The Crest 106

MARCH 2022 ISSUE 106

FINE DINING

A sensory food experience Distributed to the communities of Everton, Gillitts, Hillcrest, Kloof, St Helier & Winston Park

2022

Thurs 14, Sat 16 and Mon 18 April With top schoolboy rugby, a wonderful family atmosphere on our beautiful campus, numerous food vendors and an amazing KidZone, the festival offers a great day out for all.

Festival app for team information, scores and more on www.kearsney.com.

KearsneyCollege @KearsneyNews kearsney.college #KERF22 #SBSchoolsFest

Festival Fixtures Thursday 14 April 08h00 09h30 10h45 12h00 13h15 14h30 15h45

Umhlali Prep School vs KZN Ibutho/Mark Godefroy U13 Kearsney College vs Hoër Landbouskool Marlow Durban High School vs Hoërskool Waterkloof Westville Boys’ High School vs Monument High School Hoërskool Noord-Kaap vs Selborne College Glenwood High School vs Pretoria Boys High School Hoërskool Framesby vs Dr E.G. Jansen

Saturday 16 April 07h00 08h00 09h30 10h45 12h00 13h15 14h30

Hillcrest Primary School vs KZN Ibutho/Mark Godefroy U13 Hoërskool Noord-Kaap vs Westville Boys’ High School Monument High School vs Hoër Landbouskool Marlow Kearsney College vs Hoërskool Waterkloof Dr E.G. Jansen vs Durban High School Pretoria Boys High School vs Hoërskool Framesby Glenwood High School vs Selborne College

Monday 18 April 08h00 09h30 10h45 12h00 13h15 14h30 15h45

Highbury Prep School vs KZN Ibutho/Mark Godefroy U13 Glenwood High School vs Dr E.G. Jansen Westville Boys’ High School vs Selborne College Monument High School vs Durban High School Hoër Landbouskool Marlow vs Pretoria Boys High School Hoërskool Waterkloof vs Hoërskool Noord-Kaap Kearsney College vs Hoërskool Framesby

Entrance fee: R30 per person No alcohol to be brought onto campus Kearsney College Old Main Road, Botha’s Hill, KZN

*ed's letter Goodbye Annie

Woza Hilton T he Crest magazine is putting the spotlight on Hilton and surrounding areas in this issue, and we would love to be more visible and engaged in this beautiful part of KZN on an ongoing basis. I think we tend to forget how close it is to Upper Highway, and that it has so many wonderful experiences to offer – not to mention fantastic schools and exciting new property developments.

Do you have great story ideas from this area that may be of interest to our readers?

Please feel free to send them through to me for consideration, I’d love to hear from you.

Food, glorious food! I have discovered a fine dining restaurant right here on our doorstep, and honestly couldn’t be more excited about sharing it with you.

A good friend and I, both foodies and always searching for new places to explore, recently visited The LivingRoom at Summerhill Estate in Cowies Hill. After hours of indulgence, savouring seven beautiful courses – one continuously outdoing another in terms of flavour combinations – we left feeling on top of the world. A sensory food experience of note, what sets this one apart from others is the use of local ingredients showcased in a completely different light, and the homely, unpretentious atmosphere that hugs you tight while you’re wined and dined.

The organic growth of this hidden gem of a restaurant over the past couple of years has been enormous, so do yourself

a favour and book a table now. Read more on page 8.

We are also thrilled to introduce you to The Beautiful Mess with Jane & Jess, our brand new column which tackles relevant topics that especially hit home for moms.

Award-winning radio presenter Jane Linley-Thomas and local author, Jess Basson, are creating the space you need for behind-the-scenes conversations that women long to have. I know you are going to relate to this first one as much as I do, and find comfort in the fact that you are not alone. The Beautiful Mess conversations will continue in podcasts which further unpack the topics discussed in print. Scan the QR code on page 7 for a direct link to the first one.

Embrace the refreshing autumn air and the anticipation of Easter holidays around the corner, while you enjoy another issue of The Crest – jam-packed with uplifting stories!

A very special member of our team, Annie Domnick, has relocated to another province and this has been her final issue with us. Annie, we will miss you dearly – but wish you all the best on your new journey!

Hello Tracy

A warm welcome to Tracy Hardouin – back on our team and ready to help you reach our readers in the best possible way! Contact Tracy on 083 236 3202 to chat about advertising opportunities and special offers.

New Website

Our brand new website has just launched – and it’s nothing short of fabulous! Please pop over to www.famousdurban.co.za, browse through our fresh community news, and let us know what you think. You can also enter a competition to win a FREE banner ad on our website for a month – valued at R2 000.

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 Greg Arde, Jess Basson, Darrel BristowBovey, Cathy Clark, Ant Ellis, Christy Herselman, Kelly Kidgell, Shirley le Guern, Jane Linley-Thomas, Anne Schauffer, Stephen Smith 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.

DINGO TO THE RESCUE

COMMUNITY YOU ARE NOT ALONE

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Behind the scenes with Jane and Jess Published by Famous Publishing www.famousdurban.co.za Printed by Novus Managed distribution by Vibrant Direct

AUTHENTIC FINE DINING

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The LivingRoom at Summerhill Estate

HILTON'S HAPPY VIBES

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People at the heart of Hilton

ENGLISH CLASSIC

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Decor with subtle nuances of Africa

HAPPENING HILTON

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The Hilton property market is booming!

FOUNDING VALUES LIVE ON

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

HELPING CHILDREN IN NEED

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Hilton College 150 years on

CONQUER FOOD INTOLERANCES

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STAY CONNECTED AND INVOLVED 32 Advice on protecting our children against online sex

LIFESTYLE CHECK OUT THIS CHICK

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The best Orange Chicken yet

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

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Get ready for lots of purple

THE PRIDE OF AFRICA

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The Rovos Rail African adventure

REGULARS

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ED’S LETTER TAKE NOTE LAST WORD

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ADVERTORIALS

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MJ ACCOUNTANTS BENZE UPHOLSTERY THE WRIGHT RECRUITMENT

Simple steps to avoid them

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Dingo Dinkelman's daring escapades

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KidZAid – helping AIDS orphans

CUSTOMISED CREATIONS The jungle gym at The Mushroom Farm

GIVING PEOPLE A VOICE Interface KZN – helping the deaf

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ON THE COVER: FINE DINING AT THE LIVINGROOM. PICTURE: SUMMERHILL ESTATE

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E X T R AO R D I N A RY L I V I N G F O R YO U R L AT E R Y E A R S Penny Rey tells us why she is moving to Coral Cove Residents will be able to personalise their units with a selection of premium luxury finishes and fittings

Penny Rey, the South African model and beauty queen who won Miss World in 1958, tells us why she is moving to Auria Senior Living’s latest development on KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast.

Coral Cove is situated in Zululami Luxury Coastal Estate – one of the region’s finest, most soughtafter lifestyle estates

“I always wanted to retire somewhere with a sea view,” says Rey. “Living at Coral Cove will enable me to continue living that life, but with an added layer of support and care should I ever need it. I love the fact that the day-to-day things are taken care of and that I’ll be able to stay active and creative, spending time with friends and do the things I enjoy.”

Coral Cove by Auria Senior Living, is a continuing care retirement community to be located within the safety, security and serenity of Zululami Luxury Coastal Estate, on the shores of Sheffield Beach.

Auria Senior Living CEO, Barry Kaganson, explains that Continuing Care Retirement Communities, (CCRCs), such as Coral Cove, are purpose-built, retirement communities in which older adults can live an enjoyable, sociable, hasslefree life with access to a wide variety of hospitality services, amenities, care and support. ‘‘Given the growth on the North Coast over the past few years, the provision of lifestyle environments for the over-70s hasn’t been catered for fully, and Coral Cove is the first to comprehensively address this need,’’ says Kaganson.

Currently, the KZN North Coast has limited retirement facilities, few of

Penny Rey, the first South African to win Miss World, Coral Cove’s first resident

which offer a continuum of care with amenities and services as extensive as those offered by Auria Senior Living.

Coral Cove offers beautifully designed freestanding garden villas, maisonettes, semi-attached garden villas and apartments to suit whatever level of independent living or assisted living residents may require. Coral Cove, according to Kaganson, “will be, to the very best of our knowledge, the only senior living community of its kind in the world with direct beach access.”

This leading retirement community will offer extensive facilities such as an outdoor and indoor heated swimming pool, air-conditioned cinema, entertainment facilities, an elegant restaurant, vibrant coffee shop, fully equipped wellness centre and state-of-the-art care centre catering for frail and dementia care.

The Care Centre will be operational as the first residences are occupied.

SALES ENQUIRIES: 087 537 0539 | coralcove@auria.co.za | www.auria.co.za/communities/coral-cove/ Internationally Awarded

take note*

KEEPING YOU IN THE LOOP TIPSY CUP - It Doesn’t Get Better Than This Connor Benn graduated from Jackie Cameron School of Food and Wine in 2018, where he learnt to never do anything halfheartedly. “If you are going to do something, do it with passion and pride and do it correctly,” he says. In 2019 he worked in Florida as a Chef de Partie, and when celebrating his 21st birthday at the Hard Rock Casino in Miami, he discovered a bar that served exclusively alcohol-infused ice cream. This inspired him, a year later and back home in SA during lockdown, to create Tipsy Cup with his dad, Warren.

The eight flavours – Pina Colada, Strawberry Daiquiri, Chocolate Vodka Martini, Marula Chocolate Brownie, Hazelnut Liqueur, Passion Fruit Gin, Dulce de Leche Tequila, and Bourbon Vanilla and Orange – are available in 100ml cups. “We will be developing a 500ml as well as a 1-litre variant. Our goal is to go nationwide and perhaps one day become a household name in South Africa,” says Connor – who does everything himself, down to hand sticking the labels.

editor's choice

“Bringing together the artisanal, natural flavours of our ice cream along with the pleasant surprise of the different spirits is really what makes Tipsy Cup unique. All our ingredients are locally sourced and the highest quality we can get our hands on,” says Connor – adding that the Marula Chocolate Brownie is a firm favourite.

FOR MORE INFO: @thetipsy_cup; bennconnor@gmail.com

WIN WIN WIN

Stand a chance to win a fabulous hamper containing all 8 Tipsy Cup flavours!

Enter via www.famousdurban.co.za

Get your BEST SKIN BACK Esse seeks to return skin to its roots, providing it with the natural support it needs to rehabilitate its own microbiome for better-looking and healthier skin. To do this, Esse challenge you to take up the #30dayrewild challenge and start your journey to your best skin with the launch of the limited edition Esse Sensitive Skin #30dayrewild Pack.

