The Crest 108

JUNE-JULY 2022 ISSUE 108

THE BLACK RABBIT Chris Black's new restaurant

Distributed to the communities of Everton, Gillitts, Hillcrest, Kloof, St Helier & Winston Park

ATM Absa Bank Nedbank ---------

Automotive ACA Auto Parts Hi Q Hillcrest ---------

Electronics Audio Architex Bergens Appliances & Repairs ---------

Fashion Calypso Cole Boutique Quiksilver

Where

Food & Drink Manolis Munchies The Juice Kitchen Tops at Spar What’s Cooking?

Woolworths Food ---------

Health & Beauty Clicks Entropy Hair Design Hair Base Laser Lipo Global Moffatt Optical Sorbet The Ear Institute Rain Natural Skincare Prestige Dentistry

Hobbies & Gifts Hillcrest Art Supplies Hillcrest Wool ‘n Weave Nikki’s The Gift Shop The Toy Factory Shop ---------

Home & Décor Home Etc Household Plastics Paint & Beyond Rugs Original Trellidor Zebbies Lighting ---------

Stationery & Office The Ink Drop Bidvest Waltons

Offices Acutts Antony Kerdachi & Associates Guardian Professional Accounting Solutions Ridgetop Investment Managers ---------

Restaurants Lupa Osteria Olive & Oil Oscars Café The Library Bistro & Wine Bar Woolworths Café

Quality Meets Convenience 1 2 - 1 6 O l d M a i n R o a d H i l l c r e s t / Te l : 0 3 1 7 6 5 4 0 3 7 / w w w. l i l l i e s q u a r t e r. c o . z a

*ed's letter

READERS BREAKFAST

Our second successful Readers Breakfast recently took place at the trendy Café Mayfair. This event is a wonderful platform where we engage with our readers, network and brainstorm story ideas.

Would you like to join the next one? Email us and tell us why, we’d love to host you!

And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter, scan this QR code to subscribe and join the Crest community – where you’ll be the first to know about fabulous competitions, fun events and positive news.

The Great Outdoors T here is no need to hibernate from June to August when you live in Durban – our city is famed for its mild winters. Although mornings and evenings have a nip in the air, the sun is lovely and warm during the day. It’s the perfect time to embrace the outdoors and keep active – getting out and about in nature is good for your mind, body and soul. Whether you’re just taking the pooches for a walk in Kloof Memorial Park, soaking up a few rays while kicking a ball around with your kids in the garden, or decide to go big and do a challenging hike - it all counts and will boost your mood and well-being.

And there’s no need to pack your beach gear away either. With the added benefit of a warm Mozambique current, the Indian Ocean is beautifully inviting throughout the year. In fact, the water temperature rarely really drops below 20ûC ... Dit is lekker by

die see! Check out our feature on sisters Caylee and Andrea on page 36 – Essiebess Swimwear is classic and unique, offering flattering styles and fun patterns for all shapes and sizes.

The month of June celebrates dads with Father’s Day, and in this issue we have intentionally chosen to get up, close and personal with a few of the wonderful men who live in our community. Fathers or not, they are all doing great things – inspiring and uplifting others with their zest for life.

Our cover guy, Chris Black, opens his brand new restaurant, The Black Rabbit, in July.

We can’t wait to see what’s on the menu!

Get a sneak peak on page 8, and don’t forget to book a table.

Meet the energetic Dr Harri on page 12 – a successful dentist, Masterchef 2022 contestant and passionate people’s person who’s forging his own path. Adventurous Shaun chats to us about how running

How to use a QR code: Simply open the phone's camera and point it at the QR code. You don't have to take a picture, just look at it, and line up “the square” on the QR code. The website link, i.e. “famousdurban.co.za”, will appear at the top of your screen. Click on this, it’s that simple!

J U N E - J U L Y

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changed his life on page 16, and Grant shares the journey behind The Platform Gallery on page 28. Step back in time with our nostalgia feature on the renowned Mathie brothers on page 18, gain valuable social media marketing advice with Craig on page 14, and savour Ant’s winterwarming soups on page 32 ... Enjoy!

Running out of school holiday activities?

Head over to our Kids & Parenting section on www.famousdurban.co.za, keep scrolling and you’ll find plenty of creative ideas.

Happy reading!

TALK TO US

katrine@famouspublishing.co.za www.thecrestonline.co.za W Crest Magazine

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in this issue*

GROUP EDITOR Doody Adams 083 325 7341 EDITOR Katrine Anker-Nilssen 083 309 6736 PRODUCTION EDITOR Lorna King GRAPHIC DESIGN Stephanie Osborne SALES CONSULTANT Tracy Hardouin 083 236 3202 DISTRIBUTION Mphumzeni Thusi ACCOUNTS & DISTRIBUTION QUERIES Meghan Dewet 083 533 5898 ONLINE EDITOR Sarah Mackintosh CONTRIBUTORS Jess Basson, Craig Brigg, Darrel Bristow-Bovey, Cathy Clark, Ant Ellis, Christy Herselman, Nelfrie Kemp, Kelly Kidgell, Shirley le Guern, Jane Linley-Thomas, Thandeka Mdlalo, Stephen Smith, Lisa Walters-Hunter

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Copyright: All material in this issue is subject to copyright and belongs to Famous Publishing unless otherwise indicated.

No part of the material may be quoted, photocopied, reproduced or stored by an electronic system without prior written permission from Famous Publishing.

Disclaimer: While every effort is taken to ensure the accuracy of the contents of this publication, neither the authors nor the publisher will bear any responsibility for the consequences of any actions based on information contained herein. Neither do they endorse any products/services advertised herein.

Material which appears under ‘Advertorial’ is paid for. *To the people of Everton, Gillitts, Hillcrest, Kloof, St Helier and Winston Park, the office parks, the residential estates and, of course, all our advertisers, thank you for your continued support.

LET'S GET MOVING

COMMUNITY 10

For Jane and Jess, good listeners make great friends

MEET DR HARRI

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MasterChef 2022 contestant Udhir Harrinarain

UNDERSTANDING YOUR AUDIENCE 14 A LIFE OF ADVENTURE

In compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4, if you do not want to receive The Crest magazine for free, please email sarah.mackintosh@famouspublishing.co.za For more information visit: www.famousdurban.co.za

ISSUE 17

KZN

Conscience

Indaba

Logistics

Tenacious tourism’s valiant fight

New warehousing complex promises to boost city logistics

unique family adventure

Passionate People

Siya Kolisi Touching lives

Gadgets & Gizmos Time savers in the kitchen

TV’s Lorna Maseko Shares her fave recipes

Food Fads 6 Health trends

40

Connecting with nature at Rhino Sands

Hugh Mathie – 50 years in the bed business

HEAVEN ON EARTH 20

This beautiful Alverstone showhouse could be yours

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REGULARS

42 44

Parenting: Learning to process emotions

CULTURE SHOCK Problems surrounding second language learners

QUEEN OF ARTS

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Meet local artist Robyn Ansell

THE PLATFORM GALLERY THE BIG RUN

A SOUPED-UP WINTER Ant Ellis keeps the cold out and the warmth in

ED’S LETTER TAKE NOTE SOCIAL SCENE LAST WORD

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A platform for local talent – in the KZN Midlands

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LIFESTYLE W E H A V E WA L K E D T H I S J O U R N E Y T O G E T H E R !

Distributed to the communities of Ballito, Durban North, Gateway, La Lucia, Mt Edgecombe, Prestondale, Somerset Park, uMdloti, uMhlali, uMhlanga Ridge, uMhlanga Rocks, Zimbali

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Fashion essentials

Ideas for organised kitchen drawers

ISSUE 14 WINTER 2022

KIPEKEE Michael and Kylie's

WRAPPED UP FOR WINTER

DRAWER STORAGE

MAY/JUNE 2022 ISSUE 132

with

WE ALSO PUBLISH ...

CONNECT COMMUNICATE COLLABORATE

Locals rally to help Ukrainians

AT

2

INVEST

Developers Removing red tape to fast track investments and create jobs

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Perfect for all shapes and sizes

WHEN WORK AND PASSION MEET 18

Choosing the right running shoes M AY / J U N E 2 0 2 2

CLASSIC, FUN SWIMWEAR

Shaun Reid's running journey

ESCAPING THE HAPPINESS TRAP The ABC logo is a valued seal of trust, providing measurement, compliance and auditing services which protects the way advertising is traded. The Crest is ABC audited and certified.

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Best buys for runners

UP, CLOSE AND PERSONAL

Improve business performance on social media

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32 THE BEAUTIFUL MESS

Published by Famous Publishing www.famousdurban.co.za

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ADVERTORIALS THE BLACK RABBIT MJ CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS MARITZBURG ORTHOPAEDIC CENTRE BUSAMED ONCOLOGY CENTRE FMGH HILLCREST

ON THE COVER: Chris Black. *Picture: Thea Cogill

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take note*

KEEPING YOU IN THE LOOP HIKING TRAILS To Boost Local Tourism And Conservation Kloof Gorge, which forms the largest part of the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve – its richness predominantly flora species which have survived the development of the surrounding area due to the difficulty of access and protection provided by sheer cliff-faces – extends beyond the reserve boundary into sections of Upper and Lower Molweni.

Sadly, the combined result of poor economic conditions and a growing population in the Molweni area is likely to negatively impact on what is left of the natural environment.

In 2020 an informal partnership was established between 1 000 Hills Tourism Association and NGOs Philangethemba Impact, Green Corridors, and Kloof Conservancy – a partnership committed to creating sustainable eco-tourism opportunities to bring tourists into the valley and thus create economic opportunities for the benefit of the community.

The underlying precept is that if the community can benefit sustainably

from the natural environment, then they are more likely to care for it and thereby help preserve the natural beauty and biodiversity.

Molweni Adventures has been established, and a 1,4km long zip-line is planned as the anchor tourist attraction.

The Basic Environmental Assessment has been successfully completed and funders are currently being sought to enable the project to come to fruition.

In the interim it was decided to create a number of trails which would bring hikers into the valley. Two basic routes were developed, an 8km round trip to the Granite Slide and a short but very challenging hike to the Nogxaza Falls.

The trails were just starting to draw tourists when the April floods came and many of the trail sections were washed away. All hiking has been suspended, but the partners in this project have come together and raised funds to buy tools and equipment – employing a team of five local workers to repair the trails. If all goes well, hikes to the Nogxaza Falls should start again in July, and to the Granite Slide in August.

FOR MORE INFO: If you can help, please email info@kloofconservancy.org.za

EXCITING OLIVE & OIL Revamp For over a decade Olive & Oil, where Jacqui and her team have served Mediterranean favourites with uncompromising dedication to wonderful food and great service, has been a firm favourite with Upper Highway residents.

2022 brings a refreshing change to the brand as Jacqui revamps and rejuvenates her premises, launching a more contemporary look and introducing a modern twist to her menu. Look out for a restaurant configuration that allows for privacy and intimacy, an all-new, airy private function area, and a revamped children’s playroom. On the food

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editor's choice

front, while there are some old favourites, customers can look forward to new dishes with the freshest of ingredients served with imagination and generosity. And another plus for busy moms, bikers and business folk … breakfasts will now be served.

In Jacqui’s words, “Customers can expect a new-look restaurant with the same standards of service excellence and attention to detail in food that they have come to expect from a dining experience at Olive & Oil; a space for family and friends to celebrate, to unwind and to savour great food”.

