SCENE SIMBITHI
WWW.Simbithi.cOm
From the Kitchen
inside the exclusive media pre-launch and tasting of our new, seasonal menu and a sneak peek of two of our fabulous new dishes!
Discovering synergies that undergird the balance of maintaining a golf course in an eco-estate: collaboration and communication.
Ahead
General Manager
Simbithi Eco-Estate gm@simbithi.com
General Manager From the
Recently, a study ranked Ballito as the safest suburb in KwaZuluNatal. Salt Rock, according to the study, was in the top five safest towns, and gated estates contribute significantly to this. At Simbithi Eco-Estate, security is one of our top priorities, and we continue to examine our policies and protocols, ensuring they evolve as necessary. With the understanding that security is often the core reason families invest in Simbithi, we remain committed to prioritising this.
While on the subject of reasons to live in Simbithi, winters in our corner of the world are always extraordinary. The chill every morning almost always gives way to the sun, bathing our afternoons in warm light. The weather is a major attraction for those who choose to ‘semigrate’ to the North Coast.
As the wind settles down earlier each evening, I encourage you and your family to spend time outside of your homes, enjoying the Simbithi’s facilities. Go for a run or walk on the trails, have a braai at one of our community centres or
enjoy a spot of fishing at one of the dams on our southern half. Winter also marks the halfway point of the year, which is significant for many. Matrics begin preparing for their mid-year exams as they head toward the end of their schooling careers. To all our Simbithi learners, best wishes as you tackle your examinations. Study hard, do your best and – when the good results come –celebrate with a slice of pizza from the Heron! This is also graduation season, and we share in the joy of all our graduates on Simbithi. Congratulations on completing your tertiary education.
Finally, June is Youth Month, and I would like to say a special ‘well done’ to Simbithi’s junior golfers, who are certainly making their mark on the course and continuing to excel. Olivia Wood and Harry Clayton, well done on making us proud with your recent wins.
Bundle up with something warm, and enjoy the read, Simbithi.
Editor From the
It pains me to pen this, but I missed the deadline for my Ed’s Note this edition. My eight years as a journalist left me with an innate understanding of the pressures of publishing timeously, so I try my best never to be late. My tardiness is with good reason, though. I asked the FabMags team to hold the page until 20 May 2025 had come and gone. Why, you ask? Because I wanted to share a special milestone with you: GRAD DAY! Indeed, after three mildly unhinged years, I can officially add BA: Strategic Brand Communication *with Distinction to my name. My original thought process was to share the emotions of walking the stage and seeing my name on that embossed degree with you because I shared much of the journey through my Ed’s Notes.
But, as I considered my tardiness, another thought sprung to mind: timelines. As I carefully draped my stole over my left arm in preparation to be hooded, I looked around and noticed I was – likely – one of the oldest graduates lined up. For a moment, I allowed myself to feel slightly ashamed for ‘only’ becoming degreed in my mid-thirties. But, when I returned to the office and put the framed copy on my wall (I had a ‘degree loading’ post-it up there for three years, ask my colleagues!), the shame gave way to an impish grin. Because it took gargantuan strength and drive to push through three years of online study while employed full-time…
and I know this well. If you asked me at 18 years old what I wanted to be for the rest of my adult life, I might have told you a journalist. That was true at that time, yes, but I know now it’s not what I was meant to do forever. Finishing a degree in my thirties was every shade of difficult imaginable, but it was also exceptionally rewarding. Devouring my theory and implementing it with Brand Simbithi, which I have come to adore, only reinforced that. So, I told myself to lose the shame. There is no timeline for achievement, and no set law that says you have to do ‘this’ by ‘then’. Those are societal conventions that I have decided to ignore. As I write this, a Brown Hooded Kingfisher (my favourite!) just perched on the Msintsi outside my office, heaving its little chest. Nobody told him to flit there. He did it because the Msintsi is in flower, with the sweetest nectar. Nobody told the Msintsi to bloom on this day, at this time. It bloomed naturally, as it was ready. Had it been early, or late, we would have appreciated that nature has her own rhythm, which should be respected.
Winter is the perfect time to burrow before you bloom. Take this time to breathe through the changes you want to make and then…go at your own pace. Lose the shame and dance to your natural rhythm, and don’t ever let anybody tell you you’re too late or early.
Marketing & Communications Co- Ordinator
marketing@simbithi.com
Publisher Lorinda Scott | 082 562 7202 | lorinda@fabmags.co.za
Graphic Designer evashini naidoo | evashini@fabmags.co.za
Sales Director Lucille Wendler | 083 747 3694 | lucille@fabmags.co.za
Operations Director Sharlene Odayar | sharlene@fabmags.co.za
Copy Editor elvida Sydney | content@fabmags.co.za
Accounts accounts@fabmags.co.za
Contact Fabmags 032 946 0357
Head Office Suite 104, San hall Office Park, Kirsty close, ballito, KwaZulu-natal
Website www.fabmags.co.za
Online www.issuu.com/fabmags
Printed By ROc media
Cover Photo chris Allan Photography
SF20 frameless patio enclosure system
From the
Club General Manager
We are officially halfway through the year. When I think of reviews, I am a guy who tends to look at the glass as half full; it serves me well in the hospitality industry, and it is something I try to cultivate in my team at the Club.
Admittedly, it would seem the first two quarters of 2025 caused the glass to tip slightly, splashing a few drops of water around. With a few of our senior team members moving on to new chapters, the water levels in the glass might have seemed a bit lower than usual. But, the great thing about looking at the glass half full is that there is always something to be positive about and grateful for.
If there is one thing this team has, it is tenacity: the will to keep going even in tough circumstances. Thank you for your patience during our period of transition, and the support you have given the team and me. I have no doubt it is onward and upward from here!
