, with the cast of a live theatrical pirate show on board.

Of course when you get back from your family holiday, a quality night out alone with your spouse or partner may not be a bad idea. We suggest eating out using the Sanlam Reality 2for1 Dining Benefit. Just go to the Sanlam Reality website, click on 2for1 Dining Benefit, choose a restaurant and give the babysitter a call.

Supplements for kids

Gillian — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:00:13 +0000

Animals (perhaps excluding some spoiled pets) instinctively know what they should eat to stay healthy and meet their energy needs. But somewhere along the line we humans seem to have lost the plot. Have you ever come across a child who, if given the choice of a pre-dinner snack, opts for an apple instead of a doughnut?
They’re about the same size, yet the difference in their nutrient value is vast. The apple is full of vitamins, fibre and health-promoting phytochemicals; plus, its water content will keep a little belly feeling full until dinner. On the other hand, the doughnut is just a circle of saturated fat and sugar (with about a gram of fibre). Although it has more than double the calories of the apple, it won’t fill that hole in the tum for long, Soon, little Lucy will be back for another one. And so the cycle goes on…
FINDING BALANCE
The apple and doughnut example illustrates that not all foods are equal when it comes to nutritional value. Sadly, the reality is that eating patterns in our fast- and convenience-food driven society have tipped the scale towards refined carbohydrate options with low nutrient value.
Cape Town nutritional therapist Hannah Kaye says, “A balanced diet which includes lean protein, eggs, wholegrains, good fats, plenty of vegetables and a little fruit should, theoretically, provide all the nutrients we need. However, few people manage this, particularly with kids. Additionally, the high level of antibiotics and pesticides in much of our food chain places stress on detoxification pathways and also decreases the nutrient density of foods.
“Vitamins and minerals control every chemical reaction in the body, which is why we desperately need them,” says Hannah. If a child doesn’t eat enough fruit and vegetables – which is where they should get most of these nutrients from – they won’t have enough to support basic bodily processes.
Of course, the ideal is for them to get all they need from their diet and she encourages parents to aim for this. But, in her experience, this is seldom achieved. As a result, she believes that most children need a multivitamin, a decent fish oil supplement and, possibly, a probiotic. “Anything over and above that needs to be assessed by a health care practitioner,” she adds.
Paediatrician Dr Allan Puterman agrees that it’s best for a child to get essential vitamins and minerals via food, so the starting point is to correct a bad diet. “As a general rule, I do not recommend that parents routinely give their children supplements. However, this does presume that they are able to provide three healthy meals a day and the children are generally healthy.”
He adds that there are specific times during growth that children must be assured of an adequate diet – especially during high growth phases like infancy and through puberty.
In his opinion, supplements should be for children who are lacking due to poor socio-economic circumstances or who have illnesses that either prevent absorption of particular vitamins or minerals, cause increased secretion, or are responsible for excess utilisation.
In addition, there are some illnesses during which children need supplements. Measles, for example, is as an acute short- term condition during which a child should be given a vitamin A supplement. Chronic conditions include very premature babies, who should be given iron and vitamin D and children with kidney diseases, who need supplements.
“It is preferable for each child to be assessed to find out their specific needs,” says Dr Puterman. “This is especially true given the huge advertising onslaught that parents are subjected to, compounded by the fact that most products are not assessed by the Medicine Control Council.”

Pruning plants

Seamus — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 13:24:11 +0000

Pruning any plant successfully depends on how well you understand your victim’s growth habits and the concepts behind pruning. In case the provocative title of this post wasn’t enough, let’s be clear: you would do well to think of yourself as a surgeon wielding a scalpel when you dive into unkempt shrubbery with secateurs between your teeth, pirate-style, and pruning saw in your belt holster. Pruning, really, most often involves removal of living tissue to improve the plant’s health (and sometimes its looks). Let’s run through a few concepts and tools that you may need to get you started.
The kind of tools you pick depends on the job, but in the very least you’ll need secateurs, a pruning saw and a pair of loppers. The best tools available here are mostly imported (for instance Felco brand secateurs and loppers from Switzerland and Silky saws from Japan), but there are some very acceptable locally made products available too (from Cape Agricultural products, for instance). Check out www.great-pruning-products.com
The advantage of spending a bit of dosh on good hand tools like these is that you can replace parts as they wear or break (Felco secateurs break down into a collection of replacement parts that would make a mechanic proud). Aside from quality, your only other consideration is that these tools should be sharp. All the time. Dull edges give poor cuts, with uneven breaks in the plant tissue that make infection more likely and don’t look good.
After checking my tool inventory, my next step is usually to find out a little more about the plant I’m dealing with. Sometimes this just means asking the owner what they want from the plant. Sometimes this involves doing some reading on specific techniques applicable to the plant in question.
Regardless of what the plant is, you can pretty much remove the three Ds without getting bogged down by worries about flowers, fruit and growth habit. The three Ds are: Dead, Damaged and Diseased material. Remove them all and you can’t go wrong. Even if you do, you can always say you read it here.
For the final stage of pruning, make decisions about where to make hedging/hearing cuts (clipping to maintain a shape, e.g. topiary); where to make heading/reduction cuts (to cut the growth back to a size of your choosing) and lastly, where to make thinning cuts (taking out limbs such that the remaining ones have space to grow and expand). Now you’re ready to stand back and assess your handiwork … and wait. Good luck.