Costing R930 (a 50% saving), the pack provides a month’s supply of five Sensitive range products, all designed to strengthen barrier function and support a healthy skin microbiome. The products contain pre- and probiotics, are pH balanced and contain no harsh preservatives or synthetic chemical ingredients. Benefits include a simplified daily routine; the needs of a sensitive skin are addressed; and ultimately, a healthier skin.

FOR MORE INFO: esseskincare.com

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TREETOP FUN in Pietermaritzburg Nestled within the picturesque grounds of the SANBI botanical gardens you’ll find Acrobranch – offering a unique adventure where you move from tree to tree through different obstacle courses. Kids, teenagers and adults are all catered for, and obstacles consist of treetop high ropes and tricky crossings with ladders, tunnels, walkways and bridges – as well as a few exhilarating zip lines.

Safety is the main priority and you will be given expert training before you start. Each individual is secured with a harness, and friendly, qualified guards are always right there to help.

The Acrobranch activities are great for your childrens’ personal growth and development as it challenges motor skills and develops balance, strength and self-confidence.

A great family outing, and also perfect for parties and team building events.

FOR MORE INFO: www.acrobranch.co.za

Let Your Child’s IMAGINATION FLOURISH Mother and daughter team, Heather Tomlinson and Jane Allison, are both qualified teachers. Heather started Puppet World Entertainment over 40 years ago, performing educational puppet shows in schools and at children’s birthday parties. Ten years ago Jane joined her and together they ran the business travelling and performing shows throughout South Africa and abroad. When Covid hit, shows came to a standstill.

This is when Jane had the idea of creating an indoor role play village for young children.

“It took over a year, from conception to planning, creating and opening our doors in November last year,” says Jane.

“The stage is a real highlight, and of course our puppets and their interactions with the children make a visit to the playhouse unique.”

The charming venue, designed to inspire children

to engage in purposeful play, offers a variety of play equipment, toys and costumes – many made by Heather herself – to help every child’s imagination flourish.

In-house Park Café is owned by Carla Pillay and has a selection of sweet and savoury snacks. “Our coffee is our speciality. We have many regular customers who pop in just for their take-away fix,” says Jane – adding that they have Wi-Fi and work stations, from where parents can easily keep an eye on their children at play.

Looking at opening another in the Ballito/uMhlanga area, as well as creating a toy/dress-up brand, Le Petit Playhouse can also be hired out for parties.

Please note that play sessions need to be booked online to secure a space. Walk-ins are welcome, but there is no guarantee there will be spaces available.

FOR MORE INFO: Bailey’s Centre, 2 Builders Way, Hillcrest; 082 808 0057; info@lepetitplayhouse.co.za; www.lepetitplayhouse.co.za M A R C H

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take note*

KEEPING YOU IN THE LOOP The KEARSNEY EASTER RUGBY Festival Is Back The Standard Bank Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival is back after being kicked into touch by Covid for two years.

Schoolboy rugby players and supporters will score this Easter when a high level of competitive rugby resumes on Thursday 14, Saturday 16 and Monday 18 April.

Glenwood, Westville, DHS and Kearsney College will represent KZN, together with four powerhouse teams from Gauteng – Monument, Pretoria Boys, Waterkloof and Dr EG Jansen. Hoërskool Noord-Kaap returns to the festival, with three strong Eastern Cape teams, Selborne College, Framesby and newcomers Marlow.

Numerous outlets for food and refreshments, a fun KidZone and ample parking promise entertainment for the whole family.

FOR MORE INFO: www.kearsney.com; see fixtures on our inside front cover

Meet CLIFFIES CREW It all kicked off in May 2018, when Wendy and Graham Smith came across malnourished dogs every day on their route through the Cliffdale township. They began by feeding one dog in particular, who was named Cliffie – and gave the organisation its name.

Today Cliffies Crew feed nearly 450 dogs and puppies and 60 cats in this area, with weekly food handouts to their respective owners. When funds allow, they also build and deliver dog kennels, beds, blankets, bowls, assist with medical care, vaccinations and sterilisations.

The Smiths appointed three additional directors and registered as a NPO, and are also in the process of getting their PBO. Cliffies Crew and the Cliffdale community will be forever grateful for any assistance.

FOR MORE INFO: W @CliffdaleAnimalWelfare; 083 256 1516

CALL US FOR REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE ON MOST EXISTING WATER FILTERS! Watermate specialises in rainwater collection and filtration, supply and installation of most water filters and related products, and water storage tanks.

For fast, friendly and efficient advice or service, call Mark on 082 311 9969 www.watermate.co.za

*the beautiful mess

You are

NOT ALONE

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f you feel like the world has gone back to pre-Covid pace, but your muscles have atrophied and you’re just not that fit anymore, you can breathe a sigh of relief.

You are not alone.

We may have maintained this sprint before lockdown, but now it feels too fast and too full.

Last week, Jess threw out a desperate plea to the girls’ WhatsApp group.

Friends this is a SOS. I’m dying of grumpiness.

All I do is buy food, make food, watch school sports and tidy up.

I need to do something fun ASAP with no kids around or I will die.

Please tell me someone is up for something fun or spontaneous on Friday or Saturday.

I will perish if I do not laugh with adults this weekend.

But alas, no one was free.

Because, life.

First, we couldn’t see our friends because of lockdowns.

Now, we can’t see our friends because we’re so busy again.

Of course, we can see each other’s lives on Instagram. We can post our filtered moments with a grateful hashtag.

WHO GETS TO SEE AND SHARE OUR BEHIND-THE-SCENES MESS? OUR TRIBE, SAYS JANE AND JESS

But social media is the highlight reel.

Who gets to see our behindthe-scenes?

The ones where you can’t get the kids to put down the iPads.

The ones where you’re just too tired to fight over screen time and you give in (even though you promised yourself you’d have a swim with them

them out of their virtual worlds.

But honestly, as Jane admits on our podcast, the more truthful behind-the-scenes is that we also love our kids’ screens. Jess loves that Netflix buys her a Saturday morning sleep-in, and she loves the respite that Minecraft gives her to lie on her bed and watch Ozark. Imagine the fairy lights

after school).

The ones where you hate the way they behave after devices are put away, but you’re the one who allowed them indulge and now you’re shouting.

We hate what technology does to our kids and we want to get it under control.

That’s our highlight reel.

It’s the noble thing to say, and the right thing to do.

Limit the screens and get

twinkling on the veranda, two glasses of white wine, and Jane playing her favourite card game by candlelight with the delightful, witty Mikey.

Who wouldn’t succumb to the babysitting powers of Pokémon GO for that?

Andy Stanley says that some things are not problems to be solved, but tensions to be managed. Managing our families’ relationship to screens

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requires us to have energy, perspective and wisdom.

So where do we get that from? From our tribe. From our partners. From friends who are compassionate, who get how hard it is, who see our dilemmas and cheer us on.

If you need a community like that, you’ve found one.

Every month, you’ll find us in The Beautiful Mess. The award-winning radio presenter Jane Linley-Thomas and local author, Jess Basson, are creating the space you need for these behind-the-scenes conversations that women long to have.

We’ll show up here for you to read, and the conversation continues on our podcast on www.famousdurban.co.za.

Life is beautiful.

Life is messy.

You’re not alone.

Sending beautiful love from our mess to yours,

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

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ou immediately feel at home when you arrive at Summerhill Estate in Cowies Hill. This unique culinary retreat offers spectacular views of the sea and indigenous landscapes, and the warmth of its hosts – along with the sensational food – makes it a hidden gem indeed.

Head chef Johannes Richter was born in Germany but raised in Durban. He has had the privilege of training and gathering experience in some of the world’s best restaurants, and met his wife Johanna in Berlin in 2014 – where they fell in love while working in the same establishments. They married in 2016, moved to South Africa a year later, and today have four-year-old Oscar and two-year-old Helena. “We make sure there is a balance between work and family time. We don’t want to kill the creativity, we have such pride in what we do,” says Johannes.

The couple brings diverse skills and

Durban’s cultural and culinary diversity gives our food its soul. beautiful cuisine right to our doorstep.

“We’ve had classical French training and have a nose to tail approach,” smiles Johanna. “We offer fine dining, but we want our guests to feel at home. We want you to sit down, relax and indulge.”

Johannes’s mom, Christine Richter, opened Summerhill Estate in 1997 with just five rooms. Today the boutique hotel offers 14 – each one named after famous South African jazz musicians who have played and stayed here over the years.

“There is a personal connection between

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FINE DINING

YOU’RE IN FOR A MIND-BLOWING TREAT AND A REFRESHING UNPRETENTIOUS VIBE AT THE LIVINGROOM, WRITES KATRINE ANKER-NILSSEN

every musician – such as Sipho Gumede, Jabu Khanyile, Busi Mhlongo, Jimmy Dludlu and Winston Mankunku – and Christine,” explains Johanna – adding that her mother-in-law is a master of small talk. “She remembers everything about everyone, it’s pretty incredible.”

The LivingRoom restaurant opened in 2017, when Johanna and Johannes returned from Europe and joined Christine at Summerhill Estate – completing the family business. The restaurant only seats 25, which keeps it small and intimate. “Our inspiration was always to run and own a restaurant with high ambitions and a sustainable ethos, giving guests the chance to enjoy great food and wine as well as unpretentious vibes. Instilled with these ambitions, we fell in love with Durban’s cultural and culinary diversity, which gives our food its soul,” says Johanna. The food is in essence humble South African products with a French base of cooking, combined with Japanese techniques. “We offer exciting combinations of ingredients, balancing textures and flavours.

Seasonality is important, what grows together works together – such as winter truffles from Willowdale and KZN sardines.”

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ABOVE: Johannes Richter forages for mushrooms and does his own fermenting.

LEFT: Thabiso Khumalo, Collin (previous staff member), Lungelo Mtolo, Johannes Richter, Akhona Dukwana, Johanna Richter, and Christine Richter.

BELOW LEFT: The beautiful and inviting dining room, where you’re in for the food experience of your life.

Of course fine dining is not the same without fine wines. “We focus on small producers and wines,” says Johanna.

“There is so much love, passion and effort in what we do, which we love to share with our likeminded suppliers. Additionally, the right wine can bring out the best of every dish, and the wrong wine can do the opposite. Most importantly, the person drinking the wine needs to enjoy it. With us having a broad selection of about 200 positions of wine, and also offering a nonalcoholic pairing, you will find your match.”