We got out of the blocks with a strong financial performance in March and April, and we thank you for your
patronage. Our new Food and Beverage Manager, Chris McDaniel, is officially in the Fig Tree Restaurant, and we look forward to working with him to enhance our offering. We are excited to hear your thoughts on the new dishes on our menu, and for our waitrons to delight you with improved service after extensive training.
This is a great time of year to start thinking about your team builds and year-end events, so get in touch with our events team for a bespoke experience. We are also excited to have completed the snagging at the sports complex. Ward off the winter cold with a brisk game of bowls, squash, tennis or Padel, or even a dip in the lap pool!
We are eager to gain momentum as we head toward the end of the year. You have my assurance that our team is strong, steady and refreshed. In line with our values, we are committed to excellence in service to you, our community.
We cannot wait to see you at your Club.
General Manager
Simbithi Country Club clubgm@simbithi.com
Simbithi
Snippets
A Round-up of estate and club news
HIER KOM HULLE!
curry night got a taste of ‘Bok vleis’ recently, when three well-known faces popped in for dinner. thank you to eben etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, and Vincent Koch for making our kitchen brigade’s evening!
Hop Little Bunny, Hop Hop Hop
marketing and communications
co-Ordinator Jodi chetty grabbing her moment (and an easter egg or two … or three?) from the easter bunny at our easter carnival. thanks for stopping by, mister bunny!
Bite-Sized Wonder
We recently hosted a preview of our new Fig tree Restaurant menu for media and influencers. Our executive chefs created ‘tasting’ portions of our new items to enable guests to sample their way through seven delicious morsels. here is a miniature Oxtail bitterballen, which the chefs conceptualised after pondering what to make with extra oxtail pieces in the kitchen. Sustainable and delicious!
LUNCH TO GO
this Peregrine Falcon grabbed his lunch on the run - or on flight? Striking photograph by brian Roberts.
Shhh. I’m Not Really Here.
Spotted! two photographs of our impish duikers: one peeping into marlene Venter’s home, and the other peering at our team on a recent wellness walk.
BEAUTIFUL BLUE EMPEROR
John bandey shared this exceptional shot of an Anex imperator, or blue emperor, a widespread large dragonfly. this, as some may know, is the dragonfly that inspired the stylised insignia on our logo.
PICTURE PERFECT
marlene Venter captured this gorgeous moment a citrus Swallowtail gently perched on a hibiscus. how utterly lovely.
Coming Out On Top
Our Fig tree Restaurant was top of the magazine pops, recently, adorning the cover of The Ballito magazine.
There is just so much to see and do on Simbithi Eco-Estate. Below is the Estate’s diary of upcoming events. Isn’t life great on Simbithi? You can also view the events on our Simbithi App or on our website: www.simbithi.com/events
Weekly Events
MONDAY NIGHT OFF
An affordable array of starters, mains and a dessert prepared by our chefs, to give you a night off from the kitchen. Let us do the cooking!
WEDNESDAY CURRY NIGHT
indulge in the north coast's finest buffet: an array of fragrant curries with traditional sides. R250pp. booking essential: 032 946 5403
SUNDAY CARVERY
A sumptuous afternoon for the whole family. enjoy a selection of roasts with all the trimmings. R350pp. booking essential: 032 946 5403
Please note, the dates, times and costs printed are subject to change without prior notice.
LADIES MEDAL & PUTT
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
ENVIRONMENTAL TALK
Understanding Small Minds: Insights from Kalahari Research Centre by Sofia Forss
Venue Pavilion Room, Simbithi country club
Time 18:00
Cost R30, at the door Enquiries ea@simbithi.com/ environmental@simbithi.com
IONA X SIMBITHI WINE TASTING & CANAPÉS
Venue Dragonfly Restaurant
Time 17:30 for 18:00
Price R380pp
Booking essential sccms@simbithi.com
SLAMMERS
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
TUESDAY LADIES
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
NORTH COAST SENIORS
07:30 shotgun start
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
QUIZ NIGHT
the country club brings you quiz night, sponsored by harcourts Dolphin coast and hosted by “the quiz Guys”. Venue the Fig tree Restaurant Time 18:00 Bookings foodbev5@simbithi.com or 032 946 5403
MEAT COMP / LAND ROVER
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
SEMS/SWAGGERS
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
FATHERS' DAY CARVERY Free beer for Dad. Cost R350pp Bookings 032 946 5403
YOUTH DAY COMP
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
TUESDAY LADIES
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com 7
MEAT DAY / PRIMO PROP
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
SLAMMERS
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
TUESDAY LADIES
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
CAVALLI WINE TASTING
An evening of wine, conversation and #theSimbithiexperience.
Venue the Dragonfly Restaurant Time 18:00 for 18:30
Cost R80
Bookings sccmsc@simbithi.com
CAVALLI WINE & FOOD PAIRING
Let us pour you a selection of wines, paired with an expertly curated dinner.
Venue the Dragonfly Restaurant Time 18:00 for 18:30
Cost R650
Bookings sccmsc@simbithi.com
CLUB REAL ESTATE 9-HOLE
SHOOTOUT
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
MEAT DAY
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
SEMS / SWAGGERS
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
LIVE RUGBY STREAMING
Springboks v barbarians
big screen on the deck and drink specials! Seating first come-first served.
