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	<title><![CDATA[iAfrica :: Travel : Top Stories]]></title>
	<link>http://www.iafrica.com</link>
	<description><![CDATA[All the news that's fit to print.]]></description>
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<pubDate>2018-03-29 10:20:43</pubDate>
<content_id>1058649</content_id>
<author><![CDATA[Josephine Wawira]]></author>
<heading><![CDATA[Where to go Glamping in South Africa]]></heading>
<title><![CDATA[Where to go Glamping in South Africa]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[South Africa is for varying and prodigious reasons, one of the continent’s top dream vacation destinations for tourists from across the world.]]></description>
<body_text><![CDATA[South Africa is for varying and prodigious reasons, one of the continent&rsquo;s top dream vacation destinations for tourists from across the world. From adventurous locations for the audacious types, lush wineries for the lovebirds, and a sundry natural world for wildlife lovers; South Africa also passes as a top port of call for those who love a luxurious escape into the bush camps. Wondering where to go glamping? Here are top selections from South Africa.
Idyllic Safari Getaway - Hoedspruit, Limpopo
The Idyllic Safari Getaway sublimely provides guests an authentic African experience. Located on the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve in Hoedspruit - Limpopo, it boasts fantastic style accents including bed canopies, woven rugs, and tall, thatched cathedral ceilings. With the luxuries of full ensuite bathrooms and super king-sized beds in beautifully designed rooms, along with striking views of the nature reserve and a dry riverbed that lies between the camp and a watering hole that often attracts wild animals, this stunning camp is every glamper&rsquo;s haven. The camp is suitable for group of friends, families, and honeymooners and is only a five and a half hour's drive from Johannesburg.

Safari Vacation Rentals - Kruger National Park
The Safari Vacation Rentals are perfect for guests who want to experience a combination of luxury and nature. Suitable for families and couples, the glamping site is located at the Wellness Escape in Kruger National Park, giving guests a one-of-a-kind view of the natural verdant landscape along the bank of the Sabie River. Make lasting memories gazing at the Milky Way during the nights, while sipping a glass of wine at the wooden deck. Did I mention you get to enjoy a private standalone lounge with a fireplace after taking a swim at the rim flow pool? Oh yes you can!

For that relaxing glamping experience, get a double treatment at the rentals&rsquo; private wellness room and thoughtfully equipped gym facility. Guests can also take a guided tour at the stunning Kruger National Park or the Mala Mala Game Reserve North of the Safari Vacation Rentals. For a day&rsquo;s beach experience, head to nearby Maputo - the capital city of Mozambique.
Charming Pod Rental - Montagu
Situated on the famous Route 62 and only 14 kilometers from the historic town of Montagu, the Pod Rental is the ultimate glamping getaway with a handmade gypsy wagon that makes a classic experience. The immaculate property sits on a 50 hectares tourism field that started out as a farmstead. Catch up with family or friends this Easter, whilst making use of the available braai and a fire pit under the moonlight.

Enjoy a tour to the nearby Avalon natural hot springs and the Twistniet Nature Reserve east of the cottage; and end your glamping with some wine tasting along the world&rsquo;s longest wine route.
Magical Tree Houses - Mala Mala Game Reserve
These luxury tree houses are located near the Mala Mala Game Reserve, and boasts nine luxury suites, each of which provide complete privacy. Guests are spoilt for luxurious choices of relaxation, from swimming at the private plunge pool overlooking the Sabie River, to soaking in a bubble bath, lazing on a bed with a good book, or reclining on the couch in a comfortable lounge. The Magical Tree Houses are ideal for an Easter Family vacation, since they offer plenty of activities for children especially those above the age of ten.

With breathtaking panoramic views of the encampment, glampers are treated to imaginatively and tastefully prepared meals, made from fresh produce; displayed in artful and spectacular settings. Enjoy a bottle from the selection of house wines at the onsite mini bar or at the wooden deck overlooking the rim flow swimming pool. Two game drives are available daily with refreshments and snacks, guided by a qualified ranger and tracker. What else could a glamper ask for?
Deluxe South African Safari Tent Rentals - Oudtshoorn, Western Cape
If you are looking for space during your glamping experience this Easter, then the South African Safari Tent Rentals is the place to head to. The tents are perfectly positioned around a big water dam and can sleep up to five guests. A fully equipped kitchen is available for that group or family meal-making together. To warm up during the chilly nights, set up the fireplace and enjoy an intimate setting for you and your loved ones. Ultimate privacy is provided, as both bedrooms have their own private entrances, a private bathroom with a hot shower cabin, wash basin and flushing toilet.