A training and exercise diary

Jazz — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:56:22 +0000

Documenting your exercise sessions is more than just keeping a log – it can be a huge motivator

‘Document it buddy… All of it, it’s money in the bank.’ Four years on, this is still the single most valuable piece of training advice I’ve ever been given.

The training diary
Despite what’s floating around between your ears right now, keeping a training diary is a lot more Pierre Spies than it is Bridget Jones. (Although you could write a pretty racy novel about the goings-on at my local Virgin Active…) It’s not only the realm of pros and serious amateurs – anyone will benefit and it’s quite straightforward really. To quote the sage who first got me into diary-keeping, ‘just document it all’. Before getting a complicated training programme or hiring the services of a personal trainer, before ‘core on Wednesday and cardio on Friday,’ before ‘how to run your first 10’ write everything exercise-related down. Whether you go for a walk around the block, or spend 10 minutes spinning a hula-hoop.

What to write
My diary is in table form and categorised by date; programme (what is scheduled for that day); workout (actual training session done – often different from the schedule); time (how long was the session); average heart rate (if you have a heart rate monitor) and general feeling (to my mind the most important column, more on this later).

These are pretty basic, but a solid platform to work from. You can (and should) of course tailor it to include the specifics of a type of sport – distance ran or cycled, cadence, number of rowing strokes, etc. The list is infinite and the more information you gather the better the analysis. But don’t go writing a novel. Putting anything on paper after a five-hour bike ride is a major mission.

I prefer old-school pen on paper, but there are a whole host of (very good) mobile and web-based training apps available (check out www.runkeeper.com and www.endomondo.com). Also, most decent heart rate monitors come with some form of software and download capability nowadays – which is the start of the process.

Also, Microsoft Excel (or any basic spreadsheet software) is your friend. Trust me, it’s much more fun making graphs of your Absa Cape Epic training progress than it is of your budget.

Tracking
Keeping track of your training is the main and most obvious goal to becoming a diarist, it can be a huge motivator to see how much you’ve progressed. But, as I mentioned earlier, looking back and seeing how you felt during a particular session is what I find most valuable. I’ve learnt more about my body’s capabilities and responses that way than from any physiotherapy exam, medical scan or blood test.

‘Legs felt strong, but felt it in my chest in hour three’ is a simple example. I wrote this of a four-hour, early-morning ride after a night out. I’m not a smoker, but we went to a badly ventilated pub and I can only deduce that I was feeling the effects of the secondary smoke.

Write your first one this weekend, ‘it’s money in the bank’ and then lets start working on what to put in the programme (scheduled for the day) section next week.

2FOR1 Special Offers

Reality — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:00:38 +0000

2FOR1 Special offers exclusive to Reality+, Reality++, Reality Health Single and Reality Health Family members:

Cape Town:

Nitida Cellars

Not only will the cheapest main meal up to the value of R120 be free, you will also get a free coffee when you indulge in a slice of Nitida’s home baked carrot, cheese or peanut butter chocolate cake.

Tygerbergvalley Road (R13), Durbanville

To book call 0860 732 548/9

Port Elizabeth:

Beauty Connection Skin & Body Studio

Pay R130 for a mini mani or mini pedi and get your second one free! For every mini mani or mini pedi you book at Beauty Connection Skin & Body Studio in March you will get a free 15 minutes Indian Head Massage.

14 Brighton Drive, Summerstrand

Johannesburg:

Global Wrapps

Global Wrapps are offering a special deal on their ‘Feed Your Need Combo’. This combo contains a calzone, chips and a Bos ice tea (lemon, apple or peach flavours only). Normally you pay R46 but you will get the combo for R35. In order to redeem this deal, you need to present your Reality membership card.

Branches in: Eastgate Shopping Centre, East Rand Mall, eMalahleni, Heathway Square, Montecasino, Sandton, Fourways Mall

To book call 0860 732 548/9

Durban:

Zack’s

Not only will the cheapest main meal up to the value of R120 be free, a 5% discount will also be given off the total bill at Zack’s North Beach, Wilsons Wharf and Windermere Centre.