SIMBITHI WINTER WINE FESTIVAL
Cost R200pp
tickets include branded tasting glass, gourmet snack platter and tastings from SA's top wine estates
Bookings sccmsc@simbithi.com
LADIES’ LEAGUE AT HOME: SCC V ROYAL
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
LADIES MEDAL & PUTT
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
ENVIRONMENTAL TALK
Venue Pavilion Room, Simbithi country club
Time 18:00
Cost R30, at the door Enquiries environmental@simbithi.com / ea@simbithi.com
MEAT COMP
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
SLAMMERS
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
MEN’S CENTRAL LEAGUE
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
TUESDAY LADIES’ LEAGUE AT HOME:
SCC V UCC
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
QUIZ NIGHT
the country club brings you quiz night, sponsored by harcourts Dolphin coast and hosted by “the quiz Guys”. Venue the Fig tree Restaurant Time 18:00
Bookings foodbev5@simbithi.com or 032 946 5403
MEAT DAY
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
SEMS V SWAGGERS
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
MEAT DAY LAND ROVER
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
MANDELA DAY
Watch this space to see what Simbithi will be up to! For more information: enquiries@simbithi.com
SLAMMERS V SWAGGERS
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
TUESDAY LADIES
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
MEAT DAY PRIMO PROP
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
SEMS
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
WINE TASTING
An evening of wine, conversation and #theSimbithiexperience.
Venue the Dragonfly Restaurant Time 18:00 for 18:30
Cost R80
Bookings sccmsc@simbithi.com
WINE PAIRING
Let us pour you a selection of wines, paired with an expertly curated dinner. Venue the Dragonfly Restaurant Time 18:00 for 18:30
Cost R650 Bookings sccmsc@simbithi.com
CLUB REAL ESTATE 9-HOLE SHOOTOUT
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
QUIZ NIGHT
the country club brings you quiz night, sponsored by harcourts Dolphin coast and hosted by “the quiz Guys”.
Venue the Fig tree Restaurant Time 18:00
Bookings foodbev1@simbithi.com or 032 946 5403
MEAT DAY LAND ROVER
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
SENIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
16
17 to
MEAT DAY PRIMO PROP
For more information: proshop@simbithi. com or 032-946 5407
SLAMMERS / SWAGGERS
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
TUESDAY LADIES
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
MEAT DAY
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
ENVIRONMENTAL TALK
Venue Pavilion Room, Simbithi country club Time 18:00 Cost R30, at the door
Enquiries environmental@simbithi. com / ea@simbithi.com
MEAT DAY
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
WOMEN’S DAY: SWAGGERS (3 jACKS & A jILL)
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
TUESDAY LADIES
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
WINE TASTING
An evening of wine, conversation and #theSimbithiexperience.
Venue the Dragonfly Restaurant Time 18:00 for 18:30 Cost R80
bookings: sccmsc@simbithi.com
WINE PAIRING
Let us pour you a selection of wines, paired with an expertly curated dinner.
Venue the Dragonfly Restaurant Time 18:00 for 18:30
Cost R650
Bookings sccmsc@simbithi.com
CLUB REAL ESTATE 9-HOLE SHOOTOUT
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
MEAT DAY
For more information: 032 946 5407 or proshop@simbithi.com
Seasonal & Fresh
A new month, a new season … and a new range of dishes from the Fig Tree’s kitchen! In response to calls for a more seasonal, fresh menu, Executive Chefs Louis Lesch and Godfrey Kinyanjui have introduced a selection of new items to our offering. We recently hosted an exclusive pre-launch tasting for the media and invited guests at the Fig Tree, where our chefs shared the inspiration for their new creations.
We have also convinced them to share recipes for two of our newest favourites, both of which are perfect dishes for the chillier weather. Introducing the Prawn Aglio e Olio and the Chickpea and Lentil Curry.
WORDS JODi chetty | PHOTOS chRiS ALLAn PhOtOGRAPhy & SAVAnnAh Du DOit, cReAtiVSPROut
Ingredients
• 180g shrimp or prawns
• 5g fresh garlic cloves
• 50ml olive oil
• 5g chilli or red pepper fl akes
• 5ml lemon juice
• 100g linguine pasta (you may use gluten-free pasta)
• 10g onion
• 10g parmesan cheese
• 5g parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste
Method
1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water. The water must be boiling before you add the pasta. Cook until al dente.
2. Pat the shrimp or prawns dry with a paper towel before cooking. This will ensure they brown a little in the pan, adding more flavour to the dish.
3. Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a frying pan, then add the garlic (either be sliced or crushed). Fry the garlic with the chilli flakes until the garlic just starts to turn golden. Be careful as garlic can burn quickly!
4. Add the shrimp or prawns, salt, pepper and lemon juice to the garlic and chilli. Cook
until the shrimp or prawns are pink or opaque.
5. Remove the pan from the heat, then stir in the parsley, cooked pasta and a splash of the pasta water. Toss until the pasta and sauce are well combined.
6. Season to taste. At the Fig Tree, we serve this with tomato and onion salad and crusty garlic bread.
7. Finish off with parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
• 50g brown lentils
• 100g chickpeas, drained
• 100g spinach, roughly chopped
• 50g cubed butternut
• 5g medium curry powder
• 5g jeera powder
• 5g garam masala
• 5g dhania powder
• 5g turmeric
• 5g breyani mix
• 10g garlic
• 10g ginger
• 25ml oil
• 10g onions
• 150ml coconut milk
• 5g fresh coriander
• 10g tomato paste
• 50g tomato and onion mix
Method
1. To start, finely dice the onion and sauté in oil, letting it sweat and soften. Stir occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the pot.
2. Once softened, toss in all the spices to coat the onions. Cook for approximately one minute.
3. Add in the garlic, ginger and breyani mix. Stir well until the spices are cooked to release their flavours.
4. Pour in the tomato and onion mix, tomato paste, chickpeas and lentils. Let this simmer until the chickpeas are cooked.
5. Stir in the coconut milk, spinach and butternut, and simmer for approximately 10 minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken and the flavours to combine into a rich, creamy base.
6. If the curry becomes too thick, adjust the consistency by adding some vegetable broth or water.
7. Once done, serve this hearty curry over a rice of your choice: white, yellow, basmati, brown or even cauliflower. You may also enjoy it with roti or garlic naan, papadum, and curry accompaniments.