FOR MORE INFO: 031 765 6214; hillcrest@oliveandoil.co.za

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UPPER HIGHWAY Trail Marathon A group of local Upper Highway trail runners have taken it upon themselves to bring an iconic 42km trail marathon to our local green spaces – due to take place on December 10.

Their vision is to deliver an incredible event that will showcase our wonderful Upper Highway trails, conservancies and reserves while developing a long term sustainable platform to support these beautiful green spaces – including but

not limited to Everton Conservancy, Kloof Conservancy and Krantzkloof.

Event organiser, Craig Brigg, explains that all proceeds from the race will go back directly to the trail owners to invest in and maintain their trails so that they are preserved for all to enjoy. “We are in the process of securing a title sponsor, but hope to involve a number of our local businesses as sponsors and stakeholders in an epic annual event,” he says.

FOR MORE INFO: www.UHTM.co.za

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS Of Creative Spaces

JESSE’S CANINE NATION – A ManÕs Best Friend Jesse Schultz’s passion for dogs started early, giving every dog he came across love and affection. At the age of 17 he started working at a canine boarding facility. “I would practice training techniques on my pack of dogs, and as my ambitions grew I used my passion to start my own business in 2021 – Canine Nation.”

Jesse’s goal is to improve the health and wellness of every one of his clients’ dogs, and get a B-Com in business management while doing it. Canine Nation offers socialisation classes, walking sessions and obedience training – a form of communication between you and your furry companion taught through commands. “We help create these communication skills as well as a strong relationship between you

and your dog,” says Jesse, who shares four simple tips for dog owners.

1. Get to know your dog’s needs Every dog is different, and getting to know what they need to thrive at an individual level and acting on it consistently will enhance your relationship and create a happy dog.

2. Set boundaries Setting boundaries for your dog is healthy and natural. Set them and stick to them.

3. Exercise your dog Exercising your dog can help to prevent behavioural issues and many health issues as well.

4. Be patient with your training Training takes time and consistency.

Keeping your training sessions short can help with this.

The East Coast Radio House & Garden Show is back and will be celebrating its 40th birthday bash in carnival style – toasting four successful decades of creative spaces that have led the way locally in inspiration, innovation, entertainment and craftmanship.

A host of your show favourites will also return – including the Home Grown Design Fair, Outdoor, Garden and Lifestyle area, Foodie Fair, and Hirsch’s excellent show deals.

Find a signature piece for your home, get inspired for your next big renovation project, or bring friends and family to experience a myriad of entertainment and tantalising treats – including plenty of giveaways, special offers, big competitions and more.

FOR MORE INFO: From June 24 to July 3 at the Durban Exhibition Centre; www.housegardenshow. co.za; W @housegardenshow

FOR MORE INFO: Contact Jesse on 079 133 2310 J U N E - J U L Y

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take note*

KEEPING YOU IN THE LOOP FOR THE LOVE OF FOOD – And Our Community

FEED THE BABIES FUND Charity Golf Day Join us on Tuesday, July 5 for some fun at Kloof Country Club. The format will be a four-ball better ball, shotgun start. The cost to participate is R500 per person or R2 000 per four-ball and includes green fees and prize-giving dinner – but excludes the cost of a golf cart.

FOR MORE INFO: To book or find out more about sponsorship opportunities, contact Sandy on 031 201 4682 or on marketing@feedthebabiesfund.org.za

“Food has been my love language ever since I can remember,” says Karyn Smith.

“From my humble beginnings selling boerewors rolls and burgers at the motor cross track, a boutique food store at Shongweni Market and owning the tuck shop/coffee shop at a local high school, to catering for weddings and large functions all over the country.”

When the flooding first hit I saw the difficulties encountered by staff at school and at home, and started arranging cooked meals and food parcels for them. “Once the devastation in the communities started to filter through, the requests for help just snowballed,” says Karyn.

“We were doing soups, sandwiches, meal parcels and food hampers … and then clothing – which was so generously donated by the kids from Curro High School,” says Karyn, adding that over 1 500 food hampers were distributed in the first week and giving thanks to Judy Maher, Carey Roberts, Janine Magree, Debbie Punnick, Michelle Haarhoff, Merle Westcott, Nicole Coetzee, Sanele Gasa, Mike and Leanne Egling and Lindani Ndlovu – their tireless Uber driver. “Cherie Metzler formed a group called The Kitchen Angels, where

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GET INVOLVED! we co-ordinated the collections, drop-offs, cooking and meal preps.”

120 hampers and some cases of water to distribute even came from as far away as Johannesburg. “This absolutely blew us away and we are so grateful,” says Karyn.

Food and meal hampers were also directed at the rescue workers who worked tirelessly during this time. “I have such an amazing network of superheroes I can call friends!” says Karyn – who is inspired by our community’s ability to come together in times of need.

Karyn also helped supply food and warm beverages to the patrollers at various stations in and around the Hillcrest area during the looting last year – for those who worked the night shifts. “As long as we have the resources and people need it, we will continue with this,” she says.

FOR MORE INFO: Contact Karyn on 082 828 2223 if you can help

2022

Celebrating 40 YEARS

24 JUNE – 3 JULY DURBAN EXHIBITION CENTRE

The East Coast Radio House + Garden Show is back and will be celebrating its 40th birthday bash in carnival style. This memorable event will toast four successful decades of creative spaces that have led the way locally in inspiration, innovation, entertainment and craftmanship. The Show will return with plenty of giveaways, special offers and more.

www.housegardenshow.co.za

SUPPORTED BY :

advertorial*

L

upa Hillcrest is being transformed into a brand new eatery: The Black Rabbit. The brainchild of esteemed restaurateur, Chris Black, The Black Rabbit is a culmination point – the distillation of over 25 years of learning and experience in his enduring search to reach the pinnacle of hospitality excellence.

After successfully co-founding and running Lupa Osteria with Guy Cluver in 2013, the partners have now sold their remaining stake to Famous Brands and Chris is going it alone to serve up classic, contemporary cuisine at his latest creation.

Nothing is an afterthought at The Black Rabbit. From your first sip to the last spoonful of parfait, each item on the menu is crafted with consideration and imagination and is designed to go beyond expectation.

Using consistent processes mixed with a pinch of reinvention, The Black Rabbit promises to offer exceptional hospitality.

The intensely individual, authentic, and memorable experience is backed by extraordinarily good food and service with attention to every detail.

Promising an unparalleled wine cellar for you to explore, each wine has been carefully sourced after extensive research – and tasting. Considered the main meal of the day in many cultures, The Black

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setting the

TABLE

Rabbit loves long, lazy lunching. But it is in the evening that The Black Rabbit is truly transformed to offer you a dining experience like no other.

The menu is a celebration of the seasons; by considering fresh, local ingredients and crafted by what inspires Chris. Think fluffy soufflés and oozy croque monsieurs. Snack on Parmesan churros, whipped ricotta, or marinated olives. Or start with the Black Rabbit Steak Tartare or Salt and Pepper Calamari. Mains are where the wood oven comes alive with options like Wood Roasted Hake with lemon butter or Poached Kingklip with garam masala, jasmine rice and coriander. The wood fired

CHRIS BLACK – SET TO OPEN NEW EATERY AT FAVOURITE HILLCREST SPOT

pizzas take you from Mozambique to the Mediterranean. Sure to be a favourite is the Black Rabbit Wagyu Burger with crispy pancetta, cheese, and zuni pickles.

Chris envisions The Black Rabbit as being an extension of your home – a welcoming place where you can dine in comfort with food that you wouldn’t ordinarily cook at home. “Our hospitality mantra is that we are hosting friends. We want to spoil you with the experience. It’s simple. You just must leave us better than when you arrived,” says Chris.

With the slightest nod to the owner, The Black Rabbit name is full of significance.

Rabbits are deeply connected to the Black

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family and as family pets, they form an indelible part of their children’s memories and are symbolic of their family connection.

The Black Rabbit name alludes to the element of surprise – the anticipation of experiencing something new and completely different to what was expected. There is a warm nostalgia to the establishment that hints of another era and entices you in. It makes you want to

It’s simple. You just must leave us better than when you arrived - Chris Black know more and is all about experience not appearance.

Chris has a wealth of experience in the restaurant industry and has owned and run numerous successful restaurants around South Africa. Starting out from humble beginnings at age 20 as a delivery driver for a pizzeria, Andreotti’s, Chris has gone from strength to strength, with a string of acclaimed restaurants to his name.

At age 21, he was given the opportunity to buy Andreotti’s – and he took it. With perseverance and hard work came success. He then bought The Aubergine from his brother and ran it successfully for J U N E - J U L Y

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10 years, with a string of accolades and Top 10 placements.

His passion for food and hospitality is what has inspired every detail of this award-winning chef’s new masterpiece, The Black Rabbit. Chris’s endearing warmth and unparalleled hospitality, combined with exceptional attention to every detail, are byproducts of his zeal and creativity to deliver exceptional classic contemporary cuisine.

Classic dishes are re-imagined and inspired by fresh, seasonal produce and quality ingredients. He takes inspiration from some of the world’s top chefs and his learnings and experiences from his extensive travels.

Every one of Chris Black’s restaurants over the last 25 years have seen incredible success and he has built a solid name and following on the greater Durban food scene.

This is a new era for Chris Black and his family as he passes the reins of Lupa to the capable hands of Famous Brands and fully explores his creativity at The Black Rabbit.

His journey has been deeply personal and enriching, marked by an insatiable zeal for hospitality excellence.

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Article written by Outlook Orange. Lupa Hillcrest’s doors will officially close on June 30, and will reopen as The Black Rabbit on July 14. Contact The Black Rabbit today to book your table.

FOR MORE INFO: 14 Old Main Road, Lillies Quarter, Hillcrest; 031 765 3059; www.theblackrabbit.co.za

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the beautiful mess*

be a great

FRIEND FOR JANE AND JESS, GOOD LISTENERS MAKE GREAT FRIENDS

R

ecently, Jess had a surprise visit from her sister, Nicky, who lives overseas.

After the initial excitement had settled down, they sat on the couch with a glass of red wine catching up.

Surprisingly, Jess began vividly explaining the chaos of the looting and the flooding in KZN. The next thing, Jess found herself ugly-crying on her sister’s lap.

“I don’t know why I’m crying.

I’ve already processed this with so many people,” she sobbed.

Nicky just hugged her.

At this point Jess realised that something unique had happened as she described these events to someone on the outside – someone who hadn’t experienced them.

Nicky had really listened.

She hadn’t shared her own experiences, or tried to console Jess by comparing it to the Ukrainian refugees flooding into her own city in Europe.

Nicky hadn’t responded with something like, “Well, at least you have a house”, or even tried to cheer her up.

Later that week, Jess told Jane about her sisterly

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Picture: Val Adamson reunion. Of course, Jane wisely observed that Nicky hadn’t actually listened – she had done so much more.

She had been deeply present. She had allowed Jess to ramble and explore her thoughts without interruption.

She hadn’t centred on her own experiences or compared similar feelings.

This is, of course, what we all long for in a friend.

Someone who will show up, have a drink with us, and let us cry on the couch. But could we be missing the next layer of depth and connection in our friendships if we just stop there? Could there be more than catch-ups and coffees?

Jane and Jess are absolutely convinced there is, so here are our three top tips for being a great friend.