Branches: North Beach, Wilsons Wharf, Windermere Centre

To book call 0860 732 548/9

Nefrit Day Spa

Book a treatment at the Nefrit Day Spa during the month of March, and receive a choice of either a free 15 minute foot massage or a 15 minute neck massage.

3 Meller Crescent, Umbilo

To book call 0860 732 548/9

Courgette, feta, pea and mint tart recipe

Katelyn — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:34:11 +0000

When I think of courgettes, they conjure up memories of long hot days spent playing in the dusty earth while my grandfather carefully tended the lush vegetable garden which was a small patch on the farm I grew up on. Tomatoes, sweet corn, beetroot, turnips, green beans, peppers and courgettes were planted in neat rows and watered lovingly by hand with an old tin watering can. My grandmother and I would harvest the marrows and place them in an old picnic basket where they were destined for the quaint farmhouse kitchen. As a child, I never fully appreciated these green gems – especially the bright yellow and utterly delicious blossoms that are now so trendy and sought-after. I kick myself when I think how I could’ve stuffed basketfuls of the flowers with a creamy lemon zest, basil and black pepper-flavoured ricotta and then gently coated each in a crisp beer batter. The baby marrows are also terribly moreish if coated in the same batter and deep-fried. In fact, recipes for courgettes come in as many shapes and sizes as the squash itself!

Baby marrows, courgettes, zucchini, whatever you choose to call them, their delicate flavour is best celebrated in simple dishes with clean flavours. Like most of my recipes, this courgette, feta, pea and mint tart was invented while standing in the veggie aisle at Woolies. I simply couldn’t resist creating a rainbow of green hues with the zucchinis, fresh plump peas and zingy mint alongside the salty feta crumbs – and then of course there is the flaky buttery puff pastry that brings it all together. This is one of my standby suppers, as one sheet of puff pastry will make two tarts. The idea is to make one and freeze the other for when friends pop around – a quick salad and a glass of crisp sauvignon blanc will turn it into a meal that is… uncourgettable!

Courgette, feta, pea and mint tart
Serves 4-6

400g puff pastry
Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
2 large courgettes, in thin ribbons using a vegetable peeler
2 spring onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup fresh peas (if frozen, thaw and dry well)
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup mint leaves, roughly chopped
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 220°C. Line a tray with baking paper. Roll the puff pastry out to 1mm thick and cut into 2 large rectangles. Place the puff pastry halves on the prepared tray and prick all over using a fork. Brush with olive oil and refrigerate for 15 minutes. Arrange the courgette ribbons, spring onion, peas, crumbled feta and mint over the puff pastry and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bake the tarts for 15-18 minutes or until the pastry is crisp and the sides are golden brown. Serve with a fresh green salad.

Cool camping

Catherine — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:18:19 +0000

Well, it’s still pretty damn hot out there so ‘tis the season to go camping. Why waste electricity on an air conditioner if you can use nature to waft a cool breeze through your tent. But don’t delay because you’ll scarcely have blown up the inflatable mattress when the weather will be turning chilly.

Talking of chilly reminds me of one of our camping expeditions to the Blyde River Canyon some time near the turn of the seasons. The Forever Resort Blyde Canyon is a great spot from which to explore the winding Panorama Route with it’s tantalising turnoffs to waterfalls, lookouts and God’s Window. See more at www.foreverblydecanyon.co.za.

We arrived at the resort on a balmy evening and liked the look of the place – very kiddie friendly – so much that we booked in for four days, the large swimming pool being a particularly welcome sight. We went to bed that night with happy thoughts of Putt Putt, swimming and strolling on the many hiking paths next day. Instead we awoke to frost on the ground and whining kids with blue lips. It was not a day for the pool or anything outdoors so we went exploring with the car heater turned up full. Bourke’s Luck potholes were impressive and Pilgrim’s Rest was a delightful historical village where we found fiery pancakes. Unfortunately gold nuggets have become a bit thin on the ground these days in the erstwhile mining village.

By evening the icy chill was back. Looking up at a half moon my son remarked, “Look mom, the moon has come up in the day because it’s too cold to come out at night.” We ate supper tucked up in our sleeping bags inside the tent that night.

Next day we fled to Tsendze camp in the Kruger Park where the Lowveld warmth de-frosted our fingers and noses. Tsendze is a satellite camp of Mopani, established as a small, minimal facilities site where you get right into nature. There’s good birding, huge buffalo herds and plenty of elephants – oh, and you should check the overhanging leadwood tree for spotted cats before turning in for the night.

The other camping occasion when we were caught, not so much with our pants down, but rather with our pants not packed at all, was at the spectacular Mahai campsite in the Royal Natal National Park. As mountain retreats go, Mahai must be one of the most dramatic. You have to tip your chair back so far to take in the tops of the peaks that you invariably spill your beer. Recreationally speaking, Mahai is all about hiking, with routes ranging from day-long slogs to the likes of The Sentinel and Mud Slide, to short rambles to rock pools suitable for stopping and eating muffins along the way.

