Latest news with #Rosebank
Scotsman
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Why Scotland must stop North Sea oil fields, like Rosebank, from being used to exploit Gaza citizens
Humza Yousaf, the former first minister, argues against allowing Ithaca Energy's owners to press ahead with Rosebank in the North Sea. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... 'We survived.' That is the message we wait for every morning from Sally, my wife Nadia's cousin, who lives in Gaza with her husband and four young children. I say 'live', but in reality, their daily goal is simply to survive the barbaric Israeli onslaught that has so far claimed the lives of over 50,000 Gazans, including around 17,000 children. That is before we are even able to begin counting the bodies trapped under rubble. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Displaced Palestinians flee Khan Younis, Gaza, amid the ongoing Israeli military offensive in the area | AP There are no words left to describe the scale of inhumanity we are witnessing in Gaza. Many seasoned diplomats and humanitarian workers who have been to numerous conflict zones over the decades all, to a man and woman, say the same thing; Gaza is the worst humanitarian catastrophe they have ever seen – and of course it is entirely man-made. The situation is now beyond urgent. Tom Fletcher, UN humanitarian chief last week warned that thousands of babies in Gaza could die if more aid is not allowed in. And he asked the question to world leaders and all of us - are we 'doing all we can' to stop the suffering? We have heard stronger language from the UK government, with the Foreign Secretary calling Israel's actions 'monstrous' and 'intolerable' in a recent Commons statement. However, what we need, and more importantly the people of Gaza need, is to ensure that rhetoric transforms into meaningful action that will hopefully stop the scale of devastation we are witnessing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The most immediate, and probably effective step the UK government could take is to stop all arms sales to Israel. How on earth can the UK government continue to legally, let alone morally, justify selling arms to a government headed by a man wanted by the ICC for war crimes and crimes against humanity? While responsibility for arms export licenses lies with the UK government, we can also use whatever influence and power we have in Scotland to oppose the onslaught faced by the people of Gaza, at the hands of the Israeli Government. It is easy to feel powerless, but we can start by looking at the role this country – and our resources – are playing in funding the suffering the people of Gaza are facing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Profits from Scotland's oil and gas reserves are right now flowing to a company linked to human rights violations in Palestine, and hundreds of millions of pounds more could follow in the near future. Few have heard of Ithaca Energy, but it is on track to become the largest North Sea oil and gas producer. It holds stakes in seven out of ten of the basin's largest fields and is part of the two largest, most controversial undeveloped fields in the basin: the Rosebank and Cambo oil fields off the west coast of Shetland. Extinction Rebellion activists campaign against the Cambo oil field development. When I publicly opposed the UK government's approval of the Rosebank oil field as first minister, I did so for environmental reasons and the impact continuing to develop new oil and gas fields will have on our climate. And of course, these concerns remain. However, information about Ithaca Energy's owners, Delek Group, only give further rise to concerns I have. Ithaca is majority-owned by the Israeli fuel conglomerate, Delek Group, which has been flagged by the UN for human rights violations in Palestine. Delek operates in illegal Israeli settlements across the Palestinian West Bank and is known to provide fuel to the Israel Defense Forces, via a subsidiary. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There is near-universal agreement across the world that settlements are illegal under international law. We have, over the past 19 months, seen an increase in settler violence against innocent Palestinians. By their very nature, settlements are a tool used by the Israeli state to occupy more and more Palestinian land. This is why countries like Ireland are now taking steps to ban trade with Israeli businesses in occupied territories. We also know Delek's activities in illegal settlements was one of the reasons Norway's largest pension fund, KLP, divested from Delek Group in 2021 citing an 'unacceptable risk of the company contributing to or being responsible for serious breaches of ethical norms'. A company that is cited by the UN for possible human rights violations, and which has a contract with the IDF who are responsible for the mass slaughter of tens of thousands of children in Gaza, should not be allowed to profit from Scotland's resources. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad If the UK government allows the development of the Rosebank oil field, it's estimated it will see more than a quarter of a billion pounds in profit flow to Delek. A map showing the location of the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil fields | Kimberley Mogg/NationalWorld If Ithaca is allowed to continue to expand in the North Sea by developing Rosebank, the answer to the question posed by Tom Fletcher - 'are we doing all we can?' - would be an emphatic no. We cannot allow oil fields signed off in Westminster to be used to bankroll injustice across the world. I am certain that one day those who are responsible for the war crimes we are witnessing in Gaza will be held to account. We must ensure we are in no way complicit; Scotland must not allow our natural resources to become a revenue stream for companies tied to the oppression of the Palestinian people.