8. Garnish with fresh coriander.
Meet the
With a piano in a living room, music, fellowship and laughter would quintessentially follow... and one may think this is just in the movies. But, at the corner of Waterberry Close and Acacia Drive, it is a joyful reality. In this edition, we meet the Goulds: a close-knit family with gentle spirits and kind hearts. With 16 June marking Neurodiversity Pride Day, we also hear more about Kimber’s work with neurodivergent children in Ballito.
WORDS jODI CHETTY | PHOTOS CHRIS ALLAN PHOTOGRAPHY
Kimber answers the door, and her two daughters, Eden (13) and Jaeda (11), bound down the passage after her, tresses of brown hair flowing and identical smiles. Their big brother, Elijah (14), follows quickly after, with the siblings’ younger cousins - visiting from Mozambique - clamouring on him. There is an ease within the walls of the light, airy home.
Byron, whose company builds ecofriendly modular units, and Kimber, a special needs educator, originally lived in Durban North. “I was pregnant with Elijah when Byron started chatting about moving to a gated estate. It took me a few years to get on board,” she recalls, with a chuckle. Byron chimes in, mentioning their choices were either north to Ballito or south to Hillcrest. “We came to Simbithi in 2010 and looked at this land, which was quite a steep plot. At the time, Kimber said to me that she didn’t think anybody would travel all the way up north to see us!”
The couple designed and built their two-storey home, bringing it to life with - by then - two toddlers after Elijah and Eden were born. “Here in Simbithi, it was the first time I felt safe, and Byron and I knew it would be the perfect place to raise our children. Thirteen years later, none of us would live anywhere else.”
A significant part of the Gould family culture is kindness and acceptance, which finds its origin in Kimber’s background in special needs education, a field she has worked in for a decade. Her background has propelled her to partner with Edu360 to launch a Speciality Neurodiversity School in Ballito, the first of its kind in KwaZulu-Natal. The school, based in
Sugar Village in Umhlali, is a nonprofit organisation and caters for neurodivergent learners with highfunctioning autism, severe dyslexia and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) alongside a range of other neurodiversities. “In our province, there is schooling and care available for younger neurodivergent children, but when they become teenagers and young adults, there is nowhere for them to go,” Kimber says. “These children cannot learn successfully in mainstream schools and are often ridiculed and rejected there because of a lack of education and understanding around
neurodiversity.” The school presently has an enrolment of 13 learners which Kimber and her team work with. Acceptance of neurodivergent children and young adults, she says, goes beyond the school. “Generally, we are fearful of what we do not know, which often leads to neurodivergent individuals being excluded. This is traumatic,” Kimber explains. “My passion is to educate and equip, so we develop a society where nobody is cast aside.”
“We see it with our own children, who have been taught this from a young age,” Byron shares. “They
Everyone is unique, with their own flavour, and that is the greatest gift in the world
understand neurodivergence and special needs, and it always warms our hearts to see how neurodivergent children relate to them, and vice versa.” The family has found a placid rhythm in Simbithi or, as Byron and Kimber put it, they have fallen in love. “Simbithi is pure magic for family life. Our children are growing up fishing in dams, enjoying great facilities and in complete safety. As parents, this is irreplaceable,” Kimber smiles. “Our security team is phenomenal, too. We have had emergencies where we have called them and been blown away by their kindness and professionalism.”
Ahead of Neurodivergent Pride Day, Kimber has one wish: a willingness to understand. “If neurotypical individuals would become more interested in learning about neurodivergence, we could create spaces for proximity and understanding, where we see inclusion and acceptance. Everyone is unique, with their own flavour, and that is the greatest gift in the world.”
18 YEARS STRONG
We’ll find where you belong.
A household name on the North Coast, the Fiona Crago Real Estate team, led by Fiona Crago herself, is synonymous with quality high-end properties and expertise. Over the past 18 years, Fiona Crago Real Estate has stood the test of time, flourishing through challenges and complications in the competitive Ballito market. The longevity is testament to Fiona’s expertise, resilience, and the trust she has built with her clients. Her success is also deeply rooted in her love for Ballito, a place where she has found both personal and professional fulfillment.
LOCAL REAL ESTATE
WORDS CHRISSIE JOHNSON
The idiom “don't judge a book by its cover” definitely applies to this Simbithi residence. At first glance from the driveway, it appears deceptively simple, but the true value lies within. It unfolds into a wellconsidered floor plan that unites easy outdoor living and functionality in well-connected interiors. It offers two distinct outdoor living zones, a
A SEAMLESS DIALOGUE Between Architecture and the Outdoors
tranquil central courtyard and a sun-drenched poolside terrace, plus five bedrooms.
A double-volume striking central entrance area is a key feature that anchors the home’s layout. The lofty roof height and the adjoining courtyard add to the home’s aesthetic of being generous in scale. The main living areas and
three of the four bedrooms on the lower level wrap around the central courtyard, enhancing the home’s indoor/outdoor synergy. Additionally, this double volume space provides a central circulation area plus a visual connection to other areas of the home. To one side, it flows into the main living areas and two bedrooms one being the main en suite which opens directly to the garden; to the other it connects to a second TV lounge and two additional bedrooms which open onto the courtyard. The fifth bedroom en suite is located on the upper level accessed directly from the driveway through an independent entrance.