SHOW UP. There is something weirdly awkward in us that makes us step back when our friends are in trouble.

Perhaps we’re tired of the same problems, or don’t know what to say. But when our friends are struggling or overwhelmed, we need to show up – with a text, a meal, or just a phone call.

They may not respond with the

appreciation you expect in the moment – but we all remember the people who showed up for us when everyone else looked the other way.

SHUT UP. Be like Nicky.

Pretend you know nothing about the problem or experience, and just listen. Friends probably know what they “should” do, but the one thing they need from the outside is a safe, neutral person to muddle out loud with.

Be that person for them and watch your friendship deepen.

GIVE UP. Give up some of the conversation space. Making space for the other person means pressing pause on your own advice or experiences, your own stories to try and out-do your friend. Listen like you’ve got nothing useful, interesting or entertaining to add. There’s a good chance that if you give up talking, you’ll gain trust – and they may even ask you what you think, which is so much better anyway.

If you ask Jane about friendship, there’s someone she will always recommend you pursue a great friendship with.

Yourself.

Being a good friend to yourself might mean bravely

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allowing someone into your world – someone who will show up, shut up and give up.

Treat yourself to time with good people. Being a good friend to yourself might mean noticing the friend who doesn’t show up, shut up and give up.

Being kind to yourself might mean acknowledging that some friendships are not the life-giving ones you deserve.

“Friend” is a noble name to give someone.

Maybe your heart is telling you to be a deeper one to someone you love. Maybe your heart is telling you to reach out to a potentially wonderful one.

Maybe your heart is telling you that you deserve more than some people can give.

May you show up to the good, great friendships around you. And in you.

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Listen to Jane and Jess here, as they further unpack their thoughts!

*advertorial

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The PIS is a calculation that must be done every year to determine: • The type of engagement that is required (audit, independent review or compilation).

• The accounting framework that must be applied.

The PIS is calculated based on the following four indicators: 1. The average number of

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An audit will provide the highest (but not absolute) level of assurance, an independent review, a moderate level of assurance, and a compilation no level of assurance. There are however pros and cons to each of these – including

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profile*

pictures Lisa B Photography SH Photography MNet

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born and bred Durban boy, Dr Harri grew up in Isipingo and attended Kingsway High School.

“I come from a traditional Indian family with two siblings, an older sister and an older brother … Yes, I’m the baby of the family and I love it,” he laughs.

When applying for university came around Dr Harri knew he wanted to do something in the health sciences that involved working with people. “But I also enjoy working with my hands, so dentistry was definitely a great fit,” he says – adding that he followed in his sister’s footsteps.

“I studied at the University of the Western Cape, where I made some amazing friends along the way and we still remain close even though we all live in all corners of the country,” says Dr Harri, who loves travelling.

“In 2017 I did a spiritual trip to India, after I qualified as a dentist. This is one of my most treasured memories. I love to travel solo as it allows one to meet so many new and interesting people.”

After his community service in Ladysmith,

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say hello to

DR HARRI HILLCREST RESIDENT, MUCH-LOVED DENTIST AND PASSIONATE FOODIE AND MASTERCHEF 2022 CONTESTANT, UDHIR HARRINARAIN IS FORGING HIS OWN PATH, WRITES KATRINE ANKER-NILSSEN Dr Harri started working in a private practice. “I was thrown into the deep end with it being a busy and well-known practice, but I swam and definitely came out stronger,” he says. “I am grateful for all the friendships I made and opportunities I was given along the way. But I know it’s now time for me to forge my own path.”

Currently setting up his own practice at the Oxford Village Centre in Hillcrest, Dr Harri says it will open soon and he’ll be practicing there from early 2023. “It’s nerve-wrecking but so fulfilling at the same time.”

Two years ago Dr Harri moved to Hillcrest from uMhlanga. “Having always lived along

the coast I thought I wasn’t going to enjoy being so far away from the sea – and the hustle and bustle of uMhlanga. But I can honestly say that I love it up here – especially the sense of community,” he says. “I find people so interesting. One of the questions I always ask my patients is what they do for a living. I’ve met patients who have some of the most unique and interesting jobs or businesses. It’s just fascinating to me.”

Dr Harri always gravitated towards the kitchen when he was younger. “I had great influence from my aunts, grandmother, mother and my sister – who was and still is

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the stresses of everyday life? But I knew it was time for me to make a move and take a risk. I told myself that if I didn’t do this now, who knows what other opportunities I would avoid or miss in the future – just because it was out of my comfort zone.”

After MasterChef he really fell in love with his South African Indian heritage, as the show’s challenges focused on heritage and upbringings – embracing how different and unique the flavours are. “I really want to inspire young South African Indians to be more proud of our food and heritage,” he says – adding that meeting so many amazing people that have been so influential in the South African food scene was also a MasterChef highlight. “I want to keep the momentum going and really make my voice heard. Start conversations that are really meaningful to Durban food culture specifically.

“I’ve realised that the sky is definitely not the limit,” says Dr Harri, who finished seventh out of the 20 MasterChef contestants. And the viewers all loved him – as does his Upper Highway patients.

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the baker in the family,” he says. “My mom liked to try out new and interesting dishes, and she didn’t always cook as traditional as most Indian mothers would. But at university, living in a dorm room with only a microwave and airfryer, the creativity really started to blossom. I still think the BBQ wings I made in the airfryer could challenge any restaurant.”

All about fuss-free cooking and most importantly, serving delicious food, Dr Harri loves entertaining friends and family. “Either my menus will be something to push you

I’ve realised that the sky is definitely not the limit out of your comfort zone, or it’s to bring back wholesome memories.”

Dr Harri’s MasterChef journey started with a food blog on Instagram during lockdown. “A few friends and family members sent me links to enter MasterChef South Africa, Season 4. At first I was very hesitant, as cooking for me was an outlet to relax. Why would I enter this competition to put myself in a stressful situation, doing something I do to escape

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digital footprint*

Understanding your

AUDIENCE

S

ADVICE FROM CRAIG BRIGG ON HOW YOU CAN IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

ocial media is constantly evolving, and new trends frequently test your marketing team’s ability to produce quality social media posts for your business.

So, what makes social media content engaging and worthwhile?

In the past, brands used social platforms such as Facebook as just another platform to display their classified adverts in an attempt to catch the eye of a consumer, and hopefully generate another sale. However, since social media offers everyone a platform to share their thoughts, it has also changed the way businesses have had to align their business service/ product adverts with the interests of the consumers.

In fact, according to recent survey data from the US, consumers are preferring brands to provide content that is imperfect and unpolished.

Consumers are wanting to feel like your business content is “real” and made by someone believable, natural and raw.

When a business understands this trend, it becomes relatable and trusted.

Humour, for example, is a universal language that offers a great option for a brand to dissolve the boundaries between their consumer

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5 Practical Tips 1. Offer Authenticity: Always provide your audience with real, authentic content.

2. Tell Your Story: An audience that can relate to your story will follow you.

3. Video Content: Static content is viewed less, while video content is becoming a very strong medium to tell your story.

audience and their brand. The message here is authenticity and creating content that aligns with “normal” people, as if they were in your family or community.

It’s time for businesses, large and small, to start listening to their audience – rather than dictating with disruptive and “perfect” classified advertisements. Take a moment to understand your audience and consumer, and offer them an opportunity to engage with you through your social platforms – as opposed to telling them what you think they’re wanting to hear.

There are a multitude of options to improve the performance of your content,

and in so doing increase your following and your own digital community. Very often the time you spend building relationships with your audience can lead to a higher number of sales – especially when you have an opportunity to interact with them on a social post, or when they engage via a message.

Engagement with customers builds loyalty and automatically leads to sales. Videos, polls, humorous graphics or a photo that encourages others to tag their friends or creates a positive reaction from your audience, are great ways to generate interaction and engagement and in turn grow your following.

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4. Listen: Be cognisant of what your customer and audience want to hear.

5. Educate: Give back to your audience by offering advice and tips they can use.

If you would like to learn more about how to improve the performance of your digital media and build a social media following, please feel free to contact Craig Brigg of UHI MEDIA GROUP, on 079 505 3170, or email craig@upperhighwayinfo.co.za

Pantone Blue 295 100c69m8y54k Pantone Warm Grey 3 9c11m13y20k

S U M M E R

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profile*

a life of

ADVENTURE STARTING TO RUN HAS CHANGED SHAUN REID’S LIFE AND TAUGHT HIM WHAT HE’S CAPABLE OF, WRITES STEPHEN SMITH

A

t one stage during the night, Shaun Reid was wondering if his next step would be his last.

It may sound dramatic, but running for 100 miles (160km) pushes your body and your mind to the limits. “I just fell apart in my first 100 miler. I didn’t get my nutrition right, and with 30km to go every step I took I was wondering if I was going to die. Then I lay down in the forest and my seconder couldn’t get me up again. It took an emotional call to my wife to get me moving again.”

So how does someone find themselves in that position, flat on their back in a forest with 130km under your belt and still

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another 30km to go?

“You start by running 5km, 10km, and then you start wondering just how far you could go. It’s a terrible question to ask,” Shaun laughs. For Shaun it led to four Comrades Marathons and the Karkloof 100,

You put one foot in front of the other ... as well as a changed life.

“One hundred miles is not about where you finish, but just about finishing. It rips down to the core of who you are and what you are capable of. Life is very simple

when you’re running 100 miles: you put one foot in front of the other, and you either carry on or you don’t. You learn that you CAN take that next step and the next one, and you realise that you are capable of so much more than you thought you were.

It really is a life-changing experience on a massive level: it makes you walk back into life knowing how we underestimate our ability due to fear of failure or fear of how big something is. Training for 100 miles teaches you the importance of the routine, of doing something small every day that will allow you to do something massive. I wasn’t a runner but I became a runner through daily discipline, and with

that you start to wonder what else you could achieve by embracing daily discipline.”

And for Shaun, trail running really has changed his life. While he has been in marketing for years and still runs his own marketing company, becoming part of the trail-running world led to The Trail Shed, a business that he and partner Andrew Booth own and run (excuse the pun!). “The Trail Shed specialises in everything you need for ultrarunning, from shoes to nutrition and everything else, and we can give you advice because we live the lifestyle ourselves.” The physical shop is based at Talloula in Botha’s Hill, where Shaun is also involved in the running of weddings at the venue, and there is also an active online shop.

Shaun, who was born in KZN and has lived here his entire life, has always sought out adventure. “I’m a bit of an adventure freak – spear fishing, kayak fishing, trail running … I love running in the Karkloof and in the Berg – we are so lucky to have such great places to run so close to us.”

And if you dream of finding yourself in a dark place on a trail one day, wondering if you’ve got what it takes, Shaun recommends joining a local club and starting with short, organised trail runs. “In our area we’ve got Beloved Long Runs, Giba Gabblers, Westville trails. There are a lot of people who do trail runs and a lot of their weekly runs are quite short. So just do it!”

Weavers’ Nest is Highbury’s co-educational pre-primary school for Grades 0000 – 00 (from age two to five). Here, your child will be at the centre of everything we do and, through our dynamic pre-school programme, will be given theNest wings they need to fly.