Mail & Guardian
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mail & Guardian
Finding story and soul at the Kingsmead Book Fair
One for the books: On her first visit to the Kingsmead Book Fair, held every May in Johannesburg, the writer was surprised by the massive turnout at the event. I underestimated the extent to which Johannesburg's Kingsmead Book Fair is revered. Honestly, I did. I thought I'd arrive, park with ease, grab a quick coffee and stroll into a modest school event. Instead, I circled like an anxious Uber driver, finally parking a few streets down and weaving my way towards the gates, grumbling. There was a steady, almost ritual-like, stream of people making their way to the school — young, old, families, friends, lovers of words. And I had to remind myself — this is my first time. I must keep an open mind. Kingsmead College, nestled quietly in Rosebank, didn't look like the kind of place that could transform into a buzzing cultural hub. But that Saturday, it did. And not just any buzz — it was electric, inviting and joyful. People came in numbers. More than I expected. And I was genuinely surprised, perhaps even moved, by how many still enjoy good old literature in a world of reels, swipes and 10-second dopamine hits. As I made my way through the entrance, dodging enthusiastic children and chatty clusters of adults, I tried not to be distracted by the enticing aromas coming from the food court. The food trucks and stalls were so perfectly placed you'd swear it was a festival more than a book fair. I considered giving in to the aroma of sizzling boerie rolls but instead made it my mission to walk around, to understand what it is that pulls people here. Why would anyone willingly choose to spend their Saturday at a school? And then, as if on cue, I saw it. Children — wide-eyed and vocal — dragging their parents by the hand, eager to attend storytime or rush into Exclusive Books with the title of a new book already in mind. Young readers, unapologetically loud in their excitement. Parents, some tired, some amused, but all present. No kidding: The annual Kingsmead Book Fair, held at Kingsmead College, in the Johannesburg suburb of Rosebank, attracts lovers of stories, both young and old. It was a moment of clarity for me — this wasn't just a book fair. It was a time for families and friends to gather, to celebrate something deeper. It was about passing the baton of imagination and thought to the next generation. There were sessions spread across the day, diving into various themes — politics, identity, children's literature, the writing craft and more. But I knew myself. Escapism is my soft place to land. I read the news daily, soak in its heaviness, and often find myself longing for softness, for sweetness, for something that affirms joy. So, I headed for the panel hosted by the Romance Writers Organisation of South Africa. I didn't raise my hand or pose a question. I simply sat and soaked it all in, basking in the energy of young people discussing love, dreams and writing as if it were sacred — and it is. I even picked up a few things I know will sharpen my writing skills. Observing how people speak about what they love teaches you about how to write about what matters to you. At some point, after too much walking, listening and light eavesdropping, I found a quiet bench tucked away under a tree. I had just collected a hotdog and needed to rest both my legs and my thoughts. Turns out, I wasn't the only one eyeing that bench. A young woman approached, smiling kindly before asking if she could join me. 'Of course,' I nodded. 'I matriculated in 2012 from Kingsmead College,' she said, unwrapping her sandwich. 'And I've never missed a fair.' She shared, between bites, how this place — the book fair, the school, the tradition — was more than just an annual event to her. 'It's part of my fabric,' she said, 'part of who I am. I love seeing some of my old classmates come here with their kids or partners. It feels like a reunion. 'A little overwhelming sometimes … which is why I'm hiding here with you,' she chuckled. We both laughed. In that moment, it didn't matter that I was a first-timer and she was a regular. We were simply two women, enjoying the comfort of stories and sunshine and sausage rolls. Her words stayed with me long after she left. 'Part of who we are.' Isn't that what literature is? A thread in our fabric? A familiar scent on a rainy day? A compass when the world feels confusing? The Kingsmead Book Fair, for me, was an unexpected awakening. A reminder that not everything good is loud or trending. That quiet love —for books, for community, for shared experiences still thrives in this city. Joburg is often painted with a hard edge: traffic, load-shedding, crime, concrete. But here, in the heart of Rosebank, under trees and the soft hum of conversation, was something tender. Something beautiful. A place where stories, fictional and lived, collided. Where readers and writers looked each other in the eye and said, 'I see you.' Yes, I was overwhelmed. But in the best way. Overwhelmed by humanity, the joy, the shared curiosity. I walked away with a few books for my nieces, but more importantly, I walked away with a renewed sense of hope. That in this often chaotic world, there are still places like the Kingsmead Book Fair. Places that remind us to imagine, to dream, to explore … and, ultimately, to reveal something new within ourselves. If you ever find yourself in Johannesburg in May, do yourself a favour. Walk a few extra blocks, follow the smell of cinnamon and coffee and allow yourself to get lost among the stories.
