Neighbourhood DBN - 15 April 2018

Neighbourhood 15 APRIL 2018

PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE

Westville

Singer Victoria Raw tells us why she feels so in tune with her ’hood, page 2

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SUBURB FOCUS: WESTVILLE

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PROPERTY NEWS

15 APRIL 2018

Neighbourhood

Suburb focus

Westville Singer and songwriter, Victoria Raw, tells us about her neighbourhood WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER IMAGES: SUPPLIED, STEPHEN PILBROUGH & GOOGLE MAPS

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ctress, singer and songwriter Victoria Raw has lived in the same home in Westville with her mom since 2004. Westville has always been considered a family suburb, with a number of local shopping

malls, such as The Pavilion, mainly freestanding homes and numerous sports clubs and outdoor activities in places like Palmiet Nature Reserve. It’s a large suburb which includes Westville North, Westville Central and Berea West.

*Map not to scale

One of the major advantages of Westville, aside from the excellent public schools, is its proximity to Durban (10 to 15 minutes on the N3 or the King Cetshwayo Highway) and access to the N2 north and south to some of the major commercial and industrial hubs.

that I even put on shows at family functions,” she says. But it was clear from an early age that drama and music would be in her future.

Victoria’s mom used to teach drama and her father taught English, so it’s no surprise that they encouraged her to pursue a career in the arts.

We spent as much time as possible trawling through The Pavilion shopping centre, when it used to have a skate park and arcade area, singing and choreographing dance sequences down the aisles. We probably looked crazy, but I have such fond memories of those times.”

Home sweet home

Both parents are school principals now, mom at Westville Girls’ High School, and dad at Northlands Girls’ High School. Victoria participated in musicals and productions at Westville Boys’ and Westville Girls’ throughout her high school years.

Victoria’s life is packed, to put it mildly. She teaches drama at Danville Park Girls’ High School, pursuing a music and acting career, doing a master’s degree in live performance at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and will continue to lecture and perform part-time.

So home is her sanctuary.

Victoria matriculated from Westville Girls’ High School in 2012 – her mom has been teaching there since 2001.

She walked away with full colours for choir and drama, both artistic disciplines which have played a big role in her life. “To the extent

Westville is undoubtedly home to her. “I grew up here and most of my friends were at most a 10-minute drive away, so it made meeting up much easier, certainly for our parents.

SCHOOLS: • • • • • • • • •

Westville Pre-Primary School Westville Junior Primary School Westville Senior Primary School Westville Girls' High School Westville Boys' High School Berea West Pre-Primary School Berea West Senior Primary School Berea West Preparatory School Star College (Primary, Girls’ and Boys’ High schools)

Another favourite spot is the veranda overlooking their garden. “We have friends over for braais and drinks almost every weekend.”

Neighbourhood gems Victoria loves the park near Bristol Bridge. “It’s about 500m from my house, quiet and mostly free of cars and pedestrians, which is perfect for walking our dogs.”

HOSPITALS NEARBY: • • • •

Life Westville Hospital Life The Crompton, Pinetown Life Entabeni Hospital, Glenwood Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital, Glenwood

PUBLISHED BY TIMES MEDIA PROPERTY PUBLISHING 1st Floor, Block H, Sable Square cnr Bosmansdam and Ratanga Roads Milnerton, Cape Town

“My mom built a fire pit as a birthday present for me one year, and it’s been one of my favourite spots ever since,” she says with a smile. “She built it so my friends and I could have our own spot away from the adults, but I suspect it was for her more than me.

My younger brother has started to claim it as his own now, so in some ways it feels like a rite of passage – something to be passed on.”

She and her friends had many fun times at Waxy O’Connors. “I used to live at Waxy’s on Wednesday nights with a bunch of friends – that burger and beer special is to die for!”