Weavers’ is Highbury’s co-educational pre-primary school

We inspire your with love of forwill Grades 0000 – 00child (from ageatwo learning andyour theirchild deepwill curiosity and to five). Here, be at the centre of everything we do and,will through innate sense of adventure drive our dynamic pre-school programme, will their interest to understand the world be given the wings they fly. will and their place within it.need Yourto child be acknowledged as strong, capable, We willresilient inspire your with a love of and child full of wonder learning andand theirpotential. deep curiosity and innate sense of adventure will drive their interest to understand the world and their place within it. Your Our dedicated andchild will be acknowledged as strong, experienced teacherscapable, are resilient and full of wonder passionate about the and potential.

development of your child and encourage discovery through play in a nurturingOur environment, providing our dedicated and teachers young experienced girls and boys a solidare foundation passionate about the for the years ahead.

development of your child and encourage discovery through play in a nurturing environment, providing our young girls and boys a solid foundation for the years ahead.

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FOR MORE INFO www.trailshed.co.za

OPPOSITE: The Trail Shed

specialises in everything you need to run an ultra.

TOP: Shaun at the race that changed his life, the Karkloof 100.

MIDDLE: The Reid family love the outdoors: Shaun, wife Lindsay and kids Olivia, Hudson and Sophie.

BOTTOM: If you take enough next steps and don’t give up, you get to the finish.

BOOK A PRIVATE TOUR www.weaversnest.co.za

nostalgia*

when work and passion

MEET

THEY SAY IF YOU FIND A JOB YOU LOVE, YOU’LL NEVER WORK A DAY IN YOUR LIFE. AFTER MORE THAN 50 YEARS IN THE BED INDUSTRY, HUGH MATHIE IS AS EXCITED BY THE CHALLENGES OF BUSINESS AS HE WAS WHEN HE STARTED MATHIE BROTHERS IN THE ‘70S - AND HE NEVER MISSES THE CHANCE TO MAKE A JOKE 18

T

he Mathie name is well-known in the Upper Highway and wherever you find a Mathie, you are likely to find an interesting backstory. Hard work and entrepreneurialism run through this family’s veins, but nowhere more clearly than in Hugh himself. His first business deal was at the age of just eight, when he swapped an abandoned guitar for a broken bicycle that he repaired himself and then rode for years.

In 1972, after a successful stint in the army and time spent managing a citrus farm near Hoedspruit, Hugh signed a lease on a small shop in Hillary, with just R36 to his name. He borrowed money to buy

TOP: Brothers Hugh, Mike and Bruce Mathie back in the days.

ABOVE: Hugh Mathie – always up for a laugh

and always looking out for the next big idea!

secondhand furniture and channelled his drive and determination into creating a profitable business for himself.

That he did and Hugh was soon joined by his brothers, Mike and Bruce, and then by cousins from the UK, Ian and John. In less than 10 years, Mathie Brothers had grown to 36 stores around what was then Natal and the Transvaal, with an annual turnover of over R15-million.

Hard work, highly competitive pricing and extensive marketing saw the company become the place for families to buy

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LEFT: Hugh, Bruce and Mike Mathie in 2017.

BELOW LEFT: A Mathie Brothers store in the late 70s.

BELOW: A vehicle sponsored by Mathie Brothers.

everything from lounge suites to beds, curtains and appliances. The company was first to introduce a number of products to the local market, with the team working hard to live up to the slogan “Don’t even try to beat our prices”.

Hugh was named Marketing Man of the Year by the Institute of Marketing Management in 1981 for the success of Mathie Brothers, which, at that point, was making national retail chains take notice.

Beyond work, laughter, music and sport have always been what holds this family together.

From early on, the Mathie brothers supported their local community, sponsoring sports clubs (including bowls, soccer and motorsport) as well as saving numerous dogs through the SPCA. The brothers faced many set-backs over the years, but they always seemed to come out fighting, with a new strategy and renewed energy. Sadly, Mathie Brothers took one knock too many in the late 1980s and was cut back to one shop in Hillcrest

– on the site of what is now Lillies Quarter.

From there, Mike and Bruce served a loyal clientbase, who knew they would always receive a warm welcome and the very best service from the charismatic brothers. Sadly, Mike passed away in 2017.

In the early 2000s, Hugh returned to the bed game after a successful foray into insurance, opening stores in Durban, Durban North and Ballito. Today, Hugh Mathie Beds in Kloof provides a carefully selected range of own-brand mattresses and bases, designed for quality, comfort and durability.

“It’s common for us to have young families come into the showroom and say that their grandparents and parents bought all their furniture from us,” says Hugh. “That’s not something we take lightly. Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years!

“We’ve survived recessions, riots, uncertainty and stiff competition, and we’ll survive whatever else comes our way.”

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FOR MORE INFO 25 Village Road, Kloof; 031 764 2665 J U N E - J U L Y

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Hugh’s advice for young entrepreneurs:

• You have to speculate to accumulate.

Nothing worthwhile was ever achieved without some risk.

• ●The road to success is always under construction – don’t give up!

• ●Marketing is vital. Alternate methods – social media, print, street poles, flyers– but never stop.

• ●In a family business, roles and responsibilities must be clear, including who is the boss. Each person must become an expert in a specific area (e.g. accounts, distribution, marketing).

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parenting*

Escaping the happiness

TRAP

ALLOWING OUR CHILDREN TO PROCESS THE EMOTIONS OF BEING DISAPPOINTED IS NOT NECESSARILY A BAD THING, WRITES CHRISTY HERSELMAN

O

ne of the most beautiful and heart-breaking movies I have ever watched was The Pursuit of Happyness starring Will and Jaden Smith. The true story of a San Francisco salesman struggling to build a life for himself and his fiveyear-old son, it is the name of the film rather than the storyline which has stayed with me as I raise my own children and work with families in various aspects of parenting.

And it has stayed with me as a warning rather than encouragement, because the pursuit of happiness can be a dangerous thing.

We often see T-shirts telling us to “Do what makes you happy!” and we think that happiness should be the goal for ourselves and our kids. But happiness is illusive and when

we pursue it as a constant state of being, we chase an ever-moving horizon.

The reality is that life is not always happy. Social media feeds the illusion that we should be living our best lives every day, riding a wave of achievements, celebrations, amazing meals and unforgettable trips. But some days just suck. Sometimes we go through periods of incredible hardship. Sometimes we hate our jobs or our marriages break down. When we (and Instagram) teach our children that they should be happy all the time, we are not equipping them to the reality of life’s ups and downs.

Last week I was chatting to a mom whose son had not been selected for a sports team he had worked very hard to make. This is a high-achieving child who succeeds in many

The Chat

fields. The experience of disappointment was not something he experienced often. What struck me in this conversation was how his mom was trying to find ways to cushion the blow, reasons why it was a good thing he had not been selected. My loving advice to my friend was to simply say to her child, “This time you didn’t make it.

Well done for putting yourself out there and trying,” and to allow her child to process the emotions of being disappointed.

The reality is that much disappointment lies ahead for this and every child: job promotions they won’t get,

The Chat is a culture-shaping movement which exists to start conversations and impart accurate information around issues like sex, identity, social media and pornography.

The Chat believes that if these issues are left unaddressed, they threaten to derail a generation. The Chat was founded and is led by Christy Herselman, and is overseen

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relationships that won’t work, friends who will let them down.

Life is a gloriously messy mixed bag of experiences and emotions.

So let’s not fool ourselves or our kids that life will always be happy. Let’s rather live wholeheartedly where we find ourselves. Instead of pursuing happiness, let’s pursue purpose: put ourselves out there, try new things, serve others, do what is right, love unselfishly, process pain, develop our talents and take time to invest in others.

The beautiful by-product of this kind of life is joy, which comes from within and spills out into the world around us.

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by The Table Church in uMdloti. Christy has a background in journalism and teaching.

She has written two books and currently divides her time between researching, writing, speaking and being a wife and mom. She lives in uMdloti with her husband Brad and her children Emily, Ryan and Blake. Please contact Christy on info@thechat.co.za or visit www.thechat.co.za for more info.

opinion piece*

culture

SHOCK DR THANDEKA MDLALO, A SPEECH-LANGUAGE THERAPIST AND AUDIOLOGIST, SHARES ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS FACING SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNERS

L

earning a first language usually happens in the natural, familiar context of the home supported by family. However, learning a second language is often more complex as it happens in an educational surrounding where the demands on a young child go hand-in-hand with educational demands like numbers, alphabet and shapes.

Cultural differences may add to the difficulty experienced by a second language learner – or emergent bilingual – which may result in misunderstanding or confusion. The cultural shock experienced by these learners can be compared to the analogy of having a new programme loaded on to your computer at work, and being expected to understand how it works without first being trained.

The demands of the curriculum do not accommodate the difficulties facing the emergent bilingual who are expected to work at the same pace as their peers studying in their first language. If the emergent bilingual does not meet the expected language standards at school, there is often pressure on the parents to stop using the mother tongue at home in order to accelerate the development of the second language.

However, it is a myth that this measure will be beneficial. Instead, it can be detrimental to the emergent bilingual as they lose their mother tongue and

ABOVE: Dr Thandeka Mdlalo. often struggle to communicate with their extended family. As language and culture are linked, emergent bilinguals who lose their mother tongue become “cultural outcasts”.

At this point, and out of desperation, an educator may refer the child to a speechlanguage therapist even though the child is not presenting with a speech or language disorder, but rather difficulties due to learning a second language.

As language and culture are linked, emergent bilinguals who lose their mother tongue become “cultural outcasts” Enter the Diversity Centre – which aims to provide solutions to problems linked to diversity, including language and cultural diversity. Its focus is to support, educate and empower parents, educators and therapists on the challenges linked with diversity.

The focus of the centre is on shortterm support of children who are struggling to meet the scholastic demands due to differences, especially language differences. There are

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strategies educators can use to help support children who are learning a second language. However, it is important that the educator understands the process of second language learning.

It also helps when the learner is given multiple opportunities to speak the language in a non-threatening environment – play dates or staying for aftercare allows time to talk in the second language to peers who are not making academic demands on the child and who are on the same level so there is no fear of authority.

The use of multiple modalities (gesture and voice tone) is used to explain a concept or word that may be challenging – for example, there was a colossal aircraft – where colossal is emphasised by using technology aids to understand.

Redundancy is also an invaluable tool when introducing new or potentially challenging vocabulary. For example, there was a colossal, yes really big aircraft.

Last but not least, it is crucial to remember that the emergent bilingual may appear slower to learn, but this is not due to their level of intelligence, but rather language challenges.

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FOR MORE INFO www.thediversitycentre.com The Diversity Centre is a free interactive website with a monthly blog, podcasts, videos, links to articles and resources. A Diversity Centre has also been established at Our Lady of Fatima Diocesan School for Girls, which is open to all children.

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Optimum Mobility | Live YOUR Best Life Maritzburg Orthopaedic Centre has a tradition of excellence in orthopaedic care, and the fine reputation of its surgeons is known throughout KwaZulu-Natal. Each surgeon in the group is board certified and many have additional sub-speciality training.

Dr Paul Hatfield returned to his hometown of Pietermaritzburg after completing his medical studies at the University of Cape Town. He continued his studies at the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine in Durban, where he qualified as an Orthopaedic Surgeon.

Back in Pietermaritzburg he gained valuable experience at Edendale Hospital before completing a Hand Fellowship with Prof Mike Solomons at the University of Cape Town. Paul is married, has two daughters and enjoys competing in Maritzburg’s iconic sports of paddling, running and cycling.