Nothing compares to a peaceful overlook of natural surroundings of a working farm or beautiful estate, which is exactly what the rentals offer glampers. When days get warmer, guests can transform the tent into a big outdoor living area, creating space to unwind and appreciate a festive family breakfast. All this while enjoying the beautiful weather and taking in the tranquil natural beauty of the South African landscape. The serene majestic farm sits in the middle of a pristine Karoo landscape with direct views on the Swartberg Mountains, offering glampers a mountain biking experience of a lifetime.
All uncredited photos courtesy of GlampingHub.com.]]></body_text>
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<pubDate>2018-02-12 11:49:31</pubDate>
<content_id>1057988</content_id>
<author><![CDATA[Hayden Myers]]></author>
<heading><![CDATA[A guide to travelling solo]]></heading>
<title><![CDATA[A guide to travelling solo]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Solo travelling can be a bit daunting for first-timers. So follow, these easy steps to make sure your trip memorable for all the right reasons!]]></description>
<body_text><![CDATA[So many people are eager to travel and explore the world, but many of us find that it just never happens because we&rsquo;re always waiting for a friend or partner to be in a good situation to do so too.
Traveling on your own, especially to a place where you might not speak the language, is understandably daunting too.
But taking the plunge and heading off solo can be a lot easier to organize, and it&rsquo;s a one of a kind opportunity to explore yourself as well as the world! Traveling solo is an excellent way to build your self-confidence, expand your horizons, grow as an individual, and of course make new friends along the way. If you're ready to explore the world on your own terms, then read on!
&nbsp;
Choosing a destination:
For your first solo journey, it&rsquo;s a lot easier to pick a destination that has an established tourist economy already. You can always explore more exotic and undiscovered locations once you&rsquo;ve found your solo traveling feet, but you don&rsquo;t want your first experience to put you off from further travel because it was just too stressful. It also helps tremendously to choose a destination where the main spoken language is your own too, at least for your first trip.
Well-established holiday destinations in Africa like the majestic Victoria Falls, the Kruger National Park in South Africa, or the many well run nature reserves of Botswana are particularly suitable for first time solo travelers, yet exotic enough to make you feel you&rsquo;ve really accomplished something! They also tend to attract lots of backpackers, meaning that even if you're traveling on a budget there will be loads of opportunity to meet new friends and learn about their culture too. Game drives are an excellent way to meet people in African destinations, as you share sundowners together afterwards and chat about the day&rsquo;s experiences.
&nbsp;
Other great destinations for first time solo travelers include the Lake District in the UK, Sydney in Australia, Dublin in Ireland, and US cities like San Francisco.
Basic survival tips:
Get your bearings &ndash; if you're staying in a city, then buy a decent map book that you can scribble notes in with a pencil, or use a suitable app on your phone if you're more comfortable with that. We&rsquo;re all visual creatures after all, and being able to picture where you are in location to everything else can immediately make you feel more at home.
&nbsp;
Do your research before you leave - have local emergency numbers saved on your phone, know where and how you can draw local currency, find out what the local public transport is like, and put together a rough itinerary so you don&rsquo;t miss out on the things you really wanted to do.
&nbsp;
Ask for help &ndash; ask the owners of the establishment you're staying at for advice, and explain that it&rsquo;s your first time here. Local shops, caf&eacute; owners and restaurant staff can be excellent sources of information, and they&rsquo;re bound to be super welcoming too!
&nbsp;
Act confident &ndash; try not to look too lost and confused, even if you might feel it! Tourists can become an easy target for thieves, and losing your phone, spending money, or travel documents can put a real dampener on your holiday. Fake it until you make it! Before you know it, you really will feel at home and confident on your own. Even better, if you spot someone who looks lost too, introduce yourself and see if you can&rsquo;t figure it out together!
&nbsp;
Expect to feel a little lonely &ndash; it&rsquo;s unrealistic to expect every step of the journey to be painless, and it&rsquo;s only natural to feel cut off from your safety net and loved ones. And guess what? It&rsquo;s okay!