It was a short-pants and plakkies evening when we arrived. Soon the braai fires were blazing and the kids had turned the camp’s extensive lawns into pitches for all our national sports. Then, just about the time the boerie was ready, the heavens unleashed a torrent of chilly water and it got steadily colder while we huddled in the shelter of our – fortunately – waterproof tent. Others weren’t so lucky. Several fellow campers spent the night in their cars with the heaters turned on full. In the morning there was frost on the leaves and a dusting of snow on the high peaks of the Amphitheatre. Beautiful but bracing.

Two of my other favourite Drakensberg camps – for almost all seasons if you come prepared-are Lotheni in the Southern Drakensberg and Injisuthi in the Giant’s Castle region of the Berg. The Lotheni campsite is set over a hill from the hutted camp and has only 10 stands, so you really can get away from it all. Adjacent is the rustic Simes cottage overlooking it’s own, private trout dam. Both are great options for escapists. Go to www.kznwildlife.com.

Another gem for the autumn months is Glen Reenen camp at Golden Gate, where you set up your home under a towering wall of Clarens sandstone, while yellowed leaves from the poplar and plane trees crunch underfoot like spilled potato crisps. Don’t forget the camera for this one – there are great macro opportunities down on hands and knees amongst the fallen leaves. http://www.sanparks.org.za/parks.

Why a Retirement Annuity is still a good option!

Reality — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:33:19 +0000

Anyone who believes that retirement is a walk in the park has to be certain of a number of things: That you’ve saved enough money to last for your retirement years, that you know how long you’ll live, and that you can predict your state of health in old age.

For most of us, these issues are frightening and the answers are evasive.

However, retirement does not have to be a daunting prospect. With the right planning and advice, your golden years can indeed be the best years of your life.

If you are earning a salary, chances are that you will need to put extra money aside to enable you to retire with 75% of your final salary – even if you are forced to save through your company pension fund. However, as a professional person you need to consider retirement as a key element of your financial planning.

In fact, for professional people a retirement annuity (RA) still presents one of the most sensible ways to fully provide for their retirement peace of mind, says Jacques de Villiers, Head: Sanlam Professional Market.

A major benefit of RAs is that they offer the potential for tax and estate duty savings… and the good news is that there is still time before the end of the 2012 tax year to make additional payments into an RA to allow you to reap the benefits this year, or to start investing in an RA if you haven’t done so yet.

Remember that you can, up to certain limits, deduct your contributions to an RA from your taxable income.

Jacques says an RA also offers you a transparent savings vehicle with a variety of underlying investment options so that you can spread your risk over time. Another benefit is the savings discipline it creates, as you may only access your investment once you reach age 55 – or earlier in the case of extreme illness. It is advisable to put an emergency fund in place and invest your savings in an RA. Retirement annuities also offer insolvency protection – they cannot be attached by creditors.

Medical aid contributions

A retirement annuity offers a tax-sensible way to do pre-funding for your medical aid contributions after retirement. Since medical schemes no longer allow for the funding of contributions after retirement, you can use the after-tax returns of your RA to provide for this.

Tax

On retirement, the lump sum portion that you may take as cash, can be partially or even completely tax free, while the monthly income drawn will be taxable. You will not, however, pay tax on the investment returns.

Estate planning

RAs also present opportunities for efficient estate planning, says Jacques. “All funds in an RA fall outside of your personal estate for estate duty purposes. Therefore you do not pay estate duty (currently 20%) on the value of the RA.”

So, whether you’re a professional who needs an RA as your primary retirement savings vehicle, or an employed person who needs to supplement your pension fund, an RA offers an excellent opportunity to grow your money to ensure a more comfortable retirement. And if you’re able to invest larger amounts of money into your RA over time, you will enjoy even greater benefits of compound interest.

“It is a sad reality that only about 6% of South Africans can afford to retire comfortably one day – including those who may belong to a retirement fund. So, now is the time to start making provision to avoid having to rely on your family or dependants in your old age. It’s never too early to start!”

Win double tickets to the Woordfees

Reality — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:19:30 +0000

We are giving away 2 sets of double tickets to watch Romanz & die Gugulethu Tenore at Neethlingshof, Stellenbosch.

To enter sms “Woordfees” and your Reality membership or ID number to 31108 (SMS’s are charged at normal rates) or e-mail your Reality membership number or ID number to promotions@reality.co.za with “Woordfees” in the subject line.

Competition closes 24 February 2012.

For more about the Woordfees visit www.woordfees.co.za or call 021-808 2019

Please note the winners must be available to attend the concert in Stellenbosch on 4 March 2012 at 18:00. The Woordfees runs from 2-11 March 2012