MEET THE TEAM Dr Andre Morrish Hip and Knee Specialist

Dr Paul Hatfield Hand and Wrist Specialist

Dr Nitesh Bhagwan Shoulder and Elbow Specialist Dr Ian Cochrane Spine and Arthroplasty Specialist Dr Greg Van Osch Hip, Knee and Trauma Specialist

Dr Ruvyn Frank Foot and Ankle Specialist Dr Jacques De Wet Tumour, Reconstruction and Deformity Specialist

CONTACT US PMB ROOMS: Suite D, Block 2 Mediclinic Payn Street. Tel: 033 342 0416 reception@pmborth.co.za HOWICK ROOMS: 50 Fraser Street. Tel: 033 330 7809 howickreception@pmborth.co.za HILTON ROOMS: Suite G3, Hilton Life Hospital, Monzali Drive. Tel: 033 329 5712 hiltonreception@pmborth.co.za

WWW.PMBORTH.CO.ZA

*medical

D

egenerative wear of the articular cartilage of the carpo-metacarpal joint of the thumb is a common condition in people over the age of 50 years. This joint, with its wide range of movement, is held in position by several strong ligaments. When these ligaments stretch with increasing age, significant irreversible wear of the joint surface occurs.

Women are three times more likely than men to develop thumb arthritis due to hormone associated increased joint laxity.

SYMPTOMS Pain, stiffness and weakened grip strength are the principle presenting complaints.

The pain is described as a constant dull ache in the palmar aspect at the base of the thumb. A severe sharp activity-related pain is also common, and can restrict day-to-day activities such as opening jars and gripping objects. With time, a prominent bony lump is seen and felt as the joint slowly begins to dislocate. A contracture forms making it difficult to move the thumb away from the palm and potentially limiting hand function and grip strength. Further deformities of the thumb may develop.

DIAGNOSIS The diagnosis is made after taking a history as well as carrying out a thorough clinical examination. An X-ray will confirm the diagnosis, but decisions of the type of management depend on whether the thumb arthritis is restricting daily activities or regular pain killers and anti-inflammatory meds are required to control the pain.

TREATMENT Treatment aims to relive pain, restore function and prevent deformity.

Non-surgical treatment begins with the occasional use of anti-inflammatory medications (Voltaren and Celebrex).

Reducing aggravating activities if possible and wearing a supportive thumb brace to stabilise the degenerative joint will decrease pain and slow progression of the arthritis.

A hand therapist can help with the splint as well as a stretching and strengthening programme. A cortisone injection into the joint can help to relieve pain but this usually only lasts for a period of weeks or months.

THUMB

Osteoarthritis DR PAUL HATFIELD OF MARITZBURG ORTHOPAEDIC CENTRE EXPLAINS OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE BASE OF THE THUMB – INCLUDING SYMPTOMS, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT Surgery is indicated when regular medication is required to control the pain and daily activities are significantly curtailed.

As with all osteoarthritic joints, surgical options include joint fusion (strong joint but restricted motion), artificial joint replacement (potentially very effective but high complication rates) or resection/excision arthroplasty.

Excision arthroplasty is the gold standard, most reliable and effective method to reduce pain and restore function. It involves excising the trapezium bone which makes up one half of the arthritic joint surface. The thumb is then stabilised reconstructing a ligament as well as a tendon sling and placing a bunched up tendon into the gap to act as a buffer (tendon interposition).

Rehabilitation following this surgery involves the use of a slab and splint for

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a period of eight weeks post-operatively to stabilise the joint. A hand therapist will make and fit the splint and will supervise an exercise programme focusing on regaining mobility, pinch strength and dexterity in order to regain hand function.

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profile*

queen of

ARTS

LOCAL ARTIST BRANCHES OUT TO ACRYLIC PAINTINGS WITH BEAUTIFUL PIECES THAT CONTINUE TO COMBINE HER PROFOUND PASSION FOR NATURE WITH HER ARTISTIC TALENT, WRITES KELLY KIDGELL pictures kelly williams

H

aving recently returned from the Kruger National Park, it is obvious just how much inspiration Robyn Salmond draws from her time spent in

the wild.

“Both my parents painted, so I come from a really creative family and grew up surrounded by their art,” says Robyn.

As a child she could often be found drawing or painting, however the call of the wild lured her into studying to be a field guide. “I would love to eventually evolve my art into the textile and homeware industries, but my ultimate dream would be to live in and paint from the bush – where I could merge my artistic career with my fielding background.”

Robyn would love to be able to one day offer painting retreats where others could be taught and inspired by the majestical sights and sounds of Africa. Her biggest influencers are being completely engulfed by the sanctity of nature, and her parents – she continues to paint under her maiden name, “Ansell”, as a gesture of gratitude to her mother and late father.

The Robyn Ansell Art studio is based in

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ABOVE: Robyn and her Spotted Eagle Owl. RIGHT: One of Robyn’s favourite oils, Nonjabulo, an African portrait.

Winston Park, but if she was lucky enough to be sent on an all-expense paid trip to paint anywhere in the entire world … Robyn would choose Botswana.

When Robyn isn’t painting, she loves to play the piano and guitar, or go for a run – she hopes to do a marathon in the near future.

“Dedicating some of my time and work to a worthy cause is very important to me,” says Robyn. A percentage of her sales gets donated to conservation, and she’s involved with various outreach projects – including the Endangered Wildlife Trust and Threatened Amphibian Programme. “It’s been wonderful to be a part of educating communities and removing damaging stigmas attached to certain species.”

LEFT: African Fish Eagle, one of Robyn’s favourite oil paintings.

BELOW LEFT: Robyn with a framed acrylic

painting, Brown-headed Parrot.

Since the beginning of time, art has been a vital tool in documenting history and is often used to create awareness on social, economic, and political topics. A universal language of expressive healing that has no demographic boundaries.

“For me, art is a beautiful way to bring people of all backgrounds together to start important conversations,” says Robyn. “I’ve exhibited at the Hilton Arts Festival as well as Art in the Park, and I’m really excited to showcase my work at the Kloof Conservancy Indigenous Open Gardens happening on July 2 and 3.”

Why the shift in medium from oil paintings to acrylics? “Oils can take months to create

For me, art is a beautiful way to bring people of all backgrounds together to start important conversations and dry, and cost a lot more for buyers to purchase. I decided to move to acrylics, which are less time consuming,” explains Robyn. Not only does this help her creative process, but also allows her to sell her paintings and prints to a wider market at a lower cost. “I believe everyone should be able to afford to treat themselves to some artwork every now and again, especially if there’s a certain piece that speaks to their heart.”

If your heart connects with the wild yet uncomplicated places and corners of nature, then you’ll certainly resonate with the works of Robyn Ansell Art – where brush meets paper to delicately balance realism and creativity in an expression of her deep and committed love affair with our African Wild.

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FOR MORE INFO www.robynansellart.com; hello@robynansellart.com.

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advertorial*

ABOVE: From left; radiotherapy manager Akshay Budhram, radiotherapist Somantha Lazarus, radiotherapist Riana Jackson, medical physicist Caleigh Marais, and radiotherapist Nigel Pillay.

one of a

KIND

A WONDERFUL TEAM, ALONG WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART TREATMENT DELIVERY, MAKES THE BUSAMED HILLCREST ONCOLOGY CENTRE TRULY UNIQUE

“W

hen we initially launched the centre five years ago, it was very much based on offering a new technology,” says Dr Ziad Seedat, managing director of the Hopelands Group. The Halcyon machine utilises high-end technology to ensure

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precise and quick treatment delivery.

“Although the machine itself is not a unique offering anymore, we were the first unit in South Africa to offer it – hence we now have the most experience with this treatment.”

While most other oncology treatment centres are fragmented, the Busamed Hillcrest Oncology Centre offers an integrated experience for the patient – with everything in one location, including chemo and radiation therapy. “We can support you through your entire journey in one place,” says Dr Seedat. “We strive to keep a very strong focus on patient-centred care.”

The highly skilled, experienced and friendly team of oncologist, radiotherapists, physicists and administrative staff improves and adds to the patient’s overall experience at the centre – giving it that much-needed personal touch.

“For me, ultimately, it’s all about the team. We have a very special and highly dedicated team,” says Dr Seedat. He adds that there are some new technologies available that the centre would like to

Testimonial

“When you are going into the whole journey of cancer it’s extremely daunting. You don’t know what to expect, and you don’t understand the extent of the journey that lies ahead.

It’s long, it’s gruelling, it’s hard on your mind and emotions, and it’s hard physically on your body. I had 7 months of chemo followed by 6 weeks of daily radiation to treat my breast cancer.

These beautiful people as a team just collaborate so well and make you feel like family. If you have cancer, this is the one family you want on your side.”

– Tracy Hardouin

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LEFT: Dr Robert Wilson (top) and Dr Adam McCleave, the centre’s two oncologists.

incorporate into the facility going forward, making sure they are always ahead and advancing. “This has been such a successful formula – so we are also planning to do something similar in a second Busamed location,” he says.

Radiotherapy manager Akshay Budhram adds that the location of the Busamed Hillcrest Oncology Centre is another bonus. “We are so close to the M13 and easily accessible for patients, and we are also supported by CANSA – for those patients requiring accommodation and transportation to the unit.”

Hopelands Cancer Centre

FOR MORE INFO: 471 Kassier Road, Assagay, Hillcrest; 031 492 4479

Scan this QR code for more information about the Busamed Hillcrest Oncology Centre’s state-of-the-art equipment!

art*

The Platform

GALLERY

THIS BEAUTIFUL SPACE REFLECTS AND GIVES BACK TO NATURE, WHILE ALSO PROMOTING LOCAL TALENT AT ITS BEST, WRITES SHIRLEY LE GUERN

T

he Boucher Legacy’s Art for Conservation auction, which raised more than R500 000 in March this year, has gone a long way to putting the little Lions River based Platform Gallery on the map.

Glen du Preez, who opened the gallery with wife Molly Malloy in 2018, says that the auction provided an important opportunity for artists whose work hangs in the gallery to give something back to the source of their inspiration.

The eclectic collection – which includes everything from pencil sketches to landscapes, oils and water colours – reflects nature. The Platform Gallery also has one of the largest collections of sculptures for sale in South Africa – with over 80 works in bronze, stone, wood, and other natural materials from well-known artists such as Llewellyn Davies, Sarah Richards, Sma Shabalala, Carl Roberts and Michael Mawdsley.

Money raised through the action will fund collaring of African wild dogs in the Kruger Park, pangolin rehabilitation, development of high tech tracking technology for endangered mammals, and ongoing monitoring and protection of rhinos.

It also achieved what Glen and Molly set out to do when they opened the gallery – promote local talent.

“Fundamentally, a lot of what we have been doing is to support local people. A lot of their art is world class, yet these people are so humble,” he says.

This not only means, quite literally,

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providing a platform for established local artists to sell their work but also to both discover and help refine the work of newcomers to suit a growing body of art lovers who follow the gallery online and in person.

One such artist is Luke Falconer, who recently sold his final limited edition bronze sculpture of a kingfisher. Glen actually owns the first edition. “He can now break the mould. It is amazing for a young artist to sell through an edition and know that he is on the right path. For us, it is so rewarding to be part of these stories. We are now working with him to produce the biggest sculpture that we’ve done to date,” says Glen.