Mail & Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
Relish Deluxe: Where Jozi goes to eat after dark
Refuel: Relish Deluxe, a café, deli, grocer and late-night diner in a garage forecourt on Johannesburg's Jan Smuts Avenue, is open 24 hours a day. It's just past midnight in Rosebank and the streets have exhaled their daytime rush. On Jan Smuts Avenue — where Parkwood and Rosebank blur — a new energy stirs. The neon glow of Minty's garage cuts through the night, not for fuel, but for the irresistible pull of wood-fired dough, chipotle's smoky heat and bold espressos. Welcome to Relish Deluxe, Johannesburg's 24-hour culinary haven, where a wagyu burger at 3am, fresh-baked croissants at dawn or a lingering coffee in a reimagined forecourt feels like a quiet revolution. Only six weeks old, Relish has already woven itself into Jozi's fabric. On two recent weekends, we turned around — upstairs seating packed, the forecourt alive with groups under orange streetlights. Even on a Wednesday evening, it's buzzing; less jam-packed, but no less inviting. And the hype delivers: a Mexican pizza with a charred, chewy crust; steak frites kissed with chimichurri and an Asian slaw chicken burger, tangy and unforgettable. This isn't fast food. It's memory in motion. A love letter to a city that never sleeps. Chef Muhammed Patel Relish is a café, deli, grocer and late-night diner in one. It fills a gap in Johannesburg's foodscape — high-quality, halaal dining that defies the clock. Think buttery croissants, soft-serve swirls, artisanal pastas and pantry staples; available always. Young chef Muhammed Patel, in the industry for eight years, channels his family's culinary heritage. 'My grandfather cooked for hundreds at weddings,' he says. 'Food was our heartbeat. Now it's Relish's.' His kitchen marries tradition with precision — wagyu burgers are decadent, pizza crusts sing with char and the ras malai cheesecake with saffron and cardamom is decadently unforgettable. 'Whether it's 2pm or 2am, the standard holds.' Relish sits steps from The Pantry, another petrol-station-turned-destination, signalling a shift in how Jozi eats and gathers. These spaces — once transient, functional — now pulse with connection, embodying the principles of new urbanism. Like London's Boxpark or Brooklyn's warehouse food halls, Relish transforms under-used infrastructure into cultural real estate. A petrol station becomes a plaza. A public square in disguise. What sets Relish apart is its ethos. 'The food is halaal,' Patel says, 'but the space is for everyone.' In South Africa, where halaal dining is often sidelined or stereotyped, Relish integrates it seamlessly. Every ingredient is certified, every supplier vetted; not to exclude, but to build trust. That trust draws a diverse crowd: students debating gigs, healthcare workers unwinding, older patrons savouring morning lattes. Upstairs, conversations spill into the night; downstairs, the wood-fired oven flickers, coffee cups clink and strangers become regulars. This fluidity mirrors Joburg's evolving identity, a city of hybrid spaces for hybrid lives. Historically shaped by division and utilitarian planning, Jozi now finds belonging in places like Relish, open 24 hours, to all. The global halaal food market, projected to grow from $2.5 trillion this year to $5 trillion by 2033, reflects the rising demand for ethical, transparent food; not just among the world's two billion Muslims, but across demographics. South Africa, with 80% of supermarket products halaal-certified, has long lacked consistent, high-quality halaal dining at odd hours. Relish fills this void. Relish isn't just feeding Jozi, it's reshaping its nights, softening its edges. Where once there was fuel and function, now there's flame, flavour and fellowship. As Patel puts it: 'We're feeding Jozi's soul, one plate at a time.' Under the warm hum of a reimagined service station, it's not a tagline, it's the rhythm of a restless city, reborn.