The living spaces are a masterclass of integrated living, providing a combination of indoor/outdoor living choices. The stylish white
Top LefT This versatile sunroom enhances everyday liveability, offering seamless indoor/outdoor flow with full-height stacking doors that open to tranquil poolside and greenbelt views. With space for both lounging and al fresco dining, it transforms effortlessly into an open-air pavilion for relaxed entertaining. BoTToM LefT
The double-volume entry area is a light-filled focal point that connects and circulates. In addition to being a dramatic focal point, it connects the home’s main living zones and three bedrooms with the tranquil courtyard. ABoVe Tucked beneath the staircase just off the doublevolume entrance, this intimate lounge - or optional workspace - forms part of the home’s central circulation zone. Defined by elegant timber screening that adds warmth without enclosing the space, it serves as a quiet retreat while maintaining a strong spatial connection to the bedrooms beyond. CeNTRe RIGHT
Adjoining the crisp white kitchen, this lounge is perfectly positioned for connected living - opening on one side to the sun-drenched courtyard and on the other to the glass-enclosed sunroom. The dual aspect enhances natural light and extends the indoor/outdoor living experience in both directions. BeLow Bathed in natural light, this serene bedroom opens directly onto the central courtyard, fostering a strong sense of connection to the home’s indoor/outdoor flow.
kitchen is punctuated by sophisticated cabinetry and a separate scullery and flows into the lounge and adjoining dining room. The lounge opens separately onto the glass enclosed sunroom and the adjoining protected courtyard. Offering both seating and dining spaces, the sunroom features expansive stacking doors across the entire front façade, which when open transforms the space into an open-air pavilion for relaxed living or indoor/outdoor entertaining. Overlooking the pool, it boasts serene outdoor vistas over the neighbouring greenbelt.
The connection between home and landscape is integral to this residence’s design. Rooted in thoughtful, understated
architecture, the layout celebrates outdoor living through a carefully staged sequence of thresholds that blur the boundaries between inside and out. This approach strikes a considered balance - offering both privacy and openness - allowing inhabitants to live in constant dialogue with their surroundings.
By placing the outdoors at the heart of its spatial planning, the home skilfully achieves a relaxed reciprocity between people and place.
This home is available to purchase through Local Real Estate. For more information contact:
Rory Anderson: 073 697 4159
Graham White: 071 797 6666
Scott Whitaker: 063 404 6430
Jake Morgan: 082 607 1229
My Simbithi Treat A CURIOSITY OF MONGOOSES:
Every now and then, I am treated to a special Simbithi delight: a visit from a troop of banded mongooses (Mungos mungo). Their arrival is usually heralded by a chorus of high-pitched twitters, whistles, chirps, and gruntsan energetic symphony of communication that lets me know they’re in the garden. I love watching their robust romps as they weave through the undergrowth, brimming with curiosity and purpose.
As they dig with their long front claws, I often hear louder, hyper-excited chattering - an unmistakable sign that one has found a special treat. Although
they forage in groups, banded mongooses are not co-operative feeders. Each hunts for their own food, and when a particularly juicy prey item is found, a squabble often breaks out. Usually, the mongoose who gets to it first wins the prize.
Their diet consists mainly of insects - beetles, termites, and ants - tracked down using their highly developed sense of smell. But their menu is more varied than that. They also feast on Myriapods (millipedes and centipedes), small reptiles, rodents, frogs, birds, some fruit and eggs of both birds and reptiles. When faced with a hard-shelled egg,
these clever creatures display a remarkable tool-using behaviour: they roll or carry the egg to a rock, pick the egg up in their forepaws, and hurl it backwards between their hind legs to smash it open. African millipedes, which coil into tight spirals as a defence, are no match for this technique and are similarly smashed open and enjoyed with delighted chitters.
Another ingenious behaviour includes rolling hairy caterpillars or toxic prey in sand to remove defensive hairs or secretions before consumption. Famous for their snake-fighting prowess, mongooses rely on lightning-fast reflexes to dodge strikes and often work together in co-ordinated attacks to overcome large snakes. Despite the myth, they are not immune to snake venom and can be fatally bitten. Other predators include lions, wild dogs, hyenas, and large raptors.
When a potential predator is spotted, an alarm call is sounded immediately. Most of the adult mongooses then stand up on their hind legs to identify the danger, before they quickly disperse with ultra-high-pitched squeals and chirps. If they are surprised by a large predator, when no escape is possible, they huddle together, lying on top of each other with their heads facing out, towards their attackers. This highly cooperative defence behaviour is
THE 'OTHER' AGM
The photographs for this piece are inspired by Kirsty Bissett's regular posts on our Simbithi Wildlife Group, in which she chronicles the congregations held by the mongooses in her garden. They have been dubbed 'The AGMs'!
often successful in deterring lions and other large predators from attacking them. I love their brave and curious nature so aptly described by Rudyard Kipling in his writings of Rikki Tikki Tavi
The Fascinating Social Lives of Banded Mongooses
Banded mongooses (never mongeese) live in impressively large groups - the largest average group size of any carnivore. While typical groups contain 10 to 30 individuals, some can grow to as many as 75. These groups are centred around a core of breeding adults who reproduce three or four times a year, with younger members breeding less frequently. In an intriguing form of cooperative breeding, all the females in a troop come into oestrus simultaneously. Dominant
males aggressively guard the older, more socially dominant females and mate with them. Interestingly, the dominant females sometimes slip away to mate with younger males. Not all females in a group will breed, and both sexes use kin discrimination to avoid inbreeding. After a gestation period of about 60 days, the most astonishing thing happens: nearly all females give birth on the same night.
It’s believed that subordinate females synchronise giving birth on the same night as dominant females to reduce the risk of infanticide. The pups of dominant females tend to have a head start - they’re slightly more developed, and the older females also have larger litters. In times
Mongooses have an especially keen sense of smell, and experiments have shown that they can detect the gender, age, dominance status, and reproductive condition from scent marks
when resources are limited, only the dominant females breed. Yet, once the pups are born, the entire troop steps in to care for them. All lactating females allow any pup to suckle, and each pup forms a special bond with a single helper, often a non-breeding adult, who babysits in the den and later acts as an escort during foraging trips. These relationships are long-lived, and the pups and their helpers can even recognise each other solely by their vocalisations.