Looking back to the earliest days of The Platform Gallery, Glen recalls Mawdsley

It is amazing for a young artist to sell through an edition and know that he is on the right path sculpting on one side of the gallery space while workmen were welding in the other.

The gallery has an interesting story. Glen studied engineering at university but headed off to sail professionally before completing his degree. When he returned to the Midlands, he wasn’t keen to join the family beef farming business. Instead, he began selling Nguni hides that were a by-product.

He started with a few hides draped over

ABOVE: Gallery owner, Glen du Preez, inside The Platform Gallery with some of the artworks.

RIGHT: The Local eatery and coffee bar.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Sangle Ngubo handles

sales of hides for The Nguni Guy which sells alongside The Platform Gallery.

FAR RIGHT: A view of the gallery from the roadside.

the fence of collectibles shop Treasures and Trash – which is located diagonally across the R103 from what was a dilapidated railway shed at the Lions River Station.

Today this business, The Nguni Guy, is one of the largest hide sales companies in the country.

Glen and Molly spent a few months finding the owner of the shed and even longer negotiating a lease with Transnet.

A massive and distinctive spherical metal sculpture by artist Brendon Edwards in front of the gallery together with the rattle of passing trains speaks to the evolving complex’s railway roots as well as its essential industrial vibe.

In addition to the art shop, there is also a

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space for The Nguni Guy as well as furniture and accessories designed by the couple.

An eatery and coffee bar, known as The Local, occupies a container between the two spaces – together with the skeleton of an old double decker bus which is about to be transformed into another retail space.

In addition to the gallery, Glen and Molly also develop menus and source fresh ingredients for the restaurant from neighbouring farmers. The coffee beans are locally roasted.

Now that Covid is essentially over, The Platform Gallery will also host events – such as the art auction and music evenings with artists such as Guy Buttery. This, Glen believes, will lure more over-nighters to the Midlands.

“Retail is tough. You work weekends, you put all of your energy into the people who come through the door. So all of us sacrifice a bit of our social lives, but it is things like this that give us purpose,” says Glen.

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FOR MORE INFO Contact Glen on 065 275 0935

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foot care*

the big

RUN

WITH THE COMRADES MARATHON ROUND THE CORNER, BALLITO PODIATRIST NELFRIE KEMP LOOKS AT THE ONLY AND MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT WILL GET YOU OVER THE FINISH LINE

I

t’s in the air. Can you smell it? There is not a run my local group does that the Comrades isn’t mentioned. The excitement and anticipation is mounting, whether you are planning on taking part this year, or if it remains a dream.

I am not running – but am in the privileged position to share with runners their Comrades journey as they prep for qualifiers, increase their distance training, navigate their injuries, and negotiate and research the latest and best shoe for them.

The only piece of equipment you really need is your running shoes. Yes, I know barefoot running is an option, but we’re not going down that route for this year’s Comrades.

The impact of your foot on the ground is three to five times your body weight; and the function of your running shoes is to absorb enough shock to

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take the stress off your joints and to complement your foot mechanics for the most efficient gait.

Your choice of shoe will depend on your foot shape and function. It is different for every person and your choice of shoe should not be based on aesthetics, what works for your friend, or for the Olympian marathon runner. Depending on your running pace and style, it will have an effect on your choice of shoe.

WHERE DO I GO?

Best to go to a running specific store with trained staff, but not just trained in the different brands. Staff need to understand running and it’s a bonus if they run themselves.

WHICH SHOE DO I CHOOSE?

Taking your running style and pace into consideration, try on two to three pairs of different brands in the same function of shoe – that is, neutral shoes.

HOW DO I KNOW MY SIZE?

Your running shoes should be one size bigger than your normal shoe size. This will allow for elongation of your feet while running, and accommodate the slight swelling of your feet with exercise. To size the shoe, take the innersoles out (the innersoles are not usually stuck into the shoe) and stand on top of the innersoles with your heel aligned at the back.

There should be a thumbs width between the tip of your longest toe and the front of the innersole.

IS IT THE CORRECT SHOE?

Try on both shoes with socks you would usually use and tie the laces properly.

Walk and run up and down in the shop. Does the shoe accommodate the shape of my foot? Does it feel as if my foot and shoe function as a unit when running? If you are

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confused, consult a professional – a podiatrist can assess your gait and advise you more specifically.

Lastly, don’t discard your previous running shoe that gave you so many happy miles of running. Just because it’s old and worn out and you might have developed niggles does not mean you have to change the type of shoe or brand – from neutral to stability. Also, be aware that with every new model/version of the shoe, there will be changes to the shoe. The aim of manufacturers will always be to improve the functionality of the shoe, and the changes might not always complement your running mechanics. It’s always best to try on “your” brand and a few others just to see what works best for your foot.

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FOR MORE INFO Nelfrie Kemp: www.nelfriekemp.co.za; @nelfriekemp; W @nelfriekemp

motoring*

what a

THRILL TANYA FYNN TAKES THE ABARTH 595 FOR A SPIN

Y

ou first notice it when you stop at a red traffic light.

The gushing gazes, the appreciative nods from fellow female drivers and the curious expressions from male drivers.

These reactions never stop, they only intensify at shopping malls, at the gym or when you park outside a trendy coffee shop. You quickly discover why. It’s the eye-catching Abarth that you are driving. The roar of its engine, its cute drop-top that makes this cabin feel much bigger than it is, and its modern trendy trim turns heads wherever it goes.

I was driving the neon green Abarth 595 from Fiat Chrysler

Hillcrest recently, and boy-oh-boy what a thrill. At the swing of the key its powerful engine roars to life as a nod to this car’s sporting roots.

Inside, its trendy cabin – there are no gear levers, just push-buttons – oozes sophistication.

As a professional woman who is constantly on the move for work, home-life and leisure, a car becomes an extension of you. It is more than just a vehicle that gets you from one point to another. It is a symbol of your personality – very much like your shoe collection or that favourite lipstick.

The Abarth exudes personality and is perfect in every sense for the modern go-getter female professional. It has the power and speed to take on all boy-racers on the road (not that we need to prove any point to them), is nippy enough to navigate peak-hour traffic through uMhlanga, and is the perfect size to make parallel parking easy-peasy.

The Abarth from Fiat Chrysler Hillcrest is everything and more a female professional wanting to make a statement and own her space in the world, would want in a car.

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rock the kitchen*

a souped-up

WINTER WELCOME CHILLY NIGHTS WITH A BOWL OF TUMMYFILLING SOUP AND GLASS OF RED WINE TO KEEP THE COLD OUT AND THE WARMTH IN, WRITES ANT ELLIS

A

key component of my culinary studies was dedicated to stocks, broths and soups.

Considered by chefs as the lifeblood of their professional kitchens, stocks take time, care and commitment and form the very backbone of some of the world’s greatest food – soups, rich and luxurious sauces (including pasta sauces and ragus), stews, risottos, gravies and reductions. They’re also how chefs maximise the flavour yield from almost every vegetable offcut, bone or seafood shell that enters the kitchen – and ultimately, they’re seriously nutritious.

Now, I don’t expect y’all to spend your weekends crafting stocks – but I really do suggest a rich and clear home-made stock or broth as the base for your new favourite winter meals: Quality, delicious, warming, souped-up soups. Veggie friends, this one’s for you.

To kick off, let’s make a simple and tasty vegetable stock. You’ll need a few everyday ingredients: a couple each of carrots and celery sticks, an onion, two smashed garlic cloves, a bay-leaf, a sprig each of thyme and parsley, and about a teaspoon each of black peppercorns and coriander seeds.

Optionally, add a handful of dried shiitake or

Thick Butternut, Carrot and Orange Soup • 1 butternut, just over 1kg • 8-10 medium carrots • 4 tablespoons olive oil, split • 1 onion, diced • 4 cups vegetable stock • ½ tin coconut milk • juice and zest of 1/2 an orange • sprig of thyme • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1/8 teaspoon pepper • pinch of chilli flakes, optional Top, tail and peel the butternut, halve and remove seeds and stringy stuff. Chunk into 2-3cm squares. Peel and wash carrots and chunk up. Add to a roasting tray, add half

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ABOVE: Durban lover of good food, wine and company, Ant Ellis.

porcini mushrooms.

Chunk up your carrots, celery and onion to equal sizes and add to a pot with all other ingredients. Cover with about 2-litres of water, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat. Simmer for about 2 hours, reducing by a third to a half. Season with salt. Strain well, being sure to press the juices out of your veggies. Stock n’ roll.

You’ve got the stock, now let’s get into some delicious, warming soups. We don’t cook enough of ’em, so we don’t eat enough of ’em. These recipes use your kick-ass fresh veg stock, but of course, chicken stock is rad too.

the olive oil and roast at 190ºC until tender, tossing halfway through cooking time – about half an hour in total. You’re looking for some browning colour on the edges.

Set aside. Heat remaining olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, add onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until soft and translucent. Add butternut and carrots, cook for 5-8 minutes or until veggies start to stick to the bottom.

Keep moving them, don’t let them burn.

Now add the veg stock and bring to a boil, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any bits stuck to the pot. Turn the heat down to medium-low and partially cover. Cook for 20 minutes, add coconut milk, orange juice, zest, thyme, salt, pepper and chilli flakes if desired. Finally, purée with a stick blender (or jug blender in small amounts, half cooled). Top with whatevs! CroÛtons, sour cream, Greek yogurt, seeds, parsley, basil, nuts or toasted coconut flakes.

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MomÕs Quick French Onion Soup • 6 medium-large onions • 4 tablespoons olive oil • 2 tablespoons butter • 1 level teaspoon sugar • 1½ teaspoons salt • 4 cloves garlic, minced • 1/2 cup red wine • 8 cups vegetable stock • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, optional • 2 bay-leaves • 1 tablespoon fresh or dried thyme leaves • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • baguette slices, toasted • Gruyère cheese, or Cheddar will do Slice onions as you prefer, add to a pot with olive oil and cook over medium heat until soft. Add butter, and cook until lightly browned. Add sugar and salt, stir until browned. Add garlic. Deglaze pot with wine and scrape down. Add stock, Worcestershire sauce, bay-leaves, thyme and pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 30 minutes, stirring now and then. Season with salt.

To serve in the classic way, portion into bowls, float a slice of toast and top with cheese, grill until oozy and melted.

Until next time: Winter’s here, and so are the calories. Enjoy the classic comfort food – yes, all of it – but come on dudes and dudesses, change it up this winter and try something new, too.

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FOR MORE INFO Talk to me at ant@rockthekitchen.co.za

trending*

1. SHOES

An all-in-one neutral running shoe for any distance, the Velocity NITRO 2 is a lightweight and sleek update to the Run PUMA roster. Featuring NITRO foam for exceptional responsiveness and ultimate cushioning, this upgrade to the original is a well-fitting and durable shoe for a smooth ride. Built for comfort at whatever speed, this running shoe also provides enhanced visibility through reflective accents, so you can hit your stride on your time.

NITRO is infused with nitrogen gas through an innovative new process that makes it possible to combine three key benefits to the runner – responsiveness, cushioning and a lightweight shoe.

R2 799, www.puma.com.

R

unning is one of the oldest and most instinctive forms of exercise around. It’s simple, just put one foot in front of the other and repeat in quick succession.

However, new research reveals there has been a running boom since the Covid pandemic.