The LivingRoom strives to showcase our province’s culinary diversity from product to plate, and to be one of the country’s flagships regarding sustainability and community development. Apart from supporting produce from local farms, the Richters also grow and forage their own. » M A R C H

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“There is very little CO2 emissions attached to this, and no packaging. Freshness is always guaranteed,” says Johanna – adding that all their food waste goes to the chicken run, from there to the compost, and from there to the garden again to close the circle – ensuring that everything is reused.

Grateful that hard team work is paying off, Johanna loves having a positive impact on both their surroundings and staff. “It’s beautiful to see the upliftment, confidence and growth,” she says. Johannes agrees; “Our staff’s dedication has given them huge insight into the industry. There is big identification and pride attached to their work, which is so rewarding for us to see.”

The Eat Out Award in 2019 rated The LivingRoom number 13. “We underestimated the exposure that we got through this,” laughs Johanna – adding that Summerhill was the only KZN establishment in the Top 30. “See, Durban does do fine dining!”

See, Durban does do fine dining!

The LivingRoom has seen huge organic growth in just a few years, and it’s easy to see why. When visiting you are gifted with a unique, authentic, tangible and sensory food experience where local produce is showcased in a different light – catering for every culture and hitting that nostalgic spot for many a local, again and again.

“The menu is unpredictable, it all depends on what we have and what comes in,” says Johannes. “We have to be flexible and adjustable, allowing room for constant tweaks. That’s what cooking is all about.”

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FOR MORE INFO 063 529 1966; info@summerhillkzn.com

LEFT: Summerhill Estate, a home away from home.

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*advertorial

Budget

WRAP

MELISSA JACOBS OF MJ CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS TALKS US THROUGH THE 2022/2023 BUDGET SPEECH

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espite a grim debt backdrop, this year’s budget offered some good news on tax income and tax relief. Education and culture will again receive the largest share of the government budget, while state-owned enterprises will still face tough love, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana warns.

But the good news is that tax revenue collected for the past year was R182-billion more than budgeted, thanks in part to stronger-thanexpected personal income tax collections and VAT – but mostly due to mining companies that benefitted from a boom in commodity prices.

At least R57-billion of the extra income has already been spent, mostly on assistance to businesses and the South African Special Risk Insurance Association (Sasria) following the civil unrest last year.

The overall message is that the recovery of our economy is more important than the increase in taxes. Here are the changes:  Corporate Income Tax Rate: For companies with years of assessment ending on or after March 31, 2023, the corporate income tax rate will reduce

to 27%. The reduction will be funded by limiting the interest deduction and assessed losses.  Personal Income Tax: Personal income tax brackets and primary, secondary and tertiary rebates will be increased by 4,5%, in line with inflation. The annual tax-free threshold for those under 65 years will increase to R91 250.  Medical Scheme Fees Tax Credits: The value of the medical tax credit is proposed to increase by inflation from R332 to R347 per month for the first two beneficiaries. The monthly credit for the remaining beneficiaries is proposed to

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ABOVE: Suné Alexander and Melissa Jacobs.

go up from R224 per month to R234 per month.  Excise: There will be an increase in excise duties on alcohol and tobacco of between 4.5% and 6.5%. In addition, government proposes a new tax on vaping products of at least R2.90 per millilitre from 1 January 2023.  Fuel Levies: For the first time since 1990, there will be no hike in the fuel or Road Accident Fund levy.  Capital Gains Tax: No changes are proposed to the capital gains inclusionary rates.

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OUR OFFER TO YOU

A complimentary tax and accounting health check to ensure all your affairs are up to date and fully compliant. melissa@mjacc.co.za; 087 821 7110; www.mjacc.co.za

MJ CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

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profile*

story greg ardŽ pictures supplied

1. Celo Mbanjwa Celo Mbanjwa is the soccer director of Hilton College and the assistant technical director for youth at AmaZulu Football Club.

“This is my fifth year in Hilton. I come from Pietermaritzburg. The long story short is that I refereed a soccer match at Hilton and fast forward I got a contract to coach the U-14 team, then academic and sports internships. Now I am the Director of Soccer at Hilton College and we have 22 soccer teams. When I was getting the soccer programme going I met Mr Sandile Zungu – a high-profile businessman and Hilton old boy. We started chatting and he told me he would buy a professional team one day. Then he called me one day to say he had just bought AmaZulu, and later he appointed me as assistant director for youth,” says Celo. “I love Hilton. It’s an amazing, family-oriented community that I feel part of. It is top tier here. The community and the schools are great. It is friendly and safe. It’s a breath of fresh air to outsiders. My advice to people who don’t know Hilton is to visit soon.”

Hilton’s happy

VIBES

HILTON IS A MIDLANDS TOWN ON THE UP AND UP, BUT PEOPLE ARE THE HEART OF THE PLACE. HERE ARE A FEW PORTRAITS

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2. Ian Macfarlane Ian Macfarlane and his partner Bertus Swanepoel run Top Class Hilton bookshop and Razzmatazz curio shop at The Quarry shopping centre.

The couple moved to Hilton two years ago from Durban just before they adopted their son Tristian Hilton Macfarlane. His fathers gave the cute little chap his middle name because they were in Hilton on the day they got the news they were about to become adoptive parents. Locals swoon over Tristian, described as the unofficial mayor of Hilton.

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The family feel completely at home in Hilton. “We have absolutely no regrets about moving up here,” says Ian. “The community is incredible. They take pride in the place. The village vibe is fantastic. This is a community where honesty and trust are cherished. Initially, some people were wary of a gay couple with a black baby, but we have been completely accepted.

Everyone is upbeat about Hilton. It is a wonderful place. When we aren’t working we’re either socialising with friends at home or we got to Crossways, which is a great restaurant.”

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3. Desiree Hickenbothom In 2010 Desiree Hickenbothom started www.hiltonvillage.co.za – a community website. Since then she has seen Hilton grow exponentially.

“There’s a huge amount of opportunity here and excitement around developments. We could do with improvements to the power supply, but it is a great place to live. The schools are fantastic and there are a growing number of schools,” she says. “There has been a lovely influx of people from Johannesburg, with the husbands settling their families here and commuting to Gauteng for work. Education has been a big driver of growth. Hilton has retained a lot of old-world charm. It is reflected in the attitudes and values of the people. It is inclusive, not clicky. It is a wonderful place to raise a family. The air quality is fantastic and it is a haven for gardeners.”

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STANNES-AD-4MAR22-print.pdf

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profile*

pictures jon ivins

Classic English with SUBTLE

NUANCES

of Africa

KATRINE ANKER-NILSSEN CHATS TO TRACY KELLY OF BEAUTIFUL INTERIOR SPACE NOM DE PLUME STUDIO

T

racy grew up in Zimbabwe, riding horses and living a life outdoors. “My family moved to South Africa in my teenage years and it’s here I met my husband, Trevor. I have been blessed with three beautiful children and two very precious grandchildren,” says Tracy, who lives on a farm in the Wartburg area. “I’ve created my own sanctuary here, a place where I can hide and spend time in my garden with my animals and family.

“I started my career 30 years ago, first getting my interior design diploma through a design company in New York, then slowly, one project at a time, adding to my portfolio – which now incorporates residential, corporate and hospitality,” says Tracy.

“With all design projects there are seasons.

My current season has led me very much into hospitality, with specific reference to African bush lodges – and I love these projects. They bring together all aspects of design that I am drawn too, with specific reference to bringing the outdoors inside.”

Twenty years ago Tracy purchased a turn of the century Cape Dutch home in Pietermaritzburg. “At the time it was a base

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from which I could work while travelling to schools, sports and fitting in my interior design and decorating career along with my family,” says Tracy. “I moved away from the area and worked remotely for several years, but returned about six years ago and gave the home a complete renovation.

“Nom de Plume Studio is my front of face, an interior space that is curated to represent myself and my adaptability with regards to design. My inspiration is always a mix of classic English with the subtle nuances of Africa. I love to display the works of the incredibly talented artisans in our continent.”

Tracy says Nom de Plume has been a wonderful platform and base from which she has been able to consult with clients and carry an exclusive range of decor accessories that clients are able to purchase. “I have been able to meet incredible people – from suppliers, to

LEFT: Interior designer, Tracy Kelly.

manufacturers to clients themselves.”

Inspired by the flora and fauna of Africa and the vast differences in our cultures, Tracy is also equally inspired by the classic English country homes with the mix of old and new. “This can be seen in my design style, which is very inherent. I often use older pieces and love them for their Wabi Sabi imperfections, which in themselves tell a wonderful story. I love to add layers coupled with lots of texture, which plays a very important role in any interior scheme.

“I am fortunate enough to be living my dream with regards to interiors, I work with amazing clients and on incredible projects,” says Tracy, who would love to travel more to see wonderful creations by other talented interior designers in her field, whom she admires and looks up to.

Nom de Plume is a destination for the client who wants to find pieces that are exclusive and unique. “We are here to

inspire and stimulate you with regards to your interior thinking. It is a sensory experience, and everyone who visits our studio needs time to pause, breathe and take it all in. We want you to understand the concept of living and mixing the old with the new, the rough with the smooth, the shiny and the matt. Now more than ever before, we need to put our own stamp on our interiors – and we are here to help you do that,” says Tracy.

Beautifully curated with exquisite pieces all hand selected by Tracy, Nom de Plume Studio is a lifestyle within a 100-year-old Cape Dutch homestead. So please do pop in and experience this beautiful interior space in person.

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FOR MORE INFO 033 342 4158; admin@ndep.co.za; www.tracykellydesign.com; @tracykellyinteriors; W @nomdeplumestudio

Nom de Plume Studio is contemporary a contemporaryAfrican African Nom de Plume Plume Studio Nom de Studio isisaacontemporary African boutique lifestyle studio stocking exclusiveinterior interior boutique lifestyle studio stocking exclusive boutique lifestyle studio stocking exclusive interior décor accessories and other decor musthaves haves décor accessories and other decor must décor accessories and other decor must haves curated by Tracy Kelly.

We believe it is a unique curated by byTracy TracyKelly.

Kelly.We Webelieve believeit itis isa aunique unique curated experience, from beautiful scents,visual visual experience, from thethe beautiful scents, experience, from the beautiful scents, visual stimulation and aroma of fresh coffee whichcan can stimulationand andaroma aromaofoffresh freshcoffee coffeewhich which stimulation can be enjoyed while browsing studio’sinterior interior or be enjoyed enjoyed while browsing thethe studio’s be while browsing the studio’s interior oror enjoyed while sitting in comfort, in front of our enjoyed enjoyed while whilesitting sittinginincomfort, comfort,ininfront frontofofour our vertical green plant wall in the inner courtyard. vertical vertical green greenplant plantwall wallininthe theinner innercourtyard. courtyard.