&nbsp;
Embrace your own travel style:
Don&rsquo;t feel obligated to do all the typical tourist activities unless you want to. Focus on the things that make you happy, whether that&rsquo;s meeting new people in a local bar, people-watching from a cozy caf&eacute;, wandering aimlessly through the city streets, or sitting quietly in a park or garden. Keep your eyes and ears open, and really let the destination sink in rather than rushing from activity to activity.
Do travel your way, whether that&rsquo;s trying to squeeze in every possible venue on your itinerary or sleeping in late before enjoying a relaxed brunch! It&rsquo;s your journey, so do it your way &ndash; that&rsquo;s one of the biggest benefits of all when it comes to solo travel.]]></body_text>
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<pubDate>2018-02-07 09:30:41</pubDate>
<content_id>1057920</content_id>
<author><![CDATA[Andrea Kohrs]]></author>
<heading><![CDATA[Cadbury and P.S. launch a valentines to remember]]></heading>
<title><![CDATA[Cadbury and P.S. launch a valentines to remember]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Win and ‘Share the Love’ with Cadbury P.S. this Valentine’s month!]]></description>
<body_text><![CDATA[Win and &lsquo;Share the Love&rsquo; with Cadbury P.S. this Valentine&rsquo;s month
A romantic hot air balloon trip and luxury spa day with a loved one anyone? If that&rsquo;s not really your thing there&rsquo;s also a chance to win, not one, but two Apple iPhones with all the added accessories.
Already have an iPhone? No worries. Enter the Cadbury P.S. competition and stand the chance of winning either a customised party experience or, if you&rsquo;ve been feeling a bit drab of late, you could also be the lucky winner of both a makeover and a shopping spree for you and your person.
How to enter
All you need to do to stand a chance of winning one of the four amazing prizes is to buy ONE of the four participating Cadbury P.S. bars with the message &ldquo;YOU&rsquo;RE AWESOME&rdquo;, &ldquo;I &hearts; YOU&rdquo;, &ldquo;BIG HUGS&rdquo; OR &ldquo;BE MY BAE&rdquo;. Then, to enter, scan the QR code on the wrapper and follow the prompts.
Don&rsquo;t miss out on your chance to win as the competition only runs until 28 February 2018.
&nbsp;Valentine&rsquo;s messages
Cadbury P.S. is bringing us more than one way to spice up the month of love. Cadbury P.S. have announced the release of a few limited edition messages to change up the way you to tell your loved one how you feel.
These will include quirky new messages such as &ldquo;I&rsquo;m glad I swiped right&rdquo;, &ldquo;you&rsquo;re my cup of awesome&rdquo;, &ldquo;crazy loves company&rdquo; and &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know what&rsquo;s tighter, our jeans or our friendship&rdquo;.
Not happy with the options available? Get the chance to create your own messages by scanning the QR code and creating their own personalised e-cards.
Look out for P.S. on the road!
If you&rsquo;re trying to come up with a unique gift for your lover, keep your eyes and ears out for Cadbury P.S. while they embark on a national roadshow from mall to mall and to selected university campuses across the country.
Here, after buying a participating P.S. bar, you will be able to record a special message for your lover or friend in a Cadbury P.S. video booth.]]></body_text>
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<pubDate>2018-01-23 09:30:03</pubDate>
<content_id>1057750</content_id>
<author><![CDATA[Staff Reporter]]></author>
<heading><![CDATA[Spice up your Valentines Day getaway]]></heading>
<title><![CDATA[Spice up your Valentines Day getaway]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[With Valentines Day around the corner, iAfrica provides you with a list of gorgeous getaways to keep the romance alive]]></description>
<body_text><![CDATA[Romance can sometimes be hard to find, hidden among the day-to-day grind of work, admin, and mind-crushingly boring chores like cooking and cleaning.
Whether you&rsquo;re in a new relationship, or you&rsquo;ve been married for decades, it&rsquo;s important to keep the romance alive. And sometimes that means getting away from the daily routine. Trying to have a romantic evening at home runs the risk of stress over the unvacuumed carpet, who is going to wash the dishes, or admin tasks getting in the way.
&nbsp;
This Valentine&rsquo;s Day, escape the city with your partner, because sometimes you just need time to connect with each other without distraction. Also, pretty surroundings don&rsquo;t hurt either.
The home-sharing platform Airbnb has some listings in far-flung, romantic corners of the country for you to consider.
&nbsp;
Escape to the seaside. 
If you&rsquo;d love to be close to the beach, you can&rsquo;t get any closer than La Mer in Paternoster.