Among the many health benefits of running, is the chance to experience the “runner’s high”. “It begins with this peace of mind and then a greater ease of movement, a sense of power and confidence, optimism and hope, and you will often hear runners describe feeling connected to everyone and everything,” explains Kelly McGonigal, a psychologist, educator and author of The Joy of Movement.

The research reflects that three quarters of all runners agree that “running is good for my mind as well as my body”.

Furthermore, according to data from endurance sports networks such as Strava, there has been an increase in the number of new runners over the past year.

A general change in the way we think and live has driven a move towards an increase in exercising outdoors. Whether it’s road or trail running, jogging or sprinting, 2022 is the year to lace up those shoes and get out there. Here are our five top running picks.

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letÕs get

MOVING

KEEN TO TAKE UP RUNNING? HERE ARE OUR TOP FIVE PICKS TO GET YOU STARTED

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2. WATCHES

Whether you’re looking to get in shape or just want an upgrade, choose a running watch that will look and feel great on your wrist, while providing accurate tracking of how far you’ve gone and how fast you’re going. Ensure it is easy to read and navigate at a glance while you’re moving.

These days GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring are standard on nearly all running watches, and most of them also support other sports such as cycling and hiking, as well as being water resistant.

The Garmin Fenix 7 is a running watch packed with advanced training tools to help you optimise your weekly training and perfect your strategy for race days. It keeps all the best features of the Fenix 6, but adds some excellent new tools such as a real-time stamina meter which shows how your energy level is decreasing over the course of a run so you can tailor your effort accordingly. There’s also a new graph to show how your training efforts are affecting your predicted race times.

This is the first Fenix watch with a touchscreen. The GPS accuracy is exceptional and Garmin has made a whole set of map packs available to download through the new Map Manager. From R13 499, Cape Union Mart and Takealot.

4. HEADLAMP

As the days get shorter and darker, look no further than the Lumeo Pro headlamp to provide you with perfect night vision.

It is the first of its kind, being the world’s widest LED headlamp offering you 230° of bright continuous illumination with unrivalled light coverage. The wide viewing angle illuminates more than what your eyes can see and has zero blind spots. It also delivers effective light coverage up to 100m. It comes with an adjustable light brightness, a flashlight function, and a comfortable, adjustable headband to fit all head sizes. The sleek design is low profile and lightweight. R499, lumeo.co.za.

3. DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE GUN

Recovery following a run is as important as the run itself. There are many recovery suggestions after a run – healthy eating, hydration, ice baths and a deep tissue massage. Thanks to technology, you can now enjoy the benefits of a deep tissue massage in the comfort of your home.

Train harder, recover faster and maximise your performance.

Massage guns help to relax and recover your muscle soft tissue. A massage head penetrates into the objective part of the muscle, decomposing the lactic acid that was generated during sport, work and general life. This relieves muscle soreness and stiffness.

Tested and trusted by international pro athletes, the Botthms Massage Guns are our pick to ensure relief, recovery and relaxation through innovative, user friendly, massage technology. From R2 399, www. botthms.co.za.

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5. SHORTS

Husband and wife team, Billy and Tracy Harker, are the founders of the Durban based Funky Pants. The Funky Pants are ridiculously comfy and seriously funky, with a wide selection of brightly coloured and wonderfully patterned fabric choices.

The range includes classic shorts, threequarter length leggings, full leggings, sports bras, cycling shorts and more. High waist Funky Pants, R490, www.funkypants.co.za.

Contact tracy@funkypants.co.za for more info.

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fashion*

ABOVE: Essiebess Swimwear sisters Caylee Dixon and Andrea Bezuidenhout.

S classic, fun

SWIMWEAR CAYLEE AND ANDREA’S ESSIEBESS OFFERS A BEAUTIFUL RANGE OF MIX-AND-MATCH STYLES TO SUIT EVERY SHAPE AND SIZE – WITH EASY TO WEAR COVERAGE 36

isters Caylee Dixon and Andrea Bezuidenhout grew up in Westville. “We are both married with two kids, and we both somehow manage to hold down full-time jobs – Caylee as a buyer for a large local retailer, and me in the investment and advice space – while running around after our children,” laughs Andrea. “When your plate is already full, why not add a start-up business to the mix?”

As a lot of new start-up businesses, the concept of the sisters’ swimwear business and brand took hold during lockdown when they were both somewhat disillusioned by corporate work life. “We wanted to create something that belonged purely to us, and that allowed us to be creative,” says Andrea.

“We had previously been purchasing similar swimwear from the USA, and when we looked into options locally we saw a gap in the market for more modest but still beautiful swimwear for women who aren’t super model stick-figures,” says Caylee. “We had both been down the road of experiencing changing bodies during and after pregnancy,

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story katrine anker-nilssen pictures courtney warren photography

and we wanted to celebrate women like us – who perhaps aren’t as confident as they once were in swimwear, and have very limited options available.”

The name Essiebess is their beloved late mothers nickname. “It’s a name that joins us together and we love it,” says Andrea. “Our swimwear is designed by us and manufactured here in Durban, and we quickly realised how specialised swimwear design and manufacture actually is. But we managed to jump through hoops and find a process that worked for us.” Involved in every step of the way, the sisters do all the sample fittings on themselves so they can get the fit exactly as they want it.

“It took over a year from registering our business to actually launching our

RE -UPH OLSTE RY

UPHOLSTERY EST 1970

“Retain the quality of a bygone era”

WOO D RESTO R ATI O N & RE PA IRS SC OTC H G UA R D I N G CA RPE T & U P H O LSTE RY C LE A NIN G

Showroom: Unit 10 Buro Centre, 55 Buro Crescent, Mayville upholstery@benze.co.za | www.benze.co.za | 031 208 7131 | 082 635 0165 (WhatsApp) Check us out on Google W

products, with many changes along the way,” says Andrea. “We launched in November 2021 with a range that included a one-piece costume and three top and bottom combos.

We love the idea of being able to mix and match across styles, sizes and colours.”

There are currently style options in six different colours. “We noticed that the current swimwear trends are incredibly high cut and revealing, whereas our costumes will usually be on the more generous side over the bottom and legs – with options for different tummy coverage in the tops,” says Caylee. “We aren’t trying to keep up with what’s trending, but would rather our ladies find some classic pieces that they absolutely love and keep coming back to.”

Based in Durban North, Essiebess mainly sell online but has recently also started selling at Spence and Mae in Hillcrest. “We absolutely love the idea of the ‘brand hub’ where small businesses like ours are able to have a physical presence without the overhead costs of a store. Our staff includes exactly two members for now, with us working after hours and in between juggling life. Late night and early morning packing orders have become our reality, and we are »

fashion*

so grateful for it,” says Andrea.

“Putting ourselves into a market we knew very little about was terrifying and has certainly pushed us both out of our comfort zones, which has been incredibly rewarding,” says Caylee. “There have certainly been times we have doubted ourselves and our ability, but the amazing feedback we have received from ladies who have purchased and come back again has been beyond what we could have hoped for.”

With plans for launching additional styles later in the year, the sisters can’t wait to have a children’s range that will allow for mix and match with mom. “Our daughters are constantly asking when they can have a cozzie of their own,” says Andrea – adding that they don’t have any intentions of opening their own Essiebess shop, but would love to be stocked in more collaborative shops across KZN and beyond. “Also, given that our products are

currently very seasonal, we would love to extend our range beyond swimwear. But we are taking baby steps for now, and learning as we go.”

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FOR MORE INFO www.essiebess.co.za

The Essiebess Essence

Our mission is to celebrate you, the beautiful woman you are, at all stages of your life. We want to get you into swimwear that not only do you love to wear, but that you keep coming back to time and time again.

Our range is designed to cover bums a little bit more, to sit slightly lower around the leg and to keep the boobs tucked away when they need to be.

We’ve got you covered.

fashion*

wrapped up for

WINTER

FASHION ESSENTIALS TO KEEP OUT THE WINTER BLUES

CARDI COAT Versatile enough to be dressed up to the office or paired down with denims and a pair of sneakers, R899, H & M.

BOXY FIT POLONECK JUMPER An essential for your winter wardrobe – pair with a skirt or denims for a casual chic look, R429, H & M.

CORNFLAKE KNIT JUMPER Wear with leather pants for an edgy look or team with denims or over a floral dress for a softer look, R329, H & M.

ALL SET FOR WINTER Turtleneck knitted top, R299; hooded puffer jacket, R999; embroidered pocket detail denim jeans, R699; moccasin shoe with buckle detail, R399; scarf, R180. All from Queenspark.

J U N E - J U L Y

All items available from Gateway Theatre of Shopping

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travel*

S

hannon and Dale Airton are both passionate conservationists.

While Dale has worked in conservation management doing everything from rhino and lion monitoring to trail guiding, Shannon’s background is more research-oriented.

“I did an undergraduate and graduate degree based in the US and spent time in SA researching rhinos, wild dogs and leopards,” she says.

The couple met while working and living in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve 20 years ago. “We were fortunate to receive an ecotourism opportunity via a business venture with Dale’s family,” says Shannon, adding that they are today kept on their toes running two lodges in Manyoni – Rhino River Lodge and Rhino Sands – on top of raising their eight-year-old son.

“I split my time between the reserve and

up, close and

PERSONAL CONNECTION WITH NATURE, WITH A STRONG FOCUS ON CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY, IS KEY AT RHINO SANDS – A SMALL, INTIMATE CAMP IN ZULULAND’S MANYONI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE, WRITES KATRINE ANKER-NILSSEN Ballito, where our son is enrolled in school.

The school has been extremely flexible, allowing us to spend a portion of each term on the reserve – distance learning with Wyatt. In that way life on the game reserve is an integral part of his childhood and learning, but he still gets to participate in the classroom and school environment when we are in Ballito. We get to enjoy a wonderful balance of the two incredible lifestyles that KZN has to offer … beach and bush,” says Shannon.

The Airtons initially learnt about Manyoni

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Private Game Reserve via the WWF’s Black Rhino Range Expansion Project. “Dale was working for the project, conducting research and providing training for the monitors who would be tracking and caring for new populations. So at the reserve’s inception, we were present and in attendance for the release of the vast majority of black rhinos,” says Shannon.

“It struck us as such a beautiful reserve, right in the heart of Zululand, and it was an exciting project where landowners were joining their properties together – all

towards a common conservation goal. We could see the potential in the project and the area and when the opportunity to invest and make a living in the reserve came up, we both jumped in feet first.”

Rhino Sands is an incredible piece of bush heaven – and it’s Zululand at its very best. “We wanted the camp to be eco-friendly and tented, as there is just something about how people experience nature when staying in canvas as opposed to behind four walls with windows shut and air-conditioners on,” explains Shannon.

“Part of what we love about safari is the romance – the throwback to a simpler, slower time. We love how a classical style facilitates that.” The camp is small and intimate, where guests feel like family.

“They get to know our team, the reserve and the area well. Large camps often lose this sense of connection,” says Shannon.

The Rhino Sands ethos is definitely one of connection. “Our aim is to connect our guests with nature, our beautiful reserve, and our beautiful country. We also aim to facilitate a connection with people – not just our team, but also for guests to connect with one another,” says Shannon.

“It’s all about making lifelong memories together, setting aside the stresses and

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challenges of day-to-day life.”