Mail & Guardian
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mail & Guardian
Come home to Mama's
Buon appetito!: Chef Ashton Frodsham and his team took weeks to work out the menu at Pink Mama's, which uses seasonal ingredients. Photo: Taff Studios I recently watched a heartwarming film on Netflix called Nonnas. It follows the story of Joe Scaravella who, after his beloved grandmother dies, finds a way to reconnect with her memory through food. He stumbles through recreating some of her recipes, half remembered and half improvised, and in the process, stirs up more than just pasta. He stirs up a dream. Instead of using his inheritance to settle his debts, Joe chooses to honour his grandmother differently — by opening a traditional Italian restaurant. But here's the twist — he staffs his kitchen with grandmothers, or nonnas, from different parts of Italy, many of whom were his grandmother's friends. These are women who bring more than just recipes to the kitchen; they bring heart, stories and memory, folded gently into each lasagne layer and stirred into every pot of marinara sauce. As I watched this, I couldn't help but think, 'What if we had something like this in South Africa? What if food could be more than an Instagrammable plate, more than a fleeting trend — what if it could be a bridge between generations, a celebration of memory and culture?' A few days later, the universe responded. I found myself walking up to a pink house in Rosebank — yes, an actual house painted the softest, dreamiest shade of pink. It felt like stepping into a postcard. This was Pink Mama's, a new Italian restaurant that has been creating ripples across Johannesburg's food scene. I had to see it for myself. Now, Joburg's restaurant culture is many things: vibrant, fast-paced, ever-changing. But, often, it can also feel manufactured. Places open with more attention paid to photo backdrops than flavour profiles. We're served dishes that look like heaven but taste like disappointment. Pink Mama's was different. I spoke to Ashton Frodsham, the general manager and creative mind behind the menu. 'People are really loving our restaurant,' he told me. 'It's a quaint old home, so it does have that homely feel to it. 'We hand-selected all the furniture, as well as the cutlery and glassware. It really does feel homely.' A taste of Italy: Pink Mama's, which is located in a house that's painted pink in the Johannesburg suburb of Rosebank, offers authentic Italian cuisine, reminiscent of that offered in the film Nonnas. Photo: Taff Studios He wasn't exaggerating. The moment you step feels like someone's memory brought to life. The tiled floors, vintage portraits, vibrant colour profiles — it felt like Nonna's house, but with Joburg flair. As I sat in the middle of the restaurant, soaking it all in, a moment happened that felt like a scene pulled right from Nonnas. An elderly white man, cardigan casually draped over his shoulder, his accent thick with Italian warmth, approached my table. 'Can my wife and I join you?' he asked, before turning and calling out to her across the room, without waiting for my response. She gently declined and called him back with the kind of familiarity that only years of marriage can build. He smiled, apologised and returned to his table. And there it was — an accidental moment of community, of curiosity, of cultural overlap. A moment that made me wonder, if I were in a small village in Italy, wouldn't this have been completely normal? That interaction, brief and whimsical, stayed with me. Then came the food. I ordered their 50-layer lasagne. Yes, clichéd — but also a necessary test. If an Italian restaurant can't get the lasagne right, then what are we even doing? They nailed it. Each layer was soft but structured, the pasta cooked to perfection. The marinara, a sauce that often risks being too acidic, was mellow, sweet and tangy in the most balanced way. The meat was seasoned with care, generous but not overwhelming. It melted in my mouth, and with each bite, I found myself smiling. The portion? Enormous. And yet, I couldn't stop. I took the leftovers home, but even on the drive back, all I could think about was getting home to finish it. And when I did, I was not disappointed. Frodsham told me the menu took four weeks to develop and months to refine with the staff. 'Most of the dishes are meals I've cooked for my own family and friends. Food is central to who we are. When we travel, we go looking for meals that will inspire our next home-cooked dish,' he said. He also mentioned something that impressed me — the menu changes with the seasons. If an ingredient isn't in season, that dish disappears, making room for fresher, more inspired offerings. It's a level of respect for both the diner and the ingredients that's rare in our food scene. I ended my meal with a virgin mojito — refreshing and simple. As I left, I couldn't help but feel excited. About Pink Mama's, about what's possible in our city, and about the ways food can bring us home — even if that home is someone else's, on another continent. Pink Mama's gave me a taste of Italy in Johannesburg. But more than that, it gave me a glimpse into what's possible when restaurants are built on memory, meaning and love. Just like Nonnas. And maybe one day we'll have our own version of it here, staffed by gogos, cooking recipes passed down through generations. Food with a heartbeat.