At around three weeks, pups begin eating solid food, and by five weeks, they start joining the foraging missions. They are nutritionally independent by three months and reach sexual maturity at around 10 months. Mongooses have an especially keen sense of smell, and experiments have
shown that they can detect the gender, age, dominance status, and reproductive condition from scent marks. Scent communication is especially important in competition between individuals of the same sex, and scent also helps identify whether another mongoose belongs to their group, a neighbouring group, or is a stranger.
When a group becomes too large, dominant females may evict younger ones en masse. Unrelated coalitions of females and males come together to form a new troop. Typically, there are equal numbers of males and females in a troop. Aggression between members of the same troop is very low, but relationships between different groups are highly aggressive, with
fatalities and injuries occurring during encounters with other groups. Surprisingly, should an encounter occur when females are in oestrus, they will allow males of the opposing troop to mate with them.
Daily Life and Communication
Being diurnal, banded mongooses emerge from their den shortly after sunrise and forage for several hours. They then have a fiesta in the midday heat, lying together in the shade, before resuming foraging in the cooler afternoon. Communal grooming takes place and strengthens bonds between members of a clan. Banded mongooses spend the night in communal dens, which may be termite mounds, burrows beneath bushes, or even spaces beneath Simbithi decks. These dens often have multiple entrances and sleeping chambers. Though they move dens every few nights, they will
remain in one place for longer during breeding periods, while rearing young pups.
Their home ranges can span up to 4km2 and contain several dens. When co-ordinating such a complex social life, communication is key. Banded mongooses have a repertoire of at least 15 distinct vocalisations, including discrete calls and complex sequences. Their vocal flexibility is a product of their rich social structure, contrasting starkly with the simpler calls of our more solitary marsh or water mongooses.
A Note for Simbithi Residents
As enchanting as these visitors are, it’s important not to feed them, as they can quickly become a nuisance by raiding food supplies and scavenging. Additionally, as with our vervets, there is significantly increased aggression within troops when banded mongooses are foraging in garbage compared to
natural foraging habitats, resulting in an increased number of injuries within a troop. A study in Botswana determined that certain populations of banded mongooses accessing human food were found to be endemically infected with a novel strain of a Mycobacterium pathogen.
I have used several different collective nouns for mongooses in this article, but left my favourite for last, a curiosity of mongooses . How fitting for these clever, curious, and endlessly entertaining little neighbours of ours on Simbithi Eco-Estate.
PHOTO chRiS ALLAn PhOtOGRAPhy
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Were one to take an oblique view of golf courses, they have frequently been seen as an enemy of the environment. That, often, natural habitats are seen to make way for leisurely greens and fairways. What makes the Simbithi golf course unique, then, is that it does not follow this narrative. The thoughtful construction with the undulation of the land, and the inclusion of wildlife into the golfing experience undoubtedly sets us apart. We sit down with Head Greenkeeper, Amos Sibiya and Environmental Manager, Ayanda Duma to find out more about how balancing and maintaining a golf course in an eco-estate.
WORDS JODi chetty | PHOTOS chRiS ALLAn PhOtOGRAPhy
With a combined 15 years at Simbithi, Amos and Ayanda are equally passionate about their pieces of the Estate. As the man behind Simbithi’s enviable greens, Amos is as particular about his course’s condition as Ayanda is about the state of Simbithi’s natural areas woven into the course, including forested areas and wetlands.“I became interested in nature during my schooling days, and I did a course in agriculture,” Amos shares. “Simbithi is my life, now, and my passion. With five long holes and 13 short, I can only imagine how interesting this course was to design and construct. It is definitely a challenge to maintain, one my team and I really enjoy.” Amos and his team, of course, have nurtured the course through several pivotal episodes, including the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown and April 2022 floods. “Through all these moments, it is important for us to keep communication
with Ayanda and her team, to make sure we care for the environment while we do remedial work and upgrades for golf.” The science, Amos explains, lies in understanding the grasses on the course and how the shade and sunlight affects each blade.
Before coming to Simbithi, Ayanda worked at an estate with a golf course which, she says, was maintained differently to Simbithi. “So, while the landscape of a course within an estate was familiar to me, Simbithi, as an eco-estate, opened my mind to explore innovative ways to collaborate between the golf and environmental departments.” Ayanda’s first port of call was poring through Simbithi’s Operational Environmental Management Plan (OEMP). “There were certain practices that may be standard elsewhere, which we would not permit on Simbithi to protect the environment.”
Picking up from Ayanda, Amos agrees that collaboration is key, and a well-rounded relationship has been cultivated between Maktovich Golf Course Maintenance, SEEHOA and our landscaping service provider, McWades Landscapes. Meetings are held often to discuss synergies, Amos says. “On the golf course’s side, our job is to ensure course usability, so when there are parts of the environment that may affect play, there are frameworks we work through with Ayanda to resolve it.”
An example, Amos elaborates, is trimming trees along the golf cart paths. “In that case, I would let Ayanda know and her team would set a time to trim when it does not affect play.”
Environmentally-sensitive areas on the course are clearly marked out of bounds, protecting areas that require
it. “We use blue stakes to mark these areas and our golfers know that even if a ball lands there, they should not go into these areas to retrieve it.”
The wetland near the 12th hole is also well-protected, Ayanda adds, as one of the homes of the critically endangered Pickersgill’s Reed Frog. “When my team is in the area, we alert the golf team, who in turn let the golfers know. Communication is key.”
Environmental legislation is also closely observed in the management of the course, and Ayanda clarifies that decisions regarding the environment are taken case by case. This was most recently seen when two Acacia trees were removed from the 15th hole earlier this year. “The golf team approached us with the request, as they believed removing the trees would improve
the enhancements to the areas in the vicinity of the green,” Ayanda recalls. “We met and discussed how to do this without harming the environment. Restitution is non-negotiable when we talk about removing trees, and in this case it was possible. We also agreed that two replacement trees will be sourced and planted on the northern half of the Estate, so the environment was well-considered, as was the golf experience.”