What sets Rhino Sands apart from other lodges came into sharp relief during the pandemic. “We are a small family-run company,” says Shannon. “While many of the corporations in our industry laid off large numbers of staff, refused to issue refunds to guests, and drastically cut salaries, we took the opposite approach

The camp is small and intimate, where guests feel like family – applying empathy and understanding with every decision we took, and standing by our team and guests to the very best of our ability.”

Because the camp is small, the team is small. “While we look for good experience and training, we hire largely based on personality and passion for creating a stellar guest experience. The small size of our camp allows us to tailor the guest experience to the individual, and this extends to our kitchen. It keeps our chefs

stimulated and creative, and the quality of the food always reflects that.”

The Airtons are not about chasing awards or accolades, but feel guest feedback and experience are the true measures of success in the safari industry. “While we would like to potentially add one additional tent to the camp, bringing the total number of tents up to five, we will not be expanding beyond that. Our future goals are to continue striving to be the best fivestar safari experience in KZN while staying true to our ethos, making gentle improvements, and focusing more and more on our sustainability efforts.”

Shannon says there is just a certain magic about Zululand. “I am convinced that once a person spends time in the bush here, nothing else will ever compare.

The landscape is dramatic and varying, the area is wild and untamed,” she says. “With a high human population and many truly unique wild areas and animals, conflict and conservation are endemic and in a precarious balance. The challenge and coexistence makes it all the more exciting and meaningful.”

TOP: Shannon, Wyatt and Dale Airton.

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FOR MORE INFO www.rhinosands.com J U N E - J U L Y

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get my style*

ABOVE: “Organised drawers can make your time spent in the kitchen a pleasure,” says uMhlanga interior designer Lisa Walters-Hunter.

pictures michigan behn

drawer

STORAGE BANISH DISORGANISED DRAWERS FROM YOUR KITCHEN FOREVER

“I

like my drawers to be a little more interesting so that when I open them there is contrast of colour and items. In this way they look appealing and beautiful to the eye,” says interior designer Lisa Walters-Hunter. “After all, this is my passion and my career – to make things look pretty.”

Lisa put an enormous amount of thought into the design of her kitchen, making sure it was designed with everything she wanted, and with the smallest details taken care of. “Because my kitchen is black, I

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had my kitchen contractor manufacture internal dividers for my drawers in oak as a contrast to the black.

“My favourite drawer contains everything I need for my coffee station which is on the countertop directly above it. This means everything I need for making coffee is easily accessible and there’s no rummaging through drawers that are not organised.”

Find my style: Coffee cups, H & M Home; Gold spoons, H & M Home; Paper napkins, Zara Home; Coffee pods, Nespresso; Salad servers, Poetry; Silver spoons, antique store.

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EXTRAORDINARY LIVING FOR THE BEST YEARS OF YOUR LIFE

Auria Senior Living’s latest development, Coral Cove, is a 21-hectare continuing-care retirement community, situated on the magnificent KZN North Coast within the safety, security and serenity of Zululami Luxury Coastal Estate.

With sweeping ocean views, private beach access and Auria’s hallmark hospitality, care and support, Coral Cove is the first of its kind in KZN and a new gold standard for senior living.

2 & 3 BEDROOM GARDEN VILLAS FROM R3,6m 1 & 2 B E D R O O M A PA R T M E N T S F R O M R 1 , 6 9 m SALES ENQUIRIES: 087 537 0539 | coralcove@auria.co.za | www.auria.co.za

INTERNATIONALLY AWARDED

showhouse*

HEAVEN on earth

A BEAUTIFUL ALVERSTONE PROPERTY EXEMPLIFYING STYLE, SERENITY AND LIFESTYLE

T

his 45 510m² property has been meticulously crafted and is exceptionally appointed in the beautiful and desirable Alverstone area. It is north-facing and has the luxury and beauty of 360 degree views right through to the Berg.

The property is in an immaculate condition and offers large, open plan living areas. The bedrooms are spacious, each fitted with their own aircon and ceiling fans.

Two of the bedrooms are en suite, and all three-and-ahalf bathrooms are modern and boast top-end finishes.

The kitchen is open plan with Caesar Stone tops, a beautiful AGA gas stove and a breakfast bar. On offer too is a scullery and a huge laundry, a large office with a gas fireplace and easy access to the driveway.

All four lounges are open plan and flow from one to the other with screeded flooring.

There are aluminium stack doors which open out to the luxurious, large, covered, wraparound verandas. The garden is landscaped and level with a

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myriad of colour, and the views are outstanding.

There are numerous, well maintained outbuildings – namely a 680m² drive-through barn housing six stables, but built for 10, with a door to the outside of the stable to allow the horses to be inside and outside. Included outside are four paddocks, a tack room, a tool and potting shed, large storage for fodder, boats and cars.

Wi-Fi has been installed everywhere – in the house, outbuildings, the full-size 60x40m arena (filled with Fibre, Umgeni sand and Silica), the barn (with solar panels) and the cottage.

The home offers three-phase electricity.

An added bonus on this property is the one-bed modern granny cottage with undercover carport, a separate onebedroomed self-catering cottage, and five separate fully fitted staff rooms.

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Priced at only R16 950 000, contact Seeff Hillcrest’s Penny Warner on pennywarner@ seeff.com or Lynette Dorkin on lynette.dorkin@seeff.com for more info

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social scene*

Get in touch with Kim on kim@kimgriffithjones.com if you want more info on events and happenings in our community or have photos of a recent event you’d like to submit for consideration

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  FUNDRAISING GOLF DAY AT KCC A beautiful day of golf at Kloof Country Club supporting Our Lady of Mercy, Volvo Cars Hillcrest also got a chance to showcase Swedish Luxury at its best. Photos: Dave Nisbet  Garin Denysschen, Debbie Smythe, Neil Bothwell and Larry Vermaak.  Tony Smith and Vaughn Marescia.

 WATERFALL COLLEGE MATRIC DANCE

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Grade 12s enjoyed a magical night, making the most of every moment. Thank you to the moms who brought the Hidden Treasures theme to life and to Talloula for their generous hospitality.

Photos: WildSoul Photography and Jayne Cansfield  Connor Shepherd, Tanner Noyle and James Thring.  Celine Harrison, Colleen Wells, Nicola-Paige Hanegraaf, Jessica Meier, Genevieve Germiquet and Tara-Lee Wilkins.

 SANDWICH MAKING SOCIAL Taking the morning off work to extend a helping hand, a team of volunteers met at Hearts in Hands Foodbank for a few hours of coffee and chats and made over 2 000 sandwiches in support of the displaced families HIH are serving. For details of their next social, email enquiries@heartsinhands. co.za  Rolene Unsworth and Kate Jones.  HIH founder Tracy Klokie and Jennifer Jones.

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  CONNECTIVE CONSULTING MOTHERÕS DAY CELEBRATION

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Hosted by our very own Kim and powered by Khwezi Development at the beautiful country venue MacNut Farm in Assagay, this was a beautiful morning of connecting through laughter with guest speaker, artist and actress, Lisa Bobbert McIlroy, along with local musos Carmen Roderigues, Jane Magner and Levi Perry. Photos: Lara Baker Photography

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 Nokukhanya Gama, Amanda Mnguni, Kashmira Maharaj and Pearl Holdstock.  Vanessa Cook, Lee Connolly and Elizabeth Roux.

  ROBIN HOOD FOUNDATIONÕS MAHALA TEA Mountains of preloved clothing and linen was collected in lieu of entry fee, all towards the foundation’s flood relief outreaches. Uplifting talks, networking and incredible entertainment by singer Rene Tshiakanyi and The Maya Dancers at The Station in Durban.

Photos: Tilanie Grote Photography

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 Segarie Munsamy, Amanda Govender, Subesh Naidoo and Angelina Govender.  Jackie Psannis, Sam Daykin, Rene Tshiakanyi and Liesl Kriegisch.

 

Scan this QR code for a direct link to our new What’s On events list and find out what’s hip and happening in our community over the next few weeks!

J U N E - J U L Y

2 0 2 2

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last word*

in my

OPINION ...

THERE’S ALWAYS A WAY TO GET ROUND UNDERSTANDING SOMETHING, SAYS DARREL BRISTOW-BOVEY

“H

ow’s our NFT doing?” said my partner.

“Hmmm?” I said.

In retrospect, this was a mistake. My partner knows me well enough to recognise “Hmmm?” as a desperate stalling tactic.

“Our NFT. The NFT you bought.”

“Oh, that NFT. Well, you know what they say, never count your money while you’re sitting at the table.”

“Who says that?”

“Economists.”

“No, they don’t. That’s from a song.”

It’s a pity she’s finally starting to realise that most of my financial insight comes from Kenny Rogers’ The Gambler. It’s easy to be an expert until people start to suspect you aren’t.

The problem is, I don’t really understand most things, but I don’t like to admit it. I get around this in social situations by loudly

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and confidently asserting a strong opinion.

The real trick is deciding which opinion to have. I do this by seeing what my partner’s brother says, and then saying the opposite.

I don’t know if you have met my partner’s brother, but he’s a nice guy and drives a better car than me and he’s always taking me aside and offering me advice, and therefore I dislike him greatly. One night he was talking about Bitcoin, which is what I thought pirates did with gold doubloons to make sure they’re real.

“Bitcoin’s a bubble,” he said knowledgeably. “It won’t last.”

Everyone else was sort of nodding as though this made sense to them. What a creep.

“I disagree!” I said vehemently.

“You do? Why?” Why? That was a damaging question.

Why? Why? Must stall for time while I think of an answer.

“Hmmm?” I said.

“I said, why don’t you think Bitcoin is a bubble?” he repeated.

“Oh,” I said firmly, leaning forward to show how passionate I was about what I was about to say. “I think you’re underestimating the fundamentals of the blockchain.”

That impressed them – but not for long.

“What about NFTs?” he said.

“Ha! Indeed! What about NFTs?” “So you would invest in NFTs then?” said my partner’s brother.

“Not only would I, I already have!” I said grandly.

That was the winning blow. It’s like when I’m arguing with someone about how to raise children who behave themselves and don’t kick the backs of seats on aeroplanes.

I am always entirely right, but all they need to say is, “I have children. Do you?” and they win. But as an actual NFT investor, I was the indisputable expert at the dinner table.

I was even impressed with myself. I felt like a grown-up, like a fully functioning adult member of society. It felt good.

But like most spur-of-the-moment lies, I’d forgotten all about it. I sort of know that NFTs have something to do with bad drawings and computers, but it’s a subject so achingly dull that whenever people talk about them I tune out and go to a happy place in my head that doesn’t have space for other people and their boring opinions.

“Umm,” I said. “Our NFT is doing great.”

“Is it?” she said.

“Oh yes. I looked at it this morning. It’s looking good.”

“Where did you look at it?”

“On the, you know, on the computer. It’s all there. Maybe it’s even grown a bit. It’s looking, um, it’s very logarithmic.”

“You never bought an NFT, did you?”

“Of course I did!”

“You’re not even really sure how to spell NFT, are you?”

“No.” I was bracing for the worst, but she came over and kissed me on the cheek.

“What’s that for?”

“That,” she said, “is for saving us money.”

With a girlfriend like that, who needs NFTs?

w w w . t h e c r e s t o n l i n e . c o . z a

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profile*

UPPER HIGHWAY MARKET LEADERS

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Saturdays with Tune into East Coast Radio at 12h10 every Saturday

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t h e

r i d g e

m a g a z i n e

Contact us on 031 765 5326

hillcrest.seeff.com

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