By Alec Hogg
After seeing so many positive results, I’ll always argue with those who believe nothing good comes out of the WEF annual meeting in Davos. The January 2023 meeting was no exception – but, also from a personal perspective for a rather different reason.
___STEADY_PAYWALL___In Davos, Naspers chairman Koos Bekker politely declined my request for an interview – he prefers not engaging when unable to answer all questions. But did spend time sharing two of his passions: his open-to-the-public farm home Babylonstoren and a “cooldrink for grownups” made there called BitterLekker.
Having now experienced both, I ‘get’ what our national super-entrepreneur is on about. Jeanette and I began the past long weekend with a couple of nights at Bekker and wife Karen Roos’s creation near Paarl. And were blown away. Everything, absolutely everything about Babylonstoren is world-class.
Including former Kirstenbosch-based botanist Ernst van Jaarsveld, who hosted one of the residents-only tours I joined. This 90 minute event extended into one of the most interesting two and a half hours ever. Had that interaction happened a few decades earlier, I’d never have dropped Biology in Std 7.
Babylonstoren targets hard-currency tourists, so, like those exquisite game farms in the Lowveld, is a Bucket List destination for most South Africans. But even so, is worth every local cent. On the upside, Bitterlekker, my new favourite tipple, is priced for Rand earners.
More for you to read:
- A new chapter of Capitalism emerges from the banking crisis. The idea that finance is an arm of the state is back — and global banking is likely to be reshaped by it, signalling a new era of capitalism. Click here.
- The International Criminal Court just made it easier for any successor to get rid of the dictator and his shadow, there is finally, a serious offer to take Putin off Russia’s hands. Click here.
- China has its own version of a banking problem, Xi Jinping wants more SMEs to help the country meet its 5% growth target. That is placing a strain on lenders. Click here.