We invite you to visit us and soak up the We invite you to visit us and soak up the We invite you to visit us and soak up the ambience. ambience. ambience.

Open Monday to Friday Open Open Monday MondaytotoFriday Friday 8:30am to 4pm 8:30am to 4pm 8:30am to 4pm Closed Weekends & Public Holidays Closed Weekends & Public Closed Weekends PublicHolidays Holidays 10 Gough Road,&Townhill, Pietermaritzburg.

10 Gough Road, Townhill, 10 Gough Road, Townhill,Pietermaritzburg.

Pietermaritzburg.

Contact Us: Contact Us: Contact Us: 4158 033 342 033 342 4158 033admin@ndep.co.za 342 4158 admin@ndep.co.za admin@ndep.co.za www.tracykellydesign.com www.tracykellydesign.com www.tracykellydesign.com

@tracykellyinteriors @tracykellyinteriors @t rnaocmy d e lpl yl ui n mestudio @ @nom d e p lkuem e s t ut ed ri oi o r s Im am g edse pb lyu m H ea sz teu C reatives @ n o I m a g e s b y H a z e C r e adti iov e s

property*

H

ilton, says realtor Paul Campbell, has been booming for four years. “It has been incredible to see the shift in people’s perceptions.” Only a decade ago people in Pietermaritzburg felt that if it took more than 10 minutes to get anywhere, it was too long. “This mindset has certainly changed with people now viewing Hilton as far enough away from the capital city to feel like you are in the country, but close enough to get into town easily,” says Paul.

As a result, demand for Hilton property has spiked with developments that include a new hospital, shopping centres, offices and new residential estates. Paul says the average price of a freehold house in Hilton is about R1, 95-million and a sectional title unit is about R1,43-million.

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Happening

HILTON

EXCELLENT SCHOOLS AND A DESIRE FOR BETTER SERVICES IN A COUNTRY SETTING ARE DRIVING THE FLOURISHING HILTON PROPERTY MARKET, WRITES GREG ARDÉ

“Hilton’s demand is certainly growing.

The fact that there are good schools close by, both public and private, makes it an attractive place for young families to locate to. This is also helped by the fact that Hilton living is convenient, there are quality shops close by and there is a sense that the air is

cleaner.” Paul says Hilton’s major challenge is stable electricity supply.

Property company The Avenues Shopping Centre Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of the JT Ross Property Group, recently developed the first phase, comprising 10 000m2, of the shopping centre – near

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

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 the Life Hospital in Hilton. Anchored by Pick n Pay and DisChem, The Avenues Centre is almost fully let – with additional tenants opening now in March and April.

Miles Taylor from the JT Ross Property Group says that the first phase of the adjacent Avenues residential estate, comprising 43 semi-detached and 14 free-standing plots, of what will eventually be 155 housing opportunities, has also just been launched. The Avenues offers secure living on a site which has dedicated Eskom supplied power, a dedicated water supply and water borne sewerage. Prices will range from R1,8-million and R2,9-million for the semi-detached and freehold homes respectively. “Hilton is in demand. There is a lot of energy in the market. The great educational offering and country living is a great driver,” says Miles.

Apart from The Avenues Centre, another retail centre in Hilton is about to launch, called The Siding. This is alongside the railway line in the village centre. And Etham College is building a campus about two kilometres from Hilton towards Howick, which is visible from the N3.

Zia Simpson, director of conveyancing firm Stowell & Co, says Hilton and Howick are becoming to Pietermaritzburg what uMhlanga has become to Durban.

“This is because of the high standard of delivery there versus the general sense of decay around Pietermaritzburg. »

1 Paul Campbell, Natal Property Consultants.

2 Andrew Barnes, Barnes Property.

3 Jo Jennings, Ooba.

4 Stefan Botha, Rainmaker Marketing.

5 Zia Simpson, Stowell & Co.

M A R C H

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property*

OVERNIGHT, FULL OR HALF DAY PACKAGES AVAILABLE Check our monthly 2 for 1 Specials on facebook and instagram

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The new Malakyte room at Talloula is the perfect space to host your intimate function. From baby showers to birthday celebrations and even small micro weddings.

Contact us to book your date.

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property* “There is a sense that in Hilton things are cleaner and more accessible. There are less traffic problems and upmarket shopping … the Hilton community is thriving, whereas Pietermaritzburg is beset by service delivery problems related to water, power, potholes and filth.”

People who can afford to, Zia says, are looking to move to Hilton, the Midlands and beyond. “In general property values in Hilton and other outlying areas seem to be performing much better than the traditional Pietermaritzburg market.”

Leading Pietermaritzburg property developer, Andrew Barnes, says if ever there was a time for meaningful public private partnerships to bolster developments in the wider Hilton area, it’s now. Andrew recently co-sponsored a discussion relating to economic development in the area – where a host of property experts, senior Msunduzi Municipality officials and the CEO of the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Commerce, Melanie Veness, met.

Keynote speaker Stefan Botha from property research company Rainmaker Marketing said that cities around the world where there is a healthy collaboration between the public and private sector have seen development.

Melanie said the area had some of the best schools in the country and a “super buoyant” private healthcare sector that, like education, offers huge prospects.

Long-time Howick resident and Ooba property finance specialist, Jo Jennings said the popularity of Hilton was hopefully

an indicator of improving economic fortunes for surrounding areas like nearby Howick. “A rising tide lifts all ships,” she said.

Andrew encouraged role players to collaborate to meet market expectations, reduce red tape and consider rates holidays to encourage development. “Our challenge is to jointly navigate processes. Meeting these challenges requires discipline and commitment.”

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ABOVE: One of the oldest and best known landmarks in Hilton is the Crossways Country Inn. Picture: The Story of Hilton by C&M Lake and Jenny Hoëpfl.

BELOW: The first hotel in Hilton.

Picture: The Story of Hilton by C&M Lake and Jenny Hoëpfl.

N O W LA U NCH ED Semi-detached homes from R1.8 million | Freestanding homes from R2.9 million Captivating open green spaces, crisp fresh mornings and peeks of sunshine

Living here means that you can connect with the simple things in life and

through the woodland trees; The Avenues Hilton unveils a picturesque yet

embrace close-knit community living. This residential offering has been

contemporary place to call home. Located on Hilton College Road, 1km from

designed around modern-day needs and is a destination defined by

the N3, choose from a range of lock-up-and-go, semi-detached homes from

convenience, nature and family.

R1.8 million or spacious countryside freestanding homes from R2.9 million.

Onsite shopping centre

Walking trails & dams

Kids’ play areas

Braai areas

Close proximity to hospitals

24-Hour security

Premium schools nearby

Where the country meets contemporary living

M O D E R N FA R M -ST Y L E A RC H I T E C T U R E The depictions herein are for illustration purposes only and are subject to change without prior notice.

R E G I S T E R YO U R I N T E R E S T : T H E AV E N U E S H I LT O N . C O . Z A | 0 8 7 5 3 7 0 5 3 7

nostalgia*

Founding values

LIVE ON

THE ILLUSTRIOUS 150-YEAR HISTORY OF HILTON COLLEGE COMES ALIVE IN THE STORIES OF ITS PEOPLE, THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND THE GENEROSITY THAT IS AT THE HEART OF THE SCHOOL

H

ilton owes its existence to the meeting of two individuals: Gould Arthur Lucas and William Orde Newnham, who both arrived in South Africa in 1852, though in very different circumstances.

Anglo-Irish Lucas was a young officer on HMS Birkenhead which sank off Danger Point near Cape Agulhas. Among the few soldier survivors, he was posted as district adjutant to Pietermaritzburg where he met the man with whom, decades later, he would found Hilton.

Newnham, an ordained priest, studied mathematics at St John’s College, Cambridge under William John Colenso, later Bishop of Natal, who later encouraged him to settle in the colony and start a school.

After his deployment to Pietermaritzburg, Lucas was sent to India, but not before he had noted the beautiful countryside north of the colony’s capital. On returning to Natal, he took up the post of magistrate in Ladysmith and helped Newnham establish a school there, but soon relocated it to land he had purchased outside Pietermaritzburg.

And so, on January 29, 1872, Hilton College was born.

At first it was little more than two thatched bungalows but soon a doublestorey block was built. From this modest nucleus today’s Hilton grew, with buildings being constructed, playing fields levelled and avenues planted. Initially the school

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was leased from Lucas, but later was bought by Newnham’s successor, Henry Vaughan Ellis, until in 1903 it passed into the hands of the old boys, where it remains.

In another distinguishing feature, Hilton is inter-denominational, with the headmaster conducting daily prayers and

At Hilton College we celebrate every one of our 600 diversely talented, creative young men. Boys from across South Africa and around the world come here to enjoy our unique approach to learning, our outreach initiatives, our 1600-hectare estate, and the opportunities to take to the stage and the sports field.

Boys have the choice of an IEB or Cambridge A-Level curriculum and secure places in top universities in SA and around the world.

HILTON COLLEGE (033) 383 0100 enrolment@hiltoncollege.com www.hiltoncollege.com

visiting priests officiating on Sundays before a resident chaplain was appointed in 1982.

Standing in stark contrast to the school’s white buildings is the stone chapel, while prominent among its Cape Dutch-style architecture are the Campbell Block,

Crookes Block and Saunders Sanatorium, each donated by a family which had prospered from sugar. As all the boys are boarders, seven separate boarding houses are today arranged along the school’s circular drive.

Surrounding this hub is the estate. »

Inspiring Boys to Inspire Others

nostalgia*

One-thousand-seven-hundred hectares of timber plantations and acacia-scattered grasslands, fringed by cliffs and cut by streams, it is now largely a proclaimed nature reserve, stocked with giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, warthog and a variety of antelope.

Yet more than by its appearance and locality, an institution is defined by its people. Newnham declared at his first speech day that his greatest wish was that a “Hilton boy” should become synonymous with “gentleman”, denoting someone honest, upright and true as steel. And down the corridor of time his successors – from Ellis to George Harris today – have sought to sanctify this ideal.

Across society, Old Hiltonians have made their mark. Architect and activist Rusty Bernstein played a pivotal role in drafting the Freedom Charter, blueprint for South Africa’s lauded Constitution. And when South Africa’s first Constitutional Court was instituted, chosen to head it was Arthur Chaskalson, who decades earlier had defended Nelson Mandela in the Rivonia Trial, with another Old Hiltonian, John Didcott, among his legal team. Other

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notable alumni include cardiac surgeon Sir Terence English, trauma surgeon Ken Boffard, academic and novelist Imraan Coovadia, architect Glen Gallagher, cricketers Mike Procter and Lungi Ngidi, and Springbok rugby captains Gary Teichmann and Bob Skinstad.