The self-catering cottage is right on the beach in the seaside town, and is described as a perfect location for couples wanting to get away. Here you will find &ldquo;the best views of breathtaking sunsets and endless beaches&rdquo;.
Price: R1254 per night.
Romance factor: The balcony, complete with indoor fireplace, looks right on to the sand and is the perfect spot to sit for hours and watch the sunset, and the stars together, with nothing but the sound and smell of the ocean for company.
&nbsp;
Wine down a little. 
Tanagra Wine Farm is described on Airbnb as an &ldquo;idyllic working wine farm&rdquo; close to McGregor, with a variety of cottages available for guests, either on the main farm or tucked away on the &ldquo;wild part of the farm&rdquo;.
Guests have access to the garden, swimming pools (either a shared pool under the canopy of the farm&rsquo;s giant wild fig tree, or private plunge pools at the farm&rsquo;s more secluded cottages), and the trails on the farm. All guests are invited for a tasting of the farm&rsquo;s wines and spirits.
Price: R1105 per night.
Romance factor: The &ldquo;Faraway&rdquo; and &ldquo;Hill&rdquo; cottages are tucked away from the main farm. Enjoy a delicious bottle of wine from the estate, have a dip in your private plunge pool, or take a stroll through the &ldquo;pristine veld and fynbos&rdquo; or along one of the hiking trails.
&nbsp;
Get your glamp on. 
At Le Petit Karoo Ranch near Oudtshoorn, you can camp in style in a luxury tent on a hill looking over 50 hectares of stunning, serene landscape. Here, you can &ldquo;relax in a South African nature setting that will stay with you for a long time&rdquo;.
Previous guests raved about the setting, with most noting that they only wished that they could stay longer.
Price: R745 per night.
Romance factor: Perhaps the best, and most romantic, feature of the luxury tents is the spa bath with a full view of the beautiful mountains surrounding the farm.
&nbsp;
Relax by the river. 
River Goose cottage is located on a tree-lined street in the popular weekend-getaway destination of Greyton. For those wishing to get away from everything in a stress-free environment, with a variety of amenities within reach, this is the destination for you.
You&rsquo;ll have a &ldquo;lovely&rdquo;, fully-equipped en-suite bedroom with private entrance to yourself, with a kitchenette for convenience.
Previous guests in the cottage have described their stay on Airbnb as &ldquo;quiet&rdquo;, &ldquo;tranquil&rdquo;, and &ldquo;peaceful&rdquo;.&nbsp;
Price: R695 per night.
Romance factor: Enjoy coffee, breakfast, or a relaxed glass or two of wine from your own beautiful private outdoor patio area. And if you feel like a romantic stroll, you&rsquo;ll find a park and the Gobas River just across the road.&nbsp;]]></body_text>
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<pubDate>2018-01-19 14:29:38</pubDate>
<content_id>1057701</content_id>
<author><![CDATA[Staff reporter]]></author>
<heading><![CDATA[App makes 15-minute hotel stays possible]]></heading>
<title><![CDATA[App makes 15-minute hotel stays possible]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Instead of paying for a night, why not try a 4 hour rest in your hotel of choice.
Read more...]]></description>
<body_text><![CDATA[Why pay for an over-night stay at a hotel when all you need is a few hours to freshen up? It&rsquo;s an idea that is likely to appeal to many consumers who only need a short period of time in a hotel.
By-the-hour hotels is not a new concept, however have a reputation for being used for illicit reasons, said Sean Hennessy, a hotel consultant and an assistant profession for hospitality at a New York based university.
Typically, these &ldquo;by-the-hour&rdquo; hotels are found at low budget hotels, the enterprises today target middle-class to affluent customers in sought-after locations for vastly different purposes.
&ldquo;Now, more than ever before, the hotel industry is focused on trying to generate as much revenue as possible and taking advantage of empty rooms during the day is one way to do that,&rdquo; Hennessy said.
The guests that might make use of this services are people with lengthy lay-overs, corporate travels who need a quiet space to work or even locals who need some downtime during the day and find it easier to check into a hotel than go all the way home.
Hennessy said that it is often difficult for hotels to administer such short stays on their own and instead are collaborating with companies that can help them.
HotelsbyDay.com is one example, it has presence in more than 60 cities in the US alone, as well as locations in London and Paris. The brand works with more than 600 hotels in the three0five start categories. Room are available for a minimum of four hours between 9am-7pm. Prices vary, however average at about $90 for four hours.