For Amos, managing a team of 17 greenkeepers who are on duty from 05:30, and for Ayanda, co-ordinating the sizeable - strong landscaping team, regular check-ins are vital. “We make sure not to miss each other. I do not play golf…yet,” Ayanda smiles. “But, I am often out on the course with Amos and our teams to view areas of concern. This means that when the team must make a decision, I have a proper understanding of the area in question and the habitats surrounding it.” An avid golfer, Amos does much the same, playing the course as often as he is able. “This helps me understand the seasons and changes with Simbithi’s course, and when we speak about how the course plays, I understand firsthand. If someone says something is blocking their line of sight, I want to see it from their point of view,” he looks over at Ayanda. “And, I think it’s time I teach Ayanda how to play!”
A hobby, simply defined, is a regular activity that is done for pleasure and enjoyment. What a hobby may be, on the other hand, is by no means as ingenuous as its definition: the list is near endless. It stands to reason, then, that in a community as diverse as ours, there is a fascinating collection of hobbies waiting to be discovered. In this new feature, we chat to our residents about their intriguing hobbies, beginning on the northern apex of Simbithi with a piece of Japanese war history.
‘Tabi no owari’ reads the regulatory green sign outside the Quin’s Umvumvu Drive home. In Japanese, this phrase translates to ‘the end of the journey’. Peter Quin waves hello as I enter, attempting to impress him with a greeting of “konnichiwa”. “Very good,” he nods his approval as we sit down, and he begins to explain the construction of the term in Japanese. It is clear from Peter’s enthusiasm and the home’s tasteful décor that his passion for Japanese culture runs deep.
It is what takes his collection of gusoku, Japanese armour, from
striking to profoundly meaningful. Walking into the two rooms, one Peter’s study, where the armour is exquisitely displayed, brings about a fortuitous hush. In his collection are full suits of armour, kabuto, helmets and menpō, traditional facial armour, or masks, worn by Japanese samurai or warriors during battle.
“I read a book by James Clavell called Shōgun, which was later turned into a television miniseries in the eighties,” Peter shares. “I was fascinated by the importance placed on matters such as harmony, honour and respect and, when I got the chance to visit
Japan in 2005, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the Japanese culture … especially the people.” More specifically, Peter began to study the Japanese warring period, the Sengoku, which scholars say lasted from the middle of the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th. “My knowledge of a part of the country’s history gave me a greater understanding and appreciation, which developed and grew during what became annual visits to the country.”
Peter began collecting samurai swords 20 years ago, which he later sold, after foraying into collecting
armour. His collection is now arguably the largest in Africa, with many of the pieces being more than 500 years old. “I visit online auctions daily, looking for unique pieces of armour and bid through an agent living in Japan. Most of the serious collectors in the world are known to me, and many are my friends with whom I have regular contact.”
Peter shares a story of when he was introduced to the former ambassador
of Japan, who asked him to host a local exhibition of the collection. “He commented that the collection is better than many museum collections he had seen,” Peter says. “However, the logistics of dismantling and reassembling everything was too frightening to contemplate, so I offered to host a mini exhibition here at our home. The offer was accepted, and the Embassy later catered with sushi, sake and fine Japanese whisky for its special guests,
who thoroughly enjoyed the experience.” Peter explains how many of the armours hold special memories. He points to a particular armour and explains how the kamon, or family crest, which are prominently displayed identifies the clan of the wearer. Stopping at a particular armour, he shares how he had tried to purchase it but had been unsuccessful because of the language barrier.
“It was then necessary to visit the dealer in his hometown with an interpreter. We took a train deep into the countryside and waiting for us was the dealer, his wife and two friends he had invited for the occasion,” Peter recalls. “Only after much bowing and following the protocol of enjoying tea, cakes and
DRAGONFLY
One of the menpō in Peter’s collection bore the insignia of a dragonfly, tombo in Japanese. Peter shared that dragonflies were revered during the Japanese war period, as they do not fly backwards … only forward. We think this is poetic for our brand and our logo. Let us fly forward, Simbithi!
polite chatter could the negotiations commence. Fortunately, a bundle of cash carried the day, and we shook hands.” It is here that Peter opens his study door and ushers us into his garden, where a collection of bonsai immediately silences the company. It is a secondary love he shares, also spurred by his connection to Japan.
“I first saw how beautiful bonsai were when I visited Saitama, a city in Japan, where an annual bonsai festival is held.” Peter’s Japanese teacher later introduced him to Lucas Uys, a landscape architect and bonsai expert.
“Lucas later planned my bonsai garden and became my mentor. The collection has grown and developed under his guidance.”
“I have found caring for and developing the bonsai most therapeutic.”
Cyprus is joining The Schengen!
“Opportunities come infrequently. When it rains gold, put out the bucket, not the thimble.” - Warren buffett
Cyprus is a stunning englishspeaking country in the med known for its rich history, beautiful beaches and vibrant culture. being a full member of the eu and an ex-british colony, cyprus is a very attractive destination for investors, expatriates and travellers alike.
NEWS ALERT!
by early 2026, cyprus is set to join the Schengen Area, marking a major step in full integration with europe. this milestone will bring significant benefits, especially the appeal of Cyprus’ Permanent Residency Programme Already known for its affordability and desirability, the programme is set to become even more attractive to global investors and expats.
Cyprus’ Schengen Membership benefits:
• boosted tourism: with over 400 million people in the Schengen Zone, cyprus will attract a larger pool of tourists who can visit without visa restrictions. investors will enjoy increased tourist bookings and higher rental yields.
• economic Growth: many sectors will prosper, further enhancing cyprus’ desirability as an attractive destination for long-term tenants.
• Seamless travel for residents: your
cyprus residency card will allow 90-day visa-free entry to all 27 eu countries making travel across europe more convenient.