When Hilton turned 100 in 1972, headmaster Raymond Slater defined his ideal Hilton boy as someone not necessarily academic or sporting, but who has compassion, humility, sensitivity, imagination and a concern for others. As Hilton celebrates its 150th birthday, Harris echoes these sentiments, while reiterating that “of those to whom much is given, much will be required”.

With privilege comes responsibility, and Hilton boys are taught that it is more blessed to give than to receive. These values are modelled by alumni who fund the education of promising boys who would otherwise not be able to afford the school’s fees, and the Vula Programme, which since 2001 has been up-skilling teachers from under-resourced schools.

In 2022 William Newnham’s founding values live on.

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health*

Conquer your

FOOD

intolerances CATHERINE CLARK FROM THE HARVEST TABLE TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT HOW FOOD INTOLERANCES CAN AFFECT OUR DAILY LIVES, AND SUGGESTS SIMPLE STEPS WE CAN TAKE TO HELP AVOID THEM

F

irst of all, let us briefly discuss the differences between allergies and intolerances.

Medically speaking, a food allergy causes a reaction in your immune system which can affect a number of different organs in your body. There are a range of symptoms. Some are mild and some can be quite severe.

Intolerances, on the other hand, are generally less serious and mostly only affect the digestive processes. Another interesting difference is that allergies are often an immediate reaction whereas an intolerance can take a little longer, sometimes even only appearing the next day. You may notice yourself feeling a bit more tired than usual, fighting a post nasal drip, or possibly feeling puffy around the eyes. For some of us, we have become so used to feeling these things that we may have an intolerance and not even realise it.

Dairy and wheat are some of the main culprits as a lot of people react poorly to them and do not realise it. So,

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look at moving to a cleaner diet by adding more fresh fruit and veg into your daily meals – along with good quality meats and some healthy oils.

When you change your diet and cut out all potential intolerances, you may find yourself feeling a bit under the weather and maybe even a bit flu-like. This is a good sign that your body is going through a detox and getting rid of toxins that have been flowing around in the digestive system. Try this for one month and see how you feel. It may seem expensive at first, but choosing to take care

what can be done to help you conquer your intolerances?

Well, the best step to take is to start cutting certain things out of your diet, starting with sugars, wheat, dairy and gluten and to add healthier food options into your diet. Within one or two weeks, you observe how the dietary changes make your body feel.

Paying close attention to your body is the most valuable tool when it comes to staying in good health Adding bone broth, for example, can benefit our gut health. It helps seal up the holes which can cause a leaky gut. Bone broth can help people overcome food sensitivities and promotes probiotic growth – thus improving immunity.

Another great option is to w w w . t h e c r e s t o n l i n e . c o . z a

of your body and practice good health is worth so much more in the long run.

Once you have started to feel better and healthier, start trying to introduce some of the foods back into your diet. It is not always an obvious food that we are intolerant to. As we have mentioned so often before, paying close attention to your body is the most valuable tool when it comes to staying in good health. Listen to your body and what it is trying to tell you, and you will be able to figure out what foods to eat and which ones are better to avoid.

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*community

K

idZAid – started by Helen Lee in response to the national outcry to assist and raise funds for AIDS orphans, vulnerable children and their caregivers – was registered as a trust in 2004 and as a Public Benefit Organisation in 2006.

“We believe that every child whose life has been touched by AIDS deserves to be brought up with a sense of self-worth.

This can only be achieved with proper feeding, shelter, education and nurture. We are committed to channelling resources through reputable initiatives to assist as many of these children as possible to become worthwhile members of society,” says Helen.

“All my life I have had a special love for babies and young children, and I have been richly blessed as a mother and more recently a granny,” she says. “Over the years I have been particularly saddened by reports of young children fending for themselves as a result of the AIDS scourge that is sweeping our land.” Speaking to people intimately involved in AIDS relief, such as Dr Daryl Hackland and the AIDS Foundation in Durban, Helen realised that there were many projects and initiatives in operation. “But their major need was funding, and although much money is sent to South Africa for AIDS, most of this goes

There is so much kindness in this country into research and very little reaches those who are suffering at present.

“There is so much kindness in this country and many folk are anxious to help in some way, but simply haven’t the time to get involved personally. I truly believe that the man in the street can be motivated to give a small donation each month to a reputable trust that will ensure the money reaches those in need,” says Helen. “So KidZAid was born to provide that vehicle.”

Drop-in centres were started in the

ABOVE: KidZAid committee and trustees at the Luganda Drop-in Centre Crèche in Mariannhill, from left to right: Gaynor King, Dr Noku Ngcobo, Dr Angela James and Mary-Ann Pringle-Steiner.

Absent: Flip Van De Merwe and Helen Chandler.

Helping children

IN NEED

KATRINE ANKER-NILSSEN CHATS TO HELEN LEE, FOUNDER OF THE INSPIRING ORGANISATION KIDZAID

Mariannhill area by the Community Outreach Centre at the height of the AIDS pandemic to cater for child-headed households. “The drop-in centre we support is in an area called Luganda. As a result of the death of parents from AIDS, many children were left without an adult to care for them. These older children can leave their younger siblings at the centre on the way to school each morning, where the little ones are fed and cared for. On returning in the afternoon, the older children receive a meal before they leave with their younger siblings. This enables the older children to attend school and ensures that they receive one nutritious meal each day,” says Helen.

Apart from Luganda, KidZAid supports 1 000 Hills Community Helpers at Inchanga

M A R C H

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with a sizeable donation for infant formula each month. They also assist the Embizeni Creche at Shongweni and Candyfloss pre-primary school, which operates from Mariann Ridge Methodist Church.

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FOR MORE INFO Mary-Ann on steinermap@gmail.com; 083 289 4520

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profile*

story and pictures shirley le guern

Y

oung entrepreneur Bruce Eales went from sound technician to toy maker during Covid. Somewhere in between building the eyecatching jungle gym at The Bakery at The Mushroom Farm and running a small home maintenance business, he also turns out everything from cupboards and shelving to wooden box planters, wooden crates and coffee tables.

The colourful jungle gym is probably his largest project to date and began when he bumped into Maddison Bakery owner, Ryan Watt, at a local shop. He’d made wooden display cabinets for the company’s products at Spar stores and Ryan asked him if he’d like to take on a creative jungle gym project.

“When I met with him, he showed me a picture and the plan for what he wanted. We had to jiggle it as we went along. We came across some water pipes in the ground and had to move things a bit. I concrete the gum poles into the ground and this couldn’t clash with the piping,” he says.

It took a week for the basic skeleton of poles to take shape, followed by the wonky house and the castle which are joined by an arched bridge.

I can do customised and themed jungle gyms. I can tailor make whatever I do to suit people’s wants or needs Bruce says that, throughout the process, safety has been paramount. “It’s very secure. Because it is going to hold children, it has to be very solid.”

Customised

CREATIONS MEET THE MAN BEHIND THE NEW COLOURFUL JUNGLE GYM AT THE MUSHROOM FARM

him to find out if he could build smaller backyard versions. The answer is a definite yes and Bruce says this is an aspect of his business that he intends growing so that he can also produce play areas for homes and even schools.

“I can do customised and themed jungle gyms. I can tailor make whatever I do to suit people’s wants or needs. I can add everything from rock climbing walls to cargo nets and slides,” he says.

Over the past couple of years, he has

houses and miniature picnic furniture.

Again, he can customise his creations and add things like curtains, cooking utensils, shelving and storage spaces.

Bruce didn’t start out as a carpenter but as a sound technician for well-known Kingston Sound and worked at many large events across the province.

“My boss at the time Brett Kingsland, his wife Marcelle and his brother Charles, taught me all my skills over the past 13 years. We built our own flight cases for

When we weren’t busy, we were painting or cementing. That’s why I am quite diverse when it comes to the home maintenance side of my business.”

When wooden pallet furniture became fashionable, Bruce began making gifts for friends and selling some online. Then he began experimenting with hard woods, making candle holders, shelves and furniture as well as laminating various types of woods to make bread broads, cutting boards and butcher blocks.

Covid saw the cancellation of large entertainment events and Bruce was forced to make a massive life change. With the support of his family, he made his hobby a living.

He benefitted from the sudden spike in home improvement during 2020 but took a hit in 2021 when the second wave of Covid and looting in KZN saw people scale down on spending on their homes.

The Mushroom Farm jungle gym project arrived during a quiet period and Bruce tackled it with enthusiasm.

“It wasn’t easy but it was a great deal of fun. The best part was when kids kept asking when I was going to be finished.

They were all looking forward to playing on this big and very different jungle gym,” he says.

His name and contact details are on two wooden plaques on the structure. He also sells and communicates with clients via social media.

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FOR MORE INFO Contact Bruce on 063 690 9387 or via Facebook @madebybruce

RIGHT: Entrepreneur and carpenter, Bruce Eales with his trusty wooden toolbox.

LEFT: From left to right: Mlungisi Zothwa, Bruce Eales and Maddison Bakery owner, Ryan Watt, inspect the jungle gym at The Bakery at The Mushroom Farm.

VIEW JUNIOR PRIMARY VIDEO

VIEW JUNIOR PRIMARY VIDEO

VIEW SENIOR PRIMARY VIDEO

VIEW SENIOR PRIMARY VIDEO

community*

Giving people

A VOICE

IN A WORLD THAT CAN BE SO NOISY, MANY ARE SUFFERING A DEAFENING SILENCE. INTERFACE KZN EXISTS TO HELP PEOPLE FIND THEIR VOICES AND IN SO DOING, BRING A SENSE OF CLARITY TO LIVES PREVIOUSLY DEFINED BY AN UNSPOKEN CONFUSION, WRITES KELLY KIDGELL ABOVE: Trudi Louw of Interface KZN. Picture: Tanya Olsen

T

he passion and energy Trudi Louw has for the work Interface KZN does is both inspiring and heart-warming as we chat away over a cup of coffee. I reflect, with a hard-hitting realisation, that for many chatting is an absolute luxury.

While we may take our speech for granted, thousands of people across KZN face the incredibly challenging reality of being unable to communicate. Through various projects and outreach programmes, Interface KZN’s mission is to aid children and adults in finding their voice by means of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Simply put, these are strategies used to compensate for limited or no speech – ranging from picture boards and gestures to high-tech speechgenerating devices and computers.

