FROM THE
We’re halfway through the year! Time flies by when you’re busy making magic. But amidst the busyness, there's still time to pause, reflect, and make the most of the rest of the year. In this edition, we meet the Tommo Family, new parents Amy and Ryan, baby Hunter, and their two fur babies Grey Boots and Penelope. They share why they are so happy to have chosen Seaward Estates to begin their next chapter.
Our parks are a fabulous shared space and we should all strive to do our part in preserving their natural charm. We outline the guidelines to ensure a safe, clean, and enjoyable experience for all residents and visitors. From noise levels to pet etiquette, it's all covered.
We also meet Ncamisile Mhlangu, Seaward Estates’ New Estate Administration & Lifestyle Manager! Ncamisile is committed to supporting and serving the residents, and her door is always open for ideas and feedback. Let's welcome her to the Seaward Estates family! Our ‘Fur-ever in Good Hands’ feature highlights our local groomers and pet sitters, ensuring your babies are in good care whilst you’re away. For our plant lovers, we explore the world of aloes, from choosing the right species to caring for them properly, and highlight some of the best varieties for your coastal garden.
It is heartbreaking to see your feline friend in distress. But knowing what to do in an emergency can make all the difference. In ‘Emergency First Aid for Cats’, we'll walk you through the essential steps of helping your cat, from assessing injuries to administering CPR.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents FABMAGS cannot be held responsible for any omission or errors, or for any misfortune, injury or damages that may arise there from. FabMags is a privately owned and funded company and is not subsidized by Seaward Estates or the SEMHOA.
and the FabTeam
Contact numbers
Estate Management
ESTATE MANAGER
ESTATE
ADMINSTRATIVE & LIFESTYLE MANAGER
COMPLIANCE MANAGER
Rieva McMurtrie estatemanager@seawardestates.co.za
Ncamisile Mhlangu adminmanager@seawardestates.co.za
Geno Moodley complianceofficer@seawardestates.co.za
WE HAVE WON 2022, 2023 AND 2024.
THANKS TO YOUR AMAZING SUPPORT, WE’RE IN THE RUNNING, NOW WE JUST NEED YOUR VOTE! HELP US BRING IT HOME!
SALT ROCK, BALLITO AND LA MERCY 032 946 0881 | info@remaxdolphin.co.za www.remaxdolphin.co.za
FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATOR
PROPERTY ADMINISTRATOR
Melanie Pillay financeadministrator@seawardestates.co.za
Pravina Chetty propertyadministrator@seawardestates.co.za biometrics@seawardestates.co.za
MAINTENANCE MANAGER
Jonathan Cribbins maintenancemanager@seawardestates.co.za 063 292 0121
SECURITY MANAGER
BUILT ENVIRONMENT COMPLIANCE OFFICER
Shadrack Phallo securitymanager@seawardestates.co.za
Ziningi Dikwayo builtenvironment@seawardestates.co.za
SUPPORT ADMINISTRATOR
supportadministrator@seawardestates.co.za 032 946 0685/6
*All queries to be directed to the Help Desk
SECURITY
24HR SECURITY
IPSS CONTROL ROOM
DHIRAN MAHARAJ
PRIVATE emergency Contact details help desk
032 946 0685 (option 2)
0861 324 777
Ballito Estates
dmaharaj@ballito-estates.co.za 032 946 2055
RISE UP MOVEMENT
068 024 7568 Open 24 hours help@riseupmovement.org.za 082 391 1911
IPSS MEDICAL RESCUE
SNAKE RESCUE & REMOVAL
072 809 5806 / 082 331 3256
*Callout fees will apply
Our parks are one of the most cherished shared spaces in the Estate. To help preserve its beauty and ensure everyone has a pleasant experience, we kindly ask all residents and visitors to follow these park guidelines:
Noise & Music
• No music or amplified sound is permitted in the park.
• Please maintain a quiet, peaceful atmosphere for all to enjoy.
Braai / BBQ areas
• Braais are only allowed in designated areas.
• Clean up thoroughly after use.
• Never leave open flames or hot coals unattended.
cleaNliNess
• Please use the rubbish bins provided.
• Leave picnic and seating areas clean and tidy.