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Sales & Marketing Manager: Michèle Jones michele.jones@thecreativegroup.info Advertising: Julie Ellice kzn@yourneighbourhood.co.za Production: Lucea Goosen lucea@yourneighbourhood.co.za Online coordinator: Sasha Burgess sasha@augmentcreative.com

15 APRIL 2018

Neighbourhood

PROPERTY NEWS

I love Westville, because it’s been the constant backdrop to my school years, my family life and my social life VICTORIA RAW

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SHOP: • • • • •

The Pavilion Westville Mall Westville Junction Westwood Mall Village Market Westville

For sale Median asking price: She admits to a sweet tooth, though.

“When I was at school, my mom and I had an after-school ritual of baked cheesecake and tea at Mugg & Bean in Westville Mall.”

Things changed when Waffle Cafe was built at Westville Junction.

“Our tradition changed and our ritual found a new home!”

Perfect Sunday “I’m not a big outdoors person anymore. I tend to spend most of my time indoors close to an instrument, writing songs or playing music. My dad and I used to spend weekends together playing the piano and singing for anyone who would listen.”

When her dad bought her an upright piano for her 16th birthday, she taught herself to play it, and the guitar. She also started vocal training and was the only member from Westville Girls’ High School in the KZN Youth Choir from 2010 to 2013. That experience led Victoria to do a degree in music and drama performance at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where she met her bandmates of Blvck Crystals & Victoria Raw. That was the start of her music career.

R2,27m

Monthly bond repayments

For a typical property (four-bedroom house)

For a typical property in this area

R1,7m

R950,000

R2m

In a complex

For an apartment

For a house

You’ll pay

R21,905 per month

79%

Property Type:

Based on

house

7%

“My weekends aren’t generally quiet, but I do use them to catch up with family and friends. Once a year, for a few days, the family heads down the South Coast to Lake Eland – that’s really tranquil!”

R2,27m median asking price

apartment

14% complex

over a period of 20 years at 10% prime

Westville Senior Primary School

Flying strong for

60

Learners Today,

years - Watch us soar to new heights.

Leaders Tomorrow.

42 Westville Road, Westville, 3629 ● Tel: 031 266 5218 ● Fax: 031 266 0094 ● admin@wsps.co.za ● www.wsps.co.za

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PROPERTY NEWS

15 APRIL 2018

Neighbourhood

My business neighbourhood The mmm Factor gives the people of Pietermaritzburg something sweet to think about WORDS: TIVANIA MOODLEY IMAGES: SUPPLIED & SHUTTERSTOCK

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aking has become an art form, with bakers creating delicious and aesthetically pleasing cupcakes that make any occasion special. Merishnie Manikum used her creative flair and love for baking to start her business, The mmm Factor, offering clients personalised and creative cupcakes and biscuits.

Q: How did your business start?

A: My career began at home, where I would bake for family and friends.

I enjoyed the decorating aspect the most and would often get complimented on it. I decided to formalise and hone my craft with a baking design and decorating course.

I’m now a member of the South African Cake Decorators Guild.

Q: Why did you choose this area to set up shop?

A: I’m fortunate enough to be able

to work from home in Northdale, which is very convenient as I can accommodate clients anytime.

Q: How did you find your premises?

A: I’m currently working from home until I become established enough to get a designated space for business purposes.

Q: Why are the premises ideally suited to your business?

A: I’m in a central location where clients have easy access to me.

From a business perspective, I’m very close to shopping centres where I can replenish stock.

Q: Who are your neighbours?

A: Residential families who have become great clients.

Q: Do you operate online as well?

A: Yes, I’m active on Instagram (@the_mmm_factor) where I showcase my work and where clients can contact me to place orders or make enquiries.

Q: What’s your most popular item?

A: Definitely my personalised cupcakes, where clients get to be creative with whatever design they require. Kids especially get thrilled with seeing my playful designs.

SEE FOR YOURSELF: The mmm Factor 081 749 7604 merishnie16@gmail.com

Q: What are the shop rental/ sales prices like in this area?

A: A s I work from home, I don’t have to pay a rental amount, which is a blessing now while the company is still young.

Q: How many people visit your business each day?