With the expertise of their therapists, the Interface team treat a wide spectrum of patients. From those with Down’s syndrome or autism, to people who’ve suffered strokes or head injuries and lost

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How Can You Help?

Interface relies entirely on public funding to continue with the hope, trust and connection to our world that they bring to patients who wouldn’t usually have access to such therapies.

Should you wish to make a donation, you can: 1. Visit their website www.interface-kzn.co.za 2. Email Trudi on ifacekzn@saol.com 3. Use this nifty little USSD code and follow the prompts; *120*0440*1# 4. SMS “Donate” to 40114

their speech as a result.

The Interface AAC resource centre offers assessments, support, rehabilitation, training and therapy, their primary goal being to establish practical and sustainable means for patients to communicate.

“There’s no moment as special as when we reach that point of a noncommunicative person finally finding some kind of voice – even if it’s just a nod to answer yes, something they could never do before,” beams Trudi.

Established in 1997, Interface KZN is a registered non-profit organisation changing lives for countless “voiceless” people in and around our poorer communities.

Following a consultation with the Valley Trust in 2016, The Valley of 1 000 Hills Outreach Project was initiated. It has been instrumental in providing much needed AAC intervention and assistance to adults and children in this semi-rural area. Another successful project is the work Interface does with Action in Autism,

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Having the recourses to give the gift of communication and to change countless lives comes primarily from word of mouth – a somewhat beautiful irony

an organisation based in Durban North.

With a specific focus on autistic children, their high needs of support surrounding communication and social interactions are facilitated by AAC systems and strategies.

With established programmes at various low socio-economic areas such as Kwangolosi, Embo, Molweni and at the Philakade Carehome, decentralising the assistance Interface KZN offers is a costeffective and practical means to providing therapy to those with non-functional speech.

What’s more, leaders in the

Discover

communities are given the relevant training to become facilitators and to assist in the process of identifying potential patients, screening them, and then providing the appropriate treatment.

It is clear to me that aside from specialised therapies, Interface KZN provides so much more to previously isolated and voice-less people. They give hope. They bring friendship. They unlock painful silences. Having the recourses to give the gift of communication and to change countless lives comes primarily from word of mouth – a somewhat beautiful irony.

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our hidden gems in KZN

RHI N O R I D G E S A FA R I L O D G E

T HO N G A B E AC H L OD GE

KOS I FO R E S T L ODGE

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park KwaZulu-Natal | South Africa

iSimangaliso Wetland Park KwaZulu-Natal | South Africa

iSimangaliso Wetland Park KwaZulu-Natal | South Africa

ACTIVITIES:

ACTIVITIES:

ACTIVITIES:

• Safari drives • Guided bush trails • Spa • Guided bird watching • Homestays

• Turtle tracking • SCUBA diving • Spa • Open Ocean experience • Kayaking on Lake Sibaya • Guided bird watching • Guided snorkeling • Guided forest walks

• Guided Raphia forest walks • Guided bird watching • Turtle tracking • Lake boat trips • Snorkeling at Kosi Mouth • Canoeing

email: res@isibindi.co.za | tel: +27 (0) 35 474 1473 | website: www.isibindi.co.za

profile*

O

ver the past few months my children have been watching the movie Back to the Outback on repeat. It’s the tale of some dangerous and “ugly” critters that escape from a zoo to return to The Outback.

Crazy escapades (and a moral) follow, with macho zookeeper Chaz Hunt on their trail.

When I was asked to interview Dingo Dinkelman, I was expecting a South African version of Chaz Hunt, dressed in khaki and full of bravado.

Instead, I was greeted by a modern conservationist who has managed to use social media to support his passion – critter conservation.

“In my opinion, conservation and the traditional view of conservation need to change.

The traditional view is that you need to be dressed in khaki and in the middle of the bush, getting tick bite fever and bilharzia, to be a true conservationist.

But we’re living in a digital age with smartphones and smart everything else and instant gratification, and the last thing that kids want is to be in the middle of the bush with all those massive monsters that want to eat them,” says Dingo.

“Instead, I see conservation as creating a connection between people and animals.

How are we going to stop rhino poaching or the trade in shark fins for soup? How are we going to stop people from killing African rock pythons for muti?

You’re not going to stop it by regulating it because it’s already regulated and yet it carries on.

The only way you’re going to stop it is by getting people to

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Dingo to the

RESCUE DINGO DINKELMAN MAY BE ALL OVER SOCIAL MEDIA FOR HIS DARING ESCAPADES WITH DANGEROUS ANIMALS, BUT CONSERVATION IS AT THE HEART OF HIS WORK, WRITES STEPHEN SMITH

fall in love with these animals.

So if I can get people to build a connection with a snake or a crocodile, shark, lion, hippo, then they will value that animal more alive than they do dead.

That’s when true conservation will happen.”

As part of his conservation efforts, Dingo and his team are building Dingo’s Animal Kingdom in Cato Ridge, a conservation property dedicated to setting the standard of how animals should be kept. “It will be the base for where people will fall in love with animals,” says Dingo. “I want people to come and see animals in their natural environment – it won’t be a place with animals in small cages, so people won’t feel sorry for these animals.”

Dingo’s Animal Kingdom will also perform a vital role in Dingo’s conservation efforts by raising money. “We’re involved in pangolin conservation and rhino

LEFT: Dingo is famous for his “dangerous” exploits – but he’s much more than an attention seeker.

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ABOVE: Dingo believes you don’t have to wear khaki (or drive a khaki car) to be a true conservationist.

LEFT: The Dinkelman family with a huge leguaan (monitor lizard). de-horning programmes, we support rhino orphanages and captive breeding of endangered reptile species around the world, and a bunch of other things that we fund.”

I asked Dingo about how conservation crosses borders, with his exotic animals in mind.

“I’m not trying to reach only South Africans – conservation needs to happen around the world. Some of our animals are indigenous, some are

exotic – we try to keep keystone species, which are species that define an ecosystem and are highly recognised like king cobras or black mambas. If something happens to the wild populations of these species, it puts the whole ecosystem out of whack. That’s the great thing about YouTube – the videos are seen around the world, and conservation is needed everywhere. As long as people are falling in love with animals

somewhere, I’m achieving my goal of conservation and education – I don’t care if it’s a Burmese python or an African rock python that they’re falling in love with.”

Dingo also speaks of de-monstering animals, devillainising them, by getting people to see the intelligence and personality behind the scary countenance. Once they see that the croc, for example, at Dingo’s Animal Kingdom

recognises his name and comes when called, they start to see him as a name and an individual and not some blood-thirsty killer. And once they can see him like this, the irrational fear fades and a love, respect and admiration for this particular animal emerges.

Dingo’s shows are often aimed at school children – “I want to reach kids before they’ve learnt to fear these animals. Before they think that every spider is out to bite and kill them. That’s half the battle won.” So the next time your child’s school says that Dingo is coming for a show, embrace it.

This is not just an opportunity for your kid to have a pic with a snake that you can stick on the fridge – this is an opportunity for your child to become a conservationist.

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FOR MORE INFO Follow Dingo Dinkelman on YouTube and other social media, take your kids to his shows or Dingo’s Animal Kingdom, and foster a new generation of people who fall in love with animals. www.dingowild.com; @dingo_dinkelman

SERVICE, PASSION AND PARTNERSHIPS Service. Not lip service, but supremely personal service. That’s the focus which has ensured that KZN north-coast-based SIYANQOBA Worldwide Express – SWE – couriers has stood out from the crowd for over 17 years.

Call 031 569 6808 or visit www.swe.co.za

parenting*

Stay connected and

INVOLVED FOUNDER OF THE CHAT, CHRISTY HERSELMAN, HAS GREAT ADVICE ON SAFEGUARDING OUR KIDS AGAINST ONLINE SEX

I

t’s been a long busy day: school runs, work pressure, the extra-mural juggle, the homework fight … Susan feels so grateful to have her three children tucked into bed so she can take an hour to catch her breath and enjoy some me-time.

On her way down the passage she pops her head into her nine-year-old son’s bedroom and is surprised to see a light shining from under the bedcovers. She smiles, assuming he is reading by torchlight like she used to do after lights-out when she was a child. As she gently pulls back the covers her son jumps in fright, clutching the iPad he had been watching tightly to his chest.

It takes some effort to pry the device from his hands and when she does her heart sinks, and bile rises in her throat. The sexually explicit images filling the screen are unlike anything she had ever imagined, much less seen ….

Over the eight years since founding The Chat I have heard countless versions of this scenario. It is a parent’s worst nightmare and is becoming more and more common with younger and younger children.

The average age a South African child sees pornography for the first time is 10.

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By 14 most have been exposed to online sex in some form and many are viewing porn regularly. The majority of children get their sex education not from their parents or teachers, but from Google and YouTube.

And the emerging data on the long-term effects of porn exposure are extremely concerning: It’s violent. About 90% of porn is violent in nature and portrays women enjoying this abuse, teaching young people that consent is optional and girls actually like to be forced. Porn is normalising violent, extreme and often criminal behaviour.

It’s addictive. Most porn is viewed by 14 to 17-year-old boys who, during their most formative years, are training their bodies and brains to be aroused and sexually satisfied by an image on a screen rather than another human being.

This is causing many young men to find themselves unable to connect sexually in adult relationships such as marriages.

It’s damaging. Before online porn, the number of men in their 20s with erectile dysfunction stood at around 5%.

It is currently around 33%. This is a direct result of the vast amounts of porn being consumed by teens and 20-somethings, saturating their minds with extreme and explicit images which damage the wiring of their brains.

It’s growing. Online porn is a $97-billion dollar industry and porn sites have more traffic than Netflix, Twitter, and Amazon combined. Child porn and incest are the two most-searched genres on the world’s largest porn site. The porn industry is fed by the sex trafficking industry and the exploitation of society’s most vulnerable.

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So with the facts making it very clear that porn and online sex are posing a serious risk to the physical, emotional and future sexual health of our children, what can we as parents do keep them free from the grip of this dangerous (and increasingly socially accepted) threat?

PROTECT Install filtering and monitoring software.

A first vital step is to make sure every device in your home is protected with some kind of software which you monitor.

I recommend Safe Surfer (costing around R75/m) which is very easy to install and use and can be adapted to the age or maturity of your child. Filtering software is not 100% safe but very necessary.