• Help keep the park spotless for everyone.
Pets
• Pets must be on a leash at all times.
• Owners are required to clean up after their pets.
ProhiBited iN the ParK
• No smoking near children’s play areas.
• No alcohol or drug use.
• No camping or overnight stays.
• No open fi res outside braai areas.
• No damage or vandalism to park property or landscaping.
childreN
• Children under the age of 12 years must be supervised by an adult at all times.
iN case oF issues
• Please report any damages, safety concerns, or maintenance needs to the Estate offi ce.
Let’s work together to keep our park clean, safe, and enjoyable for all.
Open Daily: 08:00 - 21:00
We get to know this young family who just welcomed a new addition!
We are Amy, Ryan, and Hunter Rose Thompsonaffectionately known by our friends as “The Tommos ”. Our little girl, Hunter Rose, made her grand (and recordbreaking) entrance on 28 May,
weighing in at 5.5kg! She now holds the title of the biggest baby ever born at Netcare Umhlanga Hospital - a title she wears with pride (or would if she knew!).
Alongside our newest arrival, our family also includes
our two rescue kittens, Grey Boots and Penelope, who are very slowly coming to terms with not being the centre of attention anymore.
Amy works in the fintech world as the Brand & Marketing Manager for Float - a company
helping shoppers pay with their credit cards in a smarter, interest-free way. Ryan is in tech too, working as a sales representative for Silversoft, offering project management software to creatives, architects, and engineering firms. We both work remotely - splitting our time between home and the W17 co-working space in Ballito.
As a family, weekends are sacred. We love taking long walks, heading to the beach (we’re a little obsessed), and enjoying our home’s outdoor-indoor flow. Ryan is also a passionate birder with a special interest in conservation - so don’t be surprised if you spot a pair of binoculars in his hand on the Estate trails.
We moved into Seaward Estates in August last year, shortly after relocating back to KZN from Johannesburg to get married and begin our next chapter. What drew us in (and keeps us here) is the perfect blend of nature, calm, and convenience. We love the Estate’s nature trails and wildlife, the quiet atmosphere, and how close it is to the beach and Ballito’s shops. It feels like a hidden gem tucked between lush greenery and coastal living. Our home is
all about laid-back comfort. We love the open plan and how it blends indoor and outdoor living - perfect for a family who thrives in the sunshine. We’re currently working on our garden and are especially inspired by our neighbours, Vinesh and Roshini, who have turned their retaining wall into a real showstopper. Watch this space!
We chose Seaward Estates because it ticked all the boxes: safe, serene, and surrounded by nature, but still central to everything we need. It gives us the lifestyle we dreamed ofmorning walks under the trees, a quick drive to the beach, and
peaceful evenings at home. The Estate’s security gives us peace of mind, especially with a newborn in the house. And as young parents, we love that it’s a growing community of families - it already feels like home.
We’re soaking up every moment of this new chapter as a family of three (plus two furballs) and couldn’t have imagined a better place to be doing it. Whether it’s a beach picnic, a birding walk, or just an afternoon nap in the hammock - life in Seaward has been the perfect setting for this very special season.
about Me
Professionally, my background was in event coordination. I was a Senior Events Coordinator at the Durban ICC for 14 years, handling events ranging from 50 to 20,000 people. I worked on events such as Disney on Ice, the Tourism Indaba, and UB40’s concert when they performed here. Afterwards, I spent some time working at Coastlands Hotel. There, I handled events and accommodation for large groups.
Currently, I am here at Seaward Estates, where I serve as the Estate Administrative and Lifestyle Manager. So I will be handling day-to-day administrative duties, coordinating resident communication, and heading up the lifestyle events in terms of coming up with initiatives to get the community involved. I have a diploma in Entertainment Technology and a certifi cate in Project Management, complemented by training courses in Customer Satisfaction and Health and Safety training.
Outside of work, I have a husband and a lovely six-year-old daughter
who's in Grade R at Ashton International College. We've been calling Ballito Hills home since January this year.
My role at the estate
On the lifestyle side of things, there are activities and events I’d love to implement like community markets, outdoor movie nights, and fun runs. With Women’s Month coming, I think initiatives that are also educational bring in topics like gender-based violence and bullying. Educating teenagers, especially about these important issues, will help them understand the dynamics of relationships in this modern world.