A: Business varies, but there are birthday parties and other occasions that happen on weekends when I tend to get busy.

Q: Do you have any expansion plans?

A: In the near future, I’d love to fulfil my dream of opening a bakery or coffee shop and expanding my product offering.

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HOMEOWNERS

15 APRIL 2018

Neighbourhood

MORE ONLINE: yourneighbourhood.co.za/advice/design-and-decor

Off the wall

Wallpaper is making a comeback as an artistic decor item WORDS: ANNE SCHAUFFER

IMAGES: SUPPLIED & SHUTTERSTOCK

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allpaper is here to stay,” says Karen Nelson-Palmer, owner of Wall-paper. And although wallpaper is more expensive than paint, Karen says you can’t compare the two. “Paint application is a single texture; wallpaper can be so many.

And the materials it’s made from vary considerably. It can be vinyl, paper, embossed, flocked, metallic, wooden veneer, cork, grass cloth, have Swarovski crystals attached – the possibilities are endless!”

Today’s wallpapers

Yesteryear’s wallpapers had a certain formality to them, but today, they can create or contribute to any mood you choose. From world maps to black-and-white images or newsprint, there’s a wallpaper for every purpose.

A single wall wallpapered with monochrome images of vintage telephones turns a beautiful, cool home office from clinical to classic.

Local and international

Internationally, wallpaper has exploded and become exciting for interior designers and decorators. “We import mainly from the UK, Belgium

Polk Sunday Times Neighbourhood Ad 12 April 2018 curves.indd 1

and the US, and they’re surprisingly affordable,” says Karen. South African brands are also growing in popularity.

“Some South African fabric designers, image gurus or distributors, like Robin Sprong or Clinton Friedman, are very popular,” she adds.

Walls and ceilings

Wallpaper can also create the illusion of changing the room’s dimensions, like the effect of pale or dark colours bringing a wall forward or pushing it back. Wallpaper with thin vertical stripes can seem to raise the ceiling in a cramped space. Wallpapers can even accentuate a surface.

Karen says, “We’re papering a lot of ceilings. From classic pressed ceiling designs to artificial brickwork, papered ceilings can be fun, creating a fantastic textured area.”

Karen also considers cleverly chosen wallpaper on a feature wall to be a really affordable alternative to changing curtains or scatter cushions.

Local trends

South Africans are still riding the wave of local imagery and nature, with the escape it represents from today’s

techno world featuring strongly in wallpaper choices. The “back to nature” trend isn’t exclusively South African, of course, nature motifs are huge globally, even if there’s been a maturing of the trend with the introduction of genuine texture, metallic touches and fresh takes on older themes. Natural wood grains and plant patterns continue the story, but once again, with a twist.

Botanical prints have also been incorporated into sensational fabrics and wallpapers, some with dark and mysterious animal prints, and others with lighter and more quirky designs.

Karen says, “I’m seeing leafy designs not in natural shades, but rather in new vibrant colours, with strong geometric designs coming through for 2018.”

Last word

Wallpaper, like art, has the dual purpose of making the home more visually appealing and allowing visitors to gain insight into the homeowner’s life experience. The wide range of wallpapers available locally and internationally allows homeowners to be brave and play a little. If it no longer works in a few years, you can change it. It’s that simple.

2018/04/12 9:38:21 AM

15 APRIL 2018

Neighbourhood

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PROPERTY NEWS

New apartments for Sitari Country Estate

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itari Country Estate in Somerset West in the Western Cape has announced the release of two new apartment complexes – Waterford Place and Paradiso.

as well as the superb interior and aesthetic design, specifications and fittings, which take our apartments to a level not previously seen in developments in the Helderberg.

John Coetzee, executive director, Uvest Property Group (developer of Sitari Country Estate), said, “The rapid selling out of Waterbrook’s 55 premium apartments towards the end of last year and fast take-up rate of the 33 units in Phase 1 of Meadow Lane led us to move the release of these new apartment complexes forward. Demand from both investors and potential residents is strong, boosted by the incredible facilities that the estate will offer

“Hence, we decided to introduce two new apartment schemes, Waterford Place and Paradiso, both designed by our architectural partner, BPAS Architecture, and they’re already selling briskly.”