TALK ABOUT SEX Become a trusted and open source of accurate information about sex. Be a safe, non-judgemental space for your children to ask questions and process what they see and hear. Teach your children about healthy sexuality. If you don’t tell your children about sex by the age of seven or eight, chances are someone else will.

The Chat

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 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

TALK ABOUT PORN If your child has internet access prepare them for what they might see. Explain the highly addictive and damaging nature of porn, contrasting it with healthy sex within a loving, committed relationship. Layer the conversation as they grow and mature, bringing in values and science to help them understand the seriousness of the threat to their health and future.

PREPARE It is not a case of if your child sees porn, it’s a case of when. Explain what they should do if they come across something inappropriate: shut it down, walk away and tell a trusted adult. There is a lot of shame around porn exposure and our kids need to know they can come to us for unconditional love and support.

Most importantly, stay connected and involved. Children who feel a deep sense of belonging and connection at home are less likely to be drawn into pornography.

And lastly, lead by example. Porn is not good for anyone. The safest home is a porn-free home.

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33

rock the kitchen*

Check out

THIS CHICK WHEN IS CHICKEN NOT JUST CHICKEN? WHEN YOU PUT A FLAVOUR-FILLED ROCKET UP ITS BACKSIDE, THAT’S WHEN, SAYS ANT ELLIS

T

his month, it’s all about flipping the chicken script on its head for my signature dish. Jammed with aromatic aromas, mouthwatering sweet and sour tang, a touch of heat with zingy citrus, and of course (if you nail it), tender, juicy meat in a sticky sauce with that crazy-satisfying, subtle crunch. All other chicken dishes, take a knee – you are simply not worthy.

I first came across Orange Chicken when I was living near Hollywood in Los Angeles.

We drove past a pretty mediocre, buffetstyle take-away chain every day, offering a load of Westernised Chinese-style dishes with cool names – things like General Tso’s Chicken, Beijing Beef and Kung Pao Chicken. I was working driving trucks, living on very little, so when I ate here it

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was a real treat – well, sometimes. Some dishes tasted good, some were bland and disappointing – but then there was the Orange Chicken. Bingo! It was budget stripmall chicken nirvana with greasy noods, in a polystyrene box kept closed with an elastic band. Sometimes I’d walk past the store just to get a whiff – yeah, it was that good.

Over the years and in many attempts to recreate not only the taste, but the headspace of that amazing time in my life (food can do that), I’ve worked through a dozen copycat recipes with many of my own tweaks and flourishes – some which worked and some didn’t. I eventually settled on what I think is the closest version of this magnificent dish I’ve been able to reproduce, sans the polystrene and elastic

band, of course. I gotta warn ya – it takes time. There are lots of ingredients and a few processes, and you can’t skip any of it.

But I’ll put my cock-a-doodle-doo on the cutting block that you’re gonna absolutely love it. The most important rule here is to be organised – use the right ingredients, understand that your prep is essential, don’t rush – and if I were you, make double.

For my veggie friends, sub out the chicken with blanched cauliflower florets and do everything else the same.

Until next time, don’t let recipes intimidate you. It may take an hour to make and five minutes to devour, but that’s the thing about cooking – it’s always, always worth it.

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

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Orange Chicken ●1kg skinless chicken breasts, cut into bitesized chunks • 2 eggs, beaten • 1 tsp salt ●• 1/2 tsp finely ground black pepper • 1 Tbsp vegetable oil • 1/2 cup cornflour ●• 1/4 cup cake wheat flour • oil for frying

bowl and whisk together. In the second, mix the cornflour and flour.

In a large frying pan or medium pot add enough oil to deep fry the chicken.

Heat oil until shimmering (if you have a thermometer, about 190ºC). Once oil is hot, dip chicken pieces in the egg mixture first, then dredge in the flour mix, then add to the hot oil in small batches. Don’t crowd the oil or you’ll cool it down and end up with soggy, oily chicken.

Fry for 3-4 minutes until golden and crispy on the outside. Remove from oil with a slotted spoon and transfer to a cooling rack with a plate underneath.

Discard all but about a tablespoon of the frying oil. Give the orange sauce a mix and add it to the oil. Bring to the boil to thicken. Turn off the heat, and add fried chicken nuggets to the sauce, mixing until well coated.

Serve with jasmine rice or noodles (just follow the packet instructions for either, with a dash of soy sauce), and garnish.

Orange Sauce: ●1½ Tbsp fresh ginger, minced or very finely chopped • 3 cloves garlic, minced or very finely chopped • 1/4 cup regular soy sauce ●• 2 Tbsp water • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, plus the finely grated zest • 1 Tbsp cornflour • 2 Tbsp rice wine (don’t confuse with rice vinegar below) • 1 tsp sesame oil • 4 Tbsp white sugar • 4 Tbsp palm or caramel sugar ●• 8 Tbsp white or rice vinegar (don’t confuse with rice wine above) • 1/4 tsp chilli flakes Garnish: ●Your choice of sliced spring onions, fresh coriander leaves and/or sesame seeds

Combine all sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl, mix well until sugar is dissolved, and set aside. Prepare your dredging station with two medium bowls: In one, whisk eggs, salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon of oil into a shallow

Debbie Jean

Reviews

­ ­

trending*

The future is

BRIGHT SAY GOODBYE TO DRAB AND DULL – AND GET READY TO SEE PURPLE EVERYWHERE

F

ollowing almost a year of research and trend forecasting – taking into consideration what people are doing and talking about, getting inspiration from gaming platforms, sports, looking at the natural world around us with lilac, lavender and periwinkle plants offering a calming sense during the pandemic – Pantone has introduced a new shade of blue. It’s a dynamic periwinkle blue hue with a vivifying violet red undertone.

Very Peri, or Pantone 17-3938, is the Pantone Colour of the Year for 2022.

By combining the “faithfulness and consistency of blue with the energy and excitement of red”, Pantone – the global colour authority and provider of professional colour language standards – landed on the “happiest and warmest of all the blue hues”. This is also the first time Pantone has created a colour for its Colour of the Year selection.

This decision reflects the “global innovation and transformation taking place,” said Laurie Pressman, Pantone Colour Institute vice-president. “As society continues to recognise colour as a critical form of communication and as a way to express and affect ideas and emotions and

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engage and connect, the complexity of this new red-violetinfused blue hue highlights the expansive possibilities that lie before us. It displays a spritely, joyous attitude and dynamic presence that encourages courageous creativity and imaginative expression,” she said.

Very Peri shows promise to a fashion industry that has grown bored of sameness and struggles, relying on dopamine dressing to get out of its pandemic slump. This colour adapts new qualities on different materials, looking

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

M A R C H

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futuristic as a metallic, but also suiting handcrafted looks and natural fibres.

The tech giant Microsoft have partnered with Pantone to help remote working employees have a more positive, uplifting vibe. They have begun infusing Very Peri actively into their products, launching new backgrounds in Microsoft Teams, PowerPoint templates, Windows 11 wallpapers and an Edge browser theme.

Very Peri has great potential so don’t be afraid to experiment with this bold and fun colour. Whether it be in your wardrobe, home or make-up choices, be sure to add a dash or more of this fresh, dynamic and joyous new colour to your life in 2022.

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6

REASONS TO SELL WITH SEEFF

LD SO

RECORD SALE

2 OUR SELLERS ARE AROUND

Emerald Isle, Jan Smuts Avenue

1

R10,950,000

2.8%

7%

better off

than had they used the competition

THE AVERAGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ASKING AND SELLING PRICE

The reasons the sellers in the Upper Highway are choosing to list with us at Seeff Hillcrest are due to key market observations that we have made – which make all the sense in the world.

LD SO

71 Horseshoe Crescent, Waterfall

R1,575,000

LD SO

36 Forest Hamlet, Forest Hills

R2,250,000

LD SO

15 Highmead, Assagay

SEEFF HILLCREST 031 765 5326 | hillcrest@seeff.com | hillcrest.seeff.com

SEEFF OFFICE:

1st Floor, Christians Village Cnr. Old Main Road, Hillcrest

R5,250,000

We get the job done faster, with least hassle to our sellers and we get them more money out.

LD

SO

LD

SO R3,395,000

37 Kenilworth Drive, Kloof

3 AVERAGE TIME ON THE MARKET:

2 Meadow Lane, Kloof

LD SO

Langford Country Estate, Hillcrest

8

WEEKS

6

4 On average we sell all of SOLE MANDATE properties within

R5,830,000

R3,550,000

FIVE WEEKS We have the biggest marketing budget in the entire upper highway area

Slickest photography Professional videography Saturday’s with Seeff feature on East Coast Radio

24% Market Share

LD SO

11A Gevers, Assagay

R4,200,000

5

1 in 4

PROPERTIES IN THE UPPER HIGHWAY Are sold by our dynamic team of experienced agents

advertorial*

I

t all began with Mr Ben Narotam, who founded Benze in 1970. When you step in the door of Benze in Mayville, you’ll find him still at the helm, still with the same values of impeccable service and quality workmanship. With son Nesh heading up operations, Ben is always there contributing his decades of experience and his clear understanding of the importance of relationships. He should know, because that’s what the business has been built on – trust that Benze Upholstery will get it right, trust that family heirlooms will be treated with the utmost care and respect.

Decades of experience means you’ll get a straightforward opinion, a fair quote, and work which goes beyond your expectation.

The family prides themselves on building lasting relationships and on their clientfocused approach. Clients return time and time again because they know the Benze team is fully committed to first-rate quality.

For the Benze team, their biggest reward is that look of astonishment, relief, pleasure and gratitude when a treasured heirloom or loved piece is given a new lease on life. As Nesh says, “I’m totally driven by passion.

I’m determined each client will receive the best service possible – that is our motto.”

Upholstery and restoration is highly skilled work, carried out by experienced craftsmen who’ve not only been doing this for decades – but who also take immense pride in their work.

Benze Upholstery doesn’t simply recover your furniture. Reupholstering involves everything from repairs to joints and structural damage, to stripping, replacing

Trusting

TRADITION THERE’S SOMETHING SO REASSURING ABOUT DEALING WITH A DURBAN FAMILY BUSINESS THAT’S OVER 50 YEARS OLD. WHEN YOU HAND OVER A FAMILY HEIRLOOM FOR REUPHOLSTERING, TRUST IS EVERYTHING webbing, springs and padding, basically making it better than new.

Ben Narotam pointed out their wood restoration work: “We can revive a scratched surface, or paint and colourmatch any furniture. We’ve been giving wooden furniture a young, contemporary colour, which includes sanding, painting then upholstering the chairs.”