And now, with the app Recharge, users can book rooms by the minute at luxury properties in New York City and San Francisco. Recharge started in San Francisco in 2016 and last April in New York City and can be used to book rooms by the minute in about 20 hotels in each destination, at any time of day or night. Many are five-star properties, such as the Surrey and the Pierre in New York City and the Taj Campton Palace in San Francisco, and some are in the four-star category. This year, the service will expand to Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and Washington.
Manny Bamfo, the company&rsquo;s co-founder and CEO, said that he started Recharge because he believed that there was a demand for hotel stays in minute-increments. These stays can be booked for immediate visits, or in advance; but booking is strictly through the same.
&ldquo;You pay for the amount of time you need and nothing more.&rdquo; &ndash; Bamfo said
Hotels benefit, too, Bamfo said: According to the company&rsquo;s research, a 250-room property can get almost 275-rooms&rsquo; worth of revenue in one day from these short stays.
Every hotel listed on Recharge&rsquo;s app has a service fee, ranging from $30 to $50( around R300 to R600). The more luxurious the hotel, the higher the fee. -New York Times.]]></body_text>
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<pubDate>2018-01-19 10:28:15</pubDate>
<content_id>1057692</content_id>
<author><![CDATA[Staff reporter]]></author>
<heading><![CDATA[How to make the most of SA Public Holidays]]></heading>
<title><![CDATA[How to make the most of SA Public Holidays]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Chose your leave wisely in 2018 and maximize your holidays!]]></description>
<body_text><![CDATA[If you have that &ldquo;new year, new me&rdquo; attitude; wanting to improve your fitness and health. So now that the festive season is done and dusted, it&rsquo;s time to plan for your next break from work.
Are you craving a few more week relaxing at home, maybe a seaside holiday or even a wild adventure?
The average full-time working South African should be able to take minimum of 15 days of paid annual leave. You can significantly expand your overall leave period if you utilise public holidays and weekends to your advantage.
You could, for example, take just four days leave and you could gain ten days for a family getaway, romantic break or a fun adventure with a group of friends.
If you&rsquo;re not working full-time and the freedom to travel at any time of the year, try avoiding peak-season, like Christmas or Easter holidays. Prices tend to rise at these times, so it might be to your advantage to go away and save some bucks.
But, for most us, we need to strategically take leave to our advantage.
Easter/School holidays
The Easter break is always a good time to take leave as it always coincides with the school break.
You can take a holiday from Good Friday on 30 March and take four days off from work the following week (the Monday, of course, is Family Day), returning to work on Monday 9 April. This period falls into national school holidays, so it could be perfect for a family break. Similarly, you can also take off from Human Rights Day on 21 March and return after Easter on 3 April &ndash; giving you a 13-day break, using just 6 leave days.
Either way, it&rsquo;s wise to book family-friendly accommodation in advance for this popular period. There are many places that offer family-friendly places around South Africa.
End of April/beginning May: Freedom Day and Worker&rsquo;s Day
This year, Freedom Day on 27 April falls on a Friday followed by Worker&rsquo;s Day on 1 May the following Tuesday. For just one day&rsquo;s leave taken on the Monday linking these two public holidays, you will gain five-day weekend.
Alternatively, you can book four days off and get 10 days, including the weekends. It might be a beneficial move as you won&rsquo;t hit as much traffic as the Easter Weekend.
Christmas/end-of-year break
If you can manage to see the entire year through without a holiday, this is when you really reap the benefits of all the public holidays!
This would be the ideal time for a lengthy family holiday. If you save up just eight days of leave to take at the end of the year, you will be able to take a whopping eighteen days off thanks to the Day of Reconciliation, Christmas Day, the Day of Goodwill and, of course, a couple of weekends thrown in. You will then be off work from end of day on 14 December, returning only on 2 January 2019.
If you&rsquo;re unable to take the week before Christmas off, you&rsquo;ll still take fifteen days by using seven days of leave &ndash; and you&rsquo;ll be off work for the second week of January while the rest of the work-force are already moping.
For those who used some leave earlier in the year, but are still lucky enough to have some days left over, you could finish work on 21 December and still enjoy 11 days, using just four days leave on 24, 27, 28 and 31 December.