What i love about Ballito & seaward estates
What’s different about this area so far is the coastal living lifestyle and the strong sense of community.
With people living in estates, everyone builds close connections and supports each other. The people are friendly and welcoming here, even the parents at school, I was pleasantly surprised at how friendly and helpful everyone is. I have been around Seaward Estates, it is a beautiful estate and I feel like there is so much we can do for the community here. I want to make it lively, an environment where the community is looking forward to the next event or activity.
important to Know
I am here to support and serve the community, and I look forward to creating a vibrant connected living environment. My door is always open for ideas and feedback, we can chat about it and work on a plan to get things started!
Photo HAMMER 360°
SEAWARD PRESS
Adams Dental
Garage Door Supplies / Xpanda Security
Denzo Auto Tec Ballito
Dr Tharuna Reddy
SCHOOLS
Dolphin Coast Pre Primary
Kip Mcgrath Educational Centres
GC Solar KZN
Supertrack Distributors - Curtains, Blinds & Shutters
HTH Projects
Harcourts Dolphin Coast
Pam Golding - Shelley West
laura@poochypets.co.za
073 074 0498 - Laura poochypets.co.za
Business Directory Local Businesses for Residents
032 456 7811
032 947 0258
064 511 5614 072 074 5888
032 946 2979 079 881 8872
068 360 6453
084 455 3050
082 755 0886
032 946 2331
082 451 6823
drkhaderballito@gmail.com info@xmdc.co.za denzoballito@gmail.com tharunareddy14@gmail.com
info@dcpp.co.za ballito@kipmcgrath.co.za
info@gcsolarkzn.co.za info@supertrackkzn.co.za hthprojects22@gmail.com
martine.owen@harcourts.co.za shelley.west@pamgolding.co.za
To advertise in the Seaward Press business directory contact dhivashni@fabmags.co.za Discounts available for annual bookings. T's & C's apply
CONSERVATION CORNER AND GARDENING GUIDE FIVE
As well as enjoying our mild coastal winters, we can look forward to a brilliant aloe display at this time. Their fi ery red flower spikes are real showstoppers, while milder shades of orange, yellow, salmon, and pastel pink appear on many newer hybrids. This article gives a brief outline on choosing the right aloe species, placing them
effectively in the landscape, and caring for them properly.
amazing aloes
Aloes and succulents are not just water-wise - they are sculptural, wildlife-friendly, and increasingly trendy in modern landscaping. Here’s why they make great additions to coastal gardens:
• Water Efficiency: These plants thrive on minimal watering
once established, making them ideal for water-wise gardening or holiday homes.
• Low Maintenance: They require little upkeep and are generally pest-resistant.
• Biodiversity Boosters: Aloes attract sunbirds and bees with their bright flowers.
• Structural Beauty: With their architectural forms, aloes add colour, texture, and interest all year round.
Grass Aloe
aloes winners for the KZN coastal strip
The following medium-height aloes provide accent and vertical emphasis in the garden: Aloe arborescens (Krantz aloe) This fast-growing shrub provides dramatic red-orange flowers in winter, perfect for attracting birds. These can be planted as individual specimens and can also spill down a bank. A bonus is that the flowers hybridise easily and many colour variants can be found including a lovely yellow.
Aloe ferox (Bitter aloe) A striking, single-stemmed aloe
with tall flower spikes and medicinal properties, it is valued for its brick-red flower spikes and the sculptural quality of its leaves.
Aloe thraskii (Dune aloe)
A large and hardy aloe it is naturally found on the KwaZulu-Natal beaches and thrives in sandy soils. The leaves are striking and recurved (downturned) and it bears large yellow flower spikes loved by the sunbirds.
Aloidendron barberae (Tree aloe) Fast growing and hardy this plant sends woody spires
into the air topped with whorls of fleshy green leaves - an ideal ‘instant tree’ providing height and vertical emphasis. Be warned, however, stems can thicken at alarming speed and the plant is also prone to falling over in high winds.