“We know that our service and hands-on approach, married to age-old values and workmanship, will give each and every

client precisely what they want. Check out our reviews on Google – that puts minds at rest!” Nesh stresses, “To continue this great legacy is very important to our family.”

Dealing with a family business feels good. There’s a sense of continuity. Ben Narotam began Benze over 50 years ago with that personal touch, and it’s gratifying to see his son Nesh following in his footsteps. Nesh takes great pride in ensuring that the Benze reputation stays the way it’s always been.

EST 1970

031-208 7131 • 082 635 0165 55 Buro Crescent upholstery@benze.co.za • www.benze.co.za Mayville

S E R A B E L L A – M E A N I N G A B E AU T I F U L E V E N I N G I N I TA L I A N – I S A N E W D E V E LO P M E N T I N T H E H E A RT O F I Z I N GA I N U M H L A N GA C O N S I ST I N G O F M O D E R N C O N T E M P O R A RYI N S P I R E D V I L L AS T H AT E M B R AC E A S E N S E O F S PAC E A N D E L EGA N C E A N D F E AT U R E STAT E - O F -T H E -A RT F I N I S H ES W I T H I N I TS AU T H E N T I C BA L I N ES E A EST H E T I C S .

No transfer duty payable Stunning architecturally designed modern contemporary / balinese inspired homes embracing a sense of space and elegance situated in a prime position in the prestigious Izinga open suburb, Umhlanga making it one of the most sought after addresses in the area.

Gated with an electrified perimeter fence and surveillance cameras with a 24 hour security guard manning the access control from the guardhouse providing residents with absolute peace of mind.

The guardhouse area will also incorporate domestic help washrooms, change rooms and toilets.

Only a few kilometres away from the famous Gateway Theatre of Shopping complex, as well as in close proximity to some of KwaZulu Natal’s most prestigious schools and hospitals. A short drive to the Umhlanga coastline beaches.

Location, security and privacy translates to peace, happiness and a coveted lifestyle that only Sera Bella can provide.

Peace of mind: Situated within a double gated security precinct, in addition to patrolled security and tactical presence, Sera Bella also has an electrified perimeter fence with surveillance cameras and a 24-hour security guard manning the access control from the guardhouse.

Location is key: Sera Bella is ideally located to Gateway Theatre of Shopping, hospitals, prestigious private schools, King Shaka International Airport, restaurants and beaches.

Privacy is paramount: Ranging from two- and three-storey villas to three-bedroom apartments, each villa’s garden is totally private and fenced off, offering total seclusion. Within the complex there is also a communal pool and braai area.

TO FIND OUT MORE Website: www.serabella.co.za / Email: sales@serabella.co.za Mobile number: +27 83 786 8999 / Address: P.O. Box 22115, Glenashley, Durban 4022

advertorial**

Y

our CV is the first point of contact between you and your next potential employer. It should be succinct and presented in an easy-to-read format using a simple font, minimal styling and the use of bullet points to break down information.

Start with Name, Address and Contact Details List the contact details prospective employers will be able to reach you on easily at any time. Ensure the details are presented clearly and feature prominently at the top of your CV. Tip: Include a link to your updated LinkedIn profile within your introductory details.

LOOKING?

FOLLOW THE WRIGHT RECRUITMENT’S RECOMMENDED STRUCTURE AND TIPS TO ENSURE YOUR CV STANDS OUT

Introduce Yourself Summarise and highlight what you can offer to a prospective employer, draw attention to what you have accomplished.

This section should be tailored for each role you apply for and aim to make you stand out from competition.

the role, so it is important to include where you have gone above and beyond or made a significant achievement. Where the achievements are measurable, ensure to include numbers.

Summarise your Skills Use brief bullet points to list the skills and experience you have that are specific and relevant to the role.

Tip: Wherever possible, use the same adjectives as those used in the advertisement.

List any Training, Education and Courses Only list what is relevant or required for the role you are applying for, starting with most recent. It is important to showcase where you may have up-skilled or could bring new knowledge to the organisation.

Highlight Relevant Experience List your work history in most recent historical order – including paid work as well as relevant volunteer or work experience placements. Tailor this section to the job, specifically where key responsibilities in previous roles are applicable for your application.

Tip: Highlight how you overcame challenges both personally and as a team member.

References Available on Request It is fine to list references are available on request if you are not comfortable disclosing your referees until further into the recruitment process. It is important to make sure you have them readily available and contactable when requested.

Shout about your Achievements Your CV is your opportunity to sell yourself and highlight why you are the best fit for

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How’s your CV

The Wright Recruitment specialises in placements within Accounting & Finance, Sales & Marketing, Digital Marketing & Advertising, Human Resources, Healthcare, Call Centre, Management, Office Support & Admin, Logistics & Warehousing, Engineering, Artisans and Hospitality.

Hayley Wright, owner of The Wright Recruitment; 072 2467 647; info@thewrightrecruitment.co.za; www.thewrightrecruitment.co.za W @thewrightrecruitment U Hayley Wright

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travel*

The pride

OF AFRICA STEP ABOARD ROVOS RAIL AND EXPERIENCE A BYGONE ERA OF TRAVEL ALONG ROUTES STEEPED IN AFRICAN BEAUTY, WRITES CATHY CLARK

A

ccording to his wife Anthea, Rohan Vos has always been obsessed with things mechanical. In 1985, following a train trip to Magaliesberg, Rohan attended his first auction to buy a coach or two. Described as a man of vision, Rohan soon became self-sufficient from the South African Transport Services and was granted permission to run his own personal “family caravan” in December 1986, giving birth to the idea of running a vintage train as a business venture.

On April 29, 1989, a locomotive and seven carriages with four paying passengers, friends and press, set off for the Eastern Transvaal – the start of what would become known as the Rovos Rail. Since then, Rovos Rail has earned an international reputation for its truly world-class travel experiences, offering bespoke train safaris through the heart of Africa, combining magnificent scenery with the glamour and excitement of the golden age of leisure travel.

In a series of journeys lasting from 48 hours to 15 days, Rovos Rail links some of the sub-continent’s greatest destinations.

The beautifully rebuilt vintage trains carry a maximum of 72 passengers in 36 superbly appointed suites. It is also available for charter for corporate or private functions and is suitable for daytime journeys.

The classic wood-panelled coaches are the epitome of luxury with period

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Edwardian features combined with modern technology. Each train includes accommodation carriages, dining cars, a lounge car, a small gift shop, a smoking lounge and an observation car which includes an open-air balcony.

There are three types of suites, varying in size, each one elegant and offering passengers privacy, comfort and luxury.

Attention has been given to space maximisation, including adequate storage, with limited cupboard space.

The world-class experience on the Rovos Rail recaptures the romance of a bygone era. Travellers can experience the magic and mystery of Africa in a relaxed and elegant fashion. With a discreet, 24-hour service, a friendly and enthusiastic team of chefs and host, exceptional speciality meals catering for all dietary requirements are suitably paired with South Africa’s finest wines.

Step aboard the most luxurious train in the world and take a journey of a lifetime.

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Tips

• Space is limited on the train. Pack wisely and limit bulky luggage.

• The dining carriage can be cool in the evenings. Pack a shawl or jacket.

• Be sure to enjoy a sundowner on the open-air balcony.

• The train mechanics can be noisy at night. It’s best to include earplugs in your vanity case as a precaution.

ABOVE: The dining car – all ready for a banquet to remember.

TOP LEFT: The royal double suite.

LEFT: The royal bathroom suite.

FAR LEFT: The best view of game on the move is from the observation car.

M A R - A P R

2 0 2 2

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last word*

The new

JANUARY

THE SECRET TO STICKING TO NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS IS TO START THEM IN MARCH AND MAKE THEM SIMPLER AND MORE ACHIEVABLE, SAYS DARREL BRISTOW-BOVEY BETWEEN PRESS-UPS

S

o, how are your New Year’s resolutions going? I never bother to ask in January – anyone can keep their resolutions in January. But as the year grinds on and the iron wheel of time rumbles and crushes your toes if you don’t move out of the way – that’s when the resolution game starts to get serious.

I have a simple way to make sure I’m still keeping my resolutions: I only start them on March 1. March is a dull month – you’re bored with work already and Easter isn’t here yet. It needs spicing up and motivation, so why not make it the new January?

Usually, I make vague and unmeasurable resolutions like, “Be more charming”, or “Don’t worry so much about my hair”, but this year I decided to make them simpler and more achievable. Every single morning, starting on March 1, I have been doing press-ups.

Don’t shrug like that – this is a big deal.

It’s been years since I did a press-up – the last time was in Standard 7 at Glenwood rugby training with Mr Sjolander. In certain one-on-one coaching sessions he liked to see if we could lift ourselves with him lying on top of us. Usually I couldn’t, so he would just lie there companionably for a while, shifting to make himself comfortable, murmuring tactics in my ear and chuckling throatily until our breathing synchronised.

Ah, good times.

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The thought of doing press-ups again was intimidating. On March 1 I started with one press-up. Anyone can do one pressup. The next day I did two, and the next day three. It’s the grain-of-sand theory: if we can lift a weight, we can always add one more grain of sand, right? So surely if you keep slowly adding an infinite number of grains, you’ll be able to bear an infinitely large weight?

It’s a version of the old debate about whether there’s a limit on how fast a human being will ever run the hundred metres. If it’s always at least theoretically possible to run one-millionth of a second faster than the previous fastest, that implies infinite progression. Human

How will I do just over 300 press-ups by the end of the year? beings can always get better! But a French researcher named Geoffroy Berthelot disagrees. He concluded that the rate of breaking athletic records levelled off in 1988, and that human beings have reached our maximal capacity for athletic improvement.

There’ll be no more great surges forward in performance, he predicts, and only advances in technology, gene therapy or doping will see any meaningful shaving

down of times. We’re about as good as we’re going to get.

Well, we’ll see about that, I think each morning as I drop and do my press-ups and add one more. I believe in human improvement. I believe in hope. The hell with you, Geoffrey Berthelot.

But it’s all very well being optimistic about the human condition when you’re adding one press-up to six to make seven; as you move deeper into the double digits, human perfectibility starts to seem mighty far away. This morning I wheezed my way to the end then lay on my back gasping and thinking: By my birthday I’ll be up to 50 press-ups. Is this likely? How will I do just over 300 press-ups by the end of the year?

This thinking doesn’t help. You have to keep your horizons small, and not look too far ahead. Some day I won’t be able to add a press-up; some day I won’t even be able to do the number I did yesterday. Soon enough the grains won’t be added – they’ll start being subtracted. But that day wasn’t today, and I’m hoping it’s not tomorrow.

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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