Whatever you chose, pick wisely and enjoy your well-deserved break!]]></body_text>
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<pubDate>2018-01-18 14:38:42</pubDate>
<content_id>1057678</content_id>
<author><![CDATA[Staff reporter]]></author>
<heading><![CDATA[North Korea prepares for Winter Olympics]]></heading>
<title><![CDATA[North Korea prepares for Winter Olympics]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[North Korea builds second ski resort, just in time for Winter Olympics]]></description>
<body_text><![CDATA[With less than a month to go until the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea hasn&rsquo;t stopped the country&rsquo;s northern neighbour from demanding its own time in the spotlight with the opening of a new ski resort.
The Kanggye Ski Resort is the second ski resort to be built in North Korea in less than five years. The Masikryong Ski Resort, opened in 2013, is much larger.
The news was announced on the country&rsquo;s Ryugyong website; it explained in true North Korean style that the project was completed ahead of schedule to reflect the &ldquo;supreme will of the people.&rdquo;
Following the 10-month building project by local workers, the resort officially opened on Sunday. Construction of the resort, close to the city of Kanggye is in the north of the country, near the border with China. Construction began in July last year under the order of Kim Jong-un.
At the time of the announcement of the project, state-run DPRK Today said the ski area would feature two ski slopes and snow-making capabilities &ldquo;so skiing would not be hindered if snow doesn&rsquo;t fall in the winter.&rdquo;
The ski area reportedly covers 12 acres with a 530-metre main slope, suitable for beginners and intermediate skiers. There is also a 200m beginner slope, restaurants and accommodation, according to North Korean sources.
Back in 2013, during the construction of the Masikryong resort, which reportedly cost &pound;21 million, North Korea wasn&rsquo;t permitted to import a chairlift from Switzerland due to trade sanctions. Kim Jong-un&rsquo;s regime referred to this as &ldquo;a serious breach of human rights.&rdquo; Instead, it had to source a 30-year-old Austrian ski lift, sold to the North Korean resort by China.
To avoid UN sanctions hindering the development in Kanggye, the new resort&rsquo;s life was built locally, at &ldquo;Masikryong speed&rdquo; &ndash; a term used in the communist state referring to the breakneck pace at which workers built the Masikryong, the resort was built in under a year and is noted to be a point of national pride.
The opening of the second resort in Kanggye comes as the country participates in talks with South Korea to secure its attendance at the Winter Olympics in just a few weeks&rsquo; time.
The International Olympic Committee is scheduled to discuss a proposal from the South Korean government that the two countries have agreed, in principle, to field a joint women&rsquo;s ice hockey team at the Games. If approved at the meeting in Switzerland this weekend, it will be the first unified Korean Olympic team ever.
On Monday, Pyeongchang would also welcome a 140-member North Korean pop orchestra to perform at the Games. The orchestra is known as the Samjiyon Band and is one of North Korea&rsquo;s top art troupes. It's scheduled to perform twice in South Korea &ndash; once in the capital, Seoul, and again in Gangneung, one of the Olympic locations on the country&rsquo;s east coast.
It has been confirmed, to avoid controversy, that the band will only play traditional Korean folk songs, known by both countries, a well as classical music to avoid North Korean propaganda.
Following the talks held at the border village of Panmunjom earlier this month, the two sides have agreed that it&rsquo;s likely that North Korea will send athletes, cheerleaders, the orchestra, journalists and a taekwondo demonstration team to the Games.
Kim Jong-un addressed the global sporting event in a New Year speech. &ldquo;In regard to the Winter Olympics which will be held soon in South Korea, (the Olympics) will be a good opportunity to display the status of the Korean nation and we sincerely hope that the Games are held successfully.&rdquo;]]></body_text>
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<caption><![CDATA[This isn't the first time Kim Jong-un has opened a ski resort - seen here in Masikryong Ski Resort. Credit: AFP/KNS,]]></caption>
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<pubDate>2018-01-18 09:34:51</pubDate>
<content_id>1057667</content_id>
<author><![CDATA[Staff reporter]]></author>
<heading><![CDATA[Man commits to climbing Table Mountain 365 times for charity]]></heading>
<title><![CDATA[Man commits to climbing Table Mountain 365 times for charity]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Cape Town resident promises to climb Table Mountain 365 times this year for charity.]]></description>
<body_text><![CDATA[Cape Town hiker Andrew Patterson will climb Table Mountain 365 times this year to raise R1 million for charity. Patterson, founder of 365 Ubuntu Climbs initiative, hopes to shed light on critical South African issues and improve the lives of the poor.