Waterford Place Luxury Apartments offer one-, two- and threebedroom apartments, while the Paradiso Premium Apartments offer condo-living apartments.

By signing a buyer’s mandate, you get a dedicated property professional with a wealth of experience and contacts to guide you first through the search for your dream home and then through the negotiating process.

Buyers are just as pertinent to a property transaction as sellers, so why not give them the option to be represented by an independent expert: someone to unmask the hidden pitfalls of property buying – a person solely focused on protecting their rights and interests?

PAUL STEVENS, CEO, JUST PROPERTY

Home safety Who is responsible for the security of a rented property?

WORDS: CANDICE BOTHA

IMAGES: SHUTTERSTOCK

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ith security a concern for many, the issue of whether the landlord is responsible for securing a property is contentious. The rule is that a landlord must provide the property in a habitable state that’s reasonably fit for its purpose. The provision of security is therefore debatable.

“There’s no legal requirement for a landlord to supply any security whatsoever,” says Shaun Dubois, principal, Just Property Pietermaritzburg and KZN Midlands. “When viewing a prospective property,

the tenant should take note of security and choose a property that they feel best suits them.”

It’s possible to negotiate the addition of security measures with a landlord, but this will be at their discretion. “The tenant should acquaint themselves with the security and record in writing under special conditions that the landlord agrees, prior to occupation, to fit the necessary security measures, such as an alarm, electric fencing, security bars and gates,” says Barbara Fisher, rental manager, Tyson Properties Morningside.

In the event of a burglary, the landlord is responsible for repairing any damage to the structures of the building, such as fences, windows, gates and burglar bars, while the tenant must replace or repair any of their own belongings.

“It’s imperative for tenants to understand that their own goods on and in the property must be insured by their own insurance,” says Dubois. “The landlord will not have cover for their goods, and over and above this, the indemnity clause in the written lease would make any claim against the landlord all but impossible.”

Keeping this in mind, a tenant may want to beef up security at their own expense. Dubois advises getting written permission with very clear terms in this event. “Many leases will state that any improvements made must be left when the tenant vacates. However, it may also be agreed that the tenant may make security upgrades and remove them and restore the property to its original condition once the lease terminates.”

Providing good security would make a property more attractive to tenants. “Not necessarily translating to a higher rental, but a well-secured property would be let first,” says Fisher.

SA's top 10 exclusive towns

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his year’s South Africa Wealth Report by AfrAsia Bank and New World Wealth, identified the top 10 exclusive towns, which is shown below by the number of R20m homes in that area. Figures are rounded to nearest 10 and include houses, apartments and private wine farms.

1 Plettenberg Bay 130

2

3

Umhlanga and La Lucia 110

4

5

Stellenbosch 90

7 Franschhoek 60

Knysna 100

8

George (including Fancourt) 50

6 Ballito* 80

Paarl 70

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10 Wilderness 20

*Includes Ballito, Salt Rock, Shaka’s Rock and Sheffield Beach

Hermanus 20

2Bedroom 2Bathroom from ONLY R1.19mil incl. Transfer duties & Vat

Set in the misty rolling hills of Hillcrest, Cotswold Fenns offers breath taking, modern, country living packages from only R1,190,400 incl. transfer duties & vat.

Escape into our 100000m2 back yard of natural wetlands which offers nature trails, an outdoor gym, bicycle tracks, picnic sites, ponds with the prospect of catch and release fishing, an array of bird life with bird hides & viewing decks to take in the magic. This gated, eco estate provides a matchless Lifestyle centre and clubhouse which leads to a Charming Recreational park, Swimming pool with Tanning deck and so much more. You can even bring your furry companion a long because we are pet friendly too. At Cotswold Fenns nature is not a place you visit it is your home.

Call

@

061 505 5033 l Book your unit online

cotswoldfenns.co.za