Forbes
15-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Best Ultra-Aged Scotch Whisky, According To SF World Spirits Competition
The five top rated ultra-aged single malt Scotch whiskies Five ultra-aged single malt Scotch whiskies are finalists in the 20 Years and Older category at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The SFWSC is among the world's largest and most prestigious whisky judging events. Whisky enthusiasts and the beverage industry closely follow its results. Below are brief backgrounds and tasting notes on the finalists. The Top Shelf 2025 Awards Gala, a highly anticipated whiskey industry event, will announce the winner on November 9 at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. Rosebank Distillery was established in Falkirk in Scotland's Lowlands in 1840. It became renowned for producing a light, floral, and elegant single malt due to its use of triple distillation and worm tub condensers—an unusual combination. Often referred to as the 'King of the Lowlands,' Rosebank developed a cult following before being mothballed in 1993 by United Distillers/Diageo. The distillery was resurrected in 2017 after Ian Macleod Distillers acquired the site and trademarks. They undertook a meticulous restoration, preserving its whiskey's historic style and character. In 2023, Rosebank officially resumed production. The nose features pronounced citrus notes, typical of Lowland distillers, vanilla, caramel, and candied almonds. The palate exhibits herbal chamomile notes and tropical and stone fruit flavors of cooked banana, peach, apricot, and red berries. The finish is long, smooth, sweet, and fruity with lingering herbal and seasoned oak notes. This whisky is a continuation of Rosebank's legacy. Like its older sibling, it represents stock laid down before the distillery's closing in 1993. Although it shares a similar DNA, its aroma and flavor profile differ slightly from the 31-Year-Old expression. The nose features pineapple, candied ginger, lemon, marzipan, white pepper, and café latte/mocha notes. It's velvety smooth on the palate, with herbal notes of thyme, cooked cereal/malt, butterscotch, tropical fruits, and assorted wood spices. The finish is long and fruity, with lingering lemon, honey, cooked cereal, and toasted walnut notes. Glen Scotia Distillery, founded in 1832, is one of the few remaining distilleries in Campbeltown, once hailed as the "whisky capital of the world." Known for its maritime influence and distinctive oil-rich character, Glen Scotia has endured industry downturns and ownership changes while maintaining its landmark aroma and taste profile. Today, the distillery produces a range of single malts that reflect Campbeltown's peated and unpeated styles. Since being revitalized under the ownership of Loch Lomond Group, Glen Scotia has gained critical acclaim and has been a perennial medalist at international spirit competitions. The nose features Campbeltown's maritime terroir, red apple, candied orange peel, vanilla syrup, and caramel. It's sweet, smooth, and creamy on the palate, exhibiting an assortment of orchard and citrus fruit and wood spices of cinnamon, ginger, and clove. The finish is long, with lingering maritime and spicy ground ginger notes. Tomintoul Distillery, established in 1964, is in the Speyside region of Scotland near Tomintoul—the highest village in the Highlands. Built to produce a light, smooth style of whisky, it uses water sourced from the Ballantruan spring and primarily crafts unpeated single malts. However, it also produces a peated line under the "Old Ballantruan" name. Known as "The Gentle Dram," Tomintoul emphasizes balance and elegance in its whiskies. Today, it is owned by Angus Dundee Distillers and is widely respected for its approachable, fruit-forward expressions. The nose features brown sugar, digestive biscuits, golden raisins, and toasted oak. Salted caramel, stone fruit, cured tobacco leaf, praline nuts, maple syrup, vanilla custard, and oak spices of cinnamon, black pepper, clove, and candied ginger are showcased on the palate. The finish is long with a nuanced complexity showcasing coffee cake, crème caramel, and burnt sugar notes. Alexander Murray is a Florida-based specialty bottler. In addition to their proprietary range, they also develop custom blends for Costco, Total Wine & More, and others. This Highland single malt is bottled at cask strength and offers a rich and complex profile. The whisky is sweet on the nose, featuring peach syrup, chocolate fudge, nougat, cooked cereal/malt, floral heather, and spicy orange peel. The palate exhibits pronounced orange fruit notes of orange oil and candied orange zest, herbal notes of dried spices, caramel, and vanilla. The finish is sweet with lingering seasoned oak and spicy notes. These ultra-aged Scotch single malt whiskies, among the rarest ones available, offer a unique tasting experience. Less than 1% of Scotch whisky is aged 25 years or more, making these expressions exceptional. The Rosebank expressions, for example, represent the last remnant stock produced before the distillery shut down. Once that inventory is gone, it will be three decades before sufficiently aged stock is again available. All these single malts are worth tasting, and if you like one, buy it. You may not have another chance.