The following aloes may be used for the lower groundcover layer: Aloe vanbalenii (Octopus aloe) This has a sprawling growth habit, low and wide with twisted lime-green leaves that turn red in the sun. Flowers are glorious spikes of orange-red and yellow. This aloe is excellent for slopes and mixed succulent beds. Its
Chabouds Aloe
superpower is its sculptural shape and striking year-round foliage colour.
Aloe chabaudii (Chabouds aloe)
An estate favourite this plant is a clumping groundcover, forming dense mats. The blue-grey leaves bear soft thorns and it's an ideal aloe for massing in large areas, bearing salmon pink to red flowers in winter. An orangeflowered hybrid also exists.
Aloe cooperi (Grass Aloe) A true grassland aloe this plant is about knee height with soft textured grass-like leaves. A summer flowering aloe it bears orange
flowers. Ideally suited for grassy or meadow-style plantings. Plant in groups for emphasis.
Aloe pruinosa (Klein Alwyn)
This is a summer flowering aloe that does well in semishade. Summer flowering is a great solution for those diffi cult dry shady areas. Plants are compact with zebra-striped foliage and long stalks of light pink flowers.
Aloe maculata (Soap Aloe)
Another grassland aloe this is a ground-hugging variety with lime-green leaves and white spots. Winter flowering
is extremely hardy and tough, producing red to orange-yellow flowers on tall stalks.
design ideas
When placing aloes remember the rules of good design; fi rst the tall elements for vertical accent, then the medium-sized plants as a transition and fi nally massed groundcover species to unify the design. Aloes are versatile feature plants that can be used in the following contexts:
• Rock Gardens: Combine aloes with boulders and driftwood for a natural, lowmaintenance display.
Krantz Aloe Tree Aloe Klein Alwyn
• Mixed Borders: Use aloes as focal points amongst grasses and hardy perennials.
• Containers: Many aloes thrive in pots - ideal for patios, balconies, or small spaces.
• Coastal Zen: Embrace a minimalist, drought-tolerant landscape inspired by Mediterranean and desert styles.
cultivation challenges Ensure aloes have at least six hours of full sun daily apart from the very few shade-loving varieties. Do not crowd plants together but space them to achieve good ventilation and maximum airflow. Overcrowding can lead to rot in humid
conditions. In terms of soil preparation, improve drainage by incorporating coarse sand or gravel. Avoid heavy clay soils or damp waterlogged areas. While drought-tolerant aloes do benefi t from deep watering during dry spells in their early establishment. Use gravel or stone mulch instead of organic mulch to prevent excess moisture retention and rot. Aloes are prone to a few insect pests including white scale, and the snout beetle that causes aloe cancer. Fungal and bacteria diseases include rust and spotting. Remove infected leaves promptly and try to use eco-friendly remedies.
conclusion
Aloes are a natural fi t for the coastal gardens of KwaZuluNatal - hardy, water-wise, and visually captivating. Whether you're creating a new landscape or looking to diversify an existing one, these resilient plants can help you build a sustainable, wildlife-friendly garden that thrives in the region’s subtropical climate. One of the best local nurseries for aloes is Sunbird Aloes. www.ndundulualoes.com For further advice on coastal gardening and landscaping contact Jonathan Foley at 083 320 4335 or email groundlevellandscapes5@ gmail.com.
Octopus Aloe
Bitter Aloe
APPROVED GET IN TOUCH
What every Pet oWNer should KNoW
Be prepared. Knowing what to do can save your cat’s life.
stay calm & assess
Approach your cat gently. Check for breathing, bleeding, or unconsciousness.
control Bleeding
Apply firm pressure with a clean cloth for at least five minutes. Do not use a tourniquet unless advised by a vet.
cPr (only if Necessary)
• Check for heartbeat (left chest).
• No heartbeat? Start chest compressions: 100-120/min.
• Give gentle breaths via the nose after 30 compressions.
handle with care
Wrap your cat in a towel to prevent injury. Keep them warm and still. Do not attempt to treat fractures.
suspected Poisoning
Do not induce vomiting unless instructed. Call your vet or the Animal Poisons Centre immediately.
First aid Kit essentials
Gauze, bandages, saline, tweezers, digital thermometer, vet contact info.
see a vet asaP
First aid stabilises - only a vet can treat. Keep emergency numbers handy.