• Growing Demand for Permanent Residency: rising foreign investment will drive property values upward. Real estate in cyprus will be an even more lucrative asset.
Cyprus’ Permanent Residency Programme: A Premier Choice
“The trouble is: you think you have time.” - buddha
As permanent residency programmes across europe become more restrictive or significantly more expensive, investors have fewer options than ever before. in recent years, we’ve seen major changes: Portugal, Spain, Ireland, and Australia have closed, Greece has increased the minimum investment amount, and malta requires proof of assets. but cyprus is still open! So invest now before prices rise. there is a limited time to invest on the current programme. now that cyprus will be part of the Schengen Zone, there is a higher demand for permanent residency and will be driving property prices up. cyprus’s current programme requires a minimum real estate investment of €300,000. Schengen membership
will, we believe, result in the cypriot government significantly increasing the minimum amount in order for investors to qualify for residency. Property values are expected to soar; and waiting too long could mean higher costs and fewer options. Don’t miss out on this window of opportunity - invest today while prices are still within reach and the current programme is still open!
Property inspection trips
We arrange personalised property inspection trips for you to visit cyprus, explore real estate opportunities, and experience the lifestyle firsthand. We also arrange meetings with taxation and legal experts, guiding you through every step of the process with full support and expertise.
Your trusted partners
cypriot Realty - a trusted offshore investment firm with over 17 years of experience - is your dedicated partner in securing your Plan b in europe.
contact us for a confidential consultation to explore how cyprus can align with your offshore investment goals. We’re here to assist, guide, and support you every step of the way.
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WORDS JODi chetty | PHOTOS SAVAnnAh Du tOit, cReAtiVSPROut
There are hundreds or, rather, thousands of quotes extolling the wonders of reading. Famed animator Walt Disney believes books carry an immeasurable trove of treasure, while Taylor Swift credits them for training her imagination. JK Rowling speaks of the magic that occurs between pages, and Jane Austen bemoans that books have to end at all. Whatever your reason, one cannot deny the simplistic pleasure a book can bring. In this edition, we meet the team of volunteers that looks after Simbithi’s cosy reading nook: our Stables Honesty Library.
The story of the Stables Honesty Library finds its first pages in 2018, when the open space in the Stables Community Centre began to tickle the brains of the HOA management team. “We wanted to create a space where our community could enjoy a pocket of tranquillity on the Estate,” General Manager Marc Mc Clure shares. “Several ideas were discussed before a library was decided on.”
We sent out a call to our community for books: read or unread, new or gently used. Boxes arrived and, at the outset, we placed them onto the shelves we had installed. We then established an ‘honesty system’, which allowed residents to take a book from the library and be honest enough to
return it once they had read it. Last year, almost five years into the library’s story, the space needed a tender touch and reintroduction to our community, particularly those who had since joined the Simbithi family and may not have known of its existence. We called for resident volunteers who would assist, and, once again, the response was forthcoming.
Co-ordinated by Nigel McClure, a team of residents - who have named themselves ‘Friends of the Libraryhas been quietly volunteering at the library for the last year, unpacking and organising donations, sorting books into genres - and in alphabetical and subject order - and ensuring the selection of well-rounded, current reading material.
“Residents should feel free to put new or returned books directly onto the shelves. The shelves are now almost full, which is wonderful to see.” In some cases, the volunteers have recycled very old, or duplicated books, and in many cases, have donated them to a local school. We recently visited some of the volunteers on a chilly morning, and their joy at
a donation was heartwarming: armed with tea and coffee, they dove into the bags of books with gusto, unpacking them and remarking on the undisputed joy of reading.
We would like to thank the team of volunteers for their kindness in caring for the library: Barbara Koenig, Karenne Jo
Bloomgarden, David Wilkinson, Dave Flanagan, Verna Cronshaw, Lynne Johnson, Dawn Domleo, Primrose Banks and Margaret Dunning.
If you would like to visit the Stables Honesty Library, it is located at the Stables Community Centre in the culde-sac of Beverley Lane.
Because
Our annual Night of the Stars awards evening recognises employees with long service to Simbithi Eco-Estate Homeowners’ Association (SEEHOA) and Simbithi Country Club (SCC) and the Employees of the Year. Welcoming awardees and our Board of Directors, Human Resources Manager Justine Mia congratulated the team on their notable work ethic and commitment to Simbithi. General Managers Marc Mc Clure and Craig Nell applauded their teams on their consistent adherence to the values and strategic initiatives of Simbithi, and the exemplary manner in which they carry out their duties.
This year, we introduced an Innovator of the Year
Doris Day may as well have been singing of #TeamSimbithi when she penned ‘Dream a Little Dream of Me’. The stars shining bright above the Dragonfly Conference Centre were every shade of exceptional as they were awarded for service to Simbithi.
Award for SEEHOA staff, which recognises staff who conceptualise and successfully implement novel ways to improve the way the HOA functions.
Well done to all awardees!
HOA
Employee of the Year
Krishni Padayachee
Long Service
Krishni Padayachee (10 years)
Zanele Biyela (5 years)
SCC
Employee of the Year
Sicelo Cele
Long Service
Godfrey Kinyanjui (15 years)
Lucy Ndumo (15 years)
Princess Manqele (15 years)
Zoleka Zilwa (5 years)
Princess Mthethwa (5 years)
Winile Manqele (5 years)
YOU HAVE THE POWER TO TRANSFORM COUNTLESS LIVES WITH A SINGLE ACT OF KINDNESS AND LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY.
By including a charitable bequest to the Community Chest in your Will, you become a beacon of hope for those in need. Your legacy will provide essential care and support to vulnerable children and elderly individuals across KwaZulu-Natal. Together, we can create a brighter future, filled with compassion and opportunity for all.
Contact Rashilla Francis on 031 303 3890 or email: rashilla@communitychest.co.za