Donations will be collected via crowdfunding platform, Backabuddy. The funds will be distributed to three organisations, namely; Habitat for Humanity, One Heart For Kids and the Sunflower Fund.
The organisations will undertake a series of projects to improve disadvantaged South African communities. Importantly, teaching children the importance of reading and create awareness about Leukaemia in South Africa.
&ldquo;I am passionate about fitness and charity and my love for both grew after being retrenched from work last year.
&ldquo;I got the idea to start the campaign while I was driving pass Table Mountain to Stellenbosch one night. I was either going to return to corporate or do something to help South Africans,&rdquo; he said.
&ldquo;My mantra is to take things one step at a time. Small steps eventually lead to the final goal. I believe that power comes from focusing on what you can do, rather than what is wrong,&rdquo; said Patterson.
Since the campaign started, he raised R33 948 from locals and international donors.
Patterson warns people that climbing Table Mountain is no mean feat, the weather can change at anytime so being prepared is important.
&ldquo;Make sure you hydrate, wear confortable clothes and start the journey early&rdquo;, Patterson suggests.
Visit https://www.backabuddy.co.za/365-ubuntuclimbs&nbsp;to find out more about the cause and to donate.
Watch:
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<caption><![CDATA[Cape Town hiker Andrew Patterson will climb Table Mountain 365 times this year to raise R1 million for charity. Credit: IOL News]]></caption>
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<pubDate>2018-01-17 14:38:24</pubDate>
<content_id>1057658</content_id>
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<heading><![CDATA[Why we should all visit Morocco ]]></heading>
<title><![CDATA[Why we should all visit Morocco ]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[Morocco is such a diverse and exotic place to travel to; its mixture of modern and ancient makes it a bucket-list destination.
Find out more...]]></description>
<body_text><![CDATA[Despite Morocco being widely known for its rugged mountainous interior and scattered desert. Morocco has a beautiful coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.
The Kingdom of Morocco is place full of adventure and wonder; the country&rsquo;s coast and rich cultural history makes this kingdom a tourist hub.
These attractions have made Morocco the second largest foreign exchange earner in the country and the government has a greater vision for 2020; favouring Morocco to be of the top 20 tourist destinations in the world.
Kasbah of Udayas, a fortress located at the mouth of the Bou Regreg river is in the country&rsquo;s capital, Rabat, is a popular destination for tourists. The edifice was built in the 12th century; making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Other beautiful sites include the Majorelle Garden, a 10117 km2 &nbsp;botanical gardens which took French painter, Jacques Majorelle, forty years to create.
The Ouzoud Falls, a waterfall in the middle of the dessert is also a bucket-list site. The waterfall is 110 meters and monkeys can be seen perusing around.

There is also plenty of places to hike, climb and ski over the Toubkal and take camel rides across the dunes of Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga.
Morocco has so much to discover and explore, it&rsquo;s the perfect balance of rich cultural history and modernity all in one.]]></body_text>
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<pubDate>2018-01-17 09:56:41</pubDate>
<content_id>1057656</content_id>
<author><![CDATA[Staff reporter]]></author>
<heading><![CDATA[Cathay Pacific introduce new baggage policy]]></heading>
<title><![CDATA[Cathay Pacific introduce new baggage policy]]></title>
<description><![CDATA[New baggage for Cathay Pacific policy amidst technological advancements.
Read more...]]></description>
<body_text><![CDATA[Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon introduced a new policy surrounding the carriage of &lsquo;smart bags&rsquo;, a new type of luggage which has a lithium battery integrated into it; for charging your devices.
Smart bags will not be considered a portable electronic device (PED); their batteries will be handled as a power bank or spare lithium battery. The new policy follows industry guidance, issued by Air Transport Association (IATA) and aligns with similar products adopted by major airlines for safely and risk management.
The rule came into effect on January 1, meaning that customers who travel with smart bags must be able to remove the battery in case the bag has to be checked at any point of the customer&rsquo;s journey. The passenger must carry the removed lithium battery in their cabin luggage; as they would any lithium battery device.
In the event of the customer using the smart bag as cabin luggage, the battery must be removed and should remain inside the bag. Importantly, if the battery cannot be removed then the bag will not be permitted onto the fight.
The airline said in a statement that any passengers concerned with the new policy are welcome to query and the airline will happily answer any questions.]]></body_text>
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<caption><![CDATA[Credit: Cathay Pacific]]></caption>
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